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For the second yr in a row, Trump administration officers are delaying the distribution of lots of of tens of millions of {dollars} in health-related grant funding as political appointees search to make sure the funding adheres to the administration’s priorities — regardless of guarantees to Congress that the cash can be spent as directed.
Meanwhile, 4 years after the Supreme Court overturned the federal proper to abortion, almost half the states have banned or considerably restricted the process. But whereas most voters say they help abortion rights — and majorities in a number of states have authorised poll measures to enshrine them — that sentiment has not translated into main positive factors for Democrats working for workplace.
This week’s panelists are Julie Rovner of KFF Health News, Maya Goldman of Axios, Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico Magazine, and Rachana Pradhan of KFF Health News.
Among the takeaways from this week’s episode:
Federal funding for well being grants and worldwide humanitarian assist will not be reaching its recipients, demonstrating that congressionally licensed and appropriated funding remains to be encountering roadblocks underneath the Trump administration. At least among the cash is being tied up in evaluate, with political appointees requiring private signoff on any and all disbursements. While many lawmakers have made their frustrations identified, Congress has few levers to make sure the cash goes the place lawmakers say it ought to.
This week marked the fourth anniversary of the Supreme Court case that overturned the constitutional proper to an abortion. Yet analysis exhibits there have been extra abortions carried out within the U.S. final yr than there have been within the yr earlier than the court docket’s choice. Access to treatment abortion and telehealth prescribing are credited for that improve — two strategies that activists who oppose abortion have focused of their persevering with efforts to get rid of it.
In vaccine coverage information, a research exhibiting the effectiveness of the covid vaccine that was spiked by Trump administration officers was just lately revealed in a peer-reviewed medical journal. And Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reinstated a flu vaccine mandate for the army after a major flu outbreak at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas.
Amid issues over healthcare affordability, two states are taking measures to handle costs. A brand new Indiana legislation imposes worth controls on hospitals, and Colorado has acquired federal approval to import medication from Canada — although Canadian distributors have proven no real interest in working with American states.
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Plus, for “extra credit” the panelists counsel well being coverage tales they learn this week that they assume you must learn, too:
Julie Rovner: The Washington Post’s “Tennessee To Restrict Medical Aid for Critically Ill Undocumented Children,” by Silvia Foster-Frau.
Maya Goldman: Stat’s “Trump Administration Targets Disability Integration Mandate in DOJ Memo,” by O. Rose Broderick.
Rachana Pradhan: KFF Health News’ “Arrests of Immigrant Parents Create Mental Health Crisis for Children,” by Claudia Boyd-Barrett.
Joanne Kenen: The Washington Post’s “Why Trump’s Algae Problem Is Much Bigger Than the Reflecting Pool,” by Sarah Kaplan.
Also talked about on this week’s podcast:
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