Top Health-Related Issues at RFK Jr.’s HHS Nomination Hearing

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. confronted a barrage of hostile questions Wednesday from Senate Democrats at his affirmation listening to to be the subsequent secretary of well being and human providers. 

In his opening assertion, Kennedy advised the Senate Finance Committee that he had gotten on his knees and prayed to God to assist him finish America’s persistent illness epidemic. His nomination to steer the Division of Well being and Human Companies was an answered prayer.

All through the listening to, Kennedy likened the well being disaster within the nation to a sinking ship, and the scion of the distinguished political household thanked his supporters, together with “Make America Wholesome Once more” mothers who’ve introduced renewed consideration to the scenario. How Kennedy is getting ready to handle that disaster if confirmed was mentioned at Wednesday morning’s listening to.

1. On Well being Disaster in US 

In a lighter second in the course of the listening to, the son of Nineteen Sixties-era Lawyer Basic Robert Kennedy made clear that he wouldn’t be banning President Donald Trump’s favourite meals.

“Should you like a McDonald’s cheeseburger and a Food regimen Coke … it’s best to be capable to get them,” Kennedy advised the committee.

The HHS nominee talked at size concerning the unhealthy meals being fed to American kids. “We now have a direct potential to alter issues there,” he mentioned, referring to federal funding of packages that go to unhealthy meals. Kennedy talked about the Supplemental Vitamin Help Program—meals stamps—for instance.

He then waxed a bit philosophical. “A wholesome particular person has a thousand desires. A sick particular person has just one,” he mentioned.

The nominee additionally mentioned the statistics of American kids and adults on psychological well being medicines, reminiscent of Adderall, benzodiazepines (like Xanax), and SSRIs (like Prozac), contending that the US has an overmedication downside. “Fifteen p.c of American youth are actually on Adderall or another [attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder] medicines, even larger percentages are on SSRIs and benzos,” Kennedy mentioned on the listening to.

The previous legislation professor additionally dedicated to serving to discover the unlawful alien kids that the Biden administration misplaced observe of after they crossed the border. 

2. On Vaccines

After getting bombarded with questions on his previous advocacy concerning vaccines, Kennedy articulated his place on the difficulty.

“I help the measles vaccine. I help the polio vaccine,” he mentioned, noting that his personal kids have been vaccinated.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., confronted Kennedy with footage of onesies with the phrases “Unvaxxed, Unafraid” and “No vax. No downside” on them which are being bought by Kids’s Well being Protection, a corporation the nominee as soon as chaired. Kennedy famous that he has no management over the group anymore.

3. On Authorities Accountability

Kennedy additionally promised transparency on the subject of government-funded well being care and health-related analysis. He cited transparency, accountability, and entry as his targets in main the Division of Well being and Human Companies.

“If Congress asks me for data, you’re going to get it instantly,” he mentioned.

The nominee additionally advocated for a complete assessment of presidency workers on the Division of Well being and Human Companies.

“I’ll decide to not firing anybody who’s doing their job,” he retorted in an trade with Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va.

4. On the Life Points

Kennedy mentioned at size the difficulty of abortion, and he famous that he comes from a household break up on the difficulty.

“We have been capable of have these conversations and respect one another, and I want we might try this nationally,” he mentioned.

Kennedy reiterated a number of instances that each abortion was a tragedy. When it got here to the difficulty of mifepristone, Kennedy famous that the Trump administration had not but launched a place on the abortion capsule, however that People want to know the security dangers of each drug.

On the difficulty of stem cell analysis, Kennedy famous that he supported it, however added a caveat that it may be completed with out fetal tissue.

The nominee additionally dedicated to supporting the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Aid. “I completely help PEPFAR, and I’ll fortunately work with you to strengthen this system,” he advised Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas. 

5. On Well being Care as a Human Proper

Sanders requested whether or not Kennedy thought well being care was a human proper. He replied by noting the complexities across the problem.

“In well being care, in case you smoke cigarettes for 20 years and also you get most cancers, you are actually taking from the pool,” the nominee mentioned. He additionally famous that he agreed in precept with ending the disparity in drug costs between the US and Europe. 

Kennedy appeared ready for what senators have been prone to carry up about his previous statements. Various instances, the Senate committee viewers chuckled or cheered in response to his solutions.

Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., mentioned on the listening to that he had been a fellow on the Robert F. Kennedy Middle for Human Rights after graduating from school, illustrating simply how impactful the Kennedy household has been on politics for generations.