Nurses for America (NFA) believe that nurses deserve an approach that honors their values and centers their voices. Advocacy must reflect the compassion, integrity, and courage that define our profession—not compromise them. Rather than being silent to appear neutral, we believe in boldly standing for what matters most to nurses: equitable access to care, safe workplaces, a healthy environment, and a commitment to justice. True advocacy doesn’t simply secure a seat at the table; it challenges the system to align with the principles of nursing—caring for all, especially the most vulnerable. By staying rooted in these values, we can lead meaningful change and build a future where nurses’ sacrifices are honored, their needs prioritized, and their voices lead the way.
Although the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics have failed to state their opposition to Kennedy, alarming many in the medical community, Nurses for America have refused to remain silent. Their statement strongly objecting to RFK Jr was the first to be submitted into the Congressional Record, a testimony to the power of the voice of credible and trusted nurses.
Above- A video clip of Senator Ron Wyden (OR), Ranking Minority Leader of the Senate Finance Committee submitting the NFA statement into Congressional Record.
One of NFA’s nurse leaders, Teri Mills MS, RN Emeritus, has been featured on this blog. You may remember Teri as one of the Op-Ed nurse duo (the other is Donna Gaffney DNSc, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN).
Teri was in attendance during the Kennedy hearings and she sent in the following report:
Do No Harm-Vote No to Confirm RFK JR
I had the privilege of sitting inside both the Finance and HELP Committee confirmation hearings last week for Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) Jr. to listen firsthand as to whether he is qualified to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). I am the nurse that Senator Ron Wyden, Ranking Minority member mentioned by name when he submitted an opposition statement written by Nurses for America into the Congressional Record.
I carefully followed Senator Bill Cassidy’s comments and queries in his role in these committees, taking copious notes during his exchanges with RFK Jr on both days. When these meetings concluded, I honestly believed he would never vote favorably to move Kennedy’s nomination to the Senate floor. Senator Cassidy is also a practicing gastroenterologist and he shared his experience providing vaccine counseling and administration, even recounting a patient who needed a liver transplant due to hepatitis and resulting liver failure, a condition preventable with a vaccine she had failed to get. Cassidy heard as I did, Mr. Kennedy’s refusal to accept any accountability for his past record that included the repeated spread of incorrect, highly flammable misinformation about vaccine safety and efficacy. Even when prodded by several other Senators, RFK Jr always managed to avoid directly answering questions including if he believes vaccines cause autism (they do not); whether he would advise members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to resign before the end of the term (his plans are to do just that); and exactly what evidence he would need to see before committing to vaccine safety (he wants “gold standard science”).
Two statements made by Senator Cassidy struck out to me during the hearings. First, he mentioned at least twice that RFK Jr has “quite a following”. He does and they were in the hearing rooms to prove it. Even with new promises RFK Jr. made to Senator Cassidy to gain his support, does Cassidy realize he just gave permission to these hundreds of thousands if not millions of anti-science and anti-vaccine believers to continue spreading misinformation? Senator Cassidy may be under the belief that after talking with RFK Jr. and others he will be able to prevent him from using the bully pulpit of HHS to spread vaccine conspiracies, but neither he nor Kennedy will be able to control these followers, especially in the age of disinformation we live in.
Second, it became very apparent after watching both hearings, RFK Jr preys on parents whose children have autism or another disability, blaming their conditions on vaccines. He files lawsuits on their behalf, creating a false scenario that these unfortunate conditions were the result of a vaccine. In fact, Kennedy’s nonprofit, the Children’s Health Defense filed nearly 30 federal and state lawsuits since 2020, many challenging vaccines and public health mandates. When these suits are settled, Kennedy keeps a portion of the money, just like what we in the medical arena would refer to as “ambulance chasing”. This is probably why he deflected all questions asking him to finally clarify his position on vaccines. He couldn’t do this because if he did he would lose credibility with his followers and possibly perjure himself in settled or pending court cases.
Senator Cassidy, this long-time nurse educator has a question for you and the 99 other Senators who will be voting on RFK Jr’s confirmation. If you were hiring a surgeon to care for your loved one, and upon researching their past came across several instances of malpractice such as operating on the wrong side of the body or lethal infections, would you hire that individual? Mr. Kennedy is 71 years old, and it is magical thinking to believe he will change his views or his ways, no matter how much monitoring and mentoring might be provided to him.
I am a public health defender and protector and as a long time nurse educator it was a priority to me that my students understood it is a privilege to care for the sick and vulnerable- in nursing we take an oath to protect and promote the health and safety of those we serve.
Senator Cassidy also took a pledge when becoming a doctor, known as the Hippocratic Oath- “primum non nocere” DO NO HARM. As he began his opening statement, Senator Cassidy said, “As a physician, I dedicated my life to saving lives ”. To keep saving lives, Senator Cassidy knows what he must do and that is to vote no to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr as HHS Secretary. A yes vote will inflict immeasurable harm. Would he be able to live with those repercussions? I know this nurse would not.
Actions you can take!
- Please join Nurses for America
- Call your US Senators today and tell them to vote no RFK Jr. – Phone the United States Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121. A switchboard operator will connect you directly with the Senate office you request.
Scenes from Capitol Hill:
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