Health insurance is expensive. The average American spent $13,493 per person in 2022, according to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. And according to national health policy researcher KFF, most insured Americans have experienced a problem using their insurance.

That may explain the complete lack of empathy some people showed online in reaction to the targeted killing of Brian Thompson, CEO of America’s largest private health insurer, UnitedHealthcare.

Lawmakers sprouted into action when Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield considered capping their coverage of anesthesia services for patients during surgeries.

Today on a special Wheelhouse, we’re examining the intersection of politics and the healthcare insurance industry. Plus, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont is in-studio to address the insurance issue, as well as concerns related to reproductive rights and the funding of public education in advance of January’s convening of the 2025 legislative session in Connecticut.

GUESTS:
Ned Lamont: Governor, State ofConnecticut
Alex Putterman: Reporter, Hearst Connecticut Media
Katy Golvala: Health reporter, CT Mirror
Lisa Hagen: Federal policy reporter, CT Public and CT Mirror

Health insurance is expensive. The average American spent $13,493 per person in 2022, according to the <a href="https://www.cms.gov/data-research/statistics-trends-and-reports/national-health-expenditure-data/historical">federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services</a>. And according to <a href="https://www.kff.org/private-insurance/poll-finding/kff-survey-of-consumer-experiences-with-health-insurance/#:~:text=Overall%2C%20about%20eight%20in%20ten,%2C%20and%20Medicaid%20(83%25)">national health policy researcher KFF</a>, most insured Americans have experienced a problem using their insurance.
That may explain the complete lack of empathy some people showed online in reaction to the targeted killing of Brian Thompson, CEO of America&rsquo;s largest private health insurer, UnitedHealthcare.
Lawmakers sprouted into action when Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield considered capping their coverage of anesthesia services for patients during surgeries.
Today on a special Wheelhouse, we&rsquo;re examining the intersection of politics and the healthcare insurance industry. Plus, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont is in-studio to address the insurance issue, as well as concerns related to reproductive rights and the funding of public education in advance of January&rsquo;s convening of the 2025 legislative session in Connecticut.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://portal.ct.gov/governor?language=en_US">Ned Lamont</a>: Governor, State of Connecticut</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ctinsider.com/author/alex-putterman/">Alex Putterman</a>: Reporter, Hearst Connecticut Media</li>
<li><a href="https://ctmirror.org/author/kgolvala/">Katy Golvala</a>: Health reporter, CT Mirror</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/people/lisa-hagen-1">Lisa Hagen</a>: Federal policy reporter, CT Public and CT Mirror</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

The politics of health: Can lawmakers force a reckoning in the insurance industry?   

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Out C Clean

In the past few years, lawmakers in Connecticut have gotten closer to meaningful legislation that would lower a vehicle’s carbon footprint. They’ve also introduced a pilot program targeting food scraps in an effort to reduce waste.

Their job may get harder.

President-elect Donald Trump's record on climate change is already forcing state lawmakers to re-think local policy changes. A week after the election, Gov. Ned Lamont said he’s no longer pursuing a mandate that would’ve phased out sales of new gas-powered vehicles in the state by 2035.

Today on the Wheelhouse, how initiatives seeking to curb climate change will be impacted by the 2024 election.

GUESTS:
Michayla Savitt: State government reporter, Connecticut Public
Shannon Osaka: Climate zeitgeist reporter, The Washington Post
Miriam Wasser: Senior climate and environment reporter, WBUR

In the past few years, lawmakers in Connecticut have gotten closer to meaningful legislation that would lower a vehicle&rsquo;s carbon footprint. They&rsquo;ve also introduced a <a href="https://portal.ct.gov/deep/business-and-financial-assistance/grants-financial-assistance/sustainable-materials-management-grant-program">pilot program</a> targeting food scraps in an effort to reduce waste.
Their job may get harder.
President-elect Donald Trump's record on climate change is already forcing state lawmakers to re-think local policy changes. A week after the election, Gov. Ned Lamont said he&rsquo;s no longer pursuing a mandate that would&rsquo;ve phased out sales of new gas-powered vehicles in the state by 2035.
Today on the Wheelhouse, how initiatives seeking to curb climate change will be impacted by the 2024 election.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/people/michayla-savitt">Michayla Savitt</a>: State government reporter, Connecticut Public</li>
<li><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/shannon-osaka/">Shannon Osaka</a>: Climate zeitgeist reporter, The Washington Post</li>
<li><a href="https://www.wbur.org/inside/staff/miriam-wasser">Miriam Wasser</a>: Senior climate and environment reporter, WBUR</li>
</ul>

How might lawmakers prioritize the climate with skeptics in power? 

Prior to Election Day, advocates were worried about a national abortion ban and further local restrictions on reproductive care. And then, Donald Trump was elected president, with Republicans alongside him taking over the U.S. Congress.

Reporters covering reproductive rights are analyzing what comes next under Trump, someone who’s taken credit for the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Today on the Wheelhouse, what happens when the federal government begins to prioritize certain state laws over a patient’s right to receive medical care?

We’ll also examine local efforts to combat potential restrictions on reproductive care, including the launching of a 24/7 service called the Connecticut Abortion Legal Hotline.

GUESTS:
William Tong (D): Attorney General, State of Connecticut
Shefali Luthra: Reproductive health reporter, The 19th
Rachel Rebouché: Professor of Law, Temple University

Prior to Election Day, advocates were worried about a national abortion ban and further local restrictions on reproductive care. And then, Donald Trump was elected president, with Republicans alongside him taking over the U.S. Congress.
Reporters covering reproductive rights <a href="https://19thnews.org/2024/11/abortion-rights-won-seven-states-vulnerable-trump-presidency/">are analyzing what comes next under Trump</a>, someone who’s taken credit for the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Today on the Wheelhouse, what happens when the federal government begins to prioritize certain state laws over a patient’s right to receive medical care?
We’ll also examine local efforts to combat potential restrictions on reproductive care, including the launching of a 24/7 service called the <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/news/2024-11-08/on-heels-of-trump-reelection-ct-reproductive-rights-advocates-announce-new-abortion-care-hotline">Connecticut Abortion Legal Hotline</a>.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://portal.ct.gov/ag/about-the-ag/william-tong-biography-page">William Tong (D)</a>: Attorney General, State of Connecticut</li>
<li><a href="https://19thnews.org/author/shefali-luthra/">Shefali Luthra</a>: Reproductive health reporter, The 19th</li>
<li><a href="https://law.temple.edu/contact/rachel-rebouche/">Rachel Rebouché</a>: Professor of Law, Temple University</li>
</ul>

What Donald Trump’s win means for reproductive care

Seg B

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When stressful conversations about politics are “on the table” this holiday season, how can we stay engaged with family members who have totally different views from our own? This week on The Wheelhouse, Professor Irshad Manji talks with us about how people can apply her "Five Skills of Moral Courage" to build trust and respect with people we want to have positive relationships with, regardless of politics.

Irshad Manji is the founder of Moral Courage College and author of three books: Allah, Liberty and Loveand The Trouble with Islam Today, and her latest book is Don’t Label Me: An Incredible Conversation for Divided Times.

GUEST: 
Irshad Manji: Professor and founder of Moral Courage College and author of Don’t Label Me: An Incredible Conversation for Divided Times.

This episode was produced by Frankie Graziano, Chloe Wynne and Robyn Doyon-Aitken

The Wheelhouse is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts,Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.

When stressful conversations about politics are “on the table” this holiday season, how can we stay engaged with family members who have totally different views from our own? This week on The Wheelhouse, Professor Irshad Manji talks with us about how people can apply her "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apT-dzA8Xtc">Five Skills of Moral Courage</a>" to build trust and respect with people we want to have positive relationships with, regardless of politics.
Irshad Manji is the founder of <a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmoralcourage.com%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Crdoyonaitken%40ctpublic.org%7C8eb7150b47224cdfb58f08dcef6a7fc4%7C46f93d87c3a048d2834be99a572ddf32%7C1%7C0%7C638648487955485087%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=mM%2FrxIVRhy8k%2BDmQLhExzGKiG4af2rPtaIgTEUpqejA%3D&amp;reserved=0">Moral Courage College</a> and author of three books: <a href="https://irshadmanji.com/allah-liberty-love-learn/">Allah, Liberty and Love</a> and <a href="https://irshadmanji.com/the-trouble-with-islam-today-learn/">The Trouble with Islam Today</a>, and her latest book is <a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FDont-Label-Me-Diversity-Inflaming%2Fdp%2F1250182859%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Crdoyonaitken%40ctpublic.org%7C8eb7150b47224cdfb58f08dcef6a7fc4%7C46f93d87c3a048d2834be99a572ddf32%7C1%7C0%7C638648487955506646%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=hsscvwTVAmx%2FaQs0LAkW7oXltwaW7IfVQ0zW1q5WHu8%3D&amp;reserved=0">Don’t Label Me: An Incredible Conversation for Divided Times</a>.
GUEST: Irshad Manji: Professor and founder of <a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmoralcourage.com%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Crdoyonaitken%40ctpublic.org%7C8eb7150b47224cdfb58f08dcef6a7fc4%7C46f93d87c3a048d2834be99a572ddf32%7C1%7C0%7C638648487955485087%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=mM%2FrxIVRhy8k%2BDmQLhExzGKiG4af2rPtaIgTEUpqejA%3D&amp;reserved=0">Moral Courage College</a> and author of <a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FDont-Label-Me-Diversity-Inflaming%2Fdp%2F1250182859%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Crdoyonaitken%40ctpublic.org%7C8eb7150b47224cdfb58f08dcef6a7fc4%7C46f93d87c3a048d2834be99a572ddf32%7C1%7C0%7C638648487955506646%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=hsscvwTVAmx%2FaQs0LAkW7oXltwaW7IfVQ0zW1q5WHu8%3D&amp;reserved=0">Don’t Label Me: An Incredible Conversation for Divided Times</a>.
This episode was produced by Frankie Graziano, Chloe Wynne and Robyn Doyon-Aitken The Wheelhouse is available as a podcast on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-wheelhouse/id1123069986">Apple Podcasts,</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0rdTqFfVu8e6TKMa5lWXsI">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cub21ueWNvbnRlbnQuY29tL2QvcGxheWxpc3QvYWMwYmU5NjktZDdkZi00NjBjLWE2NmMtYTZmOTAwZTFlYmQxLzI1M2YwNjY4LTA0NjMtNGFiNC04ZWIzLWE5ZmIwMDRjOTdlNy8wOTUwNDBkZS1hZjMyLTQ1Y2UtOTkwZi1hOWZiMDA0Yzk3ZjUvcG9kY2FzdC5yc3M">Google Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/dd73c297-450d-4ea5-bb0b-64131d617ee0/the-wheelhouse">Amazon Music</a>, <a href="https://tunein.com/podcasts/Government/The-Wheelhouse-p1207903/?topicId=264709829">TuneIn</a>, <a href="https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/the-wheelhouse-connecticut-public-radio-mxksbjc_iJI/">Listen Notes</a>, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.

The politics of health: Can lawmakers force a reckoning in the insurance industry?

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