Date set for RFK Jr's health secretary confirmation hearing

President Trump's pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Robert F Kennedy Jr, will be scrutinised at a Senate Finance Committee hearing next week (29th January).

The nomination of RFK Jr has been one of the most divisive among a string of controversial Trump nominations for senior government roles, given that he has been accused of disseminating unfounded theories about the health risks of vaccines, fluoride in public water supplies, and Wi-Fi signals, and has accused the FDA in the past of "suppressing" treatments like psychedelic drugs and stem cell therapies.

As head of the HHS – which oversees drug, vaccine, and food safety, as well as medical research, and is responsible for the FDA and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) – RFK Jr would wield a huge amount of influence on the health and wellbeing of Americans and that is causing concern on both sides of the political divide.

Last week, senior Democrat and Finance Committee member Elizabeth Warren sent a letter (PDF) to RFK Jr asking dozens of questions on a wide range of subjects, including vaccines, reproductive rights, conspiracy theories, the roles of the FDA, CDC, and NIH, and drug pricing.

"Given your dangerous views on vaccine safety and public health, including your baseless opposition to vaccines, and your inconsistent statements in important policy areas like reproductive rights access, I have serious concerns regarding your ability to oversee the Department," she wrote.

Meanwhile, Kennedy's nomination is also being opposed by the Advancing American Freedom organisation set up by Trump's former Vice President Mike Pence, which has launched an ad campaign highlighting his "far-left, extremist views" on issues like vaccines and climate, and is urging senators not to support him.

The main thrust of their objection is, however, his earlier support for abortion, which has enraged the conservative pro-life lobby in the US.

"The pro-life movement should have a pro-life secretary leading HHS," said AAF President Tim Chapman. "We don't need to have a confirmation battle over a controversial figure like Kennedy who divides the conservative movement more than unites it."

News of RFK Jr's nomination also sparked a decline in biotech and pharma shares when it was announced last November, prompted by an assertive stance on capping prescription drug prices and limiting the power of the industry in the build-up to the 2024 election.

At the time, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) issued a statement that made no direct comment about Kennedy, but expressed its desire to "work with the Trump administration to further strengthen our innovation ecosystem and improve healthcare for patients."

Image by Gage Skidmore via Wikimedia