KFF Health News' 'What the Health?'

After an unusual all-night session, the House narrowly passed a budget reconciliation bill, including billions of dollars in tax cuts for the wealthy, along with billions of dollars in spending cuts to Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, and the food stamp program. But the Senate is expected to make major changes to the measure before it can go to President Trump for his signature.Meanwhile, the Department of Health and Human Services has made some significant changes affecting the availability of covid-19 vaccines.Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more.Also this week, Rovner interviews University of California-Davis School of Law professor and abortion historian Mary Ziegler about her new book on the past and future of the “personhood” movement aimed at granting legal rights to fetuses and embryos.Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week they think you should read, too: Julie Rovner: The Washington Post’s “White House Officials Wanted To Put Federal Workers ‘in Trauma.’ It’s Working,” by William Wan and Hannah Natanson. Alice Miranda Ollstein: NPR’s “Diseases Are Spreading. The CDC Isn’t Warning the Public Like It Was Months Ago,” by Chiara Eisner. Anna Edney: Bloomberg News’ “The Potential Cancer, Health Risks Lurking in One Popular OTC Drug,” by Anna Edney. Sarah Karlin-Smith: The Farmingdale Observer’s “Scientists Have Been Studying Remote Work for Four Years and Have Reached a Very Clear Conclusion: ‘Working From Home Makes Us Happier,’” by Bob Rubila.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Megan Davis, a veterinarian and epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins, dives into the interplay between H5N1 bird flu and cat health. She discusses the alarming risks that the virus poses to domestic cats and the implications for public health. Davis emphasizes the need for better monitoring systems and the significance of the One Health approach, which bridges human, animal, and environmental health. Pet owners receive essential tips on safeguarding their cats from bird flu, highlighting the importance of informed pet care practices.

Join health reporters Alice Miranda Ollstein from Politico, Joanne Kenen from Johns Hopkins, and Julie Appleby from KFF Health News as they dissect proposed cuts exceeding $700 billion to Medicaid and other health programs. They explore the political fallout following Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s congressional testimonies and the implications of new health policies including controversial Medicaid work requirements. The panel also highlights recent public health debates, from fluoride ban discussions to the abortion pill, showcasing the tension in health policymaking.

Anna Edney, a Bloomberg News reporter specializing in health policy, and Sandhya Raman, who covers health legislation for CQ Roll Call, dive into the complexities of proposed Medicaid cuts among Republicans. They discuss the political struggle for consensus and the implications for healthcare access. The conversation takes a sharp turn to the chaotic environment at the Department of Health and Human Services, including new nominations and their potential impact on public health. They also highlight a shocking personal story about unexpected medical bills tied to preventive care.

Join Alice Miranda Ollstein, a Politico health policy reporter focusing on Medicaid and abortion access; Margot Sanger-Katz, who specializes in data-driven health policy analysis for The New York Times; and Joanne Kenen from Johns Hopkins discussing the turmoil in health policy as Congress aims to cut Medicaid. They dive into the chaotic changes at the Department of Health and Human Services, the political push against Medicaid cuts, and the troubling impact of public health funding reductions. Plus, they share important stories for extra credit!

Join reporters Sarah Karlin-Smith from The Pink Sheet, Tami Luhby from CNN, and Alice Miranda Ollstein from Politico as they discuss Congress's looming budget reconciliation and deep cuts to Medicaid that have potential ramifications for their constituents. Rae Ellen Bichell from KFF Health News also dives into changing care for transgender minors in Colorado, highlighting emotional challenges and the fight for timely support amidst shifting policies. Tune in for insights on public health, preventive care issues, and the intersection of politics and medical publishing.

Tensions between Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his employees at the Department of Health and Human Services are mounting, as he made a series of claims about autism this week — contradicting his agency’s findings. Plus, President Donald Trump unveiled an executive order to lower drug prices as his administration explores tariffs that could raise them.Shefali Luthra of The 19th, Jessie Hellmann of CQ Roll Call, and Anna Edney of Bloomberg News join KFF Health News’ Emmarie Huetteman to discuss these stories and more.Plus, KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner interviews two University of California-San Francisco researchers about an upcoming Supreme Court case that could have major ramifications for preventive care.  Plus, for “extra credit” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too: Emmarie Huetteman: KFF Health News’ “States Push Medicaid Work Rules, but Few Programs Help Enrollees Find Jobs,” by Sam Whitehead, Phil Galewitz, and Katheryn Houghton. Anna Edney: ProPublica’s “Unsanitary Practices Persist at Baby Formula Factory Whose Shutdown Led to Mass Shortages, Workers Say,” by Heather Vogell. Jessie Hellmann: The Hill’s “Military’s Use of Toxic ‘Forever Chemicals’ Leaves Lasting Scars,” by Sharon Udasin and Rachel Frazin. Shefali Luthra: The 19th’s “Trump’s Push for ‘Beautiful Clean Coal’ Could Lead to More Premature Births,” by Jessica Kutz. Visit our website to read a transcript of this episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alice Miranda Ollstein, a health reporter at Politico, Stephen Vladeck, a Georgetown Law Professor and Supreme Court expert, and Sandhya Raman from CQ Roll Call tackle major cuts at the Department of Health and Human Services. They discuss the unsettling implications for agencies like the FDA and CDC, and how these changes could affect public health enforcement. The conversation also dives into the evolving landscape of abortion laws and the impact of misinformation on vaccinations, highlighting the challenges faced by healthcare providers.

Joining the discussion are Sarah Karlin-Smith from The Pink Sheet, Rachel Cohrs Zhang from Bloomberg News, and Lauren Weber from The Washington Post. They delve into the sweeping layoffs at the Department of Health and Human Services, analyzing how the loss of experienced staff could jeopardize public health. The conversation also covers the challenges surrounding short-term health insurance, revealing shocking costs for preventive care. Plus, they highlight critical political developments impacting healthcare policy and women’s health issues.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced a proposed reorganization for the department — which, counting those who already have left the agency, amounts to about a 25% cut in its workforce — as well as a new “Administration for a Healthy America” that will collapse several existing HHS agencies into one. Meanwhile, the department continues to cut billions of dollars in health spending at a time when the nation is facing measles outbreaks in several states and the continuing possibility of another pandemic, such as bird flu. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Maya Goldman of Axios News, and Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico Magazine join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF senior vice president Larry Levitt about the 15th anniversary of the signing of the Affordable Care Act and the threats the health law continues to face. Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too: Julie Rovner: CNN’s “State Lawmakers Are Looking To Ban Non-Existent ‘Chemtrails.’ It Could Have Real-Life Side Effects,” by Ramishah Maruf and Brandon Miller. Alice Miranda Ollstein: The New York Times Wirecutter’s “23andMe Just Filed for Bankruptcy. You Should Delete Your Data Now,” by Max Eddy. Maya Goldman: KFF Health News’ “‘I Am Going Through Hell’: Job Loss, Mental Health, and the Fate of Federal Workers,” by Rachana Pradhan and Aneri Pattani. Joanne Kenen: The Atlantic’s “America Is Done Pretending About Meat,” by Yasmin Tayag.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.