Last May, just a few months into the second Trump Administration, changes to federal health programs were happening at a bewildering pace. We brought in KFF Heath News Chief Washington Correspondent Julie Rover to help give us — and you — a big picture look at what some changes would mean. 

A year-and-change later, we wanted to check back in. We talk about the “crumbling Jenga tower” of public health infrastructure, the fallout from cuts to Obamacare subsidies, and Medicaid, and what Julie sees happening in 2028 and beyond (including a whisper of hope.) 

Plus, we get an update on Julie’s growing t-shirt collection and a new series she’s starting on her health policy news podcast What the Health? 

You can read a transcript of this episode here. 

Want to dive deeper into those state Medicaid cuts we talked about? Julie did a whole episode of What the Health? about them. Listen here. 

Want weekly updates from the team, including some of our most practical advice for dealing with the outrageous cost of health care? Sign up for our newsletter, First Aid Kit. 

Send your stories and questions. Or call 724 ARM-N-LEG.

Of course we’d love for you to support this show.

Last May, just a few months into the second Trump Administration, changes to federal health programs were happening at a bewildering pace. We brought in&nbsp;KFF Heath News Chief Washington Correspondent Julie Rover to help give us &mdash; and you &mdash;<a href="https://armandalegshow.com/episode/2025-so-far-in-perspective/">&nbsp;a big picture look at what some changes would mean</a>.&nbsp;
A year-and-change later, we wanted to check back in. We talk about the &ldquo;crumbling Jenga tower&rdquo; of public health infrastructure, the fallout from cuts to Obamacare subsidies, and Medicaid, and what Julie sees happening in 2028 and beyond (including a whisper of hope.)&nbsp;
Plus, we get an update on Julie&rsquo;s growing t-shirt collection and a new series she&rsquo;s starting on her health policy news podcast&nbsp;<a href="https://kffhealthnews.org/podcast-series/what-the-health/">What the Health?</a>&nbsp;
You can <a href="https://armandalegshow.com/episode/julie-rovner-veteran-dc-reporter/#transcript">read a transcript of this episode here</a>.&nbsp;
Want to dive deeper into those state Medicaid cuts we talked about? Julie did a whole episode of&nbsp;What the Health? about them. <a href="https://kffhealthnews.org/podcast/what-the-health-455-medicaid-cuts-state-budgets-confirmation-hearings-july-16-2026/">Listen here.&nbsp;</a>
Want weekly updates from the team, including some of our most practical advice for dealing with the outrageous cost of health care? Sign up for our newsletter, <a href="https://armandalegshow.com/first-aid-kit/">First Aid Kit</a>.&nbsp;
<a href="https://armandalegshow.com/contact/">Send your stories and questions.</a> Or call 724 ARM-N-LEG.
Of course we&rsquo;d love for you to<a href="https://armandalegshow.com/support/"> support this show</a>.

An Arm and a Leg is a podcast about why health care costs so freaking much and what we can (maybe) do about it.

If you’ve ever been surprised by a medical bill, you’re in good company. But as our team of seasoned journalists has learned from years of reporting — you’re not always helpless. We don’t have all the answers, but we’ll offer you tools and big picture insights with plenty of humor and heart. 

An Arm and a Leg is co-produced with KFF Health News and distributed in partnership with KUOW.

You can support An Arm and a Leg by donating at armandalegshow.com/support/

Show Credits: Created, hosted, and produced by Dan Weissmann with senior producer Emily Pisacreta and engagement producer Claire Davenport, edited by Ellen Weiss. Audio wizard: Adam Raymonda. Music is by Dave Weiner and Blue Dot Sessions. Bea Bosco is our consulting director of operations. Lynne Johnson is our operations manager.

An Arm and a Leg&nbsp;is a podcast about why health care costs so freaking much and what we can (maybe) do about it.
If you&rsquo;ve ever been surprised by a medical bill, you&rsquo;re in good company. But as our team of seasoned journalists has learned from years of reporting &mdash; you&rsquo;re not always helpless. We don&rsquo;t have all the answers, but we&rsquo;ll offer you tools and big picture insights with plenty of humor and heart.&nbsp;
An Arm and a Leg is co-produced with <a href="https://kffhealthnews.org/">KFF Health News</a> and distributed in partnership with <a href="https://www.kuow.org/">KUOW</a>.
You can support An Arm and a Leg&nbsp;by donating at <a href="https://armandalegshow.com/support/">armandalegshow.com/support/</a>
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Show Credits:&nbsp;Created, hosted, and produced by Dan Weissmann with senior producer Emily Pisacreta and engagement producer Claire Davenport, edited by Ellen Weiss. Audio wizard: Adam Raymonda. Music is by Dave Weiner and Blue Dot Sessions. Bea Bosco is our consulting director of operations. Lynne Johnson is our operations manager.