KFF Health News' 'What the Health?'

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.

The Senate has yet to confirm a Health and Human Services secretary, but things around the department continue to change at a breakneck pace to comply with President Donald Trump’s executive orders. Payment systems have been shut down, webpages and entire datasets have been taken offline, and workers — including those with civil service protections — have been urged to quit or threatened with layoffs. Meanwhile, foreign and trade policy changes are also affecting health policy.Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico and Lauren Weber of The Washington Post join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News’ Julie Appleby, who reported the latest “Bill of the Month” feature, about a young woman, a grandfathered health plan, and a $14,000 IUD.  Visit our website to read 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: The New York Times’ “How R.F.K. Jr. and ‘Medical Freedom’ Rose to Power,” on “The Daily” podcast.  Lauren Weber: CNN’s “Human Brain Samples Contain an Entire Spoon’s Worth of Nanoplastics, Study Says,” by Sandee LaMotte.  Alice Miranda Ollstein: The Washington Post’s “Did RFK Jr. or Michelle Obama Say It About Food? Take Our Quiz,” by Lauren Weber.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Donald Trump’s choice to lead the vast Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., faced sharp questioning from senators this week, particularly over his history of vaccine denialism. Meanwhile, the Trump administration’s second week has been even more disruptive than its first, with an on-again, off-again funding freeze that left many around the country scrambling to understand what was going on.Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call 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 Nicholas Bagley, a University of Michigan law professor, who explains how the federal regulatory system is supposed to operate to make health policy.Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too:Julie Rovner: 404 Media’s “Medical Device Company Tells Hospitals They’re No Longer Allowed to Fix Machine That Costs Six Figures,” by Jason Koebler.Sandhya Raman: ProPublica’s “Dozens of People Died in Arizona Sober Living Homes as State Officials Fumbled Medicaid Fraud Response,” by Mary Hudetz and Hannah Bassett.Sarah Karlin-Smith: CBS News’ “Wind-Blown Bird Poop May Help Transmit Bird Flu, Minnesota’s Infectious Disease Expert Warns,” by Mackenzie Lofgren.Visit our website to read a transcript of this episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Donald Trump was sworn in Monday and by Wednesday had virtually stopped scientific policymaking at the Department of Health and Human Services. While incoming administrations often pause public communications, the acting HHS head ordered an unprecedented shutdown of all outside meetings, travel, and publications. Meanwhile, Trump issued a broad array of mostly nonbinding executive orders, but notably none directly concerning abortion.Rachel Cohrs Zhang of Stat, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, and Rachel Roubein of The Washington Post join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Rodney Whitlock, a former congressional staffer, who explains the convoluted “budget reconciliation” process Republicans hope to use to enact Trump’s agenda. Visit our website to read 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: CNN’s “With Bird Flu Cases Rising, Certain Kinds of Pet Food May Be Risky for Animals — And People,” by Brenda Goodman.  Rachel Roubein: The Washington Post’s “Antiabortion Advocates Look for Men To Report Their Partners’ Abortion,” by Caroline Kitchener.  Rachel Cohrs Zhang: The Washington Post’s “In Florida, a Rebellion Against Fluoride Is Winning,” by Fenit Nirappil.  Alice Ollstein: The Los Angeles Times’ “Now That You Can Return Home After the Fires, How Do You Clean Up Safely?” by Karen Garcia and Tony Briscoe.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With just days to go before the official launch of a new administration, the GOP-led Congress is putting together plans on how to enact incoming President Donald Trump’s agenda, with a particular emphasis on cutting spending on the Medicaid program. Meanwhile, the Biden administration makes major moves in its last days, including banning a controversial food dye and ordering cigarette companies to minimize their nicotine content.Joanne Kenen of Johns Hopkins University and Politico Magazine, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, and Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Harris Meyer, who reported and wrote the latest KFF Health News “Bill of the Month” feature, about a colonoscopy that came with a much larger price tag than estimated.  Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read (or wrote) this week that they think you should read, too: Julie Rovner: KFF Health News’ “Can Medical Schools Funnel More Doctors Into the Primary Care Pipeline?” by Felice J. Freyer.  Anna Edney: Bloomberg News’ “It’s Not Just Sunscreen. Toxic Products Line the Drugstore Aisles,” by Anna Edney.  Joanne Kenen: The Atlantic’s “A Secret Way To Fight Off Stomach Bugs,” by Daniel Engber.  Sandhya Raman: Nature’s “New Obesity Definition Sidelines BMI To Focus on Health,” by Giorgia Guglielmi.  Visit our website to read a transcript of this episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.