As an emergency physician, I am used to seeing the unexpected. But I did not have on my bingo card seeing measles and whooping cough outbreaks in our nation in 2026.

But we are, all due to the greatest threat to our health - Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

Today, RFK, Jr. is in Harrisburg. As our only physician-legislator, I am leading the opposition to his efforts to endanger our health. 

Here is the statement I made, and I will be speaking contemporaneously to the press to call out RFK, Jr.'s lies:

“Secretary Kennedy has undertaken a deliberate effort to undermine vaccine access and America’s public health as a whole,” said Venkat. “Since he assumed office, we have seen chaos unfold in federal public health policy because of Kennedy’s anti-science ideology.

“From anti-vaccine activists being appointed to vaccine policy boards to the firing of scientists from leadership positions to cuts to scientific research funding to the childhood vaccine schedule being gutted without any scientific evidence or even deliberation, Kennedy’s actions are endangering the health of Pennsylvanians and costing lives. We are seeing the consequences of Kennedy’s dangerous actions in real time, with outbreaks of measles and whooping cough across the nation. More outbreaks are sure to follow.

“Our nation has already been greatly harmed by Secretary Kennedy’s actions, and as he comes to Harrisburg, I will continue to use my position as our only physician-legislator to ensure that Pennsylvanians can receive vaccines as they choose and avoid the damage to healthcare and science policy Secretary Kennedy has caused.”

I will confront RFK, Jr. and anyone who threatens the health of my fellow Pennsylvanians and Americans. But I cannot do this alone. Can you contribute what you can to help me confront the greatest threat to our health, RFK, Jr.?

Together, we can protect the health of our families, communities, Commonwealth, and nation.

Sincerely,

Rep. Arvind Venkat, MD