What happens when politics completely takes the wheel of public health? Let’s look at Tennessee, where highly concentrated doses of Ivermectin isn’t just junk science for treating COVID anymore! It’s being sold over the counter as a miracle cure for stage 4 cancer. And to make matters worse, the state has a gut-wrenching new policy targeting critically ill undocumented children, forcing families to choose between medicine and deportation.
Meanwhile, Washington is preparing for a systemic overhaul. We dissect a massive, 412-page proposal from the Trump administration that aims to strip away the scientific merit system for federal grants, giving political appointees the ultimate say over what medical research gets funded. With over 5 million Americans losing coverage in the last year and costs soaring, we look at the new data proving why healthcare affordability is set to completely dominate the midterm elections.
Plus, we talk to Charles Gaba, the "data nerd" and founder of ACASignups.net. He gives us an overview of the state of American healthcare system. He explains how the "death by a thousand cuts" policy changes are quietly shifting costs onto families, forcing everyday Americans to navigate spiking premiums and higher deductibles
LINKS:
KFF Health News: Tennessee Pharmacies Sell Potent Ivermectin, Led by Anti-Vaccine Doctor Who’s Taken ‘Bucketloads’
ABC News: Some cancer patients turn to ivermectin despite lack of evidence it works for that purpose
The Washington Post: Tennessee to restrict medical aid for critically ill undocumented children
AXIOS: Axios-Ipsos poll: Health affordability is shaping the midterms
Protect Our Care report: Over Five Million Americans Lost Coverage In the Year Following TrumpGOP Health Care Cuts
AP: How many Americans can afford high-quality healthcare? A new poll finds the number has fallen
The Seattle Times: New federal rules threaten to obstruct scientific research
Defend Public Health’s OMB Rule Background Document is HERE
Elizabeth Ginexi: Summary of Key Changes in OMB’s Proposed Federal Financial Assistance Rule
Elizabeth Ginexi: What We Need to do NEXT: OMB’s Proposed Federal Financial Assistance Rule (OMB-2026-0034)
Elizabeth Ginexi: This new OMB Rule Is Bigger Than Science. Much Bigger.
Submit Public Comment: Don’t Politicize Grant-Making & Health Care Dollars
Health Affairs: HHS Finalizes Sweeping Marketplace Changes (Part 2): OBBBA Implementation, Eligibility Verification, And More
Charles Gaba’s Substack is HERE
Charles Gaba on BlueSky
Charles Gaba on X
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