Health Groups Demand Resignation of Secretary Kennedy Over Policies

Multiple health organizations have called for the resignation of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., citing his disregard for established medical science and the potential risk to public health. In a joint statement released on October 11, 2023, over 20 medical groups expressed serious concerns regarding Kennedy’s recent actions, including the dismissal of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director. The statement reflects a growing discontent among health professionals regarding the direction of U.S. health policy under Kennedy’s leadership.

The signatories of the statement include prominent organizations such as the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, and the American Public Health Association. They collectively emphasized the need for “leadership that will promote open, honest dialogue” rather than “disregard decades of lifesaving science.” The groups warned that current policies could lead to an increase in preventable illnesses and deaths, stating, “We are gravely concerned that American people will needlessly suffer and die as a result of policies that turn away from sound interventions.”

Kennedy has implemented significant changes to vaccine policies in recent months. In May, he withdrew federal recommendations for COVID-19 vaccinations for pregnant women and children. Additionally, in June, he dismissed all members of the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel, replacing them with individuals who share his anti-vaccine stance. These actions have raised alarms among public health officials and former directors of the CDC, who have served under both Democratic and Republican administrations.

The recent firing of CDC Director Susan Monarez, which occurred less than a month after her appointment, has further fueled the controversy. Her dismissal, along with the resignation of several senior officials, points to heightened tensions within the department regarding vaccine-related policies and public health directives.

In response to the criticisms, Kennedy took to social media on Wednesday, asserting his commitment to “restore the CDC’s focus on infectious disease” and to “rebuild trust through transparency and competence.” Despite these claims, the backlash from health professionals has been significant.

Adding to the pressure, more than 1,000 current and former employees of the Health and Human Services Department signed an open letter demanding Kennedy’s resignation or removal from office. The letter highlights the growing frustration among public health experts regarding the perceived undermining of scientific principles in health policy.

As the debate over public health policy intensifies, the future of Kennedy’s leadership remains uncertain. The call for his resignation underscores a critical moment in U.S. health governance, with implications that could affect public health initiatives nationwide.