RFK Jr. Kicks Off “Take Back Your Health” Tour in Pennsylvania With “Eat Real Food” Push
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. launched his “Take Back Your Health” tour in Pennsylvania, advocating for dietary changes and addressing food accessibility issues.
Updated: 6:08 PM EST Jan 21, 2026
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. launched his “Take Back Your Health” tour at the state Capitol rotunda in Pennsylvania, urging Americans to “Eat Real Food” by promoting new dietary guidelines that emphasize more protein from animal sources, more whole foods, and fewer processed and packaged foods. Kennedy acknowledged Pennsylvania farmers in his message. Democratic State Rep. Mary Isaacson highlighted a significant barrier to accessing healthy food, especially in Pennsylvania. “With many of the food deserts that exist in rural and urban areas here in Pennsylvania, the only food that is available is what’s in your Dollar General or your corner store,” Isaacson said.Kennedy responded by stating they plan to require that every outlet that accepts food stamps double the amount of real food that it sells in their facilities.Most attendees cheered Kennedy on, although some defended Medicaid. Medical professionals argue that affordability is only possible through programs like Medicare and Medicaid. Democratic State Rep. and nurse practitioner Tarik Khan expressed concern about insurance access, saying, “We should be focused on the big picture, keeping people healthy by keeping them on health insurance, keeping them with access to preventative medicine so they can get medication, they can take vaccinations.”Kennedy has reduced the number of required vaccinations from 18 to 11, a move that some supporters believe should not be a partisan issue. Mark Fairchild from Lansdowne, Pa., who was there supporting Kennedy said, “I think the concern is safety. It’s not a question being anti-vaccine.”Kennedy concluded by emphasizing the need for change, saying, “We can’t subsidize sickness forever, and we can’t accept a future where chronic disease is the status quo. And I want to thank particularly President Trump and the work of this administration, with their help and leadership. We’re going to make America healthy again.”
HARRISBURG, Pa. —
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. launched his “Take Back Your Health” tour at the state Capitol rotunda in Pennsylvania, urging Americans to “Eat Real Food” by promoting new dietary guidelines that emphasize more protein from animal sources, more whole foods, and fewer processed and packaged foods. Kennedy acknowledged Pennsylvania farmers in his message.
Democratic State Rep. Mary Isaacson highlighted a significant barrier to accessing healthy food, especially in Pennsylvania. “With many of the food deserts that exist in rural and urban areas here in Pennsylvania, the only food that is available is what’s in your Dollar General or your corner store,” Isaacson said.
Kennedy responded by stating they plan to require that every outlet that accepts food stamps double the amount of real food that it sells in their facilities.
Most attendees cheered Kennedy on, although some defended Medicaid. Medical professionals argue that affordability is only possible through programs like Medicare and Medicaid. Democratic State Rep. and nurse practitioner Tarik Khan expressed concern about insurance access, saying, “We should be focused on the big picture, keeping people healthy by keeping them on health insurance, keeping them with access to preventative medicine so they can get medication, they can take vaccinations.”
Kennedy has reduced the number of required vaccinations from 18 to 11, a move that some supporters believe should not be a partisan issue. Mark Fairchild from Lansdowne, Pa., who was there supporting Kennedy said, “I think the concern is safety. It’s not a question being anti-vaccine.”
Kennedy concluded by emphasizing the need for change, saying, “We can’t subsidize sickness forever, and we can’t accept a future where chronic disease is the status quo. And I want to thank particularly President Trump and the work of this administration, with their help and leadership. We’re going to make America healthy again.”