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[sailthru_widget name="Sailthru Widget Block" sailthru_list="Health Care" title="Health Care"] Click in for more news from The Hill{beacon} Healthcare Healthcare The Big Story Cassidy: Trump’s handling of measles a “terrible legacy” Senate Health Committee chairman Bill Cassidy (R-La.) on Wednesday called the Trump administration’s handling of measles outbreaks a “terrible legacy,” as he cited recent deaths in Pennsylvania. © AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta“Misinformation and misguided policies are leaving children unprotected against diseases we know how to prevent,” Cassidy said during a hearing for three Department of Health and Human Services nominees. The U.S. is in the midst of a massive measles outbreak this year, surpassing a 35-year record with months to go in the year. On Tuesday, Pennsylvania officials said four people had died from measles-associated complications. “No one should be hospitalized, much less die. By the way, CDC apparently is working on the definition of death by measles,” said Cassidy. “Someone said we haven't had to work on that for decades because no one has died from measles, and now we have people dying from measles. That's going to be a terrible legacy for this administration.” Cassidy pressed surgeon general nominee Nicole Saphier on whether she supports the MMR vaccine and told her not to equivocate. “I believe the MMR vaccine is our greatest tool for combating measles,” Saphier said in response. When Cassidy asked her what she would tell a mom who asked if the MMR caused autism, she said, “I do not believe childhood vaccines cause autism” Last month, the Trump administration issued an executive order to separate the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine into separate doses. Cassidy, a physician who lost his primary bid for reelection, said the move would “increase hesitancy and make children less safe.” Trump at the time said that the combined MMR vaccine could be “quite lethal,” without citing scientific evidence. “It deeply concerns me to see politicians giving medical advice which has zero scientific backing,” Cassidy said. “Scaring mothers into delaying or even altogether skipping their child’s vaccines is wrong and makes America sicker not healthier,” Cassidy said. He expressed regret over having given previous nominees “wiggle room” about their vaccine beliefs, saying they had “later used that wiggle room to do things which were quite contrary.” Welcome to The Hill’s Healthcare newsletter, we’re Nathaniel Weixel and Joseph Choi — every week we follow the latest moves on how Washington impacts your health. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads How policy will be impacting the healthcare sector this week and beyond: Family of Texas woman who died while pregnant sues Paxton, doctors over denied abortion The family of a Texas woman who died while pregnant filed a lawsuit Wednesday against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) after doctors denied her an abortion. Tierra Walker, 37, died from preeclampsia in 2024 after she suffered “seizures, blood clots, and one hypertensive crisis” while she was four months pregnant. She asked multiple times before her death for an abortion but was told numerous times, “Her baby was fine,” … Full Story Trump health nominees face tame Senate hearing: 3 takeaways Senators heard from three of President Trump’s health nominees on Wednesday, including his third pick to be U.S. surgeon general, with this recent crop seeming to better align with what lawmakers wanted to hear. The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) held a hearing to go over the nominations of Nicole Saphier to be surgeon general, Chris Klomp to be deputy secretary of the Department of … Full Story Abortion rights group expands midterm battleground efforts A major abortion rights group is expanding its outreach efforts in key battleground House districts ahead of November’s midterm elections. Reproductive Freedom for All (RFFA) said it is investing about $1 million into a direct voter contact campaign across three priority districts in Arizona, Michigan and Nevada. According to details shared first with The Hill, the effort will support paid canvassing and voter engagement … Full Story On Our Radar Upcoming news themes and events we're watching: Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Thursday will deliver a keynote address at a conference hosted by Children's Health Defense, the anti-vaccine group previously chaired. In Other News Branch out with a different read: Hawley to push GOP officeholders, candidates to sign ‘Declaration for Life’ Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) is working with Christian groups to push Republican officeholders and candidates to sign a “Declaration for Life” pledge to fight for legislation to restrict abortion. Hawley announced the pledge after hosting the first Missouri Prayer Breakfast with dozens of pastors in the historic Kennedy Caucus Room in the Russell Senate Office Building. “This is a declaration for life for life, calling … Full Story Around the Nation Local and state headlines on healthcare: In new State Health Plan program, a cluster of rural NC hospitals could cost patients more (WUNC News) CT regulates the use of AI in state health plans (WSHU) Oregon Medicaid program erroneously paid up to $4.1M due to system errors, audit says (Oregon Capital Chronicle) What We're Reading Health news we’ve flagged from other outlets: Outcome of suit against Department of Labor could boost skimpy employer health plans (KFF Health News) House Democrats may use oversight powers to plan for health care overhaul (Stat) Congress is finally talking about menopause (The 19th News) What People Think Opinions related to health submitted to The Hill: The Inflation Reduction Act’s broken promise is still costing patients From 9/11 to burn pits, we must deal with long-term effects of toxic exposure You’re all caught up. See you tomorrow!document fetched 2026-09-17 02:49 · canonical https://thehill.com/newsletters/healthcare/6094294-cassidy-trumps-handling-of-measles-a-terrible-legacy