Discovering the MAHA Moms Coalition

My interest in the MAHA Moms began about eight months ago. As I navigated through various groups like Moms Across America and MAHA Mommas, I stumbled upon the MAHA Moms Coalition—a “national phone tree” aimed at uniting Americans in advocating for children’s health, focusing on “people, not profits.”

This Coalition, which attracts over 10 million online visits each month, seemed to resonate with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Moreover, their mission, as outlined on their website, embraces a broader and more inclusive vision: promoting comprehensive, non-pharmacological self-care and community support, environmental cleanliness, and addressing the healthcare needs of everyone, especially marginalized groups. They also emphasize empowering all Americans in decision-making regarding health.

Their initiatives closely mirrored the causes I’ve been passionate about and advocating for over the last fifty years—issues echoed by the 95 million adults estimated by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) who rely on alternative forms of healthcare that aren’t covered by insurance.

When the MAHA Moms publicly opposed President Trump’s Executive Order from February 18, 2026, which facilitated the production of glyphosate, a known carcinogenic herbicide—an order Trump backed despite RFK Jr.’s previous lawsuit against its manufacturer—I was quite taken aback. Their persistent resistance, especially after facing exclusion from Administration meetings, further convinced me that I needed to learn more about them.

On some levels, our differences appeared significant, yet upon reflection, I recognized we shared many commonalities. I felt a curiosity to learn about these women and explore if there was a chance for collaboration with others who also desired change but had reservations about some of Secretary Kennedy’s policies.

It turned out that the group consisted of healthcare providers from Orange County who identified themselves as mothers. They initially connected at the MAHA Ball celebration during Trump’s inauguration and shared a cautious stance towards government involvement in health, similar to Kennedy.

I’m a dad too, and I also have a background as a psychiatrist based in Washington, D.C., with years of research at the National Institute of Mental Health. Throughout my career, I’ve been appointed to various significant roles, including leading an NIH advisory council and serving on a White House Commission.

Despite our differing backgrounds, the MAHA Moms displayed a clear commitment to contesting the medical establishment’s frequently limited understanding of health and healing. They, like me, sought to prioritize preventive and non-pharmacological methods over the quick prescriptions of medication often renowned for their side effects. They notably criticized the expansive prescription of antidepressants for children—a concern I share with numerous fellow psychiatrists and psychologists.

They advocated for midwifery, extended maternity leave, and continuous support for new families, highlighting urgent issues like the alarming increase in maternal deaths among Black women in the U.S. Additionally, they expressed the necessity of prioritizing personal growth and critical thinking, ideas I felt resonated with my beliefs and those of many physicians I know, standing in contrast to some Trump administration policies.

Essentially, they were reaching out to anyone recognizing the shortcomings in our healthcare system and fostering a grassroots movement that could attract supporters from various political backgrounds.

The MAHA Moms Coalition didn’t promote a single-payer system like the Physicians National Health Plan, but they emphasized patient-first approaches that the PNP often lacked, broadening their appeal significantly. Their focus on the genuine needs and aspirations of American mothers and their families distinguished them from other holistic and integrative healthcare groups I was aware of, and they were already contributing their perspectives in administrative discussions.

When I got in touch, the leadership of the MAHA Moms Coalition welcomed my inquiry with open arms, eager to share their insights and future plans.

Lindsey Meehleis, one of the founders and a certified professional midwife with two decades of experience, reminded me—echoing lessons I’d learned decades ago—that midwives generally experienced fewer complications and greater patient satisfaction in low-risk births compared to OBGYNs. She passionately described childbirth as a “profound rite of passage” and advocated for the kind of long-term family support that many European nations provide but is largely absent in the U.S.

Another founder, Eden James, became a “vaccine skeptic” after her infant son experienced a life-threatening reaction following a Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccination. She committed herself to non-pharmacological methods—like diet and acupuncture—to help her son recover from various health issues that arose afterward. Over time, Eden directed her analytical efforts toward addressing the harmful effects of pesticides and herbicides on public health.

Kathryn Allen, an advisor within the Coalition, holds a Master’s in public health and has worked with major health centers to develop programs for older adults and those with chronic illnesses, combining yoga and nutrition with evidence-based mind-body techniques. She is dedicated to promoting community-based models of integrative care in her county and encouraging similar initiatives nationwide.

As I delved deeper into discussions with them, I noted the Coalition’s hesitance to provide a more nuanced criticism of Kennedy’s vaccine policies or sufficiently address recent cuts to SNAP benefits. Additionally, I was concerned about some social media posts that, in my view, lacked the critical nuance seen in their public statements.

Nonetheless, the leaders were open to my concerns and acknowledged the necessity of refining their public messaging. Collaborating with a group striving for a more informed and humane approach to health felt promising, especially since they consistently positioned themselves as non-partisan—“MAHA is not MAGA”—which suggested they could foster a broader bipartisan platform. I hoped to assist them in seizing that opportunity.

Then, in May, The New York Times published two Opinion pieces, one featuring a discussion among a group of columnists, and the other a solo piece. While I was initially pleased to see attention given to the topic, my satisfaction quickly turned to anger. In the “Discussion,” writer Tressie McMillan Cottom labeled the MAHA Moms as leaning toward “ecofascism.” A few days later, she reiterated this assertion in her solo column, stating that the Coalition was fundamentally based on “ecofascist motherhood politics.”

I felt outraged. How could a prominent columnist make such severe accusations without offering a definition or any supporting evidence? Why did the other panelists seem to tacitly support this claim?

Moreover, I felt personally betrayed. I had long respected The Times, having grown up in Manhattan where it shaped much of my understanding of journalism. Throughout the years, they had published many of my works. After writing a letter expressing my frustration about the pieces, The Times chose not to publish it.

When I shared those Opinion pieces with the leaders of the MAHA Moms Coalition, they weren’t surprised. They had grown accustomed to similar treatment from The Times and other mainstream outlets.

For me, the accusations from The Times were troubling, yet they also motivated me to act. It felt like the Opinion section’s dismissive remarks were indicative of the elitism many Americans encounter. More significantly, I sensed an underlying divisiveness that refuses to acknowledge common ground—fostering conflict rather than understanding.

I’m eager to continue working alongside the MAHA Moms as they develop their education, research, and healthcare initiatives while expanding their outreach to individuals across various political affiliations. It feels imperative that we all find common ground and collaborate for the healthcare we deserve.

Ultimately, I hope the compassion and understanding driving the MAHA Mom Coalition can bridge the misunderstandings and divisions that currently seem to afflict our nation.