Robert F. Kennedy Jr. defended HHS budget cuts as a battle against bureaucracy, fraud, and corporate influence over public health during a heated Senate hearing where Democrats accused him of endangering scientific initiatives.
At a Glance
- RFK Jr. reduced the HHS workforce from 82,000 to 62,000, returning to pre-COVID staffing levels
- He exposed wasteful spending including high university indirect costs and program funds going to deceased individuals
- Democrats criticized proposed Medicaid reductions, while Kennedy argued they target fraud, not legitimate beneficiaries
- Kennedy cited 1 million people claiming Medicaid in multiple states and another 1 million collecting from both Medicaid and ACA exchange plans
- The Congressional Budget Office estimates the proposal would reduce the federal deficit by $625 billion over the next decade
Kennedy’s Defense of HHS Downsizing
In a tense Senate hearing that highlighted the growing divide between the administration’s cost-cutting approach and Democrats’ concerns about public health funding, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stood firm on his decision to significantly reduce department staffing. When questioned about personnel changes at the Department of Health and Human Services, Kennedy revealed that he had trimmed the workforce by approximately 20,000 positions. This move aligns with the administration’s broader strategy to eliminate what they view as bureaucratic bloat within federal agencies.
During a memorable exchange with Senator John Kennedy (no relation), the HHS Secretary explained the rationale behind his staffing decisions. “How many employees were there at HHS when you took over?” Senator Kennedy asked. “Eighty-two thousand,” replied RFK Jr. When asked about current staffing levels, the Secretary confirmed a reduction to approximately 62,000 employees – essentially returning to pre-pandemic staffing levels. Kennedy further justified these cuts by comparing them to similar workforce reductions at major tech companies like Microsoft and Meta, arguing that core missions can be maintained with leaner operations.
Exposing Financial Waste in Research Funding
The hearing took a particularly revealing turn when both Kennedys discussed the financial waste discovered within the National Institutes of Health and federally funded research programs. The Secretary highlighted how prestigious universities like Stanford have been profiting from inflated indirect costs on federal grants. Unlike private foundations that typically cap indirect costs at reasonable levels, some academic institutions have been charging the government rates approaching 50% for overhead expenses, drastically reducing the amount of funding that actually supports scientific research.
“I don’t know if you understand this, or whether you’re just mouthing the Democratic talking points,” he told Rep. Josh Harder, D-Calif., during a House Appropriations subcommittee hearing on the HHS budget. “The cuts to Medicaid are for fraud, waste and abuse.”
Even more alarming were the Secretary’s revelations about government grants being awarded to deceased individuals and wealthy federal employees who didn’t qualify for assistance. These examples of financial mismanagement fueled Kennedy’s argument that cutting waste is necessary to fund more legitimate scientific studies. By eliminating such corruption, he asserted, the department could actually increase support for valuable research while respecting taxpayer dollars – a concept that seemed to resonate with fiscal conservatives but drew skepticism from progressive lawmakers.
Medicaid Reform Sparks Heated Debate
Perhaps the most contentious portion of the hearing centered around proposed Medicaid spending reductions. House Republicans have advanced legislation that would implement work requirements for Medicaid eligibility, stricter verification processes, and a freeze on provider taxes. The Congressional Budget Office projects these changes would result in 10.3 million people losing Medicaid coverage over the next decade, with 7.6 million becoming completely uninsured. However, the measures would also reduce the federal deficit by an estimated $625 billion during that period.
“The vast majority of folks in a community like mine who are on Medicaid are working. They want to work,” Harder said. “We’ve seen this chapter before. When you put more red tape in front of people actually getting that life-saving care, you’re going to prevent people from accessing health insurance.”
Kennedy repeatedly emphasized that “the cuts are not true cuts” but rather targeted measures against fraud and abuse. He cited findings of approximately one million people claiming Medicaid benefits in multiple states simultaneously, another million collecting from both Medicaid and Affordable Care Act exchange plans, and an estimated one million undocumented immigrants enrolled in the program. Kennedy also expressed concern about able-bodied individuals receiving benefits without working or seeking employment, though an analysis by KFF indicates that most Medicaid beneficiaries either already work or would qualify for exemptions under the proposed requirements.
