US health and human services secretary testifies amid budget scrutiny
US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeared before two Senate committees on Wednesday, concluding a marathon of seven budget hearings over the past week, reports BritPanorama.
Lawmakers have questioned the secretary on various issues, including vaccine policy, measles outbreaks, and changes at health agencies, as well as a proposed budget aimed at substantial reductions in health care spending.
In previous sessions, Kennedy defended the proposed cuts as necessary to decrease the national deficit, arguing that lower coverage in federal programs like Medicaid stems from an effort to eliminate ineligible enrollees.
Several Democrats utilised their questioning time to critique the ongoing war in Iran, challenging both President Trump’s mental fitness and the government’s military expenditure compared to the proposed cuts in health services.
Members of the Senate Finance and Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committees are expected to address broader health care issues as well. Kennedy’s appearance before the HELP Committee later in the day may also see discussion regarding the stalled vote on surgeon general nominee Dr. Casey Means.
