RFK Jr accused of ‘dangerous conspiracy theories’ at heated budget hearing

Key Points:

• Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime vaccine opponent and current health secretary, faced a contentious hearing before the US House Ways and Means Committee, with vaccines and public health as central topics amid ongoing measles outbreaks.
• Kennedy promoted misinformation regarding vaccines, including disputing the safety and necessity of the hepatitis B vaccine at birth, despite evidence of its importance and widespread use.
• Lawmakers, predominantly Democrats, criticized Kennedy for undermining public health experts, reinstating suspected fraudsters in Medicaid and Medicare, and making racially insensitive remarks about Black children and healthcare.
• Tensions escalated during the hearing, with heated exchanges between Kennedy and members of Congress over vaccine policies, Medicaid fraud, and Kennedy's controversial comments, highlighting deep partisan divides on health issues.
• The hearing also spotlighted Kennedy's efforts to reform the US Preventive Services Task Force and his administration's actions perceived as harmful to public health, including cuts to vaccine recommendations and access.