Public Health News Round Up, May 5, 2025

by Jon Scaccia May 5, 2025

We have been working on really long blog on the recent budget proposal. We hope to have it up today…

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Another Big Lie: RFK Jr. wants to make America healthy again

The article discusses the potential catastrophic consequences of proposed federal budget cuts to public health programs, including naloxone distribution, with public health experts warning about possible increases in overdose deaths and a dilution of vaccine science due to the administration’s decisions. It highlights the broader public health risks posed by key figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose anti-vaccine stance and conspiracy theories could severely undermine established medical consensus and jeopardize children’s health.

At Social Security, these are the days of the living dead

A series of tech and bureaucratic mishaps at the Social Security Administration (SSA) have mistakenly declared people dead while simultaneously causing delays in benefits processing, which, amidst a massive employee layoff and a controversial database overhaul, has left many unable to access necessities they rely on for survival. Despite the administration’s aim to modernize and reduce fraud, advocates, lawyers, and affected beneficiaries argue these measures are undermining the SSA’s core mission of delivering aid, adding to fears of inefficiency that could lead to a push towards privatization.

Measles more contagious than other viruses, making outbreaks more dangerous

Measles is making a worrying comeback in North America, with more than 2,500 cases and four deaths reported, primarily due to declining vaccination rates and international travel. Health officials are urging everyone, especially in border communities, to ensure they are fully vaccinated to prevent the spread of this once-controlled but potentially fatal disease.

Potential Medicaid cuts would be ‘devastating’ for Hawaii

Hawaii faces potential upheaval as Republicans in Congress consider slashing Medicaid funding—a move that could undermine the health care safety net for over 400,000 residents and strain local hospitals. Medicaid, or Med-QUEST in Hawaii, is vital for low-income families, but if federal cuts are enacted, the state may grapple with hard choices, like raising taxes or reducing other budgets, to maintain coverage and avoid devastating impacts on health access and outcomes.

The MMR vaccine doesn’t contain ‘aborted fetus debris,’ as RFK Jr has claimed: Here’s the science

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s claims about “aborted fetus debris” in the MMR vaccine are misleading since the vaccine only contains trace amounts of fragmented, non-harmful DNA from historical cell lines used to grow the rubella virus, not fetal tissue. The MMR vaccine is safe and provides crucial protection against measles, mumps, and rubella, contradicting claims that could undermine trust in vaccination during a major measles outbreak.

The Republican Budget Plan Could Kick Millions Off Medicaid

As Republicans in Congress grapple with writing a bill to significantly cut government spending and extend Trump-era tax breaks, a major sticking point is how deeply to slash Medicaid funding. With discussions around imposing work requirements heating up, history shows such measures could deprive millions of essential healthcare without expanding employment, raising serious social justice concerns.