1. United States
2. Ga.
3. Letter

I'm appalled that anyone would consider RFK Jr. an appropriate leader of a premier health department. His testimony was riddled with falsehoods--he should be convicted for perjury today. He referenced that he was "briefed" by William Thompson--a CDC employee. Bill currently is an epidemiologist with the Division of Viral Hepatitis--not MMR/COVID/influenza vaccine safety, vaccine policy, or vaccine research. At best, he may be involved in the hepatitis vaccine. I don't know Mr. Thompson but I would be very interested to see his resume to see when he worked in any position that would make him informed enough to be a part of a briefing of the HHS Secretary--let alone a primary or solo briefer. In fact, given that he hired an attorney back in 2014 due to his mischaracterization of his involvement in research, it would be highly unlikely that he would be willing to brief the Secretary without others from CDC present. Kennedy repeatedly referred to a "they" or "them" who are basically falsifying research, rubber-stamping policy, being corrupt, and getting money from Big Pharma. In fact, CDC has a very firm ethics policy that EVERYONE must adhere to. Staff who are involved in policy decisions, contracts, grants, or are in a leadership position have to file a Financial Disclosure Form that requires staff to share income (including any stocks held!) outside of their salary. Then, the disclosure form is reviewed by Ethics and the staff is either told to quit that job or give up their stock/funding. The staff at CDC are highly skilled. Hiring is competitive--you can not get a job at CDC based on "who you know." It's based on panel reviews, interviews, and reference checks. CDC is not a "bureaucracy"--decisions are not made by one person. They are made through deep exploration of research, engagement, partnerships with state/local/international/academic partners, and review of actions. Evidence (disease surveillance data, hospitalization data, national reported disease data, etc.) drives decisions. How can Kennedy expect to get better science (I.e., more data to have more evidence to support policy decisions--either to continue or discontinue an "intervention") by cutting funding to CDC? For example, if the House eliminates funding for HIV surveillance, then how will states know how to best distribute PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis is a medication that helps prevent HIV infection in people who are at high risk of exposure to the virus)? The cost to "mop up" diseases after they have spread is well demonstrated. Look at COVID, SARS, H1N1. The costs are in the billions--let alone the heartbreak of those who have lost someone to a preventable disease. I am disgusted at the joke of a Secretary. Investigate the firing of the CDC Director and resignation of Drs. Jernigan, Houry, and Daskalakis. Expand it to understand who at CDC Kennedy is saying is operating outside of CDC's very high Standard of Ethical Behavior. Please, for all of us, Safe Public Health!