Selena Simmons-Duffin

We don't know yet if it's related, but yes, the acting HHS secretary on Tuesday sent a memo instructing the leaders of NIH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, all the other health agencies to refrain from most external communication until they can be approved by, quote, a presidential appointee.

We don't know yet if it's related, but yes, the acting HHS secretary on Tuesday sent a memo instructing the leaders of NIH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, all the other health agencies to refrain from most external communication until they can be approved by, quote, a presidential appointee.

We don't know yet if it's related, but yes, the acting HHS secretary on Tuesday sent a memo instructing the leaders of NIH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, all the other health agencies to refrain from most external communication until they can be approved by, quote, a presidential appointee.

NPR obtained that memo and several internal emails that indicate travel is suspended for HHS staffers as well. In addition to the government-wide hiring freeze, So workers I've heard from at HHS are quite concerned about all of this. Several said they weren't sure if information in papers that were set to be submitted and published this week will be delayed.

NPR obtained that memo and several internal emails that indicate travel is suspended for HHS staffers as well. In addition to the government-wide hiring freeze, So workers I've heard from at HHS are quite concerned about all of this. Several said they weren't sure if information in papers that were set to be submitted and published this week will be delayed.

NPR obtained that memo and several internal emails that indicate travel is suspended for HHS staffers as well. In addition to the government-wide hiring freeze, So workers I've heard from at HHS are quite concerned about all of this. Several said they weren't sure if information in papers that were set to be submitted and published this week will be delayed.

So we're waiting to see if infectious disease dashboards will be updated on schedule. And, you know, Michelle, looming over all of this is the fact that in Trump's first term, there were instances where of political appointees attempting to alter CDC reports on COVID-19.

So we're waiting to see if infectious disease dashboards will be updated on schedule. And, you know, Michelle, looming over all of this is the fact that in Trump's first term, there were instances where of political appointees attempting to alter CDC reports on COVID-19.

So we're waiting to see if infectious disease dashboards will be updated on schedule. And, you know, Michelle, looming over all of this is the fact that in Trump's first term, there were instances where of political appointees attempting to alter CDC reports on COVID-19.

So some worry that these developments are a sign that political appointees intend to exert a new kind of control on the federal health and research agencies.

So some worry that these developments are a sign that political appointees intend to exert a new kind of control on the federal health and research agencies.

So some worry that these developments are a sign that political appointees intend to exert a new kind of control on the federal health and research agencies.

Well, his confirmation hearing was just scheduled for next Wednesday. There has been a big lobbying effort to block his confirmation. It's not clear if he does have the support in the Senate to be confirmed, particularly because of his positions in favor of abortion access and against vaccine requirements.

Well, his confirmation hearing was just scheduled for next Wednesday. There has been a big lobbying effort to block his confirmation. It's not clear if he does have the support in the Senate to be confirmed, particularly because of his positions in favor of abortion access and against vaccine requirements.

Well, his confirmation hearing was just scheduled for next Wednesday. There has been a big lobbying effort to block his confirmation. It's not clear if he does have the support in the Senate to be confirmed, particularly because of his positions in favor of abortion access and against vaccine requirements.

And adding to that uncertainty is an ethics document posted online yesterday that appears to show Kennedy can still financially benefit from lawsuits against Merck's vaccine that prevents cervical cancer. So definitely it's going to be an interesting hearing next week, and I'll be here to cover it.

And adding to that uncertainty is an ethics document posted online yesterday that appears to show Kennedy can still financially benefit from lawsuits against Merck's vaccine that prevents cervical cancer. So definitely it's going to be an interesting hearing next week, and I'll be here to cover it.

And adding to that uncertainty is an ethics document posted online yesterday that appears to show Kennedy can still financially benefit from lawsuits against Merck's vaccine that prevents cervical cancer. So definitely it's going to be an interesting hearing next week, and I'll be here to cover it.

You're welcome.

You're welcome.