RFK Jr. issues rule barring public comment on HHS rulemaking

[mahatmakanejeeves]

HEALTH CARE
RFK Jr. issues rule barring public comment on HHS rulemaking

BY JOSEPH CHOI 02/28/25 05:08 PM ET


Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. listens as President Trump holds a Cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, Feb. 26, 2025.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Friday released a policy prohibiting public comments during his department’s rulemaking process, ending more than 50 years of the public’s involvement in crafting his department’s rules. … In the policy statement placed in the Federal Register, Kennedy’s office appeared to argue that rescinding the policy goes back to the original intent of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA).

Although the APA exempts the requirement for public comment on matters “relating to agency management or personnel or to public property, loans, grants, benefits, or contracts,” there has been a waiver, referred to as the Richardson waiver, on this exemption since 1971, allowing for interested parties to take part in the rulemaking process.

“The policy waiving the statutory exemption for rules relating to public property, loans, grants, benefits, or contracts is contrary to the clear text of the APA and imposes on the Department obligations beyond the maximum procedural requirements specified in the APA,” according to the policy statement from Kennedy’s office.

“Effective immediately, the Richardson Waiver is rescinded and is no longer the policy of the Department,” it added.

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[bucolic_frolic]

1. Don't want none of them 'sittussens getting any ideas

They's the guinea pigs.

[riversedge]

2. "Calling it a "dark day for HHS," Gostin speculated that Kennedy was rescinding public comments in order to quickly "ram

Calling it a “dark day for HHS,” Gostin speculated that Kennedy was rescinding public comments in order to quickly “ram through” radical changes to health care, public health and scientific research in the U.S.

[ratchiweenie]

3. So just another petty little dictator. What a great bunch we have running the country, eh? Wish we could all move

to Canada, eh?

[bronxiteforever]

4. It is easier to practice eugenics

and grifting without public interference.

[Irish_Dem]

5. RFKjr wants to destroy US health care, public health and scientific research.

And he wants no pushback or negative comments about it.

[Passages]

6. It's what a predator would do.

What a vile human being. How exactly does his wife process this man's dangerous mind?

[dalton99a]

7. Vile, stupid, corrupt piece of shit.