RFK Jr. Sworn In as HHS Secretary, Chairs New “Make America Healthy Again” Commission

Last Thursday, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was sworn in as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), officially taking charge of an agency that oversees public health, medical research, and social services, with over 80,000 employees. Most Senate Republicans supported his confirmation, with only Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) breaking ranks in opposition.

Also on Thursday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order (EO) creating the Make America Healthy Again Commission, marking the administration’s first major health care initiative since RFK Jr. was sworn in as HHS Secretary. The EO prioritizes reversing the rise of chronic diseases, particularly in children, and directs federal agencies to focus on prevention, research, and expanding treatment options.

Notably, autism is included as a chronic disease under the EO’s framework, potentially signaling a shift in how the administration intends to approach autism-related research and treatment.

The EO sets a 100-day deadline for the Commission to submit an initial Make Our Children Healthy Again Assessment, which will compare U.S. childhood chronic disease rates to other nations and suggest best practices for prevention. A 180-day deadline follows for a comprehensive strategy to restructure the federal government’s response to childhood chronic diseases.