Public Health News Round Up, June 10, 2025

by Jon Scaccia June 11, 2025

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‘A welcome silence’ emerges from insurance companies on COVID vaccine coverage

Despite initial confusion over guidance on COVID-19 vaccines for healthy children and pregnant women, these vaccines are still covered by insurance and public health programs thanks to their continued inclusion in the CDC’s immunization schedule. However, recent administrative changes, like the dismissal of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, could lead to shifts in future vaccine recommendations and their coverage.

RFK gets rid of vaccine advisors

In a controversial move, RFK Jr. has dismissed all members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices, signaling a dramatic shift in U.S. vaccine policy that has public health experts alarmed at the loss of expertise and the potential consequences for the nation’s health landscape. Meanwhile, Trump’s deployment of military forces to Los Angeles despite state-level opposition highlights an unprecedented encroachment of federal power that could set concerning precedents for using active-duty military domestically under the guise of maintaining “law and order.”

HHS budget proposal eliminates CDC’s chronic disease, global health centers in favor of new “MAHA” agency

The Department of Health and Human Services’ proposed 2026 budget consolidates 28 divisions into 15 to establish the Administration for a Healthy America, reallocating significant funds from essential agencies like the CDC and NIH to new initiatives focused on chronic disease prevention. This has sparked concern among public health experts and organizations, who warn that such cuts may destabilize public health systems, diminish chronic disease management, and undermine global health efforts.

Trump’s First Surgeon General: RFK Jr. Purging the CDC Advisory Committee Will Put Lives at Risk

In a troubling shift, recent policy changes under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., including the removal of the CDC’s entire advisory panel and restrictions on COVID-19 vaccine access for certain groups, could undermine public health efforts and erode trust in health institutions. These decisions not only risk leaving millions vulnerable to COVID-19 but also spark confusion and skepticism, highlighting the urgent need for transparent, evidence-based policies to maintain public trust and ensure equitable vaccine access.

UF Health pediatrician on Medicaid’s vital importance to Florida’s children

The potential budget cuts to Medicaid in Florida pose a severe threat to the health and wellbeing of children, particularly those in low-income families and foster care, underscoring the need for collective action to secure Medicaid funding and access to essential health services. The significance of protecting Medicaid is highlighted by its role in reducing school absenteeism, promoting academic success, and contributing to healthier adult lives with higher earning potentials.

US citizens and legal immigrants would be swept up in GOP drive to keep ‘illegal aliens’ from getting government benefits

The House Republicans’ proposed tax and spending cuts aim to restrict federal benefits to immigrants but could disproportionately impact millions of legal immigrants and their US citizen children, reducing access to essential supports like food stamps and health care. While framed as a measure against undocumented immigrants, experts worry it’s a misinformation campaign with potential to increase uninsured rates and financial hardship among vulnerable communities, and might pressure states to cut their own programs for covering certain immigrant groups.

Measles still making a comeback.

Measles is making a troubling comeback in the U.S. with a significant uptick in cases centered around communities with low vaccination rates, especially in Texas and New Mexico; businesses are encouraged to work closely with public health authorities to manage exposures and protect their workforce. Employers should be prepared to act swiftly by verifying employee immunization status, implementing post-exposure protocols, potentially offering leave to affected workers, and ensuring thorough workplace sanitation to prevent outbreaks and comply with health regulations.