The Host
Julie Rovner
KFF Well being Information
Learn Julie’s tales.
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 e book “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 can give them important clout to dramatically change well being coverage. However slim margins in Congress will depart 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 can 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 Submit, and Lauren Weber of The Washington Submit.
Panelists
Anna Edney
Bloomberg
Rachel Roubein
The Washington Submit
Lauren Weber
The Washington Submit
Among the many takeaways from this week’s episode:
- Republicans will management the Home and the Senate starting subsequent yr, doubtlessly providing Trump essential votes in help of his nominees and agenda. Nonetheless, the occasion will govern with solely a slim majority in each chambers, which might hamper its skill to make sweeping or controversial modifications. Regardless, the GOP will steer legislative efforts, equivalent to setting authorities spending ranges and limits, and management committees that resolve what to prioritize and oversee.
- Trump this week named a number of individuals 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 advised utilizing recess appointments to get round that, a way 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, equivalent to cracking down on ultra-processed meals and meals dyes. Notably, these types of initiatives — which might tighten guidelines for companies, as an illustration — haven’t been a part of the standard conservative playbook.
- And, wanting forward, there’s lots the Trump administration might do to additional erode abortion rights, and the GOP is more likely to see this as a second for making an attempt issues.
Plus, for “further credit score,” the panelists recommend well being coverage tales they learn this week that they suppose you must learn, too:
Julie Rovner: KFF Well being Information’ “In Vermont, The place Nearly Everybody Has Insurance coverage, Many Can’t Discover 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 Lengthy Time Since I Felt That Means’: Sexually Transmitted An infection Numbers Present New Hope,” by Alice Miranda Ollstein.
Lauren Weber: JAMA Community Open’s “Medical Board Self-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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