PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A recent letter submitted to the U.S. Senate in support of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination as Secretary of Health and Human Services includes names of doctors who have experienced disciplinary actions concerning their medical licenses. This finding raises questions about the credibility of the letter, particularly in light of Kennedy's long history of anti-vaccine activism, which has faced significant opposition from reputable medical experts.
The letter aimed to bolster Kennedy's nomination amidst criticisms, including hesitancy expressed by Republican Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, a medical doctor known for his vaccination efforts. The Associated Press discovered that among the nearly 800 individuals who signed the letter, numerous signatories were not doctors, indicating a potential dilution of the letter's intended authority. The letter was supplied to the AP by Senator Ron Johnson's office after being entered into the Congressional Record during Kennedy's confirmation hearings.
Among the signers were various professionals such as a self-described journalist, a certified public accountant, and a firefighter/paramedic. Notably, more than 90 individuals did not provide any credentials, while at least 75 were nurses and others included physician assistants. Additionally, over 20 chiropractors signed the letter, representing an industry that has previously funded Kennedy’s anti-vaccine initiatives. An investigation revealed that contributions from chiropractic organizations made up a significant portion of the revenues for Kennedy's anti-vaccine nonprofit in 2019.
The letter was organized by MAHA Action, an entity led by Del Bigtree, who has a history of anti-vaccine activism and had collaborated with Kennedy's presidential campaign. Despite claims that the letter was circulated organically and meant for physicians only, questions remain regarding the verification of the signatories' credentials. Attempts for comment from Bigtree and Kennedy went unanswered, but a White House spokesperson expressed optimism for the Senate's swift confirmation of Kennedy.
The letter features the header “Doctors for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.” and claims to represent the collective voice of physicians and medical professionals focused on addressing chronic diseases. However, investigations by the AP uncovered that at least 10 of the doctors involved faced consequences from state medical boards for various alleged misconducts. Sanctions ranged from license revocation to probation and reprimands, with one doctor receiving a warning letter from the Federal Trade Commission for misleading COVID-19 treatments.
Noteworthy signers included Dr. Paul Thomas, known for his anti-vaccine stance, who voluntarily surrendered his medical license in 2022 after being found grossly negligent by the Oregon medical board. Thomas denied any wrongdoing, while Dr. Simone Gold, another signer pardoned by Trump, was also reprimanded for her actions related to the January 6 Capitol riots.
Other medical professionals involved have faced similar challenges. Dr. Meryl Nass had her medical license suspended in Maine due to her treatment methods for COVID-19, and she is currently appealing the decision. Some signers had previously been disciplined for improperly issuing vaccine waivers, showcasing a pattern among those aligned with Kennedy’s views.
Moreover, MAHA Action claimed the letter was one of several supporting Kennedy's nomination, including another signed by a claimed 17,000 medical professionals, although the names were not disclosed. In contrast, opponents of Kennedy's nomination gathered over 18,000 signatures from verified doctors on a letter asserting the need for integrity in the nomination process. It was mentioned that these signatures were thoroughly vetted to ensure professional authenticity.
The ongoing discourse surrounding Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination highlights the significant divide within the medical community regarding vaccines and health policy, raising critical questions about the qualifications and motivations of those supporting such appointments in positions of public health authority.
