Return to the Latest

HHS Confirmation Hearing Highlights RFK Jr. as a Danger To Young Adults

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 31, 2025
Contact: Emma Bittner
(972) 510-3395 | Emma.Bittner@younginvincibles.org

HHS Confirmation Hearing Highlights RFK Jr. as a Danger To Young Adults

(Washington, DC) – Robert F. Kennedy Jr. showed lack of preparation and knowledge during questioning for his Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) confirmation hearing this week.

Throughout the two-day questioning by the Senate Finance Committee and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, RFK Jr.’s unclear stance on vaccines and abortion took a front seat, dominating the conversation. At every turn, the nominee walked back or denied years of statements questioning the safety of vaccines, and completely reversed his position on abortion. He repeatedly claimed he would “follow the science,” but continually cast doubt on the legitimacy of research carried out by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Center for Disease Control (CDC). 

It is still uncertain when the vote to confirm RFK Jr. will be held.

In response, Kristin McGuire, Executive Director of Young Invincibles said:

“This hearing has shown that RFK Jr. is not prepared to take on the role of HHS Secretary. Following years of anti-vaccine rhetoric, his attempt to rewrite the narrative during questioning was confusing and unconvincing. RFK Jr.’s inability to give clear answers, often confusing Medicaid and Medicare, signaled his unfitness for HHS Secretary. 

While he stated that he would work to make Medicaid, Medicare, and the ACA marketplace insurance “better,” he did not provide details on how he would accomplish this. Young adults have the highest uninsured rate of any age group with one in five young adults being uninsured. Many rely on Medicaid and the ACA to find affordable coverage and further close the coverage gap. Affordable and accessible health care is essential and RFK Jr. has failed to provide a plan to achieve this. Additionally, when asked about mental health policy he offered nothing but conspiracy theories and demonstrated little understanding of the mental health issues facing young people and our country. Young adults are profoundly affected by health care access and they cannot be left out of consideration. It is clear that young people will suffer under his leadership. 

Health care is a human right and it is imperative that the HHS Secretary prioritize the well-being of Americans.”

### 

Young Invincibles (YI) is a national advocacy and policy nonprofit organization focused on amplifying the voice of young people in the political process at the local, state, and federal levels. YI focuses on issues impacting young adults ages 18 to 34 in higher education, health care, economic security, and civic engagement. Our offices include Washington, D.C., California, Colorado, Illinois, New York, and Texas. For more information, please contact Emma Bittner at (972) 510-3395 or emma.bittner@younginvincibles.org