Robert F. Kennedy Jr. struggled to answer questions from Sen. Bill Cassidy (R., La.,) about Medicare and Medicaid. When asked about how care for people who are eligible for both federal health programs could be integrated,

Kennedy Jr.'s statements before the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday revealed a concerning lack of knowledge about the major health programs he'd oversee, should he be confirmed as HHS secretary.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testified before U.S. senators Wednesday and Thursday in a pair of contentious hearings about his nomination as Secretary of Health and Human Services in a move that has major implications for Texas.

We know the kind of damage that will be done and the lives that will be lost if Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is put in charge of our health care system because we've seen it in action. Kennedy has a well-documented history of opposing life-saving vaccines, and he has pledged to stop funding research for treatments and cures for deadly diseases.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. struggled to address key issues during his Senate confirmation hearing for Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., President Trump's nominee to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services testifies during a Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions hearing for his pending confirmation on Capitol Hill, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

Kennedy appeared on Wednesday and Thursday in front of the Senate’s finance and health committees, giving independent Sen. Bernie Sanders and Sen. Peter Welch, a Democrat, a chance to weigh in.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. struggled Wednesday to answer questions about Medicare and Medicaid or to provide details about how he would work to drive down health care costs.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. incorrectly said that Medicaid was fully funded by the federal government and that Medicare is a fee-for-service program during a hearing in front of the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday.

While Mr. Kennedy, seeking the job of health secretary, has been vocal about vaccines and his desire to overhaul the nation’s diet, he has said very little about other issues.

More dramatic questioning on vaccines in RFK Jr's second confirmation hearing. Bond/Simmons-Duffin/Stone/Webber