RFK Jr Says Individuals Ought to Not Take Medical Recommendation From Him

[ad_1] R obert F. Kennedy Jr., the Well being and Human Providers (HHS) Director underneath the Trump Administration, instructed Congress on Wednesday that he believes individuals “shouldn’t be taking medical recommendation from [him]”.

The feedback have been made at a Home Appropriations Committee listening to on Might 14, because the committee reviewed the Trump Administration’s 2026 finances request, which was launched on Might 2.

Through the listening to, Wisconsin Rep. Mark Pocan requested Kennedy whether or not, if he had a baby now, he would vaccinate them for measles.

“Most likely for measles,” Kennedy mentioned earlier than backtracking. “I don’t assume individuals ought to be taking recommendation — medical recommendation — from me….I feel if I reply that query immediately, it should appear to be I am giving recommendation to different individuals, and I do not need to be doing that.”

Kennedy has been recognized for his controversial stances on vaccines, elevating questions on vaccine security. Since being tapped to guide HHS, he has tried to distance himself from the anti-vaccine motion and not too long ago backed vaccination as a preventive software throughout a measles outbreak.

He nonetheless maintains nonetheless, that vaccines ought to be left to folks’ discretion, and has continued to unfold misinformation concerning the measles vaccine.

“Okay, however that’s form of your jurisdiction, as a result of the CDC [Center for Disease Control] does give recommendation,” Pocan responded. The CDC supplies steering on illness prevention, the event of finest well being practices, and offering entry to immunizations.

The listening to targeted on proposed deep cuts to well being companies within the Administration's “Skinny Funds,” in search of $94 billion for the HHS businesses— a discount of about 26% from the 2025 degree. The finances additionally goals to chop packages and employees at a number of HHS businesses, together with the Nationwide Institutes of Well being (NIH) and the CDC.

The finances additionally proposes $500 million for Kennedy’s “Make America Wholesome Once more” initiative, which incorporates downsizing the HHS from 82,000 to 62,000 full-time workers, and specializing in “ending America’s epidemic of continual sickness.”