On January 29, 2025, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy questioned Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the nominee for Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), during a confirmation hearing before the Senate Finance Committee.
Senator Cassidy asked Kennedy about his plans for addressing issues related to dual eligibles, individuals who qualify for both Medicaid and Medicare. Kennedy responded by acknowledging that these individuals are not well-served under the current system and expressed his intention to work on consolidating and integrating care for them.
Cassidy inquired about integrating Medicare and Medicaid programs. Kennedy admitted uncertainty, noting the complexity due to differing payment structures between Medicare's fee-for-service model and Medicaid's federal government-funded approach.
The discussion also touched on potential reforms to Medicaid aimed at improving outcomes while supporting President Trump's priorities. Kennedy criticized Medicaid's current effectiveness, stating that it is not working for Americans, particularly its target population—the poorest citizens—despite increased costs.
Kennedy shared President Trump's charge to improve care quality while reducing costs through transparency, accountability, and transitioning to a value-based system. He suggested experimenting with pilot programs across states as part of this reform effort.
Cassidy asked about shifting patients from traditional Medicare to Medicare Advantage (MA). Kennedy emphasized choice but noted that more people would prefer MA if they could afford it due to its superior services.
Finally, Kennedy discussed increasing the use of cooperatives and health savings accounts within Medicare and Medicaid systems. He advocated for listening to Americans' preferences for private insurance over existing public options like the Affordable Care Act or Medicaid.
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