U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told lawmakers he expects the Food and Drug Administration to authorize at least one form of clinical psychedelic therapy within 12 months, marking the most aggressive federal timetable yet for substances such as MDMA and ibogaine that remain classified as illegal Schedule 1 drugs. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary has labeled the evaluation of psychedelics a "top priority" and outlined measures that could shrink review times to as little as one month and relax certain trial requirements. The agency is reconsidering MDMA for post-traumatic stress disorder after rejecting the treatment under the Biden administration for data flaws. The push has galvanized veterans organizations and allies including former Texas governor Rick Perry. Texas last month set aside $50 million—the largest U.S. government grant of its kind—to study ibogaine’s potential to treat opioid addiction and PTSD, adding state-level momentum to the federal effort. Researchers and industry figures are split on the accelerated approach. Advocates say faster approval will expand options for patients with hard-to-treat conditions, while critics warn that bypassing rigorous placebo-controlled studies could jeopardize safety and discredit the nascent field if therapies are rushed to market or become closely tied to Kennedy’s controversial health record.

US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced plans to launch one of the largest campaigns in the agency's history to encourage Americans to adopt wearable health devices, such as smartwatches and continuous glucose monitors, within the next four years. Kennedy envisions every American wearing a wearable device by 2029, citing potential health benefits including disease prevention and monitoring, with some devices costing around $80 per month. The initiative is part of his broader "Make America Healthy Again" plan. However, the proposal has raised concerns regarding privacy and data security, as Kennedy has not detailed how collected health data will be protected. Additionally, questions about conflicts of interest have emerged, given that some of Kennedy's top advisors have business ties to wearable technology companies. Experts acknowledge the potential benefits of wearables in motivating increased physical activity and health monitoring but caution that not everyone may need such devices and highlight potential risks. The campaign is expected to include a substantial advertising effort to promote wearable adoption nationwide.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has reconstituted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) vaccine advisory committee by dismissing all previous members and appointing new, handpicked advisers. This new vaccine advisory panel convened for the first time in late June 2025 and announced plans to review the childhood and adolescent immunization schedule, including the use of older vaccines. These inquiries into established vaccination practices have raised concerns among pediatricians. Additionally, there are reports that the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force fears similar dismissal and replacement by Kennedy. Beyond vaccines, HHS has launched a reform of the organ transplant system following a probe that uncovered premature organ retrieval attempts on patients showing signs of life, prompting threats to close a major procurement body. Kennedy's department has also faced criticism for cutting medical research funding and recruiting from fringe medical journals, which some experts warn jeopardizes public health goals. Prominent scientists have voiced alarm over these developments, highlighting potential impacts on organ donation willingness and broader medical research efforts.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. Health Secretary, has publicly criticized the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, describing it as broken and in need of reform. He revealed that the Biden administration directed Big Tech to suppress information from scientists and doctors regarding vaccines, labeling such information as "malinformation" rather than misinformation. Kennedy is advocating for legislative changes to remove federal liability protections granted to vaccine manufacturers under the 1986 Vaccine Act, which currently shields them from lawsuits related to vaccine injuries. This immunity has been a subject of debate, with some experts suggesting that restoring liability protections similar to those for other products could improve accountability and efficiency. Health and fitness expert Jillian Michaels has supported Kennedy's position, emphasizing the lack of comprehensive studies on vaccine safety and criticizing media coverage that allegedly suppresses open debate. Kennedy also highlighted the challenge faced by families affected by vaccine injuries, noting that unlike other harmful products, vaccines remain mandatory for children to attend school. The ongoing discussions involve calls to reassess the vaccine injury compensation fund and seek justice for those impacted by vaccine-related harm.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced plans to launch one of the largest campaigns in the agency's history to encourage Americans to use wearable health devices, such as continuous glucose monitors and fitness trackers. Kennedy’s vision is for every American to be wearing a wearable device within four years, with some devices costing around $80 per month. The campaign is part of his broader "Make America Healthy Again" initiative aimed at improving public health through digital health monitoring. While experts acknowledge that wearables can motivate increased physical activity and potentially save lives by tracking vital health metrics, they caution that not everyone may need such devices and highlight potential risks, including concerns about the security and privacy of health data collected through these devices. Kennedy has not provided detailed answers on how health data privacy will be protected. The campaign is expected to be a major advertising effort, with some observers noting potential conflicts of interest involving Kennedy’s advisors and their business ties. The initiative has sparked debate over the implications of widespread health data collection and the role of government in promoting wearable technology.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on 23 July formally banned the use of thimerosal in all influenza vaccines distributed nationwide, adopting a recommendation issued last month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. The committee, whose seven current members were appointed by Kennedy after he dismissed the previous 17, voted 5-1 on 26 June to advise that Americans receive only thimerosal-free flu shots. The panel’s lone pediatrician opposed the measure, citing a lack of evidence that the mercury-based preservative poses a health risk. Thimerosal has been largely phased out of U.S. vaccines for more than two decades and was present in only about 4–5 percent of flu doses last season. The Food and Drug Administration and CDC say extensive studies show no harm from the low levels once used, but anti-vaccine advocates have long claimed a link to autism and other disorders. HHS said vaccine makers can meet demand with single-dose, preservative-free formulations and that supplies should not be interrupted. Companies such as GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi and CSL, which still package some multi-dose thimerosal-containing vials, face higher costs as they shift production. Kennedy has not yet acted on two other ACIP votes, including the committee’s routine recommendation that everyone aged six months and older receive an annual flu shot. The CDC director’s post remains vacant, underscoring the unusual step of the HHS secretary signing vaccine policy directly and highlighting his broader effort to remake federal immunization guidelines.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has initiated a major leadership shakeup by firing two top aides: Chief of Staff Heather Flick Melanson and Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Hannah Anderson. The dismissals, which occurred amid internal conflicts and personality clashes within the department, were confirmed by multiple sources and a spokesperson. Matt Buckham has been appointed as acting chief of staff effective immediately. These changes come as part of Kennedy's broader efforts to advance his "Make America Healthy Again" agenda. Additionally, Kennedy plans to remove all members of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, the advisory panel responsible for determining which cancer screenings and preventive health measures insurers must cover. This move has drawn criticism from major medical groups, including the American Medical Association, which expressed deep concern over the potential overhaul. The planned removal of the advisory panel members could impact coverage of cancer screenings and HIV prevention drugs, with analysts noting possible risks for related pharmaceutical companies. The shakeup and advisory panel changes follow a recent Supreme Court decision that has enhanced Kennedy's authority over preventive care policies within the department.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. convened a newly constituted vaccine advisory committee on 25–26 June after dismissing all 17 members of the long-standing Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. The seven-member panel, led by biostatistician Martin Kulldorff, opened its first session by pledging to examine the entire childhood and adolescent immunization schedule, the cumulative exposure to vaccine ingredients, and the continued use of older shots. During the meeting the panel endorsed the customary recommendation that nearly everyone six months and older receive an annual influenza immunization, but voted 5-1, with one abstention, to restrict those doses to single-use, thimerosal-free formulations. A scheduled vote on whether to back an additional antibody product to protect infants from respiratory syncytial virus was postponed, and discussion of COVID-19 shots took place against the backdrop of Kennedy’s earlier decision to cease recommending the vaccine for healthy children and pregnant women. The American Academy of Pediatrics boycotted the session, saying the process "is no longer credible," and plans to publish its own vaccine schedule independently of the CDC panel. At least two CDC staff members and one newly appointed adviser resigned before the meeting. Former panelists and infectious-disease specialists warned that the committee’s re-orientation could sow confusion among insurers, state health departments and parents. Questions about transparency deepened after the Department of Health and Human Services failed to release promised conflict-of-interest forms for the new advisers and, on 9 July, abruptly postponed a separate meeting of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Together, the moves signal a broader re-make of federal health advisory bodies and have intensified scrutiny of Kennedy’s ability to reshape U.S. vaccination policy.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced a new initiative to integrate formal nutrition education into medical training programs, including college pre-med curricula, medical schools, and residency programs. The initiative aims to ensure that every future physician masters preventive health strategies, particularly nutrition, before beginning clinical practice. As part of this effort, nutrition education will be rigorously tested, including on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Kennedy emphasized that currently only about 15% of doctors feel competent to provide nutrition advice, despite evidence that dietary changes can reverse up to 50% of diabetes cases. The initiative encourages doctors to prescribe diets alongside or instead of medications to address chronic diseases, marking a shift toward prevention-focused healthcare. This move is supported by the Department of Education and is intended to equip the next generation of doctors with the knowledge to improve national health outcomes.

President Donald Trump announced the launch of "America 250," a year-long nationwide celebration marking the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, set to culminate on July 4, 2026. The initiative aims to honor American heritage, the national flag, and the country's freedom. As part of the America 250 festivities, Trump introduced the "Patriot Games," a first-of-its-kind, nationally televised youth sports competition featuring top high school athletes from all 50 states. The event is designed to foster patriotism and unity through sports. The Patriot Games will be organized and led by Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The announcement emphasized the scale and patriotic spirit of the celebration, with Trump describing the upcoming anniversary as a birthday party "the likes of which you have never seen before."

On June 25, 2025, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that the United States will cease funding to Gavi, the global vaccine alliance that works to expand access to vaccines for children in some of the world's poorest countries. Kennedy accused Gavi of ignoring vaccine safety concerns and losing public trust, though he did not provide evidence to support these claims. Gavi, co-founded by Bill Gates and closely linked to the World Health Organization, has been instrumental in vaccinating over 1 billion children and is credited with preventing approximately 18.8 million deaths worldwide. The alliance has received substantial financial support from the U.S. government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which has contributed $4.1 billion since Gavi's inception. Experts have warned that the U.S. decision to halt funding could create a major financing gap for Gavi and potentially lead to preventable deaths. The move marks a significant shift in U.S. global health policy and has drawn criticism from global health leaders who emphasize the alliance's role in reducing vaccine costs and combating infectious diseases in low-income countries.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he has assembled a team to redesign the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, the federal mechanism that pays people who suffer rare but serious adverse reactions to immunizations and shields manufacturers from most lawsuits. Kennedy told interviewer Tucker Carlson that his group is examining ways to expand compensation to people who claim injuries from Covid-19 shots, extend the statute of limitations for filing claims, and otherwise "revolutionize" the program. He did not specify a timeline or cost estimates. Any sweeping rewrite would likely require congressional approval because the 1986 law that created the program established funding sources, eligibility rules and liability protections for vaccine makers.