As we transition into a new administration, our hosts reflect on President Biden’s legacy in healthcare policy, focusing on three major areas that impacted patients: the COVID-19 response, the opioid crisis, and the Inflation Reduction Act. They discuss key achievements such as vaccine rollouts, reduced overdose deaths, and efforts to lower prescription drug costs, while also examining ongoing challenges and concerns. With the health policy landscape set to shift in 2025, this episode breaks down what patients need to know and how to stay engaged in advocacy for better care.
Among the highlights in this episode:
00:40: Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF, outlines three key areas where the Biden administration made a significant impact in health care: COVID-19 response, the opioid crisis, and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)
01:28: Steven highlights the Biden administration’s mass vaccination campaign, which saved an estimated 3.2 million American lives, according to the Commonwealth Fund
01:49: Zoe Rothblatt, Director of Community Outreach at GHLF, gives credit to Operation Warp Speed under Trump for fast-tracking vaccine development but emphasizes that the bulk of vaccinations happened under Biden
02:43: Zoe reflects on how the pandemic's threat level has changed, largely due to vaccines and continued booster developments
02:58: Steven shifts the discussion to the opioid crisis, explaining that overdose deaths were rising at 31% per year when Biden took office
03:35: Steven discusses how the administration's overdose prevention efforts led to a 14.5% decrease in overdose deaths — the largest reduction in U.S. history
04:17: Zoe explains how removing barriers to Naloxone access reduces response time during an overdose emergency
04:50: Steven discusses how Biden removed an outdated waiver requirement that expanded opioid treatment access by 15 times
06:11: Steven shifts focus to the IRA, explaining that it was one of Biden’s most significant health care policies
06:27: Zoe highlights a major win: capping Medicare Part D out-of-pocket prescription costs at $2,000 per year, down from $3,500
07:29: Steven explains why this is life-changing for seniors and people with disabilities, as many rely on multiple expensive medications
08:48: Zoe discusses the $35 monthly cap on insulin prices for Medicare patients, ensuring those with diabetes have affordable access to life-saving medication
09:11: Steven explains the potential downside of IRA’s Medicare drug price negotiations, which could reduce incentives for drug companies to develop new treatments
10:32: Zoe reminds listeners that with the upcoming presidential transition, health policies could change significantly, and GHLF will continue advocating for patient needs
11:01: Steven encourages listeners to join GHLF’s 50-State Network, stay informed, and share their stories to help shape health policies.
Join GHLF’s 50 State Network, share your story, and get involved in advocacy to make a difference, email us at advocacy@ghlf.org
Contact Our Hosts
Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.org
Zoe Rothblatt, Director of Community Outreach at GHLF: zrothblatt@ghlf.org
A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Associate Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF.
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