Leading health correspondent Julie Rovner has weighed in on the highlighted issues in the upcoming general elections. Together with fellow panelists from KFF Health News, Politico, The 19th and John Hopkins University, she explores the role of health policies in the race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.
Reproductive Rights Take Centre Stage
The Democratic National Convention made it clear that reproductive rights have become a pivotal agenda. The narrative revolved around personal, heartfelt stories about the urgent need for abortion care. However, activists are casting shadows of doubt as Kamala Harris, despite advocating for reproductive rights, hasn’t shown commitments to extending rights beyond the Roe v. Wade ruling. Critics argue that the ruling still leaves room for numerous barriers to care.
Harris’s Views on Health Policies
Harris’s trajectory in the world of health policies has encompassed the fight against the anti-competitive behavior of insurance companies, hospitals, and in drug pricing. However, the vice president appears somewhat reserved when discussing her health policy strategies for the forthcoming elections.
Possible Trump-Kennedy Health Policy Alliance
A rumor is circulating, suggesting that Trump could appoint Robert Kennedy Jr. as his health secretary. Despite the popularity that Trump might gain from Kennedy’s exit from the presidential race, his rating would likely edge only slightly above Harris’s. In light of this, many Republicans consider partnering with Kennedy as crossing the line.
Arizona and Montana Highlight Abortion Access in Upcoming Ballot
As the elections approach, abortion access is claimed to be a significant issue in Arizona and Montana. Medicare is also under the spotlight following the announcement of the first drug prices under its new negotiation program. This program will hopefully provide a solution to the ongoing pocketbook issues for both Republicans and Democrats.
In an interview with KFF Health News’ Tony Leys, Julie shares a concerning story about a woman who was charged for two surgeries despite undergoing only one. This case illustrated the urgency to look into such matters related to medical bills to prevent further incidents.
Further Reading Recommendations
To remain updated on health policies, the panelists suggest some reads for the audience. Julie suggests an article by The New York Times discussing the effect of summer heat on mail-order medications. Joanne Kenen of Politico recommends an enlightening article from The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel about Non-Verbal Learning Disorder. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico recommends a Wall Street Journal piece about the fight against DEI programs. Finally, Shefali Luthra of The 19th suggests an article in The Washington Post that discusses the distribution of weight loss drugs in low-income neighborhoods.
Endnote
This election season promises to keep health policies at the forefront of debates. As voters, we need to stay informed about our candidate’s stance on these critical issues. To listen to more detailed discussions, you can subscribe to Julie’s podcast: KFF Health News’ “What the Health?” on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts, or your favorite podcast platform.