Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Faces Criticism Over Healthy Tribes Program Cuts in Tribal Visits

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s recent visits to tribal communities in Arizona and New Mexico were marked by a blend of hope and frustration. While his discussions on chronic disease prevention highlighted the administration’s intention to address health disparities among Native Americans and Alaska Natives, the glaring omission of the Healthy Tribes program—a vital CDC initiative recently gutted in federal layoffs—cast a shadow over the proceedings. Tribal leaders, grappling with the fallout of these cuts, have voiced sharp concerns about the federal government’s failure to uphold its trust responsibilities, which include providing adequate funding for health care, education, and public safety in Native communities.

A Fractured Partnership: Trust Obligations and Federal Neglect

The Healthy Tribes program, once a cornerstone of community health efforts for Native populations, was designed to integrate traditional medicine and indigenous food practices into modern health care strategies. Funded at $32.5 million annually, the initiative supported diabetes prevention, nutrition education, and culturally tailored health programs that addressed the disproportionately high rates of chronic diseases in Native communities. However, recent layoffs have drastically reduced its staff and resources, leaving tribal health officials struggling to administer grants and maintain partnerships.

Kennedy’s visit, though welcomed by tribal leaders, sidestepped any substantive discussion of these cuts, raising questions about the administration’s commitment to tribal sovereignty and its trust obligations. Native leaders have long emphasized the distinction between tribal nations’ political status and broader diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, urging federal officials to recognize the unique legal and moral responsibilities owed to these communities. The Healthy Tribes program’s dismantling, executed without meaningful consultation with tribal nations, has underscored the growing disconnect between federal agencies and the communities they are meant to serve.

For many tribal leaders, the layoffs represent more than just a bureaucratic misstep; they symbolize a deeper erosion of trust. “These programs are not just about health—they’re about survival,” said one tribal health official. “When the federal government fails to honor its commitments, it’s not just a policy failure; it’s a betrayal of the promises made to our ancestors.”

Chronic Disparities and the Fight for Sovereignty

The challenges Native communities face in combating chronic diseases are deeply rooted in systemic inequities. Indian Health Services (IHS), the primary health care provider for Native Americans, has long been chronically underfunded, leaving many tribal nations reliant on supplemental programs like Healthy Tribes to fill the gaps. Without these resources, efforts to address diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic conditions risk being severely undermined.

Tribal leaders have pointed out that the Healthy Tribes program was not merely a health initiative but a cultural lifeline. By incorporating traditional medicine and indigenous food systems, the program fostered a sense of community and cultural pride while addressing pressing health issues. Its abrupt downsizing has left many tribal health organizations scrambling to maintain continuity in their services, with unclear communication from federal agencies compounding the problem.

The lack of consultation with tribal nations before implementing workforce reductions has further strained relations. Native leaders have repeatedly called for greater transparency and collaboration, emphasizing that tribal sovereignty must be respected in all federal dealings. “We are not just another stakeholder,” one tribal leader remarked. “We are sovereign nations, and the federal government has a legal and moral obligation to consult with us.”

Kennedy’s visit, while ostensibly focused on chronic disease prevention, failed to address these broader concerns. His emphasis on prevention strategies, though important, felt disconnected from the reality on the ground, where the dismantling of programs like Healthy Tribes has left many communities struggling to cope with health disparities.

A Call for Action and Accountability

The controversy surrounding the Healthy Tribes program highlights the urgent need for a more robust and inclusive approach to tribal health care. Native leaders have called for the restoration of funding and resources to programs that directly impact their communities, as well as a renewed commitment to honoring trust obligations. Federal grants and initiatives must be designed in consultation with tribal nations to ensure they address the unique challenges these communities face.

The broader implications of this issue extend beyond health care. The federal government’s handling of the Healthy Tribes program has reignited debates about tribal sovereignty and the need for systemic reform in how federal agencies interact with Native nations. For many, the cuts to Healthy Tribes are emblematic of a larger pattern of neglect that has persisted for generations.

As Kennedy continues his tenure as Health Secretary, tribal leaders are urging him to take a more active role in addressing these concerns. His visits to Arizona and New Mexico, though a step in the right direction, must be followed by concrete actions that demonstrate the administration’s commitment to tribal partnerships. Restoring funding to programs like Healthy Tribes, ensuring meaningful consultation with tribal nations, and addressing the chronic underfunding of Indian Health Services are critical steps toward rebuilding trust and improving health outcomes for Native communities.

Restoring Trust and Cultural Resilience

The Healthy Tribes program’s dismantling serves as a stark reminder of the fragile relationship between tribal nations and the federal government. For Native leaders, the fight for adequate health care funding is part of a larger struggle for sovereignty and self-determination. Programs that integrate traditional medicine and indigenous practices are not just about health—they are about preserving cultural identity and resilience.

As tribal communities continue to advocate for their rights, the federal government must rise to the occasion. Kennedy’s visit, while promising in its focus on chronic disease prevention, must be the beginning of a deeper engagement with tribal nations. Restoring funding to Healthy Tribes and other vital programs is not just a policy decision—it is a moral imperative and a step toward honoring the promises made to Native communities.

The road ahead will require collaboration, transparency, and a genuine commitment to addressing the systemic inequities that have long plagued Native health care. Tribal leaders have made their voices clear: the federal government must do better. Whether Kennedy and his administration will heed this call remains to be seen, but the stakes could not be higher. For Native communities, this is not just about health—it is about justice.