The Dangers of Robert F Kennedy Jr as Health and Human Services Secretary

Let us start with this: Robert F. Kennedy is as qualified to be the Secretary of Health and Human Services as I am to be the President. Given that I am an immigrant on a Green Card, that says a lot.

As someone who lives with a couple of handfuls of chronic illnesses—some genetic, some hereditary, and others comorbidities—who has spent almost her entire adult life educating herself on mental and physical illnesses, even educating some health professionals; someone who has done peer support work for over 15 years and founded and now runs an online community for people with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Rare Diseases, and Chronic Illnesses, I know how badly Americans need someone with the education and experience—not just conspiracy theories and Flintstone Vitamin nutritional advice—to hold the position of HHS Secretary.

Since becoming HHS Secretary, RFK Jr. has done one heck of a job at making America UnHealthier Again. Between RFK's cocamamie theories and ridiculous rhetoric, his funding cuts for much-needed studies and services, and his cringeworthy social posts, RFK is like a Mini-Trump (remember Mini-Me from Austin Powers?)—quiet, but there, and just as dangerous in his own right.

• His vaccine rhetoric over the last (almost) decade (and policies) is one of the reasons for the drastic rise in measles cases (as one example).

• RFK shed over 20,000 HHS employees and hired/is hiring (approximately 12,000) people who share his and Mr. Trump's beliefs.

• Attempting to consolidate divisions/agencies/administrations under HHS that need to be independent of each other, as they each address specific issues that are only connected by being under the umbrella of healthcare. OP: The wise move would be to establish an independent, nonpartisan organization that oversees (among other duties) HRSA, SAMHSA, CDC, FDA, and NIH, or utilize one of the existing (federal) oversight committees.

• He has made dangerous changes to vaccine recommendations.

• His change to the food pyramid made it less healthy.

• Funding cuts to much-needed programs, as well as research (that is absolutely needed), if it goes against his personal beliefs.

• RFK has made/is making it even more difficult for people to access care, especially those in need of assistance who live with disabilities and chronic illnesses, and folks who need help with transportation to and from doctors' appointments (as two examples).

• His attack on psychiatric medications, specifically antidepressants.

  And the list, unfortunately, goes on.

Sources: MDDIonline, MS Now, New York Times, .Gov, ProtectOurCar.org, PBS, The Guardian