The timeline update adds a series of events documenting federal actions and developments in U.S. health policy from late September through mid-November 2025. The new entries outline statements from federal officials, regulatory decisions, agency directives, and workforce changes involving the Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC, and the FDA.
Key additions include remarks from the President and the HHS Secretary regarding autism and medication safety; several reviews or revisions of vaccine-related policies; polling data on public views of HHS leadership; and actions affecting access to abortion and reproductive-health medications.
The update also includes reporting on the cancellation of federal mRNA research contracts, FDA approvals and enforcement actions, and rulings from federal courts regarding agency conduct. Additional entries describe layoffs at the CDC, congressional responses to those layoffs, and demonstrations by health workers. Several November updates also note new federal programs, international policy initiatives, and leadership changes within the FDA.
New Timeline Entries
September
- Sept 21, 2025 — Experts preempt expected HHS announcement regarding autism and Tylenol.
- Sept 22, 2025 — President issues warning to pregnant women regarding Tylenol and autism.
- Sept 24, 2025 — Quinnipiac poll released on public approval of HHS Secretary Kennedy.
- Sept 24, 2025 — RFK Jr. launches FDA review of abortion pill.
- Sept 24, 2025 — Reporting on cancellation of HHS mRNA research contracts; continued DoD funding.
- Sept 24, 2025 — FDA approval of leucovorin for autism.
- Sept 26, 2025 — Administration considers adding autism-related claims to VICP.
- Sept 30, 2025 — ACIP removal of MMRV from childhood vaccine schedule.
October
- Oct 4, 2025 — Former CDC official characterizes leadership changes under RFK Jr.
- Oct 6, 2025 — CDC adopts individual-based COVID vaccination; adds standalone varicella shot.
- Oct 12, 2025 — HHS layoffs affecting CDC workers.
- Oct 27, 2025 — House Committee letter regarding HHS layoffs.
- Oct 28, 2025 — FDA withholds drug names tied to contaminated manufacturing sites.
- Oct 30, 2025 — Federal ruling on FDA mifepristone restrictions.
- Oct 31, 2025 — FDA restricts fluoride supplements for children.
- Oct 31, 2025 — FDA action announced against unapproved fluoride drug products.
November
- Nov 2, 2025 — FDA drug-center head resigns amid federal investigation.
- Nov 3, 2025 — RFK Jr. calls for global removal of thiomersal from vaccines.
- Nov 5, 2025 — HHS directs Medicaid immigration-status reviews by states.
- Nov 5, 2025 — All states apply for Rural Health Transformation Program.
- Nov 6, 2025 — Public health worker march calling for RFK Jr.’s removal.
- Nov 6, 2025 — Launch of GENEROUS Medicaid drug-payment model.
- Nov 7, 2025 — CDC scrutiny of childhood vaccine schedule noted.
- Nov 10, 2025 — FDA removes menopause hormone-therapy black-box warnings (except endometrial).
- Nov 11, 2025 — Richard Pazdur appointed CDER director.
Citation
@article{infoepi_lab2025,
author = {{InfoEpi Lab}},
publisher = {Information Epidemiology Lab},
title = {HHS {Tracker} {Update} {Notes}},
journal = {InfoEpi Lab},
date = {2025-09-22},
url = {https://infoepi.org/posts/2025/11/16-hhs-tracker-update.html},
langid = {en}
}