Democratic senators accuse Kennedy of not adhering to ethics agreement in vaccine lawsuit Comments: by Joseph Choi - 09/25/26 5:58 PM ET

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/6112311-kennedy-hhs-vaccine-lawsuit-democrats-doubt/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_6B03GMPrS6BCggOr_IxCkUQHIO3NkqgX2VXV1sftNPxJgRJnDSwwQ_Px97kMeVb3jGTWIn4uYR8uQWIhsauhl1jxdWQ&_hsmi=441266635&utm_content=441266635&utm_source=hs_email The Hill: RFK Jr. Faces Scrutiny Over Vaccine Lawsuit Divestment A group of Senate Democrats questioned whether Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. potentially concealed an agreement to collect money from a settlement with a vaccine manufacturer despite pledging to divest from the lawsuit. At the time of his confirmation process last year, Kennedy was still involved in a lawsuit carried out by the law firm Wisner Baum against Merck over its HPV vaccine Gardasil, alleging that it caused neurological and autoimmune injuries. (Choi, 9/25) THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION The New York Times: U.S. Rejects U.N. Declaration On Preparing For Future Pandemics The United States on Friday rejected a declaration by member countries of the United Nations that pledged international collaboration and solidarity in preparing for and responding to pandemics. The European Union also expressed strong objections to parts of the statement. The declaration, the product of a high-level U.N. meeting on pandemic preparedness, is largely ceremonial. It is not legally binding, and does not set rules for what countries should do during pandemics. But its universal endorsement would have signaled a powerful expression of global political commitment to the issue. (Mandavilli, 9/25) The New York Times: ‘Zombified’ C.D.C., Hobbled By Cuts, Struggles To Fulfill Scientific Mission For decades, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was the undisputed global leader in public health. Its scientists helped train health officials worldwide. In the United States, it was the primary source of guidance for prevention and treatment of diseases, including diabetes, H.I.V. and the seasonal flu. But after a year and a half in the cross hairs of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s drive to remake public health policy, the agency is a skeleton of the powerhouse it was. (Mandavilli, 9/26) AP: CDC Vaccine Policy Recommendations Grind To A Halt Under Kennedy The Food and Drug Administration recently approved a new flu vaccine that tested well in older adults. But the federal agency responsible for telling doctors and the general public how to use it has made no recommendation on it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s inaction on the mFlusiva vaccine marks a break in longstanding practice. It’s also an example of how the agency’s vaccine review-and-recommendation process has been blown up in the past year, grinding decision-making to a halt. (Stobbe, 9/25) The Hill: RFK Jr. Faces Scrutiny Over Vaccine Lawsuit Divestment A group of Senate Democrats questioned whether Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. potentially concealed an agreement to collect money from a settlement with a vaccine manufacturer despite pledging to divest from the lawsuit. At the time of his confirmation process last year, Kennedy was still involved in a lawsuit carried out by the law firm Wisner Baum against Merck over its HPV vaccine Gardasil, alleging that it caused neurological and autoimmune injuries. (Choi, 9/25) CNN: The Trump Admin Said It Would Prioritize Ending Mother-To-Child HIV Transmission. Health Workers Say It Cut Services Dr. Theopista Masenge was at the hospital in Mbeya, Tanzania, rolling out new treatments for children with high HIV viral loads when she got the call: Stop work, now. (Kent, 9/27) Modern Healthcare: H-1B Visa Fee Hike Proposal Draws AMA, AHA Opposition Healthcare providers are urging the federal government to exempt clinicians from a proposed increase to visa fees. The Homeland Security Department in August proposed a regulation that would require employers filing certain H-1B applications to pay a new $103,265 fee in addition to other applicable costs. Healthcare employers, especially in short-staffed rural areas, often hire physicians and other clinicians through the H-1B program. The change would worsen staffing shortages and financial challenges already facing the industry, trade groups told the agency in comments submitted this week. (Kacik, 9/25) The Washington Post: White House Has Not Acted On RFK Jr.’s Push For Proof Ultra-Processed Foods Are Safe Earlier this year, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. seemed poised to challenge the powerful food industry. The Department of Health and Human Services had concluded that food companies should produce “any detailed safety studies” showing that certain ingredients common in ultra-processed foods are generally safe and aren’t contributing to chronic health conditions, according to a March draft of a letter that the secretary sent to the White House for review, and that was obtained by The Washington Post. (Roubein, 9/25)