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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Senate Confirmation Hearings

Note: This document now contains updates to reflect both the Jan. 30 Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Hearing and the Jan. 29 Senate Finance Committee Hearing to consider the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. While both committees held hearings, only the Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over Medicare and Medicaid, will vote on whether to advance the nomination to the full Senate. 

In advance of both hearings, IDSA, HIVMA, SHEA, PIDS, SIDP and ASM sent this letter to all senators outlining key characteristics that any health agency nominee should embody, including a reliance upon the best available scientific evidence as the basis for policy decisions. IDSA also shared information with senators about key infectious diseases issues to inform their participation in the hearing and in their private meetings with Kennedy. This information included state-specific data on vaccine-preventable diseases and vaccination rates for a variety of diseases, as well as information on ID research, ID workforce needs, avian influenza, pandemic and outbreak preparedness and response, and antimicrobial resistance. During both hearings, several senators utilized this information in their remarks and questions for Kennedy during the hearing. This process not only influences the confirmation process, but also future HHS actions and congressional oversight.  

To contact your senators to share your views about this nomination prior to a vote on confirmation, find their contact information here. We encourage you to share information about the importance of ID research and vaccines and the many ways in which chronic and infectious diseases are inextricably linked.   

Summary of ID Issues in Jan. 30 Senate HELP Committee Hearing  

Much of the discussion in the HELP Committee hearing mirrored what was covered in the previous day’s Finance Committee hearing. The summarized points below aim to highlight content that was not covered in the Jan. 29 hearing or was significantly expanded upon during the HELP Committee hearing. 

Vaccines: Three Republican senators and nearly all Democratic senators expressed concern with Kennedy’s previous statements on vaccines and emphatically highlighted the lifesaving power of vaccines for hepatitis, measles, COVID-19, polio and other infectious diseases, as well as the importance of herd immunity to protect immunocompromised people. Kennedy repeatedly said he is not anti-vaccine, he is pro-safety. When asked by senators from both parties to recant past statements about vaccines and autism, he insisted on being shown more studies. He indicated we do not have sufficient surveillance systems on vaccine safety post-approval. He asserted he would not reduce availability of vaccines for measles or polio and that he would increase vaccine uptake by increasing trust in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through greater transparency.  

ID Research: Multiple Republican and Democratic senators expressed concern with Kennedy’s past statement that the U.S. should give ID research “a break,” and noted it is important to do research on both ID and chronic disease. Kennedy agreed but insisted there has been an imbalance, with too high a proportion of funding going to ID instead of chronic disease. One Republican senator reminded Kennedy that the Congress, not HHS, allocates funds to different parts of the National Institutes of Health. 

DEI and Health Equity: Two Democratic senators raised concerns with the Administration’s executive order to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs and activities, including whether health providers will be able to conduct outreach in partnership with Pride events, Black churches and other entities. Kennedy responded that there are seven departments at NIH that protect minority health and that seek to eliminate the unacceptable disparities. He said that the DEI programs have spent $63 million with no impact on human health in the U.S.  

Kennedy was asked about a previous statement that Black people should not be given the same vaccine schedule as White people because Black people have better immune systems, and in response he claimed that Black people need fewer antigens. The senator asking him about this called his views dangerous. 

Gender-Affirming Care: One Republican senator criticized a Biden Administration rule that supported access to gender-affirming care and asked if Kennedy would rescind the rule. Kennedy agreed that he would rescind the rule, which he called anti-science. Kennedy went on to say that health providers should not be forced to do things against their conscience and that diverse opinions must be respected. He noted that people who have gender differences should be respected and loved, but sometimes love means saying “no.” 

Lyme Disease: One Democratic senator expressed concern with Kennedy’s past claim that Lyme disease is a formulated bioweapon. A Republican senator expressed concern over increases in Lyme cases and said that a Lyme vaccine would be a major step forward. That senator asked how Kennedy would influence Lyme vaccine approvals. Kennedy spoke about his personal and family experiences with Lyme and said he would fight for Lyme disease vaccines and treatments.  

Knowledge of HHS Programs and Issues: Several Democratic senators highlighted Kennedy’s statements from the previous day’s hearing that demonstrated Kennedy lacks a working knowledge of major programs under HHS jurisdiction and appeared unfamiliar with major studies on vaccines. 
 

Summary of ID Issues in the Jan. 29 Finance Committee Hearing  

The Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over Medicare and Medicaid and which is responsible for voting on whether to send an HHS secretary nomination to the full Senate for a confirmation vote, held the first hearing on Jan. 29 to consider the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.   

Kennedy’s opening statement focused heavily on chronic disease challenges and indicated that if confirmed as HHS secretary, he would focus on safe and healthy food, removing conflicts of interest at U.S. health agencies, using gold-standard science and reversing the chronic disease epidemic in the U.S. He also asserted that he is not anti-vaccine, he is pro-safety, and all of his children are vaccinated.  

Vaccines: Nearly all Democratic senators on the committee highlighted Kennedy’s past statements that discouraged vaccination, dismissed the potential severity of measles and other infectious diseases and that he shared misinformation on COVID-19. The Democratic committee members highlighted the many ways in which the HHS secretary can influence vaccine policy, including recommending which vaccines are covered by Medicare and allowed for children, giving a public platform to anti-vaccine messaging, changing vaccine labeling and information rules, revising vaccine court processes, altering compensation through the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program and influencing CDC panels regarding the recommended vaccine schedule. Kennedy claimed that he supports the vaccine schedule and CDC and just wants “good science.” Several senators disputed his statements on vaccines given his long history of previous declarations casting doubt on the efficacy and safety of vaccines. Kennedy expressed that as HHS secretary he will strive to ensure scientists are unimpeded by conflicts of interest.  
 
ID Research: Multiple Democratic senators expressed concern with Kennedy’s November 2023 comment that ID research should be given “a break” combined with a shift in focus to chronic disease. Senators highlighted the need to remain vigilant and maintain focus on disease outbreaks and potential pandemics. Kennedy responded that he made that comment because there has been such a heavy focus and high level of spending on ID, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, while chronic disease is responsible for so many deaths in the U.S. When Kennedy was asked by one senator what he meant by “gold-standard science,” Kennedy said he wanted real scientific research with replicated studies, giving 20% of the NIH budget to replication and ensuring that raw data and peer reviews are published.  

PEPFAR: A Republican senator highlighted the tremendous lifesaving impact of PEPFAR, calling it one of the most successful public health programs in the world. He noted that the U.S. needs to continue its leadership on PEPFAR and asked if Kennedy would work with him on this important program. Kennedy agreed that he supports PEPFAR and would work with senators to strengthen the program.  

Avian Flu: A couple of senators raised concerns about avian flu, highlighting the need for ID research and public health interventions. Kennedy said he intends to provide the appropriate resources to prevent pandemics.    

Health Workforce: Several senators highlighted the need to invest in rural health care, including expanding the health workforce and access to care in rural communities through telemedicine and other efforts. A few Republican senators highlighted the importance of improving Medicare physician reimbursement, and one explicitly raised the importance of transitioning to value-based care arrangements. Kennedy agreed and expressed he intends to work on improving quality of care, lowering cost of care, increasing transparency and accountability and transitioning to value-based care.  

Trust in Public Health: Kennedy repeatedly stated he would commit to “radical transparency,” noting this is essential to rebuild trust in U.S. health agencies. He highlighted how early COVID-19 vaccines had high uptake, whereas far fewer Americans received the latest booster, and claimed this is due to decreased public trust in CDC.  

About IDSA
The Infectious Diseases Society of America is a community of more than 13,000 physicians, scientists and public health experts who specialize in infectious diseases. Its purpose is to improve the health of individuals, communities and society by promoting excellence in patient care, education, research, public health and prevention relating to infectious diseases. Learn more at idsociety.org.

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