In this week’s episode, Miles and guest co-host Dr. Kristin Lyerly unpack the latest chaos in public health, from FDA regulator Vinay Prasad’s unsupported claim that COVID vaccines killed children to the broader effort to rewrite the history of the pandemic and undermine vaccine confidence. They also break down the looming ACA subsidy cliff, where millions face steep premium hikes as Republicans flounder on solutions, Trump’s team urging a political pivot to prescription drug prices, and the impending launch of TrumpRx.gov.
Later, NPR reporter Rosemary Westwood joins to reveal the troubling record of newly appointed CDC principal deputy director Dr. Ralph Abraham, including halting vaccine promotion in Louisiana, delaying warnings during a deadly whooping cough outbreak, and promoting ivermectin — all while lacking board certification in family medicine. With Abraham now poised to help steer national public health policy under RFK Jr., the episode highlights the escalating risks to science, trust, and patient care.
FOR OUR LISTENERS: Over the holidays, the Paging America podcast team will be answering your questions in a “mailbag” episode. Do you have a question for Committee Executive Director Dr. Rob Davidson or Chief-of-Staff Miles Baker? Send your question to chris@committeetoprotect.org with the Subject Line “Podcast Questions”. We’ll read your question on the air and give you the answer you’re looking for!
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Background reading:
Vinay Prasad’s email to FDA staff is HERE.
STAT: How two top FDA officials are quietly upending vaccine regulations
STAT: Experts say top FDA official’s claim that Covid vaccines caused kids’ deaths requires more evidence
The Guardian: ‘Never seen anything like this’: alarm at memo from top US vaccine official
ACIP’s Dec. 4 agenda is HERE
The Washington Post: A dozen former FDA commissioners condemn plan to tighten vaccine approvals
POLITICO: ‘Time is not our friend’: Health care scramble begins amid mixed signals from Trump
POLITICO: Trump pollster’s health care advice for Republicans: pivot to drug prices
The New York Times: Doctor Critical of Vaccines Quietly Appointed as C.D.C.’s Second in Command
MedPage Today: Top Ivermectin Prescriber Now in CDC’s Second Highest Position
WWNO: Louisiana’s top health official, a critic of the COVID vaccine, will be CDC deputy
Louisiana Illuminator: There’s no evidence Louisiana Surgeon General Ralph Abraham is a board-certified family physician
The Banned podcast – reported, hosted, and created by Rosemary Westwood – is HERE
Rosemary Westwood on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/rosemarywestwood.bsky.social
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