Doctors demand all-out war with RFK Jr. amid public health crisis: report

The American Medical Association (AMA) is escalating its opposition to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., following the recent election of Sandra Fryhofer as AMA president-elect. Doctors are demanding an 'all-out war' against Kennedy's controversial health policies, citing his dismantling of vaccine approval bodies and inaction on a burgeoning public health crisis, particularly widespread measles outbreaks. This aggressive posture marks a significant shift for the AMA, which had previously offered mixed criticism and praise of the Trump administration health agenda. Kennedy's tenure has been characterized by a singular focus on the 'Make America Healthy Again' (MAHA) movement, prioritizing nutrition and prevention while questioning established vaccine science. This has led to the removal of members from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), moves that have drawn legal challenges and widespread concern from the medical community. Meanwhile, the U.S. is grappling with a severe measles resurgence, with over 2,000 confirmed cases in 2026, putting the nation on track for its worst year in decades and risking its measles elimination status. These public health challenges are compounded by significant Medicaid funding cuts, projected to leave millions more uninsured, as part of the Trump administration 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act.' Fryhofer, a vocal Kennedy critic with a strong background in public health and vaccine advocacy, has pledged to hold the administration accountable for these crises. Her election signals a unified front from a historically conservative medical lobby, intensifying the political battle over the future of federal health agencies and evidence-based medicine. Observers will be closely watching for immediate legislative actions, potential legal escalations against HHS, and the impact on ongoing public health efforts as the AMA prepares to challenge the administration directly.