Medicare Episodes

1073: Coverage, Consequences, and the Leaders Shaping Public Health’s Future
Feb. 20, 2026

1073: Coverage, Consequences, and the Leaders Shaping Public Health’s Future

What happens when health coverage becomes unaffordable, and who’s stepping up to lead in moments like this? This episode connects two powerful public health stories.First, we break down the ACA enhanced premium tax credits: what they were, who they helped, and what’s at stake now that they’ve expired. Catherine Jones, senior analyst for government affairs at ASTHO, will explain how these pandemic-era subsidies dramatically expanded access to marketplace coverage, helping middle-income famili...
1053: Preventing Diabetes and Improving Access: Food, Insulin, and Public Health Policy
Jan. 15, 2026

1053: Preventing Diabetes and Improving Access: Food, Insulin, and Public Health Policy

Diabetes remains one of the most serious and costly chronic diseases facing communities today. In this episode, ASTHO Vice President of Community Health and Prevention, Christi Mackie, breaks down the differences between type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes, common symptoms parents should watch for, and why routine screenings are essential.
945: Workforce Capacity, BBB Public Health Impacts
352
July 11, 2025

945: Workforce Capacity, BBB Public Health Impacts

Maggie Nilz, senior analyst for preparedness at ASTHO, explains how states can help support public health preparedness workforce resilience and capacity; Carolyn Mullen, senior vice president of government affairs and public relations at ASTHO, shares what Congress has been busy with in this week’s View from Washington, D.C. report...
897: Baston Steps Down, AI for Vaccine Misbelief Correction
505
May 1, 2025

897: Baston Steps Down, AI for Vaccine Misbelief Correction

Dr. Kaitlan Baston, ASTHO alum and the former New Jersey commissioner of health, reflects on her time in the role as she steps down; Dr. Hang Lu, assistant professor in the department of communication and media at the University of Michigan, discusses an...
857: Mathematical Models + PH, States Address Rural Healthcare Issues
466
March 6, 2025

857: Mathematical Models + PH, States Address Rural Healthcare Issues

Dr. Spencer Fox, assistant professor at the University of Georgia, explains how a new course on mathematical models could help public health professionals; Dr. Lana McKinney, ASTHO senior policy analyst on the State Health Policy team, tells us how...
824: AHEAD Model, NEMA Hurricane Response Webinar
433
Jan. 16, 2025

824: AHEAD Model, NEMA Hurricane Response Webinar

Dr. Laura Herrera Scott, secretary of health for the Maryland Department of Health and an ASTHO Member, tells us how Maryland was the first state to sign on to the AHEAD Model released by CMS; Jessica Byrski, senior policy analyst for the National...
816: New Office of Healthy Aging, Vape Devices with Video Games
425
Jan. 6, 2025

816: New Office of Healthy Aging, Vape Devices with Video Games

Dr. Ralph Alvarado, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Health and an ASTHO member, tells us why his team decided to create an Office of Healthy Aging; Dr. Jennifer Unger, a professor of Population and Public Health Sciences at the University...
718: Funding Community Health Workers, Legal Map Surveys Overdose Laws
327
July 31, 2024

718: Funding Community Health Workers, Legal Map Surveys Overdose Laws

Dr. Karen Hacker, director of the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion at the CDC, says Medicaid and Medicare may be able to help keep community health workers on the front lines; Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, vice president and...
662: Doula Care Gains Support, Helping Mothers Heal
271
May 10, 2024

662: Doula Care Gains Support, Helping Mothers Heal

Alex Kearly, ASTHO director of Medicaid and Public Health Partnerships, says doula care is one of the most promising strategies to address maternal health disparities; Kay Matthews, executive director and founder of the Shades of Blue Project, tells...
610: Island Members Visit Capitol Hill, Campaign Recruits New Public Health Nurses
221
Feb. 28, 2024

610: Island Members Visit Capitol Hill, Campaign Recruits New Public Health Nurses

Gaafar Uherbelau, Minister of Health for the Palau Ministry of Health and Human Services, tells us his priorities in Washington D.C. for ASTHO’s Spring Meeting; this week, the third cohort of public health professionals in the Diverse Executives...
553: States Lead Equity Initiatives, ASTHO Tunes Medicaid Parity Policy
164
Nov. 29, 2023

553: States Lead Equity Initiatives, ASTHO Tunes Medicaid Parity Policy

Jessica Fepelstein, analyst, State and Community Engagement, ASTHO, explains the health equity core concepts work that is happening as part of the STRETCH Initiative; Dr. Esther Muna, chief executive officer and territorial health official for the...
551: New Website Examines Public Health Priorities, Advocacy Drives Alzheimer’s Policy
162
Nov. 27, 2023

551: New Website Examines Public Health Priorities, Advocacy Drives Alzheimer’s Policy

Dr. Marcus Plescia, chief medical officer, ASTHO, examines ASTHO’s new webpage with a collection of evidence-based technical packages covering key public health concerns; J.T. Lane, senior vice president, Population Health and Innovation, ASTHO...