the host
Julie Rovner KFF Health News @jrovner
Julie Rovner is chief Washington correspondent and host of KFF Health News’ weekly health policy news podcast, “What the Health?” A recognized expert on health policy issues, Julie is the author of the critically acclaimed reference book Health Politics and Policy A to Z, now in its third edition.
When it comes to health care, this year’s presidential election is increasingly about which candidates voters believe. Democrats, led by Vice President Kamala Harris, have pointed to past actions and claims by Republicans, saying they want to further restrict reproductive rights and repeal the Affordable Care Act. Meanwhile, the Republican Party, led by former President Donald Trump, insists it has no such plans.
Meanwhile, the Biden administration is dodging a political bullet and avoiding a sharp rise in Medicare prescription drug premiums next year as Medicare’s public offering approaches.
This week’s panelists are Julie Rovner of KFF Health News, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call, and Anna Edney of Bloomberg News.
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Here are our takeaways from this week’s episode.
This week, Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio confused his positions on health policy during the vice presidential debate, downplaying the possibility of a nationwide abortion ban. The former president’s wife, Melania Trump, also spoke out in support of abortion rights. Their comments appear aimed at allaying voters’ concerns that former President Donald Trump may take action to further block access to abortion. Vance raised eyebrows during the evening debate when he claimed that President Trump had “rescued” the Affordable Care Act. In fact, the former president vowed to repeal the law and defended Republican efforts to make good on that promise. Meanwhile, President Trump dodged AARP’s questions about the Medicare plan, saying, “What we have to do is make our country successful again.” On the Democratic side, Vice President Kamala Harris is campaigning on health issues, with a new ad specifically highlighting the benefits of the ACA and President Trump’s efforts to restrict abortion. Health is a winning issue for Democrats, polls show, and the ACA’s protections, especially for people with pre-existing conditions, are popular. Also in the news was the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reporting that average premiums for Medicare drug plans will drop slightly next year. The annual report, released just before Election Day, shows that seniors will be able to pay the premiums they would save under the new $2,000 annual drug out-of-pocket cap, as if government subsidies would ease the changes. It looks like it’s no longer needed. Examples. Also in abortion news, a judge struck down Georgia’s six-week abortion ban, but many providers have already left the state. And a new California law protects IVF insurance coverage, including for LGBTQ+ couples.
Also this week, Rovner interviewed and wrote KFF Health News-Washington Post’s latest “Bill of the Month,” about a teenage athlete who underwent necessary surgery but was missing a billing code. Interview with Lauren Saucer. Do you have a confusing or exorbitant medical bill that you would like to share? Tell us about it.
Plus, for “extra credit,” panelists will suggest health policy articles they read this week that they think you should read, too.
Julie Rovner: KFF Health News, “Doctors Urging Boycott of Abortion Ban Conferences Face Uphill Battle,” by Ronnie Cohen.
Anna Edney: “Free drug testing circumvents secret fees in the U.S. health care system” by John Tozzi, Bloomberg News.
Alice Miranda Olstein: “After Hurricane Helen, Hospitals Suffer from Intravenous Fluid Shortages” in the Wall Street Journal, by Joseph Walker and Peter Loftus.
Sandhya Raman: “After Helen, residents of Asheville public housing complex fear for health as water runs out,” by Jacob Biba, Asheville Citizen Times.
Also mentioned in this week’s podcast:
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Frances Ying Audio Producer Emmalie Hüttemann Editor
This article is republished from khn.org. khn.org is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism on health issues and is one of KFF’s core operating programs, providing independent information for health policy research, polling, and journalism. It is the source.
