logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2025
41m 51s

The Dismantling of HHS

KFF Health News
About this episode

A week after the announcement of the reorganization and staff cuts ordered by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the scope of the reductions is only starting to crystallize. Across such agencies as the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and FDA, entire divisions have been wiped out, and it is unclear who will be left to enforce hundreds of laws and regulate millions of products. Meanwhile, legislators in a growing number of states are introducing abortion bans that would punish women as well as abortion providers.


Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call, and Victoria Knight of Axios join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss this enormous breaking story and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Georgetown Law School professor Stephen Vladeck about the limits of presidential power.  


Visit our website for a transcript of this episode.


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

 

Julie Rovner: The New York Times’ “Why the Right Still Embraces Ivermectin,” by Richard Fausset.  

Victoria Knight: Wired’s “Dr. Oz Pushed for AI Health Care in First Medicare Agency Town Hall,” by Leah Feiger and Steven Levy.  

Alice Miranda Ollstein: The Guardian’s “‘We Are Failing’: Doctors and Students in the US Look to Mexico for Basic Abortion Training,” by Carter Sherman.  

Sandhya Raman: CQ Roll Call’s “In Sweden, a Focus on Smokeless Tobacco,” by Sandhya Raman. 





Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Yesterday
Starting To Feel the Shutdown’s Bite
The government shutdown continues with no obvious end in sight, and while it theoretically should not affect entitlement programs like Medicare and Medicaid, the lapse of some related authorizations — like for Medicare telehealth programs — is leaving some doctors and patients hi ... Show More
40m 54s
Oct 2
Democrats Make This Shutdown About the ACA
As long predicted, much of the federal government shut down Oct. 1 after Congress failed to pass required spending bills, with Democrats demanding Republicans renew the expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies in exchange for votes. While a shutdown does not affect Medicare and Med ... Show More
35m 59s
Sep 25
Public Health Further Politicized Under the Threat of More Firings
In a rambling news conference that shocked public health experts, President Donald Trump this week — without scientific evidence — blamed the over-the-counter drug acetaminophen, and too many childhood vaccines, for the increase in autism diagnoses in the U.S. That came days afte ... Show More
40m 1s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2023
SpaceX Explosion; Biden’s In For 2024; Baldwin Charges Dropped – Mo News Rundown
This Week’s Sponsors: – Athletic Greens  – AG1 Powder + 1 year of free Vitamin D & 5 free travel packs Headlines: – SpaceX Starship Rocket Launch Lifts Off But Explodes (02:25)– He’s In! President Biden Reportedly Announcing Reelection Bid Next Week (05:50)– Chris Christie Mullin ... Show More
37m 36s
Aug 2022
Trump FLUSHES the GOP down the toilet as Pro-Democracy RISES
On today’s MeidasTouch Podcast, Ben and Brett are in Washington, D.C. to bring you the latest breaking updates! After a recap of Jordy’s wedding, Ben and Brett discuss the historic passage of the Inflation Reduction Act passed by the Democrats, and the Republicans’ sticking it on ... Show More
55m 48s
Sep 2024
The Fight Over Biden’s Regulatory Agenda
P.M. Edition for Sept. 4. The battle over President Biden’s regulatory push is in full pitch. Wall Street Journal reporter Dylan Tokar says it will be a while before a winner comes out on top. And reporter Emily Glazer explains why AI risks are keeping corporate board members up ... Show More
13m 49s
May 2023
CNN Defends Its Decision To Host Trump Town Hall– Mo News Rundown
**Mo News Premium For Extra Content, Private Podcast: Code: MONEWSPOD for free month (Click To Join)** This Week’s Sponsors: – Athletic Greens – AG1 Powder + 1 year of free Vitamin D & 5 free travel packs Headlines: – CNN Chairman Defends Decision to Host Trump Town Hall (02:00)– ... Show More
36m 32s
Oct 2024
President Biden Tasked Kamala Harris With Immigration. How Did She Do?
P.M. Edition for Oct. 14. WSJ immigration reporter Michelle Hackman on Kamala Harris’s role in President Biden’s border plan. And the Journal’s Justin Lahart discusses the U.S. economy under former President Trump and President Biden. Plus, WSJ reporter Sean McLain explains why u ... Show More
13m 43s
Jul 1
Trump’s Tax and Spending Megabill Goes to House Ahead of July 4 Deadline
P.M. Edition for July 1. After an all-night session of dealmaking, Senate Republicans pushed through the bill, which addresses many of President Trump’s priorities. Now, as WSJ tax policy reporter Richard Rubin tells us, the bill heads to the House, where GOP leaders will have to ... Show More
13m 45s
Jan 2025
How America went MAHA
RFK Jr. adviser Calley Means explains why so many Americans are suspicious of food and pharma companies, and what the HHS secretary nominee plans to do about it if he's confirmed.This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard and Av ... Show More
25m 9s
Sep 16
Maddow: For a would-be strongman, Trump is profoundly weak
Rachel Maddow points out that Donald Trump is following the "strongman" playbook so closely, and with such a lack of originality, that his behavior in his second term has become entirely predictable. And yet, for all of his aspirations to be a strongman, his leadership suffers fr ... Show More
43m 27s
Sep 23
Trump, Tylenol and Autism
During a televised news conference on Monday night, President Trump repeatedly gave out unproven medical advice that linked autism to Tylenol and childhood vaccines.Azeen Ghorayshi, a science reporter for The New York Times, explains what Mr. Trump said and what decades of scient ... Show More
27m 37s