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Vaccines, budget cuts and affordability: Takeaways from RFK Jr.’s gauntlet of congressional hearings

On Wednesday, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. concluded budget hearings defending President Donald Trump's proposed 2027 budget, which seeks a more than 12% cut to the more than $100 billion HHS budget, including $5 billion from the National Institutes.
Kennedy acknowledged the cuts were "painful" but said they were necessary to address the federal government's record $39 trillion deficit, a justification that drew concern from lawmakers across both parties about reduced funding for programs and research.
Regarding Medicaid, Kennedy argued new work requirements do not constitute cuts, citing Congressional Budget Office data showing outlays increasing by about 47% over the next decade; experts dispute this analysis, saying it ignores inflation and population growth.
Lawmakers pressed Kennedy on declining childhood vaccination rates and measles outbreaks over the past year, which he attributed to lost trust during the COVID-19 pandemic; Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina credited his leadership, saying "We would not be on the right side of this outbreak without your leadership."
Disputing accusations that he is anti-vaccine, Kennedy described himself as "pro-science" and urged focus on HHS initiatives beyond vaccines, part of a broader administration pivot toward less controversial health topics like nutrition.

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Vaccines, budget cuts, and affordability: Takeaways from RFK Jr.’s gauntlet of congressional hearings - The Boston Globe

In his testimony to various committees over multiple days this week and last, Kennedy was tasked with defending President Trump’s proposed 2027 budget.

4 hours ago·Boston, United States

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