The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) redirected $20 million from its Office of Minority Health to fund security arrangements for Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. This reallocation, which occurred earlier this year, involved transferring funds previously designated for improving health outcomes in minority communities. Sources familiar with the matter and a document reviewed by The Wall Street Journal confirmed this internal shift.
The Office of Minority Health, established in 1986, is tasked with developing policies and programs aimed at addressing health disparities among racial and ethnic minority groups. The $20 million represents a substantial portion of the office's annual budget. The decision to divert these funds has drawn criticism from health policy experts and some Democratic lawmakers, who argue that it undermines efforts to address systemic health inequities.
This move comes amidst broader changes within HHS under Secretary Kennedy, including significant job cuts and a reorganization that has impacted several minority health offices. Critics express concern that these actions could exacerbate existing health disparities, worsen public health outcomes for underserved populations, and potentially strain the U.S. healthcare system. The U.S. Marshals Service has been providing security for Secretary Kennedy, an arrangement described as unusual. Attorney General Pam Bondi was reportedly involved in arranging this security, according to an email from February 12.
