cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/29694956

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. showed just how "out of touch" he is after claiming $40,000 a month for rehab was affordable for Americans.

On Wednesday, RFK Jr. presented the health department's fiscal 2026 budget to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. During an interaction with California Rep. Josh Harder, the health secretary attempted to defend sweeping cuts to Medicaid, a health insurance program for low- and middle-income households. But Harder pushed back.

Harder told RFK Jr. that the rehab program Kennedy participated in to overcome his heroin addiction would cost Americans $286,000 out of pocket today.

"There are, Congressman, there are many really gold star rehabs that do it for a tiny fraction, like $20,000 to $40,000 a month," RFK Jr. interrupted to say in an X clip shared by journalist Aaron Rupar Wednesday.