Federal Health Work in Flux

The Host

Two months into the brand new administration, federal staff and contractors stay off-balance because the Trump administration ramps up its efforts to cancel jobs and packages — at the same time as federal judges declare lots of these efforts unlawful and/or unconstitutional.

Because it eliminates packages deemed duplicative or pointless, nevertheless, President Donald Trump’s Division of Authorities Effectivity can be reducing packages and staff aligned with Well being and Human Companies Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Wholesome Once more” agenda.

This week’s panelists are Julie Rovner of KFF Well being Information, Jessie Hellmann of CQ Roll Name, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, and Rachel Roubein of The Washington Publish.

Among the many takeaways from this week’s episode:

• Kennedy’s feedback this week about permitting fowl flu to unfold unchecked via farms offered one other instance of the brand new secretary of well being and human providers making claims that lack scientific help and will as a substitute undermine public well being.
• The Trump administration is experiencing extra pushback from the federal courts over its efforts to cut back and dismantle federal companies, and federal staff who’ve been rehired beneath courtroom orders report returning to uncertainty and instability inside authorities companies.
• The second Trump administration is signaling it plans to dismantle HIV prevention packages in america, together with efforts that the primary Trump administration began. A Texas midwife is accused of performing unlawful abortions. And a Trump appointee resigns after being focused by a Republican senator.

Plus, for “further credit score,” the panelists counsel well being coverage tales they learn this week that they suppose it is best to learn, too:

Julie Rovner: The Washington Publish’s “The Free-Dwelling Bureaucrat,” by Michael Lewis.

Rachel Roubein: The Washington Publish’s “Her Analysis Grant Talked about ‘Hesitancy.’ Now Her Funding Is Gone.” by Carolyn Y. Johnson.

Sarah Karlin-Smith: KFF Well being Information’ “Scientists Say NIH Officers Advised Them To Scrub mRNA References on Grants,” by Arthur Allen.

Jessie Hellmann: Stat’s “NIH Cancels Funding for a Landmark Diabetes Research at a Time of Give attention to Continual Illness,” by Elaine Chen.

Additionally talked about on this week’s podcast:

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