Latest U.S. Department of Health and Human Services News

The Latest: Three of President Donald Trump’s cabinet picks face Senate hearings

Jan. 30, 2025 14:34 PM EST

Three of President Donald Trump’s cabinet picks prepared to face skepticism and intense grilling from Democratic senators during their confirmation hearings Thursday. What we’re following: 1. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s second hearing: Kennedy will...

Takeaways from RFK Jr.'s first confirmation hearing as Trump's nominee for health secretary

Jan. 29, 2025 17:39 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was pressed to clarify his views on vaccines, abortion and public health priorities in the first of two Senate hearings as he tries to make the case to become President Donald Trump’s health secretary. Kennedy is seeking to lead the...

From anti-vaccine advocacy to raw milk, many of RFK Jr.'s views fall outside the mainstream

Jan. 29, 2025 07:11 AM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s anti-vaccine advocacy is outside the mainstream. His previous statements on abortion could alienate Republicans. But a new poll finds that not all of his controversial health goals are unpopular — in fact, at least one has broad support among Democrats...

State lawmakers are pushing for vaccine exemptions even as childhood vaccination rates fall

Jan. 27, 2025 14:40 PM EST

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Vaccination bills are popping up in more than 15 states as lawmakers aim to potentially resurrect or create new religious exemptions from immunization mandates, establish state-level vaccine injury databases or dictate what providers must tell patients about the shots. ...

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s famous name and controversial views collide in his bid for top health job

Jan. 27, 2025 10:58 AM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has said vaccines are not safe. His support for abortion access has made conservatives uncomfortable. And farmers across the Midwest are nervous over his talk of banning corn syrup and pesticides from America's food supply. The 71-year-old,...

Trump's Cabinet picks are set for Senate hearings. Here's the schedule

Jan. 24, 2025 10:49 AM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — The nominations process for President Donald Trump's appointees is picking up pace, with some confirmed by the Senate and hearings scheduled for more of his Cabinet picks. Many nominees have met with senators individually. Now they are appearing before the...

Trump administration freezes many health agency reports and online posts

Jan. 22, 2025 15:30 PM EST

The Trump administration has put a freeze on many federal health agency communications with the public through at least the end of the month. In a memo obtained by The Associated Press, acting Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Dorothy Fink told agency...

New federal data shows Maine’s child welfare agency is moving against national trends

Jan. 21, 2025 11:46 AM EST

Earlier this month, the independent watchdog monitoring Maine’s child welfare agency went before the legislature’s government oversight committee and admitted frustration. In recent years, she has repeatedly identified the same problems with the agency’s approach to child protection...

Here's the advice Biden's top health official has for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Jan. 08, 2025 19:07 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — Thousands of people were dying from COVID-19 every day. Americans were still being ordered to stay-at-home or mask in public. Millions of people were eager to line up for jabs of the newly-released COVID-19 vaccines. That's the scene the nation's top health...

Colorado governor walks a tightrope in approaching Trump. Deportations likely to be the first test

Jan. 08, 2025 00:03 AM EST

DENVER (AP) — Colorado Gov. Jared Polis donned safety glasses and seized the handle of the electric saw, guiding the buzzing blade down through a stack of printed-out executive orders dating back decades. Polis' pre-Christmas news conference was designed to highlight how he was...