host
Julie Rovner KFF Health News
@julierovner.bsky.social
Read Julie’s story. Julie Rovner is a Washington correspondent and host of KFF Health News’ weekly health policy news podcast, “What the Health?” A renowned expert on health policy issues, Julie is the author of the critically acclaimed reference book “Health Care Politics and Policy A to Z” (now in its third edition).
Open enrollment for Affordable Care Act of 2026 insurance plans will begin in most states on November 1, but there is no resolution from Congress on whether to continue the more generous premium tax credits expanded under President Joe Biden or let them expire at the end of the year. It’s unclear whether Democrats or Republicans will back away from their entrenched stance on shutting down most of the federal government due to a backlash from millions of subscribers who have seen their premiums soar.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration, which earlier this year repealed Biden-era regulations that prevented medical debt from being included on consumers’ credit reports, is now telling states that they cannot pass their own laws banning the practice.
This week’s panelists are Julie Rovner of KFF Health News, Paige Winfield Cunningham of The Washington Post, Maya Goldman of Axios, and Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico.
panelist
Paige Winfield Cunningham Washington Post
Read the story on the page.
Maya Goldman Axios
@maya-goldman.bsky.social
Read Maya’s Story
Alice Miranda All-Star Politico
@alicemiranda.bsky.social
Read Alice’s story.
Here’s what this week’s episode is about:
- Tens of millions of Americans are bracing to lose government food assistance on November 1 after the Trump administration decided not to continue funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program during the shutdown. President Donald Trump and top officials have made no secret of their efforts to punish government programs seen as Democratic priorities to exert political pressure as the deadlock continues on Capitol Hill.
- People starting to purchase next year’s plans on the ACA marketplace are experiencing sticker shock as more generous premium tax credits expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic expire. The federal government will also take a special hit because it covers the increased costs of low-income customers who will continue to receive assistance regardless of the congressional agreement.
- The Trump administration is working to block states from passing their own protections after repealing a Biden-era rule blocking medical debt from credit reports, according to state news. In Florida, doctors who support vaccine efforts have remained silent, and the state’s surgeon general said he did not model the consequences of ending childhood vaccination mandates before moving forward with the policy. It’s a dangerous proposition, with public health experts warning the recent measles outbreak is a canary in the coal mine for vaccine-preventable diseases.
- And the Texas attorney general, a Republican running for U.S. Senate, sued the manufacturer of Tylenol, claiming the company was trying to avoid responsibility for its unproven link to autism. The lawsuit is the latest to challenge Tylenol, which alleges is shaking up recent claims that the over-the-counter painkiller is the only painkiller recommended for pregnant women to reduce potentially dangerous fevers and relieve pain.
And for “extra credit,” panelists suggest which health policy articles they’ve read this week that they think you should also read.
Julie Rovner: “Many fear federal borrowing limits will deter aspiring physicians and worsen MD shortage” by Bernard J. Wolfson, from KFF Health News.
Alice Miranda Allstein: ProPublica’s “VA cites Trump order on ‘biological truth’ to make coverage more difficult for male breast cancer veterans.,” by Eric Umansky.
Paige Winfield Cunningham: The Washington Post’s “Study finds mRNA coronavirus vaccine extends lifespan in cancer patients,” by Mark Johnson.
Maya Goldman: “As sports betting explodes, states are trying to set limits to curb gambling addiction,” Karen Brown, New England Public Media, KFF Health News.
Here’s what was also mentioned in this week’s podcast:
credits
Francis Ying Audio Producer Emmarie Huetteman Editor
Click here to find all our podcasts.
And subscribe to “What the Health? From KFF Health News.” Apple Podcasts, Spotify, youtube, pocket castOr listen to the podcast wherever you are.
We encourage organizations to republish our content for free. Here’s what we’re asking:
You must credit us as the original publisher with a hyperlink to the kffhealthnews.org site. If possible, please include the original author and ‘KFF Health News’ in the author name. Please preserve hyperlinks within the article.
It is important to remember that not all content on kffhealthnews.org may be republished. If a story is labeled ‘All Rights Reserved’, we cannot give you permission to republish it.
Do you have any questions? please let us know KHNHelp@kff.org
