Kennedy Downplays Vaccine Statements During Health Dept. Confirmation Hearing
WASHINGTON — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. tried to deflect accusations of being a junk science advocate Wednesday during his Senate confirmation hearing to become secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Much of his time was spent defending his previous statements against vaccines and the pharmaceutical industry.
He also advocated for removing food additives that he said contribute to chronic illnesses while adding that he could lower health care costs.
Kennedy said he would “make America healthy again.” Some of his critics said his stance against vaccines would “make polio great again.”
During a 2020 podcast, he said, “No vaccine is safe and effective,” but argued during his Senate hearing that the quote was incomplete and misleading.
On other occasions, he said COVID-19 and Lyme disease were likely bioengineered weapons. He also said vaccines were linked to autism, which never has been proved by the scientific community.
Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., accused Kennedy of “peddling in half truths, peddling in false statements.”
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., said, “Frankly, you scare people.”
The hearing was held one day after his cousin and former ambassador to Australia, Caroline Kennedy, issued a video and sent a letter to senators urging them to reject her cousin’s nomination.
She said he was “addicted to attention and power,” which included giving dangerous advice to parents discouraging them from vaccinating their children while vaccinating his own children.
She also said his “crusade against vaccination” helped to enrich him through his lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies.
Kennedy tried to downplay his previous statements against vaccines during the hearing.
“I am not anti-vaccine or anti-industry,” he said.
He also said, “I believe that vaccines play a critical role in health care.”
Kennedy pledged reforms to the government Medicaid system that provides health insurance for low-income adults and children.
“Medicaid is not working for Americans,” Kennedy said.
The insurance premiums are too high and the program places too many restrictions on access to health care networks, he said.
“The poorest Americans are being robbed,” he said.
He did not spell out how he planned to reform Medicaid. He also seemed confused about the difference between Medicaid and Medicare, which is a health insurance program for Americans at least 65 years old and for younger disabled persons.
Medicare and Medicaid make up most of the Health and Human Services’ budget.
Republican supporters of President Donald Trump on the Finance Committee also supported Kennedy’s nomination.
“I look forward to working with you and making America healthy again,” said Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan.
Sen. Michael Crapo, R-Idaho, the committee chairman, said Kennedy has adequately responded to any concerns about his ethics.
“I think that you have come through well and deserve to be confirmed,” Crapo said.
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