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 skilled on well being coverage points, Julie is the creator of the critically praised reference e-book “Health Care Politics and Policy A to Z,” now in its third version.
The new, GOP-led, 119th Congress and President-elect Donald Trump have massive legislative plans for the yr — which principally don’t embody well being coverage. But well being is more likely to play an vital supporting position in efforts to resume tax cuts, revise immigration insurance policies, and alter commerce — if solely to assist pay for some Republican initiatives.
Meanwhile, the outgoing Biden administration is racing to complete its well being coverage to-do checklist, together with finalizing a coverage that bars credit score bureaus from together with medical debt on people’ credit score studies.
This week’s panelists are Julie Rovner of KFF Health News, Shefali Luthra of The nineteenth, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, and Lauren Weber of The Washington Post.
Panelists
Shefali Luthra
The nineteenth
Alice Miranda Ollstein
Politico
Lauren Weber
The Washington Post
Among the takeaways from this week’s episode:
The 119th Congress is now in session. Health care doesn’t make the checklist of priorities as lawmakers lay the desk for the incoming Trump administration — although Republicans have floated Medicaid work necessities to chop federal spending.
A whole lot of well being laws hit the cutting-room ground in December, together with a bipartisan proposal focusing on pharmacy profit managers — which might have saved the federal authorities and sufferers billions of {dollars}. And talking of bipartisan efforts, a congressional report from the Senate Budget Committee provides to proof that non-public fairness involvement in care is related to worse outcomes for sufferers — notably, lawmakers’ constituents.
As the nation bids a last farewell to former President Jimmy Carter, his international well being work, particularly, is being celebrated — particularly his efforts to eradicate such devastating illnesses as Guinea worm illness and river blindness.
Meanwhile, the Biden administration finalized the rule barring medical debt from showing on credit score studies. The surgeon normal cautions that alcohol ought to include warning labels noting most cancers danger. And the brand new Senate Republican chief is elevating abortion-related laws to require lifesaving take care of all infants born alive — but these protections exist already.
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: The Wall Street Journal’s “UnitedHealth’s Army of Doctors Helped It Collect Billions More From Medicare,” by Christopher Weaver, Anna Wilde Mathews, and Tom McGinty.
Alice Miranda Ollstein: The New York Times’ “Ozempic, Lego Bricks and Hearing Aids: What Trump’s Greenland Plan Could Hit,” by Ana Swanson and Jenny Gross.
Shefali Luthra: Vox.com’s “Gigantic SUVs Are a Public Health Threat. Why Don’t We Treat Them Like One?” by David Zipper.
Lauren Weber: The Washington Post’s “Laws Restrict U.S. Shipping of Vape Products. Many Companies Do It Anyway,” by David Ovalle and Rachel Roubein.
Also talked about on this week’s podcast:
The Senate Budget Committee’s “Profits Over Patients: The Harmful Effects of Private Equity on the U.S. Health Care System.”
Credits
Taylor Cook
Audio producer
Lonnie Ro
Audio producer
Emmarie Huetteman
Editor
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