The Organic & Natural Health Association has officially endorsed Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination to secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

The organization states that HHS leadership “must align with principles of transparency, accessibility, traceability, and continuous quality improvement to drive meaningful healthcare reform.”

“Serious change needs to occur if we are to address the underlying reasons for the epidemic of chronic health disease,” said Karen Howard, CEO and executive director. “All voices need to be evaluated and heard. Pharmaceuticals have done so much to transform the health and well-being of people, but our system does not account for the power of nutrition, supplementation, lifestyle changes, and consumer education.”

The Organic & Natural Health Association stated that priority is placed on disease treatment rather than prevention in its current state, with programs that prevent chronic disease viewed as expenses. It also noted that dietary supplements remain ineligible for reimbursement under Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) plans. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) also doesn’t allow purchases of essential nutrients like vitamin D3 or medical foods for disease management, the association noted. “Additionally, a lack of collaboration on environmental health factors, such as clean water, air quality, and pesticide use, highlights the need for reform.”

“The financial model of our healthcare system is fundamentally flawed,” said Howard. “There is no money to be made in teaching people how to eat well, or in preventing disease. Government budgets do not score savings from prevention strategies, only the costs of disease management. True reform requires bold leadership that is committed to transparency and willing to challenge the status quo.”

At its annual conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on January 22, the Organic & Natural Health Association hosted Dick Morris, political strategist, advisor to former President Bill Clinton, and advisor to President Donald Trump. Morris discussed strategies to improve safety in the agriculture and food systems, and emphasized opportunities for the industry with the new administration.

The association will continue to host discussions on the topic during its Table of Truth series of private dinner events, held in conjunction with industry conferences throughout the year. These dinners will foster conversations on transparency, supply chain integrity, environmental health, and public policy.