2 people die from measles in Pennsylvania

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Healthcare Newsletter 2 people die from measles in Pennsylvania by Joseph Choi and Nathaniel Weixel - 08/25/26 6:39 PM ET Link copied by Joseph Choi and Nathaniel Weixel - 08/25/26 6:39 PM ET Link copied NOW PLAYING Close Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here The latest in politics and policy. Direct to your inbox. Sign up for the Health Care newsletter Subscribe Click in for more news from The Hill{beacon} Healthcare Healthcare The Big Story Two people die from measles in Pennsylvania Two unvaccinated people died from the measles in Pennsylvania, marking the first deaths the state has seen in 35 years and the first in the country this year. © AP Photo/Annie Rice, File Both people were residents of Lancaster County, the heart of the state’s Amish population, but officials did not disclose any additional information. Pennsylvania has confirmed 393 measles cases in 28 counties this year, including 86 in the past week. Across the country, five people have died from measles in the past two years, more than the past 30 years combined. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) said he confronted Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about the federal government’s role in spreading misinformation that he said is contributing to declining vaccination rates. “I was very, very blunt with him, and I made very clear that his actions and the rhetoric that’s coming from this administration are having a negative impact on communities across America, particularly right here in Pennsylvania,” Shapiro said. “There’s real-life consequences to scaring people and not relying on actual doctors and actual medical professionals to provide unbiased information to parents so that we can make reasonable decisions for our kids,” he added. The measles surge has hit at the same time as the Trump administration is taking steps to reduce and space out the number of childhood vaccinations, including an executive order to split up the combination measles, mumps and rubella vaccine— something pediatricians say is dangerous and that would result in fewer vaccinations. President Trump falsely said the combined MMR shot was “lethal,” and both Trump and Kennedy have falsely insinuated that an increase in the number of childhood vaccines is linked to a rise in autism rates. Kennedy has acknowledged that “the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles is the MMR vaccine” but has also falsely said it has not been safety tested, and that it offers only short-term protection that wanes quickly. In a contentious CNN interview earlier this month, Kennedy said he takes no responsibility for the country’s measles outbreaks and blamed COVID-19 “lockdowns” for declining vaccination rates. The New York Times reported that Kennedy spoke in Lancaster County five years ago when he was the leader of Children’s Health Defense, one of the country’s most prominent anti-vaccine groups. Kennedy reportedly downplayed the severity of measles infections and warned members of the Amish community that public health agencies will force them to vaccinate. 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: Senate Democrats question RFK Jr. on vaccine settlement divestment Several Senate Democrats are questioning whether Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. truly divested his financial interests in a lawsuit he helped spearhead challenging the HPV vaccine Gardasil. Before he was confirmed as HHS secretary, Kennedy was part of a lawsuit led by the firm Wisner Baum against the pharmaceutical company Merck, alleging that its HPV vaccine Gardasil caused neurological and … Full Story What is CTE, and how many former NFL players have been diagnosed with it? Editor’s Note: This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org. (NEXSTAR) – A new study led by researchers out of Massachusetts suggests that among those who have played in the NFL, at least one in four may develop chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), … Full Story Florida moves to end certain school vaccination requirements The state of Florida wants to roll back a requirement that public and private school children receive four vaccines before enrolling. A proposed rule from the state’s Health Department would allow students to attend school and enroll in daycare without first receiving hepatitis B, varicella (chickenpox), Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines. The proposal would also broaden religious … Full Story In Other News Branch out with a different read:Thyroid tablets recalled nationwide over potential ‘superpotency’: FDA (NewsNation) — Vitruvias Therapeutics is voluntarily recalling one lot of thyroid tablets because they could potentially be “superpotent,” federal regulators announced this week. The high potency 30mg tablets could cause hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, according to the Food and Drug Administration. The affected lot (504950) was distributed nationwide to Vitruvias Therapeutics’ direct accounts from … Full Story Around the Nation Local and state headlines on healthcare: Report: Care at Wisconsin hospitals more expensive than in Illinois (Wisconsin Public Radio) New ‘Immunize Minnesota‘ coalition hopes to break down public health silos around vaccines (Minnesota Public Radio) Colorado sees summer surge in Mpox infections (Denver7) What We’re Reading Health news we’ve flagged from other outlets:How Trump’s cuts are reshaping America’s health system (Stat) The Medicare GLP-1 discount has one big catch: some sick patients don’t qualify (KFF Health News) More US employers to drop weight-loss drugs in 2027, as healthcare costs increase (Reuters) What People Think Opinions related to health submitted to The Hill: ‘Medicare for All’ means Medicare for noneCongress must now do its part on Medicare fraud You’re all caught up. See you tomorrow! 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