11 Comments
User's avatar
John Stiller's avatar

This is deeply troubling even as a developing story.

A physician who halted vaccine-promotion efforts during a pertussis outbreak and was among the state’s highest ivermectin prescribers is now appearing as the CDC’s Principal Deputy Director on internal systems. If this is confirmed, it will raise serious concerns about the direction of national public health. The larger issue is structural. The Vacancies Act creates an opportunity for HHS leadership to exert long-term control over the CDC without Senate oversight, and placing someone with this track record in the number two position would make that far easier. It is too early to respond with full sharpness, but not too early to recognize that the implications for vaccine policy and federal public health infrastructure could be significant if this becomes official.

Jeremy Faust, MD's avatar

Hi John, Just noting that I was able to confirm the appointment this morning. I share your concerns

John Stiller's avatar

Thank you for confirming this. It is exactly the kind of appointment that signals where public health is being steered, and your reporting has been crucial in laying it out clearly. I share your concerns. Ugh.

Greg Lanman's avatar

Why is The Worm, appointing so many quacks and centralizing them at the CDC?

Jeremy Faust, MD's avatar

It's part of the plan

Jeff Lazar's avatar

The kakistocracy remains alive and well, as the cult of the Orange Shit Stain continues to operate at peak Dunning-Kruger.

Jeremy Faust, MD's avatar

Tell me how you really feel ;)

John Fontaine, Phm's avatar

OMG...another day with another example of the travesty being imposed upon the American health system by unelected & grossly unqualified political appointees that have been enabled by an equally unqualified president 😥

The damage created by the current administration extends far beyond the continental boundaries of the USA.

The rehabilitation of the American healthcare infrastructure (clearly fragile before the advent of DJT) will require a tremendous commitment & the continued fortitude of this Substack author & other enlighten HCP to continue to inform the public & other HCP's what has gone wrong & what is needed to regain public trust & restore the credibility of the US reputation.

🙏 JJF Phm 🇨🇦

Jeremy Faust, MD's avatar

Thanks for your support. We do have document the heck out of this so that we know what to fix later.

John P MD's avatar

Nice scoop, Jeremy. Good work on continuing to expose the travesty of the HHS Secretary's "leadership." From the NYT: "The Department of Health and Human Services did not announce the appointment, and many C.D.C. employees seemed unaware of it. But the C.D.C.’s internal database lists Dr. Abraham as the agency’s principal deputy director, with a start date of Nov. 23. The appointment was first reported by the Substack column Inside Medicine."

Penny Baron's avatar

Just when I thought things couldn’t get any better (ie, worse)….