RFK Jr. testifies before Senate on vaccines and more : NPR
NPR • • nation
Key Points:
- Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced intense questioning from Senate Finance Committee Democrats over his leadership of HHS, vaccine policies, and agency spending, while Republicans praised his rural health initiatives.
- Kennedy defended the measles vaccine despite his past anti-vaccine activism, stating that the vaccine prevents measles in 97% of cases and affirming the agency's promotion of it.
- Senators questioned Kennedy about the TrumpRx drug discount program, with concerns raised that some drugs cost more on TrumpRx than at other retailers, potentially benefiting pharmaceutical companies.
- Senator Bill Cassidy, who previously supported Kennedy's nomination but criticized his vaccine policy changes, avoided vaccine questions and focused on health savings accounts and Medicare advantage during the hearing.
- Senator Maggie Hassan criticized Kennedy for using HHS resources on promotional videos featuring himself, questioning whether the President authorized such use of official government channels.
