Prognosis

The Doctor RFK Jr. Turns to for Health Policy Advice

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during a Senate Finance Committee hearing in Washington on Sept. 4.Photographer: Kayla Bartkowski/Bloomberg

Provide news feedback or report an error

Confidential tip?

Send a tip to our reporters

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

By Gerry Smith and Jessica Nix

September 9, 2025 at 10:00 AM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

Hi, it’s Gerry and Jessica in New York. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. gave an unexpected answer last week when senators asked him who gives him health briefings. More on that in a minute, but first ...

When Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was asked during a Senate hearing last week who at the CDC was briefing him, he cited an unexpected official: William Thompson.