In this episode of The Health Advocates, Steven Newmark breaks down a surprising moment of bipartisan agreement in Congress: a new Health and Human Services funding bill that includes meaningful wins for patients and public health.

From protecting CDC and NIH funding to extending telehealth flexibilities and hospital-at-home programs, the bill also takes historic steps to reform Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), aiming to make drug pricing more transparent and patient-centered. Steven walks through what’s in the legislation, what was left out, and why PBM reform could have a direct impact on out-of-pocket costs and medication access.

Plus, what this deal signals about the power of patient advocacy in shaping policy—even in a divided political climate.

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.

In this episode of The Health Advocates, Steven Newmark speaks with Ohio State Representative Michele Grim, the only public health professional currently serving in the Ohio legislature. Rep. Grim shares how her background in public health advocacy led her to politics, where she now champions legislation to expand access to care, fight misinformation, and protect vulnerable populations.

Together, they dive into the challenges of health policy in today’s polarized environment, and the importance of having voices at the table who understand the system from the inside out.

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.

In this episode of The Health Advocates, we break down one of the most pivotal and controversial ACIP meetings in recent history. The CDC’s vaccine advisory committee voted to roll back the universal hepatitis B birth dose, a policy that has protected newborns from chronic liver disease for more than three decades. We explain what ACIP decided, why the changes were not based on new scientific evidence, and how misinformation and ideological viewpoints shaped the discussion.
We also explore the real-world consequences for families, clinicians, and health systems. From confusing new recommendations to unnecessary blood tests to disruptions in the overall childhood immunization schedule, these changes will make it harder for parents to access safe, routine preventive care. But the meeting also revealed something hopeful: strong advocacy — from medical societies, public health experts, grassroots organizers, and patient groups — helped prevent even more extreme proposals from becoming policy.

Finally, we discuss what comes next as ACIP reviews additional childhood vaccines and how advocates, clinicians, and community members can stay engaged to protect science-based immunization policy.

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.