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Tradeoffs

@tradeoffs.org

Journalism that explores the complicated, costly, and often counterintuitive world of health care. New podcast episodes every Thursday, hosted by Dan Gorenstein. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: tradeoffs.org/subscribe

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Tradeoffs@tradeoffs.org · yesterday

Under new federal rules signed into law last year, ~20M people in 44 states will need to work, volunteer or attend school 80 hours per month to keep their Medicaid benefits. In Nebraska, these changes have already launched. We spoke to @marketplace.org about what these updates mean: bit.ly/45xNyik

Roughly 200 people in Nebraska lost Medicaid on Aug. 1

It’s the first wave of terminations under new federal work requirements. And it may portend what’s to come for the rest of the country.

marketplace.org

Tradeoffs@tradeoffs.org · 3w ago

Nebraska Medicaid Director Drew Gonshorowski says the state’s data capabilities put it in a strong position to quickly implement the historic changes. Advocates and researchers warn that eligible people may still fall through the cracks. tradeoffs.org/2026/07/30/m...

Meet the Man Launching Trump's Medicaid Work Requirements Months Early

Nebraska Medicaid Director Drew Gonshorowski says the state’s data capabilities put it in a strong position to quickly implement the historic changes. Advocates and researchers warn that eligible peop...

tradeoffs.org

Tradeoffs@tradeoffs.org · last mo.

From approving controversial products to losing thousands of staff, President Trump's Food and Drug Administration has been mired in controversy. Tradeoffs sat down with @statnews.com journalist @lizzylawrence.bsky.social_ who’s had a front row seat to that chaos. Listen to today's episode:

As Drama at Trump's FDA Subsides, Doubts and Damage Linger

We talk with STAT News reporter Lizzy Lawrence about the agency’s recent turmoil and its hunt for a new leader.

tradeoffs.org

Tradeoffs@tradeoffs.org · last mo.

Americans have nearly $200 billion in unpaid medical bills in collections. “If a debt collector is calling you up or is knocking on your door, more than half of the time, it’s for medical debt,” said economist @nealemahoney.bsky.social.

With Millions Expected to Lose Coverage, States Look for New Ways to Prevent Medical Debt

Economist Neale Mahoney explains the latest research on solutions to medical debt and evaluates policy fixes designed to protect consumers.

tradeoffs.org

Tradeoffs@tradeoffs.org · last mo.

How do you make good health care decisions when the science isn’t clear? @dgorenstein.bsky.social explored this question in a live conversation at @aspenideas.bsky.social: Health. Listen now: tradeoffs.org/2026/07/02/m...

Making Medical Decisions with Uncertain Science

Two physicians and an ethicist discuss how to make the best decisions in areas like artificial intelligence and gender-affirming care when there is limited evidence in a live conversation recorded at ...

tradeoffs.org

Tradeoffs@tradeoffs.org · 2mo ago

In the today's Tradeoffs episode, two physicians and an ethicist discuss how to make the best decisions in areas like artificial intelligence and gender-affirming care when there is limited evidence in a live conversation recorded at Aspen Ideas: Health @aspenideas.bsky.social.

Making Medical Decisions with Uncertain Science

Two physicians and an ethicist discuss how to make the best decisions in areas like artificial intelligence and gender-affirming care when there is limited evidence in a live conversation recorded at Aspen Ideas: Health.

tradeoffs.org

Tradeoffs@tradeoffs.org · 2mo ago

Economist @nealemahoney.bsky.social explains the research into strategies for relief from high healthcare costs and evaluates policy fixes to protect consumers. Listen to the episode: tradeoffs.org/2026/06/25/w...

With Millions Expected to Lose Coverage, States Look for New Ways to Prevent Medical Debt

Economist Neale Mahoney explains the research into strategies for relief from high healthcare costs and evaluates policy fixes to protect consumers.

tradeoffs.org

Tradeoffs@tradeoffs.org · 2mo ago

The No Suprises Act has stopped patients from receiving unexpected charges from doctors who were not covered by a patient’s insurance, even though they worked at covered hospitals. There were unexpected impacts—we discussed them with national experts. tradeoffs.org/2026/06/11/w...

Where Did the No Surprises Act Go Wrong? And Can It Be Fixed?

A live conversation with national experts about the unexpected impacts of the consumer protection law, what could be done to change things, and what lessons can be learned about crafting complicated h...

tradeoffs.org

Tradeoffs@tradeoffs.org · 2mo ago

States are enrolling people leaving prison and jail in Medicaid, the health insurance program for low-income and disabled Americans. But funding cuts and program changes required by H.R. 1 are likely to shape the future of this bipartisan experiment.

Medicaid Overhaul Complicates States’ Plans to Bring Care Into Jails and Prisons

Funding cuts and program changes required by H.R. 1 are forcing states to make hard choices about the future of this bipartisan experiment.

tradeoffs.org

Tradeoffs@tradeoffs.org · 2mo ago

Tradeoffs and @pennldi.bsky.social talked to Zack Cooper, @benchartock.bsky.social & Lindsey Murtagh about the unexpected impacts of the consumer protection law, what could be changed, and what lessons can be learned. Listen to today's special live episode:

Where Did the No Surprises Act Go Wrong? And Can It Be Fixed?

A live conversation with national experts about the unexpected impacts of the consumer protection law, what could be done to change things, and what lessons can be learned about crafting complicated health policy.

tradeoffs.org

Tradeoffs@tradeoffs.org · 2mo ago

For more than a half century, health care spending in the U.S. has steadily gone up. But, over roughly the last 15 years, something unprecedented has happened—our health care spending slowed down. tradeoffs.org/2026/05/14/t...

The U.S. Saved $1 Trillion on Health Care. Why Doesn't It Feel Like It?

New research from leading health economist David Cutler explores what’s behind a historic slowdown in health spending, even as millions of Americans struggle to afford their care.

tradeoffs.org

Tradeoffs@tradeoffs.org · 2mo ago

Hundreds of U.S. courts offer treatment over prison for some defendants with mental illness. @gracehauck.bsky.social and Josh McGhee investigated mental health courts in Illinois for @mindsitenews.bsky.social and the @illinoisanswers.bsky.social. Listen to our conversation with Hauck:

Mental Health Courts Offer People Facing Prison an Imperfect Alternative

Hundreds of U.S. courts offer treatment over prison for some defendants with mental illness. But critics say mental health courts have outpaced research on their effectiveness.

tradeoffs.org

Grace Hauck@gracehauck.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Today's @tradeoffs.org podcast episode features our @illinoisanswers.bsky.social @mindsitenews.bsky.social reporting on mental health courts, with context from Dr. Debra Pinals, a forensic psychiatrist who has spent 20 years studying + working in mental health courts. tradeoffs.org/2026/06/04/m...

Mental Health Courts Offer People Facing Prison an Imperfect Alternative

Hundreds of U.S. courts offer treatment over prison for some defendants with mental illness. But critics say mental health courts have outpaced research on their effectiveness.

tradeoffs.org

Tradeoffs@tradeoffs.org · 3mo ago

High health care costs remain top of mind for many Americans. And yet, one of the best tools we have to rein in those costs is also the most hated: prior authorization. We took a closer look at the pros and the cons of this polarizing policy. Listen:

A Closer Look at a Widely Despised Health Insurance Policy

Every year, millions of people’s medical care runs into the roadblock known as prior authorization, which requires a patient’s health insurer to sign off before chemotherapy, surgery or countless other services can proceed. Who does this often onerous process help, who does it hurt and how could it work better for everyone?

tradeoffs.org

Tradeoffs@tradeoffs.org · 3mo ago

Every year, millions of people’s medical care runs into the roadblock known as prior authorization. Who does this often onerous process help, who does it hurt and how could it work better for everyone?

A Closer Look at a Widely Despised Health Insurance Policy

Every year, millions of people’s medical care runs into the roadblock known as prior authorization, which requires a patient’s health insurer to sign off before chemotherapy, surgery or countless other services can proceed. Who does this often onerous process help, who does it hurt and how could it work better for everyone?

tradeoffs.org

Tradeoffs@tradeoffs.org · 3mo ago

⏰ Last chance to register Join us and @pennldi.bsky.social today for a discussion about why the No Surprises Act has failed to deliver on its cost-cutting promise, what could be done to change things, and whether there are larger lessons for future policy change.

Decoding the Moment: Can the No Surprises Act Be Fixed?

National experts will discuss why the No Surprises Act has failed to deliver on its cost-cutting promise, what could be done to change things, and whether there are larger lessons for future policy change.

ldi.upenn.edu

Tradeoffs@tradeoffs.org · 3mo ago

Economist David Cutler has advised multiple presidents on health policy and was a key voice in crafting Obamacare. When he published a splashy new paper suggesting that America has actually saved money on health care, Tradeoffs had to give him a call.

The U.S. Saved $1 Trillion on Health Care. Why Doesn't It Feel Like It?

New research from leading health economist David Cutler explores what’s behind a historic slowdown in health spending, even as millions of Americans struggle to afford their care.

tradeoffs.org

Tradeoffs@tradeoffs.org · 3mo ago

President Trump and other leading conservatives are pushing policies they hope will empower patients to shop more wisely for the health care they need. In today's episode, we break down the pros, the cons and the evidence behind these policies. Listen:

Republicans Want to Change How You Buy Health Care

President Trump and other leading conservatives are pushing policies they hope will empower patients to shop more wisely for the health care they need.

tradeoffs.org

PennLDI@pennldi.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Can the No Surprises Act be fixed? Join us and @tradeoffs.org on May 26 for a virtual conversation on why the law succeeded in protecting patients from surprise bills, but may be falling short on lowering costs. https://ldi.upenn.edu/events/decoding-the-moment-can-the-no-surprises-act-be-fixed/

Decoding the Moment: Can the No Surprises Act Be Fixed?

National experts will discuss why the No Surprises Act has failed to deliver on its cost-cutting promise, what could be done to change things, and whether there are larger lessons for future policy ch...

ldi.upenn.edu

Tradeoffs@tradeoffs.org · 3mo ago

New research from leading health economist David Cutler explores what’s behind a historic slowdown in health spending, even as millions of Americans struggle to afford their care. Listen: tradeoffs.org/2026/05/14/t...

The U.S. Saved $1 Trillion on Health Care. Why Doesn't It Feel Like It?

New research from leading health economist David Cutler explores what’s behind a historic slowdown in health spending, even as millions of Americans struggle to afford their care.

tradeoffs.org

Tradeoffs@tradeoffs.org · 3mo ago

The latest episode of Tradeoffs is a collaboration with American Public Media’s Call to Mind, highlighting how Durham, North Carolina, has reimagined its mental health crisis response system — and what it has learned. Listen now or read the transcript: tradeoffs.org/2026/05/07/c...

Call to Mind: The Fifth Branch

A collaboration with American Public Media’s Call to Mind highlighting how Durham, North Carolina, has reimagined its mental health crisis response system — and what it has learned.

tradeoffs.org