the host
Julie Rovner KFF Health News @jrovner
Julie Rovner is chief Washington correspondent and host of KFF Health News' weekly health policy news podcast, “What the Health?” She is a renowned expert on health policy issues. Julie is the author of her critically acclaimed reference book, Health Politics and Policy A to Z, now in its third edition.
First abortion case since the ruling was overturned Roe vs. Wade In 2022, it seemed unlikely that the Supreme Court would uphold an appeals court ruling this week that significantly restricted access to the abortion drug mifepristone. But the court has already scheduled another abortion-related case for April, and abortion opponents have several more challenges in mind as they seek to limit the procedure in states where abortion remains legal. I'm leaving it there.
Meanwhile, Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, have continued to take aim at popular health care programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act during the campaign, claiming they have an advantage on the issue. This is very gratifying for the Democratic Party, which feels this way.
This week's panelists are Julie Rovner of KFF Health News, Alice Miranda Olstein of Politico, Sarah Carlin Smith of The Pink Sheets, and Lauren Webber of The Washington Post.
panelists
sarah carlin smith pink sheet @Sarah Carlin
Alice Miranda Olstein Politico @AliceOllstein
Lauren Webber Washington Post @LaurenWeber
Here are our takeaways from this week's episode.
- At least two conservative Supreme Court justices joined three more progressive justices in Tuesday's oral arguments to express skepticism about the challenge to the abortion drug mifepristone. Their questions primarily focused on whether the doctors who objected to the drug demonstrated that they were being harmed by its availability, and whether the best treatment would reduce everyone else's access to the drug. The focus was on whether to limit it broadly.
- A ruling in favor of the doctors who challenged mifepristone could make the drug less safe and effective. In particular, certain FDA decisions are subject to dose reversals and switching to the use of only the second drug in current two-drug abortifacient regimens. The risk of complications is also slightly increased.
- Two conservative justices also raised the applicability of the Comstock Act, a long-dormant 19th century law that restricted the distribution of abortion-related items by mail. Their questions are noteworthy as Trump's advisers seek to reinstate the non-enforcement law if he wins this November.
- Meanwhile, as President Trump once again debates implementing a national abortion ban, Democratic lawmakers in Alabama have flipped a state legislative seat on abortion-related issues. The issue continues to be a thorn in the side of Republicans.
- While Republicans seek to avoid pursuing health care issues, the Heritage Foundation and a group of House Republicans are proposing a plan that includes changes to the health care system. Will this plan further energize their base, or the Democratic base?
- Medical Misinformation of the Week: TikTok's algorithm is increasing misleading information about hormonal birth control and, in some cases, increasing unintended pregnancies.
Also this week, Rovner interviews Tony Reese of KFF Health News, who wrote the “Bill of the Month” feature for KFF Health News and NPR, about Medicare and very expensive ambulance rides. If you would like to share your mysterious or exorbitant medical bills with us, you can do so here.
Plus, for “extra credit,” panelists will suggest health policy articles they read this week that they think you should read, too.
Julie Rovner: “Chemotherapy Overdose: Common Genetic Testing Could Save Hundreds of Lives Every Year” in KFF Health News, by Arthur Allen.
Alice Miranda Olstein: “Fetal tissue research becomes more important as disabilities increase,” in Stat, by Olivia Goldhill.
Sarah Carlin Smith: “The confusing and stressful ordeal of flying with a breast pump” by Hannah Sampson and Ben Brash of The Washington Post.
Lauren Weber: “Deadly fires from cell phone and scooter batteries leave lawmakers scrambling to ensure safety,'' by Robbie Sequeira, Stateline.
Also mentioned in this week's podcast:
credit
- Frances Ying Audio Producer
- Emmarie Hüttemann Editor
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