Kaiser Health News
KFF Health News’ ‘What the Health?’: Countdown to Shutdown
Thu, 21 Sep 2023 17:30:00 +0000
The Host
Julie Rovner is chief Washington correspondent and host of KFF Health News’ weekly health policy news podcast, “What the Health?” A noted expert on health policy issues, Julie is the author of the critically praised reference book “Health Care Politics and Policy A to Z,” now in its third edition.
Health and other federal programs are at risk of shutting down, at least temporarily, as Congress races toward the Oct. 1 start of the fiscal year without having passed any of its 12 annual appropriations bills. A small band of conservative House Republicans are refusing to approve spending bills unless domestic spending is cut beyond levels agreed to in May.
Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump roils the GOP presidential primary field by vowing to please both sides in the divisive abortion debate.
This week’s panelists are Julie Rovner of KFF Health News, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Rachel Cohrs of Stat News, and Tami Luhby of CNN.
Panelists
Alice Miranda Ollstein
Politico
Rachel Cohrs
Stat News
Tami Luhby
CNN
Among the takeaways from this week’s episode:
- The odds of a government shutdown over spending levels are rising. While entitlement programs like Medicare would be largely spared, past shutdowns have shown that closing the federal government hobbles things Americans rely on, like food safety inspections and air travel.
- In Congress, the discord isn’t limited to spending bills. A House bill to increase price transparency in health care melted down before a vote this week, demonstrating again how hard it is to take on the hospital industry. Legislation on how pharmacy benefit managers operate is also in disarray, though its projected government savings means it could resurface as part of a spending deal before the end of the year.
- On the Senate side, legislation intended to strengthen primary care is teetering under Bernie Sanders’ stewardship โ in large part over questions about how to pay for it. Also, this week Democrats broke Alabama Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s abortion-related blockade of military promotions (kind of), going around him procedurally to confirm the new chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
- And some Republicans are breaking with abortion opponents and mobilizing in support of legislation to renew the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief โ including the former president who spearheaded the program, George W. Bush. Meanwhile, polling shows President Joe Biden is struggling to claim credit for the new Medicare drug negotiation program.
- And speaking of past presidents, former President Donald Trump gave NBC an interview over the weekend in which he offered a muddled stance on abortion. Vowing to settle the long, inflamed debate over the procedure โ among other things โ Trump’s comments were strikingly general election-focused for someone who has yet to win his party’s nomination.
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 “Inside the Gold Rush to Sell Cheaper Imitations of Ozempic,” by Daniel Gilbert.
Alice Miranda Ollstein: Politico’s “The Anti-Vaccine Movement Is on the Rise. The White House Is at a Loss Over What to Do About It,” by Adam Cancryn.
Rachel Cohrs: KFF Health News’ “Save Billions or Stick With Humira? Drug Brokers Steer Americans to the Costly Choice,” by Arthur Allen.
Tami Luhby: CNN’s “Supply and Insurance Issues Snarl Fall Covid-19 Vaccine Campaign for Some,” by Brenda Goodman.
Also mentioned in this week’s episode:
- The AP’s “Biden’s Medicare Price Negotiation Is Broadly Popular. But He’s Not Getting Much Credit,” by Seung Min Kim and Linley Sanders.
- Roll Call’s “Sanders, Marshall Reach Deal on Health Programs, but Challenges Remain,” by Jessie Hellmann and Lauren Clason.
Credits
Francis Ying
Audio producer
Emmarie Huetteman
Editor
To hear all our podcasts,ย click here.
And subscribe to KFF Health News’ “What the Health?” onย Spotify,ย Apple Podcasts,ย Pocket Casts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Title: KFF Health News’ ‘What the Health?’: Countdown to Shutdown
Sourced From: kffhealthnews.org/news/podcast/what-the-health-315-countdown-to-shutdown-september-21-2023/
Published Date: Thu, 21 Sep 2023 17:30:00 +0000
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Kaiser Health News
For People With Opioid Addiction, Medicaid โUnwindingโ Raises the Stakes
SUMMARY: Stephanie, a Florida resident recovering from opioid addiction, faced a crisis when she lost her Medicaid coverage during the state‘s eligibility reevaluation after COVID-19 protections ended. Her treatment with methadone, crucial for managing cravings, became financially burdensome. Reports indicate over 1.9 million Floridians lost Medicaid, jeopardizing addiction treatment access. Experts stress that interruptions in care increase overdose risks. Nonprofits like Operation PAR are struggling to assist uninsured patients amid rising demand. While some individuals regained coverage, many face ongoing challenges, emphasizing the need for stable funding sources to ensure continued access to lifesaving medications for those in recovery.
The post For People With Opioid Addiction, Medicaid โUnwinding’ Raises the Stakes appeared first on kffhealthnews.org
Kaiser Health News
Toddlerโs Backyard Snakebite Bills Totaled More Than a Quarter Million Dollars
SUMMARY: Two-year-old Brigland Pfeffer was bitten by a rattlesnake in his backyard in San Diego shortly after his birthday. His mother rushed him to the hospital, where medical staff faced challenges administering antivenom due to difficulties finding a vein. Eventually, an alternative method delivered the antivenom, stabilizing Brigland. His treatment cost $297,461, primarily for 30 vials of antivenom. Despite insurance negotiation, the family faced significant out-of-pocket costs. Brigland’s injuries included nerve damage, but he has since healed. Following the incident, the family installed snake fencing to enhance safety in their yard.
The post Toddler’s Backyard Snakebite Bills Totaled More Than a Quarter Million Dollars appeared first on kffhealthnews.org
Kaiser Health News
JD Vance Fact Check: Illegal Immigration Isn’t Causing Rural Hospital Closures
SUMMARY: VP nominee JD Vance claimed that providing care for undocumented immigrants is bankrupting hospitals and causing closures. However, fact-checking reveals that while undocumented populations may be more likely to be uninsured, their presence does not directly result in hospitals failing financially. Many states offer coverage for these individuals, and factors like low Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates, decreased patient volumes, and prolonged financial decline significantly contribute to rural hospital closures. Therefore, Vance’s assertion that care for unauthorized immigrants is the primary reason for hospital bankruptcies is misleading. The claim has been rated false.
Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) said providing care for immigrants without legal status was โbankruptingโ rural hospitals and forcing them to close.
Although that population is more likely to be uninsured, living in the country illegally does not mean people lack the ability to pay for health care โ especially if they live in states that offer them insurance coverage.
Research shows many factors contribute to rural hospital closures โ not solely financial losses from providing care for those without insurance, whether those people are migrants in the country illegally or U.S. citizens.
KFF Health News and @politifact rate Vance’s statement False.
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