About this episode

The episode discusses the impact of budget cuts on health programs, drug pricing efforts by Republicans, and features an interview about the Ebola outbreak.

When Republicans passed their big budget bill in 2025, they thought the effects of cuts to health programs wouldn’t show up until after the 2026 midterms. They were wrong. Meanwhile, the party is trumpeting its efforts to lower drug prices. Lauren Weber of The Washington Post, Shefali Luthra of The 19th, and Maya Goldman of Axios join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News’ editor-at-large for public health, Céline Gounder, to discuss the Ebola outbreak. Visit our website for a transcript of this episode. Plus, for “extra credit” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too: Julie Rovner: ProPublica’s “ She Faced a Life-Threatening Miscarriage. Under Arkansas’ Abortion Ban, Even Calls to the Governor’s Office Didn’t Help ,” by Kavitha Surana. Lauren Weber: The New York Times’ “ Short Naps, Long Hours: How Autism Clinics Squeeze Medicaid Dollars Out of Preschoolers ,” by Sarah Kliff and Margot Sanger-Katz. Shefali Luthra: The New York Times’ “ Nine Months of Medical Attention. Then Almost Nothing ,” by Sejal Hathi. Maya Goldman: The Texas Tribune’s “…

People in this episode

Host: Julie Rovner

Guests: Lauren Weber, Shefali Luthra, Maya Goldman, Céline Gounder

Topics covered

• health coverage
• budget cuts
• drug prices
• Ebola outbreak
• health policy

Keywords

• health coverage
• budget cuts
• drug prices
• Ebola outbreak
• health policy
• Arkansas abortion ban
• autism clinics
• detransition clinic

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: KFF Health News, The Washington Post, The 19th, Axios, ProPublica, The New York Times, Texas Tribune

Places: Arkansas, Texas

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