Former U.S. surgeons general call RFK Jr. a threat to the nation's health in op-ed

4 weeks ago

Six erstwhile U.S. surgeons wide issued a informing astir Health Secretary RFK Jr., calling him a "threat." NPR's A Martinez speaks pinch 1 of them, erstwhile U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona.

A MARTÍNEZ, HOST:

One group wherever location is bipartisan statement includes nan nation's erstwhile U.S. surgeons general. Six of them person issued a associated informing astir Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. They judge his policies and positions airs a threat to nan nation's health. Under Kennedy's leadership, they constitute successful an sentiment portion successful The Washington Post, quote, "science and expertise person taken a backseat to ideology and misinformation." To talk much astir this, we've called connected Richard Carmona who served arsenic U.S. surgeon wide nether erstwhile President George W. Bush.

Let's commencement pinch what we heard location successful Yuki Noguchi's reporting. How concerned are you that group are putting partisan authorities arsenic nan guiding facet erstwhile it comes to wellness attraction decisions and moreover wellness attraction policymaking?

RICHARD CARMONA: We're very concerned, and a batch of that is because group person reverted to their instinctual tribes. But nan problem is, is that nan mistrust is caused by these very group who are ostensibly starring us, wherever they've dismantled nan agencies that had existent scientists who provided accusation and alternatively replaced it pinch ideology. Mr. Kennedy has a agelong history of making very different remarks astir vaccines, medications, nutrient that person nary technological basis. And if this continues, we'll spot vaccine rates will drop. We're already seeing diseases that usually we don't spot coming backmost for illustration measles. People will die, and nan ramifications are significant.

MARTÍNEZ: Now, successful nan editorial you wrote pinch your peers, it said that you took 2 ineffable oaths - arsenic physicians who swore to attraction for your patients, and past arsenic nationalist servants who committed to protecting nan wellness of each Americans. So, Doctor, really do you proceed to do that erstwhile you person nan caput of HHS seemingly ignoring science?

CARMONA: It is very frustrating for each of us, and we've had galore conversations recognizing that it is unprecedented for a group of erstwhile surgeons wide to return connected its authorities and opportunity you're wrong. And nan logic is, is that each of nan group who served arsenic nan guardrails - nan scientists astatine CDC, astatine NIH, different organizations - they've been dismissed, fired aliases fto go. The ones that are location are worried astir intimidation and coercion if they don't autumn successful statement pinch nan ideology. That is each detrimental to nan health, information and information of our nation.

MARTÍNEZ: Doctor, if nan United States is so arsenic divided arsenic it's made retired to be, your informing will beryllium taken arsenic morganatic and dire by 1 camp, and then...

CARMONA: Yes.

MARTÍNEZ: ...By nan different camp, possibly not worthy putting immoderate banal in.

CARMONA: Yeah.

MARTÍNEZ: So who precisely is this informing intended for?

CARMONA: We understand that it's truthful partisan. Some of america person worked successful Democratic administrations and immoderate of america successful Republican administrations, and we respected that leadership. We were ever capable to render an honorable sentiment astir nan champion subject that could beryllium made into policy. So, for now, we consciousness that nan powerfulness of each of america together - surgeons wide - and focusing connected nan champion science, we'll beryllium capable to possibly astatine slightest deed nan region fastener for immoderate group who are utmost successful either guidance and commencement to spot that we person nary ulterior motive.

MARTÍNEZ: What do you make of nan truth that location is presently nary U.S. surgeon general?

CARMONA: Well, they're having a problem because they brought distant a young woman who has ne'er vanished training, is nonboard certified, nary progressive aesculapian license, but this is nan campaigner that they are still attempting to bring guardant to beryllium surgeon wide of nan United States. And we deliberation it would beryllium a sedate mistake.

MARTÍNEZ: Yeah. And you're talking astir Casey Means. She has been nominated...

CARMONA: Yes.

MARTÍNEZ: ...But nary hearings person been group up to corroborate her. She did not decorativeness her surgical residency, and her aesculapian licence is inactive arsenic of January 1, 2024.

CARMONA: Yeah.

MARTÍNEZ: Doctor, location are complete 77 cardinal group who voted for Donald Trump.

CARMONA: Yes.

MARTÍNEZ: Some because they knew Trump was going to nominate RFK Jr. arsenic wellness secretary. So what do you opportunity to those group who consciousness his attack is precisely what wellness agencies specified arsenic nan CDC and FDA request correct now?

CARMONA: Let maine put it successful this perspective. Some of nan things that Secretary Kennedy wants, I think, are bully ones. You know, nan taking additives retired of definite foods, to get backmost to eating workplace to table. All are good. The existent issue, though, is these issues which are germane to improving nan wellness of nan federation are hidden wrong immoderate very caustic divisive rhetoric. And truthful I deliberation that if he was capable to grip this arsenic a leader should, without intimidation, without coercion to make his case, we could align astir that. But astir of nan things he said are truthful outrageous that you suffer show of nan fewer bully things that he's talked about.

MARTÍNEZ: That's Dr. Richard Carmona. He was U.S. surgeon wide nether erstwhile President George W. Bush. Doctor, convey you.

CARMONA: Thank you. Appreciate nan opportunity.

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