section_path: Secretary of Health and Human Services (2025–present)/Nomination and confirmation/Criticism
section_name: Criticism
paragraph_text: Criticism
  
  In December 2024, more than 75 Nobel Laureates urged the U.S. Senate to oppose Kennedy's nomination, saying he would "put the public's health in jeopardy".
  
  During the week of December 16, 2024, Kennedy began meeting with senators in advance of his confirmation hearings.
  
  As of January 9, 2025, over 17,000 doctors who are members of Committee to Protect Health Care, had signed an open letter urging the Senate to oppose Kennedy's nomination, arguing that Kennedy had spent decades undermining public confidence in vaccines and spreading false claims and conspiracy theories, that he was a danger to national healthcare, and that he was unqualified to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.
  
  Gregg Gonsalves, an epidemiologist at the Yale School of Public Health, said putting Kennedy in charge of a health agency would be like "putting a flat earther in charge of NASA". As of January 24, 2025, more than 80 organizations had voiced opposition to Kennedy's nomination.
  
  In December 2024, more than 75 Nobel Laureates urged the U.S. Senate to oppose Kennedy's nomination, saying he would "put the public's health in jeopardy".
  
  During the week of December 16, 2024, Kennedy began meeting with senators in advance of his confirmation hearings.
  
  As of January 9, 2025, over 17,000 doctors who are members of Committee to Protect Health Care, had signed an open letter urging the Senate to oppose Kennedy's nomination, arguing that Kennedy had spent decades undermining public confidence in vaccines and spreading false claims and conspiracy theories, that he was a danger to national healthcare, and that he was unqualified to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.
  
  Gregg Gonsalves, an epidemiologist at the Yale School of Public Health, said putting Kennedy in charge of a health agency would be like "putting a flat earther in charge of NASA". As of January 24, 2025, more than 80 organizations had voiced opposition to Kennedy's nomination.