Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., has announced the establishment of a new caucus in the Senate named the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) caucus. The caucus aims to support the joint mission of President-elect Donald Trump and his nominee for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Dr. Marshall, a seasoned medical practitioner with over 25 years of experience, will lead the caucus in its efforts to promote healthy food choices, address prevalent chronic diseases, advocate for safer agricultural practices, and work towards expanding healthcare access.
The MAHA caucus is dedicated to enhancing health outcomes by emphasizing nutrition, ensuring access to affordable and nutrient-rich foods, and focusing on improving primary care availability to combat the root causes of chronic illnesses, as stated by Sen. Marshall.
Founding members of the MAHA caucus include Sens. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., and Rick Scott, R-Fla., who will collaborate with Dr. Marshall in advancing the caucus's objectives.
The primary goal of the MAHA caucus is to collaborate with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., pending his confirmation, and utilize legislative measures to swiftly implement the health agenda proposed by Trump and Kennedy.
The caucus plans to engage with stakeholders at various levels of government to facilitate key MAHA initiatives, garner support for its priorities, and conduct educational campaigns to raise awareness about nutrition.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination to lead HHS by President-elect Trump has sparked discussions among senators, with concerns raised about his views on vaccines, agriculture, and abortion. Despite these reservations, Kennedy has been engaging with senators to address their queries and secure confirmation support.
Sen. Tuberville, for instance, discussed food production and agricultural policies with Kennedy, finding alignment on protecting farmers and avoiding excessive regulations. Kennedy's past comments on vaccine efficacy have also been a point of contention, but he has assured senators that he supports vaccination efforts.
As Kennedy continues his meetings with senators from both parties, he will need to address lingering concerns, particularly regarding his stance on vaccines and how it may influence his leadership at HHS.
