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?” Julie is a well-known health policy expert and author of the critically acclaimed reference work Health Care Politics and Policy A to Z, now in its third edition.
As abortion and other reproductive issues gain traction in the upcoming election, some Republicans are seeking to soften their anti-abortion positions, particularly in states where access to the procedure remains politically popular.
Meanwhile, enrollment in Medicare is underway, even as some health insurers are challenging in court the federal government’s decision to lower their quality ratings – with millions of dollars at stake.
This week’s panelists are Julie Rovner of KFF Health News, Rachel Cohrs Zhang of Stat, Sarah Karlin-Smith of Pink Sheet and Victoria Knight of Axios.
Panelists
Takeaways from this week’s episode:
- As polls show more voters naming abortion as a top election issue, some candidates with a history of opposing abortion rights are working to moderate their positions.
- Many older Americans will spend less on prescription drugs next year because of a new out-of-pocket price cap, among other changes that will take effect when provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act take effect in 2022. However, some recognize the limits of these benefits as deeper problems with drug pricing, insurance coverage and access remain.
- The FDA is reconsidering a decision on weight-loss drugs that has caused confusion among patients and pharmacies. Compound medicines are intended for individual problems, such as when a different dosage is required. While the process can be used to expand mass production when there are shortages, it is not well suited to solving access and pricing problems.
- In abortion news, a comprehensive study shows that abortions have increased since reunification Roe v. Wadeeven among women in states with strict restrictions – and these states have higher infant mortality rates, according to separate research. And it is attempting to re-litigate the challenge to FDA approval of mifepristone in a Texas court. The final challenge failed because the Supreme Court found that the plaintiffs lacked standing.
Also this week, Rovner interviews Tricia Neuman, KFF senior vice president and executive director of the Medicare Policy Program, about Medicare open enrollment and changes to the 2025 program.
As an “extra credit,” panelists also suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too:
Julie Rovner: “Crisis Pregnancy Center forms provide rare insight into anti-abortion practices” by Abigail Brooks of NBC News.
Sarah Karlin Smith: Vanity Fair’s “Inside the Bungled Bird Flu Response, Where Profits Collide With Public Health,” by Katherine Eban.
Rachel Cohrs Zhang: The Atlantic: “The Perverse Consequences of Tuition-Free Medical School,” by Rose Horowitch.
Victoria Ritter: NPR’s “Why Catholic Bishops Are Donating Less This Year Against Abortion Rights Measures,” by Rosemary Westwood and Jack Jenkins.
Also mentioned in this week’s podcast:
Credits
- Francis Ying audio producer
- Emmarie Hütteman Editor
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This article was reprinted from khn.org, a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism on health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF – the independent source for health policy research, polling and journalism.
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