The Host
Julie Rovner
KFF Well being Information
Julie Rovner is chief Washington correspondent and host of KFF Well being Information’ weekly well being coverage information podcast, “What the Well being?” A famous knowledgeable on well being coverage points, Julie is the writer of the critically praised reference ebook “Well being Care Politics and Coverage A to Z,” now in its third version.
Come January, Republicans will management the Home of Representatives, Senate, and White Home, regaining full energy for the primary time since 2018. That may give them important clout to dramatically change well being coverage. However slim margins in Congress will go away little room for dissent.
In the meantime, President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to not contact Medicare, although there are Medicare-related points — together with drug value negotiations and doctor pay — that may quickly demand consideration.
This week’s panelists are Julie Rovner of KFF Well being Information, Anna Edney of Bloomberg Information, Rachel Roubein of The Washington Put up, and Lauren Weber of The Washington Put up.
Panelists
Anna Edney
Bloomberg
Rachel Roubein
The Washington Put up
Lauren Weber
The Washington Put up
Among the many takeaways from this week’s episode:
- Republicans will management the Home and the Senate starting subsequent 12 months, probably providing Trump essential votes in assist of his nominees and agenda. Nonetheless, the occasion will govern with solely a slender majority in each chambers, which might hamper its potential to make sweeping or controversial adjustments. Regardless, the GOP will steer legislative efforts, resembling setting authorities spending ranges and limits, and management committees that resolve what to prioritize and oversee.
- Trump this week named a number of folks he intends to appoint to his Cupboard. But lots of his picks lack related expertise or have staked out controversial coverage positions — or each — elevating the query: Can they clear the Senate affirmation course of? Trump has prompt utilizing recess appointments to get round that, a technique that may largely bypass the Senate and restrict his Cupboard secretaries’ authority.
- In the meantime, among the many points on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s well being agenda are some that resonate with Democrats, resembling cracking down on ultra-processed meals and meals dyes. Notably, these kinds of initiatives — which might tighten guidelines for companies, as an illustration — haven’t been a part of the normal conservative playbook.
- And, wanting forward, there’s rather a lot the Trump administration might do to additional erode abortion rights, and the GOP is more likely to see this as a second for attempting issues.
Plus, for “additional credit score,” the panelists recommend well being coverage tales they learn this week that they suppose it is best to learn, too:
Julie Rovner: KFF Well being Information’ “In Vermont, Where Almost Everyone Has Insurance, Many Can’t Find or Afford Care,” by Phil Galewitz.
Anna Edney: The Atlantic’s “Throw Out Your Black Plastic Spatula,” by Zoë Schlanger.
Rachel Roubein: Politico’s “‘Been a Long Time Since I Felt That Way’: Sexually Transmitted Infection Numbers Provide New Hope,” by Alice Miranda Ollstein.
Lauren Weber: JAMA Community Open’s “Medical Board Discipline of Physicians for Spreading Medical Misinformation,” by Richard S. Saver.
Additionally talked about on this week’s podcast:
Credit
Taylor Cook dinner
Audio producer
Lonnie Ro
Audio producer
Emmarie Huetteman
Editor
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KFF Health News is a nationwide newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about well being points and is among the core working applications at KFF—an impartial supply of well being coverage analysis, polling, and journalism. Study extra about KFF.
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