Stacey Abrams

And it's not just about what's in the proposed policy papers from Project 2025. It's about who Trump wants to put in charge of that vast agency.

The incoming president's decision to nominate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be the Secretary of Health and Human Services is indeed a source of much anxiety in the medical and scientific communities. So much so that Nobel laureates, a group that usually tries to stay out of politics, felt compelled to speak up. But there are other nominees. As I mentioned, HHS is huge.

The incoming president's decision to nominate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be the Secretary of Health and Human Services is indeed a source of much anxiety in the medical and scientific communities. So much so that Nobel laureates, a group that usually tries to stay out of politics, felt compelled to speak up. But there are other nominees. As I mentioned, HHS is huge.

So among the list of people whose names are being put forward include Mehmet Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Marty Makary as the head of the FDA, both of whom have been controversial, to say the least, in their respective medical practices. I've just given you a lot of information.

So among the list of people whose names are being put forward include Mehmet Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Marty Makary as the head of the FDA, both of whom have been controversial, to say the least, in their respective medical practices. I've just given you a lot of information.

And right now, like almost every day, listening to what's to come can feel like daily doom scrolling. And unlike 2016, when people talked about resistance, this time people have responded by saying they need to protect themselves first. I totally get that. The rule is put your own mask on first. But we're not on this trip alone. So eventually we'll need to help our fellow travelers.

And right now, like almost every day, listening to what's to come can feel like daily doom scrolling. And unlike 2016, when people talked about resistance, this time people have responded by saying they need to protect themselves first. I totally get that. The rule is put your own mask on first. But we're not on this trip alone. So eventually we'll need to help our fellow travelers.

I'm here to help us prepare for when and how we engage and insist. That begins by understanding what's really at risk versus what's just hateful, wishful thinking. What impact can these proposals have and what's not being said? And as always, how do we fight back? So let's get straight into it with our interview today.

I'm here to help us prepare for when and how we engage and insist. That begins by understanding what's really at risk versus what's just hateful, wishful thinking. What impact can these proposals have and what's not being said? And as always, how do we fight back? So let's get straight into it with our interview today.

Dr. Celine Gounder is an infectious disease specialist, epidemiologist, and a science communicator. She is the editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News. She produces podcasts and other content to help us understand what's going on in public health, and she was a regular guest on news shows during COVID-19.

Dr. Celine Gounder is an infectious disease specialist, epidemiologist, and a science communicator. She is the editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News. She produces podcasts and other content to help us understand what's going on in public health, and she was a regular guest on news shows during COVID-19.

bringing us grounded, reasonable, and actionable information when misinformation and disinformation met a wave of panic and worry. Does that sound familiar to anyone? So here to keep us all informed and sane is Dr. Gounder. Thank you so much for being here.

bringing us grounded, reasonable, and actionable information when misinformation and disinformation met a wave of panic and worry. Does that sound familiar to anyone? So here to keep us all informed and sane is Dr. Gounder. Thank you so much for being here.

Dr. Gounder, I have a public health crisis question for you. Are American politicians and policymakers allergic to science?

Dr. Gounder, I have a public health crisis question for you. Are American politicians and policymakers allergic to science?

That language is perfect, that it's when science is politically inconvenient. And it's actually a perfect encapsulation of one of the reasons I started with that question. There was the letter from the over six dozen Nobel laureates about RFK Jr. 's appointment. Thank you so much for having me.

That language is perfect, that it's when science is politically inconvenient. And it's actually a perfect encapsulation of one of the reasons I started with that question. There was the letter from the over six dozen Nobel laureates about RFK Jr. 's appointment. Thank you so much for having me.

These Nobel laureates, though, these chemists and medical professionals and economists are very deliberate about pointing out that RFK Jr. has no credentials or relevant experience, quote unquote, in science, public health or medicine or administration. And as you pointed out, this is a question of value.

These Nobel laureates, though, these chemists and medical professionals and economists are very deliberate about pointing out that RFK Jr. has no credentials or relevant experience, quote unquote, in science, public health or medicine or administration. And as you pointed out, this is a question of value.

So how important is it to not only have values-driven decision-making and science-driven decision-making, how important is it to have science-driven and scientific knowledge and experience to be the Secretary of Health and Human Services.