The Health Advocates

In this week’s episode of The Health Advocates, host Steven Newmark unpacks a whirlwind of health news that could reshape the foundation of U.S. public health. From a major lawsuit against HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to record-high measles cases and the quiet cancelation of a critical preventive care meeting, Steven explains what’s at stake. Plus, he shares a hopeful update on bird flu and the importance of defe...

In this episode of The Health Advocates, Steven Newmark breaks down two urgent public health threats: a Senate proposal that would deeply cut Medicaid funding and an extreme heat wave affecting more than 265 million Americans. Steven explains how the Senate bill could gut essential health services for millions, all to fund tax cuts—and how this could impact everyone, not just Medicaid enrollees. He then turns to the record-br...

In this episode of The Health Advocates, Steven Newmark sits down with Jon Erlichman — founder of Ticker Take and a well-known financial journalist whose videos have reached nearly a billion views across platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and X. Jon shares his personal journey of living with Crohn’s disease and what inspired him to open up about it publicly. He also talks about the importance of family suppo...

In this week’s special episode of The Health Advocates, Steven Newmark breaks down a major and alarming development in U.S. public health policy: the removal of all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Steven explains what ACIP does, why its role is crucial to vaccine access and confidence, and how this sudden and sweeping dismissal could erode trust, lim...

This week on The Health Advocates, Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF, breaks down two major stories: sweeping proposed cuts to key federal health agencies in the 2026 U.S. budget, and a new national partnership between GHLF and Walgreens aimed at improving care for chronic skin conditions. Steven explains what’s at stake, how advocacy can influence policy decisions, and why pharmacists are essential allies in supporting...

The FDA just made a surprising move that could reshape COVID-19 vaccination in the U.S. going forward, and the House passed a major budget bill with proposed cuts to Medicaid. In this episode of The Health Advocates, Steven Newmark breaks down the changes, debates, and potential impacts on people living with chronic conditions.

Tune in to understand what these updates mean and what steps advocates can take to make their voices hear...

In this episode of The Health Advocates, Steven Newmark is joined by Rob Long, Executive Director of Uplifting Athletes. Rob shares his journey from All-American punter at Syracuse University to rare brain cancer survivor and patient advocate. Diagnosed during his senior season, Rob’s football career was cut short, but his passion for teamwork and purpose found new life in advocacy. Through his leadership at Uplifting Athlete...

In this episode of The Health Advocates, Steven Newmark breaks down the potential $880 billion in cuts to Medicaid currently under debate in Congress. Steven walks through what’s at stake, who could be affected, and why this moment matters. He explains the proposed changes to work requirements, federal matching cuts, and Medicaid expansion support — and outlines what patients, caregivers, and advocates can do to stay pr...

In this episode of The Health Advocates, Steven Newmark breaks down the latest public health developments you need to know. From a surge in measles and dengue cases to proposed changes in food dye regulations, Steven explains what’s happening, why it matters, and how it could impact people living with chronic illness. He also unpacks the delay in FDA approval for the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine and introduces the Vaccine Integri...

In this episode of The Health Advocates, we’re joined by Cristina Montoya, a registered dietitian, advocate, and patient living with both rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren’s disease. Cristina shares her diagnosis journey, the challenges of managing symptoms from childhood to adulthood, and how she uses her lived experience to guide others through nutrition and advocacy. We also hear from Erik Stone, Director of Data...

In this episode of The Health Advocates, we’re joined by Gaile Valcho, founder and president of the Brady Valcho Autism Foundation. Gaile shares her powerful story as the mother of a child with autism and her journey to address a gap in community resources in Holly Springs, North Carolina. She opens up about the challenges and triumphs of caregiving while living with lupus, the importance of community support, and her foundat...

In this episode, Steven breaks down a tumultuous week in public health and healthcare policy — from a growing trade war with China and its potential impact on medical imports, to the elimination of a vital pain research office at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). He also unpacks the mixed messaging from HHS Secretary RFK Jr. on vaccines, including unchecked claims about measles treatments.

Tune in for a timely and impo...

It’s been a whirlwind week in public health. In this episode, host Steven Newmark breaks down a string of major developments coming out of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). From mass layoffs across HHS, including at the FDA, to the resignation of the country’s top vaccine regulator, these changes raise serious concerns—especially amid a rising measles outbreak.

Tune in to hear what this means...

In this episode, our hosts break down the latest health care news, from the cancellation of a long-running diabetes study to the rising number of measles cases across the U.S. They also discuss the nomination of Dr. Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), potential Medicaid cuts tied to tax policy changes, and major layoffs at a key health research agency.

Tune in to hear what these developments mean for pa...

In this episode our hosts sit down with Tennessee State Senator Shane Reeves, a pharmacist-turned-legislator, to discuss his journey from pharmacy to public office. Senator Reeves shares his firsthand insights into the obstacles pharmacists face in patient care and policy, the role of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), and why transparency in health care pricing is crucial for patients. He also breaks down his legislative efforts to...

In this episode of The Health Advocates, our hosts welcome Brindley Brooks, founder and executive director of HS Connect. Brindley shares her powerful journey living with Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) since age 10, including her misdiagnosis, the stigma surrounding HS, and how her life-changing decision to undergo surgery led her to become a passionate patient advocate. The conversation highlights the critical role of advocacy in s...

In honor of Black History Month, The Health Advocates welcome Dr. Georges Benjamin, Executive Director of the American Public Health Association (APHA). Dr. Benjamin shares his journey from emergency medicine to public health leadership, offering insights on health equity, community-based advocacy, and the ongoing challenges in public health. He discusses critical topics such as health care access and the importance of listening to...

In this timely episode, The Health Advocates break down the recent Senate hearings for HHS nominee Robert Kennedy Jr.. They discuss the critical role of the HHS Secretary in shaping public health policy and managing key agencies like the FDA and CDC. The hearings exposed Kennedy’s controversial views on vaccines, concerns over scientific integrity, and notable missteps in understanding health policies.

Tune in to hear what th...

In this episode, our hosts break down the executive actions taken during the early days of President Trump's second administration. They discuss the wave of executive orders impacting health care, including changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), prescription drug pricing, and federal health agency communications. Our hosts also explore what these changes mean for patients and what to expect in the coming months.

Among the highli...