Health and Human Services

President Donald Trump signed an executive order aiming to reshape childhood vaccine guidance, calling for support of maximal parental choice and recommending splitting the MMR vaccine into three separate shots. The order drew immediate pushback from lawmakers like GOP Sen. Bill Cassidy. This new guidance establishes categories for required immunizations while acknowledging that single-disease shots are not currently available in the United States.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order that aims to reshape childhood vaccine guidance, calling for federal programs to support maximal parental choice over these vaccines. The order recommends splitting up the combined measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine into three separate single-disease shots and having immunizations administered at separate medical visits. This directive faced immediate criticism, with GOP Sen. Bill Cassidy stating the executive order was wrong.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sparred with CNN host Dana Bash over vaccine efficacy and measles cases during a heated interview on 'State of the Union.' Bash challenged Kennedy to advocate for measles vaccination, while Kennedy denied responsibility for vaccine skepticism and cited Dr. Anthony Fauci's private diaries regarding lockdown effects on vaccination rates.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. accused CNN anchor Dana Bash of press malpractice during the pandemic, claiming she failed to challenge public health authorities and marginalized dissenters. Bash defended CNN’s coverage, citing data on vaccine effectiveness, while Kennedy criticized the network for amplifying fear through pandemic chyrons and supporting figures like Anthony Fauci.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and CNN's Dana Bash had a heated exchange during a 'State of the Union' interview about vaccine safety and COVID-19. Bash challenged Kennedy's claim that the U.S. has the highest death rate from the pandemic.

President Trump's attempts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education through interagency agreements face bipartisan opposition in the Senate. A 13-9 Senate education committee vote advanced legislation to reverse agreements transferring core functions to other departments, though Trump lacks the votes to abolish the agency outright.

Thousands of unaccompanied migrant children in the US may lose legal representation as a Trump administration contract with legal aid providers expires, increasing their deportation risks. Legal groups warn that without lawyers, children will be more likely to be deported due to complexities in immigration law.

A bipartisan U.S. Senate committee approved a bill to block the Department of Education from transferring specific programs to other agencies. The bill, sponsored by Senator Tim Kaine with co-sponsors Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, targets interagency agreements affecting special education and other programs. The 13-9 vote included bipartisan support but faced GOP opposition led by committee chair Bill Cassidy.

A bipartisan U.S. Senate committee advanced a bill to block interagency agreements transferring education programs from the Department of Education to other agencies. The measure, sponsored by Sen. Tim Kaine with co-sponsors Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, aims to prevent the outsourcing of special education and other programs to departments like Health and Human Services as part of efforts to dismantle the Education Department.

Former public health officials are running for statewide offices, leveraging their pandemic experience in a political climate marked by debates over health policies. The candidates face challenges as public opinion remains divided over pandemic measures, with some criticized for policies like mask mandates and vaccine rollout.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. criticizes the overprescription of antidepressants, advocating for de-prescribing SSRIs despite patient concerns about their benefits. The article discusses the debate around their effectiveness for moderate-to-severe depression versus everyday distress, noting 17% of American adults use antidepressants.

The U.S. public health system is under strain from multiple disease outbreaks, including measles and hantavirus, attributed to factors like vaccine resistance and funding cuts. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s policies and vaccine misinformation are cited as exacerbating the crisis, while environmental changes and animal disease spread further complicate containment efforts.

The US public health system faces challenges from a surge in infectious diseases like measles, hantavirus, and West Nile virus, linked to vaccine resistance and funding cuts. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s policies, including reducing public health resources and spreading vaccine misinformation, have worsened the situation.

The US public health system faces challenges from a surge in infectious diseases like measles, hantavirus, and West Nile virus amid funding cuts and vaccine resistance. Public health experts attribute the rise to policy changes and misinformation, including claims by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which have weakened the safety net for disease prevention.

The U.S. public health system faces challenges from surging diseases like measles and hantavirus, linked to vaccine resistance and funding cuts. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s policies and vaccine misinformation have exacerbated outbreaks, according to public health experts.

The U.S. public health system faces a surge in infectious diseases like measles and West Nile virus amid funding cuts and vaccine resistance. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been criticized for policies and misinformation that may have worsened outbreaks, including hantavirus, cyclospora, and bird flu affecting animals and humans.

CMS evaluated one year of health tech progress and announced eight new pledge categories. A symbolic event at Health and Human Services headquarters featured a coffin labeled 'RIP CLIPBOARD' to signify the decline of traditional paper-based healthcare practices.

The FDA is investigating a second cyclospora outbreak as the U.S. reports a record 11,000+ cases across 41 states. The initial outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce from Mexico is now joined by a new, unidentified source causing 72 additional cases, despite claims by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. that the situation was 'under control.'

The Senate health committee postponed a vote on Dr. Erica Schwartz's nomination to lead the CDC due to a family emergency affecting Republican attendance. Schwartz faces scrutiny over resisting political pressure, and the CDC has experienced leadership turmoil since President Donald Trump returned to office. The committee also delayed a vote on Sean Kaufman's nomination for another health leadership role.

The Trump administration suspended over $1 billion in Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota, citing alleged fraud. Funds will be released once both states provide documentation verifying the legitimacy of services. The move is part of broader efforts to combat fraud in the healthcare system, with claims of foreign organizations being involved.

The Trump administration suspended over $1 billion in Medicaid payments to Minnesota and California, citing fraud allegations. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated the funds would be released upon verification of service legitimacy. Dr. Mehmet Oz and HHS Inspector General T. March Bell highlighted concerns about fraud and its impact on healthcare access.

Health and Human Services will withhold $867.5 million in Medicaid payments to California due to concerns about fraud. The decision was announced by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The Education Department under the Trump administration faces a massive backlog of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests due to staff cuts. A FOIA group within the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education had all eight employees eliminated, contributing to only 3% of 4,900 requests being processed since February 2025. Responsibilities have been offloaded to other agencies, complicating access to records.

The article outlines federal agencies and processes for filing complaints related to fraud, unsafe products, and consumer issues. It highlights the FTC, CFPB, CPSC, FAA, FBI’s IC3, and others, emphasizing that complaints remain valuable despite government budget cuts and regulatory rollbacks.

Tampa General Hospital in Florida became the first U.S. hospital to sign the 'Make Hospital Food Healthier' pledge, committing to serve more nutritious meals. The hospital partnered with chef Geoffrey Zakarian to overhaul its menu using the 'food is medicine' concept, resulting in a 53% increase in perceived food quality and more patients finishing meals. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins attended the event, highlighting the initiative's national significance.

Erica Schwartz, President Trump’s nominee for CDC director, expressed support for vaccines including mRNA-based COVID shots during a Senate hearing but did not address concerns about the agency’s independence from Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an anti-vaccine activist. The CDC has faced turmoil under Trump’s administration due to funding cuts, personnel changes, and conflicts over vaccine policies.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is targeting a preventive health panel that determines free preventive service coverage for insurers. He has blocked panel meetings, refused to replace expired members, and fired its leaders, raising concerns about disruptions to healthcare policy.

The Health and Human Services department is compiling a list of injuries that would make COVID vaccine recipients automatically eligible for compensation. Dr. Céline Gounder joins The Takeout to explain what this means.

The Great American State Fair in Washington concludes with two 'MAHA Mondays' events featuring speakers from the Make America Healthy Again movement. Health and Human Services senior adviser Calley Means and acting Surgeon General Stephanie Haridopolos discussed health and wellness and a recent advisory on screen use harms.

Cyclosporiasis cases in Michigan have risen to 992, as reported by the state's Health and Human Services. The source of the outbreak remains unidentified.

A coalition of 25 states and the District of Columbia is suing the Trump administration over new Medicaid work requirements, arguing the policy unlawfully restricts access to healthcare. The lawsuit challenges the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) Interim Final Rule (IFR), which mandates documentation for exemptions to work, volunteer, or education requirements for Medicaid enrollees. The rule, effective in January 2027, would require able-bodied individuals to work 20 hours weekly while enrolled in free healthcare.

White House budget director Russell Vought advocates for increased funding for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to modernize systems and expand staff, while the Trump administration's 2027 budget proposes cuts to multiple departments. OMB seeks $146.1 million, a 13.3% increase, and the defense budget is requested to rise to $1.5 trillion.

White House budget director Russell Vought testified before a U.S. House panel advocating for a 13.3% increase in the Office of Management and Budget's annual funding to $146.1 million, citing needs for technology upgrades and staff expansion. He also highlighted proposed cuts to domestic agencies like Agriculture and Health and Human Services, alongside a $1.5 trillion defense budget request.

White House budget director Russell Vought testified that his agency, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), needs increased funding to update systems and hire more staff, while advocating for cuts to domestic agencies. The Trump administration's budget proposal includes a 10% reduction in domestic spending and a $1.5 trillion defense budget, affecting departments like Agriculture and Health and Human Services. Lawmakers questioned Vought about staffing reductions, including at the World Trade Center Health Program.

White House budget director Russell Vought testified that his agency, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), requires increased funding to address staffing and technological needs, despite not fully utilizing a prior $100 million allocation. The Trump administration’s fiscal 2027 budget proposes a 10% cut to domestic spending and a $1.5 trillion defense budget, impacting agencies like Agriculture, Health and Human Services, and the World Trade Center Health Program.

White House budget director Russell Vought testified that his agency, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), requires increased funding to update systems and expand staff, despite having unspent funds from a previous Republican-approved law. The Trump administration’s 2027 budget proposal includes a 10% cut to domestic spending and a $1.5 trillion defense budget increase, affecting agencies like Agriculture, Health and Human Services, and the World Trade Center Health Program.

White House budget director Russell Vought is requesting a 13.3% budget increase for the Office of Management and Budget to fund technology upgrades and address staffing needs, despite having unspent funds from a previous Republican-approved law. The Trump administration's fiscal 2027 budget proposes cutting domestic spending by 10% and increasing defense spending to $1.5 trillion, affecting agencies like Agriculture and Health and Human Services.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. responded to Senator Bill Cassidy's claims that he broke promises regarding a government health website's description of vaccines and autism and public health policy guardrails, asserting he has kept all promises.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dismissed GOP Senator Bill Cassidy's criticism that he is breaking promises, stating during a meeting about a month ago that the accusations are untrue. Kennedy made these remarks while speaking to NewsNation's Anna Kooiman in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) explained his vote to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, stating Kennedy remains committed to his views on vaccinations despite public opinion. Cassidy defended his decision in a Sunday interview.