Reports from a top artificial intelligence company that it stopped several attempted uses of its product that could assist in manufacturing a bioweapon caught the attention of lawmakers in Washington this week. But it is still unclear whether or when Congress will act to regulate the fast-moving industry — and the House has left town until after Election Day.
Meanwhile, with many voters expressing anger over the rising cost of healthcare, President Donald Trump is proposing to send $500 checks to some people enrolled in Affordable Care Act insurance plans before the election. But even if those checks materialize, in most cases they will be smaller than the increases many policyholders have already seen.
This week’s panelists are Julie Rovner of KFF Health News, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, Tami Luhby of CNN, and Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico.
Among the takeaways from this week’s episode:
- Anxieties about AI reached a fever pitch this week, with a few leading developers calling to slow the pace of innovation amid troubling reports about AI’s progress and use, including reported attempts to misuse AI for biological warfare. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is pressing to incorporate AI into healthcare.
- Federal lawmakers are exploring changes to the independent arbitration system created by the No Surprises Act, which took effect in 2022. While the law has cut down on patient exposure to surprise out-of-network medical bills in emergencies, the system has resulted in far larger paydays than anticipated for many doctors — which, in turn, has prompted a sizable increase in coverage costs, including for employers.
- Some cities and states are suing to block implementation of the latest public charge rules from the Trump administration, arguing they could have a chilling effect for some who are entitled to public benefits, such as the eligible children of immigrants. They allege that could leave cities and states on the hook and harm local economies.
- Abortion opponents are claiming victory as the Environmental Protection Agency moves to test water for remnants of abortion pills, among other chemicals and drugs. California’s attorney general is wrapping up a lawsuit against two nonprofits offering what they describe as abortion pill reversals, despite a lack of evidence the method works or is safe. And the family of a Texas woman who died after being denied an abortion is suing her doctors and the state’s attorney general, Ken Paxton.
This week, Rovner interviews Sabrina Corlette
Also this week, Rovner interviews Sabrina Corlette of the Georgetown University Center for Health Insurance Reforms, discussing some potential short-term fixes to the nation’s health system.
Plus, for “extra credit” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too:
Julie Rovner: KJZZ Phoenix’s “Data Shows DES Failed To Complete Most SNAP Eligibility Interviews, Resulting in Massive Cuts,” by Camryn Sanchez.
Tami Luhby: The Washington Post’s What ‘Ferritin Face’
Tami Luhby: The Washington Post’s “What ‘Ferritin Face’ Means — And How To Tell If You May Be Iron-Deficient,” by Erica Sloan.
Anna Edney: Bloomberg News’ “Patients Who Fight Health Insurance Denials Often Win,” by John Tozzi, Tanaz Meghjani, and Ike Swetlitz.
Alice Miranda Ollstein: KFF Health News’ “Indigenous Groups Are Exempt From Medicaid Work Rules, but Native Hawaiians Aren’t,” by Ashley Mizuo.
Also mentioned in this week’s podcast:
- Science’s “‘Chilling’ Warning or Overreaction? AI Bioweapons Report Divides Experts,” by Jocelyn Kaiser.
- The New York Times’ “U.S. Health Officials Move Quickly To Deploy Medical A.I. Despite Concerns,” by Christina Jewett.
- Roll Call’s “Surprise Billing Dispute Process In ‘Crisis,’ Groups Say,” by Ariel Cohen.
- KFF Health News’ “A Generation of Kids Suffer as Trump Destabilizes Immigrant Families,” by Claudia Boyd-Barrett.
- Politico’s “Abortion Opponents Claim ‘Tremendous Victory’ as EPA Tests Water for Abortion Pills,” by Miranda Willson, Alice Miranda Ollstein, Ariel Wittenberg.
- Politico’s “Free Speech or False Advertising? California Judge To Rule on ‘Abortion Pill Reversal’ Claims,” by Rachel Bluth and Alice Miranda Ollstein.
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