Utah’s population has grown beyond 3.5 million residents, reflecting an almost 20% increase since 2010. This growth brings both opportunities and challenges, particularly in healthcare. The escalating costs of prescription medications have become a pressing concern for many Utahns, especially for those residing in the more rural areas of the state, where access to affordable healthcare is far more limited.
In this context, Utahns should be incredibly grateful that both Sens. Mike Lee and John Curtis voted on Thursday to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services, the federal government’s top healthcare position. Kennedy was confirmed on by partisan, razor-thin margin — so small that even just one of Utah’s two senators voting no could have prevented him from taking the post. Thank heavens they chose to move Kennedy’s nomination forward because the high-profile nephew of Pres. JFK has proven to address the healthcare concerns that are at the top of Utahns’ minds.
Kennedy has been a vocal critic of the pharmaceutical industry’s influence over federal agencies. He has highlighted concerns about the “revolving door” between regulatory bodies and drug companies, where officials may prioritize corporate interests over public health.
As example, the Biden administration on its way out the door received criticism taking steps to regulate pharmacy benefit managers, the groups businesses hire to negotiate with and cut costs from Big Pharma. Such an action may have benefited the drug companies, which funded President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris well over the years, but it did not benefit everyone else. We live in a weird world where many of those who used to attack Republicans for our ties to Big Pharma have become their staunchest allies.
Kennedy wants to see an end to the days where healthcare policy is so seemingly coin-operated in Washington, D.C. This goal resonates deeply with many Utahns who have experienced the burden of high medication costs, such as the state’s 30% of adults who report not taking their prescribed medication due to cost concerns. This staggering statistic highlights the necessity of having a leader like Kennedy who is committed to standing up against pharmaceutical price gouging.
Another of Kennedy’s most notable positions is his opposition to direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising. He argues that such advertising can lead to overprescribing and increased healthcare spending. This is one of the factors that lead to our nationwide opioid epidemic. In Utah, where communities value informed and prudent decision-making, this stance aligns with the citizenry’s desire for more transparency and accountability in healthcare. Without question, the state will stand to benefit from an end to direct-to-consumer advertising, as prescription drug spending per capita here has risen by over 50% in the past decade and must go down quickly.
Critics have raised concerns about Kennedy’s views on vaccines and alternative health practices. However, it’s essential to recognize that, contrary to what some pundits contend, he is not anti-vaccine. While during his confirmation hearing, Kennedy said he had issues with the rollout of the COVID shot, he stressed that he has very few objections to most of proven vaccines on the current vaccine schedule. This is the prevailing opinion of parents nationwide, who support both standard childhood vaccines and opt-out options. Shouldn’t we want a healthcare leader who will stand up based on principle – not for-profit “scientific consensus” – no matter which high-priced donors it might antagonize?
The support from Sens. Lee and Curtis for Secretary Kennedy’s confirmation showcases their sincere commitment to confronting pharmaceutical industry practices that have long disadvantaged patients. By supporting Kennedy, they endorsed a healthcare version that will serve the people instead of the pockets of million-dollar companies, and that’s something that won’t soon be forgotten.
Jared Whitley has worked in the US Senate and White House. He has an MBA from Hult business school in Dubai. In 2024, the Top of the Rockies competition named him the best columnist in the Intermountain West.
