With the election over and President Donald Trump officially inaugurated, all eyes in healthcare are turning toward how the sector might change. But as the first two weeks of his second term showed, keeping up with Trump’s actions—and their ramifications—requires full-time focus.

In this episode, Fierce Healthcare’s Noah Tong speaks with health policy expert Andrew Schwab to help us break through the noise on Capitol Hill and better understand Republicans’ upcoming legislative priorities. Schwab is founder and CEO of health policy and advocacy firm Platform Government Strategies. Schwab gives his thoughts on the likelihood of Medicaid cuts in a reconciliation bill, his views on the Department of Government Efficiency (or DOGE) and potential areas of bipartisan agreement. 

 To learn more about the topics in this episode: 

• How Trump's DEI executive orders could impact healthcare
• How the DOGE agenda could impact Medicaid, veterans' healthcare
• States, nonprofits secure sweeping temporary restraining orders against Trump's federal assistance 'pause'
• What Trump's busy first week means for healthcare: AI policy shifts, HHS comms blackout, patient protections and more
• As Trump puts federal spending in crosshairs, KFF survey finds Medicare, Medicaid remain popular with voters