U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is seeking to eliminate public participation in many of his department's policy decisions, a move that appears to contradict his pledge to Congress of "radical transparency.

The move comes during a time of major upheaval across federal health agencies, and as the public waits to see how Kennedy will enact his pledge of “radical transparency” at the department.

Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is closing the main avenue for members of the public to weigh in on pending health regulations and policy changes. | The HHS secretary said the public feedback mechanism is an obligation that imposes burden on the department.

By Ahmed Aboulenein, Julie Steenhuysen and Michael Erman WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is seeking to eliminate public participation in many of his department's policy decisions,