The Host
For the second year in a row, Trump administration officials are delaying the distribution of hundreds of millions of dollars in health-related grant funding as political appointees seek to ensure the funding adheres to the administration’s priorities — despite promises to Congress that the money would be spent as directed.
Meanwhile, four years after the Supreme Court overturned the federal right to abortion, nearly half the states have banned or substantially restricted the procedure. But while most voters say they support abortion rights — and majorities in several states have approved ballot measures to enshrine them — that sentiment has not translated into major gains for Democrats running for office.
This week’s panelists are Julie Rovner of KFF Health News, Maya Goldman of Axios, Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico Magazine, and Rachana Pradhan of KFF Health News.
Among the takeaways from this week’s episode:
Federal funding for health grants and international humanitarian aid is not reaching its recipients, demonstrating that congressionally authorized and appropriated funding is still encountering roadblocks under the Trump administration. At least some of the money is being tied up in review, with political appointees requiring personal signoff on any and all disbursements. While many lawmakers have made their frustrations known, Congress has few levers to ensure the money goes where lawmakers say it should.
This week marked the fourth anniversary of the Supreme Court case that overturned the constitutional right to an abortion. Yet research shows there were more abortions performed in the U.S. last year than there were in the year before the court’s decision. Access to medication abortion and telehealth prescribing are credited for that increase — two methods that activists who oppose abortion have targeted in their continuing efforts to eliminate it.
In vaccine policy news, a study showing the effectiveness of the covid vaccine that was spiked by Trump administration officials was recently published in a peer-reviewed medical journal. And Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reinstated a flu vaccine mandate for the military after a significant flu outbreak at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas.
Amid concerns over healthcare affordability, two states are taking measures to address prices. A new Indiana law imposes price controls on hospitals, and Colorado has received federal approval to import drugs from Canada — though Canadian distributors have shown no interest in working with American states.
Plus, for “extra credit” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too:
Julie Rovner: The Washington Post’s “Tennessee To Restrict Medical Aid for Critically Ill Undocumented Children,” by Silvia Foster-Frau.
Maya Goldman: Stat’s “Trump Administration Targets Disability Integration Mandate in DOJ Memo,” by O. Rose Broderick.
Rachana Pradhan: KFF Health News’ “Arrests of Immigrant Parents Create Mental Health Crisis for Children,” by Claudia Boyd-Barrett.
Joanne Kenen: The Washington Post’s “Why Trump’s Algae Problem Is Much Bigger Than the Reflecting Pool,” by Sarah Kaplan.
Also mentioned in this week’s podcast:
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