Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to Keep Ties with Law Firm Suing Pharma Giant

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. , a known vaccine skeptic nominated by President Donald Trump for Health and Human Services secretary, plans to keep his financial interests in certain lawsuits brought by the law firm Wisner Baum. This firm specializes in suing pharmaceutical companies for drug injuries. Ethics records released recently show that Kennedy intends to continue collecting fees from past client referrals to the firm. This is significant because he could oversee policies affecting drug makers if confirmed by the Senate.Kennedy's financial disclosures reveal he has earned over $2. 4 million from Wisner Baum in recent years. The firm is currently suing Merck over Gardasil, a vaccine given to young people to prevent HPV, which can lead to cancer. In his ethics agreement, Kennedy said he'd resign from his consulting arrangement with the firm if confirmed. However, he wants to keep a 10% fee interest in certain cases. He pledged to divest from cases involving claims against the U. S. government. Kennedy has a long history of questioning vaccine safety, including Gardasil, which is recommended by the CDC for children aged 11 or 12. Merck, the company that makes Gardasil, maintains that the vaccine is safe and effective, backed by over 30 years of research. Kennedy also has a referral agreement with another law firm, Morgan & Morgan PA, but he doesn't have any ongoing cases with them. He promises to end this agreement if confirmed.