HHS Reaches Out to the Community and Dr. Oz is Confirmed!
This past Thursday, April 3, Dr. Mehmet Oz was confirmed as the head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. In his new position, he will manage health insurance programs for roughly half the country and oversee Medicare, Medicaid, and Affordable Care Act coverage. Dr. Oz received his undergraduate degree from Harvard University and obtained a joint M.D. and MBA from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and Wharton Business School. A renowned heart surgeon, Dr. Oz is the author of eight New York Times Best Sellers, including the “YOU: The Owner’s Manual” series, and founded the Hearst magazine titled “The Good Life.” In 2003, Dr. Oz founded Healthcorps, which emulates Peacecorps by putting energetic recent college graduates into high schools nationwide to teach diet, fitness, and mental resilience. He has raised $100 million to help 3 million teens with this nationwide program. Dr. Oz resides in Pennsylvania with his wife, Lisa Oz, and is a proud father of four and grandfather of five children.
Secretary Kennedy Embarks on MAHA Tour!
It’s time to get to work, and the best way to do that is in your local community! HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., will embark on a multi-state tour from April 7 through April 9 to celebrate MAHA initiatives in the Southwest. He will meet with elected officials, tribal leaders, nutrition experts, and charter school visionaries as he works to fulfill President Trump’s promise to Make America Healthy Again. Here’s what is on the agenda!
MAHA Legislation: Secretary Kennedy will celebrate new state laws that ban ultra-processed foods and dyes in public schools, restrict SNAP purchases of candy and soda, and ban the addition of fluoride to public drinking water.
Health Centers: Secretary Kennedy will visit two health centers, including a teaching kitchen to train medical students and a nutrition-based health clinic for chronic disease management.
Tribal Health & Self-Governance: Secretary Kennedy will participate in a fireside chat highlighting the role of tribal self-governance in advancing patient care, innovation, and community wealth.
Navajo Nation Engagement: Secretary Kennedy will meet with Navajo Nation leadership to discuss food sovereignty initiatives, wellness programs, and the first-ever junk food tax implemented by a tribe.
Charter School: Secretary Kennedy will visit a Pre-K to 11th grade charter school that integrates healthy eating and physical fitness into its daily student life.
As part of the Make America Healthy Again agenda, @SecKennedy and @SecRollins visited Ferdinand T. Day Elementary School in Alexandria, Virginia, today to tour its innovative school lunch program. They saw firsthand how the school provides nutritious meals and empowers students… pic.twitter.com/3X6DMSZe4q
— HHS.gov (@HHSGov) April 3, 2025
MAHA was there to capture moments from the event in Utah!
On March 27, 2025, Governor Spencer Cox signed three landmark public health bills, each supported by MAHA, into law:
— MAHA Action (@MAHAAction) April 8, 2025
🔹House Bill 124: Utah becomes the first U.S. state to prohibit the addition of fluoride to public drinking water, a significant step toward increased health… pic.twitter.com/GBgEVoxjlP
Ken Paxton Holds Kellogg’s Accountable
How could Kellogg’s say their cereal is “healthy” when we know it contains unhealthy ingredients?
This weekend, Attorney General Ken Paxton of Texas announced that he has launched an investigation into Kellogg’s for potentially breaking the law after falsely claiming to remove unhealthy dyes from their products. The investigation stems from statements Kellogg’s made in 2018 promising to remove artificial colors and flavors by the end of 2018. While it appears they’ve done so in other countries, they are still using different types of blue, red, yellow, green, and orange artificial food colorings here in the United States.
This speaks to the power of MAHA. Without loud voices and passionate action, this would never be at the forefront, and brave legislators and Attorneys General would not be empowered and supported to act. MAHA commends AG Paxton for taking a hard stand to ensure that big corporations remain accountable to their consumers and are held to a standard of honesty in advertising. In a press release over the weekend, Paxton said:
“A critical part of fighting for our children’s future is putting an end to companies’ deceptive practices that are aimed at misleading parents and families about the health of food products. Artificial food colorings have been shown to have disastrous impacts on health, and in no world should foods that include these dyes be advertised as ‘healthy.’ There will be accountability for any company, including Kellogg’s, that unlawfully makes misrepresentations about its food and contributes to a broken health system that has made Americans less healthy.”
Passionate Health Freedom Activists Score MASSIVE Victory
This week, Idaho passed the first medical freedom bill in the nation. Leslie Manookian, president of the Health Freedom Defense Fund, authored the bill, which is sweeping in nature. It guarantees the bodily autonomy of every man, woman, and child in the state and codifies parents' rights in the process. The bill makes it illegal for any business in the state to refuse to provide service, transportation, or admission to a venue based on receiving (or not receiving) a medical intervention. They also aren't permitted to require an individual to have certain (cough cough) medical interventions as a term of continued or fresh employment. Additionally, school kids in Idaho are PROTECTED! The bill text states that unless required by federal law, no school can require any medical intervention for attendance or employment. And, to make the cherry drop right on top, the government can't withhold benefits, services, licenses, permits, employment, or transportation based on someone's “status.” It wasn’t an easy battle, and it came down to the wire, but the bill is pretty near perfect. You can check it out here.
This really is a testament to what the grassroots can do. Without your activism, none of this is possible. Leslie shared some of the details of the journey, as well as the ups and downs, in a Rumble video. We encourage you to watch it and be inspired by what is attainable with hard work, passion, and dedication to the cause.
Speaking of activism…
MAHA Bills to Watch:
Here are some bills we want you to watch and get engaged with! MAHA needs you to step up in your state and fight right alongside of us:
Delaware -
SB69: VERDICT: MAHA SUPPORTS
This bill amends Delaware's education code to prohibit school districts and charter schools from selling or serving any foods or beverages containing Red dye 40 (a synthetic food coloring) on campus during the school day. The bill provides detailed definitions for key terms such as "campus" (the school property accessible to students during school hours), "competitive food" (foods and beverages sold through school nutrition programs outside of standard meals), and "school day" (midnight before to 30 minutes after the official school day ends). The legislation references federal nutrition program definitions for "breakfast" and "lunch" and gives the Department of Education authority to create rules and regulations for implementing this restriction. The bill will become effective immediately but will be implemented starting July 1, 2026. It allows schools and food service providers time to adjust their menus and food sourcing to comply with the new requirements. The primary aim is reducing students' exposure to this specific artificial food coloring, potentially due to health concerns associated with Red dye 40.
The MAHA “Why?” - MAHA supports this bill as it prioritizes the health and well-being of students by reducing their exposure to Red Dye 40, an artificial food coloring associated with potential health risks. The bill takes a proactive step in fostering healthier school environments by prohibiting the sale and serving of foods and beverages containing this dye during the school day. The timeline for implementation allows schools adequate time to adjust their food offerings, making it a reasonable and responsible measure to ensure students have access to better nutrition.
Arkansas:
SB217: VERDICT: MAHA SUPPORTS
This bill requires the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) to request a waiver from the United States Department of Agriculture to exclude candy and soft drinks from foods that can be purchased using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The bill defines "candy" and "soft drinks" according to existing state tax code definitions. It mandates that if the waiver is granted, the DHS Secretary must prohibit SNAP recipients from using their benefits to purchase these items. If the initial waiver request is denied, the Secretary must submit a new one each year until approval is successfully obtained. The goal of the bill is to improve nutritional choices for SNAP participants by preventing the use of government nutrition assistance funds for items typically considered unhealthy. The proposed change would apply to the current federal regulation defining eligible foods (7 C.F.R. § 271.2) as it exists on January 1, 2025, representing a proactive approach to potential nutritional policy reform within the SNAP program.
The MAHA “Why?” MAHA supports this bill as it seeks to improve the nutritional choices of SNAP recipients by restricting the use of government benefits for candy and soft drinks, items often associated with poor dietary choices. By requesting a waiver from the USDA, the bill aims to better align the program with public health goals, encouraging healthier food options and reducing the consumption of items linked to obesity and related health issues. This proactive approach reflects a commitment to improving long-term health outcomes for individuals relying on SNAP benefits.
South Carolina
S1023: VERDICT: MAHA SUPPORTS
This bill seeks to prohibit healthcare professionals in South Carolina from administering synthetic mRNA-based gene therapies, primarily targeting vaccines like those used for COVID-19, based on concerns about potential health risks. The legislation defines synthetic mRNA-based gene therapies as medical products that introduce foreign genetic material into human cells to produce a medical effect, and specifically applies to mRNA technologies intended to prevent or mitigate communicable disease transmission. Healthcare professionals who violate this prohibition would face a mandatory minimum one-year license suspension, with potential additional penalties determined by their professional licensing board. The bill provides exceptions for mRNA therapies that treat non-infectious diseases like genetic conditions or cancer, traditional vaccines, FDA-authorized recombinant vaccines, and FDA-authorized genetic therapies that do not use synthetic mRNA technology. The legislation stems from concerns about potential long-term health risks, including possible genomic modifications, inadequate safety studies, undisclosed contaminants, and potential transmission of side effects through "shedding." Professional licensing boards are required to report any violations to the Department of Public Health, which must maintain records for at least seven years and provide annual reports to the General Assembly. The act would take effect upon the Governor's approval.
The MAHA “Why?” MAHA Action supports this bill as it aims to safeguard public health by restricting the use of synthetic mRNA-based gene therapies in South Carolina, particularly in response to concerns about their potential long-term health risks. By providing clear exceptions for certain treatments and ensuring professional accountability through mandatory reporting and penalties for violations, the legislation strikes a balance between patient safety and the advancement of medical technologies. This bill also reinforces the importance of robust oversight and transparency in administering new medical therapies, giving patients and healthcare professionals confidence in their decision-making.
Community and Camaraderie!
Earth Day is on April 22, and in the spirit of MAHA, we would love to see YOU take action in your community to organize events. Earth Day events are a great way to reconnect with your friends and bring new people into the MAHA mission. We encourage everyone to take the opportunity to re-engage and spread the word about MAHA!
Looking for an event in your area? Make sure to check out our events page!
What’s on the Horizon?
April 11-13th in San Diego, CA
MAHA will have an exhibition booth, and Del Bigtree will be the headlining speaker. Please consider supporting this important event and visit us if you are attending.
Changing Life and Destiny 2025
April 25th-27th in Plano, TX
MAHA will have a booth at this event, and Del Bigtree will speak!
Feed The Recovering Brain Summit 2025: Exposing the Fatal Flaws in Addiction Treatment
April 30th - May 2nd, in Dublin, OH
The Feed The Recovering Brain Summit 2025 is ripping the lid off conventional addiction treatment. For three days, we’ll expose the limitations of the current approach, reveal the research, and explore a radical yet scientifically backed truth: food, amino acids, and targeted nutrients can rebuild the addicted brain and dramatically cut relapse rates.
This isn’t just another conference—it’s a battle cry. The Feed The Recovering Brain Summit 2025: Powerful Nutritional Strategies for Effective Addiction Treatment & Sustained Recovery brings together leading experts in nutritional neuroscience, addiction recovery, and holistic healing, all pushing back against the status quo. These professionals will dismantle myths, challenge pharmaceutical dominance, and reveal cutting-edge solutions that rehab centers don’t talk about.
THE MAHA PODCAST:
We’ve been sold a picture of health that’s anything but healthy.
In the newest episode of The MAHA Podcast, Del Bigtree sits down with Clovis founder and health coach Justin Nault—and what he uncovers will change how you see everything from calorie counting to chronic illness.
"We’re suffering from a low-energy epidemic—and we’re teaching people to stay there."
Justin pulls back the curtain on the medical system’s greatest lie: that energy, not discipline, is the missing ingredient in your health.
🚨 What you’ll learn in this eye-opening conversation:
➜Why calorie deficits and crash diets are keeping you sick
➜How seed oils and baby formula expose a broken FDA and food system
➜Why infertility, depression, and obesity all trace back to the same root cause
➜How to escape the trap of toxic self-help and comparison culture
➜The one mirror exercise that’s helping people reclaim their health—and their lives
This isn’t about willpower. It’s about reclaiming your energy and rewriting the story you’ve been told about your body. You can find the podcast on our website!
Thanks for reading this edition of Well Sourced - your place for everything MAHA!
