WASHINGTON–Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy took no blame for the rising costs of health care in America during a meeting of the House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday.
Instead, he focused on what he called the “policies that put the health of Americans first” – eating whole grains, prioritizing protein and generally eating “real” food.
“We are ending the era of federal policies that fueled the chronic disease epidemic and replacing them with policies that put the health of Americans first,” Kennedy said.
The committee meeting was meant to discuss President Donald Trump’s 2027 fiscal year budget for HHS. Many members of Congress were focused on why the cost of health care is so high and questioned Kennedy about some controversial statements he has made.
“Healthcare costs and insurance company profits have never been higher,” Chairman Jason Smith (R-Mo.) said. “That’s why the Ways and Means committee is focused on consolidation and vertical integration in the healthcare industry to expand access and lower costs.”
While Maryland still has some of the lowest healthcare prices in the U.S., rates under the Affordable Care Act for individual health insurance plans rose around 13.4% on average last year because of the cost of drugs, according to the Maryland Insurance Administration.
Smith talked about the importance of holding costs down, in part by preventing fraud.
“We must hold the criminals who steal billions from the American people accountable,” Smith said.
But Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.) questioned Kennedy on whether Trump approved the HHS decision to end vaccination campaigns and whether it was related to an outbreak of measles. Kennedy avoided answering Smith’s question, instead insisting that Mexico and Canada had more measles outbreaks than the U.S. did.
“You have misinformation,” Kennedy said. “Mexico has three times our measles and they have one-eighth of our population … Canada has double the measles.”
Other representatives want to work with HHS and Kennedy on bills they’re passing. Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.) wants Kennedy’s support on a bill to tighten food regulations.
Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kan.) wants to work with the administration on transporting patients dealing with health emergencies in rural communities in helicopters.
Throughout the hearing, Kennedy kept turning the discussion away from past controversies and toward holistic approaches to health.
“Our children are the sickest generation in modern history, and decades of failed policy, captured agencies and profit-driven systems have caused it,” Kennedy said. “Parents across the country are demanding a change, and we are delivering it.