Pocan Calls on Sec. Kennedy to Delay Shutting Down the LGBTQ+ Suicide Hotline, Keep His Word & Meet

July 16, 2025 Press Release WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02) released the following statement after Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. promised to discuss at a House Appropriations Committee hearing on May 14, 2025. At that time, Kennedy stated that he was ‘happy to talk about it’ further with Pocan. Since then, multiple attempts to reach out to your office have gone unanswered. “This hotline has already saved countless lives. Unfortunately, in June, Secretary Kennedy’s agency announced plans to terminate the dedicated LGBTQ+ lifeline by July 17, 2025. Since that announcement, my office has reached out multiple times to request a meeting with him to discuss this proposed plan, based on his prior agreement to speak, but we have been unable to get a response. This shortsighted and dangerous plan undermines 988’s ability to provide tailored support for a population with a higher risk of suicide and will have lethal consequences if enacted. I urge the Secretary meet expeditiously to discuss this further.”