17 Ways Women Are Preparing For Four Years Under Health Secretary RFK Jr.

Discussing the issue of women’s health and governmental decisions in a recent interview with Bored Panda, Jessica L. Waters, J.D., a nationally recognized expert in US reproductive rights law and policy and Director of the American University School of Public Affairs (SPA), suggested that “We need to be prepared that federal government decision-making over the next four years may not be grounded in science or fact.

“Already, we are seeing critical public health data and information disappear from federal websites and seeing critical research stalled or halted completely. This could have potentially devastating effects for public health nationwide (and worldwide)—including in the area of reproductive health.”

The expert shared that over the next four years, she would anticipate:

1. “redoubled efforts to take mifepristone (the FDA-approved drug used for medical abortion—which accounts for 60 percent of abortion in the US) off the market
2. restrictions on the use of telehealth to provide reproductive health care
3. attempts to ban pregnant people from traveling across state lines to obtain abortion care in a state where it is legal
4. severe cuts to Title X funding for reproductive health clinics
5. attempts to limit access to Plan B
6. use of private data in reproductive health-related prosecutions.”

Women’s concern over their health and government decision-making has seemingly become more palpable with the recent change in the health department. As of February this year, Robert Francis Kennedy Jr., nephew of the 35th president of the United States, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, is serving as the 26th United States Secretary of Health and Human Services. Confirmed by the Senate on January 13th, with a 52-48 vote, he became one of the nation’s leading public health officials.

Though, not everyone is happy with the rather controversial pick for the position, as many people are concerned over some of his views, especially regarding vaccines and women’s health. According to the Associated Press (AP) RFK Jr.’s appointment was disapproved by four-in-ten US adults and approved by three-in-ten.

RFK Jr., who made a name for himself as a successful environmental attorney, has faced criticism for his views on vaccines and the misinformation regarding them; for example, for saying that “autism comes from vaccines” in an interview with Fox News back in 2023.

Moreover, BBC reports that “Kennedy is the founder of the anti-vaccine group Children's Health Defense, which gained prominence in the US for casting doubt on the safety and efficacy of childhood vaccinations and making the discredited claim that the shots are linked to autism.” Though, according to NBC News, during the first confirmation hearing, RFK Jr. said he no longer held a post with the aforementioned group.

Recently Kennedy has also received backlash for his comments about the measles outbreak in Texas, which, as of March 1st, has taken the life of one child and hospitalized 20 other people. During the first cabinet meeting of the new administration, RFK Jr. has reportedly incorrectly alluded to two deaths and said that measles outbreaks were “not unusual.”

Some doctors disagree, though. CNN reports that at a news conference after the first death of the measles outbreak—the first death of the kind in the country in a decade—Dr. Lara Johnson, the chief medical officer of Covenant Health Lubbock Service Area, noted that “the United States had really gotten to a point where we just didn’t see these kinds of outbreaks happening.

“Obviously, that has changed over the last 20 something years, and so we do see outbreaks more frequently, but that that is related to how much we’re vaccinating our population,” the expert added.

According to the Guardian, just two days after calling the outbreak “not unusual,” RFK Jr. recognized the gravity of the situation, and reportedly took to X (formerly Twitter) to say that “Ending the measles outbreak is a top priority for me and my extraordinary team.”

Before becoming health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. tried his luck at the 2024 presidential election. But after eventually suspending his campaign, he decided to endorse the current president, who then said that if he was to win, RFK Jr. “will have a big role in health care.” Now that the scenario has become reality, some people, especially women, are worried, fearing what that might mean for women’s health and reproductive rights.

In a press release from February 13, 2025, the National Organization for Women (NOW) condemned the decision to appoint Robert Francis Kennedy Jr. the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, calling it “more than a dangerous mistake”.

“It’s the opening curtain of a tragedy that will take a horrifying toll on millions of Americans—with women and children paying the highest price,” the statement read in part.

“RFK Jr.’s confirmation turns back the clock on public health for women, but we will fight to reset that standard back to where most Americans want and need it to be,” NOW added.

The Center for Reproductive Rights also expressed their disapproval of the newly appointed health secretary, pointing to three of his major red flags:

1. “Expresses inconsistent and, at times, contradictory views on abortion.
2. Wants to ‘minimize the number of abortions that happen every year.’ From Catholic News Agency Interview.
3. Has major ties to the anti-science community and founded the leading vaccine disinformation organization.”

According to Media Matters for America, Kennedy also has been linked to a group that works to oppose IVF, which has reportedly labeled it “evil” and “immoral.”

Bearing these red flags and certain comments he has made in mind, it’s no surprise that some women are concerned about what the future might bring. The abortion issue alone can be worrisome enough, and as TIME notes, RFK Jr. hasn’t exactly been consistent with his views regarding it; having expressed support for bodily autonomy in the past, he has now seemingly changed his stance, which Senator Bernie Sanders called a “major U turn” on his beliefs.

Data from 2024, provided by the independent source for health policy research, polling, and news, KFF, found that 63% of women of reproductive age are worried that they or their loved one would not be able to get an abortion if it was needed to preserve their life or health. A similar number of women were concerned that abortion bans “may affect the safety of a potential future pregnancy for themselves or someone close to them.” Unfortunately, the issues remain relevant in 2025.