From CNBC: 2024-11-19 10:25:38

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announces future campaign plans in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump selects Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, sparking concerns in the public health community and the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. Kennedy’s confirmation hinges on the Republican-held Senate. If confirmed, he would oversee a $1.7 trillion agency responsible for vaccines, medicines, research, public health, pandemic preparedness, and government-funded health care for millions of Americans. Kennedy’s platform, “Make America Healthy Again,” targets reforming federal health agencies, cutting funding, and promoting alternative treatments.

Kennedy, a vaccine skeptic, could impact immunization policy, potentially leading to increased preventable diseases and politicized vaccines. Kennedy’s history of misleading statements about vaccine safety and advocacy for alternative treatments raises concerns about the impact on public health. He aims to influence vaccine recommendations and could promote vaccine skepticism, affecting state and local health decisions. Kennedy’s influence could lead to fragmented vaccine policy in the U.S.

Kennedy plans to address “corporate corruption” in federal health agencies, targeting FDA and NIH staff. He intends to shift research focus, streamline approvals, and increase funding for alternative health approaches. A shakeup at NIH could impact biomedical research, drug development, and pharmaceutical companies. However, significant changes would require congressional approval, and staff protections limit immediate restructuring.

Wall Street analysts anticipate Kennedy focusing on U.S. food policy over pharmaceutical regulation. Investors brace for food policy crackdowns, affecting processed food companies. Kennedy’s impact on drug approvals remains uncertain pending FDA commissioner selection. Kennedy may intervene more in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry, potentially introducing uncertainty in drug development and approval processes.

Kennedy proposes advising U.S. water systems to remove fluoride, citing health concerns. However, fluoride is a widely recognized public health achievement for preventing tooth decay. Kennedy aims to address chronic diseases by targeting food additives and processing. While some proposals have public support, Kennedy’s misleading claims about food regulation raise concerns. Some changes may require USDA involvement, as they govern school lunch programs.



Read more at CNBC: RFK Jr. is Trump pick for HHS secretary. Here’s what he could do