Health
RFK Jr. Appears Unfamiliar With Key Elements of Medicare and Medicaid
In a tense exchange with Senator Bill Cassidy, Republican of Louisiana, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. displayed a surprising lack of familiarity with Medicare and Medicaid, the government programs responsible for covering more than 150 million Americans.
At times, Mr. Kennedy seemed to confuse the two programs. Medicare is a federal program that provides coverage to older and disabled Americans, while Medicaid is a state-federal program that covers low-income people.
When he first described Medicare, he seemed to ignore the half of the Medicare program that relies on private insurance plans to provide care. Later, he acknowledged that he was enrolled in a private Medicare Advantage plan and said he thought “more people would rather be on Medicare Advantage because it offers very good services.”
Medicare Advantage plans have been heavily criticized by lawmakers, including by federal regulators Mr. Kennedy would oversee if confirmed and by public advocacy groups. They have accused the plans, including those offered by the nation’s biggest insurers, of overcharging the government, delaying and denying access to care. Regulators have penalized some insurers for overbilling.
Mr. Kennedy described Medicaid as “fully paid for by the federal government.” In fact, Medicaid, which provides health insurance coverage to nearly 80 million low-income Americans, is financed through a combination of state and federal funds.
Mr. Kennedy also claimed that many Medicaid enrollees were frustrated by high costs they face with their public insurance coverage.
“Most people who are on Medicaid are not happy,” Mr. Kennedy claimed. “The premiums are too high. The deductibles are too high.”
He repeated a similar argument later in the hearing, facing questioning from Senator Ben Ray Lujan, Democrat of New Mexico. “The premiums are too high, the deductibles are too high, and everybody’s getting sicker,” he said.
But the vast majority of Medicaid enrollees do not pay any premiums or deductibles for their coverage. Federal law specifically prohibits premiums for the lowest-income Medicaid enrollees. Patients typically do not have to pay anything when they go to the doctor, aside from a handful of state-based experiments that have tested out small fees.
Recent research on Medicaid does not support Mr. Kennedy’s contention that “everyone’s getting sicker.” Studies generally find that increased Medicaid enrollment improves people’s access to health care. Some studies have also found that Medicaid improves health outcomes, although that is a more limited body of research.
Senator Cassidy asked Mr. Kennedy to describe how he would reform the Medicaid program. While other Trump nominees have offered concrete policy proposals — Russell Vought, the nominee to run the Office of Budget and Management, suggested a work requirement for the program in his confirmation hearing last week — Mr. Kennedy described vaguer changes.
He said he supported changes to “increase transparency” and “increase accountability.”
When Mr. Cassidy pressed him to be more specific, Mr. Kennedy responded, “I don’t have a broad proposal for dismantling the program.”
Mr. Kennedy did seem prepared, however, to be asked about the enrollment figures for Medicaid, accurately telling senators that the program covers about 72 million people through the traditional public insurance program and an additional seven million through a targeted benefit, the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
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Feeling older than your actual age could be a sign that you’re not getting enough quality sleep, according to new research.
A study led by researchers at the National Sleep Foundation and published in the journal Sleep found that adults who felt older than their chronological age were more likely to report insomnia symptoms, irregular sleep patterns and daytime fatigue.
The study involved more than 3,100 adults, who were asked a simple question: “How old do you feel?”
HERE’S WHY 90% OF AMERICANS DON’T SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT, ACCORDING TO EXPERT
Researchers then compared participants’ answers with measures of sleep quality, sleep consistency and daytime functioning.
People who felt older than their actual age consistently reported poorer sleep and greater sleep-related impairment than those who felt younger or closer to their chronological age.
Feeling older than your actual age may indicate that you’re not getting enough high-quality sleep, new research suggests. (iStock)
Researchers also found that people who felt older than their age were more likely to report poorer physical health.
Jonathan Alpert, a New York-based psychotherapist and author who was not involved in the research, told Fox News Digital that the findings align with what he frequently sees in his practice.
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“I’ve worked with many people who come in saying they feel older than they are. They’re exhausted, mentally foggy, less patient, less motivated and generally not functioning at their best,” Alpert said. “Poor sleep is often a major part of the picture.”
Experts say insufficient sleep can make everyday demands feel more overwhelming and reduce a person’s ability to concentrate. (iStock)
Inadequate sleep can make everyday responsibilities feel more difficult and leave people struggling to concentrate, manage stress and maintain their usual energy levels, Alpert said.
Over time, he said, those challenges can contribute to a feeling of premature aging.
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“Many people assume feeling older is just an inevitable part of aging, but sometimes the issue is simply that they’re chronically sleep-deprived,” Alpert said.
For that reason, he suggested looking at sleep habits before assuming fatigue and low energy are simply consequences of getting older.
The findings showed that people who felt older than their chronological age consistently experienced worse sleep and more sleep-related impairment than those who felt younger or closer to their actual age. (iStock)
For now, Alpert said the findings offer a reminder that fatigue should not automatically be blamed on getting older.
While the findings were notable, there are several limitations to consider.
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The study relied on self-reported survey responses, meaning participants provided information about both their perceived age and sleep habits. The observational design also means the research cannot determine whether poor sleep influences how old a person feels or vice versa.
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America’s youth have been increasingly abusing common over-the-counter medications, according to poison center records.
A health advisory from America’s Poison Centers, representing 53 poison centers across the country, alerted a “concerning rise” in cases of diphenhydramine abuse among teens ages 13 to 19.
Diphenhydramine is commonly found in allergy and sleep medications such as Benadryl and Zzzquil, as mentioned in the advisory.
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From 2024 to 2025, the total exposure to any substance among teens in this age group reportedly increased by 5.1%.
But cases involving diphenhydramine alone increased more rapidly, from 10,068 to 13,284 cases, a 32% spike.
Thirteen percent of diphenhydramine cases in 2026 have been linked to intentional abuse, an increase from 7.3% in 2020. (iStock)
The trend appears to be continuing into 2026, as the first five months saw 6,179 diphenhydramine-only cases in teens — more than double the prior year.
According to America’s Poison Centers, the exposure appears to be driven by recreational misuse rather than accidental over-medication. Thirteen percent of cases in 2026 were linked to intentional abuse, up from 7.3% in 2020.
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Taking diphenhydramine improperly or in large amounts can affect the brain and heart, and can lead to serious or life-threatening effects, the advisory warned.
Diphenhydramine is commonly found in over-the-counter allergy and sleep medications. (iStock)
Some symptoms of diphenhydramine poisoning include drowsiness, agitation, fast heart rate, nausea, vomiting, hallucinations, seizures, dangerous heart rhythm and loss of consciousness.
To avoid overexposure and complications, America’s Poison Centers advises the public to store all medications safely, up high, and out of reach of kids and teens. Label instructions should be followed carefully.
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“Talk with teens about the risks of misusing medications, including serious health effects and poisoning,” the notice suggested. “Be aware of social media trends or challenges that may encourage unsafe use of medications.”
Those who suspect misuse should contact the local Poison Control Center immediately.
America’s Poison Centers advises the public to “be aware of social media trends or challenges that may encourage unsafe use of medications.” (iStock)
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Benadryl manufacturer Kenvue commented that the “health and safety of people who use our products is our top priority.”
“The social media trend promoting misuse of diphenhydramine-containing products is extremely dangerous and should be stopped immediately,” a Kenvue spokesperson said. “Our hearts go out to those impacted by the misuse of diphenhydramine-containing products.”
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“We are working with social media platform safety teams to remove these dangerous posts and help stop this behavior from spreading,” they added. “We are also taking action to educate on the safe use and storage of over-the-counter medicines, including those with the ingredient diphenhydramine.”
“The social media trend promoting misuse of diphenhydramine-containing products is extremely dangerous and should be stopped immediately.”
Mary Leonard, SVP of communications and public affairs for the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, called the recent report “deeply concerning.”
“OTC medicines should never be used for recreational purposes, and intentional misuse should not be confused with the safe, effective use of these products,” she told Fox News Digital. “When used as directed, millions of Americans rely on OTC medicines containing diphenhydramine for relief from allergies, cold symptoms, motion sickness, minor skin irritations and occasional sleeplessness.”
“Because misuse of any medication can result in serious health consequences, the Drug Facts label clearly communicates dosing instructions, warnings and other important safety information.”
“OTC medicines should never be used for recreational purposes, and intentional misuse should not be confused with the safe, effective use of these products,” an industry spokesperson said. (iStock)
Kenvue shared the following three steps people can take to help prevent misuse.
- Report content related to this trend on the social media platform where it appears.
- Always store OTC medicines up and away in places children cannot access — preferably in locked cabinets or containers — and never leave medications on counters, bedside tables or in open bags, even temporarily.
- Carefully read and follow the instructions on the label and educate children on safe usage.
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“Dosing instructions and additional safety information are available on Benadryl.com, and always remember to consult a healthcare professional should you have questions,” the spokesperson added.
Fox News Digital reached out to Zzzquil maker P&G for comment.
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