POLITICO's Pulse Check
POLITICO
Show overview
POLITICO's Pulse Check has been publishing since 2016, and across the 7 years since has built a catalogue of 599 episodes, alongside 5 trailers or bonus episodes. That works out to roughly 190 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a weekly cadence.
Episodes typically run ten to twenty minutes — most land between 8 min and 29 min — with run-times ranging widely across the catalogue. It is catalogued as a EN-language Health & Fitness show.
The catalogue appears to be on hiatus or wound down — the most recent episode landed 2.4 years ago, with no new episodes in over a year. The busiest year was 2023, with 236 episodes published. Published by POLITICO.
From the publisher
POLITICO Pulse Check delivers the latest news in health care with sharp policy analysis and a dose of real-world perspective. Hear what stories POLITICO's deep bench of Health Care policy reporters are watching and their analysis of the critical issues facing regulators, legislators, and practitioners.
Latest Episodes
View all 599 episodesEp 604The two big ways AI is changing health care
Artificial intelligence is changing the way doctors practice, but also how the health care business runs. Host Chelsea Cirruzzo talks with POLITICO health care reporter Daniel Payne about the ways AI is already used across the medical landscape and how regulators are responding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 603For HHS, AI is an inside job
As federal officials scramble to regulate artificial intelligence in health care, HHS has already become one of the top federal agencies using the technology. Host Kelly Hooper talks with POLITICO health reporter Chelsea Cirruzzo about some of the 80 implemented or planned uses of AI by HHS agencies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 602A look back at abortion policy in 2023 and a look forward to 2024
Abortion policy changes made since the fall of Roe v. Wade continue to spur ongoing political turmoil nationwide. Host Lauren Gardner talks with POLITICO health care reporter Alice Miranda Ollstein about the most significant developments surrounding abortion this year and what to expect heading into 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 601Fentanyl’s fatal year in review
Fatal overdoses of the synthetic opioid have hit record highs in the U.S. Host Ben Leonard talks with POLITICO global health reporter Carmen Paun about the devastating impact of the fentanyl epidemic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 600What the USPS is hiding about worker safety
Heat is the second-leading cause of injury to postal workers after slips and falls. Letter carriers are supposed to receive training for dealing with high temperatures, but the Postal Service acknowledged to E&E News that it had in some cases falsified training records, reporter Ariel Wittenberg tells host Kelly Hooper. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 599What Biden's new fair price drug policy means
The Biden administration announced Thursday that drug companies receiving research funding from HHS’ emergency response arm, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, will have to commit to a “fair price” – not more than they charge in other countries. Host Chelsea Cirruzzo talks with POLITICO health care reporter Robert King about the Biden administration's efforts to curb high prescription drug prices. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 598Congress’ health reform package: Where does it stand?
As Congress pursues landmark health reforms, lawmakers must align House and Senate legislation that includes ensuring transparency from hospitals, insurers and pharmacy benefit managers and reauthorizing a law that would expand treatment for opioid use disorders. Host Megan Messerly talks with POLITICO health care reporter Ben Leonard about the chances of reconciling the chambers’ competing bills. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 597The future of milestone opioid law
Congress has moved to reup treatment for opioid use disorder as the rate of fatal overdoses remains near record highs in the US. Host Lauren Gardner talks with POLITICO global health reporter Carmen Paun about the role of the SUPPORT Act in the ongoing opioid epidemic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 596How the coming mining boom could upend local health care
Mining companies offer good jobs with good benefits that can counterintuitively damage health care access, boosting it for some while hampering it for others. Host Ben Leonard talks with POLITICO health care reporter Megan Messerly about the unintended ripple effects of mining companies' good health benefits plans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 595Why Congress is deadlocked over PEPFAR
Congressional negotiations to reup the law governing the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief are at an impasse over abortion. Host Kelly Hooper talks with POLITICO global health reporter Carmen Paun about what's going on and what it means for a program credited with saving 25 million lives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 594Some drug patents in the Biden administration's crosshairs
The White House says it can use "march-in rights" to seize patents for certain medicines partly developed with federal funds. Host Katherine Ellen Foley talks with POLITICO White House Correspondent Adam Cancryn about how the move could give the president another tool in his effort to lower drug prices. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 593Who’s calling the shots on health care policy now?
Louisiana Republican Mike Johnson's rise to House Speaker and the departure of some key health care policy aides are shifting power on the Hill, giving more sway to the priorities of committee chairs and their senior staffers in the shaping of health care policy in 2024. Host Alice Miranda Ollstein talks with POLITICO health care reporter Megan R. Wilson about the changes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 592Dr. Google’s legislative test
Google wants to make your phone a "doctor in your pocket" using artificial intelligence, but lawmakers worry the tech giant and others are innovating too fast before patient protections are set. Host Lauren Gardner talks with POLITICO health care reporter Ruth Reader about artificial intelligence and Washington's drive to regulate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 591Repeal-and-replace redux
The Affordable Care Act insures more than 40 million people and is very popular. Host Ben Leonard talks with POLITICO health care reporter Alice Miranda Ollstein about why calls by former President Donald Trump to replace the law could fall on deaf ears. (edited) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 590Sickle cell gene-editing treatment poised for FDA approval
The FDA is close to a decision on a landmark one-time gene-editing treatment for patients with sickle cell disease and another blood disorder. Host Kelly Hooper talks with POLITICO health care reporter Lauren Gardner about how the therapy works, its safety profile, who will be eligible for it and the significant challenges around affordability and access. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 589Trump reignites Affordable Care Act battle
Former President Donald Trump is once again calling to repeal the Affordable Care Act, a move the Biden administration views as a political gift ahead of the 2024 election. Host Katherine Ellen Foley talks with POLITICO White House Correspondent Adam Cancryn about Trump’s comments and the potential political implications. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 588The changing face of primary care
Democrats and Republicans agree that the primary care system needs an overhaul. Host Alice Miranda Ollstein talks with POLITICO health care reporter Daniel Payne about the push to encourage nurses to take on new duties. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 587China’s virus outbreak: Seasonal return or new threat?
China is seeing a surge in respiratory infections, especially among children, but health experts in the U.S. say it’s not a sign of another pandemic. Host Lauren Gardner talks with POLITICO global health care reporter Carmen Paun about the current outbreak and why experts say we shouldn’t be too concerned. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 586Medicare Advantage plans on the rise, and under scrutiny
Bipartisan concern is growing on Capitol Hill over reports of care denials by Medicare Advantage plans through a tool known as prior authorization. Host Ben Leonard talks with POLITICO health care reporter Robert King about the increasing congressional scrutiny. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 585Organ transplant reforms stalled by lack of funding
President Joe Biden signed into law an overhaul of the nation's organ transplant system, the first major reform in 40 years. Host Alice Miranda Ollstein talks with POLITICO health care reporter Chelsea Cirruzzo about how a lack of funding has stalled the effort. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices