Secretary of Health and Human Services - 101
"Sweeping Changes at HHS Under Trump Administration: Controversial Vaccine Critic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Appointed Acting Secretary"
Following President Donald Trump's re-inauguration on January 20, 2025, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has undergone significant personnel and policy changes. One of the key changes is the appointment of Dr. Dorothy Fink as the Acting Secretary of HHS, replacing Xavier Becerra, who served under President Biden. However, President Trump's nominee for the permanent HHS Secretary position is Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has recently been sworn in despite awaiting formal Senate confirmation[1][3][4].
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s appointment has been marked by controversy, particularly due to his stance on vaccines. Kennedy has been a vocal critic of vaccine safety, despite extensive scientific evidence showing that vaccines do not cause autism. His views have sparked concerns among health experts and the public, as they could potentially undermine public health initiatives[3].
In his new role, Kennedy has outlined ambitious plans, including the establishment of a presidential commission to investigate the rise in chronic illnesses among children and young adults. This commission, chaired by Kennedy, aims to identify the causes of these health issues and develop an action plan to address them. The initiative is part of a broader "Make America Healthy Again" platform, which includes goals such as restoring what Kennedy terms "gold standard science" at agencies like the NIH, FDA, and CDC, and eliminating conflicts of interest within these organizations[3][4].
One of Kennedy's first significant decisions as HHS Secretary has been to alter the public comment process for rulemaking. He has issued a policy statement indicating that HHS will no longer be required to undergo public comment periods for proposed rulemaking in certain areas, such as agency management, personnel, public property, loans, grants, benefits, or contracts. This move is seen as a departure from traditional transparency and public engagement practices, despite Kennedy's earlier promises of increased transparency in public health policy[5].
Additionally, HHS has recently proposed amendments to the HIPAA Security Rule to enhance the cybersecurity of electronic protected health information (ePHI). These proposed changes, published in December 2024, aim to address modern breach and cybersecurity risks, incorporate industry best practices, and correct common deficiencies observed in compliance investigations. However, the fate of these amendments is uncertain due to a regulatory freeze imposed by President Trump following his re-inauguration[2].
Another notable change within HHS is the appointment of Anthony Archeval as the Acting Director of the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Archeval, who previously served as the Diversity and Inclusion Director for the Health Resources and Services Administration during Trump's first term, will oversee significant policy and regulatory changes within the OCR[1].
These developments highlight the significant shifts in leadership and policy direction at HHS under the new administration, with potential far-reaching impacts on public health, regulatory processes, and the overall functioning of the department.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s appointment has been marked by controversy, particularly due to his stance on vaccines. Kennedy has been a vocal critic of vaccine safety, despite extensive scientific evidence showing that vaccines do not cause autism. His views have sparked concerns among health experts and the public, as they could potentially undermine public health initiatives[3].
In his new role, Kennedy has outlined ambitious plans, including the establishment of a presidential commission to investigate the rise in chronic illnesses among children and young adults. This commission, chaired by Kennedy, aims to identify the causes of these health issues and develop an action plan to address them. The initiative is part of a broader "Make America Healthy Again" platform, which includes goals such as restoring what Kennedy terms "gold standard science" at agencies like the NIH, FDA, and CDC, and eliminating conflicts of interest within these organizations[3][4].
One of Kennedy's first significant decisions as HHS Secretary has been to alter the public comment process for rulemaking. He has issued a policy statement indicating that HHS will no longer be required to undergo public comment periods for proposed rulemaking in certain areas, such as agency management, personnel, public property, loans, grants, benefits, or contracts. This move is seen as a departure from traditional transparency and public engagement practices, despite Kennedy's earlier promises of increased transparency in public health policy[5].
Additionally, HHS has recently proposed amendments to the HIPAA Security Rule to enhance the cybersecurity of electronic protected health information (ePHI). These proposed changes, published in December 2024, aim to address modern breach and cybersecurity risks, incorporate industry best practices, and correct common deficiencies observed in compliance investigations. However, the fate of these amendments is uncertain due to a regulatory freeze imposed by President Trump following his re-inauguration[2].
Another notable change within HHS is the appointment of Anthony Archeval as the Acting Director of the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Archeval, who previously served as the Diversity and Inclusion Director for the Health Resources and Services Administration during Trump's first term, will oversee significant policy and regulatory changes within the OCR[1].
These developments highlight the significant shifts in leadership and policy direction at HHS under the new administration, with potential far-reaching impacts on public health, regulatory processes, and the overall functioning of the department.
- Broadcast on:
- 02 Mar 2025
Following President Donald Trump's re-inauguration on January 20, 2025, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has undergone significant personnel and policy changes. One of the key changes is the appointment of Dr. Dorothy Fink as the Acting Secretary of HHS, replacing Xavier Becerra, who served under President Biden. However, President Trump's nominee for the permanent HHS Secretary position is Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has recently been sworn in despite awaiting formal Senate confirmation[1][3][4].
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s appointment has been marked by controversy, particularly due to his stance on vaccines. Kennedy has been a vocal critic of vaccine safety, despite extensive scientific evidence showing that vaccines do not cause autism. His views have sparked concerns among health experts and the public, as they could potentially undermine public health initiatives[3].
In his new role, Kennedy has outlined ambitious plans, including the establishment of a presidential commission to investigate the rise in chronic illnesses among children and young adults. This commission, chaired by Kennedy, aims to identify the causes of these health issues and develop an action plan to address them. The initiative is part of a broader "Make America Healthy Again" platform, which includes goals such as restoring what Kennedy terms "gold standard science" at agencies like the NIH, FDA, and CDC, and eliminating conflicts of interest within these organizations[3][4].
One of Kennedy's first significant decisions as HHS Secretary has been to alter the public comment process for rulemaking. He has issued a policy statement indicating that HHS will no longer be required to undergo public comment periods for proposed rulemaking in certain areas, such as agency management, personnel, public property, loans, grants, benefits, or contracts. This move is seen as a departure from traditional transparency and public engagement practices, despite Kennedy's earlier promises of increased transparency in public health policy[5].
Additionally, HHS has recently proposed amendments to the HIPAA Security Rule to enhance the cybersecurity of electronic protected health information (ePHI). These proposed changes, published in December 2024, aim to address modern breach and cybersecurity risks, incorporate industry best practices, and correct common deficiencies observed in compliance investigations. However, the fate of these amendments is uncertain due to a regulatory freeze imposed by President Trump following his re-inauguration[2].
Another notable change within HHS is the appointment of Anthony Archeval as the Acting Director of the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Archeval, who previously served as the Diversity and Inclusion Director for the Health Resources and Services Administration during Trump's first term, will oversee significant policy and regulatory changes within the OCR[1].
These developments highlight the significant shifts in leadership and policy direction at HHS under the new administration, with potential far-reaching impacts on public health, regulatory processes, and the overall functioning of the department.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s appointment has been marked by controversy, particularly due to his stance on vaccines. Kennedy has been a vocal critic of vaccine safety, despite extensive scientific evidence showing that vaccines do not cause autism. His views have sparked concerns among health experts and the public, as they could potentially undermine public health initiatives[3].
In his new role, Kennedy has outlined ambitious plans, including the establishment of a presidential commission to investigate the rise in chronic illnesses among children and young adults. This commission, chaired by Kennedy, aims to identify the causes of these health issues and develop an action plan to address them. The initiative is part of a broader "Make America Healthy Again" platform, which includes goals such as restoring what Kennedy terms "gold standard science" at agencies like the NIH, FDA, and CDC, and eliminating conflicts of interest within these organizations[3][4].
One of Kennedy's first significant decisions as HHS Secretary has been to alter the public comment process for rulemaking. He has issued a policy statement indicating that HHS will no longer be required to undergo public comment periods for proposed rulemaking in certain areas, such as agency management, personnel, public property, loans, grants, benefits, or contracts. This move is seen as a departure from traditional transparency and public engagement practices, despite Kennedy's earlier promises of increased transparency in public health policy[5].
Additionally, HHS has recently proposed amendments to the HIPAA Security Rule to enhance the cybersecurity of electronic protected health information (ePHI). These proposed changes, published in December 2024, aim to address modern breach and cybersecurity risks, incorporate industry best practices, and correct common deficiencies observed in compliance investigations. However, the fate of these amendments is uncertain due to a regulatory freeze imposed by President Trump following his re-inauguration[2].
Another notable change within HHS is the appointment of Anthony Archeval as the Acting Director of the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Archeval, who previously served as the Diversity and Inclusion Director for the Health Resources and Services Administration during Trump's first term, will oversee significant policy and regulatory changes within the OCR[1].
These developments highlight the significant shifts in leadership and policy direction at HHS under the new administration, with potential far-reaching impacts on public health, regulatory processes, and the overall functioning of the department.