This month, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeared before House and Senate committees to discuss the administration’s health policy priorities following the release of the President’s proposed FY2027 budget, which includes notable reductions to HHS funding. The hearings highlighted ongoing tensions between the administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda and lawmakers’ concerns regarding public health capacity and program stability. 

Vaccines and Public Health Trust
Discussion around vaccines—particularly measles and influenza—drew significant attention. When questioned about rising measles cases in the United States, Secretary Kennedy stated, “It has nothing to do with me,” while also noting that measles incidence is increasing globally. He added, “We promote the measles vaccine,” and acknowledged that it “prevents measles in 97% of recipients.” Lawmakers raised questions about prior statements, recent advisory changes, and personnel decisions related to vaccine policy. Kennedy described his approach as “following the science,” while some members expressed concern about potential impacts on public confidence. 

Medicaid and Coverage
Secretary Kennedy stated, “There are no cuts to Medicaid,” pointing to projected spending growth over the next decade. He characterized recent policy changes as efforts to remove individuals who were “improperly enrolled.” However, some lawmakers expressed concern that these changes could result in reduced coverage, particularly affecting rural access and uncompensated care. Current estimates suggest a nearly $1 trillion reduction in projected Medicaid spending relative to prior baselines. 

340B and Rural Hospitals
Secretary Kennedy also raised concerns regarding the 340B program. In response to a question on rural health funding, he criticized the program’s growth and alleged that some hospital systems are misusing 340B savings by “taking 340B money” from rural areas to build hospitals in affluent areas. He stated, “Those kinds of thefts we’re seeing all the time, and that’s one of the ways that this systematic and perverse transfer of wealth from rural America to more affluent areas is happening every day.”  

While the 340B program is subject to strict federal oversight, compliance requirements, and routine audits, pressure from pharmaceutical companies has led to many policymakers questioning the program and how its savings are used.  

Budget Reductions and Agency Capacity
Secretary Kennedy acknowledged that the proposed 12% funding reductions to HHS’ budget would be “painful” but framed them within broader fiscal constraints. Lawmakers from both parties raised questions about potential impacts on the National Institutes of Health, public health staffing, and safety-net programs. In one exchange regarding CDC infectious disease capacity, Sen. Raphael Warnock (R-GA) referenced limited staffing for a 24/7 rabies consultation line; Secretary Kennedy responded, “I do not know.” 

Nutrition and Prevention
The Secretary’s remarks on nutrition and preventive care were generally well received. He emphasized, “If we want to do prevention… we’ve got to start with food,” and highlighted efforts to expand nutrition education across medical schools, hospitals, and community health centers. He also referenced commitments from more than 50 medical schools to strengthen nutrition training and suggested that facilities receiving federal healthcare funding should offer healthier food options. 

Kennedy also stated that he plans to overhaul the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force—the committee tasked with determining which preventive services insurers must cover. He claimed that “the committee has been lackadaisical and negligent.” Since President Trump took office last year, three of the four committee meetings were cancelled by HHS. 

AI, Wearables and Innovation
Secretary Kennedy discussed the potential of artificial intelligence, stating it could “revolutionize medicine” and, in the long term, potentially make the Food and Drug Administration “irrelevant.” While that assertion drew skepticism, there was broader acknowledgment of AI’s potential role in areas such as drug review, fraud detection, and care delivery with appropriate oversight. He also emphasized the role of wearable technology, stating that his vision is for “every American is wearing a wearable within four years,” positioning such tools as central to preventive health strategies.