STAT+: RFK Jr.’s second year: Vacancies, not vaccines

STAT PlusNewsletterD.C. Diagnosis RFK Jr.’s second year: Vacancies, not vaccines You’re reading STAT’s D.C. Diagnosis newsletter Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Chelsea CirruzzoJune 4, 2026 Washington Correspondent Chelsea Cirruzzo[email protected]Chelsea covers the Department of Health and Human Services with a particular focus on power and influence at the top. Confidential tips can be sent via Signal at chelseacirruzzo.42. You’re reading the web edition of D.C. Diagnosis, STAT’s twice-weekly newsletter about the politics and policy of health and medicine. Sign up here to receive it in your inbox on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Former New York congressman George Santos is under investigation (again). This time for insider trading. Chelsea Cirruzzo here, filling in for John. Send news tips and insider info (kidding!) to [email protected] or chelseacirruzzo.42 on Signal.Advertisement RFK Jr.’s second year as America’s health czar As a favorite Trump surrogate, health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has spent the first half of the year crisscrossing the country — munching on vegetables at a regenerative farm in Ohio, meeting with Wisconsin dairy farmers, witnessing a robotic arm perform open-heart surgery at the Cleveland Clinic. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In HHS, Medicaid, Policy, public health, research, RFK Jr., STAT+, states Submit a correction requestReprints Chelsea Cirruzzo Washington Correspondent Chelsea covers the Department of Health and Human Services with a particular focus on power and influence at the top. Confidential tips can be sent via Signal at chelseacirruzzo.42. Newsletter The latest updates in federal health agencies, research institutes, and U.S. policy Recommended The Readout June 4, 2026 STAT Plus: AI titans push Congress for DNA safeguards Business June 3, 2026 STAT Plus: HaloMD faces lawsuit alleging No Surprises Act middleman used ‘sham letter,’ misleading data Advertisement The Readout June 3, 2026 STAT Plus: Legend Biotech emerged as a rare market winner First Opinion June 3, 2026 The medical-billing AI arms race between providers and insurance Politics June 3, 2026 STAT Plus: Trump’s Medicaid work requirements have an unwelcome surprise for some states and patients Subscriber Picks