Urgent: Oppose RFK Jr.’s Confirmation as HHS Secretary

I am writing to urge you to oppose the confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services. His appointment would pose a grave risk to public health policy, scientific integrity, and the wellbeing of millions of Americans, particularly vulnerable populations such as autistic individuals, children, and the immunocompromised. Kennedy has a long history of promoting misinformation about vaccines, including the thoroughly debunked claim that vaccines cause autism. Despite overwhelming scientific consensus to the contrary, he continues to cast doubt on vaccine safety and has worked to undermine public confidence in life-saving immunizations. This is particularly alarming given the growing threat of infectious diseases, such as avian flu, which may require rapid vaccine deployment to prevent a catastrophic outbreak. Beyond his anti-vaccine stance, Kennedy has espoused views on autism that are not only incorrect but deeply harmful. He has described autism in dehumanizing terms and has implied that it would be preferable for children to risk deadly diseases than to be autistic. He has also shown a willingness to redirect federal research funding away from services that support autistic individuals and their families, instead advocating for costly and unnecessary studies that seek to revive discredited theories. Kennedy’s history of conspiracy-driven rhetoric extends beyond vaccines. He has spread misinformation about HIV/AIDS, Lyme disease, and even fluoride in drinking water, all of which demonstrate a fundamental disregard for scientific evidence. Such views have no place in the leadership of an agency tasked with safeguarding public health. Finally, Kennedy has serious conflicts of interest. He has personally profited from litigation against vaccines, casting doubt on his ability to impartially oversee health policies that impact millions. His leadership at HHS could lead to the dismantling of vital public health programs, increased vaccine hesitancy, and the erosion of trust in scientific institutions. Public health should not be politicized, and our nation cannot afford to have a health secretary who rejects science in favor of conspiracy theories. I urge you to stand with medical professionals, scientists, and disability advocates in opposing Kennedy’s confirmation. Thank you for your time and attention to this urgent matter.