If you had the opportunity to capitalize on the industries of a shifting society, would you take it? Good news for investors and traders: RFK Jr. advanced as the Secretary of Health and Human Services pick following a fiery grilling from a Senate committee, an activity the beef tallow advocate is all too familiar with. Kennedy will appear before the Senate next week for a full vote. His nomination marks a sharp pivot from the previous administration, leading many to believe dramatic changes are in store for the healthcare industry.
Kennedy Survives Senate Grilling
Kennedy experienced an obstacle in the wide-mouthed form of Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy. Sen. Cassidy previously stated he opposed Kennedy’s anti-vaccine sentiments. Swing-vote Cassidy resisted the nominee before a meeting with Vice President Vance changed their mind. What RFK Jr. and the VP precisely said to convince the anti-Trump Senator to support a Trump pick is unknown. Cassidy claims “intense conversations” produced “serious commitments” from the administration.
Sen. Cassidy must compete with pro-Trump Louisiana Treasurer Fleming in his primary next year. The incumbent may face difficulties in his reelection since he voted to convict Trump after January 6th, 2021. Considering this administration’s tendency to follow their whims, any “serious commitments” made, especially regarding vaccines, will only be considered (if at all) until Cassidy is no longer in a position to provide resistance.
Make America Healthy Again
As US HHS Secretary, RFK Jr. will head a USD ~1.7 Trillion federally-funded agency. RFK Jr. will oversee the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and programs like Medicaid and Medicare.
The FDA protects public health by ensuring high standards for all foods, drugs, and applicable cosmetics.
RFK Jr. stated his goal is to raise the safety standards of the FDA to exclude dangerous additives from food. A higher burden of proof upon new food ingredients and artificial additives will spell trouble for America’s processed food industry. This change could widen the financial avenue for natural, organic ingredients and additives.
The HHS nominee has also attributed seed oils as the cause of the USA’s obesity epidemic. Kennedy had a distaste for their kind and wanted America to return to cooking with beef tallow.
Protections Against Pandemics
The CDC’s primary role is to prevent, detect, and respond to disease threats. This attitude extends to all diseases, regardless of our capacity to cure or treat them.
Agencies like the CDC were recently ordered to cease external communications and halt scientific reports. During his previous term, Trump-aligned officials altered language in scientific reports to be politically favorable. Trump has ordered the USA to cut ties with the World Health Organization.
We can see a trend of de-funding, destabilizing, and de-platforming federal programs responsible for managing human health. Alongside this trend, we have observed a disease surge across multiple species. This will likely continue if the nomination is confirmed.
Get Sick With It
Excluding the usual offenders, the CDC expressed concerns regarding outbreaks of additional diseases.
Dengue is an incurable global health threat that is being spread by mosquitoes. Also known as “bone-break fever,” Dengue ranges from asymptomatic to severe body aches. Dengue can be fatal in children and those with pre-existing conditions. In 2024, Dengue was observed in over 10 million cases in the Americas alone. This figure doubled the previous count of over 5 million cases from 2023, with the CDC suggesting the actual count is much higher. While incurable, a vaccine is available for those aged 9-16.
Norovirus is a food-borne illness often confused with the stomach flu. Norovirus cases were up around 30% this December from last year.
Avian flu breakouts have been recorded in at least ten different states. As of February 4th, 2025, the CDC reports widespread outbreaks in dairy cattle and wild birds. They also report sporadic infections amongst poultry and wild mammals.
Healthcare, Economy Shifts
Combine an increase in the spread of those infectious diseases with a decrease in our capacity to detect, prevent, and provide treatment. What do we get? We will likely observe a rise in human infections of multiple diseases. Expect increased infection rates for diseases following this nomination. We may also see a collection of companies and products seeking to fill and profit from the vacuum left by absent federal measures.
Be watchful of popular opinion regarding vaccine companies if the nomination is confirmed. If RFK Jr. sways public opinion or leverages the law against them, companies like Pfizer and Moderna could take a serious hit. However, if RFK Jr. avoids wielding his influence, expect Big Pharma to make Big Bucks when sickness season starts.
Keep an eye out for the Trump administration pushing for widespread healthcare privatization. Private insurance companies profit considerably from breakouts by minimizing federal options while expanding Medicare Advantage.
Don’t forget RFK Jr.’s dismissal of vaccine science yet expressed interest and belief in alternative racial science. Frugal fellows with a penchant for making moolah may want to watch for companies developing alternative medicine and homeopathic remedies.
