Robert F. Kennedy Jr. confirmation hearings | Day 1

On Wednesday, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime Democrat turned independent, answered questions about how he would reform Medicaid or Medicare in his bid to become the nation’s top health official.

"I don’t have a broad proposal for dismantling the program," Kennedy said.

According to AP, Kennedy also inaccurately claimed that Medicaid is fully paid for by the federal government — it’s not; states and federal taxpayers fund it. He also said most Americans have purchased a Medicare Advantage plan, when only about 1 in 10 Americans have.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump's choice to be Secretary of Health and Human Services, appears before the Senate Finance Committee for his confirmation hearing, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben Curti

Despite the fact that his famous name, populist stances and loyal following earned him President Donald Trump’s support, many question whether he should be in control a $1.7 trillion agency that oversees food and hospital inspections, hundreds of health clinics, vaccine recommendations and health insurance for roughly half the country.

Here's everything to know about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s confirmation hearing to be health secretary:

SKIP TO: Vaccines | Abortion | Caroline's letter | RFK Jr. 's family 

RFK on vaccines

What we know:

Kennedy has been clear about his beliefs on vaccines in dozens of interviews, podcasts and social media posts.

Most recently, Kennedy says he’s not anti-vaccine and promising not to "take away" the shots.

What we know:

But he once said there is "no vaccine that is safe and effective," and repeatedly called for further study of routine childhood vaccinations, despite decades of research and real-world use that proves they’ve safely prevented disease.

Even, Health committee chairman, Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., has expressed concerns about Kennedy’s anti-vaccine work.

Cassidy said earlier this month he "had a frank conversation" and "spoke about vaccines at length" with Kennedy.

"I’m still working through it," Cassidy said during a press availability with Louisiana reporters on Tuesday.

SKIP TO: Vaccines | Abortion | Caroline's letter | RFK Jr. 's family

RFK on abortion 

Some of the country’s most conservative lawmakers have been worried about how Kennedy will handle abortion as health secretary.

Big picture view:

HHS can influence abortion and reproductive health access in a number of ways, including with millions of dollars in grants it sends to Planned Parenthood and regulations around abortion pills. Under the Biden administration, the agency also said hospitals were required to provide emergency abortions for pregnant women in medical distress.

Kennedy needs to earn support from nearly all Senate Republicans, but he may also try to pick up a vote or two from the Democratic Party.

Caroline Kennedy letter

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 07: Caroline Kennedy testifies before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee April 7, 2022 in Washington, DC. The committee heard testimony on Kennedy’s nomination to be U.S. ambassador to Australia. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty

Caroline Bouvier Kennedy, the daughter of Jacqueline and President John F. Kennedy, shared shocking personal details in a letter to Senators, insisting that he isn’t qualified for the secretary job.

In the detailed letter she talks about her experiences growing up with him.

A copy obtained by The Associated Press notes that while she admired him for overcoming a drug addiction, she said he has gone on to "misrepresent, lie, and cheat his way through life." 

SKIP TO: Vaccines | Abortion | Caroline's letter | RFK Jr. 's family

Alleged drug-fueled gatherings blending baby chickens, mice

In one anecdote, she accuses him of hosting drug-fueled gatherings in his basement, dorm and garage where he "enjoyed showing off how he put baby chickens and mice in the blender to feed his hawks."

What they're saying:

Meanwhile, RFK Jr.'s other cousin, former Rhode Island congressman and Democrat Patrick J. Kennedy, threw his support behind the health secretary nominee in an opinion piece for The Washington Post on Tuesday.

"Bobby was the first family member to call and offer his personal and public support, even at a time when some in my family criticized me for breaking the so-called family code of silence," he wrote.

SKIP TO: Vaccines | Abortion | Caroline's letter | RFK Jr. 's family

Who is RFK Jr.'s father?

Robert F Kennedy Jr. attends the funeral of his father, assassinated US Senator Robert F Kennedy at Saint Patrick's Cathedral in New York City, 8th June 1968. (Photo by Pix/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the third of eleven children of senator and U.S. attorney general Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Skakel.

He is the nephew of President John F. Kennedy and Senator Ted Kennedy. 

RFK Jr.'s family, children 

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 19: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is joined by family and supporters on stage after announcing his candidacy for President on April 19, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. An outspoken anti-vaccine activist, RFK Jr. joins self-help author Maria

Who is RFK Jr. married to?

RFK Jr. is married to actress and director Cheryl Ruth Hines, widely recognized for her role as Cheryl on HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm."

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 14: Director Rory Kennedy, brother Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and actress Cheryl Hines arrive at the 2015 Writers Guild Awards L.A. Ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza on February 14, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Ph

He has six children, two with Emily Ruth Black and four with Mary Kathleen Richardson. 

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