RFK Jr faces tough questions on Medicaid and Medicare in tense Senate confirmation hearing

During a tense confirmation hearing for the position of the nation’s top health official, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. struggled to respond to questions regarding potential reforms for Medicaid and Medicare, the government health care programmes relied upon by millions of disabled, low-income, and elderly Americans.

According to The Associated Press, Republican Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, a physician and a crucial vote for Kennedy, repeatedly pressed him on Wednesday to outline his plans for reforming Medicaid, a multibillion-dollar taxpayer-funded programme that provides health care for approximately 80 million individuals, including children.

Republicans have suggested that substantial cuts to Medicaid may be necessary to finance President Donald Trump’s proposals.

“I don’t have a broad proposal for dismantling the programme,” The Associated Press quoted Kennedy as saying.

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Kennedy also inaccurately said Medicaid is fully funded by the federal government, when in fact, it is financed by both state and federal taxpayers. He further claimed that most Americans have opted for a Medicare Advantage plan, despite the reality that only about 1 in 10 Americans have done so.

His inaccuracies about the programme were interspersed with his proposals to promote the privatisation of these health care programmes, insisting that most Americans prefer private insurance and are dissatisfied with the government-run versions.

Kennedy aims to lead the $1.7 trillion Department of Health and Human Services, which is responsible for overseeing vaccine recommendations, food inspections, hospital regulation, and funding for numerous community health clinics.

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In sometimes heated exchanges on Wednesday, Kennedy denied that he is anti-vaccine. But Kennedy, who pointed out that his children are vaccinated, acknowledged he has asked “uncomfortable questions” about vaccinations.

“I believe that vaccines play a critical role in health care,” Kennedy was quoted as saying to the Senate Finance Committee.

Republicans did not ask Kennedy about his vaccine views during the first hour of the hearing.

But Democrats homed in, with Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon pointing out that Kennedy has previously claimed there’s “no safe”  vaccine, initiating a back and forth between him and Kennedy. Wyden also quoted from Kennedy’s books, which say that parents have been “misled"on the measles vaccine.

“You have spent years pushing conflicting stories about vaccines,” Wyden said.

Over many years, Kennedy has been clear about his beliefs on vaccines in dozens of interviews, podcasts and social media posts.

He’s headed up a nonprofit that has sued the government over its authorisations of vaccines.

He’s said there is “no vaccine that is safe and effective” and repeatedly called for further study of routine childhood vaccinations, despite decades of research and real-world use that proves they’ve safely prevented disease.

Republicans narrowed in on questions about agriculture, food and the abortion pill, which many women access over telehealth.

Kennedy tried to assure senators that he would not seek widespread bans on vaccines or food, saying he wants to provide more information to people.

“I don’t want to take food away from anybody,” he said. “If you like a cheeseburger – a McDonald’s cheeseburger and a diet Coke like my boss — you should be able to get them.”

Kennedy hails from one of the nation’s most storied political families and is the son of the late Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and the nephew of President John F. Kennedy. He first challenged President Joe Biden for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination. He then ran as an independent but abandoned his bid over the summer after striking a deal to endorse Trump, a Republican, in exchange for a promise to serve in a health policy role during a second Trump administration.

Trump selected Kennedy in November, shortly after he won the presidential election, saying Kennedy would “end the Chronic Disease epidemic” and “Make America Great and Healthy Again!” As one of the most prominent anti-vaccine activists in the world, Kennedy’s nomination immediately alarmed some public health officials.

With inputs from agencies