Joanne Kenen, a health policy reporter at Politico, Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, and Dr. Elisabeth Rosenthal, author and former NYT editor-in-chief, dive into the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. They discuss the severe disruption to Houston's healthcare infrastructure, including damaged research facilities. Insights on the health risks from flooding, like pollution and mold, highlight the disaster's long-term effects. The conversation also covers bipartisan relief funding and the complexities of rising healthcare costs, giving listeners a deeper understanding of the intertwined nature of disaster response and health policy.
Hurricane Harvey's devastation has severely impacted Houston's healthcare infrastructure, complicating access to essential medical services for vulnerable populations.
Political debates surrounding disaster relief funding in Congress could affect both immediate recovery efforts and long-term healthcare infrastructure investments.
Deep dives
Impact of Hurricane Harvey on Medical Infrastructure
The destruction caused by Hurricane Harvey has significantly disrupted the medical infrastructure in Houston, the nation's fourth-largest city. Hospitals have faced flooding, and while some facilities have implemented protective measures to mitigate damage, the recovery process remains complex and prolonged. Many medical professionals have been displaced due to personal property damage, which complicates patient access to care. The long-term repercussions for patients relying on ongoing treatments, like dialysis or chemotherapy, are concerning, as reaching healthcare services could take months.
Environmental and Health Risks Post-Flood
Amid the flooding in Houston, environmental concerns have emerged, particularly regarding potential contamination from chemical plants and toxic waste sites. The aftermath could pose significant health risks related to mold growth, which has long-term public health implications, reminiscent of past disasters like Hurricane Katrina. Additionally, the flooding may spawn a surge in mosquito-borne illnesses like Zika, as stagnant water creates breeding grounds for these pests. Vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly, may be particularly affected by these environmental changes.
Congressional Response to Disaster Recovery Funding
In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, there is an expected push for supplemental funding from Congress aimed at disaster recovery. Elected officials from the affected areas are likely to advocate for swift financial assistance, which could become a source of political contention amid existing challenges in the legislative schedule. The funding debate may split into immediate relief efforts and longer-term infrastructure investments, complicating the approval process. The political dynamics surrounding past disaster relief efforts could influence the current response and shape the upcoming legislative agenda.
Challenges Facing the Affordable Care Act
The ongoing fate of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) reflects a broader uncertainty within the Department of Health and Human Services regarding its future direction. Competing reports suggest that while some measures aimed at undermining the ACA have been taken, the administration has not fully committed to any particular course of action. With open enrollment approaching, there are lingering questions about cost-sharing reductions and how insurers will be supported moving forward. Ultimately, rising premiums reflect the systemic issues in the U.S. healthcare market, where high medical costs contribute to an unsustainable insurance landscape.
In this episode of “What the Health?” Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Joanne Kenen of Politico, and Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times discuss the potential health impact of Hurricane Harvey on the Texas Gulf Coast, and what impact the relief effort in Washington could have on an already jam-packed September agenda. Also this week: an interview with Elisabeth Rosenthal about why medical care costs so much.