Yesterday (1/29/25), RFK jr was interviewed for confirmation of his nomination as Secretary of Health and Human Services. He was unable to correctly answer some of the most basic questions about the agency he is supposed to lead. As one example, a committee member asked him to estimate the percentage of people who choose Medicare Advantage plans over traditional Medicare. He answered that since Advantage plans are so much more desirable, about 90% choose those.
The truth is the exact reverse. Because so-called Advantage plans are actually more expensive, 90% of Medicare recipients choose traditional Medicare.
This is important not merely because it demonstrates his ignorance, but because it suggests willful ignorance. Trying to toe the Republican line that private is always better than public, he misunderstands the issues and should he be confirmed, can be expected to make decisions based on incorrect data and prejudice.
In the interest of full-disclosure, I should note that when I do transition to Medicare (within the year) I will almost certainly be on an “Advantage” plan, not because of preference, but because my employer-provided retirement healthcare will require it.
I believe the intent of this appointment of a non-serious attention grabber is to distract the public while the Trump administration pursues the Heritage Agenda 2025.