Bulwark Takes The Worst Cabinet Secretary! | Bulwark on Sunday
May 4, 2025
Jonathan Cohn, a senior fellow at the Niskanen Center and healthcare policy expert, joins for a deep dive into the shortcomings of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in public health. They discuss the far-reaching impacts of proposed Medicaid budget cuts on vulnerable populations. Insights into the consequences of slashing funding for organizations like the NIH and CDC reveal dire threats to medical research. Cohn also shares thoughts on post-pandemic vaccine advancements and how political dynamics surrounding health policies will shape the 2026 elections.
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Medicaid Cuts Threaten Coverage
- The Trump administration's budget proposes massive cuts to Medicaid and HHS.
- These cuts could lead to millions losing health insurance and significant impact on healthcare funding.
Medicaid's Crucial Role and Risks
- Medicaid is vital for over 40% of live births and rural hospitals.
- Republicans seek to downsize Medicaid to pre-ACA levels, possibly reversing Medicaid expansion.
Medicaid Expansion's Political Complexity
- Medicaid cuts are politically tricky since many Republican states expanded Medicaid.
- Some states must fund expansions constitutionally, creating budget challenges if federal funds are cut.