Washington, DC—The Organic & Natural Health Association is asking the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions and the Senate Finance Committee to back the selection of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the next Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). In a video posted to his Make American Healthy Again (MAHA) website (www.mahanow.org) on November 20, RFK Jr. said President Trump has given him to three directives:
- Clean up the corruption in government health agencies.
- Return government health agencies "to their rich tradition of gold-standard, evidence-based science."
- Make America Healthy Again by ending the chronic disease epidemic.
The MAHA website also states, "The pharmaceutical megacorporations are by far the most heavily fined and criminally prosecuted companies in America, yet also some of the most powerful."
In backing the appointment, Karen Howard, CEO and Executive Director of Organic & Natural Health, said, “Serious change needs to occur if we are to address the underlying reasons for the epidemic of chronic health disease. All voices need to be evaluated and heard. Pharmaceuticals have done much to transform the health and wellbeing of people, but our system does not account for the power of nutrition, supplementation, lifestyle changes, and consumer education.”
Organic & Natural Health explained that confirmation of RFK Jr. as Secretary of HHS would represent a major step forward in the fight against the current healthcare system, which the association said prioritizes disease treatment over prevention. Members of Organic & Natural Health found shortcomings in the system's current set up, including:
- Programs that prevent chronic disease are seen solely as expenses;
- Dietary supplements remain ineligible for reimbursement under Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) plans;
- Deficiencies in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) do not allow purchases of essential nutrients like vitamin D3 or medical foods for disease management;
- There is lack of collaboration on environmental health factors like clean water, air quality, and pesticide use.
“The financial model of our healthcare system is fundamentally flawed,” said Howard. “There is no money to be made in teaching people how to eat well, or in preventing disease. Government budgets do not score savings from prevention strategies, only the costs of disease management. True reform requires bold leadership that is committed to transparency and willing to challenge the status quo.”
Currently, RFK Jr. is undergoing confirmation hearings, answering questions from Democrats and Republicans alike, sharing his views on vaccines, diseases, Medicare and Medicaid.
The Natural Products Association (NPA) also has shared support for the nomination: "The FDA is in need of serious reform. President-elect Trump’s nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spotlights the need for this reform. We are excited about this nomination because Americans value health, freedom, and natural products." The organization also issued a call to action: "For maybe the first time since the passage of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, there is a unified effort to protect and expand health freedoms across the nation. RFK Jr. has shown a consistent commitment to public health and individual rights, and he is a strong advocate for the natural products industry. Under his leadership, we are confident that the Department of Health and Human Services will support policies that help bring world-class supplements to Americans without added unnecessary regulation or barriers. Please take a moment today to contact your members of Congress and let them know that you support RFK Jr. for HHS Secretary. Your voice can help ensure that we have a leader who will prioritize consumer choice, public health, and the growth of the natural products industry."
Organic & Natural Health Weighs Key Issues at Annual Conference
Organic & Natural Health weighed these issues and more at its annual conference in Fort Lauderdale, FL, in January. The association hosted political strategist Dick Morris, a former advisor to President Bill Clinton and an advisor to President Donald Trump. Discussions at the conference focused on how to improve the safety of the agriculture and food system. In his talk, Morris stressed the opportunities for the natural health industry within the Trump administration.
Organic & Natural Health noted that it will continue these discussions through its “Table of Truth” salon series. These private dinner events will be held in conjunction with major industry conferences throughout 2025 as a way to facilitate dialogue among industry leaders on key issues including:
- transparency
- supply chain integrity
- environmental health
- public policy
The goal is to advance consumer and corporate responsibility in health and wellness.
