Story perspectives

SNL's MAHAspital Skewers Anti-Vaccine Sentiment with Humor

3/15/2026

Summary

Story summary

Saturday Night Live aired a parody segment titled MAHAspital, reimagining The Pitt to critique the Make America Healthy Again movement.
Harry Styles, an SNL performer, played a doctor dispensing unconventional treatments like raw milk and Ivermectin.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (portrayed by James Austin Johnson on SNL) promoted pseudoscience.
The sketch satirized anti-vaccine sentiment and concluded with Kennedy insisting on preparing a dead bear for jerky, referencing a real incident.

History

Historical Context

The anti-vaccine movement in the U.S. gained traction in 1998 following Andrew Wakefield's discredited study falsely linking vaccines to autism. Public figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have since amplified this misinformation. A recent SNL parody featuring Harry Styles critiques the ongoing health discourse, underscoring the persistent societal struggle against vaccine skepticism and its implications for public health.

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Story summary

Saturday Night Live aired a parody segment titled MAHAspital, reimagining The Pitt to critique the Make America Healthy Again movement.
Harry Styles, an SNL performer, played a doctor dispensing unconventional treatments like raw milk and Ivermectin.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (portrayed by James Austin Johnson on SNL) promoted pseudoscience.
The sketch satirized anti-vaccine sentiment and concluded with Kennedy insisting on preparing a dead bear for jerky, referencing a real incident.

1 / 2