AAP President Susan J. Kressly, M.D., FAAP, urged leaders in Washington to protect access to vaccines and Medicaid during a virtual news conference after Wednesday’s Senate confirmation hearing for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
“It’s important that our federal leaders and decision-makers demonstrate commitments to science and commitments to evidence-based decision-making, especially when it comes to immunization,” Dr. Kressly said. “By making sure that children can access vaccines on time, we not only safeguard our children’s health, but also contribute to the well-being of our communities.”
Kennedy, who is President Donald J. Trump’s nominee for secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), was questioned by members of the Senate Finance Committee about his stance on vaccines and his association with Children’s Health Defense. The organization’s website includes a prominent section casting doubt on the efficacy of vaccines and names Kennedy as founder and former chairman.
For decades, Kennedy has made public statements challenging the safety and efficacy of vaccines. Kennedy said he is now supportive of vaccines.
Dr. Kressly called vaccines “the single greatest innovation” to promote child health.
“We need to protect the ability of children and families in every community to access immunizations,” she said, “and this requires us to remove the barriers we have, not add new ones.”
Dr. Kressly also stressed the importance of protecting Medicaid, calling it a “popular, effective program” that nearly half of America’s children rely upon for health insurance.
Also appearing at Wednesday’s press event was Georges Benjamin, M.D., executive director of the American Public Health Association. He expressed concern that Kennedy may not grasp the scope and function of Medicaid, a program that is important for children in the United States.
“If we really care about making the country healthier, we have to start by investing in children,” Dr. Kressly said. “And one of the ways you have to start to invest in children is to understand how it’s financed, including Medicaid.”
Public doubts about vaccines and Medicaid add unnecessary worry to parents’ lives, Dr. Kressly said.
“Wouldn’t it be terrific if we could get back to a place where they could worry about how to make their teenager wear their seatbelt or their 5-year-old eat green vegetables,” she said, “instead of worrying about things that have been studied and proven to be effective?”
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee will question Kennedy on Thursday. A simple majority vote by the Senate will determine whether he becomes HHS secretary.
Dr. Kressly said regardless of the hearings’ outcome, the Academy would be willing to work “with anyone and everyone who is interested in promoting child health.”