The Guardian
· collected 2026-09-16 · by Marina Dunbar and Shrai Popat
Republican Senator Bill Cassidy accused the Trump administration of contributing to recent measles deaths in Pennsylvania due to its vaccine-skeptical stance. During a hearing for health department nominees, Cassidy challenged nominee Nicole Saphier to clearly state that the MMR vaccine does not cause autism. Three confirmed and one suspected measles-related death have occurred in Pennsylvania amid the country's worst measles outbreak in over three decades. Despite pressure from Cassidy, Saphier avoided directly addressing the vaccine-autism link but affirmed her belief in the safety and efficacy of vaccines as crucial tools for preventing infectious diseases like measles.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-17,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, chairman of the US Senate Health Committee, criticized the Trump administration's vaccine policies for contributing to recent measles deaths and outbreaks. He noted that three individuals had died from measles in Pennsylvania, with a fourth death under review, emphasizing that such cases are preventable through proper vaccination. The outbreak is described as the worst in over three decades, largely attributed to misinformation and skepticism about vaccines fueled by the administration's stance. Cassidy argued for appointing health officials who base decisions on scientific evidence rather than political ideology or skepticism towards vaccines. He challenged nominees like Chris Klomp during confirmation hearings, emphasizing the need for clear statements regarding vaccine safety, such as affirming that vaccines do not cause autism.
Written for “Measles Deaths Blamed On Trump Policies” on 2026-09-17,
grounded in this article and the 1 other(s) covering the same event.
Senator Bill Cassidy, the Republican chairman of the US Senate health committee, blamed the Trump administration’s vaccine-skeptical approach for recent measles deaths in Pennsylvania and challenged Donald Trump’s pick for surgeon general to directly state that vaccines do not cause autism on Wednesday.
asserted
vaccines → blame → Wednesday
Cassidy, a Louisiana physician who chairs the panel, said three people in Pennsylvania had died of measles, with a fourth death under review, because of misinformation and misguided policies.
asserted
death → chair → misinformation
His remarks come as the US grapples with its worst measles outbreak in over three decades.
asserted
US → come → decades
“To suffer from any disease is awful, but to suffer one which is avoidable, that’s even worse,” Cassidy said, adding that the country needs health leaders “who make decisions based on science, not politics or ideology”.
asserted
who → suffer → science
The senator said that the outbreak would be “a terrible legacy for this administration”.
asserted
outbreak → say → administration
The committee is currently considering the Trump-picked Chris Klomp for deputy secretary of health and human services, Nicole Saphier for surgeon general and Timothy Westlake to lead the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
asserted
committee → consider → Administration
Saphier notably avoided mentioning vaccines directly in her opening remarks, instead expressing her Make America Healthy Again bona fides.
asserted
America → avoid → fides
“I have long believed that we spend too much time and resources treating chronic disease after it takes hold, and not enough time helping Americans reduce their risk before illness begins.
asserted
illness → believe → risk
And unfortunately, we’re seeing the consequences of that imbalance right now: rising cancer rates in people under 50, cardiovascular disease that remains the number one killer, but also is largely preventable in lots of cases,” Saphier said.
asserted
Saphier → see → cases
Cassidy pushed Saphier about whether she would tell parents concerned about the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine that it does not cause autism.
asserted
it → push → autism
“I’m so sensitive to this because I’ve had wriggle room from people sitting there … who later use that wriggle room to do things which are quite contrary?” Cassidy said, referring to the various promises that Robert F Kennedy Jr made to the top Republican in his confirmation hearing, only for the health secretary to renege on several occasions.
“Would you feel comfortable communicating with clarity …
asserted
you → ’m → clarity
Is the MMR vaccine extremely lethal, as the president said?” Cassidy asked Saphier.
asserted
Cassidy → say → Saphier
The nominee for surgeon general said that she “cannot speak to what the president has said” but went on to say: “I do not believe the MMR vaccine to be lethal.
asserted
vaccine → say → what
I believe the MMR vaccine is our greatest tool for combating measles.”
asserted
vaccine → believe → measles
Saphier, who is a practising radiologist and Fox News contributor, added: “The best tool we have to combat these infections to save the most lives and to also create population herd immunity is vaccination against the MMR.
asserted
we → practise → MMR
I appreciate the president is trying to reach vaccine-hesitant people who are wanting more answers or who are concerned that there are too many doses.”
asserted
who → appreciate → answers
Cassidy, however, remained unconvinced by the president’s public health strategy.
asserted
Cassidy → remain → strategy
“I’m not sure that you reach people who are vaccine hesitant by feeding into untruths,” the chair said.
asserted
chair → ’m → untruths
Last month, the senator denounced Trump’s “crazy, stupid” claims about the safety of the combined MMR vaccine for undermining faith in immunization.
uncertain
senator → denounce → immunization
Cassidy previously voted to confirm Kennedy as health secretary, despite disagreements over how to combat vaccine skepticism.
asserted
Cassidy → vote → skepticism
The senator said that Kennedy, who has pushed the discredited theory that vaccines cause autism for decades, had promised him that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) “will not remove statements on their website pointing out that vaccines do not cause autism”.
asserted
vaccines → say → autism
After Kennedy became health secretary, however, the Autism and Vaccines page on the CDC website was altered to undermine that scientific consensus.
asserted
page → become → consensus
An asterisk was added to the headline “Vaccines do not cause Autism”, which leads to a footnote pointing out that “the root causes of autism” remain unknown.
asserted
causes → add → autism
The Aporia
