Consider This from NPR: What Would RFK Jr. Mean to HHS?

Release Date: January 29, 2025

In this episode of NPR's "Consider This," host Scott Detrow delves into the potential implications of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s confirmation as the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). The discussion centers on Kennedy's controversial stance on vaccinations, his policy positions, and the broader impact his leadership could have on key health programs like the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. Through expert insights and notable quotes from the confirmation hearings, the episode provides a comprehensive analysis for listeners seeking to understand the stakes involved.

1. The Significance of the Vaccines for Children Program

Scott Detrow opens the episode by highlighting the historical context of the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program:

"[...] the VFC provides no cost vaccines to kids who lack health insurance or whose families can't afford the cost of the vaccination." [00:01]

Sarah Rosenbaum, an emeritus professor of health law and policy, underscores the program's impact:

"The first was to make sure that the coverage that Medicaid agencies provided for vaccines met the standard set by public health experts. And to accomplish that, the VFC program covers the entire cost of vaccine." [00:35]

Detrow emphasizes the federal government's role in funding these vaccines:

"That means the federal government foots the entire bill for pediatric vaccinations, something that amounts to billions of dollars today." [00:57]

Rosenbaum further explains the program's success in increasing vaccination rates among low-income children:

"So it's been one of Congress's most effective programs for preventive health. And of course, it's a central achievement of the Medicaid program for children." [01:55]

The VFC program has delivered over 71.5 billion doses of pediatric vaccines to more than 37,000 providers, showcasing its extensive reach and effectiveness.

2. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Confirmation Hearing

As the potential Secretary of HHS, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s views on vaccinations have come under intense scrutiny. During his Senate confirmation hearing, Kennedy faced rigorous questioning about his long-standing skepticism towards vaccines.

Senator Michael Bennett voiced concern over Kennedy's history:

"What is so disturbing to me is that out of 330 million Americans, we're being asked to put somebody in this job who has spent 50 years of his life not honoring the tradition that he talked about at the beginning of this conversation, but peddling in half truths, peddling in false statements, peddling in theories that, you know, create doubt about whether or not things that we know are safe are unsafe." [02:22]

Kennedy has been a prominent figure in the anti-vaccination movement, promoting debunked theories linking vaccines to autism and challenging the established science behind vaccine safety.

Sarah Rosenbaum expresses her apprehensions:

"What we may face is somebody who isn't just skeptical about vaccines. I mean, who has really denied their efficacy for children and raised false questions about their safety in charge of the entire enterprise, which is a very bitter pill to swallow." [03:23]

Rosenbaum fears that Kennedy's leadership could undermine decades of public health achievements, particularly in pediatric vaccination.

3. Key Moments from the Confirmation Hearing

During the hearing, several pivotal exchanges shed light on Kennedy's positions and the concerns of his opponents.

Maggie Hassan, a Democratic Senator from New Hampshire, confronted Kennedy on his shifting political affiliations and his approach to vaccine policy:

"He did not hear him say at any point that he had been wrong with all the past statements that people were running by him. He just tried to walk this tightrope that for decades of urging people to skip vaccinations despite all that, that wouldn't influence his approach to the job of overseeing federal vaccine policy and recommendations." [05:36]

The hearing also featured Senator Bernie Sanders, who challenged Kennedy's commercial interests in the anti-vaccine movement by highlighting merchandise from Kennedy's former organization:

"One of them is titled Unfaxed Unafraid, Next One. And they sold for 26 bucks apiece, Next One is no vax." [06:16]

Kennedy attempted to distance himself from the merchandise, stating:

"He said he didn't control the merchandise they sell." [06:27]

On the topic of abortion, Kennedy faced tough questions regarding his alignment with Republican administration policies despite his previous support for abortion rights.

Selena Simmons Duffin notes the consistency of Kennedy's stance:

"He made it clear that is not going to be the case." [07:09]

Kennedy affirmed his commitment to the president's policies on abortion, reinforcing his alignment with the Republican agenda.

4. Policy Priorities and Broader Implications

When discussing his vision for HHS, Kennedy outlined several priorities:

"He would move the focus of scientific research away from infectious diseases like the flu and towards things like the root causes of chronic diseases like diabetes." [07:49]

However, Maggie Hassan criticized Kennedy's understanding of critical programs like Medicare and Medicaid:

"At one point, he got the word Medicare and Medicaid confused, it seemed like. And he said that they not popular programs, while they're very, extremely popular across the political spectrum." [08:25]

This confusion raised concerns about his capability to manage significant aspects of HHS, including the Affordable Care Act and major healthcare programs.

Selena Simmons Duffin adds context about Republican support amidst internal party dynamics:

"He can only lose three Republican senators and still get confirmed if all Democrats oppose him." [10:25]

Despite opposition from figures within the Kennedy family, efforts are underway to secure his confirmation, including financial backing from influential allies.

5. Conclusion: The Future of HHS Under RFK Jr.

The episode concludes by weighing the potential consequences of Kennedy's leadership at HHS. With his history of vaccine skepticism and alignment with conservative health policies, public health advocates like Sarah Rosenbaum worry about the reversal of important health initiatives.

Kennedy's confirmation could signify a significant shift in U.S. health policy, impacting everything from vaccine distribution to chronic disease research. The political maneuvering surrounding his nomination underscores the deeply polarized views on health governance in the current climate.

As NPR's "Consider This" aptly highlights, the decision to appoint Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to HHS will have profound implications for the nation's public health infrastructure and the trust placed in federal health programs.

Notable Quotes:

• Michael Bennett [02:22]: "We're being asked to put somebody in this job who has spent 50 years of his life... peddling in half truths... that create doubt about whether or not things that we know are safe are unsafe."

• Sarah Rosenbaum [03:23]: "Who has really denied their efficacy for children and raised false questions about their safety in charge of the entire enterprise..."

• Maggie Hassan [05:36]: "He just tried to walk this tightrope... that wouldn't influence his approach to the job of overseeing federal vaccine policy and recommendations."

• Senator Bernie Sanders [06:16]: "One of them is titled Unfaxed Unafraid... Next One is no vax."

• Selena Simmons Duffin [07:44]: "He will implement his policies when it comes to abortion."

Produced by: Briana Scott and Jordan Marie Smith
Edited by: Christopher Intagliata, Courtney Dorning, Diane Weber, Kelsey Snell, and Nadia Lansing
Executive Producer: Sammy Yannigan

For more insights and updates, visit NPR's Consider This at plus.npr.org/considerthis.