Hey, first!  If you value what we do, this is the best-ever time to support our work:  This month, every donation gets matched two-for-one.  

We have SO much work ahead in 2026. Head to https://armandalegshow.com/support/ to donate — and get your money matched two-for-one.

This statement might shock you: some actual good things happened in 2025. Or, at least things that did not totally suck. 

Stuff like: new limits on the hoops insurance companies can make you jump through, and new protections from predatory debt collectors..  

These are just a couple examples of what state governments have been up to this year – in red, blue, and purple states alike. 

State governments can’t do it all, but across a couple of episodes, we’ll dive into a handful of meaningful wins, and learn how they came to pass. 

Today’s episode takes us to Nebraska, where the state passed aggressive new restrictions on prior authorization. 

And Virginia, where lawmakers banned wage garnishment for lots of medical debts.

Here's a transcript of this episode.

Hey, first!&nbsp; If you value what we do, this is the best-ever time to <a href="https://armandalegshow.com/support/">support our work</a>:&nbsp; This month, every donation gets matched two-for-one.&nbsp;&nbsp;
We have SO much work ahead in 2026. Head to <a href="https://armandalegshow.com/support/">https://armandalegshow.com/support/</a> to donate &mdash; and get your money matched two-for-one.
<hr>
This statement might shock you: some actual good things happened in 2025. Or, at least things that did not totally suck.&nbsp;
Stuff like: new limits on the hoops insurance companies can make you jump through, and new protections from predatory debt collectors..&nbsp;&nbsp;
These are just a couple examples of what state governments have been up to this year &ndash; in red, blue, and purple states alike.&nbsp;
State governments can&rsquo;t do it all, but across a couple of episodes, we&rsquo;ll dive into a handful of meaningful wins, and learn how they came to pass.&nbsp;
Today&rsquo;s episode takes us to Nebraska, where the state passed aggressive new restrictions on prior authorization.&nbsp;
And Virginia, where lawmakers banned wage garnishment for lots of medical debts.
<a href="https://armandalegshow.com/episode/some-things-that-didnt-suck-in-2025-really/#transcript">Here's a transcript of this episode</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>
<hr>
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.

Advertisement