Julie Rovner is worried: Checking in with a veteran DC reporter.

Julie Rovner is worried: Checking in with a veteran DC reporter.

July 23, 2026 · 30 min · Season 15 · Episode 10

About this episode

Julie Rovner discusses the state of federal health programs and public health infrastructure a year after significant changes.

Last May, just a few months into the second Trump Administration, changes to federal health programs were happening at a bewildering pace. We brought in  KFF Heath News Chief Washington Correspondent Julie Rover to help give us — and you —  a big picture look at what some changes would mean .  A year-and-change later, we wanted to check back in. We talk about the “crumbling Jenga tower” of public health infrastructure, the fallout from cuts to Obamacare subsidies, and Medicaid, and what Julie sees happening in 2028 and beyond (including a whisper of hope.)  Plus, we get an update on Julie’s growing t-shirt collection and a new series she’s starting on her health policy news podcast  What the Health?   You can read a transcript of this episode here .  Want to dive deeper into those state Medicaid cuts we talked about? Julie did a whole episode of  What the Health? about them. Listen here.  Want weekly updates from the team, including some of our most practical advice for dealing with the outrageous cost of health care? Sign up for our newsletter, First Aid Kit .  Send your stories and questions…

People in this episode

Host: An Arm and a Leg

Guest: Julie Rovner

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Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: KFF Heath News, What the Health?, Obamacare, First Aid Kit

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