This week on The Health Advocates, we unpack a series of developments that signal a pivotal moment in U.S. health policy. The FDA has refused to review Moderna’s new mRNA-based flu vaccine, raising questions about regulatory standards and the future of vaccine innovation. At the same time, the Trump administration has launched TrumpRx, a new prescription drug discount platform that promises savings but faces scrutiny over its scope and real-world impact.

We also examine new polling showing declining confidence in flu, COVID-19, and MMR vaccines, and the growing legal battle over changes to the federal childhood vaccine schedule. With public trust, regulatory rigor, and patient access all in play, this episode breaks down what these headlines mean for patients — and why clarity and credible science matter more than ever.

Contact Our Host

Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.org

A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF.

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments in the form of an email, video, or audio clip of yourself to podcasts@ghlf.org

Listen to all episodes of The Health Advocates on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

This week on The Health Advocates, we unpack a series of developments that signal a pivotal moment in U.S. health policy. The FDA has refused to review Moderna&rsquo;s new mRNA-based flu vaccine, raising questions about regulatory standards and the future of vaccine innovation. At the same time, the Trump administration has launched TrumpRx, a new prescription drug discount platform that promises savings but faces scrutiny over its scope and real-world impact. We also examine new polling showing declining confidence in flu, COVID-19, and MMR vaccines, and the growing legal battle over changes to the federal childhood vaccine schedule. With public trust, regulatory rigor, and patient access all in play, this episode breaks down what these headlines mean for patients &mdash; and why clarity and credible science matter more than ever.
Contact Our Host Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:snewmark@ghlf.org">snewmark@ghlf.org</a> A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF. We want to hear what you think. Send your comments in the form of an email, video, or audio clip of yourself to <a href="mailto:podcasts@ghlf.org">podcasts@ghlf.org</a> Listen to all episodes of The Health Advocates on our <a href="https://ghlf.org/the-health-advocates">website</a> or on your favorite podcast channel.

A podcast that breaks down major health news of the week to help you make sense of it all. Our goal is to help you understand what’s happening in the healthcare world to help you make informed decisions to live your best life.

A podcast that breaks down major health news of the week to help you make sense of it all. Our goal is to help you understand what&rsquo;s happening in the healthcare world to help you make informed decisions to live your best life.

The Health Advocates

A podcast that breaks down major health news of the week to help you make sense of it all. Our goal is to help you understand what’s happening in the healthcare world to help you make informed decisions to live your best life. The podcast is part of the Global Healthy Living Foundation Podcast Network and hosted by Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF, and Zoe Rothblatt, Director of Community Outreach at GHLF.

A podcast that breaks down major health news of the week to help you make sense of it all. Our goal is to help you understand what’s happening in the healthcare world to help you make informed decisions to live your best life. The podcast is part of the Global Healthy Living Foundation Podcast Network and hosted by Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF, and Zoe Rothblatt, Director of Community Outreach at GHLF.

S9, Ep 6- Vaccine Crossroads: FDA Scrutiny, TrumpRx, and the Fight Over Public Trust

Congress has passed, and President Trump has signed, a major government funding bill that includes a wide range of health care policies, from telehealth extensions and hospital-at-home programs to long-sought reforms targeting pharmacy benefit managers. But alongside those wins, the legislation also raises serious questions about the future direction of federal health policy.

In this episode of The Health Advocates, Steven Newmark breaks down what the new spending package actually does for patients, what it leaves unresolved, and why some lawmakers and advocates are uneasy about increasing funding for federal health agencies under current leadership. The conversation explores how these decisions affect access to care, drug costs, public health programs, and trust in health institutions.

Whether you’re a patient, caregiver, clinician, or advocate, this episode offers a clear, practical look at how congressional budget decisions shape health care on the ground, and why continued engagement and oversight matter more than ever.

Contact Our Host

Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.org

A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF.

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments in the form of an email, video, or audio clip of yourself to podcasts@ghlf.org

Listen to all episodes of The Health Advocates on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

Congress has passed, and President Trump has signed, a major government funding bill that includes a wide range of health care policies, from telehealth extensions and hospital-at-home programs to long-sought reforms targeting pharmacy benefit managers. But alongside those wins, the legislation also raises serious questions about the future direction of federal health policy.
In this episode of&nbsp;The Health Advocates, Steven Newmark breaks down what the new spending package actually does for patients, what it leaves unresolved, and why some lawmakers and advocates are uneasy about increasing funding for federal health agencies under current leadership. The conversation explores how these decisions affect access to care, drug costs, public health programs, and trust in health institutions.
Whether you&rsquo;re a patient, caregiver, clinician, or advocate, this episode offers a clear, practical look at how congressional budget decisions shape health care on the ground, and why continued engagement and oversight matter more than ever.
Contact Our Host Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:snewmark@ghlf.org">snewmark@ghlf.org</a> A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF. We want to hear what you think. Send your comments in the form of an email, video, or audio clip of yourself to <a href="mailto:podcasts@ghlf.org">podcasts@ghlf.org</a> Listen to all episodes of The Health Advocates on our <a href="https://ghlf.org/the-health-advocates">website</a> or on your favorite podcast channel.

S9, Ep 5- Congress Funds Health Care: What This Means for Patients

In this episode of The Health Advocates, Steven Newmark sits down with Dr. Cynthia Overton to explore what person‑centered care truly looks like, through the eyes of someone who has lived it.

At age 26, Cynthia experienced a sudden spinal cord injury that left her temporarily paralyzed—an event that fundamentally reshaped her understanding of health care. Today, she draws on both lived experience and evidence‑based frameworks to help organizations and individuals rethink how care is delivered, with an emphasis on dignity, communication, and whole‑person support.

Together, Steven and Cynthia discuss disability inclusion, health equity, and why every patient interaction has the power to transform not only individual outcomes, but the system as a whole.

Contact Our Host

Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.org

A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF.

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments in the form of an email, video, or audio clip of yourself to podcasts@ghlf.org

Listen to all episodes of The Health Advocates on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

In this episode of The Health Advocates, Steven Newmark sits down with Dr. Cynthia Overton to explore what person‑centered care truly looks like, through the eyes of someone who has lived it.
At age 26, Cynthia experienced a sudden spinal cord injury that left her temporarily paralyzed&mdash;an event that fundamentally reshaped her understanding of health care. Today, she draws on both lived experience and evidence‑based frameworks to help organizations and individuals rethink how care is delivered, with an emphasis on dignity, communication, and whole‑person support.
Together, Steven and Cynthia discuss disability inclusion, health equity, and why every patient interaction has the power to transform not only individual outcomes, but the system as a whole. Contact Our Host Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:snewmark@ghlf.org">snewmark@ghlf.org</a> A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF. We want to hear what you think. Send your comments in the form of an email, video, or audio clip of yourself to <a href="mailto:podcasts@ghlf.org">podcasts@ghlf.org</a> Listen to all episodes of The Health Advocates on our <a href="https://ghlf.org/the-health-advocates">website</a> or on your favorite podcast channel.

S9, Ep 4- Redefining Care Through Lived Experience: Cynthia Overton on Person‑Centered Care

In this episode of The Health Advocates, Steven Newmark breaks down a surprising moment of bipartisan agreement in Congress: a new Health and Human Services funding bill that includes meaningful wins for patients and public health.

From protecting CDC and NIH funding to extending telehealth flexibilities and hospital-at-home programs, the bill also takes historic steps to reform Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), aiming to make drug pricing more transparent and patient-centered. Steven walks through what’s in the legislation, what was left out, and why PBM reform could have a direct impact on out-of-pocket costs and medication access.

Plus, what this deal signals about the power of patient advocacy in shaping policy—even in a divided political climate.

Contact Our Host

Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.org

A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF.

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments in the form of an email, video, or audio clip of yourself to podcasts@ghlf.org

Listen to all episodes of The Health Advocates on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

In this episode of The Health Advocates, Steven Newmark breaks down a surprising moment of bipartisan agreement in Congress: a new Health and Human Services funding bill that includes meaningful wins for patients and public health.
From protecting CDC and NIH funding to extending telehealth flexibilities and hospital-at-home programs, the bill also takes historic steps to reform Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), aiming to make drug pricing more transparent and patient-centered. Steven walks through what&rsquo;s in the legislation, what was left out, and why PBM reform could have a direct impact on out-of-pocket costs and medication access.
Plus, what this deal signals about the power of patient advocacy in shaping policy&mdash;even in a divided political climate.
Contact Our Host Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:snewmark@ghlf.org">snewmark@ghlf.org</a> A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF. We want to hear what you think. Send your comments in the form of an email, video, or audio clip of yourself to <a href="mailto:podcasts@ghlf.org">podcasts@ghlf.org</a> Listen to all episodes of The Health Advocates on our <a href="https://ghlf.org/the-health-advocates">website</a> or on your favorite podcast channel.

S9, Ep 6- Vaccine Crossroads: FDA Scrutiny, TrumpRx, and the Fight Over Public Trust

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