Elisabeth Rosenthal

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.

Elisabeth Rosenthal, Senior Contributing Editor at KFF Health News and author of "An American Sickness," dives deep into the public's reaction to the shocking murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. She discusses the longstanding frustration with the health insurance industry, including systemic issues like claim denials that leave patients in distress. Rosenthal highlights the widening gap between executive compensation and patient experiences, urging for essential reforms to restore trust and improve healthcare quality for all.

Elisabeth Rosenthal, editor at Kaiser Health News and author of "An American Sickness," joins Melissa Thomasson, an economic historian, and Ian Morrison, an economist, to dive into the chaotic evolution of the U.S. healthcare system. They explore why illness profits while health does not, revealing how profit motives exploit patient vulnerabilities. The guests dissect the transformation of healthcare from the 20th century to today, emphasizing disparities and inefficiencies despite high spending. They call for a fundamental reassessment of how healthcare is structured and funded.