Miles Baker and Dr. Rob Davidson unpack the proposed healthcare cuts to fund the war in Iran, new polling showing healthcare as the top voter issue, and ongoing attacks on reproductive rights, abortion pills, and Medicaid. The episode highlights how political decisions in Washington are directly affecting patients and providers nationwide.

Later, Sean McBrearty, Vice Chair of the Michiganders for Money Out of Politics campaign, joins the show to discuss a major anti-corruption ballot initiative in Michigan – Michiganders for Money Out of Politics. He explains how the effort would curb corporate political spending, especially from powerful health care insurers, and close major campaign finance loopholes. The reform could reshape health care policy by weakening lobbyist influence and expanding what’s politically possible in the state.

Background reading:

* AXIOS: GOP weighs health care cuts to pay for Iran war

* Navigator: March 31 Budget Priorities polling

* Trump on not paying for daycare, Medicare, and Medicaid to pay for war

* The Hill: Health care polling as top issue for first time since 2020: Gallup

* Guttmacher: Full-Year 2025 Estimates Show Overall Stability in Abortion Incidence, Decreased Travel and Increased Telehealth Provision

* Reuters: US Senate Republicans launch probe of abortion pill makers, escalate pressure on FDA

* ABORTION, EVERY DAY: The GOP’s Plan to Shut Down Abortion Pill Websites

* NBC News: Medicaid cuts threaten hundreds of hospitals, new report finds

* Fierce Health Care: RWJF: Between 5M and 10M people could lose Medicaid coverage in 2028 under work requirements

* POLITICO: Poll: The battle for MAHA that could sway the midterms

* POLITICO: RFK Jr. launches midterm travel push to shore up MAHA support

* POLITICO: Poll: Here’s what MAHA actually believes

* AP: RFK Jr is launching a podcast to expose ‘lies’ that have made Americans sick

* The current ACIP charter is HERE

* The proposed ACIP charter is HERE

* The “Eight Magic Words” for advocacy ads

* Michiganders for Money Out of Politics website

* Committee to Protect Health Care Organizing Summit

Join the fight at committeetoprotect.org.

Subscribe, share, and leave a rating to help more people find Paging America.

Have thoughts, questions, or your own health care story? Email us at [email protected].

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pagingamerica.org/subscribe