Rachel Roubein

@rachelroubein.bsky.social

Washington Post reporter covering the Food and Drug Administration. Reach me securely on Signal: RachelRoubein.28

icymi: FDA officials raised conflict of interest concerns ahead of new peptide panel slated to meet this week. Despite the flags, HHS chose multiple panelists who promote peptides, an unusual process given FDA staff typically pick their advisers. wapo.st/4wQFIf9

FDA raised conflict of interest concerns ahead of new peptide panel

That panel will meet to weigh whether the agency should allow Americans to have broader access to seven injectable peptides previously restricted over potential safety concerns.

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Exclusive: Investigators have linked shredded iceberg lettuce supplied to Taco Bell restaurants by Taylor Farms as a potential source of contamination in the outbreak of a parasitic illness that has sickened thousands in United States.

Lettuce supplier is potential source of cyclosporiasis outbreak, investigators say

Thousands have been sickened in the outbreak of cyclosporiasis, which has been largely concentrated in southeastern Michigan.

washingtonpost.com

A plea to Joe Rogan. An appeal to Trump: How Republicans came to embrace psychedelics Veterans and high-ranking officials, like RFK Jr., have pushed the issue. Policy proposals had been sketched out months before Trump sought to elevate the issue www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

How Republicans came to embrace psychedelic drugs

After decades of backing a “war on drugs,” the GOP has warmed to psychedelics for mental health treatment as high-profile backers and veterans tout the drugs.

washingtonpost.com

Top GOP senators Bill Cassidy and John Barrasso, both physicians, pressed RFK Jr. on vaccines amid his controversial moves. After the hearing, Cassidy told reporters the secretary’s remarks on immunizations were “illuminating.” Updated w/ @rachelroubein.bsky.social below @washingtonpost.com

Lauren Weber@laurenweberhp.bsky.social · 4mo ago

RFK Jr. ends his blitz of congressional hearings with chief GOP antagonist Sen. Bill Cassidy Unpacked with @rachelroubein.bsky.social the political dynamics at play amid their public meeting ahead of the midterms Check back for updates here: www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

Ahead of the midterms, RFK Jr. is messaging on food & drug pricing, and downplaying vaccines, as some Republicans warn vaccines could be a liability. This comes as influential MAHA leaders want to spend big for GOP. Tony Lyons wants to raise $100M. w/ @laurenweberhp.bsky.social

Why RFK Jr. is suddenly talking less about vaccines

Health chief Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is on tour to tout his MAHA food initiatives and drug pricing over vaccines, an issue GOP pollsters see as a liability.

washingtonpost.com

We had devastating cuts to @washingtonpost. Our health team of 14 lost 9 reporters yesterday despite it being listed as part of the Post’s new focus. But I still have my job. Along w/a core team, we are still dedicated to covering public health, holding the powerful to account.

"While children in California, which does not allow for nonmedical vaccine exemptions, are vaccinated against measles at 96 percent, there is not a single county in Idaho, Louisiana, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah or Wisconsin whose kindergarten rates meet herd immunity protection."

Caitlin Gilbert@caitlingilbert.bsky.social · 7mo ago

EXCLUSIVE: @laurenweberhp.bsky.social & I have spent the last year collecting school+county-level vaccination data from across the US and found that only about 28% of counties now have herd immunity for kindergartners from measles—that leaves about 5.2mn kids unprotected. Gift link: wapo.st/49zDc43

“Bobby has asked for the following changes,” top Kennedy aide emailed HHS officials. Email reveals his previously undisclosed role in seeking vaccine policy changes in a highly unusual way, per experts/former/current officials. W/ @lenasun.bsky.social @laurenweberhp.bsky.social wapo.st/48YSPC1

How RFK Jr. upended the public health system

Interviews with almost 100 people reveal how Kennedy, as health secretary, has reshaped the vaccine and broader public health infrastructure in less than a year.

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