This week, Miles and Dr. Rob open with a seismic shift in reproductive rights: a Fifth Circuit ruling that functionally banned mifepristone access via telehealth and through pharmacies, throwing medication abortion into chaos nationwide, even in states like Michigan where abortion rights are constitutionally protected. Dr. Rob sits down with Founding Director of the Center for Health Policy and the Law, Katie Keith, to break down the competing court deadlines around abortion medication, the Supreme Court’s options around the Fifth Circuit’s ruling, and the impossible political bind facing the Trump administration.
In the second half of the show, Miles and Dr. Rob cover the collapse of Casey Means’ Surgeon General candidacy and the nomination of Fox News contributor, Dr. Nicole Saphier, a pandemic-era grievance podcaster already drawing fire from the MAHA coalition she was supposed to appease. They also discuss the FDA burying reports that are favorable to vaccines and new health care-related messaging guidance for Democrats.
Background reading:
The Center for Health Policy and the Law at the O’Neill Institute’s website is HERE
Katie Keith’s bio
Louisiana Illuminator: Louisiana sues Food & Drug Administration to stop mailing of abortion medication
Reuters: US judge pauses Louisiana’s challenge to FDA abortion drug rule
Center for Reproductive Rights: 5th Circuit Limits Telehealth Provision of Abortion Pill
CNN: Supreme Court temporarily restores ability to receive abortion drug mifepristone by mail
Stateline: Unpacking the fight over telehealth access to abortion medication
PBS: Trump’s new surgeon general nominee has both praised and criticized his administration
Calley Means’ tweet about his sister’s demise
RFK Jr.’s tweet about Casey Means’ demise
Julia Letlow’s tweet about Casey Means’ demise
Radiology Business: President Trump nominates radiologist to serve as surgeon general
The Hill: Who is Nicole Saphier, new Trump surgeon general nominee?
The Guardian: Who is Nicole Saphier, Trump’s new nominee for US surgeon general?
Drop Rx website
The Drop Rx About page
POLITICO: The new surgeon general nominee has a MAHA problem
The Washington Post: CDC won’t publish report showing covid shots cut likelihood of hospital visits
The New York Times: F.D.A. Blocked Publication of Research Finding Covid and Shingles Vaccines Were Safe
POLITICO: Dem pollster says party should do more to sell health care message
Sen. Jon Ossoff’s ad “This Is Why Things Don’t Work For Ordinary People”
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