KFF Health News' 'What the Health?'

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.

Sarah Karlin-Smith, a seasoned reporter for The Pink Sheet, dives into the upheaval within federal health policies. She explores the ongoing conflict between the Trump administration and federal courts over healthcare contracts, revealing significant implications for public health. The conversation highlights crucial issues like the impact of job cuts on health initiatives and the challenges of managing federal health research, especially regarding mRNA technology. Don't miss their insightful recommendations on essential health policy stories!

Mehmet Oz, a cardiothoracic surgeon and former TV personality, speaks on his confirmation hearing to lead the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. He navigates controversies from his past with ease while addressing the political dynamics affecting pandemic-related health nominations. The discussion dives into Medicare Advantage reforms, the complexities of vaccine oversight, and the challenges surrounding the promotion of health supplements. The episode highlights the interplay of accountability, public health policies, and the future of healthcare governance.

The Trump administration’s efforts to downsize the federal government continue, with both personnel and programs being cut at the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Social Security Administration. Meanwhile, the fight over cuts to the Medicaid program for those with low incomes heats up, as Republicans worry that more of their voters than ever before are Medicaid beneficiaries.Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Shefali Luthra of The 19th, and Anna Edney of Bloomberg News join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Jeff Grant, who recently retired from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services after 41 years in government service. Visit our website for a transcript of this episode.Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week they think you should read, too: Julie Rovner: NBC News’ “‘You Lose All Hope’: Federal Workers Gripped by Mental Health Distress Amid Trump Cuts,” by Natasha Korecki. Shefali Luthra: The New York Times’ “15 Lessons Scientists Learned About Us When the World Stood Still,” by Claire Cain Miller and Irineo Cabreros. Alice Miranda Ollstein: The Atlantic’s “His Daughter Was America’s First Measles Death in a Decade,” by Tom Bartlett. Anna Edney: Bloomberg News’ “India Trade Group Blasts Study Linking Drugs to Safety Risks,” by Satviki Sanjay.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Supreme Court opined for the first time that Trump administration officials may be exceeding their authority to reshape the federal government by refusing to honor completed contracts, even as lower-court judges started blocking efforts to fire workers, freeze funding, and cancel ongoing contracts. Meanwhile, public health officials are alarmed at the Department of Health and Human Services’ public handling of Texas’ widening measles outbreak, particularly the secretary’s less-than-full endorsement of vaccines.Lauren Weber of The Washington Post, Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health and Politico Magazine, and Stephanie Armour of KFF Health News join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more.Visit our website for a transcript of this episode.Plus, for “extra credit” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too: Julie Rovner: KFF Health News’ “Future of Cancer Coverage for Women Federal Firefighters Uncertain Under Trump,” by Kylie Mohr. Joanne Kenen: ProPublica’s “How Illinois’ Hands-Off Approach to Homeschooling Leaves Children at Risk,” by Molly Parker and Beth Hundsdorfer, Capitol News Illinois. Stephanie Armour: The New York Times’ “Organ Transplant System ‘in Chaos’ as Waiting Lists Are Ignored,” by Brian M. Rosenthal, Mark Hansen, and Jeremy White. Lauren Weber: The Washington Post’s “Amid West Texas Measles Outbreak, Vaccine Resistance Hardens,” by Fenit Nirappil and Elana Gordon.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alice Miranda Ollstein, a health reporter for Politico, Shefali Luthra from The 19th, and Victoria Knight of Axios unpack the House's budget plan attacking Medicaid funding. They discuss the potential fallout of these cuts, especially with one in five Americans reliant on the program. The conversation then shifts to the political tussle in the Senate and the ongoing judicial battles affecting healthcare policies, from NIH funding to abortion access. The panelists also share must-read health policy stories, rounding out a compelling discussion on healthcare's future.

Alice Miranda Ollstein, a health policy expert from Politico, joins Joanne Kenen of Johns Hopkins and Sarah Karlin-Smith from The Pink Sheet to discuss the uncertain fate of Medicaid amid proposed budget cuts. They explore chaotic federal layoffs at key health agencies like the FDA and their potential impacts on drug approvals. The conversation shifts to the rise of measles outbreaks and the risks of unregulated dietary supplements, sparking concerns about public health and consumer safety. Expect insights on modern health policy challenges that affect us all!

Shefali Luthra, a healthcare policy reporter at The 19th, and Mark McClellan, director of the Duke-Margolis Center, delve into the judicial pushback against recent healthcare funding cuts. They discuss the impact of funding challenges on NIH grants and academic research. The conversation also highlights how federal judges are influencing health policy transparency and the implications for vulnerable populations amid potential Medicaid cuts. They emphasize the urgent need for strong leadership within health agencies to navigate these tumultuous changes.