RFK Jr. stumbles on Medicaid at Senate confirmation hearing
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s nominee to lead HHS, stumbled multiple times during his first Senate confirmation hearing when asked about Medicaid.
WASHINGTON — Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, stumbled multiple times during his first Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday when lawmakers pressed him about potential changes to Medicaid.
The government-based health insurance program that covers nearly 80 million people with low incomes has drawn increased attention as Republicans in Congress look for ways to reduce federal spending, with Medicaid among the possible sweeping cuts.
If he is confirmed as health and human services secretary, Kennedy would oversee the implementation of Medicaid, in addition to Medicare and the Affordable Care Act.
At the end of the hearing, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., the ranking member of the Finance Committee, said Kennedy was “unprepared,” suggesting that he didn’t seem to know the difference between Medicare and Medicaid.
“My colleagues have been seeing back-and-forth between Medicare and Medicaid, and it’s not clear which program you’re using when,” Wyden said.
Rating: 5