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.

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

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

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.

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.

Kennedy is seeking to lead a $1.7 trillion agency that will oversee vaccine recommendations as well as food inspections and health insurance for half the country.

Mr. Kennedy appears to have most Republicans behind him as he seeks the job of health secretary, though he couldn’t escape his past stances on vaccines and abortion.

Sen. Bill Cassidy, the top Republican on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, concluded Thursday's hearing by saying he was "struggling" with the nomination due to Kennedy's vaccine positions. Kennedy notably refused to say vaccines don't cause autism as he faced pointed question from lawmakers.

THURSDAY, Jan. 30, 2025 (HealthDay News) -- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced a plethora of tough questions on vaccines, abortion and public health policy during his Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday as President Donald Trump’s pick for secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS)

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump’s nominee for Health and Human Services secretary, sat through his second Senate confirmation hearing in as many days on Thursday, with his chances of being