The Brian Lehrer Show
RFK Jr's 'Chronic Disease Tour' Wraps
Apr 15, 2025
Julie Rovner, chief Washington correspondent for KFF Health News, dives into the fallout from Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s 'Make America Healthy Again' tour. She discusses alarming budget cuts to health agencies and their impact on public health initiatives. The conversation shifts to vaccination debates, including recent controversies around the MMR vaccine and their repercussions. Rovner also highlights the significant challenges posed by reduced funding on food quality and public health policies, leaving listeners concerned about the future of health programs.
30:30
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Quick takeaways
- The significant staffing cuts at HHS jeopardize the CDC and NIH's ability to effectively monitor health data and conduct research.
- RFK Jr.'s tour aims to address chronic disease and healthy eating, yet controversy surrounds his vaccine skepticism and commitment to science-based health policies.
Deep dives
Impact of Cuts at HHS
Recent cuts at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have raised significant concerns regarding public health. These reductions followed a large buyout offer that led to thousands of federal employees departing, creating a substantial gap in staffing. The cuts affected critical agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), hindering their ability to monitor health data and conduct essential research. This reduction in workforce raises questions about the continuity of vital health programs that serve the American population.
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