In Our Own Voice Responds to Confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to Department of Health and Human Services

NATIONWIDE — In response to the confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to the Department of Health and Human Services, In Our Own Voice President and CEO Regina Davis Moss released the below statement:

“The Senate’s confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HSS) is deeply troubling for the future of public health. Kennedy made it clear that he will blindly execute the agenda of President Trump, regardless of medical science or his own beliefs. Kennedy’s decision to abandon his previously-held stances on reproductive health in exchange for political power proves that he is not a leader, but someone who is wholly unfit to serve this country. Not only is he anti-choice, but he knowingly spreads misinformation about vaccines and ignores legitimate research that proves medication abortion is safe and effective. And when asked whether every patient deserves the right to emergency medical care, even pregnant patients, Kennedy stated plainly that he ‘does not know.’ Kennedy now oversees major agencies, like the Food and Drug Administration and Center for Disease Control — two critical players in keeping our communities informed and safe. We deserve better.

As President Trump’s cabinet continues to get confirmed, we cannot lose hope and must dig in our heels. The harmful policies outlined in Project 2025–which are now being realized–will put Black women, girls and gender-expansive people at even greater risk. Our movement must come together to overcome extreme obstacles and fight for our bodily autonomy and human rights. In Our Own Voice and our partners will continue to mobilize in our communities for policies that will improve our health, like affordable housing, removing barriers to health care and fighting climate change.”

In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda is a national-state partnership focused on lifting up the voices of Black women leaders at the national and regional levels in our fight to secure Reproductive Justice for all women, girls, and gender-expansive individuals. Our eight strategic partners are Black Women for Wellness, Black Women’s Health Imperative, New Voices for Reproductive Justice, SisterLove, Inc. SisterReach, SPARK Reproductive Justice NOW, The Afiya Center and Women With A Vision.