Guest
Emmarie Huettman KFF Health News Emmarie Huettman, senior editor, oversees a team of Washington reporters as well as the “Bulletin of the Month” and “What the Health?” From KFF Health News.” She previously reported on the federal government for more than a decade and most recently covered surprise health care bills, drug pricing reform and other health care policy debates in Washington and on the campaign trail.
The longest federal government shutdown in history ended after a handful of Democrats in the House and Senate joined most Republicans in approving legislation that will fund the government through January. Despite Democratic demands, the package did not include an extension of the expanded tax breaks that help most Affordable Care Act enrollees afford their plans — meaning most people with ACA plans must pay much more toward their premiums next year.
And new details are emerging about the Trump administration's efforts to use Medicaid—for low-income and disabled people—to advance immigration and transgender health policy goals. And President Donald Trump announced deals with two major pharmaceutical companies aimed at expanding access to weight-loss drugs for some Americans.
This week's panelists include KFF Health News' Emmarie Huettman, Bloomberg News' Anna Edney, The 19th's Shefali Luthra and CQ Roll Call's Sandhya Raman.
Panelists
Anna Edney Bloomberg News
@annaedney.bsky.social
Read Anna's stories.
Shefali Luthra 19th
Read Shefali's stories.
Sandhya Raman CQ roll call
@sandhyawrites.bsky.social
Read Sandhya's stories.
Among the takeaways from this week's episode:
- While the shutdown agreement did not include an extension of expanded ACA subsidies, it did include a plan for a Senate vote by next month—on exactly what issue is unclear. Senate Republicans appear to be united around providing money through health savings accounts rather than subsidies, while House Republicans appear more divided. The clock is ticking; Existing credits expire on January 1 and open enrollment has begun.
- While the Trump administration will likely face trial over its efforts to use Medicaid to suppress health care for immigrants and transgender people, it has had a real chilling effect. Immigrants, for example, are refusing health care, and hospitals are cutting back on offering gender-affirming care to transgender people for fear of losing federal funding.
- Trump's recently announced GLP-1 pricing agreements could help Medicare beneficiaries afford weight-loss drugs, potentially opening up access to a new group of patients and customers. And a constant stream of policy changes, unexplained layoffs and bad news has led to concerns that the FDA's credibility is being undermined by internal drama. It is also questionable whether this interferes with the work of the department. Pharmaceutical companies are likely to agree, and some FDA officials are trying to combat those concerns.
- The core anti-abortion group is building on the current electoral moment, targeting key states and preparing to make significant political contributions ahead of next year's midterm elections. Abortion opponents see an opportunity to capitalize on changing voter motivations and reshape their positions to fit into a post-Trump GOP.
Also this week, KFF Health News' Julie Rovner interviewed KFF Health News' Julie Appleby, who wrote the latest “Bill of the month“, about a doctor who becomes a patient after a car accident sends her to the hospital—and owing $64,000. Do you have an outrageous medical bill? Tell us about it!
Also, as an “extra assessment,” the panelists offer stories about health care policy that they read this week that they think you should read, too:
Emmarie Hüttman: KFF health news”Immigrants with medical conditions may be denied visas under new Trump administration guidance“, Amanda Seitz.
Anna Edney: Bloomberg News”Bayer weighs exit from roundup as cancer bill approaches $18 billion» Tim Law, Haley Warren and Julia Janicki.
Shefali Luthra: 19th”Detransition is rare, but it stimulates anti-trans policies anyway“, Orion Rammler.
Sandhya Raman: BBC”Canada is losing its measles-free status, and the US is poised to follow suit“, Nadine Yousif.
Also mentioned in this week's episode:
- KFF”KFF Health Tracking Poll: Public weighs in on health care debate and government shutdown» Audrey Kearney, Alexa Montero, Mardet Mulugeta, Ashley Kirzinger and Liz Hamel.
- KFF health news”Trump Health Department Orders State Medicaid Programs to Help Find Undocumented Immigrants“, Phil Galewitz.
- NPR”Trump calls for national end to health care for transgender youth“, Selena Simmons-Duffin.
- Stat”FDA's top drug regulator resigns amid investigation» Lizzie Lawrence and Adam Feuerstein.
- Stat”Under Vinay Prasad, employees of a key FDA center are afraid to speak out openly and are looking for ways out» Lizzie Lawrence.
Loans
Francis In Audio Producer Stephanie Stapleton Editor
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