Public Health News Round Up, April 18, 2028

by Jon Scaccia April 18, 2025

Obviously, the big news is the leaked HHS budget. We talked about that yesterday, so you can read at that link to catch up.

Here’s some things we have coming up for next week. And don’t forget to subscribe.

GOP cuts to Medicaid could threaten rural hospitals

Southwest Memorial Hospital, a vital component of both healthcare and the economy in Cortez, Colorado, faces a precarious future if proposed Medicaid cuts proceed, endangering nearly 25% of its anticipated 2025 revenue. Such fiscal challenges could force the hospital and similar rural institutions to drastically reduce services, exacerbating health disparities and economic fragility in communities where Medicaid serves as a crucial safety net.

Mass. commissioner of public health pushes back on RFK Jr.’s vaccine skepticism

In response to rising measles cases and federal funding cuts, Massachusetts public health officials are bolstering their vaccine infrastructure despite vocal anti-vaccine sentiments from Health and Human Services Secretary RFK Jr., whose comments challenge long-standing public health science and policy. Alongside efforts to enhance vaccine accessibility, officials are also defending evidence-backed measures like water fluoridation while striving for innovative solutions to maintain public health and equity.

Officials confirm 5 measles cases in Gallatin Co.

In Gallatin County, Montana, five unvaccinated or vaccination-unknown individuals have contracted measles, marking the state’s first cases since 1990, prompting local health officials to emphasize the importance of verifying and updating vaccination status to prevent further spread. The outbreak highlights how quickly measles can resurface and the vital role of community immunization to protect vulnerable populations like infants and those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.

RFK Jr. Says There Are No Autistic Poets. We Asked an Autistic Poet.

The article discusses Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s controversial views on autism as a grave and preventable disease, a stance criticized by experts and autistic individuals who argue that it dangerously misrepresents autism and undermines the rights and dignity of those with the condition. Highlighting the impact of his anti-vaccine activism, the piece includes perspectives from autistic poet Elizabeth McClellan, who emphasizes the value and humanity of autistic people, challenging Kennedy’s harmful rhetoric and advocating for greater support and recognition of their diverse contributions to society.

RFK Wants to Send People to ‘Wellness Farms.’ The US Already Tried That.

In a striking echo of historical practices grounded in eugenics, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s proposal of “wellness farms” aims to address addiction and certain medical conditions by isolating individuals for lengthy agricultural stints under the guise of rehabilitation. While framed as voluntary and therapeutic, this approach risks reviving archaic, ableist ideologies that historically marginalized and stripped disabled people of autonomy, rather than promoting genuine well-being and inclusion.

The Court Battle to Stop Trump’s $20 Billion Climate Clawback

Judge Tanya S. Chutkan dealt a significant legal blow to the Trump administration by temporarily blocking its attempt to seize $20 billion in federal funds from climate and green energy projects, citing a lack of evidence for their claims of fraud and corruption. The Trump administration’s actions, which critics describe as an attack on environmental justice and congressional authority, highlight ongoing concerns about executive overreach and the influence of fossil fuel interests.