Trump's health secretary pick vows to put health of Americans 'back on track'

​​​​​​​By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - US President Donald Trump's nominee to serve as the head of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) pledged to put the health of Americans "back on track."

"I promised President Trump that if confirmed, I will do everything in my power to put the health of Americans back on track," Robert F. Kennedy Jr said at a Senate confirmation hearing

Kennedy said the US has the "worst" health than any other developed nation. "We spend more on health care, at least double and in some cases triple, as other countries," he added.

In his opening statement, Kennedy said he is not "anti-vaccine" when a protester shouted, "He lies!" and was escorted out by security.

"I want to make sure the committee is clear about a few things. News reports have claimed that I am anti-vaccine or anti-industry. Well, I am neither; I am pro-safety,” said Kennedy.

Sen. Ron Wyden tried to pin down Kennedy on his past statements on vaccines. "Are you lying to Congress today when you say you are pro-vaccine or did you lie on all those podcasts?" he asked.

"I support the measles vaccine. I support the polio vaccine. I will do nothing as HHS secretary that makes it difficult or discourages people from taking either of those vaccines," Kennedy said.

Separately, Kennedy said he believes every abortion is a "tragedy."

"I agree with President Trump that every abortion is a tragedy. I agree with them that we cannot be a moral nation if we have 1.2 million abortions a year. I agree with them that the states should control abortion," he added.

He said he would work with farmers and food producers to reduce regulations and pledged not to take away classic American junk food.

"I don't want to take food away from anybody. If you like a McDonald's cheeseburger, a Diet Coke -- which my boss loves -- you should be able to get them," he said, referring to Trump.