Secretary of Health and Human Services - 101
"HHS Reforms: Secretary Kennedy Reshapes Department's Rulemaking and Policies"
U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has been at the center of several significant developments in recent days. One of the most notable changes involves a shift in the rule-making process within the Department of Health and Human Services. On March 3, 2025, Secretary Kennedy announced that HHS will no longer be required to open new rules and regulations for public comment before implementation. This decision rescinds the Richardson Waiver, a policy that has been in place since 1971 and mandated notice-and-comment periods beyond those required by the Administrative Procedure Act. The new policy aligns HHS rulemaking procedures with the APA, but critics argue that it reduces transparency and public participation in decision-making processes that affect public health and welfare[4].
In another significant move, HHS has amended its rule-making process to grant Secretary Kennedy more discretion and reduce administrative hurdles. The department will no longer use notice-and-comment rulemaking procedures for matters related to agency management, personnel, public property, loans, grants, benefits, or contracts, unless otherwise required by law. This change is expected to enhance the department's flexibility but has raised concerns about reduced transparency and public input[2][4].
Secretary Kennedy has also been involved in updates to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Along with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, he announced continued work on the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines. The public comment period closed on February 10, 2025, and HHS and USDA are currently reviewing the Scientific Report of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. The secretaries emphasized their commitment to ensuring the guidelines are based on sound science and serve public health rather than special interests[1].
Additionally, Secretary Kennedy's leadership has been marked by controversy, particularly regarding his views on vaccines. Despite facing questions about his past remarks on vaccine efficacy during his confirmation hearings, he was confirmed by the Senate in a 52-48 vote. His tenure has seen the cancellation of a meeting at the FDA to discuss next season's flu vaccines, although HHS has assured that the flu shots will still be available[3].
The department has also made changes to its policies on gender-affirming care. The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at HHS rescinded prior guidance on civil rights and health information privacy for transgender youth, aligning with Executive Orders aimed at protecting children from what the administration describes as "chemical and surgical mutilation"[2].
In a broader context, Secretary Kennedy's department is undergoing significant restructuring, including a voluntary buyout offer of $25,000 to all HHS employees, which has been seen as a move to reshape the department's workforce and policy direction[3].
These developments highlight the significant changes and challenges facing the Department of Health and Human Services under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s leadership, with a focus on streamlining processes, updating health guidelines, and implementing new policies that reflect the current administration's priorities.
In another significant move, HHS has amended its rule-making process to grant Secretary Kennedy more discretion and reduce administrative hurdles. The department will no longer use notice-and-comment rulemaking procedures for matters related to agency management, personnel, public property, loans, grants, benefits, or contracts, unless otherwise required by law. This change is expected to enhance the department's flexibility but has raised concerns about reduced transparency and public input[2][4].
Secretary Kennedy has also been involved in updates to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Along with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, he announced continued work on the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines. The public comment period closed on February 10, 2025, and HHS and USDA are currently reviewing the Scientific Report of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. The secretaries emphasized their commitment to ensuring the guidelines are based on sound science and serve public health rather than special interests[1].
Additionally, Secretary Kennedy's leadership has been marked by controversy, particularly regarding his views on vaccines. Despite facing questions about his past remarks on vaccine efficacy during his confirmation hearings, he was confirmed by the Senate in a 52-48 vote. His tenure has seen the cancellation of a meeting at the FDA to discuss next season's flu vaccines, although HHS has assured that the flu shots will still be available[3].
The department has also made changes to its policies on gender-affirming care. The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at HHS rescinded prior guidance on civil rights and health information privacy for transgender youth, aligning with Executive Orders aimed at protecting children from what the administration describes as "chemical and surgical mutilation"[2].
In a broader context, Secretary Kennedy's department is undergoing significant restructuring, including a voluntary buyout offer of $25,000 to all HHS employees, which has been seen as a move to reshape the department's workforce and policy direction[3].
These developments highlight the significant changes and challenges facing the Department of Health and Human Services under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s leadership, with a focus on streamlining processes, updating health guidelines, and implementing new policies that reflect the current administration's priorities.
- Broadcast on:
- 18 Mar 2025
U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has been at the center of several significant developments in recent days. One of the most notable changes involves a shift in the rule-making process within the Department of Health and Human Services. On March 3, 2025, Secretary Kennedy announced that HHS will no longer be required to open new rules and regulations for public comment before implementation. This decision rescinds the Richardson Waiver, a policy that has been in place since 1971 and mandated notice-and-comment periods beyond those required by the Administrative Procedure Act. The new policy aligns HHS rulemaking procedures with the APA, but critics argue that it reduces transparency and public participation in decision-making processes that affect public health and welfare[4].
In another significant move, HHS has amended its rule-making process to grant Secretary Kennedy more discretion and reduce administrative hurdles. The department will no longer use notice-and-comment rulemaking procedures for matters related to agency management, personnel, public property, loans, grants, benefits, or contracts, unless otherwise required by law. This change is expected to enhance the department's flexibility but has raised concerns about reduced transparency and public input[2][4].
Secretary Kennedy has also been involved in updates to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Along with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, he announced continued work on the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines. The public comment period closed on February 10, 2025, and HHS and USDA are currently reviewing the Scientific Report of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. The secretaries emphasized their commitment to ensuring the guidelines are based on sound science and serve public health rather than special interests[1].
Additionally, Secretary Kennedy's leadership has been marked by controversy, particularly regarding his views on vaccines. Despite facing questions about his past remarks on vaccine efficacy during his confirmation hearings, he was confirmed by the Senate in a 52-48 vote. His tenure has seen the cancellation of a meeting at the FDA to discuss next season's flu vaccines, although HHS has assured that the flu shots will still be available[3].
The department has also made changes to its policies on gender-affirming care. The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at HHS rescinded prior guidance on civil rights and health information privacy for transgender youth, aligning with Executive Orders aimed at protecting children from what the administration describes as "chemical and surgical mutilation"[2].
In a broader context, Secretary Kennedy's department is undergoing significant restructuring, including a voluntary buyout offer of $25,000 to all HHS employees, which has been seen as a move to reshape the department's workforce and policy direction[3].
These developments highlight the significant changes and challenges facing the Department of Health and Human Services under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s leadership, with a focus on streamlining processes, updating health guidelines, and implementing new policies that reflect the current administration's priorities.
In another significant move, HHS has amended its rule-making process to grant Secretary Kennedy more discretion and reduce administrative hurdles. The department will no longer use notice-and-comment rulemaking procedures for matters related to agency management, personnel, public property, loans, grants, benefits, or contracts, unless otherwise required by law. This change is expected to enhance the department's flexibility but has raised concerns about reduced transparency and public input[2][4].
Secretary Kennedy has also been involved in updates to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Along with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, he announced continued work on the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines. The public comment period closed on February 10, 2025, and HHS and USDA are currently reviewing the Scientific Report of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. The secretaries emphasized their commitment to ensuring the guidelines are based on sound science and serve public health rather than special interests[1].
Additionally, Secretary Kennedy's leadership has been marked by controversy, particularly regarding his views on vaccines. Despite facing questions about his past remarks on vaccine efficacy during his confirmation hearings, he was confirmed by the Senate in a 52-48 vote. His tenure has seen the cancellation of a meeting at the FDA to discuss next season's flu vaccines, although HHS has assured that the flu shots will still be available[3].
The department has also made changes to its policies on gender-affirming care. The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at HHS rescinded prior guidance on civil rights and health information privacy for transgender youth, aligning with Executive Orders aimed at protecting children from what the administration describes as "chemical and surgical mutilation"[2].
In a broader context, Secretary Kennedy's department is undergoing significant restructuring, including a voluntary buyout offer of $25,000 to all HHS employees, which has been seen as a move to reshape the department's workforce and policy direction[3].
These developments highlight the significant changes and challenges facing the Department of Health and Human Services under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s leadership, with a focus on streamlining processes, updating health guidelines, and implementing new policies that reflect the current administration's priorities.