Dr. Georges Benjamin, head of the American Public Health Association, says since day one, Kennedy has confirmed the “misgivings” people had about him.

The influx of cash comes as the nation’s health agencies cut grants, staff and budgets.

A year ago, the long-time anti-vaccine advocate and current US health secretary famously told The New York Times that a parasitic worm "got into my brain and ate a portion of it and then died." The ...