In a contentious confirmation hearing to be the nation's top health official, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced tough questions on how he would reform Medicaid or Medicare, the government health care programs used by millions of disabled, poor and older Americans.
Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, a physician and key vote Kennedy needs to win, repeatedly pressed the nominee on Wednesday to share ways he plans to reform Medicaid, a multibillion-dollar taxpayer-funded program that covers health care for about 80 million people, including children. Republicans have said they might need to make deep cuts to Medicaid to fund President Donald Trump's proposals.
“I don't have a broad proposal for dismantling the program,” Kennedy said.