What to know ahead of RFK Jr.'s confirmation hearing Wednesday

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Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is scheduled to appear before the Senate Finance Committee tomorrow, facing questions about how he’d direct the federal Department of Health and Human Services and its $1.7 trillion budget.

If he is confirmed, a raft of agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services — which provide insurance coverage for roughly half of all Americans — would be under his control.

This nomination was controversial from the start. Opponents are running ads, with Democrats and many doctors warning Kennedy could use debunked claims about vaccine safety to withdraw vaccination recommendations. There’s also concern Kennedy could go along with Republican plans to erode Obamacare. On the Republican side, an effort led by former Vice President Mike Pence cautions Kennedy could push for abortion rights.

Kennedy supporters are cheering his plans to review federal support for drug development, agricultural subsidies and research on cancer, chronic diseases, addiction and dozens of other topics. There are some parts of Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda that draw bipartisan support, including reducing consumption of ultra-processed foods, and restricting food additives and pesticides.

What we know for sure: As secretary of health and human services, Kennedy would be poised to play a key role in reshaping the nation’s health policies. And just days into his new term, President Trump has already taken several significant steps in that direction.

Within the last week, Trump reinstated a ban on using federal funds for abortions in other countries. He pulled the U.S. out of the World Health Organization — a move he said he may reconsider. And he’s paused the release of routine and emergency updates from all of the agencies Kennedy would oversee.

The president signed an executive action last night that prohibits people who openly identify as transgender from serving in the military. It follows a directive last week that declared the U.S. government will only recognize two sexes, male and female. (The Massachusetts Department of Transportation said last week it’s reviewing whether the gender neutral “X” will still be an option on state-issued REAL ID licenses.)

Kennedy has previously expressed sympathy for people diagnosed with gender dysphoria, but questioned the use of puberty blockers for children with that diagnosis. If confirmed, he would oversee the implementation and enforcement of any executive actions that affect transgender health care.

Kennedy is scheduled for a second hearing on Thursday before the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions committee. If he’s opposed by all Democrats, he can afford to lose three Republican votes and still be confirmed.

P.S. — Lawmakers on Beacon Hill proposed a bill that would restrict the use of cellphones in all public schools, with the goal of helping students focus and limiting the toll social media takes on their mental health. We want to know what you think of this potential ban, and if there are any other youth mental health concerns we should report on. Fill in this form to share your thoughts.