American Friction How Trump and RFK Jr. are risking a global health crisis
May 27, 2025
Celine Gounder, Editor-at-Large for Public Health at KFF Health News and medical contributor for CBS News, joins the discussion. She delves into the troubling implications of Trump's healthcare cuts and RFK Jr.'s influence on public health. Gounder highlights the dangers of political narratives, especially in a libertarian context, which breed skepticism towards medical expertise. The conversation also addresses the urgent issues surrounding Medicare, Medicaid funding cuts, and the high cost of drugs, emphasizing the critical need for informed public discourse.
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Medicaid Cuts Endanger Millions
- Trump’s proposed budget slashes billions from Health and Human Services, targeting Medicaid notably.
- Cuts could strip healthcare from 10 million Americans, risking serious harm especially in conservative states.
America’s Metabolic Health Crisis
- Nearly 40% of Americans are obese, causing metabolic health crises like diabetes and hypertension.
- America's health issues stem largely from social determinants like socioeconomic status and zip code.
Fluoride Debate Reveals Bias
- RFK Jr.’s anti-fluoride stance is an ideological symbol rather than scientifically grounded.
- Genuine environmental risks like nanoplastics receive little attention due to industry cost concerns.