Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., publicly attacked HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over rising cases of vaccine-preventable diseases appearing in American hospitals. Cassidy posted on X Thursday, sharing a New York Times report documenting the resurgence and linking Kennedy directly to the trend.
Hospitals across the country report treating patients for illnesses that vaccines previously controlled. Physicians told the Times they now routinely encounter diseases they had rarely or never seen in their careers. The uptick reflects declining vaccination rates, particularly among children, following years of vaccine hesitancy amplified during the pandemic.
Kennedy, a prominent vaccine skeptic appointed by President Trump, has long opposed mandatory vaccination programs. His nomination as HHS secretary raised alarms among public health officials who worry his leadership could further suppress vaccination rates and weaken disease surveillance systems. The agency oversees the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which manages the nation's immunization programs.
Cassidy's criticism places him at odds with his own party's health leadership. The Louisiana Republican sits on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, giving him direct oversight of HHS operations. His public rebuke signals fractures within Republican ranks over vaccine policy, even as Trump's administration implements anti-vaccine initiatives.
The resurgence affects multiple diseases including measles, whooping cough, and polio. Public health experts warn that falling immunization rates create conditions for outbreaks, particularly among vulnerable populations like infants too young for vaccines and immunocompromised individuals. Routine childhood vaccination rates have declined since the pandemic disrupted healthcare access and intensified vaccine distrust.
Kennedy's tenure at HHS remains contentious. He has promoted unproven treatments and questioned the safety of established vaccines despite scientific consensus supporting their efficacy and safety records. Health organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics have opposed his leadership, citing threats to disease prevention infrastructure