RFK Jr could soon lead the HHS. Here are the different health agencies it oversees - The member of the Kennedy dynasty has promised to significantly change how the department he could soon lead functi

Currently, the HHS inspector general's website lists Juliet Hodgkins, principal deputy inspector general, as the highest-ranking member of the leadership team. Hodgkins joined the Office of Inspector General in 2011 and served as the office's acting chief of staff from 2020 to 2022, according to her bio.

The Trump administration's "short pause" on communications, expected to end on Feb. 1, has affected FDA updates on food contamination investigations.

Ahead of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s confirmation hearings, experts—and RFK’s own family—expressed concerns about his vaccine-related views, though the same experts are largely unfazed by the level of power he and Marty Makary could ultimately wield over the FDA.

On January 21, 2025, according to a memo made available by news outlets, Acting Secretary of HHS, Dr. Dorthy Fink, issued a memo directing

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies in front of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee for confirmation of his appointment to HHS Secretary.

Meanwhile, in an executive order, Trump created his long-discussed “Department of Government Efficiency,” to be led by Elon Musk, the world’s richest man. On paper, the department is tasked with modernizing federal technology and software; however, Trump and Musk have spent months boasting about how it will gut the federal government.

In this week’s edition of InnovationRx, we look at HHS nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s first Senate confirmation hearing, the chaos at the NIH and with federal research funding, new dosages for an Alzheimer’s drug, a major tuberculosis outbreak, and more. To get it in your inbox, subscribe here.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s alternating views on vaccines, reproductive rights and public health issues were a central focus at his first confirmation hearing Wednesday, with Democratic senators expressing dismay at his nomination and Republicans signaling he’ll likely have their support.

The pause has potentially left the public in the dark about updates to scientific research and public health issues like flu outbreaks

The final round of committee hearings for Kennedy’s bid to be HHS Secretary was contentious from the start.