RFK Jr. clashes with lawmakers over vaccines and HHS mass layoffs
www.nbcnews.com
The health secretary, appearing before two separate congressional committees, was grilled about slashes to disease research, maternal health and the U.S. measles outbreak.

Summary

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. declined to clearly endorse vaccines during a House hearing amid a deadly U.S. measles outbreak.

Asked if he’d vaccinate his children today, Kennedy said, “My opinions about vaccines are irrelevant,” despite past regrets over vaccinating his own kids.

He promoted unproven measles remedies like budesonide and cod liver oil. Lawmakers and health experts criticized his refusal to advocate for vaccines, calling it irresponsible given his role.

The U.S. has seen over 1,000 measles cases in 2025, with three confirmed deaths.

  • brvslvrnst@lemmy.mlEnglish
    5·
    1 day ago

    The hearings also come as House Republicans work on portions of a bill that propose making deep cuts to Medicaid and could leave millions of people uninsured. Kennedy acknowledged that the legislation — as currently written — would cause people to lose their health insurance, following a question from Sanders. “I can go through the people who will lose it. A million people … there are a million people,” Kennedy said

    Really buried that lede.