Republicans in Congress are facing challenges in agreeing on specific ways to save billions of dollars from Medicaid funding without cutting essential benefits for millions of Americans. Moderates are pushing back against deep cuts, while fiscal conservatives are demanding significant reductions as outlined in the budget resolution. The future of President Donald Trump’s proposed legislation, including tax cuts and immigration enforcement, may hinge on reaching a consensus on Medicaid cuts.
In a surprising move, the Trump administration sided with the Biden administration in a Texas case challenging the FDA’s approval of the abortion pill mifepristone. While the administration’s request to drop the case appears to be a technicality, it does not indicate any change in their stance on protecting access to the abortion pill.
This week’s panelists on KFF Health News’ podcast include Julie Rovner, Anna Edney, Maya Goldman, and Sandhya Raman. They discussed various health policy issues, including the ongoing negotiations on government spending cuts, Trump’s nomination for U.S. surgeon general, and the pharmaceutical industry’s concerns over drug pricing policies.
Key takeaways from the episode include the push for deeper Medicaid cuts by House conservatives, the withdrawal of Janette Nesheiwat’s nomination for surgeon general, Trump’s executive order on drug pricing, and Kennedy’s upcoming appearance before the Senate’s Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.
Additionally, Rovner interviewed Lauren Sausser on an unexpected medical bill featured in KFF Health News’ “Bill of the Month” segment. The panelists also recommended health policy stories for further reading, including NPR’s article on federal workers losing health insurance, Europe’s efforts to retain scientists, a health-care loophole threatening Obamacare, and health care battles in the Deep South echoing civil rights struggles.
The podcast also mentioned the team behind the production, including audio producer Francis Ying and editor Emmarie Huetteman. Listeners can access all podcasts on KFF Health News’ website and subscribe to “What the Health?” on various platforms.
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