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Trump’s Second Administration: Health Agency Nominees and Their Potential Impact
The individuals appointed by president-elect Donald Trump to oversee federal health agencies in his upcoming term include a former congressman, a surgeon, and a notable television personality.
These appointments could significantly influence a new health agenda aimed at reshaping how the federal government approaches public health, healthcare access, pharmaceuticals, and food safety. Leading this team as the Secretary of Health and Human Services is prominent environmental attorney and anti-vaccine advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
While many of these nominees lack experience in managing large bureaucratic entities, they possess substantial media presence, particularly in discussions surrounding health topics. For instance, Dr. Mehmet Oz, chosen to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, spent over a decade hosting a popular talk show and is recognized as a wellness influencer. In contrast, Dr. Marty Makary has been selected for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), while Dr. Janette Nesheiwat is slated for the role of Surgeon General.
Many of the chosen nominees have expressed skepticism regarding COVID-19 measures, such as mask mandates and booster shots for younger individuals. A notable connection among many is their association with Florida, a common thread in Trump’s cabinet appointments. For example, Dr. Dave Weldon, nominee for the CDC, previously served as a congressman representing Florida for nearly 15 years.
This upcoming administration plans to tackle the complexities of health governance, with Kennedy outlining ambitions to “reorganize” agencies that collectively manage a budget exceeding $1.7 billion and employ around 80,000 health professionals.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), based in Atlanta, operates with a core budget of $9.2 billion, dedicated to shielding the public from various health hazards.
Kennedy has a history of opposing vaccines and claiming corruption within the CDC. In 2023, he asserted, “there is no vaccine that is safe and effective,” urging the public to disregard CDC vaccination guidelines for children.
Kennedy and Weldon share a background in a contentious debate regarding the vaccine preservative thimerosal’s alleged link to autism. Weldon has previously advocated for its removal from vaccines, while Kennedy denounced perceived governmental concealment of evidence of harm.
Notably, since 2001, vaccines routinely recommended for children have minimized thimerosal, with few exceptions. Numerous extensive studies have failed to support a connection between thimerosal and autism.
Weldon’s legislative voting history raises concerns regarding potential efforts to downsize the CDC, such as proposed eliminations of specific prevention centers. His record also includes opposition to federal programs aimed at needle exchange to combat overdose deaths, and he has received an “A” rating from the National Rifle Association due to his pro-gun rights stance.
Critical of the FDA, which oversees the safety of a myriad of medical products, Kennedy’s choice for the agency’s head, Makary, resonates with his views on a variety of health topics, being vocal against drug overprescriptions and industry sway over healthcare.
Kennedy envisions sweeping changes at the FDA, threatening to dismiss employees for “aggressively suppressing” various unproven therapies, including raw milk and controversial substances like psychedelics.
Despite their intentions, any moves to reverse FDA regulations or revoke established drug approvals would face challenges due to the framework of federal laws governing these processes.
The Department of Health and Human Services, inclusive of the major healthcare programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act, allocates a significant budget of $1.1 trillion and has over 6,000 staff members. Dr. Oz must navigate these complexities if confirmed for his role, while Kennedy has not yet revealed detailed plans regarding this powerful agency.
In his first term, Trump sought to rescind the Affordable Care Act; however, Kennedy has yet to announce his stance on it, although he has criticized Medicare and Medicaid for covering costly weight-loss medications, which are minimally included across programs.
During his campaign, Trump affirmed a commitment to protect Medicare, which serves older Americans, while Oz has proposed expanding Medicare Advantage, despite its association with fraud concerns.
Discussion around Medicaid, particularly the insurance program benefiting low-income citizens, remains sparse from both Kennedy and Trump, amid changes during Trump’s initial term that allowed states to impose work requirements on recipients.
Insights into Kennedy’s vision for the role of Surgeon General remain limited. The appointee, Dr. Nesheiwat, currently serves as a medical director at CityMD in the NYC area and has made media appearances endorsing preventive medicine and COVID-19 vaccines.
In response to the ongoing healthcare narrative, her advocacy has highlighted the importance of preemptive measures, as evidenced by her past remarks praising the COVID-19 vaccine as “a gift from God.”
As Saturday approached, the administration had not finalized its appointment for leading the National Institutes of Health, despite its significant role in medical research funding, operating on a budget near $48 billion.
Kennedy has indicated plans to reprioritize NIH funding towards chronic diseases and restrict affiliations with conflicted researchers, while also voicing past criticisms regarding the organization’s research focus related to autism and vaccines—claims that have long been dismissed by the scientific community.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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The Associated Press Health and Science Department is financially supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely accountable for all content.
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