�Թϲ�����

The Host

Julie Rovner

�Թϲ�����

Read Julie's stories.

Julie Rovner is chief Washington correspondent and host of �Թϲ�����’ 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.

Affordability is top of mind for most voters this fall, and the high cost of healthcare is near the top of affordability complaints. And the news keeps getting worse: All indications are that insurance premiums will go up and benefits will go down in 2027.

Meanwhile, a U.S. appeals court this week heard arguments in a case that could severely limit the availability of the abortion pill mifepristone, not just in states with abortion bans but also in those where abortion is still legal.

This week’s panelists are Julie Rovner of �Թϲ�����, Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico Magazine, Sandhya Raman of Bloomberg Law, and Amanda Seitz of �Թϲ�����.

Panelists

Joanne Kenen

Johns Hopkins University and Politico

Sandhya Raman

Bloomberg Law

Amanda Seitz

�Թϲ�����

aseitz@kff.org

Read Amanda's stories.

Among the takeaways from this week’s episode:

• Inflation, rising rates of uninsured Americans, as well as industry consolidation are contributing to some of the steepest increases in healthcare costs since the early 2000s. Frustrations back then built momentum for passage of the Affordable Care Act. Today, they’re the backdrop for the midterm elections, though the GOP is focusing on fraud and most Democrats are campaigning on adjustments to existing programs such as the ACA and Medicaid.
• Several recent news stories have shed light on controversies at the intersection of health and politics. Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), a physician who could lead the Senate’s health committee next year, is facing scrutiny for suing hundreds of patients over unpaid medical debts, some of whom were arrested for missing court dates. Other stories document allegedly disparaging remarks by Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) to staff about meeting with representatives of a children’s hospital and, separately, a call by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) for Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be criminally investigated for allegedly lying to Congress.
• Meanwhile, a federal appeals court in Louisiana continues to consider a case challenging regulations on the abortion pill mifepristone as President Donald Trump’s latest nominee to lead the Food and Drug Administration awaits confirmation.
• And the fallout continues from two measles-related deaths in Pennsylvania, leaving Americans with further mixed signals about how to protect themselves and their children.

Also this week, Rovner interviews �Թϲ�����’ Lauren Sausser, who wrote the latest “Bill of the Month,” about when a preventive service isn’t preventive enough to qualify for zero-cost coverage. If you have a bill that’s baffling, infuriating, or indecipherable, you can share it with us here.

Email Sign-Up

Subscribe to �Թϲ�����' free Morning Briefing.

Your Email Address Sign Up

Plus, for “extra credit” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too: 

Julie Rovner: NBC News’ “,” by Mike Hixenbaugh.  

Sandhya Raman: Bloomberg Government’s “,” by Erin Durkin and Claire Hebert.  

Joanne Kenen: ProPublica’s “,” by Audrey Dutton.  

Amanda Seitz: �Թϲ�����’ “A NY Hospital Tried To Close Its Birthing Center. This City United To Fight Back,” by Noam N. Levey and Hannah Norman, and Stat’s “,” by Daniel Payne.  

Also mentioned in this week’s podcast:

• The Wall Street Journal’s “,” by Peter Loftus.
• The New York Times’ “,” by Sarah Kliff.
• The Wall Street Journal’s “,” by Will Hobson and Siobhan Hughes.
• The Guardian’s “,” by Michelle R Smith.
• Nature’s “,” by Max Kozlov.
• ProPublica’s “,” by Andrea Suozzo and Agnel Philip.

Click here to find all our podcasts.

And subscribe to “What the Health? From �Թϲ�����” on , , , , , or wherever you listen to podcasts.