MAHA Institute

Rebuilding America's Health Policy & Infrastructure. We source, engage, and motivate people with the skills and political will to heal this nation.

[MAHA Institute @MAHA_Institute]

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued Civil Investigative Demands (CIDs) to pesticide and food manufacturers, including Bayer and PepsiCo, as part of efforts to examine health risks from glyphosate residues—particularly in oat-based cereals, snacks, and other products marketed to children, where the herbicide is often used as a desiccant shortly before harvest.

The probe aims to determine if companies have misled consumers about product safety and compliance.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced a plan to phase out animal testing. According to an EPA statement, “For the first time in five years, EPA is updating its list of cutting-edge alternative test methods to replace the use of animal studies, also known as New Approach Methods (NAMs), for chemical assessments under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). EPA is also introducing a streamlined process for researchers, companies, and other stakeholders to nominate NAMs for consideration in pesticide and chemical assessments.”

The statement continued, “Taken together, these two actions mark major strides in meeting the Trump EPA’s goal of eliminating all mammalian animal testing by 2035 – an ambitious target set during the first Trump Administration that Administrator Lee Zeldin recommitted to meeting earlier this year. The Trump EPA has already made great strides reducing animal testing. For instance, EPA implemented the agency’s first-ever lab animal adoption program in April 2025 at one of its premiere research laboratories in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, and the agency will continue working to get more animals into loving homes. Last year, EPA used high-quality alternative scientific methods to animal testing in its cancer evaluations for dibutyl phthalate and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate for the first time ever, sparing an estimated 1,600 mice and rats from undergoing lab experiments.”

MAHA Institute congratulates Zach Lahn, the MAHA aligned winner of Iowa’s Republican gubernatorial primary.

CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz made the following statement about Medicaid work requirements, “We are put on this earth with agency to change our future, change the country’s future, make the world a better place. We are put here to make a difference. For the millions of people who are able-bodied on Medicaid, on average, you’re spending 6.1 hours [per day] watching television or just hanging around. Congress, very wisely said, let’s get you back into the workforce. Let’s require you — to get free healthcare coverage — to be able to work 20 hours a week, or volunteer…or get an education. Just participate. If you can work, you should get up and work again.”

Turning to issues of fraud, Dr. Oz added, “If you’re defrauding our most vulnerable citizens in America, do not walk away from this threat — RUN away from us, because we’re coming after you.”

According to an official statement, “The NIH Office of Nutrition Research has launched the “Integration of Nutrition Training into Health Care Education” Challenge! This Challenge seeks to recognize exemplary curricula for integrating nutrition training into healthcare education for physicians and nurses across the nation.”

Secretary Kennedy visited Wisconsin as part of his “Take Back Your Health” Tour, accompanied by Representative Derrick Van Orden (R-WI). The trip highlighted support for American dairy farmers at Gilbertson Farm in Clear Creek, promoted the nutritional benefits of whole milk and dairy products, and toured the Perrigo infant formula facility in Eau Claire to underscore FDA testing results and efforts to ensure safe infant nutrition under Operation Stork Speed.

The HHS Secretary also met with religious organizations on addiction recovery, discussing the Trump administration’s Great American Recovery Initiative and new funding opportunities.

[MAHA Institute @MAHA_Institute]

Epidemiologist Nicolas Hulscher commented on President Trump’s recent Executive Order (EO) which calls for an overhaul of the current CDC Childhood Vaccine Schedule.

According to Hulscher, “Trump just signed an executive order to shrink the U.S. hyper-vaccination schedule by ~55 doses. A new study indicates that this could prevent ~35,000 autism cases per year. Across 12 countries, the study found: −1% infant vaccine load → −0.47% autism rate. The U.S. is stuck in the CRITICAL RISK ZONE with Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore—the highest vaccine loads and highest autism rates. We should be in the PROTECTIVE ZONE with countries like Norway, Finland, Denmark, and Sweden — lower infant vaccine intensity and far lower autism rates. HHS had already begun shrinking the childhood vaccine schedule months ago — but rogue Judge Brian Murphy blocked the changes. This new executive order should help put the vaccine overhaul back on track despite radical judges standing in the way.”

ACF announced $6 million in funding to help states, territories, and tribal governments pilot predictive analytics and risk modeling tools in child welfare systems. The grants will support the implementation of these technologies to help caseworkers make faster, more informed decisions on child safety, along with staff training, governance structures, and outcome evaluations.

During an interview on The Charlie Kirk Show, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins discussed measures taken by the Trump administration to assist American farmers.

The USDA released the following statement to celebrate National Dairy Month: “Raise a glass...of milk, and celebrate the contributions of our legen-dairy farmers to the U.S. and the world! Happy National Dairy Month 🐮🥛”

[MAHA Institute @MAHA_Institute]

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins appeared on Fox News discussing the new Great American Cotton Plan, which aims to reshore cotton cultivation and boost domestic textile production.

According to the USDA Secretary, “The MAHA movement doesn’t stop with what we EAT — It’s also about what we WEAR. For decades, America offshored textile jobs and allowed foreign synthetic, plastic-based materials to take over the clothing market. Together with Secretary Kennedy , the Great American Cotton Plan puts American-grown cotton FIRST again: supporting our farmers, strengthening U.S. manufacturing, and giving families a natural choice.”

The Indian Health Service announced a $3.5 million investment to build a new health clinic on the Osage Nation in Oklahoma.

During a recent interview with Real America’s Voice, Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) renewed criticism of Anthony Fauci for his alleged role in covering up the origins of SARS-CoV-2 as well as his alleged role in covering up serious harms related to Covid shots. According to Senator Johnson, “Anthony Fauci is a criminal. Fauci and the cabal covered up the fact that Covid injections kill people.”

Children’s Health Defense, a non-profit health watchdog group, appeared to endorse President Trump’s recent executive order relating to a review of the childhood vaccine schedule. According to the group, “President Trump’s new Executive Order on childhood vaccines isn’t really about vaccines. It’s about power: shifting authority from an unaccountable public health bureaucracy back to elected officials accountable to voters. It directs the CDC/ACIP to review HHS findings and align recommendations with best practices from other developed nations—reopening debate on timing, safety, and informed consent.”

[MAHA Institute @MAHA_Institute]

President Trump signed an Executive Order (EO) titled “Realigning United States Core Childhood Vaccine Recommendations with Best Practices from Peer, Developed Countries.”

The EO directs the CDC and its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to review the scientific assessment alongside the latest clinical data and take appropriate steps to update the U.S. childhood and adolescent vaccine schedule, with an emphasis on giving parents and doctors maximum flexibility in the timing and sequencing of routine immunizations.

Furthermore, all federal agencies must align their vaccine-related actions, regulations, funding, and coverage with whatever schedule ACIP and CDC adopt—and it specifies that all vaccines on that updated schedule should continue to be covered without cost-sharing by private insurance and by Medicaid, CHIP, and the Vaccines for Children Program.

Finally, HHS is to inform state governments and health officials of the new policy and make the scientific assessment available to guide state-level vaccination laws.

Assistant HHS Secretary for ACF Alex Adams shared an article from the Federal Newswire headlined “Education and Health departments launch new school safety grant competition.” According to the article, “The U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services announced on May 29 the launch of the School Safety Enhancement program Fiscal Year 2026 competition, aimed at improving school safety and infrastructure security. The School Safety Enhancement program is a new competitive grant initiative that utilizes School Safety National Activities funds to implement best practices for student safety in learning environments. The competition will apply Secretary McMahon’s Returning Education to the States Supplemental Priority, which seeks to better align federal funding with state goals and increase coherence across state systems.”

Commenting on this, Adams said, “Every child deserves to learn in a secure and protected environment. Our partnership with USED reinforces this commitment to child safety and ensures families can trust that their children are safe while pursuing their education. ACF.”

As part of ongoing efforts to identify and end Medicaid/Medicare fraud, CMS Administrator Dr. Oz is touring parts of Ohio. According to Dr. Oz, “Fraudsters have been treating Medicaid like a piggy bank, but it ends now. Ohio is showing what happens when data meets accountability. We followed the money and caught the crooks. And we’re not done yet. See you again soon, Ohio.”

Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) criticized the FDA’s vaccine advisory committee (VRBPAC) for ignoring the testimony of health freedom attorney Aaron Siri. According to Siri, “The FDA’s vaccine committee just shamelessly voted to recommend an updated COVID-19 vaccine, ignoring its incredible trail of harm.”

During testimony before VRBPAC, Siri stated, “If you’re interested in making an evidence-based and not belief-based decision regarding COVID-19 vaccines, please review the data and evidence in the letter we submitted to this committee. Don’t ignore the tens of thousands of individuals that have contacted just our law firm regarding serious injuries from the COVID-19 vaccine. Don’t ignore the over 40,000 individuals seriously injured from these products that are members of just one group – React19. Don’t ignore the fact the CDC fought us in court for over 2 years to hide from the public the data which showed that over 7% of the 10 million V-safe users reported needing medical care after a COVID-19 vaccine, on average 2 to 3 times each, with over 70% of those medical encounters resulting in hospitalization, emergency room, or urgent care.”

VRBPAC is not related to ACIP, the CDC’s independent vaccine advisory committee.

[MAHA Institute @MAHA_Institute]

Secretary Kennedy made a major announcement about new actions to tackle Lyme disease and other diseases transmitted to humans by ticks. He expressed sympathy for those suffering from the “invisible illness,” declaring an end to the era of “gaslighting” patients. HHS pledged to reduce Lyme disease spread by 25% by 2035 compared to 2022 levels through stronger patient support, standardized treatment protocols, improved diagnostics, and advanced therapies.

The centerpiece of the initiative is a multi-million-dollar, CDC-led pilot program developed in partnership with the New England Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases, the Indian Health Service, and the Wampanoag Tribe, which aims to eliminate ticks on wildlife to disrupt disease transmission at its source. HHS will also address Alpha-gal syndrome with similar urgency.

Furthermore, HHS will host roundtables with frontline physicians and launch nationwide education initiatives to help doctors diagnose the disease earlier. The agency has also introduced a dedicated website at https://t.co/Py8WBNM94G to connect patients with specialists via the ILADS clinician locator tool and provide educational resources.

Additionally, three new LymeX innovation challenges were launched, offering up to $2.5 million in prize funding to drive breakthroughs in awareness, treatment, and patient care. The Director of National Health Communications for the Office of the Surgeon General, Dr. Stephanie Haridopolos, noted that roughly 31 million Americans are bitten by ticks annually, with at least 500,000 developing Lyme disease and 20% progressing to chronic cases.

The USDA announced the enrollment period and payment rates for the Assistance for Specialty Crops Farmers (ASCF) program, which will distribute $1.625 billion to eligible specialty crop producers. The payments aim to offset elevated input costs and market disruptions caused by unfair foreign trade practices affecting 2025 exports. Pre-filled applications are available online starting June 1, 2026, for producers with a https://t.co/424HjUE3Df account, and from June 8 at local FSA offices. The enrollment deadline is August 7, 2026, with payments issued as applications are approved.
Payments are calculated using three revenue-based tiers ranging from $650 to $65 per acre, plus $25 per acre for beans and peas, with a $250,000 payment limit per producer. Only acreage of eligible specialty crops reported by April 24, 2026, qualifies. Producers can apply online or at FSA county offices, and more details are available at https://t.co/9r3oy6A5Qw.

Secretary Kennedy shared a clip from his recent podcast in which he and Dr. Leo Trasande discussed the dangers of microplastic absorption that occurs when drinking from plastic containers.

[MAHA Institute @MAHA_Institute]

At the 2026 ASCP Annual Meeting in Miami, Joseph F. Goldberg, MD, convened a panel of experts from the ASCP Deprescribing Task Force to discuss new guidance on deprescribing psychotropic medications. The discussion was framed as a follow-up to MAHA Institute’s Mental Health & Overmedicalization Summit, during which Secretary Kennedy announced major reforms aimed at ending the overmedicalization epidemic.

The USDA launched the Great American Cotton Plan, an initiative aimed at strengthening domestic cotton production and the broader American textile sector.

Key elements of the initiative are as follows, according to a USDA press release:

“Promoting Domestic Cotton Consumption

USDA and HHS are promoting the “Plant Not Plastic” initiative to encourage consumers to choose products made with American cotton

USDA is ensuring the BioPreferred Program remains funded so biobased products, including cotton products, can continue using the BioPreferred label

USDA is implementing increased marketing loan rates for upland and extra-long staple cotton authorized through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act

Providing Affordable Cotton by Increasing Domestic Demand and Production

USDA is prioritizing cotton processors and manufacturers within Rural Development’s Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program to increase domestic production capacity

The Economic Adjustment Assistance for Textile Mills program payment rate will increase from 3 cents to 5 cents per pound of cotton processed

USDA will continue working with Congress to support the bipartisan Buying American Cotton Act

Improving Cotton Trade

USDA is implementing the Administration’s Three-Point Trade Plan to expand export opportunities for U.S. cotton

Cotton Council International participated in an Agribusiness Trade Mission to Indonesia for the first time in program history earlier this year

USDA and USTR secured commitments from Indonesia and Bangladesh that will support future U.S. cotton purchases and textile production using American cotton

USDA continues supporting cotton exports through the Market Access Program and COTTON USA™ licensing initiatives

Protecting Cotton Growers from Adverse Risk

USDA Agricultural Research Service scientists are advancing research efforts to combat the spread of the cotton jassid pest

Cotton producers now have expanded access to Supplemental Coverage Option insurance tools

The Working Families Tax Cuts Act increased the seed cotton reference price for ARC and PLC programs by 14 percent beginning in fall 2026”

Commenting on this, Secretary Kennedy said, “Yes: plant, not plastic. Proud to support USDA , Secretary Rollins, and the Great American Cotton Plan. American-grown cotton supports our farmers, strengthens rural communities, fuels U.S. manufacturing, and gives families a natural alternative to synthetic, plastic-based materials. This plan helps Make America Healthy Again”

On the latest episode of the Secretary Kennedy Podcast, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sat down with Dr. Leo Trasande to discuss the dangers of microplastics and PFAS (aka “forever chemicals”). According to Secretary Kennedy, “Microplastics are entering the human body through everyday products most people never think about. Dr. Leo Trasande joins me to explain how food packaging, synthetic clothing, cosmetics, and even paper receipts contribute to toxic chemical exposure.”

Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) said the following about the preemptive pardon given to Anthony Fauci by President Biden prior to his leaving office. According to Senator Paul, “The Biden administration’s auto-pen pardon frenzy has set a dangerous precedent unlike anything America has ever seen. It ought to be challenged. I wrote a letter last year to the DOJ, raising serious constitutional and legal concerns about the legitimacy of Dr. Fauci’s pardon and never heard back. However, I do hold out hope that as his allies are finally getting indicted, they start singing like canaries about the truth surrounding Anthony Fauci.”

According to Children’s Health Defense CEO Marry Holland, sales of Merck’s HPV vaccine Gardasil are reportedly down 40%. This comes amid growing awareness of vaccine risks among parents and the general population.

[MAHA Institute @MAHA_Institute]

Vermont became the first state to ban paraquat, a herbicide linked to Parkinson’s disease. Republican Governor Phil Scott signed the bipartisan bill, which phases out the sale and use of paraquat beginning November 1, with limited exemptions for certain crops. A full ban will take effect in 2030. Implementation of the ban is expected to be smoother after the removal of federal Farm Bill provisions that would have partly prevented states from imposing restrictions on pesticides and herbicides.

Stand for Health Freedom urged Louisiana residents to call their senators in order to tell them to vote no on HB775, a bill that was returned to the calendar yesterday but could still receive a vote at any time before the legislative session ends on June 1st. The legislation would allow minors to get vaccinated without parental consent and would broadly permit anyone to seek care for any minor for any reason.

The USDA released the following statement about pork exports: “U.S. pork exports continued to grow in key global markets. In the first 2 months of 2026, exports reached $1.2 billion, up 4% by value. Growth in Mexico and stronger sales to Japan and South Korea supported continued demand for U.S. pork.”

During a Cabinet meeting, President Trump discussed the TrumpRX direct-to-consumer pharmacy platform, which, according to the President, has significantly reduced the cost of prescription drugs.

During the same Cabinet meeting, Vice President Vance thanked Secretary Kennedy and CMS Administrator Dr. Oz for their joint efforts with his Anti-Fraud Task Force to root out waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicaid and Medicare.

According to NIH research, early exposure to toxic metals during specific developmental windows can significantly increase the risk of brain and mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, hyperactivity, and attention problems, up to a decade later.

Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) thanked CBS for being what he called the first major media outlet to cover his Senate Committee report on the coverup of harms related to the Covid shot.

During a recent interview, Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) warned of the dangers of gain-of-function research, a dangerous practice sometimes referred to as pathogenic enhancement.

[MAHA Institute @MAHA_Institute]

According to an article published in the Daily Caller, an unpublished poll conducted in October 2025 by Fabrizio Lee found that a large majority of Americans are in favor of health freedom. The Daily Caller did not publish the full crosstabs of the poll but reported that “73% of voters expressed concern about childhood vaccine mandates.” It was also reported that the poll found 90% of Americans are concerned about the corrupting influence of Big Pharma.

These results are similar to those found in a March 2026 poll commissioned by Brownstone Institute President Jeffrey Tucker and Health Freedom Defense Fund founder and President Leslie Manookian. The poll, conducted by John Zogby Strategies, found that a supermajority of likely voters strongly endorse health freedom/informed consent and are alarmed at government-dictated medical mandates.

Excerpted tables from the Zogby poll referenced above

Commenting on the revelation about the unpublished Fabrizio poll, Brownstone Institute President Jeffrey Tucker provided the following exclusive statement to the MAHA Institute: “This Fabrizio poll from October 2025 fits exactly with what the Brownstone/HFDF poll found in February 2026. Shot mandates are opposed by vast swaths of the public, including supermajorities, and there is mass public distrust of pharmaceutical companies. Vaccines themselves are being questioned as never before. In other words, these polls show that you and the people you know are not strange radicals but part of the mainstream of public opinion. Now we need politicians and public health officials to hear this message.”

During a visit to a farm in Scott Township, Pennsylvania, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins signed “a disaster designation for 17 counties in Pennsylvania due to damage and losses caused by below-freezing temperatures that occurred April 19 through April 21, 2026,” according to a USDA press release.

Speaking at the signing event, Secretary Rollins said, “Fighting for our farmers means being there for them when Mother Nature hits. Today we are showing that USDA stands with Pennsylvania agriculture — and we will continue working to ensure producers have the support they need to recover and move forward. This designation is a first step forward to help agricultural producers access emergency loans and programs in the aftermath of the freezing temperatures. Under President Trump, USDA will continue to put farmers first and make sure they have the resources they need.”

HHS published the following bullet points in conjunction with the White House Fraud Taskforce which offer a timeline of major anti-fraud actions taken in 2026:

February 25, 2026: The Trump Administration halted nearly $260 million in Medicaid payments to Minnesota over rampant fraud allegations, demanding full cooperation with federal investigators.

March 25, 2026: The Trump Administration suspended dozens of high-risk hospice and home health providers in the Los Angeles area.

April 2, 2026: The Trump Administration suspended hundreds of additional high-risk hospice and home health providers across California.

April 3, 2026: Federal prosecutors charged more than a dozen individuals in a $50 million hospice fraud scheme.

April 15, 2026: The Trump Administration suspended 447 hospices and 23 home health agencies in Los Angeles, with estimated fraud exceeding $600 million.

April 30, 2026: The Trump Administration deferred an additional $91 million in federal Medicaid funds from non-cooperating Minnesota.

May 13, 2026: The Trump Administration suspended $1.4 billion in home health and hospice funding nationwide.

May 13, 2026: The Trump Administration deferred $1.3 billion in federal Medicaid reimbursements for California.

May 13, 2026: The Trump Administration halted all new Medicare enrollments for hospice providers nationwide until the fraud crisis is brought under control.

May 13, 2026: The Trump Administration launched audits of Medicaid Fraud Control Units in all 50 states.

May 21, 2026: The Department of Justice charged 15 individuals in a wide-ranging Minnesota healthcare fraud scheme — including the highest loss amount ever charged in a Medicaid case in the state and the largest autism fraud scheme ever prosecuted.

Secretary Kennedy and Kathryn Burgum, Co-Chair of the Great American Recovery Initiative and Senior Advisor for Addiction Recovery at HHS, co-authored an op-ed for Future of Personal Health. According to the article, “In January, President Trump announced the Great American Recovery Initiative, a bold plan that coordinates a national response to chronic disease of addiction across government, healthcare, faith communities, and the private sector. Its goal is to save lives, restore families, and strengthen our communities.”

The article continued,

“The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is all in. We’re removing the barriers to recovery, tackling the root causes of addiction, eliminate stigma, and strengthening community health and safety by expanding evidence-based treatment that prioritizes recovery, stability, and self-sufficiency.Central to this is a new $100 million Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration program called Safety Through Recovery, Engagement, and Evidence-based Treatment and Supports (STREETS). It will fund targeted outreach, psychiatric care, for addiction treatment, recovery support services, medical stabilization, and crisis intervention, while connecting Americans experiencing homelessness to stable housing. Ultimately, this program aims to promote long-term recovery and independence.”

Connecticut, New Jersey, and South Dakota became the latest states to join ACF’s “A Home for Every Child” initiative.

[MAHA Institute @MAHA_Institute]

Secretary Kennedy posted the following Memorial Day message:

“Today, we honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country, and we renew our commitment to protecting the health, dignity, and future of the nation they sacrificed to defend.”

Inner Compass Initiative founder Laura Delano published the following statement in support of Secretary Kennedy’s aim to reduce overmedicalization when treating mental illness.

According to Delano,

“For decades, those of us speaking about the harms caused by taking and coming off psychiatric drugs have been ignored, denied or dismissed.

I’ve been labeled everything from ‘antipsychiatry,’ ‘anti-science,’ and ‘Scientologist,’ to ‘right-wing fascist’ and ‘anti-vax,’ to simply ‘too mentally ill’ to understand what was happening to me.

Now the APA’s own annual meeting is full of panels on deprescribing, overmedication, withdrawal, and psychiatrists openly admitting they regret not helping patients come off these drugs sooner.

The hundreds of thousands of personal stories of psychiatric iatrogenesis have become impossible to keep waving away as meaningless anecdotes.

I have deep compassion for how hard it must be to face the possibility that you’ve been inadvertently causing harm to patients you’ve been trying to help.

But fear is the master distorter of truth, and the only way out is through.

We are eager to build a big-tent coalition to begin work on these changes we all know are necessary. I hope you’ll join us.”

During his recent tour of Ohio, Secretary Kennedy visited the Hope Recovery Community. There, those suffering from addiction are treated in a farm environment that involves frequent interaction with livestock and other animals.

[MAHA Institute @MAHA_Institute]

This Memorial Day, please join us in honoring our fallen heroes.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin spoke with CNN about regulatory reforms aimed at removing PFAS (also known as "forever chemicals") from drinking water. According to Zeldin, “The Trump EPA has been extensively engaged in robust efforts to remove PFAS from drinking water. This includes research, funding, treatment, destruction, and removal technology vetting, technical assistance, Safe Drinking Water Act responsibilities, and much more.”

Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) criticized the legacy media for failing to cover information he has published regarding a major coverup of Covid shot harms under the Biden administration. According to Senator Johnson, “This is the biggest government scandal of my lifetime, and the legacy media refuses to cover it. The FDA knew that COVID injections were causing severe adverse events, including sudden cardiac death, pulmonary infarction, and Bell’s palsy. Americans had the Right to Know, and those affected deserve justice.”

The HHS shared a clip of Dr. Drew Pinsky on NewsNation in which the well-known addiction specialist endorsed Secretary Kennedy’s policy of providing mental health alternatives to overmedicalization.

[MAHA Institute @MAHA_Institute]

Secretary Kennedy clarified the limited scope of what he had called “a targeted PREP Act declaration to support the development and deployment of medical countermeasures related to Andes virus, which can cause the deadly respiratory illness Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome.”

According to the HHS Secretary,

“Don’t believe Internet fearmongers. HHE defends public health AND supports medical freedom — period.

HHS action …

Does NOT pave the way for a new mRNA vaccine

Does NOT provide Big Pharma with new, limitless protections from liability

Does NOT allow for mandates of ANY kind

Does NOT apply to any other medical products

Does NOT apply to vaccines

HHS action …

Facilitates expanded access of favipiravir — and favipiravir ONLY — to treat hantavirus

Allows individuals possibly exposed to Andes virus to access this drug

Only covers VOLUNTARY administration and use — NO mandates

Provides protection for a VERY LIMITED TIME, through July 18, 2026.”

Brownstone Institute founder Jeffrey Tucker commented on the announcement, writing, “I assumed the worst about this without evidence. PTSD. This PREP, however unnecessary, protects only one antiviral for a limited time and for a limited group.”

Tucker shared an article by Dr. Robert Malone headlined, “Fearporn and the New PREP Act Declaration.” According to Dr. Malone, the HHS action “creates liability protection for the investigational use of favipiravir, an antiviral, for a specific contained outbreak. What it does NOT do: authorize a vaccine, mandate anything, declare a national emergency, or suspend any civil liberties. The PREP Act is genuinely worth criticizing. This particular declaration is one of its more restrained uses.”

Epidemiologist Nicolas Hulscher also commented on the matter, writing, “It [HHS action] ONLY covers favipiravir for 2 months — an antiviral shown to protect 100% of animals from lethal Andes virus infection. NO vaccines are covered. Nonetheless, we all know the PREP Act is unconstitutional and should be repealed.”

The HHS confirmed that as the CDC winds down most forms of animal testing, monkeys that had previously been subject to cruel experiments will be transferred to non-profit animal sanctuaries.

[MAHA Institute @MAHA_Institute]

The White House commemorated the one-year anniversary of the release of the MAHA Report. According to an official White House statement, “One year ago today, the MAHA Report sounded the alarm on the country’s chronic disease crisis. Months later, the MAHA Strategy laid out the roadmap for action. Our mission continues: addressing root causes, improving outcomes, and working to Make Our Children Healthy Again.”

Secretary Kennedy encouraged Americans to report instances where they have been refused access to their medical information by healthcare providers. According to the HHS Secretary, “As a patient, you have a right to access your medical information. If a doctor, hospital, or other health care setting has blocked access to your medical record or test results, you should let HHS know and report it through the ONC HealthIT’s Report Information Blocking Portal. Your voice is important as HHS cracks down on health information blocking.”

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed Senate Bill The Freedom, Access and Integrity in Registered Pharmacy (FAIR Rx) Act into law. The new law prohibits pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from owning pharmacies in Tennessee.

Secretary Kennedy issued the following statement regarding Lyme Disease Awareness Month:

“May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month, a time to recognize the growing impact of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses on American families and communities. Lyme disease now affects an estimated 476,000 Americans each year and remains one of the most common vector-borne diseases in the United States.I recently wrote to the House Energy & Commerce Committee urging support for reauthorization of the Kay Hagan Tick Act to strengthen research, surveillance, early detection, treatment, and public awareness efforts related to tick-borne disease.

Thank you to Chairman Guthrie, Ranking Member Pallone, and the House Energy & Commerce Committee for advancing this important bipartisan legislation.”

The HHS shared a video of Acting Surgeon General Dr. Stephanie Haridopolos discussing the dangers posed to children from excessive screen time on digital devices.

ARPA-H recently introduced the PARADIGM program (Platform Accelerating Rural Access to Distributed and Integrated Medical Care) to tackle America’s growing rural healthcare crisis, where over 100 rural hospitals have closed in the past decade. The initiative aims to develop a mobile, scalable vehicle platform capable of delivering advanced, hospital-level care directly to remote communities, replacing reliance on traditional brick-and-mortar facilities.

According to a new statement from APPA-H, “Where you live should not determine the level of care you receive. Today, too many Americans living in rural areas face long drives, provider shortages, delayed treatment, and limited access to critical healthcare services. For many patients, these hurdles can result in going without care altogether. ARPA-H’s PARADIGM program is working to change that by bringing hospital level care directly to the communities that need it most. Last week, Mission Mobile Medical debuted its ARPA-H funded healthcare delivery platform prototype, MARCUS. Program Manager Bon Ku, MD, and team saw firsthand how its modular design can deliver a wide range of healthcare services to patients, even in some of the most remote parts of America.

[MAHA Institute @MAHA_Institute]

The EPA launched a new comprehensive strategy on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as “forever chemicals.”

Unveiled at an event with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the approach emphasizes prevention at the source, treatment, and destruction while aligning with the “Make America Healthy Again” initiative. Key funding includes nearly $1 billion newly allocated through the Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant program, bringing the total to $5 billion over five years to help communities tackle PFAS in drinking water.

Additional support comes from $4 billion in Drinking Water State Revolving Funds and over $6.5 billion in WIFIA loans.

The EPA is proposing two rules open for 60-day public comment. The first maintains existing National Primary Drinking Water Standards for PFOA and PFOS but introduces an opt-in process allowing eligible water systems up to two extra years (until 2031) for compliance, provided they meet criteria, offering flexibility for planning, technology, and costs while keeping the original 2029 deadline for non-opt-in systems.

The second rule addresses procedural vulnerabilities in the prior regulation of other PFAS (PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA/GenX, and a hazard index for PFBS), seeking to ensure compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act’s sequential process for more legally and scientifically defensible standards. Broader elements include developing effluent limits for industrial dischargers, advancing treatment and destruction technologies (e.g., activated carbon, supercritical water oxidation), ongoing research and monitoring, and new initiatives like PFAS OUTreach to assist small and disadvantaged communities.

The proposed rule changes are intended to help small business owners maintain existing refrigeration and HVAC units. Commenting on this, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said, “The Biden EPA faceplanted when establishing extreme refrigerant phase-out restrictions. President Trump and I just announced critical new action on HFCs to lower the cost of living, follow the law, and safeguard human health and the environment. Common sense prevails!”

According to President Trump, “Today, it's my honor to be taking a very historic action to substantially lower costs for consumers, protect hundreds of thousands of jobs, and save Americans well over $2B a year by officially terminating the Biden Administration’s ridiculous regulations imposing costly requirements on refrigerators and air conditioners.”

HHS launched the Audit Enforcement and Risk Oversight initiative (AERO). According to an official statement, AERO is “a department-wide program integrity effort designed to hold states and grantees accountable for persistent audit noncompliance. In a formal letter to all 50 state governors and treasurers, HHS is putting states on notice that chronic audit noncompliance, unresolved findings, and delinquent audit submissions will no longer be tolerated, and warning that states with delinquent submissions or persistent unresolved findings should expect further communication in the coming weeks.”

The HHS statement continued, “Powered by next-generation AI analytical tools, ASFR is conducting a comprehensive, ongoing analysis of single audit information across all 50 states examining at least five years of audit history. Initial findings reveal states and grantees have consistently failed to remedy serious internal control issues, with some persisting for three, four, or even five or more years. Hundreds of HHS grantees have not submitted their required audits, with some late by more than two years. Prior enforcement efforts have failed to produce meaningful compliance, leaving federal dollars vulnerable to waste, fraud, and abuse.”

On the same day, the Department of Justice announced criminal charges against 15 suspects who allegedly defrauded Medicaid in Minnesota in a scheme amounting to the theft of $90 million in taxpayer dollars, according to Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald. Commenting on this, Secretary Kennedy said, “This is an extraordinary bust today, because these kinds of operations usually take many years, sometimes a decade.”

According to CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, “Medicaid is the fundamental payer of last resort for our most needy, most vulnerable citizens, and when we’re unable to keep these programs alive because of fraudsters, it hurts all of us, deeply, and that’s what happened here in Minnesota.”

Secretary Kennedy, CMS Administrator Dr. Oz, and ONC National Coordinator Tom Keane issued a letter urging electronic health record vendors to integrate real-time drug price transparency tools ahead of the 2028 deadline. The initiative emphasizes displaying cash-pay and direct-to-consumer medication prices alongside insured options to help patients identify lower-cost alternatives at the point of prescribing.

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Alongside Secretary Kennedy, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed HF 2676 (The MAHA Act). The new MAHA Act focuses heavily on schools. It caps digital instruction for K–5 students at 60 minutes per day (with exceptions for special needs), mandates minimum daily physical activity (e.g., at least 40 minutes for K–4), and requires nutrition education emphasizing animal-based proteins, dairy, vegetables, and fruits. It also reinstates elements like the Presidential Physical Fitness Test and directs a study on technology use in higher grades.

On nutrition, it bans specific artificial dyes and additives (including Red 40, Yellow 5/6, Blue 1/2, Green 3, potassium bromate, and propylparaben) in school meals and vending machines starting around 2027. It requires the state to continuously seek federal waivers for SNAP, Summer EBT, and school lunch programs to restrict “unhealthy” foods and adjust standards like sodium and whole grains. In healthcare, the bill mandates at least 40 hours of nutrition and metabolic health coursework for Iowa medical school graduates (effective 2028) and requires physicians in relevant fields to complete one hour of related continuing education every four years.

The Iowa MAHA Act also allows ivermectin to be sold over-the-counter and adopts the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact to ease licensing for out-of-state psychologists. Overall, the legislation passed the House 61–31 and the Senate 30–16, aiming to promote better nutrition, more movement, and reduced screen time while raising concerns from some about implementation costs and federal funding risks.

The Office of the US Surgeon General published an official advisory and toolkit detailing problems with and solutions to an oversaturation of screen time among children. According to the report, while screens offer some benefits, excessive or compulsive use—driven by addictive design features like infinite scroll, algorithms, autoplay, and rewards—often leads to addiction-like behaviors. Screen time typically begins before age one and rises sharply, with toddlers averaging about two hours daily and teens exceeding four hours, sometimes surpassing time spent sleeping or in school. The advisory defines harmful use as excessive patterns that interfere with development, sleep, relationships, or responsibilities, extending beyond social media to gaming, gambling-like mechanics, AI chatbots, and other digital interactions. The advisory emphasizes the precautionary principle: action is needed even as research evolves.

The report concludes that evidence links harmful screen use to negative outcomes across cognitive/emotional development, physical health, education, and mental health. Early exposure correlates with poorer language, attention, and social-emotional skills; school-aged children face increased risks of obesity, myopia (with projections of 40% affected by 2050), sleep disruption, and reduced physical activity. In teens, heavy use, especially of social media, is associated with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, body image issues, cyberbullying (affecting nearly 50% of adolescents), aggression, substance use, and sextortion (experienced by 3.5–5% of children). Mechanisms include the displacement of real-world interactions, blue light exposure, sedentary behavior, and harmful content exposure. Interventions like screen limits show promise for improving sleep, academics, and activity levels.

The advisory provides practical “5 Ds” strategies - Discuss, Do (model behavior), Delay, Divert (to alternatives), and Disconnect (screen-free times), along with targeted recommendations for youth, families, schools, clinicians, policymakers, and tech companies. Families should create media plans with age-appropriate limits (e.g., none under 18 months, under 1 hour for children under age 6), remove devices from bedrooms, and prioritize in-person activities. Schools are encouraged to adopt bell-to-bell phone bans, teach digital citizenship, and emphasize non-screen learning. Broader calls include stronger privacy/safety regulations, youth-centered design by tech firms, more research on long-term impacts, and community investment in screen-free spaces to promote real-life connections, play, and well-being. The report frames this as both a warning and an invitation to “scroll less and live best.”

USDA Secretary Rollins made the following comment on the adminsitration’s efforts to accelerate domestic fertilizer production: “One of yesterday’s big announcements: We’re fast-tracking (at TRUMP SPEED!) American fertilizer production like never before. In Louisiana alone, we are streamlining permitting to build the largest ammonia plant in the world — CF Industries, a great American company! This is happening nationwide, with over 50+ projects. Our goal: end our reliance on foreign fertilizer from Russia, Ukraine, China & others. And produce 100% of America’s fertilizer here at home.”

On the latest episode of his official podcast, Secretary Kennedy interviewed Inner Compass Initiative founder Laura Delano on the dangers of psychiatric drugs, and viable alternatives to overmedicalisation. Both Secretary Kennedy and Delano recently spoke on this subject at MAHA Institute’s Mental Health & Overmedicalization Summit.

CMS proposed a rule to cap excessive state Medicaid payment practices, particularly State Directed Payments (SDPs) and certain fee-for-service targeted payments, which have driven rates above Medicare levels and shifted costs to federal taxpayers.

Commenting on this, CMS Administrator Dr. Oz said, “Medicaid was never meant to be a blank check — it was meant to be a lifeline — and lifelines only work when they’re strong, reliable, and built to last. This rule restores balance by aligning Medicaid payments with Medicare standards, strengthening accountability, and ensuring taxpayer dollars support patients, not payment schemes.”

Secretary Kennedy said the following about the need to pass the Railway Safety Act. His statement came in response from President Trump’s words on Truth Social.

According to Secretary Kennedy, “East Palestine reminded the country that a single derailment can devastate an entire community’s health, environment, and future. I’ve spent decades fighting to protect communities from toxic chemical exposure, and the families in East Palestine deserve lasting accountability and stronger safeguards to prevent this from ever happening again. Our message to Congress is clear: pass the Railway Safety Act.”

USDA Secretary Rollins said the following about National Rescue Dog Day, “At USDA , protecting animal welfare is more than a mission — it’s a responsibility. Earlier this year, USDA partnered with The Justice Department, DHS, and HHS to crack down on chronic dog welfare violators and strengthen enforcement against animal cruelty and dog fighting operations.”

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Congratulations to the MAHA Institute endorsed candidates who achieved victory in their primary elections this week. Be sure to follow us to stay up to data with all of our endorsements.

HHS and USDA announced a joint initiative to boost Americans’ access to high-quality protein and strengthen nutrition security. HHS is investing $7.5 million in a partnership with HATCH for Hunger to redirect surplus protein (such as meat, eggs, and dairy) to families in need, reduce food waste, improve health outcomes, and combat chronic disease in alignment with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Simultaneously, USDA plans to award up to $7.5 million in competitive grants to enhance cold chain infrastructure for emergency food assistance, including support for nonprofits and faith-based organizations to safely distribute nutrient-dense proteins.

The US Supreme Court declined to hear the Health Freedom Defense Fund’s (HFDF) petition on May 18, 2026, allowing the Ninth Circuit’s en banc ruling to stand as binding precedent across nine Western states.

The case originated from a 2021 lawsuit challenging the Los Angeles Unified School District’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for employees. The Ninth Circuit held that government officials may impose such medical mandates under broad “public health” authority, applying deferential Jacobson v. Massachusetts review, without needing to prove effectiveness (such as stopping transmission) or facing meaningful judicial scrutiny, as long as officials “reasonably believed the measures would help at the time”.

In response, HFDF’s Leslie Manookian called the decision a “massive blow” to bodily autonomy, urging individuals to refuse future mandates and accelerating state-level protections modeled on Idaho’s 2025 Medical Freedom Act.

Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch announced that her state has joined ACF’s Operation Hope. According to Fitch, “The Mississippi Attorney General’s Office is proud to have helped the Trump Administration kick off Operation Hope, a new, multidisciplinary effort between States, ACF, and the HHS Office of the Inspector General to locate missing foster children. Here in Mississippi, 13 children were located, offered support services, and brought to safety.”

The House of Representatives unanimously passed the Fostering the Future Act championed by First Lady Melania Trump. The Fostering the Future Act is a bipartisan legislative package designed to modernize the foster care system and provide better resources for foster children on the brink of adulthood. The Act increases financial support for education, expands access to housing vouchers, and provides specialized services for expectant or parenting foster youth.

Secretary Kennedy released a video documenting his recent discussions with officials and mental health thought leaders in Los Angeles. According to Secretary Kennedy, “I joined Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger and co-chair of the Great American Recovery Initiative Kathryn Burgum to discuss innovative approaches to mental health and addiction recovery in Los Angeles County.

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Congratulations to John Hodgson on his win in Kentucky District 36.

[MAHA Institute @MAHA_Institute]

🗳️We are pleased to endorse John Hodgson for Kentucky House District 36. @Hodgson4KY

A principled leader committed to constitutionally limited government, John Hodgson understands that protecting our God-given rights is the paramount duty of a legislator.

John recognizes that the health of our communities and the sanctity of our homes are under constant threat from government encroachment. He brings a sophisticated and responsive approach to the fight for medical freedom, ensuring that the interests of Kentucky families are always prioritized over those of powerful corporate entities.

[MAHA Institute @MAHA_Institute]

Congratulations to Felicia Rabourn on her win in Kentucky District 47.

[MAHA Institute @MAHA_Institute]

🗳️We are pleased to endorse Felicia Rabourn for Kentucky House District 47. @felicia_rabourn

A tenacious defender for the sanctity of the family, Felicia Rabourn has proven herself to be one of the most courageous voices in Frankfort. Her commitment to the MAHA movement is fueled by a firsthand understanding of the coercion families face within the modern healthcare system.

Felicia is an unyielding disruptor of the status quo who understands that the bond between parent and child is a sovereign territory that no bureaucrat has the right to subvert.

[MAHA Institute @MAHA_Institute]

Congratulations to Lindsey Tichenor who advances to the general election in Kentucky District 6.

[MAHA Institute @MAHA_Institute]

🗳️We are pleased to endorse Lindsey Tichenor for Kentucky Senate District 6. @tichenor4ky

Lindsey understands that freedom is not a gift from the state, but a natural right that must be shielded from every form of bureaucratic encroachment. Lindsey’s commitment to the MAHA movement is defined by a sophisticated and deeply inquisitive approach to both the political and scientific landscapes, allowing her to navigate complex issues with a level of insight that is as rare as it is essential.

She does not merely advocate for liberty; she understands its structural mechanics, recognizing that the government must never be in a position to interfere with the sanctity of private family life.

[MAHA Institute @MAHA_Institute]

Congratulations to Josh Calloway on his win in Kentucky District 10.

[MAHA Institute @MAHA_Institute]

🗳️We are pleased to endorse Josh Calloway for Kentucky House District 10. @CallowayforKy

Calloway stands as a relentless champion for the MAHA mission, particularly in his fight to protect the most vulnerable from pharmaceutical exploitation. By filing groundbreaking legislation to investigate how Medicaid may be incentivizing the over-prescription of psychotropic drugs to our children, he has demonstrated a sophisticated commitment to transparency and informed consent.

Drawing from his deep-rooted values and his refusal to allow schools to act as agents of the state at the expense of parental rights, Josh brings a courageous and uncompromising perspective to the fight for medical freedom.

[MAHA Institute @MAHA_Institute]

Congratulations to Charlice Byrd on her win in Georgia District 20.

[MAHA Institute @MAHA_Institute]

🗳️We are pleased to endorse Charlice Byrd for Georgia House District 20. @charlice_byrd

A courageous trailblazer for constitutional sovereignty, Charlice Byrd serves as a legislative engine for the MAHA mission in the Georgia State House. As Chair of the Georgia State House Freedom Caucus, Charlice does not wait for the political winds to shift; she shifts them herself, actively challenging her own party to embrace Health Freedom policies. She is the author of HB 1350, Georgia’s Medical Freedom Act, a landmark piece of legislation designed to dismantle the machinery of coercion.

Charlice recognizes that the right to make medical decisions, free from mandates, or digital passports, is the absolute core of a free society. She is an unflinching auditor of institutional power who understands that the government has no authority to override the wisdom of a parent.