POLITICO's Pulse Check

Private insurers will continue coverage for remote patient monitoring devices through Medicare, signaling a significant win for the telehealth industry. Host Megan Messerly talks with Ben Leonard about the decision, which may reduce spending in the program. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If Congress and President Biden can’t reach a deal to cover U.S. debts, Medicare won’t be able to pay its bills, VA hospitals will miss their payrolls, and patients on Obamacare plans will lose their subsidies, among other effects. Host Katherine Ellen Foley talks with Kelly Hooper about her reporting on the consequences of a prolonged default.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Senate panel initiated a bipartisan investigation, demanding records from the largest Medicare Advantage insurers: Humana, UnitedHealthcare, and CVS. Host Ben Leonard talks with Robert King about the frequency of care denials for beneficiaries and the utilization of artificial intelligence.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sen. Bernie Sanders is launching his latest push as one of the Senate’s most powerful committee chairs: to pour nearly $200 billion of new money into the health care system. The new package is Sanders’ response to monthslong discussions on the Senate HELP Committee about how to address growing health workforce shortages and financial woes of community health centers. Host Megan Messerly talks with Daniel Payne.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Democrats are divided over whether minors should be able to have abortions without telling their parents. Some see repealing parental notification and consent laws as a political liability, particularly as conservatives push “parents’ rights” to win popular support in other areas. Host Carmen Paun talks with Megan Messerly about the division.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The use of artificial intelligence is gaining popularity, and some experts believe that personalized medicine delivered by AI is the future of health care. POLITICO’s Ruth Reader talks with AI entrepreneur and NYU professor emeritus Gary Marcus, who will testify before the Senate Judiciary subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law today, as lawmakers consider regulating AI.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Katherine Ellen Foley talks with Robert King about some House Republicans’ opposition to a cost-cutting proposal from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation that would reduce payments for drugs that have won FDA approval but haven’t yet proven their clinical benefit. The GOP representatives argue it will curtail innovation and access to promising therapies.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Democratic lawmakers in some states are hesitant to expand health coverage to low-income undocumented immigrants because of budgetary concerns. It’s left some immigration advocates wondering how committed to the issue those Democrats really are. Host Ruth Reader talks with Megan Messerly about the intra-party debate.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Expert advisers to the FDA have recommended approving the first over-the-counter birth control pill, Opill. Host Ruth Reader talks with Katherine Ellen Foley about the decision.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The U.S.’ Covid-19 public health emergency ends Thursday along with pandemic-era rules and waivers. Host Megan Messerly talks with Daniel Payne about how the lifting of the PHE might affect the costs of Covid tests, vaccines and treatment; Title 42; Medicare; telehealth; and more. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices