KFF Health News “What is health?”: Starting to feel the lockdown crisis

Host

Julie Rovner KFF Health News

@lierrovner.bsky.social

Julie Rovner is chief Washington correspondent and host of KFF Health News’ weekly health policy news podcast, “What Is Health?” Julie is a renowned expert on health policy issues and is the author of the critically acclaimed reference book Health Care Policy and Politics A to Z, now in its third edition.

It’s not yet clear how the federal government shutdown will end, but Democrats continue to draw attention to the issue they’ve been promoting — the end of additional support for insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act. Now some Republicans are publicly voicing concerns about the massive cost increases that many of their constituents face.

Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration has quietly approved a second generic version of the abortion pill mifepristone, much to the dismay of anti-abortion groups — even as FDA officials investigate new claims about potential safety risks posed by the drug.

This week’s panelists are Julie Rovner of KFF Health News, Sarah Carlin Smith of Pink Sheet, Tami Lohby of CNN, and Alice Miranda Olstein of Politico.

Committee members

Sarah Carlin Smith’s Pink Paper

@Sarah Carlin

@sarahkarlin-smith.bsky.social

Read Sarah’s stories.

Tammy Lohby CNN

@lohbi

Read Tammy’s stories.

Alice Miranda Olstin Politico

@Alice Olstein

@alicemiranda.bsky.social

Read Alice stories.

Among the points covered in this week’s episode:

As the shutdown continues, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene — a Republican from Georgia known for her outspoken opposition to Democratic policies, including the ACA — spoke out this week in favor of renewed federal support. She noted that her adult children expect their health insurance premiums to double if subsidies end, a looming problem for many Americans in marketplace plans.
Federal officials recently warned that WIC — the supplemental nutrition program that helps many American families buy basic foods — has nearly exhausted its funding. The Trump administration has said it will use proceeds from the tariffs to keep the program running, but it is unclear whether it has the authority to do so, as well as whether the tariffs themselves are legal.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court heard a case challenging Colorado’s conversion therapy ban, and based on the tone of the arguments, it seems likely the ban will be overturned. The vaccine schedule is changing – although this change also triggers the start of shipments needed for the children’s vaccine program.

Also this week, Rovner interviewed Sarah Grusin of the National Health Law Program about misleading GOP claims that Democrats shut down the government seeking to provide free health care to immigrants in the country illegally.

Plus, for “extra credit,” panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too:

Julie Rovner: “Washington Post”How some veterans are taking advantage of a $193 billion VA program, due to lax controlswritten by Craig Whitlock, Lisa Wren, and Caitlin Gilbert.

Tammy Lohby: “Washington Post”Trump’s plan would limit disability benefits for older Americans“, written by Meryl Kornfield and Lisa Rehn.

Sarah Carlin Smith: New York Times””The emergency department told him it was just a virus. A few days later he died“, written by Lisa Miller.

Alice Miranda Olstein: nineteenth”Fears of ice put pregnant migrants and their babies at risk“, oh my Leonor Barclay and Shefali Loth.

Also mentioned in this week’s podcast:

hill “Greene doubles down on his comments about Affordable Care Act subsidies“, By Tara Sutter. The Washington Post”Six Surgeon General: It is our duty to warn the nation about RFK Jrwritten by Jerome Adams, Richard Carmona, Jocelyn Elders, Vivek Murthy, Antonia Novello, and David Satcher.
“Politics”Animal welfare is now part of RFK Jr.’s MAHA agenda“, written by Erin Schumaker.
“Washington Post”How big agriculture got its way in MAHA’s latest report“Written by Amdalat Agasa and Rachel Rubin.
“Politics”Health agencies are losing “backbone people who can keep things running” due to Indian health deployments“, written by Alice Miranda Olstein and Maya Kaufman.

Credits

Frances Ying Audio Producer Editor Imari Hasdemann

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