We watched RFK Jr.’s senate confirmation hearings so you don’t have to
Key Takeaways
Industry Buzz
“[RFK Jr.] is getting absolutely (and appropriately) blasted on his insane prior statements... Despite all the other crazy stuff going on in American politics, it's hard to believe that this confirmation is even on the table.” — Doctor on Reddit @bearstanley
"RFK already has the votes. This confirmation hearing is performance art.” — Doctor on Reddit @rabbidrascal
"His answer to a shortage of rural providers is an AI robot with 'diagnostics as good as any doctor.' We're in trouble.” — Doctor on Reddit @iago_williams
RFK Jr., nominated by President Donald Trump for the role of Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), underwent 2 consecutive days of Senate confirmation hearings this week (January 29 and 30, 2025). Here are the top takeaways for physicians.[]
Day 1: Senate Finance Committee Hearing
The initial hearing before the Senate Finance Committee concentrated on Kennedy's past statements and actions concerning vaccines. Senators from both parties expressed concerns about his history of promoting vaccine misinformation. Kennedy was questioned about his previous claims linking vaccines to autism and his involvement in legal actions against vaccine manufacturers. He responded by stating he would review data to ensure public safety but did not retract his earlier statements.
Related: 'Chaos will ensue': Docs fear 'nightmare' HHS futureDay 2: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Hearing
The next day, Kennedy appeared before the HELP Committee, where the focus remained on his vaccine-related views.[] Committee Chair Sen. Bill Cassidy, a physician, expressed apprehension about Kennedy's past undermining of vaccines with "unfounded or misleading arguments."[]
Kennedy declined to distance himself from his previous statements linking childhood vaccines to autism, maintaining his stance despite extensive scientific evidence to the contrary.
Throughout both hearings, Kennedy faced bipartisan scrutiny over his qualifications and the potential impact of his appointment on public health initiatives. His nomination has been met with opposition from various quarters, including over 75 Nobel Laureates and more than 17,000 physicians, who have urged the Senate to reject his appointment due to his history of promoting vaccine misinformation.[][]
The Senate's decision on Kennedy's confirmation is pending, with significant attention on how his controversial views may influence his potential leadership of the HHS.
Docs primarily express disbelief online
As expected, the recent hearings have ignited discussion within the medical community, particularly in the r/medicine community on Reddit.
One user highlighted the gravity of the situation, stating, "He's getting absolutely (and appropriately) blasted on his insane prior statements, the deaths in Samoa, etc." This refers to Kennedy's past comments linking vaccines to autism and his involvement in spreading misinformation that contributed to a measles outbreak in Samoa.[]
The same user also remarked, "It's hard to believe that this confirmation is even on the table." This sentiment reflects a broader concern about appointing someone with a history of promoting vaccine skepticism to a pivotal public health position.
Related: Trump’s ‘catastrophic’ decision left these doctors in panic and tearsBut some are looking forward to the changing landscape
But it’s not all negative. One doctor posted a TikTok video in favor of Kennedy, nodding to his statements about chronic disease.
@dr50shadesof #rfkjr #kennedy #maha #healthcare ♬ som original - ᴀᴜᴅɪᴏ ꜰᴏʀ ᴇᴅɪᴛꜱ
In the past, Kennedy has advocated for addressing chronic illnesses by focusing on environmental factors, particularly the impact of toxins and pollutants. He has highlighted concerns about the role of chemicals, pesticides, and vaccines in contributing to various chronic conditions, including autoimmune diseases and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Overall, the medical community primarily expresses apprehension about the future of public health policy under Kennedy's potential leadership, emphasizing the critical importance of maintaining scientific integrity in healthcare governance.
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