What the Health? From 麻豆女优 Health News

Join Julie Rovner, chief Washington correspondent for 麻豆女优 Health News, along with top health policy reporters from The New York Times, The Washington Post, Politico and other media outlets to discuss the latest news and explain what the health is going on here in Washington.

Listen and Subscribe on | |  | |

If you have a question for the podcast, you can send it to whatthehealth@kff.org.

Showing 81 - 100 of 459

  • 麻豆女优 Health News' 'What the Health?'

    Trump鈥檚 Nontraditional Health Picks

    Episode 373

    Not only has President-elect Donald Trump chosen prominent vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, Trump also has said he will nominate controversial TV host Mehmet Oz to run the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which oversees coverage for nearly half of Americans. Meanwhile, the lame-duck Congress is back in Washington with just a few weeks to figure out how to wrap up work for the year. Rachel Cohrs Zhang of Stat, Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call, and Riley Ray Griffin of Bloomberg News join 麻豆女优 Health News鈥 Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Sarah Varney, who has been covering a trial in Idaho challenging the lack of medical exceptions in that state鈥檚 abortion ban.

    Listen Now
  • 麻豆女优 Health News' 'What the Health?'

    Readying for Republican Rule

    Episode 372

    With Republicans now set to control the White House, Senate, and House of Representatives starting in January, their health agenda remains unclear. What is clear, however, is that just about anything could be on the table, from Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act, to drug prices and public health. Meanwhile, anti-abortion groups are preparing to fight the implementation of abortion rights ballot measures just passed by voters in seven states. Rachel Roubein of The Washington Post, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, and Lauren Weber of The Washington Post join 麻豆女优 Health News鈥 Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Plus, for 鈥渆xtra credit,鈥 the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too.

    Listen Now
  • 麻豆女优 Health News' 'What the Health?'

    Trump 2.0

    Episode 371

    As Donald Trump readies for his return to the White House 鈥 with the backing of a GOP majority in the Senate and, possibly, the House 鈥 the entire health care industry is waiting to see what happens next. Clearly on the agenda: the future of abortion and reproductive rights, Medicare, Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, and public health鈥檚 infrastructure. Rachel Cohrs Zhang of Stat and Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico join 麻豆女优 Health News鈥 Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews 麻豆女优 Health News鈥 Jackie Forti茅r, who reported and wrote the latest 麻豆女优 Health News-Washington Post 鈥淏ill of the Month鈥 feature, about a 2-year-old who had a very expensive run-in with a rattlesnake.

    Listen Now
  • 麻豆女优 Health News' 'What the Health?'

    The Campaign鈥檚 Final Days

    Episode 370

    It鈥檚 the final days of the 2024 campaign, and Republicans are suddenly talking again about making changes to the Affordable Care Act if former President Donald Trump wins. Meanwhile, new reporting uncovers more maternal deaths under state abortion bans 鈥 and a case in which a Nevada woman was jailed after a miscarriage. Lauren Weber of The Washington Post, Shefali Luthra of The 19th, and Jessie Hellmann of CQ Roll Call join 麻豆女优 Health News鈥 Emmarie Huetteman to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, 麻豆女优 Health News鈥 Julie Rovner interviews Irving Washington, a senior vice president at 麻豆女优 and the executive director of its Health Misinformation and Trust Initiative.

    Listen Now
  • 麻豆女优 Health News' 'What the Health?'

    Less Than Two Weeks To Go

    Episode 369

    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 鈥 dismissed by the Supreme Court on a technicality this year 鈥 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 麻豆女优 Health News鈥 Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Tricia Neuman, senior vice president of 麻豆女优 and executive director of its Program on Medicare Policy, about Medicare open enrollment and the changes to the federal program for 2025.

    Listen Now
  • 麻豆女优 Health News' 'What the Health?'

    LIVE From 麻豆女优: Health Care and the 2024 Election

    Episode 368

    The Affordable Care Act has not been a major issue in the 2024 campaign, but abortion and reproductive rights have been front and center. Those are just two of the dozens of health issues that could be profoundly affected by who is elected president and which party controls Congress in 2025. In this special live episode, Tamara Keith of NPR, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, and Cynthia Cox and Ashley Kirzinger of 麻豆女优 join 麻豆女优 Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss how health policy has affected the campaign and how the election results might affect health policy. Plus, the panel answers questions from the live audience.

    Listen Now
  • 麻豆女优 Health News' 'What the Health?'

    Yet Another Promise for Long-Term Care Coverage

    Episode 367

    As part of her presidential campaign, Vice President Kamala Harris has rolled out a plan for Medicare to provide in-home long-term care services. The proposal would fill a longtime need for families trying to simultaneously care for young children and older parents, but its enormous price tag makes it a promise unlikely to be fulfilled. Meanwhile, a growing number of Republican candidates up and down the ballot facing voter backlash over their support for abortion restrictions are trying to reinvent their positions. Shefali Luthra of The 19th, Jessie Hellmann of CQ Roll Call, and Joanne Kenen of Johns Hopkins University and Politico join 麻豆女优 Health News鈥 Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, excerpts from a 麻豆女优 lunch with 鈥淪hark Tank鈥 panelist and generic drug discounter Mark Cuban, who has been consulting with the Harris campaign about health care issues.

    Listen Now
  • 麻豆女优 Health News' 'What the Health?'

    The Health of the Campaign

    Episode 366

    The 2024 presidential race is taking on a familiar tone 鈥 with Democrats accusing Republicans of wanting to ban abortion and repeal the Affordable Care Act and Republicans insisting they have no such plans. Voters will determine whom they believe. Meanwhile, for the second time in a month, a state judge overturned an abortion ban, but few expect the decision to settle the matter. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call, and Anna Edney of Bloomberg News join 麻豆女优 Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews 麻豆女优 Health News鈥 Lauren Sausser, who reported and wrote the latest 麻豆女优 Health News-Washington Post 鈥淏ill of the Month,鈥 about a teenage athlete whose needed surgery lacked a billing code.

    Listen Now
  • 麻豆女优 Health News' 'What the Health?'

    Congress Punts to a Looming Lame-Duck Session

    Episode 365

    Congress left Washington for the campaign trail this week, but not before approving a spending bill that expires shortly before Christmas. Lawmakers will be busy after the election working on not just the legislation needed to keep the government running, but also several health programs set to expire. Meanwhile, Republicans continue to downplay abortion as Democrats press it as a campaign issue. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Lauren Weber of The Washington Post, and Joanne Kenen of Johns Hopkins University and Politico join 麻豆女优 Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more.

    Listen Now
  • 麻豆女优 Health News' 'What the Health?'

    American Health Under Trump 鈥 Past, Present, and Future

    Episode 364

    Dreaming of a Trump victory, Republicans have a wish list of health policy changes 鈥 including loosening Affordable Care Act regulations to make cheaper coverage available and ending Medicare drug price negotiations. Meanwhile, after a publicly reported death stemming from a state abortion ban, Vice President Kamala Harris is emphasizing the consequences of Trump鈥檚 work to overturn Roe v. Wade. Tami Luhby of CNN, Shefali Luthra of The 19th, and Joanne Kenen of Politico and Johns Hopkins University join 麻豆女优 Health News senior editor Emmarie Huetteman to discuss these stories and more.

    Listen Now
  • 麻豆女优 Health News' 'What the Health?'

    Live from Austin, Examining Health Equity

    Episode 362

    The term 鈥渉ealth equity鈥 means different things to different people. Beyond guaranteeing all Americans access to adequate, affordable medical care, the pursuit of equity can include addressing social determinants of health, such as housing, education, and environment. Systemic and historical racism 鈥 manifested in over-policing or contaminated drinking water, for instance 鈥 can negatively affect health. In a live taping at the Texas Tribune Festival, special guests Carol Alvarado, the Texas state Senate鈥檚 Democratic leader, and Ann Barnes, president and CEO of the Episcopal Health Foundation, along with 麻豆女优 Health News鈥 Sabriya Rice and Cara Anthony, join 麻豆女优 Health News鈥 Julie Rovner to discuss addressing health inequities.

    Listen Now
  • 麻豆女优 Health News' 'What the Health?'

    Let the General Election Commence

    Episode 361

    Abortion and reproductive health issues headlined the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, as expected. But what Vice President Kamala Harris has in mind for other health policies as the Democratic nominee remains something of a mystery. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump says he would not use the 19th-century Comstock Act to impose, in effect, a national ban on abortion, which angered his anti-abortion backers. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Joanne Kenen of Politico and Johns Hopkins University, and Shefali Luthra of The 19th join 麻豆女优 Health News鈥 Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews 麻豆女优 Health News鈥 Tony Leys, who reported and wrote the latest 麻豆女优 Health News-NPR 鈥淏ill of the Month鈥 feature about a woman who fought back after being charged for two surgeries despite undergoing only one.

    Listen Now
  • 麻豆女优 Health News' 'What the Health?'

    Happy 50th, ERISA

    Episode 360

    What does a law to protect worker pensions have to do with how health insurance is regulated? Far more than most people may think. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act, or ERISA, turns 50 in September. The law fundamentally changed the way the federal and state governments regulate employer-provided health insurance and continues to shape health policy in the United States. In this special episode of 鈥淲hat the Health?鈥, host and 麻豆女优 Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner speaks to Larry Levitt of 麻豆女优, Paul Fronstin of the Employee Benefit Research Institute, and Ilyse Schuman of the American Benefits Council about the history of ERISA and what its future might hold.

    Listen Now
  • 麻豆女优 Health News' 'What the Health?'

    The Walz Record

    Episode 359

    Vice President Kamala Harris this week officially became the Democratic nominee for president and named Minnesota governor and former U.S. congressman Tim Walz as her running mate. Meanwhile, a new study finds the number of abortions taking place since the overturn of 鈥淩oe v. Wade鈥 continued to rise into early this year, despite the imposition of abortion bans around the country. Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call and Shefali Luthra of The 19th join 麻豆女优 Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more.

    Listen Now
  • 麻豆女优 Health News' 'What the Health?'

    Abortion Heats Up Presidential Race聽

    Episode 358

    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 鈥淧roject 2025鈥 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 麻豆女优 Health News鈥 Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews 麻豆女优 Health News鈥 Elisabeth Rosenthal, who reported and wrote the latest 麻豆女优 Health News-NPR 鈥淏ill of the Month鈥 about a preauthorized surgery that generated a six-figure bill.

    Listen Now
  • 麻豆女优 Health News' 'What the Health?'

    Harris in the Spotlight

    Episode 357

    For the 2024 campaign, Joe Biden is out, and Kamala Harris is in. As the vice president makes moves toward the top of the Democratic presidential ticket, health policy is resurging as a campaign issue. Meanwhile, Congress tries 鈥 and again fails 鈥 to make timely progress on the annual government spending bills as abortion issues cause delays. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Stephanie Armour of 麻豆女优 Health News, and Rachel Cohrs Zhang of Stat join 麻豆女优 Health News鈥 Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Anthony Wright, the new executive director of Families USA, about his plans for the organization and his history working with Harris on health topics.鈥

    Listen Now
  • 麻豆女优 Health News' 'What the Health?'

    At GOP Convention, Health Policy Is Mostly MIA

    Episode 356

    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鈥檚 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 鈥 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 麻豆女优 Health News鈥 Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews 麻豆女优 Health News鈥 Renuka Rayasam, who wrote June鈥檚 installment of 麻豆女优 Health News-NPR 鈥淏ill of the Month,鈥 about a patient who walked into what he thought was an urgent care center and walked out with an emergency room bill.鈥

    Listen Now
  • 麻豆女优 Health News' 'What the Health?'

    GOP Platform Muddies Abortion Waters

    Episode 355

    As Donald Trump prepares to be formally nominated as the GOP鈥檚 candidate for president next week, the platform he will run on is taking shape. And in line with Trump鈥檚 approach, it aims to simultaneously satisfy hard-core abortion opponents and reassure more moderate swing voters. Meanwhile, the Federal Trade Commission takes on pharmacy benefits management firms. Shefali Luthra of The 19th News, Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call, and Jessie Hellmann of CQ Roll Call join 麻豆女优 Health News鈥 chief Washington correspondent, Julie Rovner, to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Jennifer Klein, director of the White House Gender Policy Council, about the Biden administration鈥檚 policies to ensure access to reproductive health care.

    Listen Now
  • 麻豆女优 Health News' 'What the Health?'

    SCOTUS Term Wraps With a Bang

    Episode 354

    The Supreme Court has issued its final opinions for the 2023-24 term, including decisions affecting abortion access, the opioid epidemic, and how the federal government functions. In this special episode, Sarah Somers , legal director of the National Health Law Program, joins 麻豆女优 Health News鈥 chief Washington correspondent, Julie Rovner, to discuss how the justices disposed of the term鈥檚 health-related cases and what those decisions could mean going forward.

    Listen Now