RFK Jr.’s MAHA Report Draws Fire for Flawed Citations, White House Pledges Fixes
The White House acknowledged errors in Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” report, after journalists found it cited studies that don’t exist and misrepresented data on children’s health. While officials insisted the report will be updated and still stands as “transformative,” critics flagged the lack of author transparency and factual rigor. The 72-page report accuses U.S. food systems, prescription drugs, and vaccines of fueling chronic disease and overmedication in children.
Key takeaways: Health leaders should brace for the MAHA initiative to drive policy debates on childhood vaccines, food safety, and pharmaceutical regulation. Providers should monitor any federal funding tied to MAHA’s rollout, especially as Congress weighs a $500 million request. Expect continued scrutiny and polarization as the administration advances Kennedy’s public health agenda amid mounting credibility concerns.
White House Pulls Plug on $766M Bird Flu Vaccine Contract Over mRNA Safety Concerns
The Trump administration canceled a major contract with Moderna to develop an mRNA-based bird flu vaccine, citing scientific and ethical concerns over the under-tested technology. Health and Human Services officials said the decision reflects a broader shift in pandemic preparedness funding toward platforms with more established safety records. The move comes amid rising H5N1 infections in livestock and growing fears of a future human outbreak.
Key takeaways: Public health experts warn the cancellation could severely hinder U.S. readiness for an influenza pandemic, especially as the virus evolves. Moderna defended its early data and plans to explore other development pathways, while critics called the decision politically driven and a step backward in pandemic response. Health systems and emergency planners should monitor vaccine policy closely as the administration retools its strategy.
RFK Jr. Threatens to Bar NIH Scientists from Publishing in Top Medical Journals
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. called major medical journals corrupt and said NIH scientists may soon be restricted from publishing in The Lancet, NEJM, and JAMA unless the journals change radically. He proposed launching in-house NIH journals to replace them, claiming the current outlets are compromised by pharmaceutical industry influence.
Key takeaways: The move would break with decades of U.S. scientific norms and undermine peer-reviewed credibility, raising concerns among experts about scientific integrity, global collaboration, and recruitment. Journals and health institutions warn this is part of a broader attack on the scientific infrastructure. Health systems and researchers should prepare for disruption in publication standards and potential politicization of federally funded research.
RFK Jr. Ends CDC Recommendation for Covid Shots in Healthy Kids and Pregnant Women
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. overrode CDC guidance to remove Covid vaccines from the recommended schedule for healthy children and pregnant women, breaking with standard scientific review processes. The decision comes amid broader efforts by Kennedy to dismantle long-standing vaccine policy and sow doubt in public health institutions.
Key takeaways: This unprecedented move undermines CDC advisory authority, raises concerns about vaccine access and insurance coverage, and may heighten risk for infants and pregnant individuals vulnerable to severe COVID-19. Health systems and maternal health advocates should prepare for confusion around guidance, coverage gaps, and rising disparities in vaccination access.
On the Horizon
Senate to Review OTC Drug User Fee Program Reauthorization June 4 – The Senate HELP Committee will hold a hearing on reauthorizing the Over-the-Counter Monograph Drug User Fee Program (OMUFA), a key FDA initiative that supports the regulation and modernization of OTC medicines through industry-funded resources.
Why it matters for hospitals: Reauthorization ensures continued FDA capacity to update drug monographs and labeling, enabling health systems to maintain timely access to widely used OTC products like pain relievers, antacids, and cold medicines. Lapses could delay product updates, complicate formulary planning, disrupt patient education, and reduce cost-effective care pathways that rely on safe OTC options for minor conditions.
Senate GOP Still Negotiating Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Ahead of July Vote – Senate Republicans remain locked in internal negotiations over President Trump’s House-passed tax and Medicaid package, with a vote now expected in July. Key sticking points include Medicaid cuts, renewable energy rollbacks, and how to score extensions of the 2017 tax cuts.
Why it matters for hospitals: This is something we’ve been tracking closely. The bill’s proposed Medicaid cuts and work requirements would significantly impact coverage and care access, particularly for rural and underserved populations. Health systems should anticipate renewed pressure on uncompensated care and continue monitoring Senate revisions, especially those tied to benefit eligibility, tribal carveouts, and safety-net funding.
