Vested interests. Influence muscle. At RFK Jr.’s HHS, it’s not pharma. It’s wellness – JS

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently visited podcaster Gary Brecka’s home before attending an Ultimate Fighting Championship event. During their time together, they experienced a hyperbaric oxygen chamber and tried intravenous nutrition drips that Brecka promotes on his show, “The Ultimate Human.”

Kennedy, along with other figures of the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement, such as Calley and Casey Means, Robert Malone, and Peter McCullough, have financial ties to the global wellness industry. They earned over $3.2 million from opposing Big Pharma and promoting wellness in 2022 and 2023.

Critics raise concerns about the financial ties of federal health officials and advisers to the wellness industry, fearing that personal profits could influence decision-making at the highest levels of federal health agencies. The Trump administration has elevated anti-vaccine and wellness leaders to positions at HHS, which has sparked controversy among public health leaders and ethicists.

Kennedy’s connections to the wellness industry, including his ties to MAHA and his financial interests in lawsuits over alleged vaccine injury, have raised ethical concerns. The lack of regulation in the wellness industry allows companies to sell products without notifying the FDA, leading to potential conflicts of interest for government officials.

The transfer of the MAHA trademark from Kennedy to a limited liability company led by Del Bigtree, an anti-vaccination advocate, has also drawn scrutiny. Critics question the influence of individuals like Bigtree on Kennedy and other government officials, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability in government ethics.

Overall, the intertwining of federal health officials and advisers with the wellness industry raises questions about integrity in government and the potential impact on public health policies. The lack of regulation in the wellness sector and the financial connections to the industry underscore the need for closer scrutiny and oversight in the healthcare landscape.

This article was originally published on July 18, 2025, by KFF Health News and has been distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.