Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is zeroing in on a narrow slice of his job, leaving swaths of his massive department to run without direct engagement, according to people working alongside him.
Kennedy's attention centers almost exclusively on food policy and vaccine matters. His colleagues report that he shows minimal interest in the vast administrative machinery of the Health and Human Services Department, which oversees everything from Medicare and Medicaid to disease control, drug approval, and dozens of other health programs.
The pattern reflects Kennedy's long-standing fixations. His anti-vaccine positions and belief that industrial food practices damage public health have defined his activist career for years. Now, as the nation's top health official, he appears to be channeling his energy into those familiar territories rather than mastering the full portfolio of his role.
The implications are significant. A health secretary typically serves as chief executive of one of government's largest and most complex departments. Lack of engagement on major operational matters can create power vacuums, slow decision-making, and leave critical programs without clear direction from leadership.
The department Kennedy leads manages healthcare for tens of millions of Americans, funds medical research, oversees pharmaceutical safety, and addresses public health crises. Focusing on just two policy areas leaves enormous responsibility either delegated or unattended.
Kennedy has not publicly addressed how he divides his time or prioritizes departmental duties. His team has not responded to requests for comment on his management approach or whether he plans to broaden his focus beyond vaccines and food regulation.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "Kennedy may have earned his confirmation by promising laser focus on vaccines and food, but health secretaries can't check out on everything else and expect the department to function."
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