Explain It to Me

Sarah, Ezra, and Matt take the deepest look they can at Senate Republicans' secret health care bill, plus a quick look at Jeff Sessions’s non-answers on Russia and new research on the long-term impact of lead exposure.Links!White paper of the week from the Brookings Institution: New evidence that lead exposure increases crimeCaitlin Owens in Axios on the Senate GOP not releasing their healthcare billDylan Scott on what it would look like it Senate Republicans voted to repeal ObamacareDavid Leonhardt's New York Times piece on the half-hearted opposition to the GOP’s health care planJeff Stein's piece on the left's game plan for beating the GOP health bill9 legal experts weigh on whether or not Sessions can discuss his conversations with the presidentKevin Drum on lead's connection to violent crime and lower IQs in Mother Jones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The hosts discuss Comey's testimony, Republican senators' reactions, Jeff Sessions' role, finding loyalty and integrity, the power and dysfunction of the Trump administration, and the risky legal strategy and potential consequences.

The podcast discusses competing single-payer bills in Nevada and California, and research on the value of access to the Obama White House.

Jared Kushner, International man of mystery, discusses his role in the Trump administration and the Paris Accords. The podcast explores the Republican party's stance on climate change, the influence of senior elites, and the suspicious interactions between Kushner, a Russian bank, and the Russian government. It also delves into scandals surrounding Trump's contacts with Russia during the transition period.

Topics discussed include mass incarceration, Trump's roll back of contraceptive coverage, the world of high-end credit cards, the role of prosecutors, international perspectives on incarceration rates, alcohol-related offense punishment, expanding exemptions to the birth control mandate, the complexity of 'Medicare for all', the power and perception of credit cards, and the litigation case of the Black Card.

They discuss the challenges of health insurance under Obamacare, including the dwindling options and the impact on individuals with rare diseases. They also explore the flaws in Obamacare, such as the low penalty for not buying insurance and the threat of insurance companies leaving the market. The chapter discusses the negotiations and challenges in keeping Obamacare alive, including the uncertainty faced by insurers. The Tennessee Insurance Commissioner's announcement brings relief to the Reed family, but highlights the broader issues facing health insurance in the country.

Discussion on the CBO score and negative consequences of the Republican healthcare bill. Analysis of the Senate debate and dynamics. Exploration of challenges for Republican politicians. Exploration of reasons behind senators' support for unpopular bills. Analysis of the Montana special election and its implications for the American Healthcare Act.

In this podcast, the hosts discuss Trump's budget proposal and its flaws, including unrealistic growth projections and cuts to public health programs. They also delve into the implications of the budget, voters' loyalty, and the growing influence of the Freedom Caucus. Additionally, they explore the concept of auto-enrollment in health insurance and analyze the economic impact of high housing costs in expensive cities.

Discussing the new Trump/Russia special counsel and the latest scandal with Michael Flynn. Exploring the role of special counsel and special prosecutor and their historical examples. Explaining the potential outcomes of the Mueller investigation and challenges in revealing the findings. Highlighting the FBI's confrontation with the White House and its impact on Jim Comey's political reputation. Examining controversial decisions and lack of outrage in Trump's administration. Analyzing a leaked message from the President to Mike Flynn and discussing Flynn's role and behavior.

Dylan Matthews, an expert in basic income and fracking's impact on marriage and childbearing, joins Sarah and Matt to discuss Trump's latest problems, his reporting on basic income in Kenya, and new research on the effects of fracking on marriage and birth patterns.