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,

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.

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.

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

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

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.

WASHINGTON: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. came under withering attack from Democratic senators on Wednesday over his history of promoting vaccine misinformation and his sudden embrace of anti-abortion policies during a high-stakes confirmation hearing to become US President Donald Trump's health secretary.

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.

Gov. Pritzker blasted the Trump administration, saying the federal government lied to state officials that the freeze would affect Medicaid.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. struggled to answer questions about Medicare and Medicaid, programs that affect tens of millions of Americans.

Kennedy, a Democrat who ended up supporting Trump in the 2024 presidential campaign, now faces two separate confirmation grillings over his controversial views -- on everything from vaccines to abortion -- that have both Republicans and Democrats raising concerns.