The senator will help confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) announced Wednesday.
“I intend to help confirm Robert Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services. There is no controversy that the US spends more per capita on health care than any other country, but we are The results do not reflect this investment,” she wrote in a lengthy statement on X.
“Instead of focusing on who covers our exorbitant healthcare costs, we need to focus on prevention and reduce these costs by keeping people healthy,” she says. Ta. with me. “
“Chronic conditions are a significant source of illness and the driving force behind major public debt. He is committed to recognizing this and working on it,” she continued — and to her intentions Despite this, she still has concerns about Kennedy's views on the vaccine. He repeatedly told the senators during confirmation hearings that it was not an “anti-vaccine.”
She continued:
I remain concerned about Kennedy's views on the vaccine and the selective interpretation of the scientific research that first sparked my anxiety about his appointment. Vaccines have saved millions of lives, but as a secretary to HHS, I assure you that people do nothing to take the vaccine or block vaccination efforts. I did. He has a lot of commitment to me and my colleagues, and has ensured public access to information and based on vaccine recommendations for data-driven, evidence-based, medically sound research. I am committed to working with you. These commitments are important to me, and I balance it and provide a guarantee of my vote.
I am encouraged by the time he spent among the Indigenous people, his commitment to tribal sovereignty and his commitment to Indian health services. He spends his time in rural Alaska and understands some of the unique public health challenges we face in need of complex solutions. There will be a lot of shared work going forward to achieving better public health outcomes, urging Kennedy to achieve these goals.
On Wednesday, the Senate cleared the final hurdle with 53-47 votes and set up a final confirmation vote for Kennedy, who cleared the committee last week with 14-13 votes.
Watch – RFK Jr.
During his confirmation hearing, Kennedy focused on ending the country's chronic disease epidemic.
“According to the CDC, 90% of medical expenses are directed at chronic disease management, which is the most difficult for low-income Americans. The president's pledge will make Americans happy again and health again. It's not about doing it, it's about making all of us healthy again,” he said.
“I had 11 brothers and sisters. I had dozens of first cousins. I grew up in a time when there was no chronic illness epidemic. My uncle was president. At the time, 2% of American children suffered from chronic disease. Today, 66% have chronic disease,” he continued.
“This is not just an economic issue. It's not just a national security issue. It's a mental issue, it's a moral issue,” he emphasized. “We will reverse the chronic disease epidemic and bring the nation back to health,” he promised.
Watch – RFK Jr. summons Bernie Sanders for accepting millions of dollars from the pharmaceutical industry.
