U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sits with Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan. Photo by Murat Demir.
U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited Anchorage, Alaska, on Aug. 5 to discuss health care with state officials and tribal health organizations.
Kennedy was joined by Alaska Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan in a press conference at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, where they spoke about federal commitments to rural health care in Alaska introduced under the “One Big Beautiful Bill.”
“We want to work with the tribes. We want to recognize and support their sovereignty,” said Kennedy.
Hours before the press conference, Kennedy announced that the Department of Health and Human Services will end 22 vaccine development research programs by cutting $500 million in funding, according to the Associated Press.
During the conference, Kennedy claimed mRNA vaccines are ineffective against upper respiratory illnesses.
“We're going to shift that money to develop a universal vaccine,” he said.
Protesters gathered outside of the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium in opposition to Kennedy’s stance on health care.
A spokesperson at the conference stated that Kennedy would continue his visit to Alaska over the next two days.
.jpg)
