Something bigger than a single vaccine debate is unfolding inside America’s public health system.

In this episode of The Health Advocates, Steven Newmark explores the growing tension surrounding vaccine policy, scientific transparency, and public trust. From the FDA’s decision not to review a new mRNA flu vaccine application to reports of delayed vaccine safety studies and shifting federal recommendations, the episode connects a series of recent developments that together point to a broader transformation inside federal health agencies.

The conversation examines why some officials argue these changes are restoring scientific rigor, while many scientists and public health advocates worry they are creating confusion and weakening confidence in vaccines. Most importantly, the episode focuses on what this means for patients trying to navigate healthcare decisions in an increasingly uncertain environment.

Contact Our Host

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

A podcast episode produced by Amelia Violet Prouse, Associate Podcast & Video Producer 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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The federal budget may feel distant, but its impact on healthcare is anything but. In this episode of The Health Advocates, Steven Newmark breaks down the Trump administration’s newly proposed budget, which includes significant cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services, reductions in research funding, and a major restructuring of federal public health programs.

But this conversation goes beyond what’s proposed. We also examine what’s already happening on the ground following last year’s federal policy changes, including substantial reductions in Medicaid funding that are placing pressure on state budgets and leading to coverage losses for millions of Americans.

This episode connects the dots between federal decisions and real-world consequences — from access to care and public health preparedness to the future of medical research. For patients, caregivers, and advocates, it offers a clear look at where healthcare policy is heading and why these budget decisions matter now.

Contact Our Host

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

A podcast episode produced by Amelia Violet Prouse, Associate Podcast & Video Producer 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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A federal court has halted sweeping changes to U.S. vaccine policy, raising fundamental questions about who shapes public health decisions and how those decisions are made. In this episode, we break down the ruling, the role of the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee, and why the court found the administration’s actions unlawful. We also explore what this means for patients, providers, and the future of evidence-based policymaking.

Contact Our Host

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

A podcast episode produced by Amelia Violet Prouse, Associate Podcast & Video Producer 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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For people living with osteoarthritis, news about potential new treatments often comes with more questions than answers. In this episode of The Health Advocates, we slow things down to explain what it really means when a company submits a New Drug Application, or NDA, to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Steven Newmark is joined by Erich Horsley and Dr. Yusuf Yazici from Biosplice Therapeutics to walk through this important regulatory milestone and why it matters for patients. Together, they break down what an NDA is, what happens during FDA review, and what patients should and should not expect while a therapy is under evaluation. The conversation also explores the current osteoarthritis treatment landscape, why progress in this disease has been so challenging, and what researchers mean when they talk about disease-modifying approaches.

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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.