Trump signs order directing CDC to align with assessment calling for fewer childhood vaccines President Trump signed an executive order on Friday directing the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to align with a scientific assessment released earlier in the year by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that advocates for reducing the number of childhood vaccines recommended. The order mandates the CDC and its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to review the HHS assessment and the latest clinical data, then take any necessary steps to update the U.S. childhood and adolescent vaccine schedule. The move follows a December memo issued by Trump instructing HHS to align U.S. childhood vaccine recommendations with "best practices from peer, developed countries." In early January, HHS released an assessment concluding that the U.S. recommends more childhood vaccines than any other peer nation and more than twice as many doses as some European countries. The report highlighted that the U.S. schedule includes vaccines for diseases such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), hepatitis A, hepatitis B, dengue, meningococcal ACWY, and meningococcal B, which are recommended only for high-risk children. However, the CDC retained recommendations for 11 diseases, including measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria, Hib, pneumonia, polio, HPV, and varicella. The executive order was met with significant backlash from medical experts and health organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The AAP, which criticized the HHS assessment, released its own childhood vaccine recommendations, diverging from CDC guidance. The White House defended the order, stating it reaffirms Trump’s commitment to "gold-standard science" and empowers patients and doctors with "maximum flexibility.#trump #cdc #robert_f_kennedy_jr #hhs #acip
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Handles Writhing Snakes on Florida Patio Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was captured on video handling writhing black racer snakes on a Florida patio, an incident that drew attention to his interactions with wildlife. The footage, shared on social media, shows Kennedy holding the snakes while smiling despite their apparent attempts to bite him. In a caption accompanying the clip, Kennedy described the act as removing the reptiles from Dr. Mehmet Oz’s beach house, referencing his wife, actress Cheryl Hines, as “Cheryl cheerleads the removal of a pair of Black Racers from Dr. Oz’s patio.” A woman in the background can be heard asking, “Why?” as the snakes are handled. Black racers, a species of non-venomous snakes, are typically harmless to humans if left undisturbed, according to the National Park Service. However, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recently issued a warning urging people to avoid interacting with snakes during spring, when they become more active. The agency emphasized that even non-venomous snakes can deliver painful bites if provoked, advising individuals to admire them from a distance rather than attempt to handle them. Kennedy’s actions, while seemingly harmless, have drawn attention to the risks of human-snake encounters. This incident marks another instance of Kennedy’s hands-on engagement with wildlife, a pattern that has drawn both fascination and criticism. Earlier this year, he faced questions during a Capitol Hill hearing about a claim that he had severed the penis of a road-killed raccoon to conduct his own medical research.#robert_f_kennedy_jr #dr_mehmet_oz #cheryl_hines #adelita_grijalva #florida_fish_and_wildlife_conservancy
Minnesota Autism, Disabled Services Providers Among 15 Charged with Medicaid Fraud The U.S. Justice Department announced criminal charges against 15 individuals in Minnesota on Thursday, accusing them of defrauding Medicaid and other state-run social services programs of over $90 million. The charges, revealed during a press conference in Minneapolis, mark a significant escalation in federal efforts to combat healthcare fraud in the state. Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald emphasized the severity of the case, calling the fraud “shocking” and stating that the investigation is far from over. The defendants are alleged to have exploited programs designed to support vulnerable populations, including Medicaid, housing assistance, meal programs, and services for individuals with disabilities and autistic children. McDonald detailed specific allegations, including the defrauding of a publicly funded program meant to provide medical services to children with autism. Two individuals are accused of siphoning $46.6 million from the program by paying kickbacks to parents who brought their children to autism centers, diagnosing children with autism regardless of medical necessity, and billing for services that were never provided. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz joined McDonald at the press conference, condemning the alleged schemes. Kennedy described the fraud as “organized theft” that exploited the most vulnerable children, deceiving families and stealing taxpayer funds intended to support legitimate care. He vowed that such crimes would not be tolerated, stating, “We will not allow criminals to treat children as billing opportunities while American taxpayers foot the bill.#minnesota #robert_f_kennedy_jr #mehmet_oz #us_justice_department #colin_mcdonald
HHS Launches Plan to Address Overprescribing of Psychiatric Medications U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unveiled a federal initiative Monday aimed at curbing the overprescription of psychiatric medications and promoting alternative treatments. The plan, announced at the MAHA Institute summit on mental health and overmedicalization, emphasizes patient autonomy, informed consent, and a shift toward holistic care. Kennedy framed the effort as a critical step in addressing the nation’s mental health crisis, particularly among children, by reducing reliance on psychiatric drugs and prioritizing prevention and transparency. The initiative follows recent advocacy by mental health professionals, including guidelines from the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology published in February, which outline criteria for evaluating when discontinuation of medications is appropriate. While some experts welcomed the federal push for improved psychiatric care, they also raised concerns about potential overemphasis on overprescribing amid existing gaps in mental health access. Kennedy’s efforts are part of his broader “Make America Healthy Again” movement, which has targeted psychiatric medications since his appointment last year. He has claimed these drugs are overused and linked to risks such as violence, mass shootings, fetal harm during pregnancy, severe withdrawal symptoms, and adverse effects on children. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has consistently deemed antidepressants and other psychiatric medications safe and effective for conditions like depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.#robert_f_kennedy_jr #hhs #maha_institute_summit #american_society_of_clinical_psychopharmacology #american_psychiatric_association
White House Considers Former Deputy Surgeon General for CDC Leadership The White House is evaluating Erica Schwartz, a former deputy surgeon general, as a potential nominee to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to two sources familiar with the process, Schwartz has emerged as the leading candidate for the position, which has remained vacant since the ouster of Susan Monarez in August 2025. The search for a permanent director has been complicated by the ongoing efforts of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to restructure the federal health bureaucracy, including significant cuts to public health agencies and controversial vaccine policies. Schwartz’s nomination follows a prolonged selection process involving key figures within the Department of Health and Human Services. Chris Klomp, a top official in the department, and Kennedy have reportedly settled on Schwartz as their preferred candidate. However, the final approval from President Trump remains pending, with an announcement potentially occurring as early as April 15, 2026. If confirmed, Schwartz would become the first CDC director with a background in public health and a career in uniformed service, marking a shift from the political appointments that have characterized the agency’s leadership in recent years. Schwartz’s qualifications include her role as deputy surgeon general during the first Trump administration, where she oversaw critical public health initiatives. She also spent 24 years in the military, rising to the rank of rear admiral in the Coast Guard, where she served as the chief medical officer. Her academic background includes a medical degree from Brown University and a law degree from the University of Maryland.#white_house #department_of_health_and_human_services #robert_f_kennedy_jr #centers_for_disease_control_and_prevention #erica_schwartz
Trump Nominates Erica Schwartz as CDC Director President Donald Trump on Thursday nominated Erica Schwartz to serve as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, marking the culmination of a months-long effort to appoint a permanent leader to the agency amid ongoing leadership instability. The nomination follows a period of significant turmoil at the CDC, which has experienced multiple leadership changes and internal challenges under the oversight of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Schwartz’s nomination requires Senate confirmation, a process that will determine her ability to assume the role. The CDC has been operating under an acting director since Dr. Jay Bhattacharya’s tenure ended last month, as federal law—the Vacancies Act—prohibits acting officials from serving beyond 210 days without Senate approval. This legal constraint became critical in late August when the 210-day limit expired, prompting the need for a new nominee. The agency’s leadership upheaval has been compounded by the abrupt dismissal of its previous director, Dr. Susan Monarez, who was fired in August 2025. Monarez, the only confirmed CDC director during Trump’s second term, held the position for less than a month before being removed. In congressional testimony earlier that year, she stated she was terminated after refusing to endorse vaccine recommendations she deemed scientifically unsound. Her firing occurred amid heightened tensions between the agency and Kennedy Jr., who has been a vocal critic of public health policies, including vaccine mandates. The CDC’s instability has also been exacerbated by a series of events that have shaken its workforce and public confidence.#president_donald_trump #robert_f_kennedy_jr #centers_for_disease_control_and_prevention #kaiser_family_foundation #erica_schwartz
Cases of Rotavirus Spreading Across the U.S., Including California Rotavirus, a highly contagious virus that causes severe diarrhea and can be fatal, is spreading rapidly across the United States, with California and other regions reporting high levels of the infection. Wastewater data and federal tracking systems indicate that the virus is present in every region except the Midwest, with the Bay Area emerging as a major hotspot. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) dashboard shows a steady rise in cases nationwide since mid-December, highlighting the growing public health concern. The virus spreads through contaminated fecal matter, often transmitted via direct contact with infected individuals or surfaces. It poses a significant risk to people of all ages, though children under five are particularly vulnerable. Rotavirus infections can lead to severe dehydration, vomiting, fever, and abdominal pain, with the first infection typically causing the most intense symptoms. Without vaccination, the illness can be life-threatening, especially for infants and young children. Before the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine in the 1990s, the virus was the leading cause of severe diarrhea among U.S. infants and young children. Annual cases numbered up to 2.7 million, with approximately 20-40 deaths reported each year. The vaccine has since significantly reduced the burden of the disease, preventing an estimated 45,000 hospitalizations and 342,000 emergency department visits annually. Between 94-96% of vaccinated children are protected from hospitalization, according to the CDC. However, recent changes to vaccine recommendations under the Trump administration have sparked controversy.#california #robert_f_kennedy_jr #bay_area #centers_for_disease_control_and_prevention #rotavirus
Cheryl Hines Confronts Chelsea Handler Over Claims of 'Unlivable' Mansion Cheryl Hines, 60, has publicly criticized Chelsea Handler’s recent comments about the mansion Hines sold her for $5.9 million, calling Handler’s allegations “unfounded” and questioning her credibility. Hines responded to Handler’s claims that the home, purchased five years ago, was “unlivable” and described as “toxic.” Handler, 51, detailed her experience on her Dear Chelsea podcast, describing the house as a “disaster” that required at least two years to make habitable. She claimed the property was in such poor condition that it posed health risks, stating, “I still haven’t lived in this house,” despite owning it for years. Handler also accused Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Hines’ husband, of being “one of the worst people” she knows and criticized him for embodying the flaws of Donald Trump’s administration. Hines dismissed Handler’s account, saying, “The story doesn’t really hold water.” She pointed out that Handler had the opportunity to address her concerns when she purchased the home, noting that Handler’s complaints came years after the sale. Hines also referenced a note left by her, which Handler claimed was an attempt to offer assistance. “Cheryl Hines left me a note saying, ‘Let us know if there’s anything we can do for you, Chelsea,’” Handler recalled, sarcastically adding, “How about a f---ing foundation?” The exchange highlights the tension between the two celebrities, with Hines defending her decision to sell the property and Handler framing the transaction as a betrayal. Handler’s rant also extended to Kennedy, linking his character to broader criticisms of Trump’s political circle.#robert_f_kennedy_jr #chelsea_handler #cheryl_hines #dear_chelsea_podcast #mansion_sale
Senator Elissa Slotkin Joins Colleagues Urging HHS to Release Title X Funding WASHINGTON D.C. — U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) joined 38 other senators in sending a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., demanding immediate action to ensure uninterrupted access to comprehensive family planning services. The senators called for HHS to award a one-year full funding extension for all current Title X grantees, preventing a lapse in critical care. The letter highlights the ongoing risks posed by the Trump administration’s past decision to withhold funding from nearly 20% of Title X grantees, which left over 840,000 people without access to essential services. While funding was restored by December 2025, many grantees operated with reduced resources, straining their ability to meet demand. With current funding set to expire on March 31, 2026, the senators argue that delaying action would jeopardize access for vulnerable populations. Title X services, which include contraception, cervical cancer screenings, pregnancy testing, and sexually transmitted infection treatment, have been instrumental in improving public health outcomes. Since 1970, the program has provided lifesaving care to low-income and uninsured individuals, contributing to lower maternal and infant mortality rates, fewer premature births, and reduced cancer incidence. The senators emphasize that these services remain critical for addressing disparities in reproductive health care. The letter, signed by a bipartisan group of senators, includes notable names such as Gary Peters (D-MI), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT).#senator_elissa_slotkin #health_and_human_services #robert_f_kennedy_jr #title_x_grantees #patty_murray
