Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump's pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, appeared to be unfamiliar with basic elements of the Medicare and Medicaid programs during his second Senate confirmation hearing.

Trump’s pick for health secretary showed a poor understanding of a key part of the job.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faces high-stakes Senate hearings as he seeks confirmation for Health Secretary. This live blog is now closed.

Senators grilled Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on if and how he would reform Medicaid and Medicare during his first confirmation hearing to become the next secretary of Health and Human Services.

During his testimony, Kennedy falsely claimed that “most Americans are not happy” with Medicaid because “the premiums are too high.” Both ends of that statement are wildly incorrect — the vast majority of recipients within the income-based program do not pay premiums at all, and Americans are broadly supportive of Medicaid.

On Capitol Hill, one of President Trump’s most consequential and controversial nominees made his case for the top job at the Department of Health and Human Services. In his first of two hearings, former environmental lawyer and presidential candidate Robert F.

"Zero evidence that the flu shot prevents any hospitalizations or any deaths ... If you get a flu shot you're six times more likely to give the flu to somebody else": HHS secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s lies and misinformation on everything from flu vaccines, diabetes, and autism. ( New York Times)

During his Senate confirmation hearing, Kennedy claimed he is not against vaccination, contrary to decades of public comments.