The Host
Julie Rovner
KFF Health News
@jrovner
@julierovner.bsky.social
Read Julie’s stories.
Julie Rovner is chief Washington correspondent and host of KFF Health News’ weekly health policy news podcast, “What the Health?” A noted expert on health policy issues, Julie is the author of the critically praised reference book “Health Care Politics and Policy A to Z,” now in its third edition.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. completed his marathon tour of House and Senate committees this week to defend President Donald Trump’s proposed budget for his department, but he got grilled on lots of non-budget matters as well, most notably his proposed changes to the childhood vaccine schedule.
Meanwhile, Trump made some of his own health policy, signing an executive order to facilitate the use of hallucinogens to treat mental health conditions. That action came just days after it was suggested to him in a text message from podcaster/influencer Joe Rogan, who was present in the Oval Office for the signing.
This week’s panelists are Julie Rovner of KFF Health News, Victoria Knight of Bloomberg Government, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, and Sheryl Gay Stolberg of The New York Times.
Panelists
Victoria Knight
Bloomberg Government
@victoriaregisk
Alice Miranda Ollstein
Politico
@AliceOllstein
@alicemiranda.bsky.social
Read Alice’s stories.
Sheryl Gay Stolberg
The New York Times
@SherylNYT
Read Sheryl’s stories.
Among the takeaways from this week’s episode:
There were fewer fireworks than expected during Kennedy’s four-day, whirlwind tour of Capitol Hill. One thing that was clear is that Kennedy got the political memo that he is to watch his vaccine rhetoric and keep the focus on politically palatable topics such as chronic disease and healthy eating. Still, there were episodes of indignation and grandstanding, from the secretary and from lawmakers. Kennedy also sometimes struggled to defend administration proposals to cut funding.
Among members who pressed Kennedy on vaccines was Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who is facing a difficult primary challenge. Cassidy, a physician, has in the past clashed with Kennedy over vaccines and has been targeted by the Make America Healthy Again movement. In hearings, however, Cassidy led with questions on abortion issues, which fit more aptly into his red-state politics. Meanwhile, though Cassidy’s Senate seat is considered at risk, it’s not clear that the MAHA muscle on the ground is living up to the threat.