The 119th Congress and President-elect Donald Trump have outlined ambitious legislative plans for the year ahead, with health policy taking a backseat to other priorities. However, health issues are expected to play a significant role in supporting efforts to renew tax cuts, revise immigration policies, and amend trade agreements, potentially serving as a means to fund certain Republican initiatives.
As the Biden administration wraps up its term, there is a rush to finalize key health policy initiatives, including a new rule that prevents credit bureaus from including medical debt on individuals’ credit reports.
This week’s panelists on KFF Health News’ podcast “What the Health?” include Julie Rovner, Shefali Luthra, Alice Miranda Ollstein, and Lauren Weber. They discuss a range of important health policy topics, such as the priorities of the new Congress, bipartisan proposals on pharmacy benefit managers, and the impact of private equity involvement in healthcare delivery.
The panel also reflects on the legacy of former President Jimmy Carter, particularly his contributions to global health efforts. Additionally, they address recent developments in health policy, such as the finalization of rules on medical debt and the surgeon general’s recommendation to include cancer risk warnings on alcohol products.
In this episode, the panelists recommend insightful health policy stories for further reading, touching on issues like Medicare payments, public health threats posed by oversized vehicles, and illegal shipping of vape products. They also highlight a Senate report on the negative effects of private equity in the healthcare system.
Listeners are encouraged to subscribe to KFF Health News’ podcast “What the Health?” on platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts to stay informed on the latest health policy developments. KFF Health News is a national newsroom dedicated to producing in-depth journalism on health issues and is a core program at KFF, an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism.
Organizations are welcome to republish KFF Health News content for free, with proper attribution and hyperlinks to the original source. Not all content may be available for republishing, so it’s essential to check permissions before sharing. For inquiries or assistance, reach out to KFF Health News at KHNHelp@kff.org.
Overall, the podcast provides valuable insights into current health policy trends and developments, offering a comprehensive look at the intersection of politics and public health.
