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KFF Health News’ ‘What the Health?’: The ACA Turns 14

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Thu, 21 Mar 2024 18:25:00 +0000

The Host

Julie Rovner
KFF Health News


@jrovner


Read Julie’s stories.

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.

The Affordable Care Act was signed into law 14 years ago this week, and Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra joined KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner on this week’s “What the Health?” podcast to discuss its accomplishments so far — and the challenges that remain for the health law.

Meanwhile, Congress appears on its way to, finally, finishing the fiscal 2024 spending bills, including funding for HHS — without many of the reproductive or gender-affirming health care restrictions Republicans had sought.

This week’s panelists are Julie Rovner of KFF Health News, Mary Agnes Carey of KFF Health News, Tami Luhby of CNN, and Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico.

Panelists

Mary Agnes Carey
KFF Health News


@maryagnescarey


Read Mary Agnes’ stories.

Tami Luhby
CNN


@Luhby


Read Tami’s stories.

Alice Miranda Ollstein
Politico


@AliceOllstein


Read Alice’s stories.

Among the takeaways from this week’s episode:

  • The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments next week in a case that could decide whether the abortion pill mifepristone will remain easily accessible. The case itself deals with national restrictions rather than an outright ban. But, depending on how the court rules, it could have far-reaching results — for instance, preventing people from getting the pills in the mail and limiting how far into pregnancy the treatment can be used.
  • The case is about more than abortion. Drug companies and medical groups are concerned about the precedent it would set for courts to substitute their judgment for that of the FDA regarding drug approvals.
  • Abortion-related ballot questions are in play in several states. The total number ultimately depends on the success of citizen-led efforts to collect signatures to gain a spot. Such efforts face opposition from anti-abortion groups and elected officials who don’t want the questions to reach the ballot box. Their fear, based on precedents, is that abortion protections tend to pass.
  • The Biden administration issued an executive order this week to improve research on women’s health across the federal government. It has multiple components, including provisions intended to increase research on illnesses and diseases associated with postmenopausal women. It also aims to increase the number of women participating in clinical trials.
  • This Week in Medical Misinformation: The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case Murthy v. Missouri. At issue is whether Biden administration officials overstepped their authority when asking companies like Meta, Google, and X to remove or downgrade content flagged as covid-19 misinformation.

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 “Arizona Lawmaker Tells Her Abortion Story to Show ‘Reality’ of Restrictions,” by Praveena Somasundaram. (Full speech here.)

Alice Miranda Ollstein: CNN’s “Why Your Doctor’s Office Is Spamming You With Appointment Reminders,” by Nathaniel Meyersohn.

Tami Luhby: KFF Health News’ “Georgia’s Medicaid Work Requirement Costing Taxpayers Millions Despite Low Enrollment,” by Andy Miller and Renuka Rayasam.

Mary Agnes Carey: The New York Times’ “When Medicaid Comes After the Family Home,” by Paula Span, and The AP’s “State Medicaid Offices Target Dead People’s Homes to Recoup Their Health Care Costs,” by Amanda Seitz.

Also mentioned on this week’s podcast:

Credits

Francis Ying
Audio producer

Stephanie Stapleton
Editor

To hear all our podcasts, click here.

And subscribe to KFF Health News’ “What the Health?” on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Title: KFF Health News’ ‘What the Health?’: The ACA Turns 14
Sourced From: kffhealthnews.org/news/podcast/what-the-health-339-obamacare-affordable-care-act-at-14-march-21-2024/
Published Date: Thu, 21 Mar 2024 18:25:00 +0000

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Kaiser Health News

As California Taps Pandemic Stockpile for Bird Flu, Officials Keep Close Eye on Spending

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kffhealthnews.org – Don Thompson – 2024-11-14 04:00:00

SUMMARY: California is using state and federal stockpiles to provide up to 10,000 farmworkers with safety gear as the state reports 21 human cases of bird flu. The state began distributing protective equipment in May and has confirmed bird flu at over 270 dairies. Drawing lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, California is improving emergency responses and maintaining a stockpile that includes millions of face masks. However, due to financial constraints, funding for disaster supplies has been cut, and some preparedness programs were reduced or eliminated. A ballot measure to increase pandemic preparedness funding failed after its key financial supporter was convicted.

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Kaiser Health News

After Congress Ended Extra Cash Aid for Families, Communities Tackle Child Poverty Alone

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kffhealthnews.org – Kate Wells, Michigan Public – 2024-11-14 04:00:00

SUMMARY: Dr. Mona Hanna, a pediatrician in Flint, Michigan, is championing the Rx Kids program, a pioneering cash aid initiative that provides $1,500 mid-pregnancy and $500 monthly for a child’s first year to Flint families. Since its January launch, nearly all babies born in Flint are enrolled, aiding parents with essential needs like diapers and food. While Rx Kids aims to reduce poverty and inspire lawmakers and donors, challenges remain for expansion in underserved regions like Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where substantial private funding is needed. Ongoing efforts seek to raise awareness and secure resources for this impactful program.

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Kaiser Health News

California Dengue Cases Prompt Swift Response From Public Health Officials

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kffhealthnews.org – Claudia Boyd-Barrett – 2024-11-12 04:00:00

SUMMARY: Jason Farned and his team at the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District have been preparing for dengue’s arrival, with the virus now detected in California. The spread of Aedes mosquitoes, capable of transmitting dengue, has been fueled by climate change and international trade. In 2023, California saw 13 locally acquired cases, prompting efforts like surveillance, pesticide applications, and public education. Authorities are also exploring techniques like sterile mosquito releases to reduce populations. Public cooperation is key, as Aedes mosquitoes are now established in 24 counties, and local outbreaks pose a growing threat to public health.

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