what is the plan to make america healthy Again?
The Senate has yet to vote on confirming Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as head of the government’s health agencies, but Republican senators are already preparing to advance his agenda in Congress.
On Thursday, five GOP senators—Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.)—announced the formation of a caucus to support Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative.
The caucus aims to draft and advocate for legislation aligned with Kennedy’s platform, collaborating with state and local governments to achieve shared goals. President-elect Donald Trump nominated Kennedy last month to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.
Kennedy’s policy priorities include promoting healthy eating, non-pharmaceutical health interventions, and sustainable agricultural practices to enhance food nutrition. The caucus also plans to advocate for research and prevention of chronic diseases, as well as expanding access to affordable primary care.
Why it matters: Kennedy, a prominent Democrat from a storied political family, is an environmental advocate and former anti-vaccine activist who has also supported abortion rights. These stances may conflict with traditional Republican views. However, GOP senators see value in his focus on addressing the root causes of disease, reforming public health systems, and challenging the public health establishment’s handling of the Covid pandemic.
The caucus’ formation indicates that some Republican lawmakers are willing to integrate Kennedy’s health policy goals with their own long-standing priorities. Meanwhile, Kennedy has softened his position on vaccines, assuring senators that he would not restrict access to vaccinations.
Additionally, the caucus expects Kennedy to champion issues traditionally emphasized by Republicans, such as expanding community health centers, telehealth services, and health savings accounts—measures aimed at improving affordability and access to care.
What’s next: The Senate Finance Committee, where Ron Johnson is a member, is expected to hold Kennedy’s confirmation hearing early next year. Senators Marshall and Tuberville, both members of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, may also seek input from Kennedy during the confirmation process.
Our Editorial Note: Above is our brief summary of an article from Politco. You may need a subscription to view the article in its entirety. Here is a link to the article that was published December 19th, 2024:
https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2024/12/19/congress/senate-republicans-launch-maha-caucus-00195403
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