Healthcare Isn’t Driving Washington’s Agenda Right Now. That Could Change Fast.

·20 min·2 clips

Healthcare is taking a backseat in Washington, but Medicaid work requirements and Surgeon General confirmations could change everything fast.

The episode opens by noting healthcare's low priority in Washington amid other focuses like Homeland Security funding. Host J. Carlisle Larsen interviews Modern Healthcare reporter Michael McAuliffe on March 16, 2026, to assess healthcare in politics. McAuliffe describes a quiet landscape, with the president's 'great health care plan' and most favored nation drug pricing lacking momentum. The expiration of Affordable Care Act tax credits has led to over 1 million people dropping insurance, a number expected to rise. Healthcare may become a bigger campaign issue in targeted races, such as Nebraska's Senate election due to Medicaid work requirements starting in May. In California's sixth district, Republican Kevin Kiley dropped his party affiliation after discussing ACA subsidies. A Pennsylvania Republican is proposing a Medicare-for-all-like plan for young people. The nomination of Casey Means for Surgeon General is pending, with Senator Bill Cassidy as a key vote amid Trump's primary opposition. Hearings could be delayed by other Senate business like Homeland Security funding. Medicaid work requirements are set for 2027, with states like Nebraska pushing earlier implementations; Idaho plans to cut $22 million from home-based services for disabled individuals. States are acquiring technology and awaiting federal guidance due in June. Policy items likely to stall include Bill Cassidy's cybersecurity bill for hospitals and doctor pay issues, with a 2.5% Medicare fee boost expiring at year-end. Other expiring items include community health center funding and telehealth extensions, while artificial intelligence regulation is ignored. The episode concludes by summarizing key issues from elections to policy stalls.

As heard by us

Health care is quieter on Capitol Hill, but the nomination fight could still shape the next stretch.

The piece frames health care as relatively quiet on Capitol Hill in early 2026, even as Medicaid work requirements, the Surgeon General confirmation, and other policies remain in play.

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Why you'd press play

You want the health care fight while Capitol Hill is still relatively quiet.

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