Rep. Joe Kennedy on defending Medicaid in the Trump era

Rep. Joe Kennedy first appeared on this podcast in early 2017, at House Democrats' lowest moment: The GOP had steamrolled the party, speeding an Affordable Care Act repeal bill that seemed inevitable. But the GOP's efforts ultimately failed; Democrats retook the House a year later; and Kennedy this week rejoined POLITICO's Dan Diamond to reflect on how House Democrats' health policy has changed as they've become the majority party, why he now supports a Medicare for All bill, how he approaches questioning Trump officials like HHS Secretary Alex Azar and more. MENTIONED ON THE SHOW Kennedy's 2017 appearance on the "Pulse Check" podcast. House Democrats have worried that the push for "Medicare for All" could divert the caucus' energy from other health care priorities, like preserving the Affordable Care Act. Kennedy's questioning of HHS Secretary Alex Azar during a hearing last month, which went viral. Kennedy last week introduced a bill to strengthen Medicaid and CHIP funding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices