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Artwork for What the Health? From KFF Health News

What the Health? From KFF Health News

KFF Health News
Affordable Care Act
Medicaid
Medicare
Public Health
Abortion Rights
Trump Administration
Congress
Abortion
Supreme Court
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Health Insurance
FDA
Mifepristone
Covid-19
Health Policy
Donald Trump
Reproductive Health
Health Care Policy
HHS
Department Of Health and Human Services

Join Julie Rovner, chief Washington correspondent for KFF Health News, along with top health policy reporters from The New York Times, The Washington Post, Politico and other media outlets to discuss the latest news and explain what the health is going on here in Washington, D.C.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes452Founded9 years ago
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Artwork for What the Health? From KFF Health News

Latest Episodes

In just the first few days after losing his bid for reelection in Louisiana, Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy has already started signaling that his loyalty to President Donald Trump has waned. But how much... more

In one of the most widely expected departures in recent memory, Marty Makary stepped down as head of the FDA this week. 

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is considering blocking telehealth prescriptions for the abortion pill mifepristone. 

Lauren Weber... more

YouTube

A federal court’s decision to override the FDA and restrict availability of the abortion pill mifepristone has launched abortion back into the national spotlight. It’s also raised new questions about the job security of FDA Commissioner Marty Makary.... more

YouTube

Democrats and Republicans on one of the House committees that oversees the Medicare program had strong words about high hospital pricing at a hearing on Capitol Hill this week, but it remains unclear whether the reality will match their rhetoric when... more

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Recent Guests

Miranda Yaver
Assistant Professor of Health Policy and Management at the University of Pittsburgh and author
University of Pittsburgh
Episode: Sen. Cassidy Unleashed
Tammy Baldwin
United States Senator, Democrat of Wisconsin
U.S. Senate
Episode: In Search of a New FDA Commissioner
Andrew Jones
KFF Health News reporter who writes the Bill of the Month segment
KFF Health News
Episode: Abortion Pill Politics
David Blumenthal
Physician, health policy expert, author, and former Obama administration official
Health Policy Research Organization / The Commonwealth Fund
Episode: RFK Jr. vs. Congress
Michelle Canero
Immigration attorney from Miami
Board of Immigrants List
Episode: A New CDC Nominee, Again
Maia Goldman
Reporter for Axios
Axios
Episode: Abortion Pills, the Budget, and RFK Jr.
Elisabeth Rosenthal
KFF Health News journalist who contributed an interview segment
KFF Health News
Episode: GOP Mulls More Health Cuts
Katie Keith
Founding director of the Center for Health Policy and the Law at Georgetown University Law Center; contributing editor at Health Affairs
Georgetown University Law Center / Health Affairs
Episode: A Headless CDC
Drew Altman
President and CEO of KFF
KFF Health News
Episode: RFK Jr.’s Vaccine Schedule Changes Blocked — For Now

Hosts

Julie Rovner
Chief Washington Correspondent for KFF Health News; longtime health policy journalist and host
Mary Agnes
Sitting in for host; affiliated with KFF Health News

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 637 ratings
  • Excellent podcast

    This is a good podcast especially in the current situation we find ourselves in. It is thought provoking and makes me want to do additional reading.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    grngrl55
    United Statesa month ago
  • Excellent!

    This podcast is perfect length, perfect depth, perfect content, and the hosts stay on task. Can’t recommend enough for anyone in medicine and/or public health

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Leigh-Lew
    United States3 months ago
  • Smug, oblivious, and incurious

    Typical legacy media outlet gaslighting people about what’s really in their best interest. Captured by big pharma, love to belittle thoughtful educated advocates for children as “anti-vaxxer”. 🤮

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    dancrash81
    United States6 months ago
  • Smart and accessible

    This podcast keeps me up to speed on health policy happenings in a really accessible way. Really admire Julie and the reporters she has on!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Accessible and informative
    United States6 months ago
  • Excellent Source of Reliable Information

    I’ve been a Board Certified Pediatrician for 34 years and care deeply about our children’s healthcare. I love this podcast. They do a wonderful job of covering both the politics of healthcare and health issues. They are accurate and reliable even while sharing their perspectives.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DrDK2
    United States8 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners criticize perceived editorial slant or partisan framing in certain episodes.
Audience notes the pairing of journalists and policy experts as a strength for understanding complex issues.
A subset expresses concern about coverage gaps on marginalized communities or controversial topics.
Many find it a reliable, nonpartisan source for health policy news.
Listeners praise accessible, policy-forward analysis and depth of reporting.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

In Search of a New FDA Commissioner
Q: That bipartisan support for the 988 Suicide Prevention Hotline seems like a bright spot in health policy; how satisfying has it been, and can that model be replicated for other issues?
Senator Baldwin frames 988 as a vindication of bipartisan collaboration, noting the measurable reduction in youth suicides and its potential to inform broader mental health strategies, while acknowledging ongoing concerns about sustaining and expanding the program, including LGBTQ+ specific provisions.
A New CDC Nominee, Again
Q: How does the MAHA coalition influence health policy and budget debates in Congress?
MAHA is portrayed as a key political constituency that pressures the administration to address health policy priorities, including food policy and environmental rules, while also pushing back when policies are perceived as too aggressive or misaligned with broader public health goals.
A New CDC Nominee, Again
Q: What does the selection of a CDC leader say about the administration's vaccine policy and public-health messaging?
The choice is framed as balancing vaccine support with political viability, aiming to secure Senate confirmation while signaling a commitment to public health and minority representation, but it remains a subject of intense scrutiny from MAHA supporters and opponents alike.
RFK Jr.’s Vaccine Schedule Changes Blocked — For Now
Q: What signs indicate time is right for another major health care debate?
Drew Altman explains that health care has become both a hot issue and a voting issue due to high costs and ongoing volatility, making incremental changes more likely than sweeping reforms.
RFK Jr.'s Very Bad Week
Q: What is the basic structure of Medicaid fraud enforcement across federal and state levels?
Medicaid fraud enforcement is shared: states handle day-to-day administration and initial investigations, while the federal side (CMS, FBI, and HHS OIG) can step in for broader scope or cross-state issues, with prosecutions pursued when warranted.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About What the Health? From KFF Health News

What is What the Health? From KFF Health News about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show positions itself as a practical, policy-forward briefing on U.S. health policy and politics, with in-depth conversations that connect federal debates to real-world impact. Episodes frequently cover Congress, Medicare, Medicaid, the ACA, vaccine policy, and public health funding, often featuring senior researchers, journalists, and policy experts who illuminate how Washington decisions shape care, costs, and access. A notable strength is the panel-style format that blends historical context with current developments, plus occasional expert interviews that bring insider perspectives. Listeners who want clear explanations of health policy dynamics, plus timely updates on legislative and regulatory shifts, are likely to find it highly... more

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1. Tradeoffs
2. An Arm and a Leg
3. Public Health On Call
4. Up First from NPR
5. The Daily

How many episodes of What the Health? From KFF Health News are there?

What the Health? From KFF Health News launched 9 years ago and published 452 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on What the Health? From KFF Health News?

Recent guests on What the Health? From KFF Health News include:

1. Miranda Yaver
2. Tammy Baldwin
3. Andrew Jones
4. David Blumenthal
5. Michelle Canero
6. Maia Goldman
7. Elisabeth Rosenthal
8. Katie Keith

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