By — Laura Santhanam Laura Santhanam Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/watch-health-secretary-rfk-jr-says-he-doesnt-think-people-should-take-medical-advice-from-him Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: Health Secretary RFK Jr. says he doesn’t think people should take medical advice from him Health May 14, 2025 11:45 AM EDT Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said Wednesday that he doesn’t “think people should be taking advice — medical advice — from me.” Watch in our video player above. “That’s kind of your jurisdiction,” said Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wisc., in response. READ MORE: What to expect when RFK Jr. testifies in Senate hearing on health budget Kennedy’s comments came during a hearing before the House Appropriations Committee on the Trump administration’s budget request for 2026. Pocan had asked the secretary if he had a child today, would he vaccinate that child for measles. “Um… probably for measles,” Kennedy said before making his comment about his own advice. He also suggested that his own views about vaccines are irrelevant. WATCH: How vaccine hesitancy may be driving a spike in pediatric flu deaths Kennedy is a former environmental lawyer and not a doctor. For nearly a decade, he led an anti-vaccine advocacy group, Children’s Health Defense. As the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, he oversees multiple agencies that affect public health and Americans’ access to health care. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Laura Santhanam Laura Santhanam Laura Santhanam is the Health Reporter and Coordinating Producer for Polling for the PBS NewsHour, where she has also worked as the Data Producer. Follow @LauraSanthanam @LauraSanthanam
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said Wednesday that he doesn’t “think people should be taking advice — medical advice — from me.” Watch in our video player above. “That’s kind of your jurisdiction,” said Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wisc., in response. READ MORE: What to expect when RFK Jr. testifies in Senate hearing on health budget Kennedy’s comments came during a hearing before the House Appropriations Committee on the Trump administration’s budget request for 2026. Pocan had asked the secretary if he had a child today, would he vaccinate that child for measles. “Um… probably for measles,” Kennedy said before making his comment about his own advice. He also suggested that his own views about vaccines are irrelevant. WATCH: How vaccine hesitancy may be driving a spike in pediatric flu deaths Kennedy is a former environmental lawyer and not a doctor. For nearly a decade, he led an anti-vaccine advocacy group, Children’s Health Defense. As the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, he oversees multiple agencies that affect public health and Americans’ access to health care. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now