Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Secretary of Health and Human Services

Department of Health and Human Services

Who Does This Official Serve?

Mission Conflict

Prior Industry: Children's Health Defense (Anti-Vaccine Advocacy)

Founded and led an anti-vaccine advocacy organization. Now heads the department responsible for public health, FDA, CDC, and vaccine policy.

Appointed

January 20, 2025

1 year, 6 months in office

Confirmation Vote

49-50

Conflict Risk

Critical

(40 pts)

4 conflicts identified

⚔️Revolving Door Analysis

Mission Conflict

Prior Industry: Children's Health Defense (Anti-Vaccine Advocacy)

Founded and led an anti-vaccine advocacy organization. Now heads the department responsible for public health, FDA, CDC, and vaccine policy.

⚠️ Conflicts of Interest (4)

🏥 Public Health(2)

Critical

Decades of anti-vaccine activism, spread dangerous medical misinformation

Critical

AIDS denialism and COVID misinformation

💰 Financial(1)

Critical

Children's Health Defense profits from anti-vaccine fear

📋 Qualifications(1)

Critical

No medical or public health training

Career Path

⚔️ Mission Conflict

Direct revolving doorLobbying / Media backgroundCareer public servant

Founder and Chairman

Children's Health Defense

2016-present

Founded and led an anti-vaccine advocacy organization. Now heads the department responsible for public health, FDA, CDC, and vaccine policy.

Environmental Attorney

Various

1986-present

President

Waterkeeper Alliance

2010-2017

Now Serving As

Secretary of Health and Human Services

Department of Health and Human Services

2025–Present

Policy Positions

Vaccines

Anti-vaccine activist, claims vaccines cause autism (debunked)

FDA

Wants to "clean out" FDA, end pharmaceutical influence

Public Health

Opposes fluoride, questions pasteurization

COVID-19

Spread misinformation about vaccines and treatments

💰 Agency Budget — FY2026

Source: USASpending.gov

$2.6T

Budget Authority

$1.2T

Obligated

19.6%

of Federal Budget

Department of Health and Human Services19.60% of total

Top Contract Awards (FY2023–2026)

MAXIMUS FEDERAL SERVICES, INC.

CONTACT CENTER OPERATIONS (CCO)

$5.5B

LEIDOS BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH INC

TAS::75 0849::TAS OPER OF GOVT R&D GOCO FACILITIES

$4.8B

RAPID DEPLOYMENT INC

THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE THE FULL COMPLEMENT OF SERVICES NECESSARY TO CARE FOR UC IN ORR CUSTODY INCLUDING FACILITIES SET-UP, MAINTENANCE, AND SUPPORT INTERNAL AND PERIMETER (IF APPLICABLE) SECURITY, DIRECT CARE AND SUPERVISION INC

$3.5B

About Department of Health and Human Services

The Department of Health and Human Services protects public health, ensures food and drug safety, and administers Medicare and Medicaid.

Federal Budget & Awards

FY 2023-2025 • Source: USASpending.gov

Last updated 7/27/2026

Latest FY Obligations

$846.8B

Contracts (Top Awards)

Grants (Top Awards)

$1340.3B

Largest Program Funding Changes

Grants to States for Medicaid, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Health and Human Services

+$51.2B

Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund, Office of the Secretary, Health and Human Services

-$7,625,235,390

Health Surveillance and Program Support, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Health and Human Services

+$3.1B

Refugee and Entrant Assistance, Administration for Children and Families, Health and Human Services

-$2,705,953,153

Refundable Premium Assistance Tax Credit, Internal Revenue Service, Treasury

+$2.4B