The Commonwealth Beat with Laura LeBeau - Episode 82 - 06/01/25

The Commonwealth Beat with Laura LeBeau is a statewide Public Affairs program airing on all of the Seven Mountains Media Pennsylvania radio stations. 

The Geisinger School of Nursing in Lewistown, Mifflin County, is basking in the glow of a major accomplishment, a national accreditation.  But it comes amid a continuing nursing shortage that doesn't appear to be easing.  We discuss what it took for the school to achieve the accreditation with its director, Beth Finkbiner, and what may be causing the shortage of nurses, both in PA and nationwide.  

Then we discuss the growing measles outbreak in the US.  While it started in rural Texas, cases of the once-eradicated disease have spread to many other states, Including Pennsylvania.  This comes as a new bipartisan poll reveals that nearly 70% of Americans are concerned about the declining vaccination rates among children.  Candace DeMatties of the Partnership to Fight Infectious Disease will discuss.