Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump's controversial pick for secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), faced a barrage of questions from lawmakers at his first confirmation hearing Wednesday. Driving the news: Kennedy seemed to struggle when Sen.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. attempted to walk back his past anti-vaccine and pro-abortion rights stances in his Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday as he fielded questions from both sides of the aisle. The big picture: In his hearing,

Vermont Senators Bernie Sanders and Peter Welch, along with New Hampshire Sen. Maggie Hassan, were among lawmakers Wednesday from both parties grilling Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump’s pick for health secretary.

Almost all of the pregnant women Dr. Joshua Splinter sees at his rural East Texas practice are on Medicaid. For years, he would treat these patients during pregnancy, deliver their babies and then start the mad dash to squeeze in a follow-up visit before they lost insurance just eight weeks after giving birth.

In the first of two confirmation hearings, senators on the Finance Committee stuck to party lines when questioning Kennedy.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s alternating views on vaccines, reproductive rights and public health issues were a central focus at his first confirmation hearing Wednesday, with Democratic senators expressing dismay at his nomination and Republicans signaling he’ll likely have their support.

Local leaders have positioned the state as a safe haven for abortion, which may draw more scrutiny under the new administration.

Kennedy was pressed to clarify his views on vaccines, abortion and public health priorities in the first of two senate hearings scheduled.

Senators grilled Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on vaccines, abortion and Medicaid in his confirmation hearing to lead HHS. RFK Jr. has another hearing Thursday.

Over rigorous questioning from senators Wednesday, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. laid out his vision to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, while backtracking on his past statements in support of abortion and against vaccines.

President Donald Trump's nominee for HHS Secretary, RFK Jr., navigated questions on abortion, vaccines, and social welfare as he hopes to secure Senate support.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. struggled Wednesday to answer questions about Medicare and Medicaid or to provide details about how he would work to drive down health care costs.