Kennedy struggled to answer a question from Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., about how much people on Medicare are expected to pay for prescription drugs next year.
“How much are Medicare Part D enrollees expected to pay for prescription drugs next year?” Masto asked.
“I think that is in debate right now,” Kennedy said.
Masto told Kennedy that people are expected to pay up to $50 per month and then followed up with a question about Medicare Part B.
”Let me ask you a question for you on Part B. How much are Medicare Part B premiums expected to increase next year?”
“I don’t know,” Kennedy said.
Medicare Part D covers drugs that people take at home, while Medicare Part B covers medications administered in a health care facility, such as chemotherapy drugs.
As health secretary, Kennedy oversees the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which oversees Medicare and Medicare as well as the Affordable Care Act.
The back-and-forth echoed Kennedy’s confirmation hearing in January, where he struggled to answer questions about Medicare and Medicaid.
Insurance companies have noted that they plan to increase premiums next year.