American Tort Reform Association Responds to Confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. as HHS Secretary

Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to serve as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. The American Tort Reform Association has voiced serious concerns about potential conflicts of interest given his deep ties to the plaintiffs’ bar. ATRA urges Sec. Kennedy to prioritize evidence-based policymaking and public health over the financial interests of trial lawyers.

ATRA calls on Sec. Kennedy to:

1. Base HHS decisions on rigorous scientific consensus rather than fringe theories or junk science.
2. Ensure that evaluations of medications and medical products are conducted by qualified scientific and public health experts, not influenced by contingency fee lawyers.
3. Maintain transparency in his ongoing financial interests related to litigation against healthcare and pharmaceutical companies.

The health and safety of all Americans must be the top priority at HHS. ATRA will be watching closely to ensure that Sec. Kennedy’s leadership does not transform the agency into a launching pad for profit-driven lawsuits at the expense of sound public health policy.

MORE: Read ATRA’s op-ed published by The Well News, “RFK Jr.’s Trial Lawyer Ties Raise Red Flags.”