Lauren Weber
LightNews LightNews
laurenweberhp.bsky.social
Lauren Weber
@laurenweberhp.bsky.social
1.6K followers 460 following 88 posts
Health Accountability reporter at The Washington Post focused on HHS, health policy and its impact. You can reach me at lauren.weber@washpost.com and on Signal @LWeber.91
Posts Replies Media Videos
laurenweberhp.bsky.social
“God is an anti-vaxxer, and he needs you to speak up."

My latest inside the conference held by the anti-vaccine group founded by RFK Jr., which celebrated its newfound Washington influence this weekend in Austin. @washingtonpost.com

www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
‘God is an anti-vaxxer’: Inside the conference celebrating RFK Jr.’s rise
An anti-vaccine conference in Austin celebrated Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s rise to political power, highlighting his influence in Trump’s Washington.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:34 PM
laurenweberhp.bsky.social
Casey Means's hearing over her surgeon general nomination is postponed as she has gone into labor, according to Stephen Lewerenz, a spokesman for health committee chair Sen. Bill Cassidy.
@washingtonpost.com @rachelroubein.bsky.social
Story updating shortly: www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
October 30, 2025 at 12:20 PM
laurenweberhp.bsky.social
Before Casey Means faces the Senate health committee tomorrow, take a listen to our @washingtonpost.com
Post Reports podcast to learn more about the Surgeon General pick who left the medical mainstream.

www.washingtonpost.com/podcasts/pos...
Casey Means: A MAHA leader, and the next surgeon general? - The Washington Post
Casey Means left mainstream medicine. She could soon be in a position to change it as the next U.S. surgeon general.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 29, 2025 at 10:10 PM
laurenweberhp.bsky.social
Ivermectin took on symbolic power during the pandemic, despite being ineffective against coronavirus. Now, Florida wants to study it for cancer.

My @washingtonpost.com latest examines how a Joe Rogan, Mel Gibson podcast translates to research dollars

www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
How a Joe Rogan-Mel Gibson podcast inspired Florida’s cancer research focus
Following a Joe Rogan, Mel Gibson podcast, Florida wants to study whether ivermectin could work against cancer. There is not yet evidence it would.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 21, 2025 at 2:30 PM
laurenweberhp.bsky.social
She left the medical mainstream and rose to be RFK Jr.'s surgeon general pick

Read my and @rachelroubein.bsky.social @washingtonpost.com deep dive on Casey Means

www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
She left the medical mainstream and rose to be RFK Jr.'s surgeon general pick
Casey Means, the surgeon general nominee, has criticized the medical establishment. She could be put in position to change it.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 9, 2025 at 1:34 PM
laurenweberhp.bsky.social
Research tying Tylenol to autism lost in court. Then it won Trump’s ear

Take a read to learn more about how Wisner Baum, the personal injury firm RFK Jr. consulted for, took an early interest

w/ Dan Gilbert, @arianaec.bsky.social @washingtonpost.com

www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Research tying Tylenol to autism lost in court. Then it won Trump’s ear.
Kenvue had gained the upper hand in litigation alleging acetaminophen use during pregnancy can cause autism. Now the Trump administration has breathed new life into research rejected by a federal judg...
www.washingtonpost.com
September 25, 2025 at 1:34 PM
laurenweberhp.bsky.social
Meet the parents skipping or delaying vaccination: Our @washingtonpost.com @kff.org poll found they are more likely to home-school their children, be White and very religious, identify as Republican or be under 35

www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Why 1 in 6 U.S. parents are rejecting vaccine recommendations
A wide-ranging Washington Post-KFF poll details who tends to reject vaccine recommendations and their reasoning.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 15, 2025 at 1:45 PM
laurenweberhp.bsky.social
On Tuesday on the hill, Sen. Ron Johnson touted results from an unpublished study commissioned by an anti-vaccine group as showing the risk of childhood vaccines.

I asked why the study hadn't been published of Henry Ford Health, where the author who did not testify worked.
September 11, 2025 at 3:40 PM
laurenweberhp.bsky.social
Meet the new vaccine panel advisors RFK Jr. is considering

Two urged removal of mRNA coronavirus vaccines. One said physicians “blindly believed” in them. Another said covid isn’t “scary” noting Jesus touched lepers

W @lenasun.bsky.social @washingtonpost.com www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
RFK Jr. considers critics of coronavirus shots to join key vaccine panel
Two urged removal of mRNA coronavirus vaccines. One said physicians “blindly believed” in them. Another said covid isn’t “scary,” noting Jesus touched lepers.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 8, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Reposted by Lauren Weber
caitlingilbert.bsky.social
NEW: in recent weeks, right wing media and influencers have seized on new research suggesting a connection between Tylenol use during pregnancy and autism

Ariana Cha, @laurenweberhp.bsky.social and I broke down the science and what MAHA influencers are claiming

wapo.st/4gdFIPt
Some suggest Tylenol is linked to autism. Here’s what to know.
Conservative media and influencers are amplifying research suggesting a link between Tylenol use during pregnancy and autism.
wapo.st
September 6, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Reposted by Lauren Weber
fenitn.bsky.social
Florida's move to erase school immunization requirements emboldens opponents of vaccine mandates nationwide.

Trisha Thadani & @laurenweberhp.bsky.social report www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
RFK Jr. allies claim momentum as Florida targets vaccines: ‘Fight is coming’
Florida’s plan to end school vaccine mandates, announced by Surgeon General Joseph A. Ladapo, has energized vaccine skeptics in other states.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 6, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Reposted by Lauren Weber
lenasun.bsky.social
NEW: RFK Jr.’s upending of vaccine policy is driving some states to break away from Trump admin guidelines while others are further loosening shot requirements. Me and @laurenweberhp.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
RFK Jr. drives a wedge between red and blue states on vaccines
As states diverge on coronavirus vaccines, parents across party lines still support vaccine mandates for measles and polio, according to a Washington Post-KFF poll.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 4, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Reposted by Lauren Weber
lenasun.bsky.social
NEW: The CDC has been in crisis for months. After the firing of its director, resignations of senior leaders, staff + experts are bracing for what could be death knell for public health credibility. Me + @laurenweberhp.bsky.social + @davidovalle.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
The CDC is falling deeper into crisis. What it means for the nation’s health.
Months of upheaval at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have undercut the agency’s work, employees said, and put the future of vaccines into doubt.
www.washingtonpost.com
August 30, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Reposted by Lauren Weber
fenitn.bsky.social
As something of a side note, RFK Jr. said twice today that the CDC website touts abortion as one of the greatest medical advancements.

It does not, as @laurenweberhp.bsky.social & @caitlingilbert.bsky.social reported www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
August 28, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Reposted by Lauren Weber
caitlingilbert.bsky.social
Three senior leaders who resigned in protest told The Post they were asked to participate in an unscientific vaccine recommendation process that they believe could harm the health of Americans.

More from @lenasun.bsky.social @laurenweberhp.bsky.social @davidovalle.bsky.social

🎁: wapo.st/46aNJB0
CDC leaders who resigned said RFK Jr. undermined vaccine science, risking lives
As the CDC reels from departures, White House appoints Jim O’Neill as acting director.
wapo.st
August 28, 2025 at 10:49 PM
laurenweberhp.bsky.social
Hundreds of bullets. An officer slain. A silent Trump.

After CDC shooting, shock turns to anger.

From Atlanta, myself & @lenasun.bsky.social @washingtonpost.com

Edited @fenitn.bsky.social

www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
After CDC shooting, its employees turn their anger to RFK Jr. and Trump
Documents from the shooter’s home showed his discontent with coronavirus vaccines, authorities said. CDC workers want RFK Jr. to denounce vaccine misinformation.
www.washingtonpost.com
August 12, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Reposted by Lauren Weber
carolynyjohnson.bsky.social
The whole-virus vaccines that RFK Jr. is pushing to replace mRNA have a long history. During the pandemic, China relied on this tech. Their vaccines were less effective than mRNA. Study --> pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35412612/
@laurenweberhp.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
How RFK Jr.’s mRNA crackdown affects vaccinemaking and future pandemics
The Trump administration is terminating biodefense research funding for mRNA projects, raising concerns about the nation’s ability to fight future pandemics.
www.washingtonpost.com
August 7, 2025 at 2:53 PM
laurenweberhp.bsky.social
“You have to ... wonder why the secretary is directing these sort of actions against probably one of the most powerful platforms in medicine that has come along in the last 20 years."

@washingtonpost.com fact check by @carolynyjohnson.bsky.social and me

www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
How RFK Jr.’s mRNA crackdown affects vaccine making and future pandemics
The Trump administration is terminating biodefense research funding for mRNA projects, raising concerns about the nation’s ability to fight future pandemics.
www.washingtonpost.com
August 6, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Reposted by Lauren Weber
ddiamond.bsky.social
NEW: Inside "Operation Gold Rush," the biggest Medicare fraud bust ever.

For years, people got mysterious bills for catheters.

Feds now say more than 1 million Americans' information was compromised in $10B-plus scheme.

Alleged perps still got away with $1B.

with @laurenweberhp.bsky.social
Inside Operation Gold Rush, largest health care fraud bust in U.S. history
The U.S. government said it has busted the largest health care fraud scheme in history, dubbed Operation Gold Rush, which targeted Medicare and involved over $10 billion in fraudulent claims.
www.washingtonpost.com
June 30, 2025 at 3:24 PM
laurenweberhp.bsky.social
Updated: My story w/ @lenasun.bsky.social on how Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime critic of thimerosal, won his and other anti-vaccine activists fight against the rare and safe flu-shot ingredient @washingtonpost.com

www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
RFK Jr. wins his fight against a rare, safe flu-shot ingredient
A CDC panel’s vote to stop recommending thimerosal containing flu shots would have limited impact, but it illustrates how the anti-vaccine movement is achieving its goals.
www.washingtonpost.com
June 26, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Reposted by Lauren Weber
rachelroubein.bsky.social
On ACIP membership: RFK Jr. has said Sen. Cassidy will choose a member of ACIP. Cassidy said today he's submitted names; at least one is being interviewed.

w/ @lenasun.bsky.social & @laurenweberhp.bsky.social

bsky.app/profile/lena...
lenasun.bsky.social Lena Sun @lenasun.bsky.social · Jun 25
UPDATE (and scoop): RFK Jr.’s vaccine panel to review childhood immunization schedule. Also: He has appointed a vaccine critic to CDC’s vaccine safety office. Me + @laurenweberhp.bsky.social @washingtonpost.com
June 25, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Reposted by Lauren Weber
lenasun.bsky.social
UPDATE (and scoop): RFK Jr.’s vaccine panel to review childhood immunization schedule. Also: He has appointed a vaccine critic to CDC’s vaccine safety office. Me + @laurenweberhp.bsky.social @washingtonpost.com
June 25, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Reposted by Lauren Weber
kqedforum.bsky.social
🎙️ON AIR:

We're speaking with @theatlantic.com's @katherinejwu.com and @washingtonpost.com's @laurenweberhp.bsky.social to to take stock of Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda and its public health implications.

📻 Listen:
RFK Jr. Stacks Key Federal Immunization Committee With Vaccine Skeptics | KQED
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. named multiple vaccine skeptics to the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices last week, after purging the original members of…
buff.ly
June 16, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Reposted by Lauren Weber
fenitn.bsky.social
The purge of the federal vaccine recommending committee goes even deeper than the public knows

@lenasun.bsky.social & @laurenweberhp.bsky.social have new reporting on the chaos inside the CDC and the backgrounds of the new vaccine advisers wapo.st/3SROTKy
How vaccine critics appointed by RFK Jr. could limit access to shots
Staff who provide data to the vaccine panel have been pushed aside, according to health officials, raising doubts about the availability of coronavirus and other vaccines.
wapo.st
June 13, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Reposted by Lauren Weber
rachelroubein.bsky.social
House Rs seek to eliminate a nutrition program for Americans on food stamps in Trump bill, alarming program leaders who say states would be forced to pare back efforts to improve Americans' health.

www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Nutrition program for Americans on food stamps at risk in GOP bill
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education, or SNAP-Ed, faces elimination in a GOP bill, sparking concerns about the impact on low-income Americans' health education.
www.washingtonpost.com
June 11, 2025 at 2:42 PM