The Host
Emmarie Huetteman
KFF Well being Information
Emmarie Huetteman, senior editor, oversees a workforce of Washington reporters, in addition to “Invoice of the Month” and “What the Well being? From KFF Well being Information.” She beforehand spent greater than a decade reporting on the federal authorities, most just lately masking shock medical payments, drug pricing reform, and different well being coverage debates in Washington and on the marketing campaign path.
The longest federal authorities shutdown in historical past is over, after a handful of Home and Senate Democrats joined most Republicans in approving laws that funds the federal government via January. Regardless of Democrats’ calls for, the bundle didn’t embrace an extension of the expanded tax credit that assist most Inexpensive Care Act enrollees afford their plans — which means most individuals with ACA plans are slated to pay rather more towards their premiums subsequent yr.
Additionally, new particulars are rising in regards to the Trump administration’s efforts to make use of the Medicaid program — for low-income and disabled folks — to advance its immigration and trans well being coverage objectives. And President Donald Trump has unveiled offers with two main pharmaceutical firms designed to extend entry to weight reduction medication for some Individuals.
This week’s panelists are Emmarie Huetteman of KFF Well being Information, Anna Edney of Bloomberg Information, Shefali Luthra of The nineteenth, and Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Name.
Panelists
Anna Edney
Bloomberg Information
Shefali Luthra
The nineteenth
Sandhya Raman
CQ Roll Name
Among the many takeaways from this week’s episode:
- Although the shutdown deal didn’t embrace an extension of the improved ACA subsidies, it got here with a plan for a Senate vote by subsequent month — on what precisely, it’s unclear. Senate Republicans seem like coalescing round offering cash through well being financial savings accounts relatively than via the subsidies, whereas Home Republicans appear extra fragmented. The clock is ticking; the prevailing credit expire on Jan. 1, and open enrollment has begun.
- Even because the Trump administration is prone to be tied up in court docket over its efforts to make use of Medicaid to crack down on well being take care of immigrants and trans folks, they’ve had an actual chilling impact. Immigrants, for example, are skipping medical care, and hospitals are chopping again on providing gender-affirming take care of trans folks for concern of shedding federal funding.
- Trump’s newly introduced GLP-1 worth offers may assist Medicare enrollees afford the burden loss medication, probably opening up entry to a brand new inhabitants of sufferers — and prospects. And a gradual stream of coverage reversals, unexplained dismissals, and unfavorable information protection is resulting in worries that the FDA’s credibility is being undermined by inner drama. Additionally in query is whether or not it’s interfering with the company’s work. Drug firms would seemingly say sure, and a few throughout the FDA are attempting to fight these issues.
- A serious anti-abortion group is leaning into the present electoral second, concentrating on key states and making ready for sizable political contributions forward of subsequent yr’s midterm elections. Abortion opponents see a chance to capitalize on voters’ altering motivations and reposition themselves to suit into the post-Trump Republican Social gathering.
Additionally this week, KFF Well being Information’ Julie Rovner interviews KFF Well being Information’ Julie Appleby, who wrote the most recent “Invoice of the Month” function, about a health care provider who turned the affected person after a automobile accident despatched her to the hospital — and $64,000 into debt. Do you might have an outrageous medical invoice? Inform us about it!
Plus, for “further credit score,” the panelists counsel well being coverage tales they learn this week that they suppose you need to learn, too:
Emmarie Huetteman: KFF Well being Information’ “Immigrants With Well being Circumstances Might Be Denied Visas Underneath New Trump Administration Steerage,” by Amanda Seitz.
Anna Edney: Bloomberg Information’ “Bayer Weighs Roundup Exit as Most cancers Authorized Invoice Nears $18 Billion,” by Tim Loh, Hayley Warren, and Julia Janicki.
Shefali Luthra: The nineteenth’s “Detransition Is Uncommon, however It’s Driving Anti-Trans Coverage Anyway,” by Orion Rummler.
Sandhya Raman: BBC’s “Canada Loses Its Measles-Free Standing, With US on Monitor To Observe,” by Nadine Yousif.
Additionally talked about on this week’s episode:
- KFF’s “KFF Well being Monitoring Ballot: Public Weighs in on Well being Care Debate and Authorities Shutdown,” by Audrey Kearney, Alex Montero, Mardet Mulugeta, Ashley Kirzinger, and Liz Hamel.
- KFF Well being Information’ “Trump’s HHS Orders State Medicaid Packages To Assist Discover Undocumented Immigrants,” by Phil Galewitz.
- NPR’s “Trump Pushes an Finish to Medical Look after Transgender Youth Nationally,” by Selena Simmons-Duffin.
- Stat’s “FDA’s High Drug Regulator Resigns Amid Investigation,” by Lizzy Lawrence and Adam Feuerstein.
- Stat’s “Underneath Vinay Prasad, Staff at a Key FDA Middle Worry Talking Out, Search for the Exits,” by Lizzy Lawrence.
Credit
Francis Ying
Audio producer
Stephanie Stapleton
Editor
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KFF Well being Information is a nationwide newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about well being points and is likely one of the core working applications at KFF—an impartial supply of well being coverage analysis, polling, and journalism. Be taught extra about KFF.
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