Will RFK Jr. Reshape Healthcare in America?

The Challenge Facing RFK Jr.

RFK Jr. is entering what many consider the most difficult role in the Trump administration. This was immediately evident during his first Senate hearing, where he faced relentless questions from Democratic senators who, notably, did not allow him the opportunity to respond. Their reluctance to hear his answers suggests they may have feared he could provide compelling solutions. The problems in America’s healthcare system, however, are deeply rooted, originating with President Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society initiative in 1965. That year, Johnson signed the Medicare and Medicaid Act—the Social Security Amendments of 1965—into law, establishing health insurance programs for the elderly and those with limited income. While these programs were initially seen as solutions for America’s healthcare issues, today they represent one of the largest portions of the federal budget, consuming 27% of annual spending. As Martin Luther King Jr. once noted, “People with good intentions but limited understanding are more dangerous than people with total ill will.” Over the years, the system has been frequently modified—with well-intentioned reforms from Presidents like Bill Clinton and Barack Obama—yet the original problems remain unresolved.

Government’s Role and Cost Escalation

Decades of experience have shown that government-managed programs often become more expensive and complex than originally intended. The current healthcare system exemplifies this trend. Today, RFK Jr. poses a significant threat to the $4 trillion healthcare industry, as well as to entrenched agencies like the CDC and FDA, which for years have been criticized for their close ties to pharmaceutical companies. When citizens question legislators about soaring costs for medical care and pharmaceuticals, those in office rarely provide adequate answers. It is difficult to ignore the influence of campaign contributions from industry donors. For example, Republican senators critical of RFK, John Barrasso of Wyoming, received over $200,000, and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana received just under $300,000 from pharmaceutical interests. This pattern suggests that political “payola” continues to influence legislative priorities.

Accountability and the COVID-19 Response

It is time to demand accountability from bureaucrats who have long managed our health agencies. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed failures in public communication and transparency. Americans were told to shelter in place, wear masks, and maintain social distance—yet conflicting guidance, changing recommendations, and exaggerations have eroded public trust. Pharmaceutical companies, meanwhile, reaped enormous profits: Pfizer, BioNTech, Moderna, and Sinovac earned a combined $90 billion from COVID-19 vaccines from treatments in 2021 and 2022, with Pfizer alone reporting $35 billion in profits. These statistics help explain why healthcare spending now accounts for roughly 25% of the national budget. The push to see RFK Jr. step down from his role seems motivated largely by his potential threat to political campaign funding. It seems we live in a political world of “Go Along to Get Along”.

RFK Jr.’s Mission: Food and Children’s Health

RFK Jr. has long been an advocate for truth and transparency in healthcare, particularly regarding the impact of vaccines on children’s health. The CDC’s vaccine schedule currently calls for 76 shots between birth and age 18—a statistic that raises important questions about the overall health of America’s children. RFK Jr. has also taken on the food industry, highlighting the dangers of artificial dyes and additives. Major food companies, he argues, have contributed to the rise of chronic illnesses in children by using chemicals linked to negative health outcomes. He has pledged to overhaul government policy regarding food dyes and additives, urging parents to read food labels and avoid products containing ingredients they do not recognize or cannot pronounce.

Rising Chronic Illness and the Call for Change

According to UCLA Health, nearly 30% of American children now live with chronic conditions such as obesity, ADHD, and anxiety—an increase attributed to poor diet, lack of physical activity, and exposure to environmental toxins. Over the past two decades, the prevalence of pediatric-onset conditions has climbed dramatically, affecting roughly 25 million young people between the ages of 5 and 25. While the food industry is not solely responsible, it is clear that it has played a significant role in this public health crisis.

The Need for Oversight and Reform

Given the history of obfuscation by the medical, pharmaceutical, and food industries, it is time for these sectors to acknowledge their role in America’s declining health. As voluntary transparency seems unlikely, strong leadership is required at the agencies responsible for public health. The principle should be “Trust But Verify”—but recent experience suggests that even verification has been compromised. It is time for a reckoning and a thorough overhaul of the system. We need to give RFK a chance to fix this problem without the influence of the political left or right. How about we get some honest answers for the billions we pay in taxes pay.

“We Get the Government We Deserve.”