The federal budget may feel distant, but its impact on healthcare is anything but. In this episode of The Health Advocates, Steven Newmark breaks down the Trump administration’s newly proposed budget, which includes significant cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services, reductions in research funding, and a major restructuring of federal public health programs.

But this conversation goes beyond what’s proposed. We also examine what’s already happening on the ground following last year’s federal policy changes, including substantial reductions in Medicaid funding that are placing pressure on state budgets and leading to coverage losses for millions of Americans.

This episode connects the dots between federal decisions and real-world consequences — from access to care and public health preparedness to the future of medical research. For patients, caregivers, and advocates, it offers a clear look at where healthcare policy is heading and why these budget decisions matter now.

Contact Our Host

Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.org

A podcast episode produced by Amelia Violet Prouse, Associate Podcast & Video Producer 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 podcasts@ghlf.org

Listen to all episodes of The Health Advocates on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A federal court has halted sweeping changes to U.S. vaccine policy, raising fundamental questions about who shapes public health decisions and how those decisions are made. In this episode, we break down the ruling, the role of the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee, and why the court found the administration’s actions unlawful. We also explore what this means for patients, providers, and the future of evidence-based policymaking.

Contact Our Host

Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.org

A podcast episode produced by Amelia Violet Prouse, Associate Podcast & Video Producer 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 podcasts@ghlf.org

Listen to all episodes of The Health Advocates on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For people living with osteoarthritis, news about potential new treatments often comes with more questions than answers. In this episode of The Health Advocates, we slow things down to explain what it really means when a company submits a New Drug Application, or NDA, to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Steven Newmark is joined by Erich Horsley and Dr. Yusuf Yazici from Biosplice Therapeutics to walk through this important regulatory milestone and why it matters for patients. Together, they break down what an NDA is, what happens during FDA review, and what patients should and should not expect while a therapy is under evaluation. The conversation also explores the current osteoarthritis treatment landscape, why progress in this disease has been so challenging, and what researchers mean when they talk about disease-modifying approaches.

Contact Our Host

Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.org

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 podcasts@ghlf.org

Listen to all episodes of The Health Advocates on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.