#robert_f_kennedy_jr

CDC Director Orders Delay in Counting Two Measles-Linked Deaths in Pennsylvania The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has excluded two measles-associated deaths reported by Pennsylvania from its national death tally, citing insufficient evidence to confirm a causal link between the virus and the fatalities. The decision, attributed to CDC Director Dr. Erica Schwartz, has intensified tensions between Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who has been vocal about combating a measles outbreak in the state. According to two individuals familiar with the decision, Schwartz directed the CDC to withhold the deaths from its weekly measles update. The CDC’s delayed Friday data release, posted over the weekend, included a footnote stating that the deaths would not be counted “until additional information is available” to determine whether measles contributed to the fatalities. Pennsylvania officials, however, emphasized that they had thoroughly investigated the cases and provided all required epidemiological data to the CDC. Neil Ruhland, a press secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Health, stated that the state’s review process met the CDC’s case definition for measles, and that the deaths were reported based on rigorous analysis. The CDC’s press office redirected inquiries to Kennedy’s office, which issued a statement affirming the agency’s commitment to transparency. Grace Davis Jamison, a press secretary for HHS, noted that the deaths had not been confirmed due to “currently available information” and reiterated the Trump administration’s emphasis on “telling the truth.” Public health experts, however, criticized the move as an unprecedented overreach. Dr.#robert_f_kennedy_jr #pennsylvania_governor #cdc_director #dr_erica_schwartz #hhs_secretary

The Measles-Stricken Mother Who Lost Her Newborn Son The Amish man emerged from his barn to greet me, unaware that his newborn son’s death had become national news. He wore a straw hat, black trousers, and suspenders over a long-sleeved blue shirt, while one of his similarly dressed sons guided a horse-drawn plow nearby. Like most Amish people, he and his family did not watch TV, use the internet, or read newspapers. They learned about the measles outbreak and the governor’s press conference only when I told them. Pennsylvania’s governor, Josh Shapiro, had announced the first two “measles-associated” deaths in the state in 35 years, both from Lancaster County, home to the largest Amish community. The deaths sparked political accusations, with Shapiro’s opponents claiming he used the tragedy for political gain. The county’s coroner later revealed an autopsy had been performed on an infant who tested positive for measles, though the cause of death was listed as a ruptured spleen. This detail fueled confusion, leading Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the secretary of health and human services, to mock Shapiro’s press conference as an example of “the weaponization of infectious disease fears for political gain.” Kennedy also suggested the deaths may have been fabricated by one of Shapiro’s staffers, though no evidence was provided. The Amish man asked me not to reveal his family’s names or location to protect their privacy. His son, whose death had drawn widespread attention, remained unidentified. The circumstances of the death matched the case in the news, and when I described it to him, he said it sounded like his son. When I shared the family’s details with the Lancaster County coroner, Stephen Diamantoni, he stated the office was not investigating additional infant deaths in the area.#robert_f_kennedy_jr #lancaster_county #josh_shapiro #stephen_diamantoni #amish_community

The Guardian view on Trump’s MMR executive order: endangering the children he claims to care about The president’s empty advice that children should receive separate jabs against measles, mumps and rubella will only lead to less take-up by parents. Nobody wants to hurt a child. The howl of pain, the tears, the look of betrayed shock all make it very hard to deliver a cherished small person to the needle-wielding nurse. But that’s part of being a responsible parent. It becomes a lot tougher if mum or dad is being fed mixed and erroneous messages about the benefits and harms of vaccination. Parents have to make a lot of decisions about what’s right for their child, from the school they should go to and the food they should eat to the hours they should spend on the phone or watching TV. In the US, Donald Trump wants them to add another: do they choose to give their children separate jabs against measles, mumps and rubella, involving six visits to the clinic, or should they opt for the combined MMR vaccine, which does the job in two? For decades, the vast majority of families have been taking the advice of doctors, accepting their assurance that the MMR vaccine is safe and very effective. But what are they to think when a US president announces that the triple jab could be “quite lethal” and signs an executive order advising states to offer separate vaccines? For the moment, what Mr Trump is proposing is an empty choice. The individual vaccines are not available. They have not been widely used in decades. In the US and in the UK, they don’t have a licence, and to get one, pharma companies such as GSK and Merck & Co would probably have to run new clinical trials to prove that they work and are safe, which would take years.#donald_trump #robert_f_kennedy_jr #the_guardian #merck_co #gsk

Republican Senator Denounces Trump’s ‘Crazy, Stupid’ Claims About MMR Vaccine Safety Bill Cassidy, an outgoing Louisiana Republican senator and former medical doctor, criticized Donald Trump’s recent remarks about the safety of the combined MMR vaccine, calling the president’s claims “crazy, stupid” and warning of their potential harm to public health. Cassidy, who lost his re-election bid to a Trump-backed challenger in a Republican primary, has been a vocal critic of Trump since 2021, when he voted to convict the former president of incitement of insurrection following the Capitol attack. Cassidy’s comments came after Trump claimed that advising parents to administer six separate vaccines instead of the combined MMR shot would prevent “nothing bad” from happening. In response, Cassidy told CNN that the president’s statement was misguided and potentially dangerous. “If it wasn’t so potentially tragic, you would break out laughing at a comment like that,” Cassidy said. He highlighted the logistical and financial burdens of Trump’s proposal, noting that parents would need to visit doctors six times instead of twice, and insurance companies would face higher costs, which could drive up premiums. Cassidy’s criticism of Trump’s stance on vaccines is part of a broader pattern of tension between the senator and the former president. Despite his public dissent, Cassidy has continued to support Trump’s nominees, including Todd Blanche, a former criminal defense lawyer for Trump, who was confirmed as U.S. attorney general on August 8. Cassidy also played a key role in approving Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination as health secretary in early 2025, despite Kennedy’s long-standing anti-vaccine activism.#donald_trump #cdc #robert_f_kennedy_jr #bill_cassidy #mMR_vaccine

FDA Approves First mRNA Flu Shot, Marks New Era in Vaccine Development The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first influenza vaccine utilizing mRNA technology, known as mFlusiva, developed by biotechnology company Moderna. This marks a significant milestone in vaccine innovation, as the FDA granted conditional approval for the vaccine to be used in adults aged 50 to 65 and those 65 years and older. However, the approval comes with a critical condition: Moderna must conduct an additional clinical trial in the older age group to further evaluate the vaccine’s safety and efficacy. The approval was based on data from a late-stage clinical trial involving over 40,000 participants across 11 countries, including the United States. In this trial, mFlusiva demonstrated an effectiveness rate of approximately 27% higher than the standard flu shot. This finding has sparked optimism among scientists and public health officials, who have long advocated for mRNA-based vaccines due to their potential to revolutionize vaccine development. Unlike traditional flu vaccines, which require months to produce, mRNA vaccines can be manufactured more quickly, enabling researchers to adapt to evolving influenza strains with greater agility. Moderna claims its process takes two to three months from strain selection to vaccine distribution, compared to the six-month timeline for conventional flu shots. The mRNA platform, which was instrumental in the development of the COVID-19 vaccines by Moderna and Pfizer, allows for rapid genetic sequencing and production. This capability is particularly valuable in the context of influenza, which undergoes frequent mutations, making it challenging to create vaccines that remain effective over time. Dr.#fda #robert_f_kennedy_jr #moderna #mflusiva #boston_childrens_hospital

FDA Advisory Committee Votes to Add Six Peptides to Drug Compounding List An advisory committee for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) voted narrowly to recommend adding six peptides to a list of ingredients that specialty pharmacies can use to create custom medications. The decision, made during a two-day hearing, involves compounds such as BPC-157, KPV, TB-500, MOTS-c, Epitalon, and Semax. The vote is non-binding and requires final approval from the FDA. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who oversees the agency as Health and Human Services Secretary, has publicly supported the inclusion of peptides, framing restrictions as unnecessary barriers to patient access. The panel rejected a seventh peptide, emideltide, due to insufficient evidence. Proposed as a treatment for narcolepsy and opioid withdrawal, the compound faced criticism for relying on clinical studies that used intravenous administration rather than the proposed subcutaneous route. The FDA highlighted concerns about the lack of robust data, the absence of well-tested treatments for these conditions, and the potential for harmful immune reactions. The rejection underscored a divide between the advisory committee, many of whom run clinics offering peptides, and FDA staff scientists, who unanimously opposed the addition of all six peptides. The vote exposed tensions between the advisory group, appointed under Kennedy’s leadership, and the FDA’s internal reviewers. While the committee members argued that adding peptides to the list could reduce harm by steering patients away from unregulated black-market products, public health advocates and agency scientists warned of dangerous precedents. Dr.#us_food_and_drug_administration #georgetown_university #robert_f_kennedy_jr #fda_advisory_committee #dr_adriane_fughberman

The Coming Peptide Free-for-All In the early 1990s, a grassroots movement in the United States successfully lobbied Congress to shield dietary supplements from the stringent regulatory oversight applied to pharmaceuticals. This campaign, largely driven by the vitamin industry, culminated in the 1994 Dietary Supplement and Health Education Act, which exempted supplement manufacturers from proving the safety and efficacy of their products through clinical trials. The law allowed companies to market supplements with minimal oversight, leading to an explosion in the industry’s growth. Today, the market is valued at over $70 billion, encompassing both evidence-backed products and numerous unproven, sometimes hazardous items. These include supplements marketed for boosting metabolism, muscle growth, and cognitive function, many of which lack rigorous scientific validation. Studies have linked these products to thousands of emergency department visits annually and a significant portion of liver injuries, highlighting the risks consumers face when purchasing unregulated health products. Now, a similar regulatory shift is emerging with experimental peptides—short chains of amino acids with potential therapeutic applications. These substances, often marketed as performance-enhancing or health-boosting agents, are gaining traction in a market that mirrors the supplement industry’s unregulated landscape. Unlike pharmaceuticals, which require extensive clinical trials to demonstrate safety and effectiveness, peptides are being pushed to bypass traditional FDA review processes. This trend is part of a broader effort to expand access to a range of drugs and ingredients that do not meet the agency’s standard evidence requirements.#fda #robert_f_kennedy_jr #dietary_supplement_and_health_education_act #peptides #wild_west

Senate Panel Considers Vote to Shield Special Education from RFK Jr.'s Agency A Senate committee is considering a vote in July to prevent the Trump administration from transferring core functions of federal special education programs to the Health and Human Services Department, which is overseen by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The proposal, which has sparked significant debate, aims to preserve the current structure of the Education Department’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. The move is part of President Donald Trump’s yearlong campaign to restructure federal agencies, though the source text does not explicitly state this as a broader effort. The potential transfer of special education responsibilities to HHS has raised concerns among disability rights groups, who fear the shift could disrupt critical services for students with disabilities. Critics have pointed to RFK Jr.’s past controversial remarks about autism, including a 2023 press conference where he claimed the condition “destroys families.” Federal officials have not provided a clear timeline for the transition, but they have asserted that students’ rights will remain protected. A summary of the proposed interagency partnership states that the change “will not impact students, parents, or families.” Robert F. Kennedy Jr. defended the move, stating it would “deliver more effective support for individuals with disabilities and their families.” In a statement, he emphasized the goal of improving education and employment outcomes while upholding the rights of individuals with disabilities. However, the plan faces strong opposition from key lawmakers, particularly within the Republican Party. Sen.#education_department #robert_f_kennedy_jr #senate_committee #health_and_human_services_department #bill_cassidy

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