KFF Health News' 'What the Health?'

Federal Health Work in Flux

Mar 20, 2025

Sarah Karlin-Smith, a seasoned reporter for The Pink Sheet, dives into the upheaval within federal health policies. She explores the ongoing conflict between the Trump administration and federal courts over healthcare contracts, revealing significant implications for public health. The conversation highlights crucial issues like the impact of job cuts on health initiatives and the challenges of managing federal health research, especially regarding mRNA technology. Don't miss their insightful recommendations on essential health policy stories!

30:08

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Episode guests

Sarah Karlin-Smith

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Quick takeaways

The podcast discusses how the instability caused by federal layoffs is impacting employee productivity and contributing to inefficiencies within health agencies.

It highlights the troubling trend of cuts to vital healthcare programs, such as HIV/AIDS research, which undermine public health commitments and partnerships.

Deep dives

Healthcare System Inefficiencies

The podcast highlights various inefficiencies within the healthcare system that contribute to unnecessary expenditures. It emphasizes that addressing these inefficiencies, such as ineffective policies and regulations, could lead to significant cost savings. Specific examples discussed include the call for more transparency and research into key areas like infant formula safety and heavy metals. By tightening these 'leaky pipes' in the system, it is suggested that better financial management and healthier outcomes can be achieved.

Intro

2min

Navigating Federal Workforce Challenges

11min

Consequences of Cuts to Health Oversight

2min

The Politics of Health Research Funding

9min

Medicare Drug Price Negotiations

4min

Challenges in Federal Health Research and mRNA Technology Controversy

3min

It’s the Trump administration vs. the federal courts, as the Department of Government Efficiency continues to try to cancel federal contracts and programs and fire workers — while federal judges continue to label those efforts illegal. In the haste to cut things, jobs and programs are being eliminated even if they align with the new administration’s goal to “Make America Healthy Again.”

Rachel Roubein of The Washington Post, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, and Jessie Hellmann of CQ Roll Call join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more.

Visit our website for a transcript of this episode.

Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too:

Julie Rovner: The Washington Post’s “The Free-Living Bureaucrat,” by Michael Lewis.

Rachel Roubein: The Washington Post’s “Her Research Grant Mentioned ‘Hesitancy.’ Now Her Funding Is Gone.” by Carolyn Y. Johnson.

Sarah Karlin-Smith: KFF Health News’ “Scientists Say NIH Officials Told Them To Scrub mRNA References on Grants,” by Arthur Allen.

Jessie Hellmann: Stat’s “NIH Cancels Funding for a Landmark Diabetes Study at a Time of Focus on Chronic Disease,” by Elaine Chen.

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KFF Health News' 'What the Health?'

Federal Health Work in Flux

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Healthcare System Inefficiencies

Controversial HHS Policies

Federal Workforce Challenges

Impact of Cuts on Healthcare Initiatives

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts