Health insurance through the Affordable Care Act still exists nearly two years after candidate Donald Trump said he had “concepts of a plan” to replace it.

But even though many Americans still have access, it doesn’t mean coverage is affordable. New data out of Access Health CT reveals at least 22,000 Connecticut residents lost coverage after failing to make premium payments.

Today on the Wheelhouse, what’s left of the ACA and how is President Trump’s White House approaching health care policy?

Guests:
Julie Appleby, senior correspondent, KFF Health News
Katy Golvala, health reporter, CT Mirror
Kathleen Unger Holt, Healthcare Advocate, state of Connecticut 

Health insurance through the Affordable Care Act still exists nearly two years after candidate Donald Trump said he had &ldquo;concepts of a plan&rdquo; to replace it.
But even though many Americans still have access, it doesn&rsquo;t mean coverage is affordable. New data out of Access Health CT reveals at least 22,000 Connecticut residents lost&nbsp;<a href="https://ctmirror.org/2026/07/10/aca-coverage-losses-surge-in-connecticut-after-subsidy-expiration/">coverage</a>&nbsp;after failing to make premium payments.
Today on the Wheelhouse, what&rsquo;s left of the ACA and how is President Trump&rsquo;s White House approaching health care policy?
Guests:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.kff.org/person/julie-appleby/">Julie Appleby</a>, senior correspondent, KFF Health News</li>
<li><a href="https://ctmirror.org/author/kgolvala/">Katy Golvala</a>, health reporter, CT Mirror</li>
<li><a href="https://portal.ct.gov/oha?language=en_US">Kathleen Unger Holt</a>, Healthcare Advocate, state of Connecticut&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

If you’re a news junkie — or maybe just news curious, we’ve got your weekly dose of Connecticut politics, tackling everything from tax cuts to human composting. Amplifying important local and national voices, The Wheelhouse walks listeners through the most important political stories of the week.  You’ll hear from well-known political reporters, academics, and local journalists across Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns.

If you’re a news junkie — or maybe just news curious, we’ve got your weekly dose of Connecticut politics, tackling everything from tax cuts to human composting. Amplifying important local and national voices, The Wheelhouse walks listeners through the most important political stories of the week.  You’ll hear from well-known political reporters, academics, and local journalists across Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns.

Connecticut's best journalists come out of the political trenches every Wednesday to join us on WNPR's weekly news roundtable The Wheelhouse.

The Wheelhouse

How much ‘Obamacare’ remains in Trump’s America?

There are nearly 500,000 registered Republicans in Connecticut.

That figure is less than the number of registered Democrats – and unaffiliated voters – in the state.

Republicans are at a disadvantage in both chambers of the Connecticut General Assembly. And in the final Quinnipiac University poll released ahead of the Nov. 3 gubernatorial election, the CT GOP-endorsed candidate is trailing by 20 points.

Today on The Wheelhouse, with midterm elections two weeks away, we talk to conservatives about the issues they care about and the future of their party in Connecticut.

Guests:
Rep. Vincent Candelora (R - North Branford)
Geoffrey Medeiros, chairman, CT College Republicans
Jonathan Wharton, professor of political science and urban affairs, Southern Connecticut State University
Dan Haar, senior editor and columnist, Hearst Connecticut Media Group

There are nearly 500,000 <a href="https://ctmirror.org/2026/08/07/connecticut-lost-18197-active-voters-this-year-mostly-unaffiliated/">registered</a> Republicans in Connecticut.
That figure is less than the number of registered Democrats &ndash; and unaffiliated voters &ndash; in the state.
Republicans are at a disadvantage in both chambers of the Connecticut General Assembly. And in the final Quinnipiac University poll released ahead of the Nov. 3 gubernatorial election, the CT GOP-endorsed candidate is <a href="https://poll.qu.edu/poll-release?releaseid=3971">trailing by 20 points</a>.
Today on The Wheelhouse, with midterm elections two weeks away, we talk to conservatives about the issues they care about and the future of their party in Connecticut.
Guests:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.cthousegop.com/candelora">Rep. Vincent Candelora (R - North Branford)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/ctfcr/">Geoffrey Medeiros</a>, chairman, CT College Republicans</li>
<li><a href="https://www.southernct.edu/directory/whartonj1">Jonathan Wharton</a>, professor of political science and urban affairs, Southern Connecticut State University</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ctinsider.com/author/dan-haar/?utm_source=marketing&amp;utm_medium=google&amp;utm_campaign=content_acquisition&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=23947451672&amp;gbraid=0AAAAACqe600Ajs27SFeDQgHx_1zHYD8sW&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwotzWBhBFEiwA1JhPoEqksZpzWcmBpRIKfRY6Mw9UJWc7DSP8zjNdC43OexW3cViM_iyI3BoCfhAQAvD_BwE">Dan Haar</a>, senior editor and columnist, Hearst Connecticut Media Group</li>
</ul>

Perspective from CT Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterms

Connecticut voters will choose between incumbent Gov. Ned Lamont (D) and State Sen. Ryan Fazio (R-Greenwich) in less than a month.

On the next Wheelhouse, we sit down one-on-one with both candidates to hear where they stand on immigration enforcement, taxes and spending, electric rates, and more.

Then, Mark Pazniokas from CT Mirror helps us unpack the candidates’ messaging. It’s essential listening in the lead up to November 3.

Guests:
Gov. Ned Lamont (D-CT)
State Sen. Ryan Fazio (R-Greenwich)
Mark Pazniokas, capitol bureau chief and co-founder, CT Mirror

Connecticut voters will choose between incumbent Gov. Ned Lamont (D) and State Sen. Ryan Fazio (R-Greenwich) in less than a month.
On the next Wheelhouse, we sit down one-on-one with both candidates to hear where they stand on immigration enforcement, taxes and spending, electric rates, and more.
Then, Mark Pazniokas from CT Mirror helps us unpack the candidates&rsquo; messaging. It&rsquo;s essential listening in the lead up to November 3.
Guests:
<ul>
<li>Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nedlamont.com/">Ned Lamont</a>&nbsp;(D-CT)</li>
<li>State Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://ryanfazio.com/">Ryan Fazio</a>&nbsp;(R-Greenwich)</li>
<li><a href="https://ctmirror.org/author/mpazniokas/">Mark Pazniokas</a>, capitol bureau chief and co-founder, CT Mirror</li>
</ul>

The 2026 CT gubernatorial election: Meet the candidates

Polling of likely voters in midterm elections indicates people aren’t happy with the way the current administration is managing the U.S. economy.

About 60% of respondents in a recent New York Times/Siena University poll say they disapprove of how Donald Trump is handling the U.S. economy.

Which party is better able to tackle a national affordability crisis?

That’s a deciding factor swaying voters. Amid that national debate, the people of Connecticut live in a reality where costs continue to swell.

The average cost for a new vehicle in Connecticut has risen 2% in the last year. The median sale price for a home in the state is rising too. Redfin, a business affiliated with Rocket Mortgage, reports that the median sale price of a home in Connecticut is $474,026.

This hour, we’re talking about affordability and the midterms and asking what can be done to lift Americans out of the current crisis.

Guests:
Martha Gimbel, executive director and co-founder, The Budget Lab at Yale University
Abigail Brone, housing reporter, Connecticut Public
Meghan Holden, director of marketing and communications, The Connecticut Project

Are you thinking about 2026 midterm elections? Help shape our election coverage by filling out this survey. Please submit responses by Oct. 14. 

Polling of likely voters in midterm elections indicates people aren&rsquo;t happy with the way the current administration is managing the U.S. economy.
About 60% of respondents in a recent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/09/15/polls/times-siena-poll-likely-voter-crosstabs.html">New York Times/Siena University poll</a>&nbsp;say they disapprove of how Donald Trump is handling the U.S. economy.
Which party is better able to tackle a national affordability crisis?
That&rsquo;s a deciding factor swaying voters. Amid that national debate, the people of Connecticut live in a reality where costs continue to swell.
The average cost for a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ctinsider.com/business/article/new-cars-ct-prices-shopping-consumers-22456182.php">new vehicle</a>&nbsp;in Connecticut has risen 2% in the last year. The median sale price for a home in the state is rising too. Redfin, a business affiliated with Rocket Mortgage, reports that the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.redfin.com/state/Connecticut/housing-market">median sale price of a home&nbsp;</a>in Connecticut is $474,026.
This hour, we&rsquo;re talking about affordability and the midterms and asking what can be done to lift Americans out of the current crisis.
Guests:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://budgetlab.yale.edu/person/martha-gimbel">Martha Gimbel</a>, executive director and co-founder, The Budget Lab at Yale University</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/people/abby-brone">Abigail Brone</a>, housing reporter, Connecticut Public</li>
<li><a href="https://tcpactionfund.org/meghan-holden">Meghan Holden</a>, director of marketing and communications, The Connecticut Project</li>
</ul>
Are you thinking about 2026 midterm elections? Help shape our election coverage by filling out this&nbsp;<a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WBPXCFW">survey</a>. Please submit responses by Oct. 14.&nbsp;

How much ‘Obamacare’ remains in Trump’s America?

The Wheelhouse

In 1 playlist(s)

The Wheelhouse

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips