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
