Anti-Science Legislation Surges in US Statehouses, Fueled by Kennedy Allies

A coordinated wave of bills challenging established public health safeguards is moving through American state legislatures. An Associated Press investigation has identified more than 420 such bills introduced this year. These measures target vaccines, water fluoridation, and raw milk regulations.The legislative push is supported by a politically sophisticated network with ties to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. More than two dozen of these bills have already been enacted into law. This activity signals a growing movement that experts say undermines decades of scientific progress.

Organized Effort Drives Widespread Legislative Action

The AP investigation focused on bills that seek to roll back science-based health protections. The analysis used data from the National Conference of State Legislatures and Plural bill-tracking software. The findings reveal a concentrated effort across nearly all fifty states.Anti-vaccine legislation was the most common, with over 350 bills proposed. At least two dozen anti-vaccine laws have been adopted in eleven states so far this year. Another 70 bills took aim at fluoride in water and restrictions on raw milk sales. The most successful bills received support from national groups connected to Kennedy.

Sophisticated Advocacy and Public Health Consequences

The supporting groups employ modern advocacy tactics. They organize phone campaigns, flood lawmakers with emails, and send members to testify. Their political clout has grown significantly, according to observers.Northe Saunders of American Families for Vaccines called it a sophisticated political operation. He noted their ability to raise money and use legislative maneuvers effectively. This organization contrasts with the image of a loose collection of concerned parents.The health impacts are becoming tangible. Vaccination rates are falling in many communities. This decline allows diseases like measles and whooping cough to resurge.One Indiana family, the Dahlbergs, lost their eight-year-old son Liam to a vaccine-preventable disease. His severe asthma made him vulnerable. Doctors believe he contracted the illness from an unvaccinated person.

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The surge in anti-science legislation represents a fundamental shift in public health policy. This organized movement continues to gain political traction. Its long-term impact on community health remains a critical concern for medical experts nationwide.

Thought you’d like to know

What are the main public health policies under attack?

The legislation primarily targets three areas: childhood and adult vaccine requirements, the addition of fluoride to public water systems, and safety regulations governing the sale of raw milk. These policies have decades of scientific evidence supporting their public health benefits.

Which groups are behind this legislative push?

At least four national groups connected to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are involved. These include MAHA Action, Stand for Health Freedom, the National Vaccine Information Center, and the Weston A. Price Foundation. They provide support and coordination for state-level activists.

How many of these bills have become law?

The Associated Press found that more than two dozen bills have been enacted or adopted so far in 2024. These new laws are spread across eleven states, with many more bills still under active consideration in various legislatures.

What is the public health impact of this movement?

Vaccination rates are declining in communities with low immunization rates. This drop in coverage has already led to resurgences of preventable diseases like measles and whooping cough, putting vulnerable populations at increased risk.

Why do supporters want to change these policies?

Supporters argue their goal is to increase personal liberty and consumer choice. They often frame the issue as a right to make informed health decisions, disputing the characterization of their agenda as being anti-science.