RFK Jr. fumbles Medicare basics during second confirmation hearing

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the HHS, demonstrated limited knowledge about Medicare again during his second confirmation hearing on Thursday.

It’s the second time in two days that Kennedy has appeared confused about the massive insurance program, which covers more than 66 million Americans. During a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Wednesday, Kennedy also fumbled questions about Medicaid. He incorrectly stated the safety-net program was fully funded by the federal government — although he acknowledged his mistake during Thursday’s hearing.

If confirmed, Kennedy would oversee the department that includes the CMS, which provides coverage to 160 million people with Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program and the Affordable Care Act exchanges.

On Thursday, Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., questioned Kennedy about basic components of the public health insurance program geared toward seniors, including what services Medicare Part A covers.

“Medicare Part A is mainly for primary care or physicians,” Kennedy said in front of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

Part A actually pays for inpatient services, like hospital care.

When asked about Medicare Part B, the nominee said the program covers physicians and doctors. Part B is medical insurance that can cover physician services, as well as outpatient care and medical equipment.

Additionally, when asked to define Medicare Part C, Kennedy said it is “a program where it’s the full menu of all the services, A, B, C and D for Medicare.”

Under Part C, more commonly called Medicare Advantage, the federal government pays private insurers to manage beneficiaries’ medical care. That includes Parts A and B, and most plans offer Part D prescription drug coverage. 

“Mr. Kennedy, you want us to confirm you to be in charge of Medicare, but it appears that you don’t know the basics of this program,” Hassan said.