Lauren Weber
@laurenweberhp.bsky.social
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
As always, @sherylnyt.bsky.social is a must read: "Facts were sometimes in short supply." www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
And Politico's Lauren Gardner "The nonprofit imagines an America in which everyone realizes the danger they see in vaccination." www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
And Politico's Lauren Gardner "The nonprofit imagines an America in which everyone realizes the danger they see in vaccination." www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Emboldened, Kennedy Allies Embrace a Label They Once Rejected: ‘Anti-Vax’
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:52 PM
As always, @sherylnyt.bsky.social is a must read: "Facts were sometimes in short supply." www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
And Politico's Lauren Gardner "The nonprofit imagines an America in which everyone realizes the danger they see in vaccination." www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
And Politico's Lauren Gardner "The nonprofit imagines an America in which everyone realizes the danger they see in vaccination." www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Hines told me “I really support what MAHA is doing and CHD has been bushwhacking the path for a while now.” She added that the group has been listening to parents who said vaccines affected their children and investigating.
November 10, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Hines told me “I really support what MAHA is doing and CHD has been bushwhacking the path for a while now.” She added that the group has been listening to parents who said vaccines affected their children and investigating.
At the dinner and cocktails portion of the conference, RFK Jr.'s wife, actor Cheryl Hines, spoke with Russell Brand, the actor, podcaster and MAHA figure who has pleaded not guilty to rape and sexual assault charges in Britain.
November 10, 2025 at 3:34 PM
At the dinner and cocktails portion of the conference, RFK Jr.'s wife, actor Cheryl Hines, spoke with Russell Brand, the actor, podcaster and MAHA figure who has pleaded not guilty to rape and sexual assault charges in Britain.
The editor in chief of The Atlantic @jeffreygoldberg.bsky.social said in response to Ladapo's comment:
“In fact, The Atlantic is not working towards the enslavement of humanity, but I appreciate his concern.”
“In fact, The Atlantic is not working towards the enslavement of humanity, but I appreciate his concern.”
November 10, 2025 at 3:34 PM
The editor in chief of The Atlantic @jeffreygoldberg.bsky.social said in response to Ladapo's comment:
“In fact, The Atlantic is not working towards the enslavement of humanity, but I appreciate his concern.”
“In fact, The Atlantic is not working towards the enslavement of humanity, but I appreciate his concern.”
“I saw reporters from The Washington Post and the Atlantic that represent these forces that — I have nothing against them, to be clear — they represent forces who are working toward the enslavement of humanity,” Ladapo said.
November 10, 2025 at 3:34 PM
“I saw reporters from The Washington Post and the Atlantic that represent these forces that — I have nothing against them, to be clear — they represent forces who are working toward the enslavement of humanity,” Ladapo said.
Florida’s surgeon general, Joseph A. Ladapo, who came under fire for announcing his push alongside Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) to seek to end vaccine mandates in the state, spoke to the crowd about the importance of fighting for what they believe in.
He also attacked mainstream media.
He also attacked mainstream media.
November 10, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Florida’s surgeon general, Joseph A. Ladapo, who came under fire for announcing his push alongside Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) to seek to end vaccine mandates in the state, spoke to the crowd about the importance of fighting for what they believe in.
He also attacked mainstream media.
He also attacked mainstream media.
Peter Hildebrand, whose unvaccinated 8-year-old daughter Daisy died of measles-related complications in Texas this spring, said he would do everything in his power to protect his children from vaccines and try his best to never go to a hospital again.
November 10, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Peter Hildebrand, whose unvaccinated 8-year-old daughter Daisy died of measles-related complications in Texas this spring, said he would do everything in his power to protect his children from vaccines and try his best to never go to a hospital again.
Speakers highlighted efforts to roll back vaccine requirements for schoolchildren. Such efforts have alarmed public health officials across the country amid outbreaks and declining immunity, which have led to a 33-year high of annual measles cases and the deaths of three people.
November 10, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Speakers highlighted efforts to roll back vaccine requirements for schoolchildren. Such efforts have alarmed public health officials across the country amid outbreaks and declining immunity, which have led to a 33-year high of annual measles cases and the deaths of three people.
The head of CHD Mary Holland told me “CHD is not anti-vax. We’re pro-informed consent...We’re not interested in people not having vaccines if they want it, but we think that, for the most part, truthful information isn’t provided, and everybody should have a choice.”
November 10, 2025 at 3:34 PM
The head of CHD Mary Holland told me “CHD is not anti-vax. We’re pro-informed consent...We’re not interested in people not having vaccines if they want it, but we think that, for the most part, truthful information isn’t provided, and everybody should have a choice.”
The mission has gone from the “fringe into the forefront,” Children's Health Defense advocacy and outreach manager Stephanie Locricchio said...She asked attendees to reduce electromagnetic radiation exposure by putting their phones on airplane mode and turning off Bluetooth.
November 10, 2025 at 3:34 PM
The mission has gone from the “fringe into the forefront,” Children's Health Defense advocacy and outreach manager Stephanie Locricchio said...She asked attendees to reduce electromagnetic radiation exposure by putting their phones on airplane mode and turning off Bluetooth.
Merchandise on sale at the weekend conference varied from $25 infant onesies emblazoned with “unvaxxed unafraid,” $75 MAHA scarves and $20 hats that said “RFK JR WAS RIGHT ABOUT EVERYTHING” (those sold out Saturday).
November 10, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Merchandise on sale at the weekend conference varied from $25 infant onesies emblazoned with “unvaxxed unafraid,” $75 MAHA scarves and $20 hats that said “RFK JR WAS RIGHT ABOUT EVERYTHING” (those sold out Saturday).
The head of the MAHA Institute called for the removal of vaccines from the market and the end of the childhood vaccine schedule.
“Our job is to create a public opinion environment that gives the MAHA supporters in government the space to do their jobs,” Mark Gorton said.
“Our job is to create a public opinion environment that gives the MAHA supporters in government the space to do their jobs,” Mark Gorton said.
November 10, 2025 at 3:34 PM
The head of the MAHA Institute called for the removal of vaccines from the market and the end of the childhood vaccine schedule.
“Our job is to create a public opinion environment that gives the MAHA supporters in government the space to do their jobs,” Mark Gorton said.
“Our job is to create a public opinion environment that gives the MAHA supporters in government the space to do their jobs,” Mark Gorton said.
HHS previously told The Post she will comply with all ethical requirements, calling Means a "world-class physician and scientist."
We will be covering her hearing tomorrow -- send tips to my signal above.
We will be covering her hearing tomorrow -- send tips to my signal above.
October 29, 2025 at 10:10 PM
HHS previously told The Post she will comply with all ethical requirements, calling Means a "world-class physician and scientist."
We will be covering her hearing tomorrow -- send tips to my signal above.
We will be covering her hearing tomorrow -- send tips to my signal above.
And if you haven't, read my and @rachelroubein.bsky.social deep dive on her rise
We detail the over half a million she received from partnerships/sponsorships with companies her ethics forms described as selling “teas, supplements, and elixirs," among others
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
We detail the over half a million she received from partnerships/sponsorships with companies her ethics forms described as selling “teas, supplements, and elixirs," among others
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 29, 2025 at 10:10 PM
And if you haven't, read my and @rachelroubein.bsky.social deep dive on her rise
We detail the over half a million she received from partnerships/sponsorships with companies her ethics forms described as selling “teas, supplements, and elixirs," among others
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
We detail the over half a million she received from partnerships/sponsorships with companies her ethics forms described as selling “teas, supplements, and elixirs," among others
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Some of Kennedy's supporters sell medical kits that contain it, including organizations tied to Simone Gold and Peter McCullough
October 21, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Some of Kennedy's supporters sell medical kits that contain it, including organizations tied to Simone Gold and Peter McCullough
HHS Secretary RFK Jr. has previously decried the "suppression" of ivermectin: x.com/RobertKenned...
Robert F. Kennedy Jr on X: "FDA’s war on public health is about to end. This includes its aggressive suppression of psychedelics, peptides, stem cells, raw milk, hyperbaric therapies, chelating compounds, ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, vitamins, clean foods, sunshine, exercise, nutraceuticals and anything" / X
FDA’s war on public health is about to end. This includes its aggressive suppression of psychedelics, peptides, stem cells, raw milk, hyperbaric therapies, chelating compounds, ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, vitamins, clean foods, sunshine, exercise, nutraceuticals and anything
x.com
October 21, 2025 at 2:30 PM
HHS Secretary RFK Jr. has previously decried the "suppression" of ivermectin: x.com/RobertKenned...
“It’s been weighed down by all this politics, especially during the Biden administration," Florida Surgeon General Joseph A. Ladapo said. "I hope we continue to reject the normal and pursue a path that feels righteous.”
October 21, 2025 at 2:30 PM
“It’s been weighed down by all this politics, especially during the Biden administration," Florida Surgeon General Joseph A. Ladapo said. "I hope we continue to reject the normal and pursue a path that feels righteous.”
Florida’s plan to bankroll ivermectin research comes as prescription rates for the drug this year are nearly twice as high as pre-pandemic prescribing levels, according to electronic health record data analyzed by a Virginia Tech-UCLA research team this month h/t Trisha Thadani
October 21, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Florida’s plan to bankroll ivermectin research comes as prescription rates for the drug this year are nearly twice as high as pre-pandemic prescribing levels, according to electronic health record data analyzed by a Virginia Tech-UCLA research team this month h/t Trisha Thadani
“It’s as if the world of pharmaceutical sciences had been reduced to this one drug that we were somehow gatekeeping from our patients,” oncologist Samyukta Mullangi told me.
“There’s really no credible evidence supporting its use. There is evidence of potential harm.”
“There’s really no credible evidence supporting its use. There is evidence of potential harm.”
October 21, 2025 at 2:30 PM
“It’s as if the world of pharmaceutical sciences had been reduced to this one drug that we were somehow gatekeeping from our patients,” oncologist Samyukta Mullangi told me.
“There’s really no credible evidence supporting its use. There is evidence of potential harm.”
“There’s really no credible evidence supporting its use. There is evidence of potential harm.”
Despite the lack of evidence, a growing number of patients are asking doctors about using the drug, alarming physicians who told The Washington Post they fear more patients might eschew traditional treatment that could help them in favor of an unproven path.
October 21, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Despite the lack of evidence, a growing number of patients are asking doctors about using the drug, alarming physicians who told The Washington Post they fear more patients might eschew traditional treatment that could help them in favor of an unproven path.
In laboratory settings, studies have shown ivermectin could have anticancer effects, but oncologists and medical experts caution there is not yet evidence that ivermectin is effective to treat cancer in humans.
October 21, 2025 at 2:30 PM
In laboratory settings, studies have shown ivermectin could have anticancer effects, but oncologists and medical experts caution there is not yet evidence that ivermectin is effective to treat cancer in humans.