Public Health News Round Up

by Jon Scaccia May 30, 2025

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Here’s what we have next week.

COVID variant NB.1.8.1 spreads rapidly across 22 countries

New COVID-19 variant NB.1.8.1 is swiftly spreading across the globe, raising important discussions about its transmissibility and implications for future pandemic management. While it doesn’t cause more severe illness compared to previous strains, its rapid spread means we must remain vigilant, with updated vaccines and consistent preventive measures being crucial in mitigating its impact.

Court Challenges Loom as RFK Jr. Cuts Covid Shot From CDC List

In a controversial move, US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has decided to drop the Covid-19 vaccine from the CDC’s recommended immunization schedule for healthy children and pregnant women, without seeking public input or providing clear scientific justification. This decision is poised to face significant legal challenges and may lead to reduced vaccine access if insurers change their coverage policies, while also drawing intense scrutiny from public health advocates and vaccine manufacturers.

Did DOGE, RFK Jr. find 8M fraudulently enrolled in Medicaid? Not exactly

Rumors have claimed that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) discovered 8 million fraudulent Medicaid enrollees, but there’s no evidence to support such a claim, as it seems to stem from a combination of misinterpretations and unverified information tied to legislative budget estimates. The actual figure appears to have originated from the Congressional Budget Office’s projections concerning potential Medicaid losses within a controversial budget bill, not from any official findings on fraud.

Growth in Medicare Advantage Raises Concerns

The article delves into the complexities and rising costs associated with different Medicare plans, highlighting the struggles seniors face with increasing premiums, the potential impact of Medicare Advantage (MA) plans on traditional Medicare, and the broader implications of privatizing healthcare for the elderly. It uncovers how corporations and political motivations intertwine to influence healthcare policy, potentially leaving those reliant on fixed incomes more vulnerable to financial strain, especially as costs escalate and access to affordable healthcare options becomes more limited.

Letters: The Trump administration will strip children of health care with deep cuts to Medicaid

This article sheds light on the impacts of proposed Medicaid cuts by outlining the vital role the program plays in healthcare for children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. The piece also criticizes the administration’s inconsistent family policies and suggests that funds saved from these cuts are redirected as tax breaks for the wealthy. It argues for standing with families reliant on Medicaid against these ethical injustices and calls for a system that prioritizes child, family, and public health over superficial tax benefits and grandiose military displays.

RFK Jr ends COVID vaccine recommendation: What do facts say about risks?

In a twist that left both the medical community and public puzzled, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., faced with skepticism due to his past vaccine stance, announced the withdrawal of the CDC’s COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for healthy children and pregnant women without clear guidance, potentially hindering vaccine access. Meanwhile, experts remain divided on vaccine necessity for these groups, particularly given the low incidence of severe cases among most children, but point out the protective benefits for pregnant women and their babies.

RFK Jr. Denies Cuts to Scientific Research While Slashing Staff, Funding

The Department of Health and Human Services under the Trump administration has been heavily criticized for slashing billions in scientific research funding and laying off thousands of employees, including scientists, despite claims by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that life-saving research remains untouched. These funding cuts affect crucial research on topics like cancer and HIV, and the ongoing uncertainty has raised alarms about the agency’s capability to fulfill its public health mission effectively.

Editor comment: RFK is an asshole.

RFK slams processed foods, pesticides, as harmful, Kansas farmers respond

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s commission report blames a host of factors—like ultra-processed foods, environmental toxins, and the effects of corporate influence—for the rise in chronic diseases among U.S. children, while calling for a major overhaul of health policies to address these issues. The report has been met with both support and criticism, as it challenges the status quo on everything from pesticides to childhood vaccines, sparking debates on how best to improve public health while maintaining confidence in the nation’s food systems.

There’s no evidence work requirements for Medicaid recipients will boost employment, but they are a key piece of Republican spending bill

The Senate is debating a House-passed budget that proposes work requirements for Medicaid recipients, potentially stripping millions of low-income Americans of their healthcare coverage despite no evidence that such requirements boost employment or reduce poverty. The bill reflects long-standing ideological beliefs about linking government assistance to work, but critics argue it would exacerbate health inequities, particularly among vulnerable populations already struggling with access to essential healthcare services.