RFK Jr. urged to restore public comment on HHS business

Isabella Cueto covers the leading causes of death and disability: chronic diseases. Her focus includes autoimmune conditions and diseases of the lungs, kidneys, liver (and more). She writes about intriguing research, the promises and pitfalls of treatment, and what can be done about the burden of disease. You can reach Isabella on Signal at isabellacueto.03.

WASHINGTON — Democratic lawmakers in Congress, including a member of the influential Senate Finance Committee, are pushing back on health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s decision to suspend public comment on much of his agency’s business. 

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and other House and Senate Democrats introduced twin resolutions in Congress Thursday calling on the administration to reverse course. Dozens of patient advocacy groups, hospital associations, labor groups, and reproductive health advocates have endorsed the resolution. 

“Rather than throw open the doors of government, RFK Jr. has shut the gates, locking out doctors, patient advocates, and everyday Americans from weighing in on the chaotic disruption of America’s health care that the Trump administration is pursuing,” Wyden, the ranking member on the Finance Committee, said in a statement.

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