The host
Emmarie Huetteman KFF Health News Emmarie Huetteman, senior editor, oversees a team of Washington reporters as well as “Bill of the Month” and “What the Health?” from KFF Health News. He previously spent more than a decade reporting on the federal government, and most recently covered surprise medical bills, drug pricing reform and other health policy debates in Washington and on the campaign trail.
With the 2024 election campaign in its final days, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, this week proposed a “massive” reform of the health system if former President Donald Trump wins, changes that also depend, of course, on if Republicans control Congress next year.
Meanwhile, new reports reveal more maternal deaths under state abortion bans, plus at least one case in which a woman was jailed after a miscarriage. Additionally, other investigations are shedding light on a reality of American healthcare, regardless of who wins on Tuesday: the consequences of healthcare industry profiteering.
This week’s panelists are KFF Health News’ Emmarie Huetteman, The Washington Post’s Lauren Weber, The 19th’s Shefali Luthra, and CQ Roll Call’s Jessie Hellmann.
Panelists
Jessie Hellmann CQ List of candidates
Read Jessie’s stories. Shefali Lutra The 19
Read Shefali’s stories. Lauren Weber The Washington Post
Read Lauren’s stories.
Among the takeaways from this week’s episode:
- Trump has called to reopen the fight over the Affordable Care Act, and given enough votes in Congress, Johnson suggested this week that he is ready to back the former president’s strategy. Next year’s expiration of the ACA’s enhanced premium subsidies will undoubtedly put the health law back on the agenda, although given the law’s popularity, the changes may be a tough sell even for some Republicans.
- Trump also unveiled his own proposal to address the long-term care crisis: a tax credit for family caregivers. His plan follows Vice President Kamala Harris’ proposal weeks ago to create a new Medicare benefit that pays for home health care.
- This week, new reports emerged of women who suffered miscarriages and were denied reproductive health care, or even charged with involuntary manslaughter and imprisoned. While many abortion opponents say they have no intention of harming or punishing women, the consequences of repealing Roe v. Wade They are gaining a clearer focus.
Also this week, KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner interviews Irving Washington, senior vice president of KFF and executive director of its Health Trust and Misinformation Initiative.
Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too:
Emmarie Huetteman: “KFF Health News ‘Dreamers’ can sign up for ACA plans this year, but a court challenge could stand in the way,” by Julie Appleby.
Lauren Weber: “What Drugmakers Didn’t Tell Volunteers in Alzheimer’s Trials” from the New York Times, by Walt Bogdanich and Carson Kessler.
Shefali Luthra: “They are middle class and insured” from NBC News. Childbirth still left them with overwhelming debt,” by Aria Bendix.
Jessie Hellmann: “ProPublica’s ‘Not Medically Necessary’: Inside the Company That Helps America’s Largest Health Insurers Deny Care Coverage,” by T. Christian Miller, ProPublica; Patrick Rucker, Capitol Forum; and David Armstrong, ProPublica.
Also mentioned in this week’s podcast:
Credits
Francis Ying Audio Producer Stephanie Stapleton Editor
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KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism on health issues and is one of the core operating programs of KFF, an independent source of research, polling and health policy journalism. Learn more about KFF.
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