Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced a barrage of questions Thursday about measles outbreaks and staff reductions at federal health agencies during his first congressional appearance in over six months, showing little retreat from his most contentious positions even as he made a modest concession on one vaccine's lifesaving potential.
Democrats on the Ways and Means and Appropriations committees seized on the recent measles cases across the country, directly linking them to Kennedy's vaccine criticism. Rep. Linda Sánchez of California pressed him hard, saying his "anti-vaccine rhetoric" and "anti-vaccine actions" clearly correlated with the dramatic spike. Kennedy pushed back, calling her argument "misinformation" and pointing to a "global measles epidemic," contending the U.S. fares better than Mexico and Canada.
But when Sánchez asked whether the measles vaccine could have saved a child who died in a Texas outbreak last year, Kennedy shifted slightly. "It's possible, certainly," he said. Later, asked directly if the measles vaccine is safe and effective, he answered "yes, it's safe for most people."
The health secretary used his prepared remarks to highlight less controversial initiatives on healthy foods and drug pricing. Once pressed on specific vaccine decisions, however, he defended policy changes. When Rep. Judy Chu of California criticized the Centers for Disease Control for scrapping its recommendation that all newborns receive the Hepatitis B vaccine, Kennedy invoked individual choice. "Parents can assess the risk themselves through informed consent," he said.
Republicans offered softer questioning. Rep. Darin LaHood of Illinois asked about reports of "mismanagement and bungled drug reviews" at the Food and Drug Administration and whether they were deterring biomedical innovation. Kennedy defended FDA Commissioner Marty Makary and the agency, claiming drug review times are accelerating and all deadlines are being met. He characterized critics as captured by pharmaceutical interests.
"Everybody goes after him because the industry's so powerful," Kennedy said of Makary. "They own Congress, they own the media and they can beat up Marty Makary because he's trying to do change over there."
On staffing cuts that sparked concern over the past year, Kennedy announced his department is rehiring. The health agencies had dropped from 82,000 employees to 62,000 last year but have climbed to 72,000 now, with plans for 12,000 more hires. "We will have made up for all the employees that we lost," Kennedy said.
When asked whether the CDC would rehire certain employees placed on administrative leave, Kennedy deferred to the Trump administration's newly announced leadership team for the agency.
Kennedy signaled further upheaval ahead, saying he plans to overhaul and restructure the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, the expert panel whose recommendations determine which services insurers must cover fully under the Affordable Care Act.
Author James Rodriguez: "Kennedy's threading a needle here, admitting vaccines work while keeping his broader skepticism intact, but messy concessions under fire don't erase the damage already done on public confidence."
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