Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump’s nominee for the Department of Health and Human Services, faced scrutiny for his lack of knowledge about Medicare and Medicaid during his second Senate confirmation hearing. Democratic Sen. Maggie Hassan questioned Kennedy’s understanding of the programs before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Kennedy, if confirmed, will oversee a $1.7 trillion agency responsible for various federal health agencies, including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
During both confirmation hearings, Kennedy struggled to answer questions about Medicare and Medicaid. Sen. Hassan asked him to explain the different parts of Medicare, but Kennedy faltered in identifying their fundamental aspects. For instance, he mistakenly described Medicare Part A as being for primary care, while it actually covers inpatient hospital care for seniors. Similarly, he inaccurately characterized Medicare Part B as being for physicians, when it actually covers various medical services like doctor visits and outpatient care.
Kennedy also stumbled when asked about Medicare Part C, incorrectly referring to it as a comprehensive service menu. Sen. Hassan clarified that Part C, known as Medicare Advantage, offers privately run plans as an alternative to traditional Medicare. Kennedy’s confusion extended to Medicaid, where he initially claimed it was fully funded by the federal government, neglecting the state contributions. He later acknowledged his error and clarified the joint funding structure of the Medicaid program.
Sen. Ron Wyden criticized Kennedy for his lack of preparation and confusion between Medicare and Medicaid during the hearings. Wyden highlighted the importance of distinguishing between the two programs and expressed concerns about Kennedy’s understanding of their differences.
