• A U.S. Senate letter supporting Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination as secretary of Health and Human Services features signatures from doctors facing disciplinary actions.
• Many of the nearly 800 signers of the letter are not actual physicians, raising questions about its credibility.
• Opponents of Kennedy’s nomination have gathered support from over 18,000 vetted medical professionals.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A letter submitted to the U.S. Senate advocating for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination as secretary of Health and Human Services has come under scrutiny after an investigation revealed that several signers had licenses revoked or suspended due to various disciplinary actions. This letter, which sought to bolster Kennedy’s candidacy amid extensive criticism from medical experts due to his long-standing anti-vaccine activism, included reports from The Guardian that uncovered the troubling credentials of multiple signers.

Among the nearly 800 individuals who signed the letter, many were not even medical doctors. This list included a range of professionals, including a self-described journalist, a firefighter/paramedic, and individuals with unrelated qualifications, like a bachelor’s degree emphasizing Jungian Psychology. At least 75 signers were nurses, and more than 90 failed to provide any credentials at all. Notably, over 20 were chiropractors, an industry reportedly significant in funding Kennedy’s anti-vaccine initiatives, as detailed in an article by HuffPost.

The letter was organized by MAHA Action, led by Del Bigtree, who has a history of promoting anti-vaccine viewpoints and was involved in past campaigns for Kennedy. Reports indicate that the slogan MAHA, which stands for "Make America Healthy Again," was derived from Trump's campaign slogan and played a role in generating revenue for Kennedy through the licensing of this trademark. Bigtree and Kennedy have not responded to ongoing inquiries for comment regarding the letter's integrity.

Notably, the investigation by the Associated Press found that at least ten of the physicians signing the letter had faced sanctions, including license revocations for diverse infractions. One such individual, Paul Thomas, surrendered his medical license last year after being found guilty of gross negligence in his practice. He is reportedly linked to past efforts advising others on treating children through non-standard medical practices during health crises, such as the measles outbreak in Samoa.

Another signer, Dr. Simone Gold, faced disciplinary actions following her involvement in the events of January 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol, while Dr. Meryl Nass had her license suspended over her treatment decisions related to Covid-19. Both prominent figures are emblematic of the questionable credentials of many supporters in favor of Kennedy’s nomination.

The White House expressed optimism regarding the Senate's swift confirmation of Kennedy, stating their anticipation of the hearing proceedings. Meanwhile, Kennedy's nomination continues to face opposition, marked by calls from the Committee to Protect Health Care, which asserts that over 18,000 “vetted and verified” doctors have written in opposition to his candidacy, as reported by AP News.

As the Senate gears up for the next stages of deliberation concerning Kennedy’s confirmation, concerns about the integrity of support received from medical professionals remain at the forefront of this controversial nomination process.

For more details, visit the original articles from HuffPost and The Guardian.