Health and Human Services Department Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made a surprising move this week by dismissing two of his top aides, Heather Flick Melanson and Hannah Anderson, from their roles as chief of staff and deputy chief of staff for policy, respectively. The decision came as a shock to many, as both Melanson and Anderson had only been in their positions for a few months.
According to HHS, Matt Buckham, Kennedy’s White House liaison, will be stepping in as the acting chief of staff in place of Melanson. The news was first reported by CNN on Wednesday, sparking speculation about the reasons behind the sudden dismissals.
In a statement to STAT, an HHS spokesperson expressed Secretary Kennedy’s gratitude for the outgoing leadership and emphasized his commitment to working closely with Mr. Buckham to continue advancing the Department’s mission to “Make America Healthy Again.”
The shake-up in Kennedy’s team has raised questions about the future direction of HHS and how the new leadership will navigate the complex landscape of healthcare policy. With Buckham now at the helm, there is anticipation for potential changes and initiatives that may be implemented under his guidance.
As the dust settles on this unexpected turn of events, the healthcare industry and Capitol Hill will be closely watching to see how the Department under Kennedy’s leadership evolves in the coming months. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
