1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

On February 28th, the Secretary of Health and Human Services proposed ending HHS's longstanding policy of accepting public comments on potential new rules and regulations. This proposal comes despite claims of promoting transparency and allowing more time for public input on key vaccine advisory meetings that were postponed. Eliminating the public comment period would enable HHS to implement major policy changes without oversight, which is deeply concerning given the current declines in vaccination rates and surges in vaccine-preventable illnesses like measles. Blocking public input on HHS policies threatens government accountability and public health at a critical time. The controversial anti-vaccine views of Secretary Kennedy raise legitimate fears that he will use this lack of transparency to undermine vaccine development and access without expert input. Enforcing an undemocratic policymaking process driven by ideological views rather than scientific evidence poses a dire risk to public welfare. I urge you to forcefully oppose Secretary Kennedy's proposal to end the public comment period for HHS rules. Preserving this essential avenue for expert feedback and public discourse is vital to safeguarding public health policies grounded in facts and science. Circumventing scrutiny on such a pivotal issue is unacceptable. Please take a stand against this alarming overreach that endangers accountability and public wellbeing.