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Over 60 Health and Advocacy Groups Urge Trump to Fire Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as HHS Secretary

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

More than 60 health and advocacy groups have jointly signed a letter to President Trump, urging him to immediately fire Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. According to the groups, Kennedy has brought "chaos" to the nation's top health agency, undermining Americans' health and setting back scientific progress. The letter highlights several alarming moments under Kennedy's watch, including the mishandling of the 2025 measles outbreak, the firing of CDC Director Dr. Susan Monarez, and billions of dollars in cuts to vital health programs.

Key Takeaways:

  • The letter, signed by over 60 health and advocacy groups, urges President Trump to fire Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. due to his "chaotic" leadership and harm to Americans' health.
  • The groups point to several alarming moments under Kennedy's watch, including the mishandling of the 2025 measles outbreak and billions of dollars in cuts to vital health programs.
  • Public Citizen Co-President Lisa Gilbert stated that "Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the most dangerous individual ever to hold the title of Secretary of Health and Human Services" and that it's "far past time" for President Trump to rectify this error by firing Kennedy.
  • The groups also highlight the firing of CDC Director Dr. Susan Monarez, who was reportedly let go over conflicts with Secretary Kennedy over vaccine policy.
  • The CDC has been plagued by months-long delays and blocks of millions of dollars of federal grants used to help people get tested and treated for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
  • Public Citizen and Protect Our Care led the effort, joined by a coalition of patient, consumer, worker, healthcare provider, and advocacy groups, including American Academy of Pediatrics, American Federation of Government Employees, AIDS Foundation Chicago, and many more.
  • Over 1,000 HHS workers have signed a letter demanding Secretary Kennedy's resignation, citing that he is unfit to run the agency.
  • The groups are concerned that Secretary Kennedy's actions will lead to preventable hospitalizations and deaths, especially with millions of Americans potentially losing access to vaccines.

Statistics:

  • Measles cases spiked in the winter and spring of 2025, with widespread use of vaccines being one of the most effective public health interventions.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that each flu season the disease kills from around 6,000 to more than 50,000 people.
  • Secretary Kennedy's actions have led to the cancellation of $500 million in mRNA vaccine contracts, putting Americans at greater risk from pandemic threats and undermining potential advancements in preventing and treating flu, AIDS, cancer, and more.
  • The HHS Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority invested heavily in mRNA research beginning years before COVID-19, but Kennedy's HHS cancelled these contracts.
  • The NIH has pushed out nearly 5,000 employees and terminated nearly 2,500 grants in a matter of months, including cuts to clinical trials for HIV and Alzheimer's disease.
  • Slashes at the National Cancer Institute have brought its cancer research funding to the lowest levels in more than a decade.

Sources:

  • Public Citizen
  • Protect Our Care
  • News release: More than 60 Health and Advocacy Groups Urge Trump to Fire Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
  • Statement from Public Citizen Co-President Lisa Gilbert
  • Letter to President Trump from over 60 health and advocacy groups

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