1. United States
2. Iowa
3. Letter

I am writing to you as a concerned Iowan and advocate for the health and well-being of our state’s families and communities. I respectfully urge you to join the growing call for the immediate resignation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. from his position as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). As you know, Iowa’s public health system faces unique challenges, from rural hospital closures to ensuring vaccine access in underserved communities. In this critical moment, we need leadership at HHS that prioritizes evidence-based policies and unwavering support for public health initiatives. Secretary Kennedy’s record has consistently failed to meet these standards. His history of promoting dangerous vaccine misinformation directly undermines efforts to protect children and vulnerable populations in Iowa, particularly in rural communities where health resources are already strained. His recent public statements during the 2025 Southwest measles outbreak—minimizing the severity of the disease and pushing unproven treatments—stand in direct opposition to guidance from respected health agencies like the CDC. Moreover, the “Make America Healthy Again” report released under Secretary Kennedy’s leadership is riddled with factual inaccuracies and AI-generated citations. This disregard for science and data has no place in the leadership of the department responsible for safeguarding the health of Iowans. Of further concern is the large-scale restructuring of the HHS initiated by Secretary Kennedy, which threatens to disrupt vital services in our state. Iowa’s rural health clinics, community hospitals, and public health departments cannot afford these cuts and upheavals—especially when states like ours rely on steady federal support to maintain critical health services. Secretary Kennedy’s tenure has also been met with broad condemnation from professional health associations, including the American Public Health Association and Doctors for America, who have called for his resignation to protect the integrity of public health. As your constituent, I implore you to advocate for the health of Iowans by supporting these calls for Secretary Kennedy’s resignation. Our communities deserve leadership that champions science, upholds public trust, and prioritizes the health of every Iowan. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.