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Members of Congress are again in Washington this week, and Republicans are dealing with onerous selections on find out how to cut back Medicaid spending, at the same time as new polling reveals that may be unpopular amongst their voters.
Meanwhile, with President Donald Trump marking 100 days in workplace, the Department of Health and Human Services stays in a state of confusion, as packages that have been unexpectedly reduce are simply as unexpectedly reinstated — or not. Even these main the packages appear not sure concerning the standing of many key well being actions.
This week’s panelists are Julie Rovner of KFF Health News, Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico Magazine, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, and Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times.
Among the takeaways from this week’s episode:
How and what congressional Republicans will suggest chopping from federal authorities spending remains to be up within the air — one massive motive being that the House and Senate have two separate units of directions to comply with throughout the funds reconciliation course of. The two chambers might want to resolve their variations finally, and most of the concepts on the desk could possibly be politically dangerous for Republicans.
GOP lawmakers are reportedly contemplating imposing sweeping work necessities on nondisabled adults to stay eligible for Medicaid. Only Georgia and Arkansas have tried mandating that some enrollees work, volunteer, go to highschool, or enroll in job coaching to qualify for Medicaid. Those states’ experiences confirmed that work necessities don’t improve employment however are efficient at lowering Medicaid enrollment — as a result of many individuals have hassle proving they qualify and get kicked off their protection.
New reporting this week sheds gentle on the Trump administration’s efforts to go after the accreditation of some medical pupil and residency packages, a part of the White House’s efforts to crack down on range and inclusion initiatives. Yet proof reveals that growing the variety of medical professionals helps enhance well being outcomes — and that undermining medical coaching might additional exacerbate supplier shortages and worsen the standard of care.
Trump’s upcoming funds proposal to Congress might make clear his administration’s funds cuts and workforce reductions inside — and spreading out from — federal well being companies. The proposal would be the first written documentation of the Trump White House’s intentions for the federal authorities.
Plus, for “extra credit” the panelists recommend well being coverage tales they learn this week that they assume it’s best to learn, too:
Julie Rovner: KFF Health News’ “As a Diversity Grant Dies, Young Scientists Fear It Will Haunt Their Careers,” by Brett Kelman.
Joanne Kenen: NJ.com’s “Many Nursing Homes Feed Residents on Less Than $10 a Day: ‘That’s Appallingly Low’” and “Inside the ‘Multibillion-Dollar Game’ To Funnel Cash From Nursing Homes to Sister Companies,” by Ted Sherman, Susan Okay. Livio, and Matthew Miller.
Alice Miranda Ollstein: ProfessionalPublica’s “Utah Farmers Signed Up for Federally Funded Therapy. Then the Money Stopped,” by Jessica Schreifels, The Salt Lake Tribune.
Margot Sanger-Katz: CNBC’s “GLP-1s Can Help Employers Lower Medical Costs in 2 Years, New Study Finds,” by Bertha Coombs.
Also talked about on this week’s podcast:
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