RFK visits TN capitol to discuss diet, processed foods

NASHVILLE — U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy visited the Tennessee State Capitol Wednesday morning as part of an HHS campaign against ultra-processed foods. A handful of protesters in lab coats, holding signs saying "Google [does not equal] a medical degree," shouted at Kennedy as he entered the Old Supreme Court Chamber of the capitol building. He was flanked on either side by bodyguards and Tennessee's Republican House and Senate leadership. Kennedy's presence was part of the "Take Back Your Health Campaign," an HHS initiative to encourage Americans to eat "real food." The campaign claims processed foods have played a primary role in skyrocketing rates of autism, diabetes, obesity and other chronic diseases in the United States. "Today, we have the highest chronic disease rate of any nation," said Kennedy. "40% of every taxpayer dollar is going to the federal government to treat chronic disease, and we're hurting our country in all these different ways." Kennedy emphasized the effect certain kinds of food can have on mental health, pointing to studies in which changes in diet led to improvements in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. "Our job is not to tell Americans what to eat… but we're going to tell you what the cost is. It seems cheap at the grocery store, but the long term cost may not be worth it," said Kennedy. "We're going to let you know that." To the left of Kennedy's podium was a photo of the reinvented food pyramid, which gives a greater emphasis to proteins, dairy and "healthy fats," while deemphasizing whole grains and breads. Kennedy praised the state's ban of synthetic food dyes in public schools, as well as the state's recently-approved SNAP restrictions which will prevent food stamps from being used to purchase certain high-sugar foods. Prior to introducing Kennedy, House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, cheered legislation passed last year to ban cell phones from Tennessee classrooms, a bill sponsored by Johnson City state Rep. Rebecca Alexander, R. "That was one of the most important bills we passed last year," said Lamberth. Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, R-Franklin, thanked Kennedy for his work with the Rural Health Transformation Program, a $50 billion federal program that will help modernize and invest in rural healthcare delivery. "Too many national surveys rank Tennessee very poorly when it comes to mortality, obesity, diabetes and numerous other health measures," said Johnson. "One of the drivers of these negative outcomes is the lack of access to quality health care in some of our rural communities." This year, Tennessee will receive around $200 million through the program. The state could be set to receive a total of $1 billion over the next few years, if certain legislative criteria are met: chiefly, a repeal of state Certificate of Need laws.