5 Key Takeaways From RFK Jr’s Confirmation Hearings

This week, Robert F. Kennedy Jr sat before the Senate for 2 separate hearings, to decide the fate of his confirmation as secretary of HHS. If confirmed, he would lead a federal agency responsible for overseeing the health care of millions of Americans, regulating access to drugs and vaccines, and managing disease outbreaks.

The first hearing was with the Senate Committee on Finance. The second hearing was with the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP).

Here are 5 key takeaways from RFK Jr’s confirmation hearings.

1. RFK Jr Says He Is Not Antivaccine, Despite Spreading Previous Fear

In both hearings, Kennedy stated that he supports the use of vaccines, contrary to previous public statements he’s made.

"News reports have claimed that I'm antivaccine or any industry,” Kennedy said in an opening statement. “I am neither. I am pro-safety.”

Robert F. Kennedy Jr

Kennedy was questioned on his contributions to widespread vaccine misinformation, including vaccines for measles, polio, and COVID-19. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I, Vermont), chairman of HELP, grilled Kennedy on onesies available for sale on the website of Children's Health Defense, a nonprofit organization cofounded by Kennedy. The clothing featured slogans like "Unvaxxed, Unafraid" and "No Vax, No Problem." The organization is known for promoting antivaccine causes.1

2. Refusal to Acknowledge Scientific Evidence on Infectious Diseases

Kennedy stumbled to provide clear answers when grilled about his role in perpetuating vaccine hesitancy during the 2019 measles outbreak in American Samoa, which led to more than 5700 cases and 83 deaths, according to a study published in The Lancet.2

Another false claim made by Kennedy, that was brought up during the hearings, included him saying that Lyme disease is "highly likely a militarily engineered bioweapon."

Kennedy also failed to acknowledge well-documented scientific studies that there is no link between vaccination and autism in children. Sen. Bill Cassidy, MD (R, Louisiana), a key Republican vote for Kennedy’s nomination, also criticized him for having a financial interest in undermining vaccines and admitted he was “struggling” with his decision.

3. Conflicting Stances on Abortion

During the hearings, Kennedy made it clear that he will align with President Donald Trump’s stance on abortion, stating that the issue should be left to the states. His position marks a drastic shift from earlier in his presidential campaign when he advocated for reproductive rights that directly conflicted with Trump’s policies.

However, as recently as March 2024, Kennedy told Reuters he supported a woman’s right to choose “throughout the pregnancy” and had previously backed the protections of Roe v Wade.3

"President Trump has made it clear to me that one of the things he has not taken a position on yet is mifepristone, a detailed position," Kennedy said, according to Newsweek.4 "But he's made it clear to me that he wants me to look at safety issues, and I'll ask the [National Institutes of Health] and FDA to do that."

Sen. Maggie Hassan (D, New Hampshire) challenged Kennedy on his reversal, questioning whether he had abandoned his long-held beliefs for political gain. “When was it that you decided to sell out the values you've had your whole life in order to be given power by President Trump?” she asked, according to ABC News.1

4. DEI and Equity Concerns

One of the most heated moments in Kennedy’s confirmation hearings came when Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D, Maryland) challenged his past remarks suggesting Black Americans should follow a different vaccine schedule than White Americans.

Quoting his 2021 statement, Alsobrooks, who is Black, asked, "So what different vaccine schedule would you say I should have received? With all due respect, that is so dangerous." Kennedy defended his claim by citing studies on immune response variations by race, but experts, including Richard B. Kennedy, PhD, of Mayo Clinic, refuted the interpretation, stating that such data do not justify altering vaccine schedules, according to NPR.5

Senators also raised their concerns over the Trump administration’s recent executive order to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and activities, including whether health providers will be able to conduct outreach in partnership with Pride events, Black churches, and other entities.6

5. RFK Jr Shows Unclear Grasp of Medicaid Under HHS

During his first confirmation hearing, Kennedy demonstrated an unclear grasp of the distinctions between Medicaid and Medicare, particularly regarding their funding and structure.7

"Most people who are on Medicaid are not happy,” Kennedy said during his hearing. “The premiums are too high. The deductibles are too high.”

When pressed by Cassidy on how he would integrate the 2 programs for dual-eligible individuals, Kennedy incorrectly stated that Medicaid is "fully paid for by the federal government," overlooking the crucial role of state funding.7

Hassan later corrected him, emphasizing that Medicaid is jointly funded by federal and state governments and is a lifeline for millions of disabled children, individuals with addiction, and chronically ill patients.

If confirmed, Kennedy will oversee a $1.7 trillion agency responsible for multiple federal health programs, including MMS.8 This agency administers government-funded health care for millions of Americans, including seniors, individuals with disabilities, and low-income patients who depend on Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act marketplaces.

References

1. Haslett C, McDuffie W, Kekatos M, et al. 5 takeaways after RFK Jr is grilled by senators during confirmation hearings. ABC News. January 30, 2025. Accessed January 31, 2025. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/4-takeaways-rfk-jr-senate-hearing/story?id=118213176

2. Yang YT. The perils of RFK Junior's anti-vaccine leadership for public health. Lancet. 2025;405(10473):122. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(24)02603-5

3. RFK Jr on abortion, vaccines, housing and foreign policy. Reuters. March 20, 2024. Accessed January 31, 2025. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/rfk-jr-abortion-vaccines-housing-foreign-policy-2024-03-20/

4. Stanton A. RFK Jr says he would study abortion pill mifepristone for 'safety issues.’ Newsweek. January 29, 2025. Accessed January 31, 2025. https://www.newsweek.com/robert-f-kennedy-jr-abortionpill-mifepristone-2023109

5. Stone W. Senator calls RFK Jr's position on race and vaccines dangerous. NPR. January 30, 2025. Accessed January 31, 2025. https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/01/30/nx-s1-5281457/rfk-jr-vaccines-race-confirmation-hearings

6. Robert F. Kennedy Jr Senate confirmation hearings. Infectious Diseases Society of America. News release. January 30, 2025. Accessed January 31, 2025. https://www.idsociety.org/news--publications-new/articles/2025/robert-f.-kennedy-jr.-senate-finance-committee-nomination-hearing

7. Grossi G. RFK Jr fails to offer a clear Medicaid, Medicare strategy. AJMC®. January 29, 2025. Accessed January 31, 2025. https://www.ajmc.com/view/rfk-jr-fails-to-offer-a-clear-medicaid-medicare-strategy

8. Constantino AK. RFK Jr stumbles over basics of Medicare, Medicaid during Senate confirmation hearings. CNBC. January 30, 2025. Accessed January 31, 2025. https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/30/rfk-jr-struggles-with-medicare-medicaid-basics-in-senate-hearings.html