Kennedy Addresses Senate Finance Committee on Key HHS Decisions for 2025

Kennedy Faces Scrutiny in Senate Hearing on Trump AdministrationS Healthcare Agenda

washington, D.C. – Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS),Robert F. Kennedy Jr., faced intense questioning from both sides of the aisle during a Senate Finance Committee hearing focused on the Trump administration’s healthcare agenda, dubbed “Make America Healthy again.” The hearing, which delved into the administration’s priorities and recent policy decisions, revealed stark partisan divisions regarding the direction of U.S. healthcare policy.

Republican senators, who held a slim majority on the committee, largely praised Kennedy’s efforts, particularly his collaboration with President Donald trump. Senator Mike Crapo (R, Idaho), Chair of the committee, highlighted initiatives such as Medicaid eligibility verification and the Rural Health Transformation Program as key achievements. Kennedy emphasized the administration’s focus on rural healthcare, stating that the Rural Health Transformation Program would allocate $50 billion over five years to support struggling rural hospitals. Though, this funding represents a fraction of the estimated losses for rural Medicaid funding, according to

What is the HHS’s plan for addressing the Medicaid coverage cliff?

Overview of the Hearing & Key Players

On September 4th, 2025, Secretary of health and Human Services (HHS) Xavier Becerra faced questioning from the Senate Finance Committee, lead by chairman Ron Wyden, regarding critical decisions impacting healthcare policy and funding for the upcoming fiscal year. Senator bernie Sanders,a key member of the committee,focused heavily on prescription drug pricing and Medicare expansion. this hearing is pivotal for understanding the direction of healthcare reform, HHS budget allocations, and the future of programs like Medicaid and Medicare. The testimony provided insights into the administration’s strategies for addressing rising healthcare costs, improving access to care, and bolstering public health infrastructure.

Major HHS Decisions Under Scrutiny

Several key HHS decisions were the focal point of the Senate Finance Committee’s inquiry. These included:

Proposed rulemaking on Hospital Price Clarity: the committee pressed Secretary Becerra on the enforcement of existing rules and potential new regulations aimed at increasing price transparency in hospitals. concerns were raised about the continued resistance from some hospital systems and the impact on consumers. This ties directly into the broader goal of affordable healthcare.

Medicare Advantage Program Oversight: Senator Sanders led the charge in questioning the adequacy of oversight for Medicare Advantage plans, citing reports of denied care and misleading marketing practices. The discussion centered on ensuring beneficiaries have equitable access to quality care, regardless of their plan choice. Medicare Advantage plans are a critically important component of the Medicare system, and their regulation is crucial.

Funding for Public Health Preparedness: Following lessons learned from recent public health emergencies, the committee explored the administration’s plans for bolstering public health preparedness, including investments in disease surveillance, vaccine distribution, and workforce growth. Public health infrastructure is a critical area for investment.

Reproductive Healthcare Access: Questions were posed regarding the administration’s efforts to protect access to reproductive healthcare services,notably in light of ongoing legal challenges and state-level restrictions. This included discussion around Title X funding and the implementation of policies safeguarding patient privacy. Women’s health and reproductive rights remain highly contested areas.

Prescription Drug Pricing Negotiations: The implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act’s provisions allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices was a central theme. Committee members sought clarification on the selection of drugs for negotiation and the anticipated impact on drug innovation. Drug pricing reform is a long-sought goal.

Impact on Medicare & Medicaid

The hearing highlighted potential shifts in both medicare and Medicaid policies.

Medicare: The debate surrounding Medicare Advantage plans underscored the need for stronger oversight and quality control. Potential changes to the program coudl include stricter enrollment standards, increased scrutiny of marketing practices, and enhanced beneficiary protections. The future of the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit was also discussed, with a focus on lowering costs for seniors.

Medicaid: The committee explored the administration’s plans for addressing the Medicaid coverage cliff, which occurs when states begin redetermining eligibility for Medicaid beneficiaries following the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency. Concerns were raised about the potential for millions of Americans to lose coverage. Medicaid expansion and maintaining access to care for vulnerable populations were key priorities.

The Role of Technology & Innovation in HHS Initiatives

Secretary becerra emphasized the role of technology and innovation in advancing HHS’s goals. Specific areas of focus included:

Telehealth Expansion: The administration supports expanding access to telehealth services, particularly in rural and underserved areas. However, concerns remain about ensuring equitable access to broadband internet and addressing potential disparities in telehealth utilization.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Healthcare: HHS is exploring the potential of AI to improve healthcare delivery, including applications in diagnostics, drug finding, and personalized medicine.Though, ethical considerations and data privacy concerns are paramount.

Interoperability of Health Data technology: Efforts to promote interoperability – the ability of different