Health Secretary Faces Tough Questions on Vaccines and Budget Cuts

The Health and Human Services chief, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. , spoke to Congress early Thursday about his plans for the 2027 budget and his vision for healthier America. He started by saying that good nutrition is key to ending chronic disease, hoping to shift the debate away from his past vaccine criticism. Republican lawmakers asked him about fraud in insurance and how to support rural hospitals. Democratic members focused on the large cuts Kennedy wants for research agencies like NIH and CDC, which would reduce funding by 13 % and 32 % respectively. They also questioned his history of opposing vaccines, especially after a measles outbreak that has spread to thousands.Kennedy tried to highlight achievements such as new food guidelines, removing certain dyes from products and speeding up drug approvals. He also said he would add new members to the U. S. Preventive Services Task Force, a group that recommends health screenings. Critics argued he was ignoring the value of vaccines and was pushing for cuts that would hurt research. Some lawmakers said Kennedy’s statements could drive scientists away from the U. S. , hurting innovation and the economy. They pointed out that many researchers come from abroad, and stricter immigration policies could make it harder for them to stay. Later in the day Kennedy met with a committee that controls his department’s money. The committee has already rejected big budget cuts last year, and members are watching to see if the same resistance will happen again. The hearing showed a split: some lawmakers wanted more money for health, while others wanted to trim spending. The debate will shape the future of American health policy and research funding.