FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 9, 2025
CONTACT:
Aaron Bharucha, Public Relations Associate
(509) 429-1699 and epn-press@environmentalprotectionnetwork.org
MAHA Report Fails America’s Children
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the White House released the Make America Healthy Again Commission report.
Environmental Protection Network issued the following response from Dr. Betsy Southerland, the former Director of the Office of Science and Technology in EPA’s Office of Water. Dr. Southerland retired after 30 years at EPA and now volunteers her expertise with the Environmental Protection Network:
“The MAHA report has a tumor-sized gap because it completely ignores the toxic assault on children’s health that is underway at EPA and fails to address pesticides,” said Dr. Southerland. “The food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe are going to get more toxic and more dangerous because of what’s happening at EPA.”
“The administration is doing the exact opposite of what they are saying,” continued Dr. Southerland. “For example, President Trump has already exempted more than 100 specific facilities, including some of the nation’s largest chemical plants, from clean air standards, which will result in significantly higher cancer risk for those who live, work and play near these facilities. And EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin is weakening EPA’s plans to protect drinking water from dangerous forever chemicals, including PFAS.”
About Betsy Southerland: Dr. Elizabeth Southerland was with the EPA for 30 years, serving as director of science and technology in the agency’s Office of Water, before retiring in 2017. She has remained active on environmental issues as a member of the Environmental Protection Network, and regularly testifies before Congress about clean water issues, PFAS, and emerging, unregulated contaminants. Dr. Southerland is available to speak to the media about the report and its effects on public health and the environment.
###
ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION NETWORK
Founded in 2017, the Environmental Protection Network harnesses the expertise of more than 650 former EPA career staff and confirmation-level appointees from Democratic and Republican administrations to provide the unique perspective of former scientists and regulators with decades of historical and subject matter knowledge.