Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Health

Eric J in MN

(35,629 posts) Sun Feb 15, 2026, 03:47 PM Sunday

RFK Jr: We spent $0 on chronic disease when JFK was president. [View all]

RFK Jr: "When my uncle was president, we spent zero on chronic disease in this country. Now we spend $4.3T a year."

Chronic disease includes cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis. JFK had Addison's, also a chronic disease.

RFK Jr thinks $0 was spent on these?

RFK Jr on Fox News;

Link to tweet

?s=46&t=clDf847w-ERLLjSX58xjDg

11 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

RFK Jr: We spent $0 on chronic disease when JFK was president. [View all] Eric J in MN Sunday OP

Medicare and Medicaid became law on July 30, 1965. sop Sunday #1

The $4.3T number includes private spending. Eric J in MN Sunday #3

Cause people didn't have chronic diseases ...they died quickly JT45242 Sunday #4

JFK had Addison's disease from age 30 onward. NT Eric J in MN Sunday #7

10 year cancer survival rates hovered around 25 percent for decades JT45242 Monday #11

Prior to Medicare and Medicaid becoming law, public health's share of total health expenditures was 1.36% in 1960. sop Sunday #5

Sick in the head......... Lovie777 Sunday #2

We didn't spend $0 because there was no chronic disease. Raven123 Sunday #6

As a kid I remember collecting $$ for the March of Dines! Grins Sunday #8

"When my uncle was president, we spent zero on chronic disease in this country." Grins Sunday #9

From before 1960 until almost 1964, my father practiced medicine as an Internist no_hypocrisy Sunday #10