Brian Lehrer: A Daily Politics Podcast
Here’s Who’ll Be In Charge of Health Insurance in The New House Term
Dec 16, 2024
Rachel Cohrs Zhang, Chief Washington correspondent for STAT News, dives into the intricate issues plaguing the health insurance landscape, especially after recent tragedies in the sector. She discusses Congress's efforts to fix a system perceived as broken, highlighting key topics like Medicare improvements and the urgent need for bipartisan health insurance reforms. Cohrs also addresses disparities in healthcare access across the U.S. and the complexities faced by small pharmacies amidst rising pricing pressures from pharmacy benefit managers.
24:22
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Quick takeaways
- The significant lack of diversity in the newly appointed House committee leadership reflects the Republican party's ongoing commitment to traditional representation over DEI initiatives.
- Public discontent with health care costs is driving legislative talks, yet Congress's slow response underscores the historical challenges in health policy reform.
Deep dives
Dominance of White Male Leadership in Congress
Recent changes in House committee leadership reveal a significant lack of diversity, as 15 out of 16 chairs are white men, which aligns with the Republican approach against diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. This pattern underscores the party's commitment to maintaining its traditional representation while moving away from DEI efforts. Notably, Congressman Brett Guthrie of Kentucky, the newly appointed chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee, will play a crucial role in the upcoming legislative sessions. With a broad jurisdiction that includes health care, environment, and consumer protection, the decisions made by this committee will have substantial implications for a range of vital public issues.
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