Make America Healthy Again Commission
Stored: Make America Healthy Again Commission
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Make America Healthy Again Commission (MAHA Commission) is a presidential advisory body established by President Donald J. Trump on February 13, 2025, tasked with investigating and addressing the root causes of America’s escalating health crisis, initially focusing on childhood chronic diseases, through a multi-agency effort chaired by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Mission
The Make America Healthy Again Commission seeks to redirect national focus toward understanding and reducing chronic disease rates, starting with childhood conditions like autism, obesity, and asthma. It aims to study contributing factors—such as diet, environmental toxins, and over-utilization of medications—deliver transparent assessments, and propose government-wide strategies to enhance health outcomes, emphasizing nutrition, lifestyle, and scientific integrity while avoiding industry conflicts of interest.
Parent organization
The MAHA Commission operates under the Executive Office of the President, reporting directly to the President, with coordination through the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy.
Legislation
The MAHA Commission was created by an Executive Order signed on February 13, 2025, titled "Establishing the President’s Make America Healthy Again Commission," issued under the President’s constitutional authority, with no specific congressional legislation required for its formation.
Partners
- Department of Health and Human Services for leadership and health policy expertise
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for research and data
- Department of Agriculture for food system insights
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for environmental health factors
Number of employees
The exact number of employees is not specified; the Commission comprises senior officials or their designees from 14 federal agencies, supported by administrative staff, with personnel levels varying based on its temporary, task-focused nature.
Organization structure
The MAHA Commission is structured as an interagency advisory body:
Leader
The Make America Healthy Again Commission is chaired by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, with the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy serving as Executive Director.
Divisions
The Commission operates as a single entity with no formal divisions but includes representatives from:
- Health-focused agencies (e.g., HHS, NIH, CDC, FDA)
- Environmental and agricultural agencies (e.g., EPA, USDA)
- Other departments (e.g., Education, Veterans Affairs) for cross-sector input
List of programs
- Make Our Children Healthy Again Assessment (due May 24, 2025)
- Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy (due August 12, 2025)
- Public Engagement Initiatives (e.g., hearings, roundtables)
Last total enacted budget
The specific budget for the MAHA Commission is not isolated; it’s funded through existing appropriations to participating agencies (e.g., HHS’s FY 2024 budget of $1.7 trillion includes operational support), subject to availability, with no standalone figure reported as of March 14, 2025.
Staff
The Commission’s staff consists of senior officials or designees from 14 federal agencies, including the Secretaries of HHS, Agriculture, and Education, plus technical experts and support personnel seconded from these agencies, though exact numbers are not publicized.
Funding
Established on February 13, 2025, the MAHA Commission is funded through existing federal appropriations to its member agencies, primarily HHS, with implementation contingent on available funds, as stated in the Executive Order.
Services provided
The Commission assesses the childhood chronic disease crisis (e.g., autism, asthma), researches potential causes like diet and medication use, develops a federal strategy to restructure health responses, and engages the public through transparent data and expert input via hearings and roundtables.
Regulations overseen
The MAHA Commission does not oversee regulations but advises on policy changes under existing laws like the Clean Air Act and Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, aiming to influence federal health practices.
Headquarters address
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20500
History
The MAHA Commission was established by Executive Order on February 13, 2025, hours after Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s confirmation as HHS Secretary, fulfilling a Trump campaign promise to address chronic disease. Its first meeting occurred on March 12, 2025, at the White House, focusing on childhood health, with a 100-day assessment deadline of May 24, 2025, and a strategy due by August 12, 2025.
Related
See Also Links to related programs articles or organizations:
- Department of Health and Human Services
- National Institutes of Health
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention