Robert F. Kennedy Jr. outlines plans to reshape US health agencies if confirmed as HHS chief

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an anti-vaccine activist, has been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). If confirmed, he would oversee a $1.7 trillion budget and influence major public health policies. Kennedy has criticized the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and plans to reorganize it, potentially firing staff and reversing decisions on vaccines and food safety. He has also expressed intentions to change the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) fluoride recommendations in drinking water. At the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Kennedy aims to shift funding towards alternative health approaches and prevent conflicts of interest among researchers. He has not focused on Medicare and Medicaid but advocates for covering gym memberships and healthy food instead of expensive drugs for conditions like diabetes.