On August 10, President Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing a new federal framework for childhood vaccine recommendations. The order also directs federal agencies to take additional steps related to vaccine policy, state immunization requirements and exemptions.
For Illinois public health professionals, the immediate message is important: Illinois' childhood immunization guidance and school immunization requirements have not changed.
Last week, the Senate Agriculture Committee released its draft Farm Bill, which is expected to be considered soon. Like the House-passed version, the proposal does not restore the approximately $187 billion in SNAP funding reductions enacted last year. These reductions could increase food insecurity, threatening the ability of the 41 million Americans who rely on SNAP to consistently put healthy food on the table.