RFK Jr. Answers Questions About Vaccines, Abortion, and Medicaid at Senate Hearings

During Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s first Senate hearings to become Secretary of Health and Human Services on Wednesday, senators asked questions about vaccines, abortions and Medicaid programs. 

On Vaccines: Democrats focused on vaccines, as RFK Jr. made statements in the past indicating skepticism towards them. In response to a question from Sen. Bernie Sanders, RFK Jr. said, “I am supportive of vaccines.”

On Abortions: Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) asked about RFK Jr. 's statement from 2023; “I wouldn’t leave it to the states, my belief is we should leave it to the woman. We shouldn’t have the government involved, even if it’s full term.” During the hearings, RFK Jr. deferred to Trump’s stance, stating any abortion is a “tragedy.”

On Medicaid: RFK. Jr. remarked that the federal government pays entirely for Medicaid, which is incorrect, as states share some of the cost. He also criticized Medicaid for having high premiums, when Medicaid recipients only pay premiums in rare circumstances.

How the Media Covered It: Headlines varied across outlets, highlighting the divide in approval of Trump’s nominee. Associated Press (Left bias)’s headline, “Robert F. Kennedy Jr. struggles to answer questions on Medicare and Medicaid at confirmation hearings,” focuses on the nominee’s purported missteps during the hearings. Fox News Digital (Right) reported “RFK Jr's confirmation hearing goes off rails amid multiple clashes with Dem senators: 'Repeatedly debunked.’” The Hill (Center) covered the topics senators asked about more broadly, with the headline, “5 takeaways from RFK Jr.’s first Senate hearing.”