The Host
Julie Rovner
KFF Health News
Julie Rovner is chief Washington correspondent and host of KFF Health News’ weekly well being coverage information podcast, “What the Health?” A famous knowledgeable on well being coverage points, Julie is the creator of the critically praised reference guide “Health Care Politics and Policy A to Z,” now in its third version.
Come January, Republicans will management the House of Representatives, Senate, and White House, regaining full energy for the primary time since 2018. That will give them vital clout to dramatically change well being coverage. But slim margins in Congress will depart little room for dissent.
Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to not contact Medicare, although there are Medicare-related points — together with drug value negotiations and doctor pay — that may quickly demand consideration.
This week’s panelists are Julie Rovner of KFF Health News, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, Rachel Roubein of The Washington Post, and Lauren Weber of The Washington Post.
Panelists
Anna Edney
Bloomberg
Rachel Roubein
The Washington Post
Lauren Weber
The Washington Post
Among the takeaways from this week’s episode:
Republicans will management the House and the Senate starting subsequent 12 months, probably providing Trump essential votes in help of his nominees and agenda. However, the get together will govern with solely a slender majority in each chambers, which might hamper its skill to make sweeping or controversial modifications. Regardless, the GOP will steer legislative efforts, reminiscent of setting authorities spending ranges and limits, and management committees that resolve what to prioritize and oversee.
Trump this week named a number of folks he intends to appoint to his Cabinet. Yet lots of his picks lack related expertise or have staked out controversial coverage positions — or each — elevating the query: Can they clear the Senate affirmation course of? Trump has recommended utilizing recess appointments to get round that, a technique that will largely bypass the Senate and restrict his Cabinet secretaries’ authority.
Meanwhile, among the many points on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s well being agenda are some that resonate with Democrats, reminiscent of cracking down on ultra-processed meals and meals dyes. Notably, these kinds of initiatives — which might tighten guidelines for companies, as an example — haven’t been a part of the normal conservative playbook.
And, trying forward, there’s so much the Trump administration might do to additional erode abortion rights, and the GOP is prone to see this as a second for making an attempt issues.
Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists counsel well being coverage tales they learn this week that they suppose it is best to learn, too:
Julie Rovner: KFF Health News’ “In Vermont, Where Almost Everyone Has Insurance, Many Can’t Find or Afford Care,” by Phil Galewitz.
Anna Edney: The Atlantic’s “Throw Out Your Black Plastic Spatula,” by Zoë Schlanger.
Rachel Roubein: Politico’s “‘Been a Long Time Since I Felt That Way’: Sexually Transmitted Infection Numbers Provide New Hope,” by Alice Miranda Ollstein.
Lauren Weber: JAMA Network Open’s “Medical Board Discipline of Physicians for Spreading Medical Misinformation,” by Richard S. Saver.
Also talked about on this week’s podcast:
Credits
Taylor Cook
Audio producer
Lonnie Ro
Audio producer
Emmarie Huetteman
Editor
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