RFK Jr. is struggling with Medicare, Medicaid Basics in Senate Audiences

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the choice of President Donald Trump to lead the Ministry of Health and Social Services, did not seem familiar with fundamental elements of Medicare and Medicaid programs on Thursday during his second confirmation audience of the Senate.

“You want us to confirm that you are in charge of Medicare, but it seems that you do not know the basics of this program,” said Democratic Senator Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, after Kennedy had trouble answering A series of questions about Medicare before the senatorial committee of health, education, labor and pensions.

If confirmed, Kennedy will lead an agency of $ 1.7 Billion of dollars which oversees a multitude of federal health agencies. This includes centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which manages health care funded by the government for millions of Americans, including the elderly, disabled and low -income patients who count on Medicare, Medicaid and markets of the affordable care law.

Kennedy, 71, tripped when he answered questions about Medicare and Medicaid during his two confirmation hearings this week. He appeared on Wednesday at the senatorial finance committee.

Hassan, who seated on the two panels, asked Kennedy on Thursday to explain which part of Medicare is. But he had trouble identifying and explaining the fundamental aspects of the program, which offers coverage to older and disabled Americans.

When asked what Medicare is for, Part A, Kennedy said that it was “mainly for primary care or doctors”. Hassan said it is a coverage for the elderly who receive care for hospital patients in hospitals.

Kennedy, when asked what Medicare is, Part B, said it was “for doctors and doctors”. Part B is a coverage for a range of medical services such as doctor visits, ambulatory care, home health, certain medical supplies and preventive services.

When asked what Medicare is used for C, Kennedy called him “the full menu of all services – A, B, C and D.” Hassan noted that Part C is also known as Medicare Advantage, which are private plans contracted by Medicare. These plans serve as an alternative to traditional health insurance plans.

Kennedy insisted that he “has just explained the bases” of the program, but Hassan said she had to correct him on several things.

The New Hampshire senator also burned Kennedy on his comments during the hearing on Wednesday when he seemed to confuse Medicare with Medicaid.

The MEDICAIDE FEDERDERAL PROGRAM offers coverage at around 80 million Americans, including many low-income people. Republicans could target Medicaid, which costs the federal government more than $ 600 billion a year, for financing discounts this year to help pay tax cuts.

Kennedy described Medicaid on Wednesday as “fully paid” by the federal government, even if the program is also funded by the States.

Kennedy acknowledged on Thursday that the program was jointly funded by the federal government and the States, adding that it “destroyed something” during the hearing on Wednesday.

At the end of this Wednesday hearing, senator Ron Wyden, D-ear., The finance committee classification member said Kennedy was “not prepared” and suggested that he did not seem to know the Difference between Medicare and Medicaid.

“My colleagues have seen back and forth between Medicare and Medicaid, and it is not clear which program you use when,” said Wyden.