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 professional on well being coverage points, Julie is the writer of the critically praised reference e book “Health Care Politics and Policy A to Z,” now in its third version.
The second Trump presidency launched with a bang on the Department of Health and Human Services, the place a standard pause on public communications was expanded to an efficient stoppage of scientific work, as well being businesses had been ordered to cancel conferences, journey, and efforts on exterior publications. It is unclear how lengthy the order will keep in impact; President Donald Trump’s nominee to run the division, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., received’t go earlier than Senate committees for his affirmation hearings till the top of the month.
Meanwhile, beginning on his first day in workplace, the brand new president issued a raft of govt orders geared toward reversing Biden administration coverage — however, notably, none instantly addressing abortion, which has been a standard focus each time the White House adjustments events.
This week’s panelists are Julie Rovner of KFF Health News, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Rachel Roubein of The Washington Post, and Rachel Cohrs Zhang of Stat.
Panelists
Alice Miranda Ollstein
Politico
Rachel Roubein
The Washington Post
Rachel Cohrs Zhang
Stat News
Among the takeaways from this week’s episode:
The Trump administration took a really agency grip on federal businesses this week, sowing uncertainty with blanket cancellations of upcoming conferences and journey — in addition to by implementing a broad pause on exterior communications. The cancellations reached deep into businesses’ core capabilities, affecting, as an illustration, conferences to assessment grant purposes for federally funded analysis.
Kennedy’s affirmation hearings to be Health and Human Services secretary are scheduled for Jan. 29 and 30. Yet questions stay about his nomination, together with newer revelations about conflicts of curiosity — akin to his monetary stake in ongoing litigation with Merck & Co. associated to the HPV vaccine.
Trump issued a slew of govt orders this week. (It is value noting that govt orders largely instruct federal businesses to start out making a change, quite than constituting the change themselves.) Of be aware on well being, Trump’s orders instructed the removing of the U.S. from the World Health Organization; revoked a Biden administration order to scale back drug costs; and laid the groundwork to undermine well being look after transgender folks. Notably, although, not one of the orders instantly addressed abortion.
Also this week, Rovner interviews Rodney Whitlock, a guide with McDermott+ and an adjunct school member on the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health. Whitlock is a former House and Senate staffer and gives a primer on how Congress’ convoluted funds reconciliation course of is meant to work.
Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists counsel well being coverage tales they learn this week that they suppose you need to learn, 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.
Also talked about on this week’s podcast:
The Texas Tribune’s “Longtime Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards Dies After Battle With Brain Cancer,” by Eleanor Klibanoff.
Credits
Francis Ying
Audio producer
Emmarie Huetteman
Editor
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