Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
He testified in the morning before the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee in the afternoon to discuss the government’s proposed budget. The appearances are Kennedy’s first testimony since the confirmation hearing in late January.
Here are some key points:
1. vaccine
Kennedy faces many problems with his controversial view of the vaccine. This includes Rep. Mark Pokan (D-Wisconsin), who asked if he would vaccinate his child with measles today. Kennedy said he “may” become measles, but later said his “thought on the vaccine is irrelevant.”
“I don’t think people should be taking medical advice from me,” he said, adding that he would list the pros and cons of the vaccine. Nor will he comment on whether he is going to vaccinate children with chickens or polio today.
Rep. Rosa Delauro (D-Connecticut) said she was “shocked” that Kennedy would not encourage families to inoculate children with measles, chicken pox and polio.
“Vaccines are one of the foundations of public health,” she said. “Yes, the fact that the Secretary of Health and Public Services refuses to encourage children to get vaccinated is a tragedy.”
During the Senate hearing, Senator Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut) also filmed his views on the vaccines. Murphy argued that he did not follow his promises at the confirmation hearing, including that he would not reduce the amount of money Congress spends on the vaccination program. He said Kennedy canceled a $12 billion grant from the U.S. to manage and track vaccines, and Kennedy asked, “When did I do that?”
Murphy also pushed Kennedy if he advised his family to get the child vaccinated.
Kennedy replied: “I won’t tell people that everything is safe and effective. If I know there is something wrong, I need to respect people’s wisdom.”
2. HHS layoffs and cutting
In her opening commentary, Delauro, a member of the House Appropriations Committee ranking, swings over the HHS, NIH, CDC and FDA amid the government’s cuts.
“With you at the helm, the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress are destroying the crown jewels of our health system: the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Food and Drug Administration,” she said. “At NIH, the world’s largest funder of saving biomedical research, you and Elon Musk (you and Elon Musk) have launched or driven away nearly 5,000 people, including some of the world’s most outstanding scientists.”
She added that Kennedy is “removing disease prevention, disease prevention program scores such as disease prevention, tobacco and gun violence.”
Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) also questioned the HHS cuts, especially those related to Alzheimer’s. She is the author of the Bold Act, which educates providers about Alzheimer’s disease and promotes early diagnosis.
“I have worked very hard to make sure HHS has the resources to implement this law, which has just been extended,” Collins said. “I am worried that the reduction of approximately 10,000 employees in HHS will completely undermine the bill.”
Kennedy said he will work with Collins while Alzheimer’s runs among his family.
3. Cut Medicaid
Rep. Josh Harder (D-California) urged Kennedy to Kennedy, noting that it would leave 50,000 people in his community without health insurance.
“Why do you think a community like me shouldn’t get the basic health care provided by Medicaid that you benefit from?” It’s even harder to question, referring to the addiction treatment that Kennedy has received in the past.
“I don’t know if you understand this or if you’re just talking about the key points of the Democratic Party’s conversation, Medicaid cuts are for fraud, waste and abuse,” Kennedy said.
Kennedy also believes that Medicaid is for children with poor, mothers and people with disabilities, and that adults who are capable and refuse to volunteer or find a job should not be eligible for Medicaid. A harder shot shows that the vast majority of Medicaid are working, and the addition of the Traditional Tape Festival will prevent people from visiting Medicaid.
Before the hearing, patient advocacy organizations responded to these comments on Medicaid job requirements.
Photo: Mikeylpt, Getty Images
