Gov. Josh Green is headed to Washington, D.C., this weekend to meet with U.S. Senate members regarding the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., as the next head of the Department of Health and Human Services. 

What You Need To Know

  • Green, who has emerged as an outspoken critic of Kennedy, is expected to share his views on the implications of Kennedy’s nomination
  • In appearances on national news programs, Green has warned that Kennedy’s anti-vaccine beliefs and other controversial stands on public health could put the nation’s health at risk
  • Green’s opinions on Kennedy have been given credence on the left due to the governor’s experience as a practicing physician and the unique crossing of paths the men had in the midst of a public health crisis in Samoa in 2019
  • Green is scheduled to depart Hawaii on Sunday and will return on Jan. 9; Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke will serve as acting governor is his absence

 

Green, who has emerged as an outspoken critic of Kennedy, is expected to share his views on the implications of Kennedy’s nomination.

In appearances on national news programs, Green has warned that Kennedy’s anti-vaccine beliefs and other controversial stands on public health could put the nation’s health at risk. During a November appearance on Al Sharpton’s PoliticsNation show on MSNBC, Green called Kennedy “the worst possible nominee for HHS secretary” and labeled his nomination “a cruel joke that President Trump is playing on the American people.”

Green’s opinions on Kennedy have been given credence on the left due to the governor’s experience as a practicing physician and the unique crossing of paths the men had in the midst of a public health crisis in Samoa in 2019.

During a visit to the Pacific Island nation to meet with anti-vaccine activists, Kennedy shared his belief that vaccines are potentially harmful and skepticism over national vaccine programs. While Samoa was already experiencing declining vaccination rates due in part to a 2013 scandal involving improperly mixed vaccines, Green said Kennedy’s public statements exacerbated the situation, contributing to an outbreak of measles four months later.

Green, then-lieutenant governor and a full-time physician, joined 70 other health care providers on a subsequent medical mission to administer vaccinations and educate the public. The outbreak ultimately sickened 5,700 people and resulted in 83 deaths.

“(The Samoan people) rely on good advice, but this person torpedoed and destroyed their confidence and (83) individuals died,” Green said on Sharpton’s show. “We had to come in and save the situation. This is exactly what will happen if he’s confirmed as HHS Secretary.”

Kennedy’s unconventional views were a selling point when Trump announced his nomination in November.

“The Safety and Health of all Americans is the most important role of any administration, and HHS will play a big role in helping ensure that everybody will be protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products and food additives that have contributed to the overwhelming Health Crisis in this Country,” Trump posted on the social media platform X. “Mr. Kennedy will restore these agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again!”

Green is scheduled to depart Hawaii on Sunday and will return on Jan. 9; Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke will serve as acting governor is his absence.