Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the anti-vaccine activist President Donald Trump nominated to guide the nation’s prime well being company, did little to win over his critics at two Senate affirmation hearings this week.
Democrats argued he’s not certified for the job. And by botching solutions to primary questions on well being coverage, Kennedy provided some proof.
It’s unsure whether or not Kennedy will get sufficient votes within the Senate to be confirmed because the secretary of Well being and Human Companies. Each Democrat and unbiased is predicted to vote in opposition to him, which means he can afford to lose solely three GOP votes.
Sen. Invoice Cassidy (R-La.), a doctor who sits on the Finance Committee and chairs the Senate Well being, Training, Labor and Pensions Committee, referred to as HELP, is seen because the essential vote.
He made some extent of highlighting the successes of vaccination and questioned whether or not Kennedy, as HHS secretary, would champion the lifesaving medicines he has spent years attacking.
Kennedy, 71, appeared earlier than Finance on Wednesday, backed by dozens of supporters carrying “Make America Wholesome Once more” shirts and hats. Advocates additionally cheered him on at Thursday’s listening to of Cassidy’s HELP Committee.
Over 3½ hours at Finance, Kennedy confused Medicare and Medicaid, the 2 largest authorities medical health insurance packages, which collectively cowl greater than a 3rd of Individuals however function very in another way. He additionally mistakenly mentioned that Medicaid is funded solely by the federal authorities. In truth, practically a 3rd of prices are paid by the states.
Kennedy, as lately as final yr a supporter of abortion rights, mentioned he agreed with Trump that “each abortion is a tragedy.”
Kennedy additionally mentioned he didn’t suppose HHS had “a regulation enforcement department.” The company can concern fines and penalties in opposition to well being suppliers who break the regulation.
He didn’t do significantly better Thursday at HELP, the place he couldn’t appropriately reply a query from Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) about how Medicare works.
Kennedy bought kid-glove therapy from most Republicans on each Senate panels, with a number of searching for (and receiving) assurances that he would prioritize rural well being care or depart alone federal insurance policies that have an effect on farmworkers.
However Cassidy was an exception. On the Finance listening to, he unsuccessfully pressed Kennedy to say how he would enhance look after individuals enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid, usually known as twin eligibles, for whom the federal government has struggled to coordinate care and management prices.
Opening the HELP listening to, Cassidy made clear to Kennedy that he helps vaccines and that he expects the U.S. well being secretary to help them as effectively, but he couldn’t persuade the nominee to disavow debunked conspiracies that childhood vaccines trigger autism.
The Finance Committee plans a vote subsequent week; HELP doesn’t vote on HHS nominees.
On the shut of Thursday’s listening to, Cassidy mentioned he would take the weekend to contemplate his vote. “Will you proceed what you’ve been, or will you overturn a brand new leaf at age 70?” Cassidy mentioned.
