Podcast

KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: Finally, a Fix for the ‘Family Glitch’


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Click here for a transcript of the episode.


The Biden administration this week moved to fix the so-called family glitch in the Affordable Care Act, which has prevented dependents from getting federal subsidies to buy health insurance even if the insurance offered by the employer is unaffordable. It remains unclear, however, whether this is something that can be done by regulation or instead requires congressional action.

Meanwhile, Congress struggled to find a compromise that would keep federal funding flowing for covid-19 testing, treatment, and vaccines. A $10 billion bipartisan bill negotiated in the Senate failed to advance when Republicans insisted on a vote on a separate public health immigration policy. That proposed spending was still less than half the amount the Biden administration had requested to continue to address the pandemic.

This week’s panelists are Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Tami Luhby of CNN, Shefali Luthra of The 19th, and Jessie Hellmann of CQ Roll Call.

Among the takeaways from this week’s episode:

Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read too:

Julie Rovner: KHN’s “Losing Sleep Over the Pandemic? Work Flexibility May Be a Boon for Night Owls’ Health,” by Krishna Sharma

Shefali Luthra: The Washington Post’s “With Roe Endangered, Democrats Divide on Saying the Word ‘Abortion,’” by Caroline Kitchener

Tami Luhby: Health Affairs’ “Health Care Is Now Healthcare,” by Alan Weil

Jessie Hellmann: KHN’s “$11M for North Carolina Work-Based Rehab Raises Concerns,” by Aneri Pattani and NC Health News’ Taylor Knopf

Also discussed on this week’s podcast:

KHN’s “Doctors Trying to Prescribe Abortion Pills Across State Lines Stymied by Legislation,” by Rachel Bluth

KHN’s “ACA Sign-Ups for Low-Income People Roll Out Amid Brokers’ Concerns About Losing Their Cut,” by Julie Appleby


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This story was produced by KHN (Kaiser Health News), a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.

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