WHIC Forum Spotlights MAHA Commission Report and Shifts in HHS Policy

On May 22, the Washington Health Innovation Council (WHIC) held a fantastic forum, generously hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, featuring a timely briefing on the newly released MAHA Commission Report. We were honored to have Darcie Johnston, Acting Director of Intergovernmental and External Affairs at HHS and representative of Secretary RFK Jr., join us immediately after the White House unveiling to provide insights and answer questions from attendees.

One of the key issues highlighted by Darcie was the removal of the COVID vaccine requirement for healthy pregnant women and children. This decision reflects a broader shift under new leadership at HHS, FDA, and NIH—moving away from controversial past policies and focusing on protecting the most vulnerable populations.

WHIC members also discussed the role of innovative tools, including therapeutics, AI-enabled diagnostics, and vaccines, emphasizing solutions that support health outcomes without imposing non-science-based mandates. The conversation underscored the importance of collaboration between policymakers, health agencies, and innovators to advance patient-centered, evidence-based strategies.

Thank you to all who participated and contributed to this important dialogue. This meeting highlights WHIC’s ongoing commitment to keeping members informed about the latest developments in health policy and innovation.