Deborah Birx Says RFK Jr.'s Selection Will Heighten Public Health Debate
The article discusses the expectations surrounding a leader's commitment to transparency for all Americans, emphasizing the need to address various issues methodically. The quote highlights the hope that this approach will lead to effective solutions.
TroibNews 
Dr. Deborah Birx, who served as President-elect Donald Trump's Covid response coordinator during his initial term, expressed on Sunday her anticipation that Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination for Trump's second-term Cabinet will spark insightful discussions regarding public health.
Trump announced last week that he has selected Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, a choice that will require Senate confirmation. This decision has drawn immediate criticism due to Kennedy's history of questioning vaccine safety and associating vaccinations with autism, among other concerns.
Birx shared her thoughts on CBS's "Face the Nation," stating, "When he talks about transparency, I'm actually excited that in a Senate hearing he would bring forward his data and the questions that come from the senators would bring forth their data."
She emphasized the value of engaging in public dialogues about complex issues. "What I know for sure," she continued, "is he's a very smart man who can bring his data and his evidence base forward, and we can have a discussion that many Americans believe already is a problem. ... I know the members have incredible staffers who will bring great questions from their constituents and that hearing would be a way for Americans to really see the data."
Highlighting one of Kennedy's key interests—improving nutrition by eliminating unhealthy dyes and additives to combat obesity and disease—Brennan noted that he is passionate about making American food healthier. Birx supported this approach, stating, "This is the reality of America and so what I'm hoping is he brings his transparency for all Americans and we really start to tackle these issues one-by-one-by-one. I think everybody across America wants to have healthy kids that they know will grow up and not end up with the complications of diabetes or heart disease."
From February 2020 until the conclusion of Trump's first term, Birx held the position of White House coronavirus response coordinator, reporting directly to then-Vice President Mike Pence. She also served as the nation's global AIDS coordinator under both Trump and former President Barack Obama.
Regarding the Department of Health and Human Services, Birx advised that Kennedy should have "a management person at his side, a chief of staff" to effectively oversee a department that encompasses various facets of public health. "HHS is probably one of our most complicated departments," she remarked.
Allen M Lee contributed to this report for TROIB News
Trump announced last week that he has selected Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, a choice that will require Senate confirmation. This decision has drawn immediate criticism due to Kennedy's history of questioning vaccine safety and associating vaccinations with autism, among other concerns.
Birx shared her thoughts on CBS's "Face the Nation," stating, "When he talks about transparency, I'm actually excited that in a Senate hearing he would bring forward his data and the questions that come from the senators would bring forth their data."
She emphasized the value of engaging in public dialogues about complex issues. "What I know for sure," she continued, "is he's a very smart man who can bring his data and his evidence base forward, and we can have a discussion that many Americans believe already is a problem. ... I know the members have incredible staffers who will bring great questions from their constituents and that hearing would be a way for Americans to really see the data."
Highlighting one of Kennedy's key interests—improving nutrition by eliminating unhealthy dyes and additives to combat obesity and disease—Brennan noted that he is passionate about making American food healthier. Birx supported this approach, stating, "This is the reality of America and so what I'm hoping is he brings his transparency for all Americans and we really start to tackle these issues one-by-one-by-one. I think everybody across America wants to have healthy kids that they know will grow up and not end up with the complications of diabetes or heart disease."
From February 2020 until the conclusion of Trump's first term, Birx held the position of White House coronavirus response coordinator, reporting directly to then-Vice President Mike Pence. She also served as the nation's global AIDS coordinator under both Trump and former President Barack Obama.
Regarding the Department of Health and Human Services, Birx advised that Kennedy should have "a management person at his side, a chief of staff" to effectively oversee a department that encompasses various facets of public health. "HHS is probably one of our most complicated departments," she remarked.
Allen M Lee contributed to this report for TROIB News
