In this engaging conversation, comedian and author Jenny Slate discusses her new essay collection, "Lifeform," exploring themes of love, motherhood, and personal growth. She shares candid reflections on her journey through the challenges of parenting, especially her experiences in the NICU. The podcast also highlights the potential implications of Dr. Mehmet Oz's nomination to lead Medicare and Medicaid, and the ACLU's fight for transparency in ICE's deportation practices, raising significant questions about health care and immigration reform.
Dr. Oz's potential leadership at Medicare and Medicaid raises concerns about his controversial healthcare views and approach to reform.
The ACLU's lawsuit against ICE highlights the urgent need for transparency regarding immigration policies and the impact on vulnerable communities.
Deep dives
Implications of Dr. Oz's Potential Role
The potential appointment of Dr. Mehmet Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services could significantly impact healthcare coverage for millions of Americans. With a background as a cardiothoracic surgeon and a controversial media persona, Dr. Oz's approach to managing the Affordable Care Act health insurance marketplaces raises concerns about the scientific validity of his healthcare policies. Given previous criticisms of his promotion of unverified health products, there is apprehension regarding his ability to navigate the complexities of healthcare reform in a largely anti-regulatory administration. His past discussions on Medicare Advantage hint at a possible push towards privatization, an agenda favored by many Republicans that could alter how Americans receive care.
ACLU's Legal Challenge Against ICE
The American Civil Liberties Union is filing a lawsuit against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in response to anticipated mass deportations under the incoming Trump administration. This lawsuit seeks transparency regarding ICE's operations and plans that could facilitate large-scale deportations, particularly through a controversial program dubbed 'ICE Air,' which has already been responsible for the deportation of over 140,000 individuals in the current year. The ACLU argues that the expansion of immigration detention centers poses a fundamental threat to civil liberties, as private prison companies profit from the incarceration of immigrants. These developments confirm concerns that the administration's immigration policies may disproportionately affect vulnerable communities and lead to increased enforcement actions in areas previously untouched by such measures.
Jenny Slate's Journey of Self-Discovery
Comedian Jenny Slate's new essay collection, 'Lifeform,' reflects on her transformational journey from being single to embracing love and motherhood. Through a combination of humor and vulnerability, Slate explores her past insecurities, the complexities of relationships, and the challenges of self-worth, revealing that her path to happiness has been fraught with introspection and growth. She candidly discusses how her early fears of emotional betrayal and the societal pressures of happiness shaped her experiences, while also celebrating the positive aspects of her evolution. The essays illustrate that personal happiness is achievable and can coexist with apprehensions, emphasizing the importance of staying authentic while navigating the intricacies of life.
President-elect Donald Trump says he plans to nominate former TV host Dr. Mehmet Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The agency oversees insurance programs covering more than 150 million Americans. Julie Rovner of KFF News breaks down Dr. Oz's views on health care. Then, the ACLU filed a lawsuit this week against ICE, seeking more information about how it might carry out large-scale deportations in the incoming Trump administration. The ACLU's Eunice Cho joins us. And, comedian, actor and author Jenny Slate recently released "Lifeform," a new collection of essays about life, love and having a child. Here & Now's Emiko Tamagawa speaks with Slate.