Health Under Fire

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testified before the House Oversight Committee's Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services, promoting his anti-vaccine views and questioning government health policies. The hearing, chaired by Representative Lisa McClain, saw Kennedy claim a rise in chronic diseases among children is linked to vaccine schedules and expressed concerns about vaccine safety. Kennedy asserted, without substantiation, that pharmaceutical companies have undue influence over government health agencies and that vaccines cause harm. He referenced debunked studies and conspiracy theories regarding vaccine ingredients like thimerosal and aluminum, and their alleged links to autism and autoimmune diseases. He also pushed the notion that early childhood vaccines compromise children's immune systems, making them more susceptible to illness. Committee Democrats countered Kennedy's claims, presenting scientific evidence supporting vaccine safety and efficacy. They emphasized the overwhelming consensus within the scientific community that vaccines are safe and effective, highlighting their role in eradicating or controlling infectious diseases. Democrats also criticized the hearing itself, characterizing it as a platform for spreading misinformation that could undermine public health. Towards the end of the hearing, Kennedy also addressed Medicaid cuts, attempting to frame them as a way to eliminate "fraud and abuse" while reaffirming his contentious stance on public health matters. He defended his anti-scientific positions throughout the hearing. find the original article here: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/05/15/yodq-m15.html