The focus in the healthcare sector this year has primarily been on Medicaid, with significant cuts in federal funding as a result of the recent budget bill signed by President Donald Trump. However, attention is now shifting towards the Affordable Care Act, which is facing substantial changes that could potentially result in many individuals losing their health coverage by 2026.
Moreover, changes in immigration policies under the current administration could have a profound impact on the nation’s healthcare system. These changes may worsen shortages of healthcare workers and eliminate insurance coverage that supports the financial stability of certain hospitals and clinics.
The latest episode of KFF Health News’ weekly health policy news podcast, “What the Health?” features a panel discussion with Julie Rovner, Julie Appleby, Jessie Hellmann, and Alice Miranda Ollstein.
Key takeaways from this episode include:
– Anticipated premium increases for health insurance plans in the upcoming year, particularly for those relying on ACA health plans. The expiration of enhanced federal government subsidies, coupled with the reluctance of GOP lawmakers to extend them, could result in many individuals losing their insurance coverage.
– The inclusion of a $50 billion fund for rural healthcare in the new law signed by President Trump, aimed at mitigating the impact of Medicaid cuts. However, the fund may fall short, especially as more individuals lose their health insurance.
– Ongoing debates surrounding the safety of the abortion pill mifepristone, with some lawmakers pressuring federal officials to reassess its approval. Planned Parenthood clinics are also bracing for potential cuts in federal funding, affecting a wide range of services beyond abortion.
– The implications of state laws allowing healthcare providers to refuse treatments that conflict with their beliefs, such as a case in Tennessee where a pregnant, unmarried woman was denied prenatal care.
Additionally, the episode features an interview with Jonathan Oberlander, a Medicare historian and health policy professor at the University of North Carolina, in honor of Medicare’s upcoming 60th anniversary.
The panelists also recommend health policy stories for further reading:
– Julie Rovner suggests KFF Health News’ article on Medicaid fraudsters.
– Julie Appleby highlights NPR’s report on proposed bills targeting toxic ingredients in beauty products.
– Jessie Hellmann recommends Roll Call’s coverage of mental health drug skepticism.
– Alice Miranda Ollstein points to The Associated Press’ investigation into ultraprocessed food promoted by RFK Jr.
Listeners can access all podcasts and subscribe to “What the Health?” on various platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Pocket Casts.
The production credits for the episode go to Francis Ying as the audio producer and Emmarie Huetteman as the editor.
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