Health secretary Kennedy pushes new addiction-treatment strategy in California, criticizes prior administration

Health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. traveled to California to present the Biden administration’s revised plan for addiction treatment, following a recent White House initiative on vaccine policy.

During the visit, Kennedy blamed the previous administration, specifically former California health chief Dr. Becerra, for past shortcomings in addressing addiction.

The trip underscores a broader federal effort to reshape how addiction services are delivered, which could affect funding, regulatory pathways, and market opportunities for companies developing treatment drugs.