Democrat Critics of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on the Big Pharma, Healthcare Dole for Millions of Dollars
Senate Democrats criticised Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during his confirmation hearing on Tuesday, accusing him of chasing money and gaining influence while they themselves have received millions from the healthcare industry.
Ron Wyden, a senator from Oregon, said Kennedy, the nominee Trump made to head his Health and Human Services Department, “is someone who chases influence and money wherever it leads, even if this may lead to the tragic deaths of children and vulnerable people.”
Wyden may have attacked Kennedy, accusing him of pursuing “money and power,” but it seems that Wyden raised significant amounts from the healthcare sector. The industry has an interest in Kennedy’s confirmation.
Wyden has received money for his campaign committee as well as his Leadership PAC in the five-year period between 2019 and 2024. These include:
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Health professionals have raised $749,316.
Health Services and Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), $539,242
Pharma companies have paid $502,063 to the government
Hospitals and nursing homes received $375,951
Kennedy responded to Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA’s) question: “You are asking me not to sue drug manufacturers, and I am not going to agree to this subject.”
Warren launched into a tirade after she questioned Kennedy. She claimed that, if confirmed by the Senate, Kennedy could “bankrupt vaccine manufacturers”
Rep. Nancy Mace, (R-SC), pointed out on Wednesday that Warren had received more than $5 million in healthcare donations during her Democrat primary campaign. This includes:
Health professionals have raised $2,366,613 ($2,366,613).
Hospitals and nursing homes received $1,600,888
Miscellaneous donations of $644 499 in healthcare
Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Product Industries: $625,580
Health Services: $597,900
Health professionals, in a similar way to Wyden’s industry, are the fourth most generous donors to Warren’s campaign committee and leadership PAC during the past five years.
Senator Massachusetts has received $489 074 from healthcare professionals, $126 056 from pharmaceutical firms, and $109 065 from nursing homes and hospitals.
Kennedy stated that he hoped to end “chronic diseases epidemic” which is at the core of his Make America Healthy Again movement (MAHA).
He also criticized the harmful influence of healthcare firms, which he believes made America sicker.
He said, “President Trump asked me to stop the epidemic of chronic diseases and make America healthy again.”
He added: “If we do not solve chronic diseases, Senator, then all the disputes we have over who pays, be it insurance companies, providers, HMOs, patients, or families are like moving deck chairs on the Titanic.”
The nominee stated that “we have the highest chronic diseases burden of any country anywhere in the world.”
He continued, “This is an economic threat to our military, our health, our sense of wellbeing, and is a top priority for President Trump.”
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