Democratic-aligned health care advocacy groups are mobilizing against Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination as Secretary of Health and Human Services, launching a “Stop RFK War Room” effort aimed at persuading key Republican senators to oppose his confirmation.
Health Care Groups Organize Against RFK Jr.’s Nomination
Democratic-leaning health care advocacy organizations are preparing a coordinated strategy to oppose Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). On a recent organizing call, over 200 participants from various groups discussed how to influence key senators, particularly moderate Republicans, to block Kennedy’s appointment.
2. Targeting Key GOP Senators
The strategy focuses on persuading Republican senators who are seen as potential swing votes, including Senators Susan Collins (Maine), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), and Mitch McConnell (Kentucky), who has personal experience with polio. Additionally, the advocacy groups plan to target Senator Thom Tillis (North Carolina), who faces re-election in 2026. The groups are adjusting their focus from other legislative priorities to specifically oppose Kennedy’s nomination.
3. Local and State-Level Advocacy Efforts
To amplify their efforts, Protect Our Care is hiring teams in states like Alaska, Idaho, Maine, and West Virginia to engage with senators at the state and local levels. These teams will work with experts and personal stories, organizing events in the coming weeks to further pressure senators to oppose Kennedy’s nomination.
4. Criticism of Kennedy’s Views on Health and Vaccines
While some of Kennedy’s positions, such as his efforts to ban certain food additives, have garnered support, his views on vaccines and his proposals to cut funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are seen as controversial by many in the health care community. Critics argue that these stances could be harmful to public health and should prevent his confirmation as HHS secretary.
5. Protect Our Care’s Strong Opposition
Brad Woodhouse, executive director of Protect Our Care, emphasized that while Kennedy may have some popular ideas, his more extreme views make his nomination a serious threat. Using a stark metaphor, Woodhouse compared supporting Kennedy to inviting a dangerous figure to dinner despite occasional good ideas, reflecting the organization’s firm stance against his confirmation.
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