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 writer of the critically praised reference ebook “Health Care Politics and Policy A to Z,” now in its third version.
Congress seems able to approve a spending invoice for the Department of Health and Human Services for the primary time in years — minus the dramatic cuts proposed by the Trump administration. Lawmakers are additionally nearing passage of a well being measure, together with new guidelines for prescription drug middlemen often known as pharmacy profit managers, that has been delayed for greater than a 12 months after complaints from Elon Musk, who on the time was getting ready to affix the incoming Trump administration.
However, Congress appears much less enthusiastic in regards to the well being coverage define launched by President Donald Trump final week, which features a handful of proposals that lawmakers have rejected previously.
This week’s panelists are Julie Rovner of KFF Health News, Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call, Sheryl Gay Stolberg of The New York Times, and Paige Winfield Cunningham of The Washington Post.
Panelists
Sandhya Raman
CQ Roll Call
Sheryl Gay Stolberg
The New York Times
Paige Winfield Cunningham
The Washington Post
Among the takeaways from this week’s episode:
Congress is on monitor to move a brand new appropriations invoice for HHS, with the present, short-term funding set to run out subsequent week. The invoice features a slight bump for some businesses and, notably, doesn’t embrace deep cuts requested by Trump. But with the administration’s demonstrated willingness to disregard congressionally mandated spending, the query stands: Will Trump comply with Congress’ directions about the right way to spend the cash?
A well being bundle with bipartisan assist is ready to hitch a trip with the spending invoice, after dropping by the wayside in late 2024 underneath strain from then-Trump adviser Musk. However, the president’s newly launched checklist of well being priorities largely isn’t mirrored within the bundle. The GOP faces headwinds within the midterms after permitting expanded Affordable Care Act premium tax credit to run out, a change that’s anticipated to price many Americans their medical health insurance.
One 12 months into the second Trump administration, its insurance policies are significantly evident within the political takeover of the nation’s public well being infrastructure, the rising variety of uninsured Americans, and creeping mind drain in U.S.-based scientific analysis.
And Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has fired members of a panel overseeing the federal authorities’s vaccine harm compensation program. Kennedy is anticipated to remake the panel in an effort to increase the checklist of accidents for which the federal government will compensate Americans. The present checklist doesn’t embrace autism.
Also this week, Rovner interviews oncologist and bioethicist Ezekiel Emanuel to debate his new ebook, Eat Your Ice Cream: Six Simple Rules for a Long and Healthy Life.
And KFF Health News’ annual Health Policy Valentines contest is now open. You can enter the contest here.
Plus, for “extra credit” the panelists counsel well being coverage tales they learn this week that they assume it’s best to learn, too:
Julie Rovner: CIDRAP’s “Minnesota Residents Delay Medical Care for Fear of Encountering ICE,” by Liz Szabo.
Sheryl Gay Stolberg: Rolling Stone’s “HHS Gave a $1.6 Million Grant to a Controversial Vaccine Study. These Emails Show How That Happened,” by Katherine Eban.
Paige Winfield Cunningham: Politico’s “RFK Jr. Is Bringing the GOP and the Trial Bar Together,” by Amanda Chu.
Sandhya Raman: Popular Information’s “ICE Has Stopped Paying for Detainee Medical Treatment,” by Judd Legum.
Credits
Francis Ying
Audio producer
Emmarie Huetteman
Editor
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