A letter submitted to the U.S. Senate, purportedly from a group of physicians endorsing Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination as the Secretary of Health and Human Services, has come under scrutiny. Investigations reveal that several of those who signed the letter have faced disciplinary actions, such as revoked or suspended medical licenses. This raises questions about the professionalism and credibility of those supporting Kennedy, who has a long-standing history of anti-vaccine activism that has drawn considerable criticism from medical authorities.
Senator Bill Cassidy, a Republican from Louisiana and a practicing medical doctor, has voiced reservations about Kennedy’s nomination. Cassidy is considered a crucial vote in the confirmation process. His concerns highlight the significant opposition that Kennedy faces from health experts who are wary of his views on vaccination and public health. The letter, which was included in the Congressional Record during Kennedy’s confirmation hearings, was provided to the press by Senator Ron Johnson’s office.
The letter gained considerable attention due to its claim of support from nearly 800 signers. However, an assortment of signatories included individuals who do not possess medical degrees, such as a journalist, a firefighter/paramedic, a certified public accountant, and a person identifying as a health coach. It was noted that among the supporters were around 75 nurses and various physician assistants, while over 90 signers presented no credentials at all.
Additionally, the investigation highlighted that at least 20 signers were chiropractors, a profession that has historically provided funding and support for Kennedy’s anti-vaccine initiatives. In 2019, a chiropractic group contributed significantly to the revenues of Kennedy’s anti-vaccine nonprofit. The letter was organized by MAHA Action, which is led by Del Bigtree, a known anti-vaccine activist and former team member of Kennedy’s presidential campaign. Kennedy has claimed receiving income from licensing the group’s trademark, which coincidentally aligns with Bigtree’s efforts.
A spokesperson for MAHA Action claimed that the letter was distributed in a grassroots manner with clear instructions for physicians to sign. However, the spokesperson did not answer questions about how the organization confirmed the qualifications of those who signed.
Among the individuals who signed the letter were several doctors who faced prior sanctions from medical boards for various alleged misconducts. Some of these doctors had their licenses revoked or suspended, while others received reprimands. One signatory reportedly faced legal action from the Federal Trade Commission for misleading claims about COVID-19 treatments.
Paul Thomas, a signatory known for his anti-vaccine stance, voluntarily surrendered his medical license last year after the state medical board cited multiple instances of gross negligence. He was involved in advising on treatments for a measles outbreak in Samoa, which raised further concerns among medical professionals. Another notable signatory, Dr. Simone Gold, faced disciplinary actions related to her involvement in events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, but claimed that her reprimand was overturned before a pardon granted by Donald Trump.
Another involved physician, Meryl Nass, who had her medical license suspended over her COVID-19 treatment methods, is currently appealing the decision, asserting her expected vindication. Additionally, a few of the physicians had faced prior disciplinary actions for improperly issuing vaccine waivers, with varying outcomes ranging from licenses revoked to probation.
MAHA Action has indicated that the letter they provided is part of a larger collection supporting Kennedy, including one claimed to have signatures from 17,000 medical professionals. However, this letter has not disclosed the names of its signatories. Meanwhile, opponents contesting Kennedy’s nomination have put forward their own letter, reportedly backed by over 18,000 verified doctors, which was compiled with a thorough vetting process.
These developments underline the contentious nature of Kennedy’s nomination and the polarized views on vaccination and public health within the medical community. The situation continues to evolve as further scrutiny is expected from both supporters and detractors of Kennedy’s appointment.
