In part one of the first episode of the new series 2025 & The Impact of Policy Shifts, Michelle sat down with Larry Levitt, Vice President for Health Policy at KFF. Levitt oversees policy work on Medicare, Medicaid, the health care marketplace, the Affordable Care Act, racial equity, women’s health, and global health. He previously was editor-in-chief of kaisernetwork.org, which was KFF’s online health policy news and information service and directed KFF’s communications. Prior to joining KFF, Levitt served as a senior health policy adviser to the White House and the Department of Health and Human Services, working on the development of the Clinton Administration’s Health Security Act and other health policy initiatives.
Michelle and Larry cover a wide range of issues focused on the critical role of Medicaid and Medicare in the U.S. health care system, including potential and anticipated federal funding cuts and the implications for vulnerable populations. They explore the enrollment trends in Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, the impact of proposed changes on state-level health policies, and the challenges posed by Medicare Advantage plans for rural health care providers. The discussion emphasizes the need for advocacy and awareness around these issues as they affect millions of Americans.
Continuing the conversation, Michelle was joined by the Edwin Park, Research Professor at the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, within the McCourt School of Public Policy. His work primarily focuses on Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and the Affordable Care Act. Previously, he worked for 17 years at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, most recently as Vice President for Health Policy. He also was a health policy advisor for the White House National Economic Council, a Medicaid professional staff member for the U.S. Senate Finance Committee and a health law attorney in private practice. In addition, he served on the Biden-Harris Presidential Transition team. He is also a member of the National Academy of Social Insurance.
During their conversation, Michelle and Edwin discuss the impending Medicaid cuts proposed by congressional Republican leaders and their potential impact on rural communities, state budgets, and social programs. They explore how these cuts could lead to significant reductions in healthcare access for vulnerable populations, particularly in rural areas, and emphasize the importance of advocacy and community engagement in addressing these challenges.
Resources:
https://ccf.georgetown.edu/2025/01/15/medicaids-role-in-small-towns-and-rural-areas/ https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama-health-forum/fullarticle/2827780?resultClick=1 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama-health-forum/fullarticle/2815369?resultClick=1 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama-health-forum/fullarticle/2823514 https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/06/opinion/medicare-drug-price-negotiation.html
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