In a 14-13 vote along party lines, the Senate Finance Committee voted this week to advance the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. The full Senate is expected to vote as early as next week.
The Center for Medicare Advocacy urges senators to vote against Mr. Kennedy’s confirmation. As explained in our statement, Mr. Kennedy has shown that he is wholly unqualified to lead the department that oversees our nation’s largest health insurance programs: Medicare and Medicaid. Over the course of two hearings he demonstrated a shocking lack of understanding of the fundamentals of the programs, which together serve nearly half the people in the United States and ensure that families can access necessary care without facing financial ruin. He will likely rely on others who prioritize advancing private Medicare Advantage plans over the needs of beneficiaries and the fiscal soundness of the Medicare program. This includes Dr. Mehmet Oz, nominated to lead the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, who has supported “Medicare Advantage for all.”
Older adults, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups deserve a Secretary of Health and Human Services who values their health programs enough to learn the basics. We urge a no vote.
Additional information:
- Center for Medicare Advocacy Opposes Confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Struggles to Answer Questions on Medicare and Medicaid at Confirmation Hearing
- American Public Health Association: America Deserves Better than RFK Jr
February 6, 2025 – A. Bers