Miles is joined by OB-GYN, Committee to Protect Health Care Board Chair, and health care advocate Dr. Kristin Lyerly to unpack another week in American health politics. They discuss the shaky confirmation prospects for Surgeon General nominee Casey Means, as well as the Texas Democratic Senate primary, where James Talarico’s victory could set up a race that determines control of the U.S. Senate. The conversation also dives into the latest round of headline-grabbing moves from HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., from controversial nutrition/affordability messaging to a bizarre government social media video, alongside a serious warning about new proposals that could push Affordable Care Act deductibles as high as $31,000 for families. Later in the episode, Miles and Dr. Lyerly speak with Judge Chris Taylor, a candidate for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, about why her race could have major implications for reproductive rights, voting access, and the balance of power in the state and even the country. Taylor reflects on her decades-long career advocating for women and patients, from her work with Planned Parenthood to serving in the Wisconsin legislature and judiciary, and explains how the courts are increasingly becoming the last line of defense for fundamental rights. With a closely divided court and multiple elections ahead, Taylor argues the stakes for Wisconsin’s judiciary, and for democracy, have never been higher. Background reading: * POLITICO: Trump’s surgeon general pick, Casey Means, still lacks votes for confirmation * Sign the Committee’s letter to stop Casey Means from becoming Surgeon General: ProtectMed.org/caseymeans * AXIOS: James Talarico wins Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Texas * The New York Times: Three Reasons John Cornyn Is Fighting for His Political Life * Houston Public Media: AG Ken Paxton sues more out-of-state providers for allegedly shipping abortion pills to Texas * James Talarico on health care * Rep. James Talarico discusses health care costs, term limits in run for U.S. Senate * MedPage Today: RFK Jr. Says He Has ADHD * The Hill: RFK Jr. suggests buying liver or ‘cheap cuts’ instead of steak * RFK Jr. promotes fake action figure HERE * The Lancet: Robert F Kennedy Jr: 1 year of failure * The New York Times: New A.C.A. Plans Could Increase Family Deductibles to $31,000 * The Orange County Register: CalOptima reports steep membership drop as providers brace for surge in uninsured patients * JD Vance blames rural hospital closures on Biden HERE * State Court Report: State Supreme Court Races to Watch in 2026 * Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: In the Supreme Court race between Taylor and Lazar, ‘undecided’ leads * Marquette Today: New Marquette Law School Poll finds large majorities of Wisconsin voters undecided on candidates for state Supreme Court, governor * Spectrum News 1: State Supreme Court candidates look ahead to April election * PBS Wisconsin: Maria Lazar and Chris Taylor face off in the 2026 election for an open Wisconsin Supreme Court seat * Ballotpedia: Wisconsin Supreme Court elections, 2026 * Donate to Judge Chris Taylor’s campaign HERE * Volunteer to help get out the vote for Judge Chris Taylor’s campaign HERE * Dr. Kristin Lyerly’s Substack is HERE Join the fight at committeetoprotect.org. Subscribe, share, and leave a rating to help more people find Paging America. Have thoughts, questions, or your own health care story? Email us at feedback@pagingamerica.org. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pagingamerica.org/subscribe
