S8, Ep 17- Who's Left Out? What New Vaccine and Medicaid Policies Could Mean for You

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 heard. Among the highlights in this episode: 00:08: Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF, opens the episode by introducing two major health policy developments: the FDA’s shift in COVID-19 vaccine recommendations and the House’s proposed changes to Medicaid 00:50: Steven explains the new FDA policy: COVID-19 vaccines will now only be recommended for adults 65+ or those with at least one chronic condition 01:27: He breaks down the reasoning behind the FDA’s decision, including population-level immunity and a desire for stricter trial standards for boosters 02:38: Steven details critics’ concerns about the lack of transparency and the ethical issues surrounding placebo-controlled vaccine trials 04:10: He highlights the risk that this decision could undermine CDC efforts and lead to public confusion or lower vaccine uptake 04:52: Steven shifts to the second major story: the House’s fiscal year 2026 budget resolution, which includes dramatic proposed cuts to Medicaid 05:13: He outlines three major proposed changes: capped federal funding, work requirements for Medicaid, and restrictions on Medicaid expansion 05:58: Steven emphasizes who this could affect—over 80 million people, including those with chronic conditions, disabilities, or long COVID 06:23: He encourages listeners to take action by contacting their senators and participating in public hearings, reminding them that advocacy matters Join GHLF’s 50 State Network, share your story, and get involved in advocacy to make a difference, email us at [email protected] Contact Our Host Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: [email protected] A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF. We want to hear what you think. Send your comments in the form of an email, video, or audio clip of yourself to [email protected] Catch up on all our episodes on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.