The Capitol Forum Podcast

In this Capitol Forum podcast, Executive Editor Teddy Downey is joined by Jeremy Furchtgott and Riley Kruse of Baron Public Affairs to unpack the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement shaping RFK Jr.’s vision for Health and Human Services. Drawing from their rigorous influencer analytics and new report, they explore:The shift from academic experts to social media influencers like Tucker Carlson and Russell BrandCompeting schools of thought inside Maha: Big Pharma vs. Big FoodHow elite vs. populist divides shape policy prioritiesThe strange alliance between conservative “crunchy cons,” libertarians, and techno-optimistsWhat Maha says about vaccines, SNAP food policy, pharma ad bans, and the future of public health🔗 Don’t miss this deep dive into the information ecosystem redefining conservative health policy, learn more here: https://thecapitolforum.com/resources/analyzing-maha-influencers-shaping-rfk-jr-s-hhs-agenda/

Is "Abundance" the answer to our housing, energy, and pharma crises—or just neoliberalism in a new outfit?In this in-depth conversation, Capital Forum’s Teddy Downey sits down with Sandeep Vaheesan of the Open Markets Institute to dissect "Abundance", the much-hyped book by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson. Sandeep—legal director, historian, and author of Democracy and Power—offers a sweeping critique of the book’s policy proposals and ideological foundations.We talk about:📉 Why zoning reform won’t solve the housing crisis⚡ The overlooked history of public investment in energy💊 What Abundance misses about Big Pharma and price manipulation💥 How the book rebrands 1990s-era neoliberalism for 2025

Jonathan Kanter (former DOJ Antitrust) and Martin Gaynor (Carnegie Mellon Professor and former FTC official) join The Capitol Forum to discuss their groundbreaking paper, The Rise of Healthcare Platforms. They explain how companies like UnitedHealth have evolved into sprawling conglomerates—combining insurer, provider, pharmacy, and PBM functions—and why this consolidation threatens both market competition and patient care.

In this podcast episode, experts Hannah Garden-Monheit, formerly at the FTC, Jonathan Kanter, and Max Barangau from The Capitol Forum dissect the complexities of antitrust policy, price fixing, and their impact on inflation. Garden-Monheit reflects on her journey from DOJ trial attorney to the FTC and White House NEC, highlighting challenges in revitalizing antitrust enforcement amid corporate skepticism. The panel scrutinizes controversial price-fixing cases, including algorithm-driven collusion in housing markets and egg pricing schemes, and explores how data-driven monopolization amplifies economic power. A compelling analysis for anyone interested in the crossroads of policy, economics, and technology.

In this special episode, former FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter and former U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai talk to Teddy and former Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter to discuss the recent upheaval at the FTC and its implications for market stability, antitrust enforcement, and the rule of law. Slaughter describes being abruptly fired from her FTC position, highlighting that this dismissal violates legal protections that prohibit FTC commissioners' removal without cause. She emphasizes that this unprecedented action introduces significant legal uncertainty, potentially undermining ongoing critical FTC cases, such as the lawsuit against pharmaceutical benefit managers accused of inflating insulin prices, and cases involving major corporations like Amazon. This instability challenges market predictability and may affect the enforcement of antitrust laws, consumer protection, and market fairness.Ambassador Tai reflects on the global perception of U.S. trade policy, particularly during the Trump administration, and stresses the importance of consistent policies for international trust and stability. Tai explains the complexity surrounding tariffs, underscoring the risks associated with unpredictability and disruptions in trade relationships with key partners like the EU, Canada, and Mexico. She points out that inconsistent U.S. actions erode its reputation as a reliable trading partner, thus pushing other nations to depend more heavily on China or each other.Both express concern over current policy chaos in Washington, implications for the rule of law, and democratic stability. They highlight that market actors like Wall Street typically prefer predictability and clear rules, now compromised by this governmental instability. We end with worries that politically driven decisions—such as Slaughter’s firing—provide advantages to large corporations, including Big Tech, undermining fair competition and accountability.

In a thought-provoking conversation, Jonathan Kanter, former Assistant Attorney General for the U.S. Department of Justice's Antitrust Division, delves into the challenges of modern antitrust enforcement. He shares his experience tackling monopolies, particularly within Big Tech, and emphasizes the urgency of adapting antitrust laws to match today's market realities. Kanter discusses the impact of economic concentration on fairness and democracy, highlighting the need for vigorous legal action against companies like Google and Apple to foster healthy competition.

Hayden Rooke-Ley, a Health Law and Policy Fellow at Brown University, delves into the challenging world of vertical consolidation in healthcare. He highlights how UnitedHealth Group is shaping the market through its acquisition of Change Healthcare. The conversation uncovers the troubling practices surrounding Medicare Advantage, revealing concerns about fraud and patient care implications. Rooke-Ley also discusses the antitrust challenges posed by these consolidations and critiques the current legal landscape, raising vital questions about healthcare access and competition.