The Host
Recently, Vice President Kamala Harris introduced a ground-breaking plan for Medicare to cover in-home long-term care services, an initiative aimed at addressing the needs of families juggling care for young children and elderly relatives. However, the significant costs associated with such a program have historically hindered its implementation.
In other news, President Joe Biden pointedly criticized former President Donald Trump for spreading misinformation about hurricane relief efforts following hurricanes Helene and Milton, highlighting how falsehoods can impact public health, even according to some Republican officials.
This week’s expert panel includes Julie Rovner of KFF Health News, Shefali Luthra of The 19th, Jessie Hellmann of CQ Roll Call, and Joanne Kenen from the Johns Hopkins schools of public health and nursing, as well as Politico.
Key insights from this week’s episode:
- Vice President Kamala Harris’ proposal to expand Medicare to include more long-term care services has garnered public support but faces challenges due to past high costs.
- Former President Donald Trump has shifted his stance on a drug pricing policy that would align U.S. drug prices with those in other industrialized nations, a move strongly opposed by the pharmaceutical industry.
- Abortion remains a prominent health policy issue in 2024, with Republican candidates navigating their positions on abortion bans and reproductive rights, creating a branding dilemma for the GOP.
- The Supreme Court’s recent decisions not to hear abortion-related cases involving Texas’ abortion ban and legal rights of embryos reflect ongoing legal battles in the realm of reproductive rights.
- The 2024 KFF annual employer health benefits survey revealed a rise in premiums and highlighted the absence of coverage for expensive medical treatments in employer-sponsored plans.
Additionally, insight from a KFF lunch with Mark Cuban, known for his role on “Shark Tank” and advocacy for affordable generic drugs, offers valuable perspectives on healthcare discussions.
For additional recommendations, our panelists suggest compelling health policy articles they’ve read:
Julie Rovner: “A Boy’s Bicycling Death Haunts a Black Neighborhood. 35 Years Later, There’s Still No Sidewalk” by Renuka Rayasam and Fred Clasen-Kelly from KFF Health News.
Shefali Luthra: “Arizona’s Ballot Measure Could Shift the Narrative on Latinas and Abortion” by Mel Leonor Barclay from The 19th.
Jessie Hellmann: “Helene Left Some NC Elder-Care Homes Without Power” by Carli Brosseau from The Assembly.
Joanne Kenen: “Her Face Was Unrecognizable After an Explosion. A Placenta Restored It” by Kate Morgan from The New York Times.
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