8 key players inside RFK Jr.’s HHS

Conservative stalwarts, Trump loyalists, friends of Bobby's — a look at notable names in the agency.

March 18, 2025 Check out STAT+

Sponsored By

Photo illustration: STAT; Photos: HHS, AP STAT+ | 8 key players inside RFK Jr.'s HHS Conservative stalwarts, Trump loyalists, friends of Kennedy — a look at eight key players at HHS as RFK Jr. and MAHA take charge. By Isabella Cueto STAT+ | Congress created a unique plan to save rural hospitals — but few are using it 'A stopgap to the hospital closure crisis,' known as the Rural Emergency Hospital designation, is used by only 38 facilities because of strings attached. By Tara Bannow STAT+ | Eric Green is out as head of National Human Genome Research Institute Eric Green, National Human Genome Research Institute director, steps aside as Trump Administration shakes up the National Institutes of Health. By Megan Molteni, Anil Oza, Jason Mast, Matthew Herper, and Lizzy Lawrence Kristoffer Tripplaar/Sipa via AP STAT+ | Teenager who received Elevidys, Sarepta's Duchenne gene therapy, dies  The patient suffered from liver failure, a side effect that has been seen with other gene therapy treatments over the last two decades.  By Jason Mast Private equity 'gobbling' up care facilities for people with disabilities Private equity firms are acquiring facilities that care for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities at an alarming rate. By O. Rose Broderick Q&A: How one advocacy group is stepping in to bolster transgender data The CDC is no longer processing transgender identity data, so researchers will have to turn to other data-gathering sources. By Theresa Gaffney Wellcome 'No one can fill that gap': Why a global health leader sees U.S. funding as irreplaceable CEO of Wellcome Trust says global health organizations must learn to live with less, that philanthropy can't replace cuts to USAID and other expenditures. By Helen Branswell Opinion: Banning direct-to-consumer drug ads won't work Instead of an all-out ban, regulators need to install stricter regulations on transparency and accuracy in pharma ad design and creative. By Hal Rosenbluth

More around STAT

Check out more exclusive coverage with a STAT+ subscription Read premium in-depth biotech, pharma, policy, and life science coverage and analysis with all of our STAT+ articles.

---

Enjoying Daily Recap? Tell us about your experience Continue reading the latest health & science news with the STAT app Download on the App Store or get it on Google Play

STAT, 1 Exchange Place, Boston, MA ©2025, All Rights Reserved. I no longer wish to receive STAT emails

Update Newsletter Preferences     •    Contact Us     •    Advertise with Us     •    View in Browser