Podcasts about kff health news

As predicted, the expiration of enhanced tax subsidies for Affordable Care Act health plans is causing many people to lose coverage for failing to make premium payments. Meanwhile, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. responded angrily to a New York Times article suggesting he's not actively engaged in the work of his sprawling department. Lauren Weber of The Washington Post, Lizzy Lawrence of Stat, and Sandhya Raman of Bloomberg Law join KFF Health News' Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF's Tricia Neuman, who is retiring this month as a senior vice president and the executive director of the Program on Medicare Policy. Visit our website for a transcript of this episode.Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week they think you should read, too: Julie Rovner: KFF Health News' “Anguished Parents. Doctors in Tears. Utah's Long Measles Outbreak Takes a Toll,” by Amy Maxmen. Sandhya Raman: CIDRAP's “Two Sisters, One Virus: A Family Devastated by HPV,” by Liz Szabo. Lizzy Lawrence: The Chicago Tribune's “One Plastic Surgeon. Eight Women Dead,” by Christy Gutowski and Gregory Royal Pratt. Lauren Weber: ProPublica's “The Milkman,” by Annie Waldman. 

Amid the ongoing Ebola outbreak, doctors in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are treating symptomatic patients and facing shortages of crucial protective and diagnostic equipment. Amy Maxmen, PhD, public health correspondent and editor at KFF Health News, reports on the situation.   MONGBWALU, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO - MAY 24: Community members watch as health workers wearing protective equipment prepare for a safe burial operation in the community of Mongbwalu on May 24, 2026 in Mongbwalu, Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of Congo. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda a "public health emergency of international concern," as the death toll and number of confirmed cases continue to rise. The current epidemic is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, one of several Orthoebolaviruses that can cause Ebola disease, and for which there are no approved vaccines. The highest number of cases have been reported in Congo's eastern Ituri province, bordering Uganda. Global health officials have expressed grave concern over the capacity to contain the outbreak in a region already facing a humanitarian crisis, with highly mobile populations displaced by conflict and economic factors. (Photo by Michel Lunanga/Getty Images)   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Adult Medicaid enrollees with serious health conditions may not be automatically exempt from new work rules, according to a new regulation from the Trump administration — the opposite of what state officials were informally told would be the case. Meanwhile, the administration is also proposing to give political appointees even more power over who gets health and science grant funding. Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Liz Essley Whyte of The Wall Street Journal, and Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico join KFF Health News' Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News reporter Lauren Sausser, who wrote the latest “Bill of the Month,” about a patient with a temporary memory problem and a less forgettable $59,000 hospital bill. Visit our website for a transcript of this episode.Plus, for “extra credit” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too: Julie Rovner: KFF Health News and The Associated Press' “Festering Infections to Untreated Cancer: ICE Detainees Describe Medical Neglect Across US,” by Rae Ellen Bichell, Claire Galofaro, Maia Rosenfeld, Renuka Rayasam, Aaron Kessler, and Byron Tau. Liz Essley Whyte: The Wall Street Journal's “The Autism-Therapy Business Is Booming — And So Is the Billing Abuse,” by Christopher Weaver and Anna Wilde Mathews. Alice Miranda Ollstein: The New York Times' “The Return of Blaming and Shaming in Public Health,” by Simar Bajaj. Margot Sanger-Katz: ProPublica's “‘No One Is Watching': How Trump Reversed Biden's Crackdown on Gun Trafficking,” by Alec MacGillis and Ken B. Morales. 

On May 16, the World Health Organization called the Ebola outbreaks in eastern Congo and Uganda a global health emergency. So far, there have been more than 900 suspected cases and over 200 suspected deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan. There is no vaccine. No treatment. Behind it all is a global health funding system at its lowest level since 2009, with the largest single donor, the U.S., having walked away. A recent shift in U.S. health policy now has the U.S. keeping suspected American cases abroad – sending some to quarantine facilities in Europe and others to Kenya. Why can't they be treated back home? And what does that say about U.S. preparedness for a deadly outbreak? Dr. Celine Gounder, an infectious disease specialist and epidemiologist, joins USA TODAY's The Excerpt to discuss the policy shift and what it means for public health, travel restrictions, and preparedness in the United States. She is also editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News and an opinion contributor for USA TODAY. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. Episode transcript available here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Republicans passed their big budget bill in 2025, they thought the effects of cuts to health programs wouldn't show up until after the 2026 midterms. They were wrong. Meanwhile, the party is trumpeting its efforts to lower drug prices. Lauren Weber of The Washington Post, Shefali Luthra of The 19th, and Maya Goldman of Axios join KFF Health News' Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News' editor-at-large for public health, Céline Gounder, to discuss the Ebola outbreak. Visit our website for a transcript of this episode.Plus, for “extra credit” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too: Julie Rovner: ProPublica's “She Faced a Life-Threatening Miscarriage. Under Arkansas' Abortion Ban, Even Calls to the Governor's Office Didn't Help,” by Kavitha Surana.  Lauren Weber: The New York Times' “Short Naps, Long Hours: How Autism Clinics Squeeze Medicaid Dollars Out of Preschoolers,” by Sarah Kliff and Margot Sanger-Katz.  Shefali Luthra: The New York Times' “Nine Months of Medical Attention. Then Almost Nothing,” by Sejal Hathi.  Maya Goldman: The Texas Tribune's “Texas Children's Hospital Must Create Country's First ‘Detransition Clinic' Under Legal Settlement With State,” by Terri Langford and Colleen DeGuzman. 

At least 220 people are believed to have died from the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa. The World Health Organization says that it is spreading so quickly that response efforts are struggling to keep pace. The epicenter remains in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where mistrust of health authorities is complicating efforts. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Dr. Celine Gounder of KFF Health News. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Health care leaders are navigating one of the most volatile policy environments in decades. The next major reform fight hasn't arrived yet — but in its place, a steady wave of rulemaking, regulatory shifts, and enforcement actions is driving real change. Policies are evolving faster, reversing more often, and creating a level of uncertainty that makes even the most seasoned strategists question what to act on, what to wait out, and what to ignore. This moment of policy whiplash isn't theoretical — it's reshaping care delivery models, workforce strategy, and long term investment decisions across the industry. In this live episode, recorded at Advisory Board's Washington, D.C. Summit on May 4, 2026, host Rae Woods sits down with Julie Rovner — chief Washington correspondent at KFF Health News and host of the What the Health? podcast — to make sense of this “in between” moment of health policy. Drawing on four decades of reporting across multiple administrations and reform cycles, Julie helps leaders separate meaningful signals from noise, understand where real policy power sits today, and anticipate what could define the next era of health reform. We're here to help: Playlist | Radio Advisory Health Policy playlist Expert Insight | How policy changes will impact your bottom line Tool | Policy Scenario Impact Calculator Want to see a live recording of Radio Advisory? Register for an Advisory Board summit and get the insights your organization needs to navigate uncertainty and build lasting resilience. What the Health? From KFF Health News Archives - KFF Health News 4 ways health systems are reducing EVS costs while improving performance A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.

At least 220 people are believed to have died from the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa. The World Health Organization says that it is spreading so quickly that response efforts are struggling to keep pace. The epicenter remains in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where mistrust of health authorities is complicating efforts. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Dr. Celine Gounder of KFF Health News. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

OA1264 - Sherise Doyley was in the early stages of labor, in a hospital bed, preparing to deliver her baby, when nurses wheeled in a computer. On the screen was a judge, notifying her of an emergency order by the State of Florida to attempt to force her to undergo a C-section, instead of first attempting vaginal delivery. For 3 hours she advocated for herself, without an attorney, barely covered in a hospital gown. How was any of this legal? What is happening? Jenessa breaks down the history of our rights to make our own medical decisions and how that is legally modified in pregnancy, Lydia shares her own birth experience and how these situations could be handled with actual compassion, and Thomas holds very still in hopes our eyes are based on movement (just kidding, Thomas is very supportive and also outraged). Come rage against the machine with us and hopefully breathe life into a revived pro-choice movement, before it's too late. Amy Yurkanin (Mar. 14, 2026), They Didn't Want to Have C-Sections. A Judge Would Decide How They Gave Birth, ProPublica. Video clips of Doyley hearing, provided by ProPublica's Facebook page Anuli Njoku, Marian Evans, Lillian Nimo-Sefah, & Jonell Bailey (2023). Listen to the Whispers before They Become Screams: Addressing Black Maternal Morbidity and Mortality in the United States, 11 Healthcare 438. Brad N. Greenwood, Rachel R. Hardeman, Laura Huang, & Aaron Sojourner (2020), Physician–patient racial concordance and disparities in birthing mortality for newborns, 117 Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 21194. Maternal Mortality Prevention (Dec. 18, 2025). Data from the Pregnancy Mortality Surveillance System, CDC. Bracey Harris & Elizabeth Chuck (Jan. 9, 2026), 'Her worst fear has come to pass': Midwife who advocated for Black women dies after giving birth, NBC News. Camila Domonoske (Apr. 17, 2018), 'Father Of Gynecology,' Who Experimented On Slaves, No Longer On Pedestal In NYC, NPR. Megan L. Swanson, Sara Whetstone, Tushani Illangasekare, & Amy (Meg) Autry (2021), Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reparations: The Debt We Owe (and Continue to Accumulate), 5 Health Equity 353. Nicole Loy (May 16, 2025), Pain and Gynecology: Raising Standards of Care, The Healthcare Review at Cornell University. Jess Mador (July 29, 2025), A Brain-Dead Pregnant Woman Was Kept Alive in Georgia. It's Unclear if State Law Required It, KFF Health News. (June 2025), Pregnancy Exceptionalism: A Review of Restrictions on Advance Directives, Pregnancy Justice. U.S. Const. amend. IX Jacobson v. Massachusetts, 197 U.S. 11 (1905) Rochin v. California, 342 U.S. 165 (1952) Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Dep't of Health, 497 U.S. 261 (1990) Washington v. Harper, 494 U.S. 210 (1990) Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973) Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pa. v. Casey, 505 U.S. 833 (1992) Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, 597 U.S. 215 (2022) Heller v. Doe, 509 U.S. 312 (1993) State Dept. of Human Services v. Northern, 563 S.W.2d 197 (1978) Lane v. Candura, 6 Mass. App. Ct. 377 (1978) Koskenoja v. Whitmer, Mich. Ct. Cl. (2026) (Apr. 20, 2026), Michigan Pregnancy Exclusion Law is Unconstitutional, Compassion & Choices. Check out the OA Linktree for all the places to go and things to do!  

In just the first few days after losing his bid for reelection in Louisiana, Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy has already started signaling that his loyalty to President Donald Trump has waned. But how much Cassidy will try to accomplish toward his health agenda in his remaining months in office remains to be seen. Sheryl Gay Stolberg of The New York Times, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, and Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico Magazine join KFF Health News' Julie Rovner to discuss this story and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews health policy professor Miranda Yaver, the author of a new book about health insurance denials.  Plus for “extra credit” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week they think you should read, too: Julie Rovner: The Wall Street Journal's “How Zyn Became All the Rage Inside Trump World — Including With RFK Jr.,” by Liz Essley Whyte, Josh Dawsey and C. Ryan Barber.  Alice Miranda Ollstein: Stat's “1 in 8 Women Drink During Pregnancy. Experts Dread the Consequences,” by Isabella Cueto. Joanne Kenen: The Associated Press' “A Crisis of Conscience Spurred This Christian IVF Doctor's Career Pivot,” by Tiffany Stanley. Sheryl Gay Stolberg: KFF Health News' “Religious Anti-Abortion Center Finds Opportunity in Town Without OB-GYNs,” by Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez. 

In one of the most widely expected departures in recent memory, Marty Makary stepped down as head of the FDA this week. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is considering blocking telehealth prescriptions for the abortion pill mifepristone. Lauren Weber of The Washington Post, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, and Rachel Cohrs Zhang of Bloomberg News join KFF Health News' Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) about health issues before Congress. Plus, for “extra credit” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too: Julie Rovner: ProPublica's “A Unique Oregon Law Allows It To Block Healthcare Deals. In Five Years, the State Hasn't Done So Once,” by Rob Davis. Rachel Cohrs Zhang: The Wall Street Journal's “Inside Marty Makary's Downfall at the FDA,” by Liz Essley Whyte and Josh Dawsey.  Alice Miranda Ollstein: Politico's “Lawmakers' Prescription Data at Risk After Data Breach,” by Katherine Tully-McManus.  Lauren Weber: Stat's “Alcohol Is Wreaking Havoc on U.S. Public Health. American Society Looks the Other Way,” by Lev Facher and Isabella Cueto. 

Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled his eighth and final budget proposal today, with a possible presidential bid on the horizon and a crowded field of candidates jockeying to succeed him. His proposal is fully balanced, seeking to offset significant federal spending cuts, but does not introduce major new spending. Marisa and Guy are joined by KFF Health News senior correspondent Angela Hart to unpack the details of Newsom's plan and what it signals about his priorities in his last stretch as governor.  Check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A federal court's decision to override the FDA and restrict availability of the abortion pill mifepristone has launched abortion back into the national spotlight. It's also raised new questions about the job security of FDA Commissioner Marty Makary. Sandhya Raman of Bloomberg Law, Shefali Luthra of The 19th, and Jessie Hellmann of CQ Roll Call join KFF Health News' Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News' Andrew Jones, who wrote the latest “Bill of the Month,” about an emergency room bill for a visit that wasn't an emergency — but could have been.  Visit our website for a transcript of this episode.Plus, for “extra credit” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too: Julie Rovner: KFF Health News' “HHS' Healthy Food Agenda Puts Hospitals on Notice About Patients' Meals,” by Stephanie Armour.  Shefali Luthra: ProPublica's “Babies Are Bleeding to Death as Parents Reject a Vitamin Shot Given at Birth,” by Duaa Eldeib.  Sandhya Raman: The Cut's “Pediatricians Didn't Sign Up for This,” by Juno DeMelo.  Jessie Hellmann: Nature's “Key US Science Panels Are Being Axed — And Others Are Becoming Less Open,” by Max Kozlov, Alexandra Witze, and Dan Garisto.  

Democrats and Republicans on one of the House committees that oversees the Medicare program had strong words about high hospital pricing at a hearing on Capitol Hill this week, but it remains unclear whether the reality will match their rhetoric when it comes to reining in those prices. Meanwhile, some good health policy news: A study found the 988 suicide prevention hotline reduced suicides significantly in its first two years of operation. Shefali Luthra of The 19th, Rachel Roubein of The Washington Post, and Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico Magazine join KFF Health News' Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists share their favorite health policy stories of the week that they think you should read, too. Julie Rovner: The New York Times' “While Advising Kennedy, Top Aide Had More Than $25 Million Stake in Wellness Company,” by Christina Jewett and Benjamin Mueller.  Joanne Kenen: ProPublica's “Unfounded Health Concerns Are Powering a Solar Backlash,” by Anna Clark.  Rachel Roubein: KFF Health News' “Big Companies Position Themselves for Payday from $50B Federal Rural Health Fund,” by Sarah Jane Tribble.  Shefali Luthra: The Atlantic and KFF Health News' “A ‘Barbaric' Problem in American Hospitals Is Only Getting Bigger,” by Elisabeth Rosenthal. 

Elisabeth Rosenthal, senior contributing editor at KFF Health News, former ER physician, and author of An American Sickness: How Healthcare Became Big Business and How You Can Take It Back (Penguin Press (hardcover, 2017)), discusses her latest reporting on how patients in emergency department are getting stuck waiting for days to be transferred into an inpatient ward. Photo: Rooms in the emergency department are made up at the new UCI Health hospital in Irvine, CA on Thursday, November 6, 2025. (Photo by Paul Bersebach/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images)    

There's a chain reaction happening across the world: The longer the Iran war drags on, the more the US drains its global supply of critical weapons. And the longer oil prices remain high, the more Russia reaps the rewards, leaving Europe increasingly exposed to Putin's aggressive instincts. Petr Pavel is president of the Czech Republic, former chief-of-staff of the Czech armed services, and served as chair of NATO's military committee. Christiane spoke to President Pavel at a conference in Prague.  Also on today's show: Edward Luce, US National Editor, Financial Times; Dr. Elizabeth Rosenthal, Senior Contributing Editor, KFF Health News    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. completed his whirlwind tour of House and Senate committees this week, ostensibly to promote President Donald Trump's budget proposal for his department but also to answer for some of his more controversial positions, particularly on vaccines. Meanwhile, Trump signed an executive order to facilitate the use of hallucinogens to treat mental health conditions and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ended a decades-old policy requiring members of the military to get annual flu shots. Sheryl Gay Stolberg of The New York Times, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, and Victoria Knight of Bloomberg Government join KFF Health News' Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, in the latest installment of our “How Would You Fix It?” series, Rovner interviews doctor, author, and Harvard public health professor David Blumenthal about his ideas for making the health system work better.  Visit our website for a transcript of this episode.Plus for “extra credit” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week they think you should read, too: Julie Rovner: The Washington Post's “KitKat, Gatorade or granola bars? What's banned under new SNAP rules is mixed,” by Rachel Roubein.  Sheryl Gay Stolberg: Politico's “Trump's surgeon general pick faces mounting GOP opposition,” by Amanda Friedman and Alice Miranda Ollstein.  Alice Miranda Ollstein: The Washington Post's “Where U.S. science has been hit hardest after Trump's first year,” by Carolyn Y. Johnson, Lydia Sidhom and Susan Svrluga.  Victoria Knight: The New York Times's “A $440,000 Breast Reduction: How Doctors Cashed In on a Consumer Protection Law,” by Sarah Kliff and Margot Sanger-Katz. 

About this episode: A collaboration between the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, KFF Health News, and Shatterproof is tracking how communities across the country are spending opioid settlement funds. In this episode: Abigail Winiker of the Bloomberg Overdose Prevention Initiative details the good, bad, and the ugly of the expenditures the team has tracked, from EMS-delivered harm reduction methods to punitive law enforcement investments to... D.A.R.E magicians? Guest: Abigail Winiker, PhD, MSPH, is an assistant scientist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the program director of the Bloomberg Overdose Prevention Initiative. Host: Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for Expert Insights, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Show links and related content: Six Innovations in Settlement Fund Spending—Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Innovations in Opioid Settlement Fund Spending | CMAP Nexus Series—Health Policy and Management – BSPH via YouTube From Narcan to Gun Silencers, Opioid Settlement Cash Pays Law Enforcement Tabs—KFF Health News Edgecombe County honored for its innovative approach to opioid crisis—Rocky Mount Telegram Transcript information: Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel. Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us via email or visit our website. Follow us: @‌PublicHealthPod on Bluesky @‌PublicHealthPod on Instagram @‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Facebook @‌PublicHealthOnCall on YouTube Here's our RSS feed Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.

Did you know that if you have a high-deductible health plan, some services like immunizations and screenings are free (even if you haven't met your deductible)? Or that you might be able to invest the money in your HSA? This episode, KFF Health News reporter Jackie Fortiér shares tips on getting the most out of your HDHP.Have a question about navigating the health care system? Contact us here and you might be part of an upcoming episode of Health Care Helpline.Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekitSign up for our newsletter here.Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? Email us at lifekit@npr.orgSupport the show and listen to it sponsor-free by signing up for Life Kit+ at plus.npr.org/lifekitSee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Did you know that if you have a high-deductible health plan, some services like immunizations and screenings are free (even if you haven't met your deductible)? Or that you might be able to invest the money in your HSA? This episode, KFF Health News reporter Jackie Fortiér shares tips on getting the most out of your HDHP.Have a question about navigating the health care system? Contact us here and you might be part of an upcoming episode of Health Care Helpline.Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekitSign up for our newsletter here.Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? Email us at lifekit@npr.orgSupport the show and listen to it sponsor-free by signing up for Life Kit+ at plus.npr.org/lifekitSee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

President Donald Trump tapped a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director — a former deputy surgeon general and vaccine supporter. Meanwhile, health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made the rounds on Capitol Hill to testify about the president's budget request, though the topics lawmakers wanted to discuss ran the gamut. Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, Emmarie Huetteman of KFF Health News, and Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico Magazine join KFF Health News' Mary Agnes Carey to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, KFF Health News' Julie Rovner interviews Michelle Canero, an immigration attorney, about how Trump's policies affect the medical workforce. Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read (or wrote) this week that they think you should read, too: Mary Agnes Carey: Politico's “‘A Crisis in the Making': Nebraska Races To Impose Work Requirements on Medicaid,” by Alice Miranda Ollstein. Joanne Kenen: The New York Times' “He Warned About the Dangers of A.I. If Only His Father Had Listened,” by Teddy Rosenbluth. Anna Edney: Bloomberg's “Hormone Drugs Make $6.3 Billion Comeback After FDA Nixes Safety Warnings,” by Anna Edney. Emmarie Huetteman: KFF Health News' “Your New Therapist: Chatty, Leaky, and Hardly Human,” by Darius Tahir. 

Today is the deadline to file a federal tax return. The Wall Street Journal’s Richard Rubin joins to discuss what to know about Tax Day after Trump’s moves to shrink the IRS. The U.S. hosted talks between Israel and Lebanon at the White House on Tuesday. Simon Lewis of Reuters breaks down how those discussions play into larger peace talks to end the Iran war. After the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade, dozens of abortion clinics shut down in states where the practice is still legal. Kate Wells of KFF Health News explains how urgent-care clinics have filled the gaps. Plus, two congressmen accused of sexual misconduct officially resigned from Congress, the vast wealth held by Trump’s pick to be the next Fed chair, and how the world’s oldest gorilla celebrated a record-breaking birthday. Today’s episode was hosted by Cecilia Lei.

This week, the Trump administration won a court battle to delay a ruling on access to the abortion pill mifepristone, angering its own anti-abortion allies. Meanwhile, the president's budget arrived on Capitol Hill, where lawmakers are unlikely to agree to its proposed cuts to Health and Human Services programs. Lauren Weber of The Washington Post, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, and Maya Goldman of Axios join KFF Health News' Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more.Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too:Julie Rovner: The Atlantic's “HHS Officials' Year in Purgatory Is Ending,” by Katherine J. Wu.Maya Goldman: KFF Health News' “Trump's Personnel Agency Is Asking for Federal Workers' Medical Records,” by Amanda Seitz and Maia Rosenfeld.Lauren Weber: CNN's “These Common Drug Tests Lead to Tens of Thousands of Wrongful Arrests a Year, Experts Say. One State Is Fighting Back,” by Holly Yan.Alice Miranda Ollstein: Politico's “A Slowdown in US Visa Processing Is Wreaking Havoc on Foreign Doctors' Lives,” by Simon J. Levien.

More than 80 million people rely on Medicaid. It's the single largest source of funding for health coverage for low-income Americans. But President Donald Trump's massive 2025 spending bill is expected to cut the program by nearly a trillion dollars over the next decade.Hospitals could be among the hardest hit. Medicaid covers about a fifth of all their spending, according to KFF Health News.And a new report from progressive think tank Public Citizen shows that more than 440 hospitals are at risk of closing or reducing services in the years ahead. More than a quarter of hospitals in states like Connecticut, California, New York, Massachusetts, and Washington are at risk of closing or cutting services.Obstetrics care could be hit especially hard. It's one of the most expensive categories of service provided by hospitals. And Medicaid funds nearly 40 percent of all births in the U.S.What does the potential loss of hundreds of hospitals mean for the quality and availability of health care in this country?Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Despite public opposition to the cuts they made to federal health programs in 2025, Republicans reportedly are considering still more cuts to help pay for the war in Iran. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court ruled that Colorado cannot ban mental health professionals from using “conversion therapy” on LGBTQ+ minors. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Sandhya Raman of Bloomberg Law, and Jessie Hellmann of CQ Roll Call join KFF Health News' Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News' Elisabeth Rosenthal, who wrote the last two “Bill of the Month” stories. Plus, for “extra credit” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too: Julie Rovner: New York Magazine's “The Dog Owners Taking Their Injured Corgis and Doodles to Tijuana: Mexico Is to Pet MRIs What Turkey Has Become for Hair Transplants,” by Helaine Olen.  Jessie Hellmann: The Texas Tribune's “‘Don't Take Me to the Hospital': Undocumented Immigrants in Texas Are Delaying Medical Care,” by Colleen DeGuzman, Stephen Simpson, Terri Langford, and Dan Keemahill. Sandhya Raman: Science's “Supporters Push To Revive Moribund Agency Studying Patient Care,” by Jocelyn Kaiser.  Alice Miranda Ollstein: The New York Times' “Cuban Patients Are Dying Because of U.S. Blockade, Doctors Say,” by Ed Augustin and Jack Nicas.  

The Trump administration faces the challenge of naming a new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who can both satisfy the Make America Healthy Again movement and get confirmed by the Senate. Meanwhile, a new Senate bill to rescind the approval of the abortion pill mifepristone is again elevating the abortion debate, which some Republicans would prefer to stay on the back burner until after the midterm elections. Shefali Luthra of The 19th, Lizzy Lawrence of Stat, and Rachel Cohrs Zhang of Bloomberg News join KFF Health News' Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Georgetown University Law Center's Katie Keith about the state of the Affordable Care Act on its 16th anniversary. Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too: Julie Rovner: Stat's “The Potential Loophole in Trump's Plan To Get Other Countries To Pay More for Drugs,” by John Wilkerson. Shefali Luthra: NPR's “Yep. A Mom's COVID Shot During Pregnancy Protects Her Baby, a Large Study Finds,” by Tara Haelle. Lizzy Lawrence: The Atlantic's “The Meme-Washing of RFK Jr.,” by Nicholas Florko. Rachel Cohrs Zhang: The Boston Globe's “‘We're on the Inside Now': Meet the Man Building a Political Empire Behind RFK Jr.” by Tal Kopan. 

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: Lunna Lopes Et al., “Cost Concerns and Coverage Changes: A Follow-Up Survey of ACA Marketplace Enrollees,” March 19, 2026, https://www.kff.org/public-opinion/a-follow-up-survey-of-aca-marketplace-enrollees/, KFF Health News. Julie Appleby, “Many ACA Customers Are Paying Higher Premiums. Most Blame Trump and Republicans, Poll Finds.,” March 19, 2026, https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/kff-poll-aca-obamacare-higher-premiums-blame-trump-gop/, KFF Health News. Chartis, “2026 rural health state of the state,” February 10, 2026, https://www.chartis.com/insights/2026-rural-health-state-state.  Reuters, “Stryker says cyberattack on its network contained,” March 17, 2026, https://www.reuters.com/technology/stryker-says-cyberattack-its-network-contained-2026-03-17/.  Ron Southwick, “The Stryker cyberattack and what hospitals should be doing,” March 13, 2026, https://www.chiefhealthcareexecutive.com/view/the-stryker-cyberattack-and-what-hospitals-should-be-doing, Chief Healthcare Executive. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Measles Cases and Outbreaks,” March 13, 2026, https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html.  Michigan Health & Hospital Association, “Hospitals Help: Mackinac Straits Retail Pharmacy Serves as a Lifeline in Northern Michigan,” March 6, 2026, https://www.mha.org/newsroom/hospitals-help-mackinac-straits-retail-pharmacy-serves-as-a-lifeline-in-northern-michigan/.  Rural Health Today is a production of Hillsdale Hospital in Hillsdale, Michigan and a member of the Health Podcast Network. Our host is JJ Hodshire, our producer is Kyrsten Newlon, and our audio engineer is Kenji Ulmer. Special thanks to our special guests for sharing their expertise on the show, and also to the Hillsdale Hospital marketing team. If you want to submit a question for us to answer on the podcast or learn more about Rural Health Today, visit ruralhealthtoday.com.

A federal judge in Massachusetts this week sided with public health groups to block changes to the federally recommended schedule of childhood vaccines, dealing at least a temporary setback to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s efforts to remake the schedule. Meanwhile, Congress has put its debate over the future of the Affordable Care Act on the back burner, but the issue of rising health care costs is still front and center for the voting public. Lauren Weber of The Washington Post, Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, and Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico join KFF Health News' Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF President and CEO Drew Altman to kick off a new series looking at health care solutions, called “How Would You Fix It?”  Visit our website for a transcript of this episode.Plus, for “extra credit” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too: Julie Rovner: The New York Times' “Trump Promised the ‘World's Lowest' Drug Prices. We Checked the Numbers,” by Rebecca Robbins.  Lauren Weber: The Atlantic's “Sucker: My Year as a Degenerate Gambler,” by McKay Coppins. Margot Sanger-Katz: Stat's “How a Texas Couple Is Getting Rich Off Out-of-Network Medical Bills,” by Tara Bannow.  Alice Miranda Ollstein: The New York Times' “U.S. Considers Withholding H.I.V. Aid Unless Zambia Expands Minerals Access,” by Stephanie Nolen.  

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: Naomi Diaz, “Stryker hit by cyberattack reportedly tied to Iran-linked hackers,” March 12, 2026 https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/cybersecurity/medical-device-maker-stryker-hit-with-cyberattack/, Becker's Healthcare. Ross Law, “Stryker still recovering from Iran-linked cyberattack,” March 13, 2026, https://www.medicaldevice-network.com/news/stryker-still-recovering-from-iran-linked-cyberattack/, Medical Device Network. Rachana Pradhan and Katheryn Houghton, “The People — And Research — Lost in the NIH Exodus,” March 6, 2026, https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/nih-national-institutes-of-health-resignation-scientist-profiles-brain-drain/, KFF Health News. Meg Cunningham, “A Missouri pilot program reimagines rural hospitals as the central hub for more than health care,” March 10, 2026, https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2026/03/10/missouri-hospital-medicaid-pilot-torch-program/, The Beacon News. Rural Health Today is a production of Hillsdale Hospital in Hillsdale, Michigan and a member of the Health Podcast Network. Our host is JJ Hodshire, our producer is Kyrsten Newlon, and our audio engineer is Kenji Ulmer. Special thanks to our special guests for sharing their expertise on the show, and also to the Hillsdale Hospital marketing team. If you want to submit a question for us to answer on the podcast or learn more about Rural Health Today, visit ruralhealthtoday.com.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had another tough week. In addition to Kennedy having surgery on a torn rotator cuff, the nomination of his ally to become surgeon general is teetering in the Senate, the controversial head of the Food and Drug Administration's vaccine center is resigning next month, and a new survey shows Americans trust government health officials less than they do former Biden official Anthony Fauci. Meanwhile, the Trump administration's fraud crackdown is reaching private Medicare insurance plans. Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, Shefali Luthra of The 19th, and Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico Magazine join KFF Health News' Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Andy Schneider of Georgetown University about the Trump administration's crackdown on Medicaid fraud in Democratic-led states.  Visit our website for a transcript of this episode.Plus, for "extra credit" the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too: Julie Rovner: The Marshall Project's "The Harrowing Journey Home for Families Leaving Immigration Detention," by Shannon Heffernan, Jesse Bogan, and Anna Flagg.  Anna Edney: The Wall Street Journal's "The Boom in Autism Therapy Is Medicaid's Fastest-Growing Jackpot," by Christopher Weaver, Tom McGinty, and Anna Wilde Mathews.  Shefali Luthra: The New York Times' "States Move To Limit Access to H.I.V. Treatment," by Apoorva Mandavilli.  Joanne Kenen: The Idaho Capital Sun's "988 Ended His Call. Now an Idaho Teen Is Pushing for a Fix to State's Parental Consent Law," by Laura Guido.  

When Angelo Quinto died, his family said police were responsible for his death. But a lawyer told them his official cause of death would likely be something called “excited delirium.” You can read more of Renu Rayasam's reporting on "excited delirium" at KFF Health News. Arjun Byju's article for Current Affairs is: Excited Delirium: How Cops Invented a Disease. Reporter Chris Gelardi obtained Rochester Police Department training materials on "excited delirium" for New York Focus. You can read more here. Reuters has investigated Taser's interest in "excited delirium." You can find the investigation here. Say hello on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Sign up for our occasional newsletter. Follow the show and review us on Apple Podcasts. Sign up for Criminal Plus to get behind-the-scenes bonus episodes of Criminal, ad-free listening of all of our shows, invitations to virtual events, special merch deals, and more. We also make This is Love and Phoebe Reads a Mystery. Artwork by Julienne Alexander. Check out our online shop. Episode transcripts are posted on our website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This month is 40 years since host Julie Rovner, chief Washington correspondent for KFF Health News, began reporting on health policy in Washington. To mark the anniversary, Rovner is joined by two longtime sources to discuss what has — and has not — changed since 1986.This week's special guests are Chip Kahn, a former GOP House and Senate staffer and former head of the Federation of American Hospitals and the Health Insurance Association of America, and Chris Jennings, a former Democratic Senate staffer and a health policy adviser to Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden.Visit our website to read a transcript of this episode.

Millions of Americans will see higher health insurance premiums. KFF Health News has tips for saving money on your plan and finding less expensive prescription options.

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: Ella Ruder, “Magellan of Idaho to cut peer support, mobile mental health services,” November 21, 2025, https://www.beckersbehavioralhealth.com/behavioral-health-news/magellan-of-idaho-to-cut-peer-support-mobile-mental-health-services/, Becker's Healthcare. Ella Ruder, “Idaho providers link patient deaths to behavioral health program cuts,” February 20, 2026, https://www.beckersbehavioralhealth.com/behavioral-health-news/idaho-providers-link-patient-deaths-to-behavioral-health-program-cuts/, Becker's Healthcare. The Center for Disease Control, “Measles Cases and Outbreaks,” February 20, 2026, https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html. Andrew Jones, “Hospitals Fighting Measles Confront a Challenge: Few Doctors Have Seen It Before,” February 24, 2026, https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/measles-outbreak-cdc-carolina-sc-nc-vaccines/, KFF Health News. Andrea Honaker, “Mercer simulation devices aim to fill need in rural medical training,” February 24, 2026, https://den.mercer.edu/mercer-simulation-devices-aim-to-fill-need-in-rural-medical-training/, The Den.  Rural Health Today is a production of Hillsdale Hospital in Hillsdale, Michigan and a member of the Health Podcast Network. Our host is JJ Hodshire, our producer is Kyrsten Newlon, and our audio engineer is Kenji Ulmer. Special thanks to our special guests for sharing their expertise on the show, and also to the Hillsdale Hospital marketing team. If you want to submit a question for us to answer on the podcast or learn more about Rural Health Today, visit ruralhealthtoday.com.

Andrew Jones is a rural health correspondent for KFF Health News. He joins Megan Lynch as measles cases have ticked up across the US recently. In an alarming piece of news. since it had been all but eliminated, younger doctors have not seen cases in person.

Health care got barely a mention in President Donald Trump's record-long State of the Union address this week. Ahead of the midterms, the Trump administration has presented few concrete plans to address what Americans say is the biggest problem with health care: its skyrocketing costs. Meanwhile, Trump's pick to become U.S. surgeon general, Casey Means, got her long-delayed nomination hearing in the Senate, where she faced some skeptical questions from Democrats and Republicans alike. Sheryl Gay Stolberg of The New York Times, Lauren Weber of The Washington Post, and Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico join KFF Health News' Julie Rovner to discuss those stories and more. Plus, for “extra credit” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read (or wrote) this week that they think you should read, too: Julie Rovner: KFF Health News' “When It Comes to Health Insurance, Federal Dollars Support More Than ACA Plans,” by Julie Appleby.  Sheryl Gay Stolberg: ProPublica's “South Carolina Hospitals Aren't Required To Disclose Measles-Related Admissions. That Leaves Doctors in the Dark,” by Jennifer Berry Hawes.  Lauren Weber: The Washington Post's “Inside RFK Jr.'s Push Against the Flu Vaccine That He Links to His Voice Condition,” by Lauren Weber, Lena H. Sun, and Caitlin Gilbert.  Alice Miranda Ollstein: Stat's “Pharma Lobbyists Focus on a Surprising New Target: The FDA,” by Daniel Payne and Lizzy Lawrence.  

Aneri Pattani from KFF Health News talks about Elyse Stevens, who was a primary care and addiction medicine doctor in New Orleans. [...] Read More... from Innovative or Ill-Advised?: A NOLA addiction doctor leaves after her novel approach raises questions at her hospital The post Innovative or Ill-Advised?: A NOLA addiction doctor leaves after her novel approach raises questions at her hospital appeared first on The Lens.

A $50 billion pot of money for rural health care made it into last year's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, President Trump's hallmark tax and spending law. But the funding comes in tandem with massive cuts to Medicaid spending — an existential risk to many rural hospitals. On today's show, Kimberly speaks with KFF Health News correspondent Arielle Zionts about the potential benefits of the Rural Health Transformation Program and its potential shortfalls. Plus, Congress never came to an agreement on the Obamacare subsidies at the heart of last year's government shutdown. What does that mean for rural communities?

A $50 billion pot of money for rural health care made it into last year's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, President Trump's hallmark tax and spending law. But the funding comes in tandem with massive cuts to Medicaid spending — an existential risk to many rural hospitals. On today's show, Kimberly speaks with KFF Health News correspondent Arielle Zionts about the potential benefits of the Rural Health Transformation Program and its potential shortfalls. Plus, Congress never came to an agreement on the Obamacare subsidies at the heart of last year's government shutdown. What does that mean for rural communities?

The twists and turns continue at the nation's health agency, where this week's announcements included notice that the Food and Drug Administration will review Moderna's new flu vaccine after all and that a handful of top agency officials are getting new jobs.Those developments and others can be traced to a White House looking to shake things up before the midterms — and win over voters on health care. Tami Luhby of CNN, Shefali Luthra of The 19th, and Lauren Weber of The Washington Post join KFF Health News' Mary Agnes Carey to discuss these stories and more. Visit our website for a transcript of this episode.Plus, for “extra credit” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too:  Mary Agnes Carey: Politico's “Why Congress Failed To Reach an Obamacare Deal,” by Robert King and Simon J. Levien. Lauren Weber: NiemanLab's “The Atlantic's Elizabeth Bruenig on Her ‘Hypothetical,' Heavily Reported Measles Essay,” by Laura Hazard Owen. Tami Luhby: The City's “NewYork-Presbyterian Nurses Reject Contract by Overwhelming Margin,” by Claudia Irizarry Aponte and Ben Fractenberg. Shefali Luthra: NPR's “Minneapolis Doctors Warn of Lasting Medical Effects, Even After ICE Agents Leave,” by Jasmine Garsd. 

It's been a busy week at the Food and Drug Administration, with a political appointee overruling agency scientists to reject an application for a new flu vaccine, a decision that's reverberating through the drug industry. Meanwhile, anti-abortion Republicans on Capitol Hill complain the agency is dragging its feet on reviewing the abortion pill mifepristone. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Lizzy Lawrence of Stat, and Jackie Fortiér of KFF Health News join KFF Health News' Julie Rovner. Plus, for “extra credit” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too: Julie Rovner: ProPublica's “The Children of Dilley,” by Mica Rosenberg.  Alice Miranda Ollstein: Politico's “Why Washington's All-In on Smart Rings,” by Amanda Chu.  Lizzy Lawrence: KFF Health News' “US Cancer Institute Studying Ivermectin's ‘Ability To Kill Cancer Cells,'” by Rachana Pradhan.  Jackie Fortiér: Stat's “The New Childhood Vaccine Guidelines Have a Paid Leave Problem,” by Ariana Hendrix.  

Rural Health News is a weekly segment of Rural Health Today, a podcast by Hillsdale Hospital. News sources for this episode: Kevin B. O'Reilly, “8 wins for doctors, patients in latest federal budget deal,” February 3, 2026, https://www.ama-assn.org/health-care-advocacy/federal-advocacy/8-wins-doctors-patients-latest-federal-budget-deal, American Medical Association. Selena Simmons-Duffin, “With an ACA fix uncertain in the Senate, Republicans replay old health care fights,” February 2, 2026, https://www.npr.org/2026/02/02/nx-s1-5695766/aca-enhanced-premium-subsidies-republicans-democrats, NPR. Shannon Schumaker, et al. “KFF Health Tracking Poll: Health Care Costs, Expiring ACA Tax Credits, and the 2026 Midterms,” January 29, 2026, https://www.kff.org/public-opinion/kff-health-tracking-poll-health-care-costs-expiring-aca-tax-credits-and-the-2026-midterms/, KFF Health News. Ashley Kirsinger, et al. “KFF Health Tracking Poll: Prior Authorizations Rank as Public's Biggest Burden When Getting Health Care,” February 2, 2026, https://www.kff.org/public-opinion/kff-health-tracking-poll-prior-authorizations-rank-as-publics-biggest-burden-when-getting-health-care/, KFF Health News. Paige Twenter, “A $20,500 cap on federal student loans will strain PA workforce: Survey,” February 4, 2026, https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/hospital-physician-relationships/a-20500-cap-on-federal-student-loans-will-strain-pa-workforce-survey/, Becker's Hospital Review. Rural Health Today is a production of Hillsdale Hospital in Hillsdale, Michigan and a member of the Health Podcast Network. Our host is JJ Hodshire, our producer is Kyrsten Newlon, and our audio engineer is Kenji Ulmer. Special thanks to our special guests for sharing their expertise on the show, and also to the Hillsdale Hospital marketing team. If you want to submit a question for us to answer on the podcast or learn more about Rural Health Today, visit ruralhealthtoday.com.

Congress has passed — and President Donald Trump has signed — the annual spending bill for the Department of Health and Human Services. But it's unclear whether the administration will spend the money as Congress directed.In 2025, billions of dollars were stalled, disrupting patient care and scientific research, until federal judges ordered funding resumed. Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico Magazine, and Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call join KFF Health News' Julie Rovner to discuss those stories and more.Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News' Renuka Rayasam about a new reporting project, “Priced Out.”Plus, for “extra credit” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too: Julie Rovner: Politico's “DeSantis' Canadian Drug Import Plan in Florida Goes From Campaign Trail to Tough Realities,” by Arek Sarkissian.  Sandhya Raman: The Washington Post's “Free HIV Drugs Save Lives. Why One State Is Restricting Access for Thousands,” by David Ovalle.  Anna Edney: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Associated Press's “Forever Stained: Inside America's Carpet Capital: An Empire and its Toxic Legacy,” by Dylan Jackson, Jason Dearan, and Justin Price.  Joanne Kenen: Inside Climate News' “‘Toxic Colonialism' on the Bay of Bengal,” by Johnny Sturgeon. 

The Trump administration's immigration crackdown is not just roiling politics but also directly affecting the provision of health care, medical groups say. Meanwhile, in Washington, federal spending bills on their way to passage have been stalled by the fight over immigration enforcement funding after the shooting death of a second person in Minneapolis this month. Maya Goldman of Axios, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, and Rachel Roubein of The Washington Post join KFF Health News' Julie Rovner to discuss those stories and more. Plus, for “extra credit” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too: Julie Rovner: Science's “U.S. Government Has Lost More Than 10,000 STEM Ph.D.s Since Trump Took Office,” by Monica Hersher and Jeffrey Mervis.  Maya Goldman: NBC News' “Many Obamacare Enrollees Have Switched to Cheaper Bronze Plans. Here's Why That Could Be Risky,” by Berkeley Lovelace Jr.  Alice Miranda Ollstein: The New York Times' “After Donations, Trump Administration Revoked Rule Requiring More Nursing Home Staff,” by Kenneth P. Vogel and Christina Jewett.  Rachel Roubein: Stat's “HHS Appoints 21 New Members to Federal Autism Advisory Committee,” by O. Rose Broderick.  

Lawmakers appear on the brink of passing a spending bill for the Department of Health and Human Services and a bipartisan health policy bill delayed for over a year. But the outlook is considerably bleaker for the health care outline released by President Donald Trump last week. Sheryl Gay Stolberg of The New York Times, Paige Winfield Cunningham of The Washington Post, and Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call join KFF Health News' Julie Rovner to discuss those stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews oncologist and bioethicist Ezekiel Emanuel to discuss his new book, “Eat Your Ice Cream: Six Simple Rules for a Long and Healthy Life.” Plus, for “extra credit” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, 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.  

With lawmakers still mired over renewing enhanced tax credits for Affordable Care Act plans, much of Washington has turned its attention to culture war issues, including abortion and gender-affirming care. Meanwhile, “confusion” remains the watchword at the Department of Health and Human Services as personnel and funding decisions continue to be made and unmade with little notice. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, and Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico Magazine join KFF Health News' Julie Rovner to discuss those stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News' Elisabeth Rosenthal, who created the “Bill of the Month” series and wrote the latest installment, about a very hot pepper and a very late ER bill. Plus, for “extra credit” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too: Julie Rovner: The New York Times' “E.P.A. to Stop Considering Lives Saved When Setting Rules on Air Pollution,” by Maxine Joselow.  Alice Miranda Ollstein: ProPublica's “After Sowing Distrust in Fluoridated Water, Kennedy and Skeptics Turn to Obstructing Other Fluoride Sources,” by Anna Clark.  Joanne Kenen: The New Yorker's “What ‘The Pitt' Taught Me About Being a Doctor,” by Dhruv Khullar.  Anna Edney: MedPage Today's “Worried About Liability After CDC Vaccine Changes? You Shouldn't Be,” by Joedy McCreary.  

Congress returned from its holiday break facing a familiar question: whether to extend the expanded subsidies for Affordable Care Act health plans that expired at the end of 2025.  Meanwhile, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. broke a promise to Bill Cassidy (R-La.), the chairman of Senate health committee, by overhauling the federal government's childhood vaccine schedule to reduce the number of diseases for which vaccines will be recommended.  Lauren Weber of The Washington Post, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, and Sarah Karlin-Smith of Pink Sheet join KFF Health News' Julie Rovner to discuss those stories and more. Plus, for “extra credit” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read (or wrote) this week that they think you should read, too: Julie Rovner: KFF Health News' “Advertisements Promising Patients a ‘Dream Body' With Minimal Risk Get Little Scrutiny,” by Fred Schulte.  Alice Miranda Ollstein: SFGate's “A Calif. Teen Trusted ChatGPT for Drug Advice. He Died From an Overdose,” by Lester Black and Stephen Council.  Sarah Karlin-Smith: ProPublica's “The End of Aid: Trump Destroyed USAID. What Happens Now?” by Anna Maria Barry-Jester and Brett Murphy.  Lauren Weber: The Washington Post's “How RFK Jr. Upended the Public Health System,” by Rachel Roubein, Lena H. Sun, and Lauren Weber.  

Since 1955, when Congress passed the Polio Vaccination Assistance Act, the federal government has been in the business of expanding access to vaccines. That is, until this year.2025 has been filled with almost daily news stories about federal agencies, under the direction of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., casting doubts about vaccine safety, including unsubstantiated claims about links to autism. These agencies have also been taking steps that could roll back access to vaccines, including for hepatitis B and COVID-19.But we've found it very hard to sort out what these talking points and recommendations mean in practice. KFF Health News journalists Jackie Fortiér and Arthur Allen join Host Flora Lichtman to discuss, one year in, what this administration's stance on vaccines has meant practically—for vaccine access, and vaccine uptake.Guests: Arthur Allen is senior correspondent at KFF Health News and author of Vaccine: The Controversial Story of Medicine's Greatest Lifesaver.Jackie Fortiér is a Peggy Girshman fellow covering health policy at KFF Health News.Transcripts for each episode are available within 1-3 days at sciencefriday.com. Subscribe to this podcast. Plus, to stay updated on all things science, sign up for Science Friday's newsletters.

Monday is your deadline to pick an insurance plan on the Affordable Care Act marketplace – and there is still zero plan to ensure that the enhanced subsidies that make those premiums affordable – or, more affordable – will stay in place. But that won't stop Congress from trying! The Senate is expected to vote today on two healthcare plans — one from Republicans, and one from Democrats. For details on what's in those proposals, some of the plans formulating in the House, and whether any of them stand a chance of passing, we spoke with Julie Rovner. She's the chief Washington correspondent at KFF Health News and host of KFF Health News' "What the Health?" podcast.And in headlines, the Federal Reserve lowered its key interest rate for the third time in a row, President Trump uses the U.S. military to seize an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, and a new proposal could require travelers from all over the world to hand over their social media for vetting before entering the U.S.A.Show Notes:Check out What The Health – https://tinyurl.com/yuvzedcyCall Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week, Senate Democrats will hold a vote on extending expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits to try to prevent health insurance premiums from skyrocketing for millions of Americans. That vote is basically guaranteed to fail. Where did these credits come from, and what's likely to happen when they (almost) inevitably lapse? Guest: Julie Rovner, chief Washington correspondent for KFF Health News and host of the podcast “What the Health?” Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Podcast production by Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme, and Rob Gunther.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices