The Brian Lehrer Show Healthcare and the Federal Budget Bill
Jul 2, 2025
Julie Rovner, Chief Washington Correspondent for KFF Health News and host of What the Health?, dives deep into the ramifications of proposed federal budget bills on healthcare access. She discusses potential Medicaid cuts that could leave millions uninsured and the challenges posed by work requirements on vulnerable populations. The conversation also highlights state-level experiences, particularly from Arkansas, and examines the impact on programs like Medicare and the Affordable Care Act, stressing the risks of reversing healthcare advancements in the U.S.
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Millions Could Lose Insurance
- The reconciliation bill and expiration of enhanced ACA subsidies could result in 16-17 million Americans losing health insurance.
- The majority impacted include those gaining coverage through increased ACA marketplace subsidies since 2021.
AMA and Hospitals Oppose Bill
- The AMA publicly opposes the bill but lacks its former influence in U.S. healthcare policymaking.
- Hospitals oppose the bill due to unpaid care for uninsured patients and rural hospital closures risks.
Parliamentarian Shapes Medicaid Provisions
- Senate parliamentarian blocked bans on Medicaid for legal immigrants and funding bans for gender-affirming care but allowed a one-year Planned Parenthood Medicaid funding ban.
- These rulings show how strict budget rules influence which provisions survive in reconciliation bills.