Guest
The conventions are over and the general election campaign has officially begun. While reproductive health will undoubtedly play a key role in the race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, it is unclear what role other health issues will play.
Meanwhile, Medicare recently announced prices for the first 10 drugs selected under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, drawing attention to what has already been a major pocketbook issue for both Republicans and Democrats.
This week's panelists include Julie Rovner of KFF Health News, Joanne Koenen of Politico and the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing and Public Health, and Shefali Luthra of The 19yand Politico's Alice Miranda Allstein.
Here are some takeaways from this week's episode:
- The Democratic National Convention has put reproductive rights issues on the map like never before, with a parade of public officials and individuals recounting some of their most personal, painful memories of having to seek abortion care. But abortion rights activists remain concerned that Harris has not promised to move beyond codifying rights under the Roe v. Wadewhich they believe creates too many barriers to care.
- With reproductive rights taking center stage in her campaign, Harris has been less forthcoming about her other health policy plans so far. Her career has focused on fighting anticompetitive behavior by insurers and hospitals, as well as drug pricing.
- Will former President Donald Trump make Robert Kennedy Jr. his next health secretary? Even many Republicans would consider his elevation a step too far. Polls show Trump would benefit from Kennedy’s exit, but probably only slightly more than Harris.
- In other national health news, abortion access will be on the ballot in Arizona and Montana this fall, and the federal government recently announced the first drug prices locked in under the new Medicare drug price matching program.
Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News' Tony Leys, who was a reporter and contributor to the latest KFF Health News-NPR “Monthly account” part about a woman who fought back after being accused of having two surgeries when she only had one. Do you have a confusing or outrageous medical bill you want to share? Tell us about it!
Additionally, as “extra points,” panelists offer articles on health policy that they read this week that they think you should read, too:
Julie Rovner: The New York TimesHot summer threatens effectiveness of mail-order drugs“, Emily Baumgartner.
Joanne Kenen: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's “Who is Gus Waltz and what is nonverbal learning disorder?» Natalie Eilbert.
Alice Miranda Allstein: “The Wall Street Journal”The Fight Against DEI Programs Moves to Health Care“, Theo Francis and Melanie Evans.
Shefali Luthra: “Washington Post”Weight-loss drugs are a hot commodity. But not in low-income areas“, Ariana Eunjung Cha.
To listen to all our podcasts, Click here.
And subscribe to the KFF Health News channel “What kind of health is this?” Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pocket Castsor wherever you listen to podcasts.