HHS Voicemail Incident Highlights Tensions Over Animal Testing Funding

A recent incident at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has drawn attention after a staff member altered the agency's voicemail to mimic a message from Domino's Pizza. This change occurred following a significant influx of protest calls from supporters of the White Coat Waste Project (WCWP), a nonprofit organization advocating against taxpayer-funded animal testing. The group urged its followers to contact HHS and demand the cessation of funding for cat testing at a National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded lab at the University of Missouri.

Mediaite

The voicemail switch happened after WCWP's social media campaign, which specifically named HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and provided phone numbers for supporters to call. Initially, calls were answered or directed to a standard voicemail, but by Tuesday, callers were greeted with the unexpected message, “Thank you for calling Domino’s Pizza.” Justin Goodman, WCWP's Senior Vice President, criticized the action, stating, “Torturing puppies with our tax dollars isn’t funny, but people at HHS apparently think it is.”

The Independent

HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon characterized the voicemail change as an “unauthorized action by a rogue employee” and confirmed that the phone line has since returned to normal functionality. However, he did not clarify whether any disciplinary actions would be taken against the staff member involved. Goodman expressed dissatisfaction with this response, suggesting it reflected a broader pattern of dismissiveness from HHS towards WCWP's concerns.

The Hill

During a Senate Small Business subcommittee hearing, the incident was highlighted when WCWP played the voicemail for Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa). Ernst reacted negatively, stating, “That’s not okay. Actually, it makes my stomach turn.” This incident has sparked discussions regarding the handling of taxpayer-funded animal testing and the agency's accountability.

Mediaite

The controversy comes amid ongoing debates about animal testing in research. While HHS under Kennedy has indicated a shift towards prioritizing animal welfare and reducing unnecessary animal testing, critics argue that significant funding continues to support such practices. Goodman pointed out that the NIH has allocated over $126 million for animal testing since Kennedy took office, raising concerns about transparency and ethical considerations in government-funded research.

The Independent

While the HHS has stated that the voicemail incident was an isolated act, Goodman claims it reflects a systemic issue within the agency. The lack of clarity regarding potential disciplinary actions against the staff member involved remains a point of contention.

The Hill

• “Torturing puppies with our tax dollars isn’t funny, but people at HHS apparently think it is,” — Justin Goodman, Senior Vice President, White Coat Waste Project

The Hill

• “Actually, it makes my stomach turn,” — Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa)

The Independent

This incident underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding animal testing funding and the responses from government agencies to public outcry.

The Hill