Rolin Forward

This week as part of SCOTUS Summer, Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin unpack FDA v. Wages and White Lion, a unanimous 2025 Supreme Court decision affirming the FDA’s authority to regulate flavored e-cigarettes. At first glance, this case might seem like it’s just about mango vapes, but it’s really about science, safety, and how far public health agencies can go to protect youth from addiction.

And yes: we close with a song 🎶

This is not intended to be medical advice, and the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of their employers or funders.

This week as part of SCOTUS Summer, Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin unpack Mahmoud v. Taylor, a landmark 2025 Supreme Court decision on parental rights in public schools. The case centers on how much control parents have over what their children are taught, and how much discretion school systems retain to support diverse student needs. We break down what the Court decided, why it’s generating debate, and what it means for educators, families, and kids navigating public education in 2025 and beyond.

This is not intended to be medical advice, and the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of their employers or funders.

In this kickoff to SCOTUS Summer, Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin introduce their summer series exploring the intersection of medicine, education, and the law, and how the Supreme Court’s 2025 decisions are reshaping children’s lives. Each week this summer, we’ll choose one major case from 2025 and break it down: what the Court decided, why it matters, and what it means for kids and families across the country.

This is not intended to be medical advice, and the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of their employers or funders.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act sounds grand, but what’s behind the flashy name? In this episode, Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin break down the sweeping healthcare changes hidden inside the bill. From Medicaid block grants and work requirements, to cuts in protections for gender-affirming care and undocumented immigrants, and major rollbacks to the Affordable Care Act, this bill could reshape millions of Americans’ access to care.

Recorded on 6/30, this episode reflects the bill’s status as of that date. Changes are expected as the bill moves between the Senate and House.

This is not intended to be medical advice, and the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of their employers or funders.

(An earlier version of this episode misstated the name of the OBBBA; hopefully understandable since its name has changed several times)

The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met June 25–26 for the first time since HHS Secretary RFK Jr orchestrated a complete overhaul of its membership. In this episode of Rolin Forward, we break down the key takeaways of this meeting and what it means for public trust in science.

This is not intended to be medical advice, and the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of their employers or funders.

HHS Secretary RFK Jr. abruptly fired the entire Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the group that sets vaccine recommendations in the U.S. He has selected new members, several of whom are known for vaccine skepticism or have limited immunization expertise. This significant change in the advisory panel represents a major shift in U.S. vaccine policymaking. In this episode, we analyze who these new members are, their backgrounds and views, and what this shake-up could mean for public trust, vaccine guidance, and family health.

This is not intended to be medical advice, and the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of their employers or funders.

Will doctors get arrested for saving a patient’s life? In this episode, the Drs. Rolin examine the current administration’s decision to roll back federal guidelines that previously protected abortion access under EMTALA during pregnancy-related emergencies. With those protections revoked, hospitals and providers face growing uncertainties, especially in states with abortion bans. Tune in as the Drs. Rolin explore what this means for emergency care, legal obligations, and patient safety on the front lines.

This is not intended to be medical advice, and the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of their employers or funders.

Note: EMTALA refers to the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, enacted by Congress in 1986 to provide public access to emergency medical services regardless of ability to pay.

In this episode, Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin provide an in-depth analysis of the Make Our Children Healthy Again (MAHA) report, released on May 22, 2025. The report, commissioned by the Trump administration and led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., aims to address the rising rates of chronic diseases among American children. Listen to unpack the report and note some key takeaways.

This is not intended to be medical advice, and the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of their employers or funders.

We’re on vacation, but couldn’t resist a quick detour into some statements made by RFK Jr! In this fun-sized episode, we’re bringing you a public health news quiz—just the facts, with a few hot takes along the way. No prep required, just press play!

This is not intended to be medical advice, and the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of their employers or funders.

In 1998, a now-infamous paper by Andrew Wakefield claimed a link between the MMR vaccine and autism. Though the study was quickly debunked and later retracted, the damage had already been done. In this episode, we unpack how one fraudulent claim helped spark a modern anti-vaccine movement, leading to a resurgence of preventable diseases and a deepening distrust in public health.

This is not intended to be medical advice, and the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of their employers or funders.