Bulwark Takes Inside Trump’s Bizarre Healthcare Call
Jul 24, 2025
Dr. Zeke Emanuel, an oncologist and bioethicist with a history in health policy at the NIH and Obama administration, joins to discuss the turbulent landscape of American healthcare. He recounts a surprising healthcare strategy call with Trump during the 2016 election. The conversation dives deep into reforming Medicaid, advocating for automatic enrollment, and tackling the burdensome application processes. Emanuel also critiques cuts to medical research funding and emphasizes the urgency of maintaining America's competitive edge against countries like China.
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Healthcare Call in Amtrak Bathroom
- Dr. Zeke Emanuel received a surprising call from President-elect Donald Trump's office while on a train.
- He spoke with Trump about healthcare in an Amtrak restroom due to noise constraints.
Trump and Vaccine-Autism Myth
- During a call, Dr. Emanuel discussed the debunked vaccine-autism link with Trump.
- Trump remained unconvinced, despite Emanuel explaining the scientific evidence against it.
Medicaid Cuts Harm Eligible People
- Medicaid cuts will cause many eligible people to lose coverage, not only those abusing the system.
- Complex applications and paperwork hurdles contribute to coverage loss, not just fraud.