Health insurance is expensive. The average American spent $13,493 per person in 2022, according to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. And according to national health policy researcher KFF, most insured Americans have experienced a problem using their insurance.

That may explain the complete lack of empathy some people showed online in reaction to the targeted killing of Brian Thompson, CEO of America’s largest private health insurer, UnitedHealthcare.

Lawmakers sprouted into action when Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield considered capping their coverage of anesthesia services for patients during surgeries.

Today on a special Wheelhouse, we’re examining the intersection of politics and the healthcare insurance industry. Plus, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont is in-studio to address the insurance issue, as well as concerns related to reproductive rights and the funding of public education in advance of January’s convening of the 2025 legislative session in Connecticut.

GUESTS:

• Ned Lamont: Governor, State of Connecticut
• Alex Putterman: Reporter, Hearst Connecticut Media
• Katy Golvala: Health reporter, CT Mirror
• Lisa Hagen: Federal policy reporter, CT Public and CT Mirror

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In the past few years, lawmakers in Connecticut have gotten closer to meaningful legislation that would lower a vehicle’s carbon footprint. They’ve also introduced a pilot program targeting food scraps in an effort to reduce waste.

Their job may get harder.

President-elect Donald Trump's record on climate change is already forcing state lawmakers to re-think local policy changes. A week after the election, Gov. Ned Lamont said he’s no longer pursuing a mandate that would’ve phased out sales of new gas-powered vehicles in the state by 2035.

Today on the Wheelhouse, how initiatives seeking to curb climate change will be impacted by the 2024 election.

GUESTS:

• Michayla Savitt: State government reporter, Connecticut Public
• Shannon Osaka: Climate zeitgeist reporter, The Washington Post
• Miriam Wasser: Senior climate and environment reporter, WBUR

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Prior to Election Day, advocates were worried about a national abortion ban and further local restrictions on reproductive care. And then, Donald Trump was elected president, with Republicans alongside him taking over the U.S. Congress.

Reporters covering reproductive rights are analyzing what comes next under Trump, someone who’s taken credit for the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Today on the Wheelhouse, what happens when the federal government begins to prioritize certain state laws over a patient’s right to receive medical care?

We’ll also examine local efforts to combat potential restrictions on reproductive care, including the launching of a 24/7 service called the Connecticut Abortion Legal Hotline.

GUESTS:

• William Tong (D): Attorney General, State of Connecticut
• Shefali Luthra: Reproductive health reporter, The 19th
• Rachel Rebouché: Professor of Law, Temple University

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When stressful conversations about politics are “on the table” this holiday season, how can we stay engaged with family members who have totally different views from our own? This week on The Wheelhouse, Professor Irshad Manji talks with us about how people can apply her "Five Skills of Moral Courage" to build trust and respect with people we want to have positive relationships with, regardless of politics.

Irshad Manji is the founder of Moral Courage College and author of three books: Allah, Liberty and Love and The Trouble with Islam Today, and her latest book is Don’t Label Me: An Incredible Conversation for Divided Times.

GUEST:
Irshad Manji: Professor and founder of Moral Courage College and author of Don’t Label Me: An Incredible Conversation for Divided Times.

This episode was produced by Frankie Graziano, Chloe Wynne and Robyn Doyon-Aitken

The Wheelhouse is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.

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Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election marked a better showing for the former president than the last time he ran back in 2020.

So far in Connecticut–even though he didn’t capture the state’s seven electoral votes–Trump has collected 21,253 more votes than he did four years ago. That’s according to the Connecticut Secretary of the State’s office.

Today on the Wheelhouse, a panel of experts analyze Trump’s gains in Connecticut.

GUESTS:

• Jim Haddadin: Investigative editor, Connecticut Public’s The Accountability Project
• Maysoon Khan: Investigative reporter, Connecticut Public’s The Accountability Project
• Ebong Udoma: Senior reporter, WSHU
• John Moritz: State reporter, Hearst Connecticut Media
• Alex Putterman: Reporter, Hearst Connecticut Media

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Last year, 46,728 people were killed in firearm deaths. For parents and families grieving children lost to the Sandy Hook School shooting, there’s no escaping the trauma associated with that loss, and the rhetoric surrounding gun violence.

Today on the Wheelhouse, how the national gun policy discourse affects survivors of gun violence.

It’s a timely conversation, given the recent election of Donald Trump as president. Recently on The Wheelhouse, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) questioned whether Trump could put aside his relationship with the NRA to enact meaningful legislation protecting Americans from gun violence.

Also featured in the conversation will be Connecticut Public senior health reporter Sujata Srinivasan, who’s covering how gun violence is a public health epidemic.

GUESTS:

• Francine Wheeler: Founder, Ben’s Lighthouse
• Nelba Marquez-Greene: Activist in residence, Yale School of Public Health
• Sujata Srinivasan: Senior health reporter, Connecticut Public

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The polls have closed and votes are still being counted.

As the 2024 elections come and go, a powerhouse panel of experts will be there for Connecticut residents to take stock in what’s left to determine our political future.

Today on the Wheelhouse, analysis of what we know so far. Plus, hear from some winners in races that were already decided.

GUESTS:

• Mark Pazniokas, Capitol bureau chief and a co-founder, CT Mirror
• Susan Raff, Chief political reporter, WFSB Eyewitness News Ch. 3
• Bilal Sekou: Hillyer College Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Hartford

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You voted — and now it’s time to find out.

Throughout 2024, the Wheelhouse team has asked Connecticut residents about the issues, interviewed candidates for Congress, unpacked the assassination attempts on Donald Trump, and watched as Democrats coalesced around Vice President Kamala Harris.

Now, it’s time to clock in on election night…and find out where state residents really stand.

Tonight, The Wheelhouse will dive into what we know and what comes next as the polls close.

GUESTS:

• Leah Wright Rigueur: Author and SNF Agora Institute associate professor of history, Johns Hopkins University
• Mercy Quaye: Founder and President at The Narrative Project; Columnist for CT Mirror and Editor of CT Mirror's Community Editorial Board
• Charles Venator-Santiago: Associate professor of political science and El Instituto, University of Connecticut
• Jonathan Wharton: Associate professor of political science and urban affairs, Southern Connecticut State University

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In one week, voters across America will go to the polls.

But before they do, voters in Connecticut’s 2nd congressional district will get to hear from two candidates running for a congressional seat.

This hour, we talk with Congressman Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) and challenger Mike France, a Republican. And after that, our panel of guests share their insights on what the candidates had to say.

GUESTS:

• Rep. Joe Courtney , (D-Conn.)
• Mike France, Candidate for Connecticut’s 2nd congressional district
• Charles Venator Santiago, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science and El Instituto, University of Connecticut
• Paul Choiniere, Retired editorial page editor, The Day

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The race for Connecticut’s 4th congressional district is underway. This hour, we ask candidates Jim Himes (D-Conn.)–and two challengers, Republican Michael Goldstein and Independent Benjamin Wesley–where they stand on the issues.

For the next few weeks, The Wheelhouse will feature a series of candidate interviews. We’ll be talking with Republicans and Democrats, incumbents and challengers, in Connecticut's congressional districts. Each candidate will have an equal amount of time to talk one-on-one with host Frankie Graziano, followed by some analysis from our guest panelists.

GUESTS:

• Rep. Jim Himes , (D-Conn.)
• Michael Goldstein, Candidate for Connecticut’s 4th congressional district
• Benjamin Wesley, Candidate for Connecticut’s 4th congressional district
• Andy Blye, Reporter, Greenwich Time
• Ebong Udoma, Senior political reporter, WSHU

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