More than 15,000 physicians have signed a letter distributed by the Committee to Protect Health Care in opposition to Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F Kennedy Jr.
“As physicians who care deeply about the health and safety of our patients and communities, we are appalled by Donald Trump’s reckless decision to appoint Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be appointed Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS),” said the letter states.
It added: “The health and well-being of 336 million Americans depend on leadership at HHS that prioritizes science, evidence-based medicine, and strengthening the integrity of our public health system. RFK Jr. is not only unqualified to lead this vital agency – he is actively dangerous.”
Kennedy has a long track record of spreading conspiracy theories about vaccines and other scientific research, the letter explains, citing an example of his 2019 visit to Samoa, where he spread misinformation about the measles vaccine, leading to an outbreak of measles that killed 83 people, mostly children. under five years old.
The letter comes as Kennedy sought confirmation votes among Republicans and Democrats in the Senate. He would need all but three Republican votes to be confirmed if all Democrats vote against his confirmation.
Protect our carea liberal nonprofit focused on preserving the Affordable Care Act, launched a campaign against Kennedy’s nomination this week. Last month, 77 Nobel laureates signed a letter opposing his appointment.
Trump has repeated much of the information promoted by Kennedy. In a December 2024 interview, the president-elect said Kennedy could explore a widely debunked link between autism and vaccines.
“We’re going to investigate why is the autism rate so much higher than it was 20, 25, 30 years ago?” Trump said. “I mean, it’s like 100 times higher. Something is wrong and we are going to try to figure it out.”
The letter concluded by outlining Kennedy’s lack of any credible experience in health care or medicine, and his plans to undermine the staffing, funding and resources of federal health agencies.
“RFK Jr.’s rhetoric and actions endanger the health of millions, especially children, by undermining confidence in essential health care. His appointment threatens to undo decades of progress in improving health outcomes for patients across the country and around the world,” the letter concludes. “This is not leadership – it is sabotage.”