Blog

Jan 11, 2025, 14:29

Gregg Margolis: Three things to read about health policy this week

Gregg Margolis, Director of Health Policy Fellowships and Leadership Programs at the National Academy of Medicine (NAM), shared a post on LinkedIn:

“If you can only read three things about health policy this week, I suggest.

AP:

‘Obamacare’ Hits Record Enrollment But An Uncertain Future Awaits Under Trump A record 24 million people have signed up for insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act, former President Barack Obama’s landmark health legislation, as the program awaits an uncertain future under a Republican-controlled White House and Congress.

Never have so many people enrolled in health care coverage through the government marketplace, a point of pride for many Democrats but a red flag to some Republicans. (Seitz, 1/8)

KFF Health News:

Biden Administration Bars Medical Debt From Credit Scores The federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on Tuesday issued new regulations barring medical debts from American credit reports, enacting a major new consumer protection just days before President Joe Biden is set to leave office.

The rules ban credit agencies from including medical debts on consumers’ credit reports and prohibit lenders from considering medical information in assessing borrowers. (Levey, 1/7)

The Hill:

More Than 15,000 Doctors Urge Senate To Reject RFK Jr. As Health Secretary More than 15,000 doctors across the country signed an open letter urging senators to vote against President-elect Trump’s nominee for secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

In the letter, physicians say they are appalled by Trump’s reckless appointment of Kennedy, arguing he would be dangerous if confirmed to the top public health post.

This appointment is an affront to the principles of public health, the tireless dedication of medical professionals, and the trust that millions of Americans place in the health care system, the letter reads.

The letter was published online Thursday by the Committee to Protect Health Care. (O’Connell-Domenech, 1/9)

For links, a deeper dive, or to subscribe, click here.”

Gregg S. Margolis, PhD, serves as the director of Health Policy Fellowships and Leadership Programs at the National Academy of Medicine (NAM).

Previously, he held the position of Director of the Division of Health System Policy for the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Preparedness and Response at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Dr. Margolis specializes in health policy, leadership development, emergency medicine, and public health emergency preparedness and response.

More posts featuring Gregg S. Margolis.