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Democratic Women’s Caucus Chair Teresa Leger Fernández Blasts Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as a Threat to Public Health and Women's Rights

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) Chair Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) released the below statement ahead of the Finance Committee’s vote on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination to serve as the Health and Human Services Secretary, expected Tuesday. This vote follows RFK’s confirmation hearings in the Senate Finance Committee and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions last week. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) oversees reproductive health care, vaccine recommendations, food inspections, hospital oversight, and funding for community health clinics—services women and families rely on.  

“Women and families experience real threats to their health and wellbeing every day. Hundreds of womendie each year due to complications during childbirth, yet 35% of U.S. counties don’t have an OBGYN or hospital where patients can give birth. 18 million households in the United States don’t have enough food. Given these threats, we need a Health and Human Services Secretary committed to protecting and improving the health of women and families across every corner of America—not a nominee who is a threat to our families’ health.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Senate hearings and his years of rejecting science and medicine demonstrate he is not fit for the job. 

At his Senate hearings alone, RFK Jr.:

• Signaled he would not protect medication abortion—which accounted for 63% of all  abortions in the U.S. in 2023. If access to mifepristone was eliminated, this would be the equivalent of a near national abortion ban and increase the cost of this reproductive health care option for women across America. 
• Failed to acknowledge settled science that vaccines are an essential tool to keeping children and families safe and are not the cause of autism. Vaccines are a scientifically proven medical miracle that have collectively saved 140+  million children’s lives since 1974.
• Inaccurately said that Medicaid isn’t producing ‘positive health outcomes’ for people, when in reality, Medicaid expansion from the ACA led to a reduction in deaths from all causes. Medicaid is saving families money while saving lives.  

Women and families deserve a Health and Human Services Secretary who will actually prioritize public health and women’s rights. RFK Jr. is another example of Trump increasing the costs for Americans and yet another betrayal of women and families safety at the hands of Trump. We cannot stand for it.

Senators, for the health and safety of our women, children, and families, I urge you to vote no on RFK Jr. 's nomination. And women and families across America, I urge you to call your Senators and tell them to vote no.”

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