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 writer of the critically praised reference ebook “Health Care Politics and Policy A to Z,” now in its third version.
The presidential election is lower than 5 months away, and whereas abortion is the one well being coverage difficulty anticipated to play a number one position, others are prone to be raised within the presidential and down-ballot races. This election might be essential in figuring out the way forward for key well being care packages, similar to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act.
In this particular episode of KFF Health News’ “What the Health?” taped on the Aspen Ideas: Health pageant in Aspen, Colorado, Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times and Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call be a part of Julie Rovner, KFF Health News’ chief Washington correspondent, to debate what the election season portends for prime well being points.
Panelists
Margot Sanger-Katz
The New York Times
Sandhya Raman
CQ Roll Call
Among the takeaways from this week’s episode:
Policies surrounding abortion — and reproductive well being points, basically — doubtless will dominate in lots of races, as Democrats attempt to exploit a problem that’s motivating their voters and dividing Republican voters. The subjects of contraception and in vitro fertilization are taking part in a extra distinguished position in 2024 than they’ve in previous elections.
High prescription drug costs — which, for annoyed Americans, are a longtime image, and symptom, of the nation’s dysfunctional well being care system — have been a precedence for the Biden administration and, beforehand, the Trump administration. But the difficulty is so complicated and progress so incremental that it’s exhausting to say whether or not both occasion has a bonus.
The destiny of many main well being packages will likely be decided by who wins the presidency and who controls Congress after this fall’s elections. For instance, the momentary subsidies which have made Affordable Care Act well being plans extra reasonably priced will expire on the finish of 2025. If the subsidies aren’t renewed, hundreds of thousands of Americans will doubtless be priced out of protection once more.
Previously hot-button points like gun violence, opioid dependancy, and psychological well being aren’t taking part in a high-profile position within the 2024 races. But that might change case by case.
Finally, enormous well being points that might use public airing and debate — like what to do concerning the nation’s crumbling long-term care system and the rising scarcity of significant well being professionals — aren’t prone to turn out to be marketing campaign points.
Credits
Francis Ying
Audio producer
Emmarie Huetteman
Editor
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