Podcast appearances and mentions of sarah karlin smith

After an unusual all-night session, the House narrowly passed a budget reconciliation bill, including billions of dollars in tax cuts for the wealthy, along with billions of dollars in spending cuts to Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, and the food stamp program. But the Senate is expected to make major changes to the measure before it can go to President Trump for his signature.Meanwhile, the Department of Health and Human Services has made some significant changes affecting the availability of covid-19 vaccines.Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KFF Health News' Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more.Also this week, Rovner interviews University of California-Davis School of Law professor and abortion historian Mary Ziegler about her new book on the past and future of the “personhood” movement aimed at granting legal rights to fetuses and embryos.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 “White House Officials Wanted To Put Federal Workers ‘in Trauma.' It's Working,” by William Wan and Hannah Natanson.Alice Miranda Ollstein: NPR's “Diseases Are Spreading. The CDC Isn't Warning the Public Like It Was Months Ago,” by Chiara Eisner.Anna Edney: Bloomberg News' “The Potential Cancer, Health Risks Lurking in One Popular OTC Drug,” by Anna Edney.Sarah Karlin-Smith: The Farmingdale Observer's “Scientists Have Been Studying Remote Work for Four Years and Have Reached a Very Clear Conclusion: ‘Working From Home Makes Us Happier,'” by Bob Rubila. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Congress returns from spring break next week, its first order of business will be writing a budget reconciliation bill that's expected to cut taxes but also make deep cuts to Medicaid. But at least some Republicans are concerned about cutting a program that aids so many of their constituents. Also this week, the Supreme Court heard a case that could threaten the availability of no-cost preventive care under the Affordable Care Act. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Tami Luhby of CNN, and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KFF Health News' Julie Rovner to discuss these breaking stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News' Rae Ellen Bichell about her story on how care for transgender minors is changing in Colorado. Plus, for “extra credit” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too: Julie Rovner: MedPage Today's “Medical Journals Get Letters From DOJ,” by Kristina Fiore. Alice Miranda Ollstein: The New York Times' “A Scientist Is Paid to Study Maple Syrup. He's Also Paid to Promote it,” by Will Evans, Ellen Gabler, and Anjali Tsui. Sarah Karlin-Smith: The Tampa Bay Times' “Countering DeSantis, $10M Hope Florida Donation Came From Medicaid, Draft Shows,” by Alexandra Glorioso and Lawrence Mower. Tami Luhby: Stat's “In Ireland, a Global Hub for the Pharma Industry, Trump Tariffs Are a Source of Deep Worry,” by Andrew Joseph. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Department of Health and Human Services underwent an unprecedented purge this week, as thousands of employees from the National Institutes of Health, the FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other agencies were fired, placed on administrative leave, or offered transfers to far-flung Indian Health Service facilities. Altogether, the layoffs mean the federal government, in a single day, shed hundreds if not thousands of combined years of health and science expertise. Lauren Weber of The Washington Post, Rachel Cohrs Zhang of Bloomberg News, and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KFF Health News' Julie Rovner to discuss this enormous breaking story and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News' Julie Appleby, who reported and wrote the latest “Bill of the Month” feature about a short-term health plan and a very expensive colonoscopy. 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 “Uber for Nursing Is Here — And It's Not Good for Patients or Nurses,” by Katie J. Wells and Funda Ustek Spilda. Sarah Karlin-Smith: MSNBC's “Florida Considers Easing Child Labor Laws After Pushing Out Immigrants,” by Ja'han Jones. Lauren Weber: The Atlantic's “Miscarriage and Motherhood,” by Ashley Parker. Rachel Cohrs Zhang: The Wall Street Journal's “FDA Punts on Major Covid-19 Vaccine Decision After Ouster of Top Official,” by Liz Essley White. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the Trump administration vs. the federal courts, as the Department of Government Efficiency continues to try to cancel federal contracts and programs and fire workers — while federal judges continue to label those efforts illegal. In the haste to cut things, jobs and programs are being eliminated even if they align with the new administration's goal to “Make America Healthy Again.” Rachel Roubein of The Washington Post, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, and Jessie Hellmann of CQ Roll Call 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 Washington Post's “The Free-Living Bureaucrat,” by Michael Lewis. Rachel Roubein: The Washington Post's “Her Research Grant Mentioned ‘Hesitancy.' Now Her Funding Is Gone.” by Carolyn Y. Johnson. Sarah Karlin-Smith: KFF Health News' “Scientists Say NIH Officials Told Them To Scrub mRNA References on Grants,” by Arthur Allen. Jessie Hellmann: Stat's “NIH Cancels Funding for a Landmark Diabetes Study at a Time of Focus on Chronic Disease,” by Elaine Chen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Donald Trump has said he won't support major cuts to the Medicaid health insurance program for people with low incomes, but he has endorsed a House budget plan that calls for major cuts, leaving the program's future in doubt. Meanwhile, thousands of workers at the Department of Health and Human Services were fired over the holiday weekend, from the National Institutes of Health, the FDA, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with possibly more cuts to come.Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico Magazine, and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet 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: KFF Health News' “Pain Clinics Made Millions From ‘Unnecessary' Injections Into ‘Human Pin Cushions'” by Brett Kelman. Alice Miranda Ollstein: The Washington Post's “U.S. Reverses Plan To Shut Down Free Covid Test Program,” by Lena H. Sun and Carolyn Y. Johnson. Joanne Kenen: Wired's “The Ketamine-Fueled ‘Psychedelic Slumber Parties' That Get Tech Execs Back on Track,” by Elana Klein. Sarah Karlin-Smith: Fortune's “The Dietary Supplements You Think Are Improving Your Health May Be Damaging Your Liver, Research Warns,” by Lindsey Leake. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Donald Trump's choice to lead the vast Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., faced sharp questioning from senators this week, particularly over his history of vaccine denialism. Meanwhile, the Trump administration's second week has been even more disruptive than its first, with an on-again, off-again funding freeze that left many around the country scrambling to understand what was going on. Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KFF Health News' Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Nicholas Bagley, a University of Michigan law professor, who explains how the federal regulatory system is supposed to operate to make health policy.Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too:Julie Rovner: 404 Media's “Medical Device Company Tells Hospitals They're No Longer Allowed to Fix Machine That Costs Six Figures,” by Jason Koebler.Sandhya Raman: ProPublica's “Dozens of People Died in Arizona Sober Living Homes as State Officials Fumbled Medicaid Fraud Response,” by Mary Hudetz and Hannah Bassett.Sarah Karlin-Smith: CBS News' “Wind-Blown Bird Poop May Help Transmit Bird Flu, Minnesota's Infectious Disease Expert Warns,” by Mackenzie Lofgren. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President-elect Donald Trump has made his choices to fill some top jobs at the Department of Health and Human Services. They include controversial figures who were vocal critics of the Biden administration's handling of the covid pandemic and have proposed sweeping changes to the agencies they would lead. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court heard its first two health-related cases of the term, challenging a Tennessee law barring transgender medical care for minors and, separately, challenging the FDA's handling of e-cigarettes. Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins University and Politico, Shefali Luthra of The 19th, and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KFF Health News' Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News' Bram Sable-Smith, who reported and wrote the latest KFF Health News-Washington Post Well+Being “Bill of the Month” feature, about an emergency room bill for a visit that didn't get past the waiting room. Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week they think you should read, too: Julie Rovner: The New Yorker's “The Texas OB-GYN Exodus,” by Stephania Taladrid. Shefali Luthra: The Washington Post's “Post Reports” podcast's “A Trans Teen Takes Her Case to the Supreme Court,” by Casey Parks, Emma Talkoff, Ariel Plotnick, and Bishop Sand. Joanne Kenen: ProPublica's “For Decades, Calls for Reform to Idaho's Troubled Coroner System Have Gone Unanswered,” by Audrey Dutton. Sarah Karlin-Smith: Stat's “What YouTube Health Is Doing To Combat Misinformation and Promote Evidence-Based Content,” by Nicholas St. Fleur. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Election Day rapidly approaching, abortion is gaining traction as a voting issue, according to public opinion polls. Meanwhile, states with abortion bans are reviving the lawsuit — dismissed by the Supreme Court on a technicality this year — that could roll back the availability of the abortion pill mifepristone. Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, Rachel Cohrs Zhang of Stat, and Victoria Knight of Axios join KFF Health News' Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Tricia Neuman, senior vice president of KFF and executive director of its Program on Medicare Policy, about Medicare open enrollment and the changes to the federal program for 2025. Plus, for “extra credit” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too: Julie Rovner: NBC News' “Crisis Pregnancy Center's Forms Give Rare Insight Into Anti-Abortion Practices,” by Abigail Brooks. Sarah Karlin-Smith: Vanity Fair's “Inside the Bungled Bird Flu Response, Where Profits Collide With Public Health,” by Katherine Eban. Rachel Cohrs Zhang: The Atlantic's “The Perverse Consequences of Tuition-Free Medical School,” by Rose Horowitch. Victoria Knight: NPR's “Why Catholic Bishops Are Donating Less To Oppose Abortion Rights Measures This Year,” by Rosemary Westwood and Jack Jenkins. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The elevation of Vice President Kamala Harris to the top of the presumed Democratic presidential ticket is newly energizing the debate over abortion, while former President Donald Trump attempts to distance himself from more sweeping proposals in the “Project 2025” GOP blueprint put together by his former administration officials and the conservative Heritage Foundation. Lauren Weber of The Washington Post, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KFF Health News' Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News' Elisabeth Rosenthal, who reported and wrote the latest KFF Health News-NPR “Bill of the Month” about a preauthorized surgery that generated a six-figure bill. 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 “Online Portals Deliver Scary Health News Before Doctors Can Weigh In,” by Fenit Nirappil. Alice Miranda Ollstein: ProPublica's “A Lab Test That Experts Liken to a Witch Trial Is Helping Send Women to Prison for Murder,” by Duaa Eldeib. Lauren Weber: The Tributary's “Testimony: Florida Wrongly Cut People From Medicaid Due to ‘Computer Error,' Bad Data,” by Charlie McGee. Sarah Karlin-Smith: KFF Health News' “Why Many Nonprofit (Wink, Wink) Hospitals Are Rolling in Money,” by Elisabeth Rosenthal; and The Hollywood Reporter's “New York's Largest Hospital System Is Setting Its Sights on the Entertainment Business,” by Alex Weprin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After an assassination attempt last weekend sent former President Donald Trump to the hospital with minor injuries, the Republican National Convention went off with little mention of health care issues. And Trump's newly nominated vice presidential pick, Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, has barely staked out a record on health during his 18 months in office — aside from being strongly opposed to abortion. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, and Joanne Kenen of Johns Hopkins University and Politico Magazine join KFF Health News' Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News' Renuka Rayasam, who wrote June's installment of KFF Health News-NPR “Bill of the Month,” about a patient who walked into what he thought was an urgent care center and walked out with an emergency room bill. Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too: Julie Rovner: Time magazine's “‘We're Living in a Nightmare:' Inside the Health Crisis of a Texas Bitcoin Town,” by Andrew R Chow.Joanne Kenen: The Washington Post's “A Mom Struggles To Feed Her Kids After GOP States Reject Federal Funds,” by Annie Gowen.Alice Miranda Ollstein: ProPublica's “Texas Sends Millions to Crisis Pregnancy Centers. It's Meant To Help Needy Families, But No One Knows if It Works,” by Cassandra Jaramillo, Jeremy Kohler, and Sophie Chou, ProPublica, and Jessica Kegu, CBS News.Sarah Karlin-Smith: The New York Times' “Promised Cures, Tainted Cells: How Cord Blood Banks Mislead Patients,” by Sarah Kliff and Azeen Ghorayshi. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guest speaker, US-based Pink Sheet senior writer Sarah Karlin-Smith, joins Brian Yang and Dexter Yan in China to discuss the recent BIO Conference, updates to the planned US BIOSECURE Act and industry preparations for its impact. Dexter also discusses China biotech's data highlights from ASCO 2024.

A six-week abortion ban took effect in Florida this week, dramatically restricting access to the procedure not just in the nation's third-most-populous state but across the South. Patients from states with even more restrictive bans had been flooding in since the overturn of Roe v. Wade in 2022.Meanwhile, the CEO of the health behemoth UnitedHealth Group appeared before committees in both the House and Senate, where lawmakers grilled him about the February cyberattack on subsidiary Change Healthcare and how its ramifications are being felt months later.Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, and Rachana Pradhan of KFF Health News 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 they think you should read, too.Julie Rovner: ProPublica's “A Doctor at Cigna Said Her Bosses Pressured Her To Review Patients' Cases Too Quickly. Cigna Threatened To Fire Her,” by Patrick Rucker, The Capitol Forum, and David Armstrong, ProPublica.Alice Miranda Ollstein: The Associated Press' “Dozens of Deaths Reveal Risks of Injecting Sedatives Into People Restrained by Police,” by Ryan J. Foley, Carla K. Johnson, and Shelby Lum.Sarah Karlin-Smith: The Atlantic's “America's Infectious-Disease Barometer Is Off,” by Katherine J. Wu.Rachana Pradhan: The Wall Street Journal's “Millions of American Kids Are Caregivers Now: ‘The Hardest Part Is That I'm Only 17,” by Clare Ansberry.Click here for a transcript of the episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Congress this week had the chance to formally air grievances over the cascading consequences of the Change Healthcare cyberattack, and lawmakers from both major parties agreed on one culprit: consolidation in health care. Plus, about a year after states began stripping people from their Medicaid rolls, a new survey shows nearly a quarter of adults who were disenrolled are now uninsured. Jessie Hellmann of CQ Roll Call, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, and Lauren Weber of The Washington Post join KFF Health News' Mary Agnes Carey to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, KFF Health News' Julie Rovner interviews Caroline Pearson of the Peterson Health Technology Institute. Plus, for “extra credit” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too: Mary Agnes Carey: KFF Health News' “When Rogue Brokers Switch People's ACA Policies, Tax Surprises Can Follow,” by Julie Appleby. Jessie Hellmann: Tampa Bay Times' “Vulnerable Florida Patients Scramble After Abrupt Medicaid Termination,” by Teghan Simonton. Sarah Karlin-Smith: Stat's “Grocers Are Pushing Legislation They Claim Would Enhance Food Safety. Advocates Say It Would Gut FDA Rules,” by Nicholas Florko. Lauren Weber: The New York Times' “Chinese Company Under Congressional Scrutiny Makes Key U.S. Drugs,” by Christina Jewett. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Supreme Court this week heard its first abortion case since overturning Roe v. Wade in 2022, about an appeals court ruling that would dramatically restrict the availability of the abortion pill mifepristone. But while it seems likely that this case could be dismissed on a technicality, abortion opponents have more challenges in the pipeline. Meanwhile, health issues are heating up on the campaign trail, as Republicans continue to take aim at Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act — all things Democrats are delighted to defend. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, and Lauren Weber of The Washington Post join KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News' Tony Leys, who wrote a KFF Health News-NPR “Bill of the Month” feature about Medicare and a very expensive air-ambulance ride. 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' “Overdosing on Chemo: A Common Gene Test Could Save Hundreds of Lives Each Year,” by Arthur Allen. Alice Miranda Ollstein: Stat's “Fetal Tissue Research Gains in Importance as Roadblocks Multiply,” by Olivia Goldhill. Sarah Karlin-Smith: The Washington Post's “The Confusing, Stressful Ordeal of Flying With a Breast Pump,” by Hannah Sampson and Ben Brasch. Lauren Weber: Stateline's “Deadly Fires From Phone, Scooter Batteries Leave Lawmakers Playing Catch-Up on Safety,” by Robbie Sequeira. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At last, Congress is getting half of its annual spending bills across the finish line, albeit five months after the start of the fiscal year. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden delivers his annual State of the Union address, an over-the-counter birth control pill is (finally) available, and controversy erupts over new public health guidelines for covid-19 isolation. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, and Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call join KFF Health News' Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Neera Tanden, the White House domestic policy adviser, about Biden's health agenda. Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too.Julie Rovner: NPR's “How States Giving Rights to Fetuses Could Set Up a National Case on Abortion,” by Regan McCarthy.Sarah Karlin-Smith: Stat's “The War on Recovery,” by Lev Facher.Alice Miranda Ollstein: KFF Health News' “Why Even Public Health Experts Have Limited Insight Into Stopping Gun Violence in America,” by Christine Spolar.Sandhya Raman: The Journal's “‘My Son Is Not There Anymore': How Young People With Psychosis Are Falling Through the Cracks,” by Órla Ryan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the first time, a jury has convicted a parent of a school shooter of charges related to the child's crime, finding a mother in Michigan guilty of involuntary manslaughter and possibly opening a new legal avenue for gun control advocates. Meanwhile, as the Supreme Court prepares to hear a case challenging the FDA's approval of the abortion drug mifepristone, a medical publisher has retracted some of the journal studies that lower-court judges relied on in their decisions. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, and Rachana Pradhan of KFF Health News join KFF Health News' Julie Rovner to discuss these issues 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 Alabama Daily News' “Alabama Lawmakers Briefed on New ‘ALL Health' Insurance Coverage Expansion Plan,” by Alexander Willis. Alice Miranda Ollstein: Stat's “FDA Urged to Move Faster to Fix Pulse Oximeters for Darker-Skinned Patients,” by Usha Lee McFarling. Sarah Karlin-Smith: The Atlantic's “GoFundMe Is a Health-Care Utility Now,” by Elisabeth Rosenthal. Rachana Pradhan: North Carolina Health News' “Atrium Health: A Unit of ‘Local Government' Like No Other,” by Michelle Crouch and Charlotte Ledger. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As science skepticism pervades politics, the Supreme Court will soon consider two cases that seek to define the power of “experts.” Meanwhile, abortion opponents are laying out plans for how Donald Trump, if reelected as president, could effectively curtail abortion even in states where it remains legal.Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call, Joanne Kenen of Johns Hopkins University and Politico Magazine, and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KFF Health News' Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more.Also this week, Rovner interviews Samantha Liss, who reported and wrote the latest KFF Health News-NPR “Bill of the Month” feature about a husband and wife who got billed for preventive care that should have been fully covered.Click here for a transcript of the 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 “Amid Recall Crisis, Philips Agrees to Stop Selling Sleep Apnea Machines in the United States,” by Debbie Cenziper, ProPublica, and Michael D. Sallah, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.Joanne Kenen: The New York Times' “Elmo Asked an Innocuous Question,” by Callie Holtermann.Sarah Karlin-Smith: The Texas Tribune's “Texas Attorney General Requests Transgender Youths' Patient Records From Georgia Clinic,” by Madaleine Rubin.Sandhya Raman: The AP's “Community Health Centers Serve 1 in 11 Americans. They're a Safety Net Under Stress,” by Devi Shastri. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With days to go until a large chunk of the federal government runs out of money needed to keep it operating, Congress is still struggling to find a compromise spending plan. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court agreed to hear — this year — a case that pits federal requirements for emergency treatment against state abortion bans. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, and Tami Luhby of CNN join KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews American Medical Association President Jesse Ehrenfeld about the choppy waters facing the nation's physicians in 2024.Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too:Julie Rovner: CNN's “Bottled Water Contains Thousands of Nanoplastics So Small They Can Invade the Body's Cells, Study Says,” by Sandee LaMotte. Also, ScienceAlert's “It Turns Out Paper Straws Might Pose a Serious Problem Too,” by Carly Cassella. Also, The Washington Post's “How Plastic Hides in Supposedly Eco-Friendly Laundry Products,” by Michael J. Coren.Tami Luhby: KFF Health News' “Most People Dropped in Medicaid ‘Unwinding' Never Tried to Renew Coverage, Utah Finds,” by Phil Galewitz.Alice Miranda Ollstein: Stat's “Texas Taxpayers Wanted to Help the Poor Get Health Care. Instead They're Funding a Medical School at a Wealthy University,” by Rachel Cohrs.Sarah Karlin-Smith: The New York Times' “The F.D.A. Warned an Asthma Drug Could Induce Despair. Many Were Never Told,” by Christina Jewett and Benjamin Mueller. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Although Republicans have never united behind a replacement for the Affordable Care Act, 2024 GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump said this week he wants to put the issue back on the national agenda. That delights Democrats, who have won at least two elections partly by defending the now-popular health law. Meanwhile, the Texas Supreme Court takes up a case brought by women who say their pregnancy complications further endangered their health due to the vagueness of Texas' near-total ban on abortions. Joanne Kenen of Johns Hopkins University and Politico Magazine, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, and Victoria Knight of Axios News join KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News' Rachana Pradhan, who reported and wrote the latest “Bill of the Month” feature. 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' “Medicaid ‘Unwinding' Makes Other Public Assistance Harder to Get,” by Katheryn Houghton, Rachana Pradhan, and Samantha Liss. Joanne Kenen: KFF Health News' “She Once Advised the President on Aging Issues. Now, She's Battling Serious Disability and Depression,” by Judith Graham. Victoria Knight: Business Insider's “Washington's Secret Weapon Is a Beloved Gen Z Energy Drink With More Caffeine Than God,” by Lauren Vespoli. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A bitterly divided Congress managed to keep the federal government running for several more weeks, while House Republicans struggle — again — to choose a leader. Meanwhile, many people removed from state Medicaid rolls are not finding their way to Affordable Care Act insurance, and a major investigation by The Washington Post attributes the decline in U.S. life expectancy to more than covid-19 and opioids. Lauren Weber of The Washington Post, Victoria Knight of Axios, and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews physician-author-playwright Samuel Shem about “Our Hospital,” his new novel about the health workforce in the age of covid. 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 “Virginia Could Decide the Future of the GOP's Abortion Policy,” by Ronald Brownstein. Sarah Karlin-Smith: The Wall Street Journal's “Children Are Dying in Ill-Prepared Emergency Rooms Across America,” by Liz Essley-Whyte and Melanie Evans. Lauren Weber: ProPublica's “Philips Kept Complaints About Dangerous Breathing Machines Secret While Company Profits Soared,” by Debbie Cenziper, ProPublica; Michael D. Sallah, Michael Korsh, and Evan Robinson-Johnson, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette; and Monica Sager, Northwestern University. Victoria Knight: KFF Health News' “Feds Rein In Use of Predictive Software That Limits Care for Medicare Advantage Patients,” by Susan Jaffe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At least 30 states are reinstating coverage for children wrongly removed from the rolls under Medicaid redetermination, the federal government reported. It's just the latest hiccup in the massive effort to review the eligibility of Medicaid beneficiaries now that the program's pandemic-era expansion has expired. And federal oversight of the so-called unwinding would be further complicated by an impending government shutdown.Rachel Roubein of The Washington Post, Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call, and Sarah Karlin-Smith of Pink Sheet join KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News' Samantha Liss, who reported and wrote the latest KFF Health News-NPR “Bill of the Month” feature, about a hospital bill that followed a deceased patient's family for more than a year.Click here for a transcript of the episode.Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week they think you should read, too:Julie Rovner: JAMA Internal Medicine's “Comparison of Hospital Online Price and Telephone Price for Shoppable Services,” by Merina Thomas, James Flaherty, Jiefei Wang, et al.Sarah Karlin-Smith: The Los Angeles Times' “California Workers Who Cut Countertops Are Dying of an Incurable Disease,” by Emily Alpert Reyes and Cindy Carcamo.Rachel Roubein: KFF Health News' “A Decades-Long Drop in Teen Births Is Slowing, and Advocates Worry a Reversal Is Coming,” by Catherine Sweeney.Sandhya Raman: NPR's “1 in 4 Inmate Deaths Happen in the Same Federal Prison. Why?” by Meg Anderson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The percentage of working-age adults with health insurance went up and the uninsured rate dropped last year, the U.S. Census Bureau reported this week. There isn't much suspense about which way the uninsured rate is now trending, as states continue efforts to strip ineligible beneficiaries from their Medicaid rolls. But is the focus on the uninsured obscuring the struggles of the underinsured? Also, employer-sponsored insurance costs are climbing, while a mystery is unfolding in Medicare spending. And the CDC recommends the new covid booster for everyone who's at least 6 months old.Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, and Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico join KFF Health News' Emmarie Huetteman to discuss these issues and more. Click here for a transcript of the episode. Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week they think you should read, too: Emmarie Huetteman: KFF Health News' “The Shrinking Number of Primary Care Physicians is Reaching a Tipping Point,” by Elisabeth Rosenthal. Sarah Karlin-Smith: MedPage Today's “Rural Hospital Turns to GoFundMe to Stay Afloat,” by Kristina Fiore. Joanne Kenen: ProPublica's “How Columbia Ignored Women, Undermined Prosecutors and Protected a Predator for More Than 20 Years,” by Bianca Fortis and Laura Beil. Margot Sanger-Katz: Congressional Budget Office's “Raising the Excise Tax on Cigarettes: Effects on Health and the Federal Budget.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A federal appeals court issued a split decision on whether the abortion pill mifepristone should remain on the market — rejecting a lower court's decision to effectively cancel the drug's FDA approval in 2000, while ordering the rollback of more recent rules that made the drug easier to obtain. Nothing changes immediately, however, as the Supreme Court blocked the lower court's ruling in the spring. It will be up to the high court to determine whether the pill remains available in the U.S. and under which conditions. Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, and Shefali Luthra of The 19th join KFF Health News' chief Washington correspondent, Julie Rovner, to discuss these issues and more. Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week they think you should read, too. Julie Rovner: Time's “She Wasn't Able to Get an Abortion. Now She's a Mom. Soon She'll Start 7th Grade,” by Charlotte Alter. Sarah Karlin-Smith: MIT Technology Review's “Microplastics Are Everywhere. What Does That Mean for Our Immune Systems”? by Jessica Hamzelou. Shefali Luthra: The Atlantic's “Right Price, Wrong Politics,” by Annie Lowrey. Alice Miranda Ollstein: Politico's “We're on the Cusp of Another Psychedelic Era. But This Time Washington Is Along for the Ride,” by Erin Schumaker and Katherine Ellen Foley. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Joe Biden is kicking off his reelection campaign in part by trying to finish a decades-long effort to establish parity in insurance benefits betweenmental and physical health. Meanwhile, House Republicans are working to add abortion and other contentious amendments to must-pass spending bills. Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico, Anna Edney of Bloomberg, and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KFF Health News' chief Washington correspondent, Julie Rovner, to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News' Céline Gounder about her podcast “Epidemic.” The new season focuses on thesuccessful public health effort to eradicate smallpox. Click here for a transcript of the episode.Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week they think you should read, too: Julie Rovner: The Nation's “The Anti-Abortion Movement Gets a Dose of Post-Roe Reality,” by Amy Littlefield. Joanne Kenen: Food & Environment Reporting Network's “Can Biden's Climate-Smart Agriculture Program Live Up to the Hype?” by Gabriel Popkin. Anna Edney: Bloomberg's “Mineral Sunscreens Have Potential Hidden Dangers, Too,” by Anna Edney. Sarah Karlin-Smith: CNN's “They Took Blockbuster Drugs for Weight Loss and Diabetes. Now Their Stomachs Are Paralyzed,” by Brenda Goodman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s official entry into the presidential race poses a thorny challenge for journalists: how to cover a candidate who's opposed to vaccines without amplifying misinformation. And South Carolina becomes the latest state in the South to ban abortion after roughly six weeks of pregnancy.Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Rachel Cohrs of Stat, and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more.Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News senior correspondent Aneri Pattani about her project to track the billions of dollars coming from opioid makers to settle lawsuits.Click here for a transcript of the 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' “Remote Work: An Underestimated Benefit for Family Caregivers,” by Joanne KenenAlice Miranda Ollstein: Reuters' “How Doctors Buy Their Way out of Trouble,” by Michael BerensRachel Cohrs: ProPublica's “In the ‘Wild West' of Outpatient Vascular Care, Doctors Can Reap Huge Payments as Patients Risk Life and Limb,” by Annie WaldmanSarah Karlin-Smith: The New York Times' “Heat Wave and Blackout Would Send Half of Phoenix to E.R., Study Says,” by Michael Levenson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

House Republicans passed their plan to raise the nation's debt ceiling, along with major cuts to health (and other domestic) programs. Unlikely to become law, it calls for new work requirements for adults on Medicaid. Meanwhile, state efforts targeting trans people bear a striking resemblance to the fight against abortion rights. Jessie Hellmann of CQ Roll Call, Shefali Luthra of The 19th, and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Renuka Rayasam, who reported the latest KFF Health News-NPR “Bill of the Month” feature, about a specialist's demand to be paid as much as $15,000 before treating a woman's serious pregnancy complication. Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week they think you should read, too:Julie Rovner: The Nation's “The Poison Pill in the Mifepristone Lawsuit That Could Trigger a National Abortion Ban,” by Amy Littlefield. Shefali Luthra: The Washington Post's “The Conservative Campaign to Rewrite Child Labor Laws,” by Jacob Bogage and María Luisa Paúl. Jessie Hellmann: Politico's “Gun Violence Is Actually Worse in Red States. It's Not Even Close,” by Colin Woodard. Sarah Karlin-Smith: The Wall Street Journal's “Weight-Loss Drugmakers Lobby for Medicare Coverage,” by Liz Essley Whyte. Also mentioned in this week's episode:NPR's “In Oklahoma, a Woman Was Told to Wait Until She's ‘Crashing' for Abortion Care,” by Selena Simmons-Duffin. The Washington Post's “Anti-Trans Bills Have Doubled Since 2022. Our Map Shows Where States Stand,” by Annys Shin, N. Kirkpatrick, and Anne Branigin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The legality and availability of the abortion pill mifepristone is in question after a federal judge in Texas canceled the FDA's approval of the first drug used in the two-drug medication abortion regimen. A 5th Circuit Court of Appeals panel overruled that decision in part, saying the pill should remain available, but only under the onerous restrictions in place before 2016. Meanwhile, another federal judge in Washington state issued a ruling in a separate case that conflicts with the Texas decision, ordering the FDA not to roll back any of its restrictions on the drug.Victoria Knight of Axios, Shefali Luthra of The 19th, and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. 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 “To Comply With a New Sesame Allergy Law, Some Businesses Add — Sesame,” by Karen WeeseShefali Luthra: KFF Health News' “For Uninsured People With Cancer, Securing Care Can Be Like Spinning a Roulette Wheel,” by Charlotte HuffVictoria Knight: The Washington Post's “Research With Exotic Viruses Risks a Deadly Outbreak, Scientists Warn,” by David Willman and Joby WarrickSarah Karlin-Smith: NBC News' “Conspiracy Theorists Made Tiffany Dover Into an Anti-Vaccine Icon. She's Finally Ready to Talk About It,” by Brandy ZadroznyVisit our website for a transcript of the episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Any day now a conservative federal judge in Texas could upend the national abortion debate by requiring the FDA to rescind its approval of mifepristone, a drug approved in the U.S. more than 20 years ago that is now used in more than half of abortions nationwide. Meanwhile, a controversial study on masks gets a clarification, although it may be too late to change the public impression of what it found. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Jessie Hellmann of CQ Roll Call, and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KHN chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week they think you should read, too. Julie Rovner: “Tradeoffs” podcast's “The Conservative Clash Over Abortion Bans,” by Alice Miranda Ollstein and Dan GorensteinAlice Miranda Ollstein: Politico's “Sharpton Dodges the Spotlight on Latest Push to Ban Menthol Cigarettes,” by Julia MarshSarah Karlin-Smith: Allure's “With New Legislation, You Can Expect More Recalls to Hit the Beauty Industry,” by Elizabeth Siegel and Deanna PaiJessie Hellmann: The New York Times' “Opioid Settlement Hinders Patients' Access to a Wide Array of Drugs,” by Christina Jewett and Ellen Gabler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When U.S. Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania checked himself into the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for treatment of depression this month, he got an unusual reaction from his colleagues in Congress: compassion. It's a far cry from how politicians once kept their mental health issues under wraps at all costs. Meanwhile, GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley is stirring up controversy by proposing that all politicians over age 75 be required to pass a mental competency test to hold office. Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, and Rachel Roubein of The Washington Post join KHN chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these issues 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: Stat's “Current Treatments for Cramps Aren't Cutting It. Why Aren't There Better Options,” by Calli McMurrayJoanne Kenen: The Atlantic's “Eagles Are Falling, Bears Are Going Blind,” by Katherine J. WuRachel Roubein: The Washington Post's “Her Baby Has a Deadly Diagnosis. Her Florida Doctors Refused an Abortion,” by Frances Stead SellersSarah Karlin-Smith: DCist's “Locals Who Don't Speak English Need Medical Translators, But Some Say They Don't Always Get The Service,” by Amanda Michelle Gomez and Hector Alejandro Arzate Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Joe Biden's 2023 State of the Union address leaned heavily on health care issues. Biden took a victory lap for recent accomplishments like capping prescription drug costs for seniors on Medicare. He also urged Congress to make permanent the boosted premium subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, and he sparred with Republicans on threats to cut Social Security and Medicare. Also this week, both sides in the abortion debate are bracing for a court decision out of Texas that could, at least temporarily, make the abortion pill mifepristone illegal nationwide. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Rachel Cohrs of Stat, and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KHN chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Kate Baicker of the University of Chicago about a possible middle ground in the effort to get universal health insurance coverage. Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week they think you should read, too:Julie Rovner: The New York Times' “Don't Let Republican ‘Judge Shoppers' Thwart the Will of Voters,” by Stephen I. Vladeck Alice Miranda Ollstein: Politico's “Mpox Is Simmering South of the Border, Threatening a Resurgence,” by Carmen PaunSarah Karlin-Smith: KHN's “Decisions by CVS and Optum Panicked Thousands of Their Sickest Patients,” by Arthur Allen Rachel Cohrs: ProPublica's “UnitedHealthcare Tried to Deny Coverage to a Chronically Ill Patient. He Fought Back, Exposing the Insurer's Inner Workings,” by David Armstrong, Patrick Rucker, and Maya Miller Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leaders of the new Republican-led U.S. House kicked off their legislative agenda with two bills supported by anti-abortion groups. While neither is likely to become law, the move demonstrates how abortion will continue to be an issue in Washington. Meanwhile, as open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act nears its end in most states, the number of Americans covered by the plans hits a new high. Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KHN's Julie Rovner to discuss these topics and more.Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read, too: Julie Rovner: The Washington Post's “Social Security Denies Disability Benefits Based on List With Jobs From 1977,” by Lisa Rein Margot Sanger-Katz: Roll Call's “Providers Say Medicare Advantage Hinders New Methadone Benefit,” by Jessie Hellmann Alice Miranda Ollstein: The New York Times' “Grant Wahl Was a Loving Husband. I Will Always Protect His Legacy.” By Céline Gounder Sarah Karlin-Smith: KHN's “Hospitals' Use of Volunteer Staff Runs Risk of Skirting Labor Laws, Experts Say,” by Lauren Sausser Also mentioned in this week's podcast:KHN's “States Challenge Biden to Lower Drug Prices by Allowing Imports From Canada,” by Phil Galewitz Politico's “Next Frontier in the Abortion Wars: Your Local CVS,” by Alice Miranda Ollstein and Lauren Gardner KFF's “Millions of Uninsured People Can Get Free ACA Plans,” by Jared Ortaliza, Justin Lo, Gary Claxton, Krutika Amin, and Cynthia Cox Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The lame-duck Congress has returned to Washington with a long health care to-do list and only a little time. Meanwhile, some of the states that have not yet expanded Medicaid eligibility under the Affordable Care Act are rethinking those decisions. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Rachel Cohrs of Stat, and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KHN's Julie Rovner to discuss these topics and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KHN's Fred Clasen-Kelly, who reported and wrote the latest KHN-NPR “Bill of the Month” feature, about a mysterious mishap during minor surgery. Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read, too: Julie Rovner: Stat's “Resistance to FDA's Opioid-Disposal Plan Raises Concerns About CADCA, a Powerful Advocacy Group,” by Lev Facher Alice Miranda Ollstein: ProPublica and The New York Times' “She Wanted an Abortion. A Judge Said She Wasn't Mature Enough to Decide,” by Lizzie Presser Rachel Cohrs: The New Yorker's “How Hospice Became a For-Profit Hustle,” by Ava Kofman Sarah Karlin-Smith: The New York Times' “Jail Is a Death Sentence for a Growing Number of Americans,” by Shaila Dewan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Election night went better than expected for Democrats. Although they could still lose control of one or both houses of Congress, the predicted “red wave” for Republicans failed to materialize. Meanwhile, voters in both red and blue states approved ballot measures to protect abortion rights. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Rachel Cohrs of Stat, and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KHN's Julie Rovner to discuss these topics and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Carolee Lee, the former jewelry magnate, about her efforts to boost gender equity in medical research. Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read, too:Julie Rovner: Columbia Journalism Review's “How Much Coverage Are You Worth?” by Kyle Pope Alice Miranda Ollstein: PBS NewsHour's “Study Reveals Stark Number of Alcohol-Related Deaths Among Young Americans,” by John Yang and Dorothy Hastings Sarah Karlin-Smith: The Washington Post's “Clock Runs Out on Efforts to Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent,” by Dan Diamond Rachel Cohrs: ESPN's “Review Shows Favre-Backed Drug Companies Overstated Benefits, Connections,” by Mark Fainaru-Wada Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the midterm elections rapidly approaching, President Joe Biden has taken to the road to convince voters that he and congressional Democrats have delivered for them during two years in power. Among the health issues highlighted by the administration this week are pandemic preparedness and the availability of over-the-counter hearing aids. The president also promised to sign a bill codifying the abortion protections of Roe v. Wade if Democrats maintain control of the House and Senate — even though it's a long shot that there will be enough votes for that. Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call, and Mary Agnes Carey of KHN join KHN's Julie Rovner to discuss these topics and more.Click here for a transcript of the episode. Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read too: Julie Rovner: KHN and NPR's “Kids' Mental Health Care Leaves Parents in Debt and in the Shadows,” by Yuki NoguchiSarah Karlin-Smith: Scientific American's “Some People Really Are Mosquito Magnets, and They're Stuck That Way,' By Daniel LeonardSandhya Raman: Journal of the National Cancer Institute's “Use of Straighteners and Other Hair Products and Incident Uterine Cancer,” by Che-Jung Chang, et al. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A federal judge in Texas — the same one who tried to strike down the Affordable Care Act as unconstitutional in 2018 — has ruled against some of the ACA's preventive benefits, including the requirement that employers cover medication to prevent HIV. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs tries to make abortions slightly more available to veterans and their dependents. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, and Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico join KHN's Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KHN's Lauren Sausser, who reported and wrote the latest KHN-NPR “Bill of the Month” installment. Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read: Julie Rovner: KHN's “When Does Life Begin? As State Laws Define It, Science, Politics, and Religion Clash,” by Sarah Varney Alice Miranda Ollstein: The New Yorker's “When Private Equity Takes Over a Nursing Home,” by Yasmin Rafiei Joanne Kenen: ProPublica's “‘The Human Psyche Was Not Built for This,'” by Marilyn W. Thompson and Jenny Deam Sarah Karlin-Smith: Stat's “Study Raises Concerns About the Effectiveness of the Monkeypox Vaccine,” by Helen Branswell Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

Congress is leaving for its annual summer break having accomplished far more than many expected, including, barring unforeseen snags, a bill to address the cost of prescription drugs for Medicare beneficiaries and extend the enhanced subsidies for insurance premiums under the Affordable Care Act.Meanwhile, the abortion issue continues to roil the nation as Indiana becomes the first state to ban the procedure in almost all cases since the Supreme Court overruled the constitutional right to abortion in June.Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, and Rachel Cohrs of Stat join KHN's Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more.Also, for extra credit, the panelists suggest their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read, too:Julie Rovner: The Washington Post's “For Sleep Apnea Patients With Recalled CPAP Machines, Restless Nights,” by Laurie McGinleyRachel Cohrs: The Washington Post's “Conservatives Skeptical of Coronavirus Vaccines Battle to Lead a Hospital,” by Tim CraigAlice Miranda Ollstein: The AP's “Study Connects Climate Hazards to 58% of Infectious Diseases,” by Seth BorensteinSarah Karlin-Smith: The Pink Sheet's “US FDA Commissioner Califf Takes on Misinformation, Starting With ‘Rumor Control,'” by Sue Sutter Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

Congress is leaving for its annual summer break having accomplished far more than many expected, including, barring unforeseen snags, a bill to address the cost of prescription drugs for Medicare beneficiaries and extend the enhanced subsidies for insurance premiums under the Affordable Care Act. Meanwhile, the abortion issue continues to roil the nation as Indiana becomes the first state to ban the procedure in almost all cases since the Supreme Court overruled the constitutional right to abortion in June. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, and Rachel Cohrs of Stat join KHN's Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more.Also, for extra credit, the panelists suggest their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read, too: Julie Rovner: The Washington Post's “For Sleep Apnea Patients With Recalled CPAP Machines, Restless Nights,” by Laurie McGinley Rachel Cohrs: The Washington Post's “Conservatives Skeptical of Coronavirus Vaccines Battle to Lead a Hospital,” by Tim Craig Alice Miranda Ollstein: The AP's “Study Connects Climate Hazards to 58% of Infectious Diseases,” by Seth Borenstein Sarah Karlin-Smith: The Pink Sheet's “US FDA Commissioner Califf Takes on Misinformation, Starting With ‘Rumor Control,'” by Sue Sutter Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a rare surprise for official Washington, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) announced a deal to expand the planned health bill in the Senate to include provisions raising taxes and addressing climate change. The measure would include a third year of expanded subsidies for the Affordable Care Act, but not health care coverage for people left out of Medicaid in states that failed to expand the program. Meanwhile, the ACA goes back to court, and the Biden administration restores anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people that were rolled back by the Trump administration. Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, and Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico join KHN's Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Dr. Céline Gounder of KHN about the latest on the monkeypox outbreak. Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read, too: Julie Rovner: NPR's “Because of Texas Abortion Law, Her Wanted Pregnancy Became a Medical Nightmare,” by Carrie Feibel Alice Miranda Ollstein: The Hill's “Top FDA Tobacco Official Leaving for Philip Morris Job,” by Nathaniel Weixel Joanne Kenen: Science's “Blots on a Field? A Neuroscience Image Sleuth Finds Signs of Fabrication in Scores of Alzheimer's Articles, Threatening a Reigning Theory of the Disease,” by Charles Piller Sarah Karlin-Smith: NPR's “Drugmakers Are Slow to Prove Medicines That Got a Fast Track to Market Really Work,” by Sydney Lupkin See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Supreme Court's decision overturning Roe v. Wade has created far more questions than it has answered about the continued legality and availability of abortion, as both abortion rights supporters and anti-abortion activists scramble to put their marks on policy. Meanwhile, Congress completes work on its gun bill and the FDA takes up the problem of the next covid-19 booster. Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, and Victoria Knight of KHN join KHN's Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KHN's Angela Hart, who reported and wrote the latest KHN-NPR “Bill of the Month” episode about two identical eye surgeries with very different price tags.Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read, too:Julie Rovner: The Washington Post's “Women Are Still Underrepresented in Clinical Trials,” by Erin BlakemoreMargot Sanger-Katz: The Washington Post's “This Texas Teen Wanted an Abortion. She Now Has Twins,” by Caroline Kitchener Sarah Karlin-Smith: The Miami Herald's “Why Should You Stop Frolicking in Miami-Dade Floodwater? It's Probably Full of Poop,” by Alex HarrisVictoria Knight: Insider's “2,000 Leaked Documents and Employees Say Silicon Valley Healthcare Startup Cerebral Harmed Hundreds of Patients and Prescribed Serious Medication with Abandon,” by Shelby Livingston and Blake DodgeClick here for a transcript of the episode. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The wait is nearly over for parents of kids under 5 as a key advisory committee to the FDA recommends authorizing a covid-19 vaccine for the youngest children. Meanwhile, Congress is struggling to fill in the details of its gun control compromise, and, as the Supreme Court prepares to throw the question of abortion legality back to the states, the number of abortions has been rising.Shefali Luthra of The 19th, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, and Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call join KHN's Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more.Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read, too.Julie Rovner: Stat's “The FTC Says It's Getting Tougher on Hospital Consolidation. Antitrust Experts Aren't Buying It,” by Tara BannowShefali Luthra: Politico's “Michigan's Abortion Providers Brace for a Ban — Or a Surge,” by Alice Miranda OllsteinSarah Karlin-Smith: The Washington Post's “You Agreed to What? Doctor Check-In Software Harvests Your Health Data,” by Geoffrey A. FowlerSandhya Raman: KHN's “Race Is Often Used as Medical Shorthand for How Bodies Work. Some Doctors Want to Change That,” by Rae Ellen Bichell and Cara AnthonyClick here for a transcript of the episode. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Revisit our discussion of the Supreme Court arguments in the Mississippi abortion case, a draft opinion for which was leaked May 2, 2022. This episode originally aired Dec. 2, 2021. A Supreme Court majority appears ready to overturn nearly 50 years of abortion rights, at least judging by the latest round of oral arguments before the justices. And a new covid variant, omicron, gains attention as it spreads around the world. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet and Shefali Luthra of The 19th join KHN's Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Blake Farmer of Nashville Public Radio about the latest KHN-NPR “Bill of the Month” episode.Extra credit reads:Julie Rovner: KHN and PBS NewsHour's “How Unresolved Grief Could Haunt Children Who Lost a Parent or Caregiver to COVID,” by Sarah Varney and Jason KaneAlice Miranda Ollstein: The Washington Post's “Long Overstretched, Abortion Funds in D.C., Maryland and Virginia Mobilize for an Uncertain Future,” by Rebecca TanSarah Karlin-Smith: Axios' “The Push to Revive an Industry-Backed Medical Device Rule,” by Bob HermanShefali Luthra: The 19th's “'Am I Even Fit to Be a Mom?' Diaper Need Is an Invisible Part of Poverty in America,” by Chabeli CarrazanaClick here for a transcript of the episode. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

President Joe Biden spent a large portion of his first State of the Union address talking about foreign affairs, but he also spent time on an array of health topics, including mental health, nursing home regulation, and toxic burn pits. Also this week, the administration unveiled a strategy to address the covid pandemic going forward.Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Amy Goldstein of The Washington Post, and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KHN's Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more.Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read, too:Julie Rovner: The Wall Street Journal's “Why Is Everyone Standing So Close? Personal-Space Boundaries Shifted During the Pandemic,” by Alex Janin.Alice Miranda Ollstein: The New York Times' “Time Is Running Out to Avert a Harrowing Future, Climate Panel Warns,” by Brad Plumer, Raymond Zhong and Lisa Friedman.Amy Goldstein: The Washington Post's “Ukraine Conflict Could Spark Surges of Covid, Polio, Other Diseases, Say Experts,” by Loveday Morris and Dan Diamond.Sarah Karlin-Smith: KHN's “Covid Expert Joins Exodus Into Business, Where Science Parlays Into Profits,” by Jay Hancock. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As the pandemic wanes, for now, the ever-rising cost of health care is again taking center stage.Meanwhile, a year into the Biden administration, the FDA finally has a Senate-confirmed commissioner, Dr. Robert Califf.Tami Luhby of CNN, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, and Rachel Cohrs of Stat join KHN's Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more.Also this week, Rovner interviews Hannah Wesolowski of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, about how the pandemic has worsened the nation's mental health crisis and what can be done about it.Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read, too:Julie Rovner: KHN's “Demand for Service Dogs Unleashes a ‘Wild West' Market,” by Markian HawrylukSarah Karlin-Smith: Scientific American's “There Is Nothing Normal About One Million People Dead From COVID,” by Steven W. ThrasherTami Luhby: The Philadelphia Inquirer's “COVID-19 Has Even Ruined Our Feet,” by Sarah GantzRachel Cohrs: Bloomberg's “Nurses Who Faced Fines, Lawsuits for Quitting Are Fighting Back,” by Josh EidelsonClick here for a transcript of the episode. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Congress is set to start its once-every-five-years review of the law that authorizes user fees to finance the hiring of personnel to speed the FDA review of drugs. The periodic renewals of “PDUFA” also give lawmakers a chance to make other changes to the agency at the hub of the pandemic.Meanwhile, the FDA could also find itself at the center of the abortion debate and a controversial new medication to treat Alzheimer's disease.Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico, and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KHN's Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more.Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read, too.Julie Rovner: KHN's “Ready for Another Pandemic Malady? It's Called ‘Decision Fatigue,'” by Jenny Gold.Joanne Kenen: The New Yorker's “What Happened After the Chicken-Pox Vaccine,” by Jessica Winter.Sarah Karlin-Smith: Stat's “Despite Biden's Big Promises and a Far Better Understanding of the Virus, Covid-19 Is Still Raging Through the Nation's Prisons,” by Nicholas Florko.Anna Edney: Reuters' “Special Report: Inside J&J's Secret Plan to Cap Litigation Payouts to Cancer Victims,” by Mike Spector and Dan Levine.Click here for a transcript of the episode. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Temporary subsidies helped boost enrollment under the Affordable Care Act to a record 14.5 million, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. But unless Democrats in Congress extend those subsidies, many of those new enrollees will be in for a rude surprise just ahead of midterm elections.Meanwhile, the need to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer further crowds an already tight legislative schedule.Joanne Kenen of Politico and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, and Anna Edney of Bloomberg News join KHN's Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more.Also this week, Rovner interviews Diana Greene Foster, author of “The Turnaway Study: Ten Years, a Thousand Women, and the Consequences of Having — or Being Denied — an Abortion.” Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read, too:Julie Rovner: KHN's “After Miscarriages, Workers Have Few Guarantees for Time Off or Job-Based Help,” by Bryce CovertAnna Edney: The AP's “How a Kennedy Built an Anti-Vaccine Juggernaut amid COVID-19,” by Michelle R. SmithJoanne Kenen: HuffPost's “The Right's War on Government Is Working and It Could Cost Lives,” by Jonathan CohnSarah Karlin-Smith: The Column's “Covid Isn't a Human Being, It Doesn't Care What You Think About It,” by Adam JohnsonClick here for a transcript of this episode. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Medicare officials tentatively plan to restrict the use of a controversial Alzheimer's drug to only those patients participating in clinical trials, while the Department of Health and Human Services looks into lowering the monthly Medicare Part B premium.Meanwhile, covid confusion still reigns, as the Biden administration moves, belatedly, to make more masks and tests available.Joanne Kenen of Politico and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet and Rachel Cohrs of Stat join KHN's Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more.Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists recommend their favorite health policy stories of the week that they think you should read, too:Julie Rovner: The AP's “Flush With COVID-19 Aid, Schools Steer Funding to Sports,” by Collin Binkley and Ryan J. FoleyJoanne Kenen: The New York Times' “Covid Test Misinformation Spikes Along With Spread of Omicron,” by Davey AlbaRachel Cohrs: KHN and Fortune's “App Attempts to Break Barriers to Bankruptcy for Those in Medical Debt,” by Blake FarmerSarah Karlin-Smith: Stat's “‘I'm Going to Prove You Wrong': How a D.C. Power Couple Used an ALS Diagnosis to Create a Political Juggernaut,” by Lev FacherClick here for a transcript of the episode. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) dealt a blow to congressional efforts to pass President Joe Biden's domestic agenda bill, forcing Democrats to regroup starting in 2022.Meanwhile, the omicron covid variant spreads rapidly in the U.S., threatening the stability of the nation's health care system.Joanne Kenen of Politico and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Rachel Cohrs of Stat and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KHN's Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more, plus a look back at the year in health policy.Also this week, Rovner interviews Ceci Connolly, president and CEO of the Alliance of Community Health Plans.Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read too:Julie Rovner: KHN's “Crash Course: Injured Patients Who Sign ‘Letters of Protection' May Face Huge Medical Bills and Risks,” by Fred SchulteRachel Cohrs: NBC's “'Get That Money!' Dermatologist Says Patient Care Suffered After Private Equity-Backed Firm Bought Her Practice,” by Gretchen MorgensonJoanne Kenen: ProPublica's “This Scientist Created a Rapid Test Just Weeks Into the Pandemic. Here's Why You Still Can't Get It,” by Lydia DePillisSarah Karlin-Smith: The Atlantic's “I Canceled My Birthday Party Because of Omicron,” by Ed YongClick here for a transcript of the episode. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The fight over covid vaccines continues to intensify, with Republicans on Capitol Hill pushing — with some success — to cancel President Joe Biden's “test regularly or vaccinate” requirement for private employers.Meanwhile, abortion is not the only health issue before the Supreme Court this term.Joanne Kenen of Politico and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet and Rachel Cohrs of Stat News join KHN's Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more.Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists recommend their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read, too:Julie Rovner: NPR's “Inside the Growing Alliance Between Anti-Vaccine Activists and Pro-Trump Republicans,” by Geoff BrumfielJoanne Kenen: Slate's “We're Not Going Back to 'Before Roe,'” by Dahlia LithwickSarah Karlin-Smith: Axios' “Documents Reveal the Secrecy of America's Drug Pricing Matrix,” by Bob HermanRachel Cohrs: Stat News' “Biogen's Reckoning: How the Aduhelm Debacle Pushed a Troubled Company and Its Fractured Leadership to the Brink,” by Adam Feuerstein and Damian GardeClick here for a transcript of the episode. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A Supreme Court majority appears ready to overturn nearly 50 years of abortion rights, at least judging by the latest round of oral arguments before the justices.And a new covid variant, omicron, gains attention as it spreads around the world.Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet and Shefali Luthra of The 19th join KHN's Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Blake Farmer of Nashville Public Radio about the latest KHN-NPR “Bill of the Month” episode.Extra credit reads:Julie Rovner: KHN and PBS NewsHour's “How Unresolved Grief Could Haunt Children Who Lost a Parent or Caregiver to COVID,” by Sarah Varney and Jason KaneAlice Miranda Ollstein: The Washington Post's “Long Overstretched, Abortion Funds in D.C., Maryland and Virginia Mobilize for an Uncertain Future,” by Rebecca TanSarah Karlin-Smith: Axios' “The Push to Revive an Industry-Backed Medical Device Rule,” by Bob HermanShefali Luthra: The 19th's “'Am I Even Fit to Be a Mom?' Diaper Need Is an Invisible Part of Poverty in America,” by Chabeli CarrazanaClick here for a transcript of the episode. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Federal health officials appear poised to extend a recommendation for covid boosters to all adults, following moves by some governors and mayors to broaden the eligible booster pool as caseloads rise. Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration finally has a nominee to head the agency: former FDA chief Robert Califf. And Medicare premiums for consumers will likely rise substantially in 2022, partly due to the approval of a controversial drug to treat Alzheimer's disease.Tami Luhby of CNN, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet and Rachel Cohrs of Stat join KHN's Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Dan Weissmann, host of the “An Arm and a Leg” podcast. And here are the panelists' favorite health policy stories of the week:Julie Rovner: The Atlantic's “Why Health-Care Workers Are Quitting in Droves,” by Ed Yong.Also, Stat's “The Catholic Hospital System Ascension Is Running a Wall Street-Style Private Equity Fund,” by Rachel Cohrs.Tami Luhby: Politico's “'We Don't Fix This Because We Just Don't Care About Old People,'” by Joanne Kenen.Sarah Karlin-Smith: KHN and InvestigateTV's “As Big Pharma and Hospitals Battle Over Drug Discounts, Patients Miss Out on Millions in Benefits,” by Sarah Jane Tribble and Emily Featherston.Rachel Cohrs: Modern Healthcare's “Why the Justice Department Is Targeting Private Equity,” by Tara Bannow. Click here for a transcript of the episode. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

President Joe Biden unveiled a compromise “Build Back Better” framework shortly before taking off for key meetings in Europe, but it's unclear whether the framework can win the votes of all Democrats in the House and Senate, and it leaves out some of the Democrats' health priorities, notably significant provisions to lower prescription drug prices. Meanwhile, younger children may soon be eligible for covid vaccines.Joanne Kenen of Politico and Johns Hopkins, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet and Rachana Pradhan of KHN join KHN's Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more.Also this week, Rovner interviews Amy Howe of SCOTUSblog about the upcoming Supreme Court arguments over Texas' controversial abortion law.And here are the panelists' favorite health policy stories of the week:Julie Rovner: Rewire News Group's “When a Miscarriage Becomes a Jail Sentence,” by Caroline ReillyJoanne Kenen: Nature's “COVID Vaccine Makers Brace for a Variant Worse Than Delta,” by Emily WaltzRachana Pradhan: KHN's “3 States Limit Nursing Home Profits in Bid to Improve Care,” by Susan JaffeSarah Karlin-Smith: KHN's “‘Down to My Last Diaper': The Anxiety of Parenting in Poverty,” by Jenny GoldClick here for a transcript of the episode. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week, Lisa visits with Sarah Karlin-Smith from the Pink Sheet -- an over 100 year old publication focused in on the world of pharmaceuticals and health care policy.  Sarah offers great insight to aspiring journalists -- look to the specialty media outlets for exceptional journalism experience. It's how she got her start and became a force in D.C. as a top health care reporter.  Tune In!

The polarizing abortion issue threatens to tie up Congress, the Supreme Court and the states for the coming year. Meanwhile, Congress kicks the can down the road to December on settling its spending priorities. Joanne Kenen of Politico and the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Yasmeen Abutaleb of The Washington Post and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KHN's Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more.Also this week, Rovner interviews KHN's Aneri Pattani, who delivered the latest KHN-NPR “Bill of the Month” episode about a covid-19 test that cost as much as a luxury car. Extra credit links: Julie Rovner: The New York Times' “A ‘Historic Event': First Malaria Vaccine Approved by W.H.O.,” by Apoorva MandavilliJoanne Kenen: Vox.com's “Why Merck's Covid-19 Pill Molnupiravir Could Be So Important,” by Umair IrfanYasmeen Abutaleb: The Wall Street Journal's “Why It's So Hard to Find a Therapist Who Takes Insurance,” by Andrea PetersenSarah Karlin-Smith: The Washington Post's “70 Years Ago, Henrietta Lacks's Cells Were Taken Without Her Consent. Now, Her Family Wants Justice,” by Emily Davies See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Congress is back in session with a short time to finish a long to-do list, including keeping the government operating and paying its bills. Hanging in the balance is President Joe Biden's entire domestic agenda, including major changes proposed for Medicare, Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act. Meanwhile, the new Texas abortion law that bans the procedure early in pregnancy is prompting action in Washington. Joanne Kenen of Politico, Mary Ellen McIntire of CQ Roll Call and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KHN's Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also, Rovner interviews former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb about his new book on the covid-19 pandemic.

The Food and Drug Administration's formal approval of the first vaccine to prevent covid-19 may or may not prompt doubters to go out and get shots, but it has clearly prompted employers to make vaccination a work requirement. Meanwhile, moderates and liberals in the U.S. House put aside their differences long enough to keep a giant social-spending bill on track, at least for now. Joanne Kenen of Politico, Tami Luhby of CNN and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KHN's Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read, too.

Covid is back with a vengeance, with some people clamoring for booster shots while others harden their resistance to getting vaccinated at all. Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration is pushing hard on drugmaker Pfizer's request to upgrade the emergency authorization for its vaccine and give it final approval. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Rachel Cohrs of Stat and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KHN's Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read, too.

Democrats in Congress reached a tentative agreement to press ahead on a partisan bill that would dramatically expand health benefits for people on Medicare, those who buy their own insurance and individuals who have been shut out of coverage in states that didn't expand Medicaid. Meanwhile, controversy continues to rage over whether vaccinated Americans will need a booster to protect against covid-19 variants, and who will pay for a new drug to treat Alzheimer's disease. Rachel Cohrs of Stat and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KHN's Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also, Rovner interviews KHN's Rae Ellen Bichell, who reported and wrote the latest KHN-NPR “Bill of the Month” episode about a mother and daughter who fought an enormous emergency room bill.

The Biden administration is moving to undo many of the changes the Trump administration made to the enrollment process for the Affordable Care Act to encourage more people to sign up for health insurance. Meanwhile, Congress is opening investigations into the controversial approval by the Food and Drug Administration of an expensive drug that might (or might not) slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Joanne Kenen of Politico, Kimberly Leonard of Insider and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KHN's Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also, Rovner interviews Marshall Allen of ProPublica about his new book, “Never Pay the First Bill: And Other Ways to Fight the Health Care System and Win.”

The federal approval of a controversial drug to treat Alzheimer's disease has reignited the debate over drug prices and the way the Food and Drug Administration makes decisions. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden seeks to gain goodwill overseas as he announces the U.S. will provide 500 million doses of covid vaccine to international health efforts. Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times and Joanne Kenen of Politico join KHN's Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also, Rovner interviews Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, the new administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. And to mark the podcast's 200th episode, the panelists discuss what has surprised them most and least over the past four years.

Republicans, Democrats and the public at large agree that prices for prescription drugs are too high. But no one seems to know how to fix it. Vanderbilt University drug price researcher Stacie Dusetzina explains the basics of why drugs cost so much and why it’s hard to do something about it. Joanne Kenen of Politico, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet and Anna Edney of Bloomberg News join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss the prospects for policy changes.

The newly conservative Supreme Court will hear a case that could overturn the nationwide right to abortion and cause political upheaval. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s abrupt announcement that vaccinated people can take off their masks in most places has caused upheaval of its own. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet and Mary Ellen McIntire of CQ Roll Call join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read, too.

Democratic leaders in Congress have vowed to pass legislation to address high prescription drug prices this year, but some moderates in their own party appear to be balking. Meanwhile, younger teens are now eligible for a covid-19 vaccine and the Biden administration reinstated anti-discrimination policy for LGBTQ people in health care. Joanne Kenen of Politico, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet and Rachel Cohrs of Stat join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read, too.

It’s 100 days into Joe Biden’s presidency and a surprisingly large number of health policies have been announced. But health is notably absent from the administration’s $1.8 trillion spending plan for American families, making it unclear how much more will get done this year. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention loosens its mask-wearing recommendations for those who have been vaccinated, but the new rules are confusing. Joanne Kenen of Politico, Mary Ellen McIntire of CQ Roll Call and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Plus, Rovner interviews KHN’s Julie Appleby, who reported the latest KHN-NPR “Bill of the Month” episode.

President Joe Biden’s infrastructure proposal includes items not traditionally considered “infrastructure,” including a $400 billion expansion of home and community-based services for seniors and people with disabilities, and a $50 billion effort to replace water pipes lined with lead. Meanwhile, the politics of covid-19 are turning to how or whether Americans will need to prove they’ve been vaccinated. Joanne Kenen of Politico, Tami Luhby of CNN and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Plus, Rovner interviews KFF’s Mollyann Brodie about the KFF COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor.

After a bruising confirmation process, Xavier Becerra was sworn in as secretary of Health and Human Services this week. The Senate also confirmed the nominations of former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy to return to the post he held in the Obama administration, and former Pennsylvania health secretary Rachel Levine as assistant secretary for health. Levine is the first openly transgender person to receive Senate confirmation. Meanwhile, questions continue to swirl around the AstraZeneca covid vaccine, which some public health experts worry will create more hesitancy toward other vaccines. Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read, too.

The FDA approved a new one-shot vaccine made by Johnson & Johnson, which could help accelerate the pace of vaccinations to prevent covid-19. But after a dramatic decline, case numbers are again rising and several states are rolling back public health mitigation efforts. Mary Ellen McIntire of CQ Roll Call, Joanne Kenen of Politico and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KHN’s Jordan Rau, about the latest KHN-NPR “Bill of the Month” episode.

Even while the Senate is busy with Donald Trump’s impeachment trial, the House has gotten down to work on a covid relief bill using the budget reconciliation process. Meanwhile, the watchword for covid this week among the public is confusion — over masks, vaccines and just about everything else science-related. Joanne Kenen of Politico, Paige Winfield Cunningham of The Washington Post and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, the panelists recommend their favorite “health policy valentines” along with their favorite health policy stories they think you should read, too.

President Joe Biden is wasting no time getting to work. On his first day in office, Biden signed a series of executive orders addressing the covid pandemic, promising more to come. But even with Democrats taking the barest majority in the Senate, the new president’s ambitious proposals on covid and other health issues could be in for a rough ride. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Tami Luhby of CNN and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists recommend their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read too.

The coronavirus pandemic colored just about everything in 2020. But there was other health policy news that you either never heard or might have forgotten about: the Affordable Care Act going before the Supreme Court with its survival on the line; ditto for Medicaid work requirements. And a surprise ending to the “surprise bill” saga. Joanne Kenen of Politico, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News and Sarah Karlin-Smith of Pink Sheet join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more.

COVID-19 is spreading rapidly around the U.S. even before Thanksgiving promises to accelerate the trend. There are two promising vaccine candidates, but because President Donald Trump still refuses to concede the election and is holding up the official transition, President-Elect Joe Biden and his team cannot access plans for distributing those vaccines. Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read, too.

Barring something unexpected, Democrats in the Senate appear to lack the votes to block the confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. So, instead they used the high-profile confirmation hearings to hammer on Republicans for again putting the Affordable Care Act in peril. Mary Ellen McIntire of CQ Roll Call, Shefali Luthra of The 19th and Sarah Karlin-Smith of Pink Sheet join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Plus, Rovner interviews Dr. Ashish Jha, dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, about public health challenges in dealing with COVID-19.

President Donald Trump this week issued a prescription drug pricing order unlikely to lower drug prices, and he contradicted comments by his director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the need for mask-wearing and predictions for vaccine availability. Meanwhile, scandals erupted at the CDC, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Food and Drug Administration. And the number of people without health insurance grew in 2019, reported the Census Bureau, even while the economy soared. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Tami Luhby of CNN and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss this and more. Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read, too.

Republicans have all but abandoned the Affordable Care Act as a campaign cudgel, judging from their national convention, at least. Meanwhile, career scientists at the federal government’s preeminent health agencies — the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health — are all coming under increasing political pressure as the pandemic drags on. Joanne Kenen of Politico, Mary Ellen McIntire of CQ Roll Call and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss this and more. Plus, Rovner interviews KHN’s Elizabeth Lawrence about the latest KHN-NPR “Bill of the Month” installment.

Gilead is set to release pivotal data for its antiviral remdesivir. But will the drug really play a decisive role against coronavirus? Plus an interview with Carl Hansen, CEO of AbCellera, one of several companies racing to find an antibody drug which could provide ‘passive immunity’ against coronavirus while we await a vaccine. Plus analysis of the first quarter impact of the pandemic on biopharma business, and reasons to be cheerful during the lockdown. Hosted by Andrew McConaghie, Sarah Karlin-Smith and Kevin Grogan from the Scrip Pharma Intelligence team in the UK and Beijing.

This month’s Delayed Recall highlights episodes on drug pricing controversies. Dr. Jason Crowell and Professor Robin Feldman start the show discussing “evergreening” and drug prices, which first aired on August 20th, 2019. The next segments, from September 17th and 24th, has Dr. Gordon Smith and Dr. Steve Pearson discussing updates to drug pricing in a follow-up to their earlier talk on the subject. Following this segment is one from May 27th and finds Dr. Jason Crowell talking with Dr. Brian Callaghan about rising out-of-pocket costs for commonly prescribed neurologic medications. This episode concludes with an interview on with Dr. Jason Crowell and Politico reporters Sarah Karlin-Smith and Sarah Owermohle.

In the first segment, Dr. Stacey Clardy talks with Dr. Caterina Lapucci about her paper addressing how much periventricular lesions assist in distinguishing migraine with aura from CIS. In the second part of the podcast, Dr. Jason Crowell focuses his interview with Sarah Karlin-Smith and Sarah Owermohle from Politico on drug pricing.

Sarah Karlin-Smith and Sarah Owermohle from Politico talk about drug pricing and legislation to affect drug pricing.

POLITICO's Paul Demko, who's in for host Dan Diamond, speaks with reporters Alice Ollstein and Sarah Karlin-Smith about what to expect on the health care front from the lame-duck session of Congress (spoiler: not much). Plus, just as only Nixon could go to China, perhaps only Republicans can limit drug coverage in Medicare Part D -- a discussion of proposed changes from CMS and the seeming lack of opposition from Congressional Republicans, at least for the moment. Reporting referenced in this episode: GOP infighting delaying popular health bills CMS takes on 'protected classes' in Part D

President Donald Trump finally unveiled his plan to lower drug prices last week, and on this week’s episode, POLITICO looks closer at what’s in the strategy and how it builds (or doesn’t) on the Obama administration’s own efforts. First, POLITICO’s Sarah Karlin-Smith discusses her reporting on the Trump administration’s drug plan (starts at the 2:05 mark), what’s in the bill and how it’s being received. Then after the break, Tim Gronniger — who served as CMS Chief of Staff and led the agency’s work on drug spending under the Obama administration — discusses his impression of the Trump plan (starts at the 14:05 mark), and what he learned from Obama-era efforts to try and lower drug prices, which met with significant resistance and were largely stalled. Stick around for a new segment — “Steal My Job” (starts at the 37:00 mark) — where Tim discusses how he got his jobs in the Obama administration and tips for people interested in a similar career path. GLOSSARY OF TERMS ON THIS EPISODE Average sales price (ASP): A manufacturer's sales of a drug divided by the total number of units, which is used to help set government reimbursement. Biosimilars: A type of product that’s highly similar to existing FDA-approved biologic drugs (like Remicade) but intended to offer a lower-cost alternative. Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs): A third-party manager of a prescription drug program that helps insurers and others negotiate on drug prices. Drug companies say that PBMs are middlemen that drive up prices. STORIES REFERENCED ON THIS EPISODE Adam Cancryn and David Pittman’s story on the Trump drug plan: https://www.politico.com/story/2018/05/11/trump-administration-drug-price-plan-535667 Sarah’s piece on Trump’s ‘America First’ agenda for drug pricing: https://www.politico.com/story/2018/05/09/trump-drug-pricing-prescriptions-514925

As CDC director, Brenda Fitzgerald should've been one of the nation's loudest voices on opioids and public health issues. Instead, she'd been remarkably quiet - recusing herself repeatedly from congressional hearings and other initiatives because of financial conflicts - and on Wednesday, she resigned after seven months in the job and one day after POLITICO revealed that she had bought tobacco stocks while running the CDC. Three of the POLITICO reporters who broke the Fitzgerald news - Brianna Ehley, Jennifer Haberkorn and Sarah Karlin-Smith - join PULSE CHECK to reveal details of their reporting (starts at the 1:45 mark), why Fitzgerald had lost confidence of lawmakers (7:30), what the Fitzgerald and Tom Price scandals say about the administration (10:30), and what this says about what's next for HHS under Alex Azar and the CDC (15:15). Then after the break, the Advisory Board Company's Rob Lazerow (starts at the 18:20 mark) sits down with POLITICO's Dan Diamond to discuss a much hyped story this week: Amazon, JP Morgan and Berkshire Hathaway's announcement that they're moving into health care. We’d appreciate your help: Please share PULSE CHECK and rate us on your favorite podcast app! Have questions, suggestions or feedback? Email ddiamond@politico.com. Stories referenced on the podcast: Brianna and Sarah's story on Fitzgerald's resignation: https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/31/cdc-director-resigns-over-financial-conflicts-380206 Sarah and Brianna's story on Fitzgerald's tobacco stock holdings: https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/30/cdc-director-tobacco-stocks-after-appointment-316245 Jen and Brianna's original story on Fitzgerald's conflicts: https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/18/cdc-director-avoids-congressional-testimony-297284 Paul Demko's story on Amazon, J.P. Morgan and Berkshire Hathaway's health care venture: https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/30/amazon-health-care-business-316314 Rob's Advisory Board analysis of the Amazon et al deal: https://www.advisory.com/daily-briefing/2018/01/30/3-companies#ABCtake

It’s been a busy week in health care, and PULSE CHECK is here to help make sense of it all. First, POLITICO’s Paul Demko and Sarah Karlin-Smith join Dan Diamond to discuss Republicans’ tax reform plans, Alex Azar’s nomination as HHS secretary, the state of ACA enrollment and Dan’s reporting on the Mayo Clinic. (Starts at the 2:00 mark.) Then, Dartmouth professor Brendan Nyhan sits down with Dan to discuss his research into myths and lies about the ACA, vaccines and other health care issues, and how to change a person’s mind. (Starts at the 27:15 mark.) Finally, Dan reflects on Uwe Reinhardt, the giant of health policy who passed away this week. (Starts at the 45:35 mark.) We’d appreciate your help: Please share PULSE CHECK and rate us on your favorite podcast app! Have questions, suggestions or feedback? Email ddiamond@politico.com. Stories and work referenced on the podcast: Sarah and Adam Cancryn's story on Alex Azar, the nominee to lead HHS: https://www.politico.com/story/2017/11/13/alex-azar-hhs-secretary-trump-244837 Paul's story on the early ACA enrollment numbers: https://www.politico.com/story/2017/11/15/obamacare-enrollment-surges-trump-244930 Dan's story on Mayo Clinic's growth and rural patients' anger: www.politico.com/story/2017/11/16/mayo-clinic-rural-health-care-244955 Brendan Nyhan's work on death panel myths: http://www.brendan-nyhan.com/blog/2013/01/new-study-on-difficulty-of-correcting-death-panel-myth.html The New York Times' obituary of Uwe Reinhardt: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/15/obituaries/uwe-reinhardt-a-listened-to-voice-on-health-care-policy-dies-at-80.html?_r=0

In this episode of “What the Health?” Mary Agnes Carey of Kaiser Health News, Sarah Karlin-Smith of Politico, Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times and Julie Appleby of Kaiser Health News discuss the recent extension of cost-sharing subsidies for millions of low-income beneficiaries on the Affordable Care Act’s marketplaces and the state of play on Capitol Hill and in the states concerning initiatives to lower prescription drug costs.

President Donald Trump says the drug industry is "getting away with murder" — but Stephen Ubl, the nation's top pharma lobbyist, says his industry's life-saving work has been overshadowed by a few bad actors. Ubl joined POLITICO's Dan Diamond to share his thoughts on drug prices, his recent meeting with Trump, PhRMA's top priorities, and why Martin Shkreli and other controversial figures don't tell the whole story about the industry. (Starts at the 1:45 mark.) Then after the break, POLITICO's pharma reporter Sarah Karlin-Smith discusses her reporting on drug price reform. (Starts at 28:00.) We’d appreciate your help: Please share PULSE CHECK and rate us on your favorite podcast app! Have questions, suggestions or feedback? Email ddiamond@politico.com.

Obamacare repeal, drug price reform — and vaccine investigations? President-elect Donald Trump has pushed all three health care priorities this week, and Senate Republicans just advanced his agenda by voting to begin striking down the Affordable Care Act. First, POLITICO's pharma reporter Sarah Karlin-Smith joins Dan Diamond (starts at the 2:15 mark) to explain Republicans' early-morning vote on Thursday, discuss why Democrats voted against Sen. Bernie Sanders' proposal to import drugs from Canada, and walk through what Trump's attack on the pharma industry could mean. Then, Arthur Allen — POLITICO's eHealth editor and author of "Vaccine: The Controversial Story of Medicine's Greatest Lifesaver" — joins Dan (starts at 23:55) to discuss Trump's emerging plan to investigate vaccine safety and why it could be a disaster for public health. We’d appreciate your help: Please share PULSE CHECK and rate us on your favorite podcast app! Have questions, suggestions or feedback? Email ddiamond@politico.com.

The Obamacare repeal battle is THE story in health care, but it's not the only one. On a special edition of PULSE CHECK, five POLITICO health care reporters talk about what they're seeing ahead for the Affordable Care Act, and also drill down on other recent industry news. First, Pro's Jen Haberkorn and Rachana Pradhan (starts at the 2:15 mark) join Dan Diamond to discuss whether GOP plans to repeal Obamacare remain realistic, North Carolina's last-ditch push for Medicaid expansion, and who they're watching this frantic week. After the break, Pro's Paul Demko and Sarah Karlin-Smith (starts at 23:15) offer updates on the court battle over insurer mega-mergers, what the Cures Act could do for the pharma sector, and whether the health care industry will benefit or suffer under the Trump administration. *Note: Podcast was recorded before Monday night's moves in Congress to slow down Obamacare repeal efforts. We’d appreciate your help: Please share PULSE CHECK and rate us on your favorite podcast app! Have questions, suggestions or feedback? Email ddiamond@politico.com.