May 13, 2021 | 1:15 PM
Pediatricians say GOP vaccination proposal in Pa. could put children, newborns at risk
The law would require doctors to let parents set their children’s immunization schedules.
Brett Sholtis, Reporter / Transforming Health
Brett Sholtis is WITF’s Transforming Health reporter, covering health care policy and community health issues affecting Pennsylvanians. His work often focuses on mental health policy and how it interacts with policing and prisons. Sholtis’ 2019 profile of a young woman with schizophrenia was recognized with a regional Edward R. Murrow Award. In 2020 a follow-up to that story helped to get that woman moved from county jail to a psychiatric facility. He is the host of Transforming Health’s annual “A Summer Read” book series, where he has led public conversations with Sheryl Sandberg, Sue Klebold and Sam Quinones. Sholtis also has reported extensively on Pennsylvania’s response to the coronavirus, election-year social unrest in Harrisburg and the opioid epidemic. He is a member of the Association of Health Care Journalists and the NPR/Kaiser Health News team. Previously he worked as a business reporter at York Daily Record, where he was recognized with Associated Press and Keystone Awards for his work on nuclear waste and food safety. Sholtis is a University of Pittsburgh graduate and a Pennsylvania Army National Guard Kosovo campaign veteran.
Latest by Brett Sholtis
May 7, 2021 | 4:10 PM
Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper files legal action against Harrisburg, water company, citing sewage
The riverkeeper and a Washington, D.C.-based group say Capital Region Water isn’t doing enough to stop pollution.
May 6, 2021 | 4:29 PM
Federal dollars give hope to mental health advocates aiming to launch treatment programs
Lack of funds kept counties from using “assisted outpatient treatment” services in the past.
May 3, 2021 | 6:02 PM
Facing burnout, worker shortages, nurses say COVID-19 shows need for staffing ratios
Union members called on House Health Committee Chair Kathy Rapp to consider their proposal.
Updated: April 29, 2021 | 4:43 pm
Contact tracing data breach exposed personal information for more than 72k people in Pa.
The state says it will not renew its contract with the agency, Insight Global, after the incident.
April 23, 2021 | 6:25 PM
Public health leaders work to win over Pa. Republicans who say they won’t get vaccinated
Half of all Pennsylvania Republicans polled say they don’t plan to get immunized.
By Brett Sholtis April 22, 2021 | 4:36 PM
Responding to dip in demand, Lancaster’s mass vaccination site is taking walk-ins
“We’re just trying to make it incredibly easy now to get vaccinated.”
April 13, 2021 | 5:49 PM
What experts know about rare blood clots and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine in Pa.
Risk of dying from the virus is 2,000 times greater than the risk of vaccine complications.
April 6, 2021 | 4:16 PM
Pennsylvania health department urges use of COVID-19 testing sites as new cases rise
Despite an increase in COVID-19 cases, fewer people have gotten tested in recent weeks.
April 5, 2021 | 10:18 AM
Pa. restaurants expand service while grappling with COVID-19 case increase
Looser restrictions are complicated by a rise in cases fueled in part by more infectious variants.
By Brett Sholtis