September 4, 2025
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. answered senators' questions over the course of a Thursday hearing that lasted more than three hours.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

The big takeaways from health secretary RFK Jr.’s contentious Senate hearing

On the CDC, vaccines, and far more, lawmakers pressed Kennedy hard for answers. They didn't always get what they were looking for.

By Daniel Payne and Isabella Cueto


STAT+ | Now, even Senate Republicans are pushing back on Kennedy’s vaccine views

Three Republican senators joined Democrats in questioning Kennedy’s contradictory statements on mRNA vaccines and Operation Warp Speed.

By Chelsea Cirruzzo


Major report that tied moderate drinking to disease won’t be released, researchers say

A major government study of alcohol's health effects was supposed to inform national dietary guidelines. Kennedy appears to be dismissing the study.

By Isabella Cueto



CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP via Getty Images

Can anyone get a Covid shot if they want one? No

At Senate hearing, RFK Jr. insisted anyone who wants a Covid vaccine can get one. Prescription requirements, insurance coverage complicate the claim.

By Matthew Herper


What is happening at the CDC?

Video explainer on the issues behind the Senate grilling of HHS Secretary Kennedy in Episode 12 of STATus Report by Alex Hogan.

By Alex Hogan


STAT+ | In major shift, FDA to start releasing rejection letters shortly after they’re issued

The letters, which detail the FDA's concerns about a product, have generally not been made public before, creating transparency concerns.

By Andrew Joseph and Ed Silverman


Molly Ferguson/STAT

STAT+ | Is biotech back? Don’t jinx it, but the signs are encouraging

In this edition of "Adam's Biotech Scorecard," Adam sees signs of hope for the industry, even if it’s too early to declare a biotech recovery.

By Adam Feuerstein


Opinion: Fired members of the CDC vaccine advisory committee: Americans are losing the ability to choose vaccination

Recent HHS policy changes are already undermining Americans’ access to vaccines — and even their freedom to choose vaccination.

By Jane R. Zucker, Noel T. Brewer, and and Yvonne A. Maldonado on behalf of 17 former members of ACIP


STAT+ | For a deadly metastatic site, proton beam radiation therapy may improve survival

New study finds proton beam radiation improved survival for patients with leptomeningeal metastasis, a deadly spread of brain and spine cancer.

By Angus Chen


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