Rising Anti-Science Legislation Threatens Public Health in US States
In 2025, over 420 anti-science bills targeting matters of medical freedom, immunization, fluoridation, and raw milk have been introduced at the state level in the US, with several becoming law. Notably, Idaho passed the Medical Freedom Act in October, banning vaccine requirements within the state. Arkansas expanded raw milk sales through legislation approved in April, while Utah and Florida enacted bans on water fluoridation.
Republicans in Minnesota proposed a bill drafted by a Florida hypnotist to ban mRNA vaccines, which would criminalize the distribution of Moderna and Pfizer vaccines if enacted. Illinois recently reported 11 cases of food poisoning linked to raw milk.
The benefits of vaccination remain clear; US childhood vaccines have prevented over 1 million deaths since 1994. Conversely, the risk of illness from raw milk is approximately 840 times higher than from pasteurized milk, according to 2017 CDC data. Delaware considered a law supported by California raw milk operator Mark McAfee to legalize raw milk sales. McAfee's milk has been recalled eight times and was linked to a salmonella outbreak that sickened 165 individuals; despite this, McAfee projects $32 million in sales this year.
A measles outbreak linked to lax local restrictions began in Texas and spread to Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Utah through unvaccinated individuals, demonstrating how viruses cross political boundaries.
In response to health threats, the Governors Public Health Alliance, comprising 15 Democratic state executives, was formed to share data and coordinate preparedness efforts. Additionally, the 314 Action group has launched a $25 million campaign to elect healthcare workers who support science-based policies.
