Sen. Bill Cassidy on Pres. Trump's vaccine EO: This is bad policy on multiple levels

Watch on YouTube ↗  |  August 13, 2026 at 12:55  |  8:20  |  CNBC
Speakers
Bill Cassidy — U.S. Senator (R-La.) and physician

Summary

Senator Bill Cassidy, a Republican physician, criticizes President Trump's vaccine executive order, arguing that splitting combined vaccines such as MMR into separate shots would create more doctor visits, higher costs, and greater vaccine hesitancy. He defends his confirmation votes for RFK Jr. and CDC director Erika Schwarz while emphasizing the public-health consequences of undermining immunization trust. Cassidy urges parents to consult pediatricians and frames vaccination as consistent with pro-life values.

  • Cassidy calls the vaccine executive order bad policy because it means more appointments and injections for children.
  • He argues splitting MMR into separate shots could raise health insurance premiums.
  • He says RFK Jr. told him he would not change the ACIP vaccine schedule.
  • He warns that undermining immunization confidence has already led to measles cases and deaths.
  • He notes a federal judge has paused recent attempted immunization schedule changes.
  • He encourages parents to consult their child's pediatrician about vaccine decisions.
  • He links pro-life beliefs to pro-vaccine policies.
Up Next