
Tradeoffs
Tradeoffs is an award-winning nonprofit news organization on a mission to help America have smarter, more honest health policy conversations.Tradeoffs explores the toughest choices in health care, diving into issues like the cost of care, health equity, insurance, mental health and artificial intelligence. We connect policy to practice, uncovering the data and personal stories that help audiences understand the stakes — and the potential solutions.Learn more about us, find transcripts for each episode and additional reporting at https://tradeoffs.org. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes

4 snips
Jun 26, 2025 • 45min
Unpacking the Health Impacts of Republicans' 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Rachel Werner, a physician and Executive Director at the Leonard Davis Institute, joins health economist Eric Roberts and pediatrician Aditi Vasan to dissect the alarming consequences of the Republican 'Big Beautiful Bill.' They explore potential spikes in the uninsured population and preventable deaths linked to the proposed healthcare reforms. The trio discusses dire implications for Medicaid, including significant financial burdens for low-income families and the moral need to protect access to life-saving care. Personal stories highlight the urgent need for advocacy.

Jun 19, 2025 • 27min
Trump’s Policies Could Undermine the Fight to End America’s HIV Epidemic
The White House is asking Congress to sharply roll back federal spending on HIV prevention, a reversal from President Trump’s first term, when he championed investment to end the epidemic in America within a decade.Guests:Hana Fields, outreach manager, Health Outreach Prevention Education Dr. Patrick Sullivan, professor of epidemiology, Emory University Rollins School of Public HealthBrad Sullivan Jeremiah Johnson, executive director, PrEP4AllDr. John T. Brooks, former chief medical officer for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Division of HIV/AIDS PreventionDr. Brett P. Giroir, former assistant secretary for health, U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 12, 2025 • 28min
RFK Jr. Just Replaced the Experts Guiding U.S. Vaccines. Now What?
The Health and Human Services chief’s latest action on vaccinations is unprecedented, and quickly drew condemnation from medical groups who said his dismissal of the vaccine advisory committee put public health at risk. Here’s why the members of that committee are so important.Guest:Ron Balajadia, Hawaii Department of Health immunization branch chiefDorit Reiss, University of California, San Francisco, professor of public health law Dr. Sarah Long, former member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and Drexel University, professor of pediatric infectious diseaseDr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.Richard Hughes IV, attorney with Epstein Becker Green Per Fischer, CEO, MinervaXLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 5, 2025 • 26min
How Treating Teens’ Trauma Is Stopping Violence in Chicago
A Chicago violence prevention program is pairing cognitive behavioral therapy with intensive mentoring and wraparound support to help high-risk teens avoid incarceration.Guests:Nour Abdul-Razzak, Research Associate, University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy; Research Director, University of Chicago Inclusive Economy LabCharles Branas, Professor and Chair, Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public HealthToni Copeland, Director of Student Supports and Violence Prevention Programs, Chicago Public SchoolsJennifer Doleac, Executive Vice President of Criminal Justice, Arnold VenturesJasper Guilbault, Therapist, BrightpointGary Ivory, President and CEO, Youth Advocate ProgramsJulie Noobler, Director of Mental Health and Wellness, BrightpointT-ManLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 29, 2025 • 30min
Helping Some of America’s Costliest Patients Could Get A Lot Harder
Some patients’ lives are so complicated by trauma, poverty and other social problems that routine conditions like diabetes and asthma regularly turn into $10,000 hospital visits. America’s health care leaders have spent years trying to help this small but costly group of patients. What have they learned?Guests:Jeff Brenner, MD, CEO, The Jewish BoardArthur Brown, Client, Camden CoalitionAmy Finkelstein, PhD, Professor of Economics, MIT; Co-Scientific Director, J-PAL North AmericaAllison Hamblin, MSPH, President and CEO, Center for Health Care StrategiesPaula Lantz, PhD, Professor of Health Policy, University of MichiganLarry Moore, Client, Camden CoalitionKathleen Noonan, JD, President and CEO, Camden CoalitionDottie Scott, Community Health Worker, Camden CoalitionBrian Thompson, Housing Coordinator, Camden CoalitionLeslie Walker, Senior Producer/Reporter, TradeoffsLearn more and read a full transcript on our website. Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 22, 2025 • 26min
What Cuts to Medicaid and Obamacare Could Mean for Hospitals, Insurers and You
Jonathan Gruber, Ford Professor of Economics at MIT, dives into the potential fallout of proposed cuts to Medicaid and Obamacare. He reveals how these changes might leave millions without coverage and strain hospitals with increased uncompensated care. The discussion emphasizes the financial ramifications for insurers and consumers alike, including rising premiums and accessibility issues. Gruber also addresses the exploitation of Medicaid funding loopholes and warns of broader public health risks if these vital programs are compromised.

May 15, 2025 • 21min
What Happens When Cops Refuse to Respond to Mental Health Calls?
Why are a handful of sheriff’s departments in California refusing to respond to some 911 calls that involve a person with mental illness?Guest:Lee Romney, Journalist and co-host of November In My SoulLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Check out Lee's full coverage for CalMatters.Be sure to listen to Tradeoffs special series The Fifth Branch that examines what it looks like when one community dramatically changes how it responds to people in crisis.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 13, 2025 • 33min
Presenting: First Opinion: The Invisibility of Good Public Health Work
Guests:Torie Bosch, Editor, First Opinion, STAT NewsMichelle Taylor, Shelby County Division Director for Health Services, Shelby County, TennesseeRaynard Washington, director of Mecklenburg County Public Health, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina Learn more here.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 8, 2025 • 20min
Fighting Measles and Anti-Vax Views in West Texas
Katherine Wells, the public health director in Lubbock, Texas, describes her fight to stop a multi-state measles outbreak despite a chaotic reorganization of federal health agencies.Guest:Katherine Wells, Director, Lubbock Public HealthWant more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 1, 2025 • 25min
What Republican Health Cuts Could Mean for People with Disabilities
We talk with Harvard researcher Ari Ne’eman about why the sharp policy shifts underway in Washington pose a unique threat to people with disabilities. Guest:Ari Ne’eman, Assistant Professor of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.