Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Nominee To Oversee Public Health Emergencies Has Questioned Vaccine Safety
Stat: Kennedy Taps Vaccine Skeptic For Public Health Emergency Role
The Trump administration’s pick to oversee preparedness and response to public health emergencies and disasters has questioned the use of the hepatitis B vaccine in infants and raised the disproven link between vaccines and autism in past comments reviewed by STAT. (Cirruzzo, 7/10)
More news about RFK Jr. —
Stat: Kennedy Presses Ahead With Plans To Reduce Antidepressant Use
Health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is pressing forward with his effort to help Americans stop taking psychiatric drugs, a medical practice known as deprescribing. (Cirruzzo and Lawrence, 7/13)
The Hill: RFK Jr.’s Focus On Preventive Health Panel Provokes New Fears
Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has his sights set on remaking another influential health panel, one that determines what preventive medical services insurers must cover for free. After Kennedy blocked the panel from meeting on multiple occasions, declined to replace members whose terms expired and fired its leaders in May, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is finally set to convene in August, with potentially as many as eight new members. It will be the group’s first public meeting in 17 months, after the administration canceled four prior meetings. (Weixel, 7/12)
KFF Health News: KFF Health News’ ‘On Air’: Journalists Discuss Raw-Milk Marketing, Extreme Heat, Opioid Settlement Spending
Céline Gounder, KFF Health News’ editor-at-large for public health, discussed the health risks of consuming raw milk and an outbreak of infant botulism linked to recalled formula on CBS News’ CBS Mornings and CBS News 24/7’s The Daily Report on July 7. Gounder also discussed allegations about Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s oversight of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on CBS Mornings on July 6. (7/11)
Also —
CNN: PFAS Pesticides Approved After EPA Changes Definition Of Toxicity
The US Environmental Protection Agency quietly approved the use of three new PFAS pesticides last week to kill weeds on the nation’s crops. An additional two “forever chemical” pesticides were approved in November 2025, for a total of five during the second Trump administration. (LaMotte, 7/10)
