Great Fear Means Great Opportunity

By Karen Howard, CEO & Executive Director, Organic & Natural Health Association

“Where there is fear, there is opportunity. Where there is great fear, there is great opportunity.” —Andy Stanley.  

Karen Howard, CEO & Executive Director, Organic & Natural Health Association There will be no ‘business as usual’ in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)—or as a result the FDA, and the Centers for Medicaid/Medicare—should RFK Jr., Trump’s HHS nominee, be confirmed. Mr. Kennedy has voiced many opinions that resonate with our industry’s desire for change. Frankly, simply turning the food pyramid on its head could have remarkable results. That said, it was the Agriculture Department that defined that construct in 1992. Two agencies taking aim at one problem will not simplify an already-complex issue. The same can be said for his desire to eliminate ultra-processed foods in school lunches, or ban the purchase of “junk food” with food stamps. (Also programs run by the Department of Agriculture.)

  Those who fear Mr. Kennedy’s stance on vaccines and fluoride, are not likely to support his nomination. All that said, should Mr. Kennedy attain this leadership role, he would be the first true health advocate I have seen in this position in my 40+ years of working in D.C. Perhaps he will be joined by Dr. Martin McCarey from The Johns Hopkins University, author of Blind Spots: When Medicine Gets It Wrong and What It Means for Our Health, or Dr. Mehmet Oz, a bonafide supporter of naturopathic medicine.

So what are the opportunities we should be evaluating? One—making new friends—is always good for public policy, whether it’s eliminating pesticides in food, redefining structure/function claims, or just stopping the revolving door of pharma employees working in, and out of government at will. I think we need to take a broader look at what may transpire, and consider the downstream effect of Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) at the state level, where many of our problems seem to originate.

  Consider Texas Bill  HB1474 A, legislation to prohibit the retail sale and provision to minors of certain over-the-counter weight loss drugs and dietary supplements; providing a civil penalty. Alan Lewis, Natural Grocers and Organic and Natural Health Association Board member, recently testified before the State Senate Committee of jurisdiction and was able to confirm Senator Kolkhorst, chair of the Texas State Health and Human Service Committee, would not be moving the legislation. Now add to that the Make Texans Healthy Again advocacy initiative. Created by a Texas political consultant, this initiative and its website clearly articulates the rationale for the reforms we all aspire to affect. Its goal?

  “Make Texans Healthy Again is dedicated to empowering individuals with the freedom and tools to take control of their health. By focusing on preventative care and tackling the root causes of chronic disease, we aim to promote wellness, reduce healthcare costs, and improve quality of life for all Texans.”

  So perhaps this is the best strategy. D.C. will do what it does, on its own timeline, funded by large global, pharma interests, while conservative states will likely take on MAHA, and proactively take steps to enact legislation that will generate healthy outcomes. And you know where successful state initiatives go? To Capitol Hill with successful, beloved State Senators and Representatives who want to make real change.  Perhaps it is true. There is nothing to fear, but fear itself. 

Read insights from AHPA, CRN, CHPA, INFRA, SENPA, WIN, GOED, U.S. Hemp Roundtable, ITC + GPA, and MAHO.

.