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.
As abortion and other reproductive issues gain more attention in the upcoming election, some Republicans are trying to soften their anti-abortion positions, especially in states where abortion access remains politically popular.
Meanwhile, Medicare’s public offering is underway, and some health plans are risking millions of dollars to challenge in court the federal government’s decision to downgrade their quality ratings.
This week’s panelists include Julie Rovner of KFF Health News, Rachel Cohrs Zhang of Stat, Sarah Karlin-Smith of Pink Sheet, and Victoria Knight of Axios.
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Here are our takeaways from this week’s episode.
Polls show that more voters are putting abortion at the top of their ballot issue, and some candidates with long records of opposing abortion rights are seeking to soften their positions. I’m trying. Many older Americans will spend less on prescription drugs next year due to changes such as new out-of-pocket price caps when provisions of the Inflation Control Act of 2022 go into effect. However, some people recognize that there are limits to the benefits, as deep-rooted problems persist in drug pricing, insurance coverage, and access. The FDA is reconsidering a weight loss drug decision that caused confusion for patients and pharmacies. Compounded drugs are intended to address individual issues such as the need for different dosages, and the process can be used to augment mass production during times of shortage, but addressing issues of access and affordability. Not very suitable for doing so. In abortion news, a comprehensive study shows abortions have increased even among women in states with stricter restrictions since the Roe v. Wade reversal, another study shows , these states have higher infant mortality rates. And efforts are underway to revive a challenge to mifepristone’s FDA approval in a Texas court. The final challenge failed when the Supreme Court ruled that the plaintiffs lacked standing.
Also this week, Rovner interviewed Tricia Newman, KFF’s senior vice president and executive director of Medicare policy programs, about Medicare open enrollment and program changes for 2025.
Plus, for “extra credit,” panelists will suggest health policy articles they read this week that they think you should read, too.
Julie Rovner: “Crisis Pregnancy Center Forms Offer Valuable Insights into Anti-Abortion Practices” by Abigail Brooks, NBC News.
Sarah Carlin-Smith: Vanity Fair’s “Inside the Failed Avian Flu Response Where Interests and Public Health Collide,” by Catherine Eban.
Rachel Coles Chan: “The Perverse Consequences of Tuition-Free Medical School” in The Atlantic, by Rose Horowich.
Victoria Knight: NPR’s “Why Catholic Bishops Are Cutting Their Donations This Year to Oppose Abortion Rights Measures” by Rosemary Westwood and Jack Jenkins.
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.
