The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission, established by President Trump through an executive order on February 13, has identified improving child health as its top priority. Its first report, released on May 22, examines the growing crisis of chronic illness among American children and outlines possible causes and policy responses. However, questions about the report’s credibility and its implications for agriculture have triggered widespread debate, especially in Kansas.
The report links the rise in childhood chronic disease to several interrelated factors, including poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, chronic stress, overuse of medication and exposure to harmful environmental chemicals. It warns that deteriorating child health may eventually threaten both national security and the economy. A second report is expected in August 2025.
One of the main focuses of the report is the role of environmental exposures in child health. It highlights widespread concerns about industrial chemicals, pesticides and other substances found in agriculture, consumer products and food packaging. The report pays particular attention to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) such as bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, glyphosate and chlorpyrifos — substances frequently found in plastics, herbicides and insecticides. These compounds, according to the report, have been detected in children’s blood and urine at concerning levels, especially during sensitive developmental stages.
While the report acknowledges that most food samples tested by the USDA met EPA safety limits, it questions whether current regulations properly account for the combined effects of multiple chemicals. It calls for updated research methods and improved risk assessments. In May 2024, the EPA took steps in this direction by finalizing a rule that revises how chemical safety is evaluated under the Toxic Substances Control Act. The rule emphasizes using the best available science and allows for the adoption of new research methods more easily.
Despite these moves, the MAHA Commission’s findings have been met with strong pushback from the agriculture sector. Even before the report’s release, more than 300 organizations — including Kansas-based groups like the Kansas Farm Bureau and Kansas Corn Growers Association — urged the Commission to rely on established science and regulatory systems. They voiced concern that the report might unfairly target modern farming practices, including pesticide use and biotechnology.
In April, Kansas lawmakers, including Senator Jerry Moran and Representatives Tracy Mann and Derek Schmidt, joined 76 others in a letter to federal agency leaders, echoing concerns from the agricultural community. They stressed the need to support farmers and avoid undermining public trust in American food safety. Following the report’s publication, national agriculture associations warned that misrepresentations in the report could damage collaboration with the industry and disrupt the food supply.
At a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on May 20, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated that the report does not threaten the agricultural business model. Still, industry groups expressed frustration, arguing that the report sends mixed messages. While it acknowledges the importance of farmers, they noted that few agricultural voices were included in the report’s creation. Kansas Corn Growers responded by reaffirming their efforts to inform policymakers about herbicide use and modern farming practices.
Senator Roger Marshall, who founded the MAHA Caucus in December 2024, responded by highlighting how many MAHA goals already reflect Kansas farming practices. The caucus supports priorities such as chronic disease prevention, regenerative agriculture and nutrition-focused health care.
The MAHA report has sparked a national conversation about child health, environmental safety and the future of agriculture. As reactions continue to emerge, stakeholders across health, science and farming remain divided over the report’s claims, its scientific grounding and its policy recommendations. The debate is far from over, and developments in the months ahead will shape how the MAHA initiative moves forward.
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