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Trump's megabill expected to cost $4.1T, according to new CBO estimate
MSNBC· 2025-08-05 11:38
Government Spending and Debt - The Congressional Budget Office estimates President Trump's bill will add over $4 trillion to the national debt over the next decade [1] - In 2019, the US spent $60 billion on SNAP, which increased to $100 billion during COVID, but has returned to 2019 levels [1] - $450 million in FEMA funds are being reallocated to open alligator Alcatraz, and $600 million in taxpayer FEMA dollars are being used to open more concentration camps [1] Political and Policy Implications - Republican lawmakers dismissed warnings about the bill's impact, arguing it would boost the economy more than predicted [1] - The White House is focused on the midterms and communicating to Republicans how to defend the bill and the president's actions [4][6] - Millions could lose access to Medicaid and food assistance programs due to the cuts [7] - The White House is framing the Medicaid cuts as reducing waste, fraud, and abuse [9] Trade and Investment - President Trump lowered a threatened 25% tariff on South Korea to 15% after they agreed to make $350 billion in investments in the US and purchase $100 billion of liquified natural gas [12] - Japan will establish a $550 billion fund for investments in the United States [13] - The European Union indicated its companies were poised to invest at least $600 billion [14]
Health equity expert calls Trump’s school fitness test plan ‘political theater’
MSNBC· 2025-08-03 17:33
Health & Policy - The discussion revolves around President Trump's executive order to reinstate the presidential fitness test in public schools, initially established in 1956 by President Eisenhower [1] - The policy is viewed as performative and political theater, unlikely to address childhood obesity effectively [4] - The core issue lies in structural problems such as limited access to healthy food, a flawed healthcare system, unsafe neighborhoods for exercise, and insufficient recess or physical education [5][6] - Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" campaign, aimed at promoting physical activity and healthy school lunches, faced ridicule from conservatives, highlighting potential political motivations behind health initiatives [10][11] Obesity & Treatment - Over 70% of children and 85% of teenagers do not meet the 2024 federal minimum recommendation for daily moderate to vigorous physical activity, with higher rates among children of color [3] - The administration plans to experiment with Medicare and Medicaid coverage for weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, addressing disparities in obesity treatment access [13] - While medication is beneficial, it's not a complete solution; preventive and wraparound services are essential, raising concerns about Medicaid cuts affecting state affordability of GLP-1s [14][15] Nutrition & Systemic Issues - The administration's focus on changing ingredients in junk food is seen as addressing issues on a granular level rather than tackling systemic problems [17][18] - Addressing the underinsured and uninsured populations, predominantly people of color, is crucial for ensuring access to preventive care and resolving systemic issues impacting communities [19]
Pres. Trump's push to lower drug prices 'is a good starting point', says Dr. Scott Gottlieb
CNBC Television· 2025-08-01 12:31
Pharmaceutical Pricing & Policy - The Trump administration is attempting to lower drug prices in the US, potentially through negotiation and jawboning, after previous regulatory efforts were struck down by courts [1][3][4] - The administration proposes that new drug launches in commercial and Medicare markets should adopt the Most Favored Nation (MFN) price prospectively, but applying MFN pricing to Medicaid from day one could significantly impact pharmaceutical company revenues [5][6] - A tiered pricing system based on a nation's wealth (GDP per capita) is suggested as a fairer global approach to drug pricing, with different prices for low, middle, and high-income nations [7] - The US Trade Representative (USTR) should support pharmaceutical companies in pushing back against global pricing authorities, potentially leading to higher prices in other developed countries alongside lower prices in the US [8][9][10][20] - The administration is considering a direct-to-consumer online portal where underinsured or uninsured individuals can purchase heavily rebated drugs at MFN-type pricing [13] FDA & Regulatory Environment - The FDA is experiencing a significant loss of scientific staff, with the Biologic Center seeing 106 departures since the beginning of the year, in addition to 150 RIFs (reductions in force), and the Drug Center losing a third of reviewers for breast and gynecological cancer products and over half of the malignant heme products group [25][26] - The quality and pace of interactions between early-stage companies and the FDA have decreased due to staff departures and firings [27][28] - There are concerns about political meddling and intrusion in the FDA's decision-making, potentially affecting the agency's morale and scientific judgment [31][32]
'Time to go!': Republican slammed by voters at town hall over MAGA policies
MSNBC· 2025-08-01 11:09
One Republican congressman ventured beyond the beltway and went back to his district in Wisconsin where he was met with consistent booze and jeers during a town hall last night in his home district over his support for President Trump's policies. Congressman Brian Style began his town hall in the town of Elhorn with the pledge of allegiance during which the crowd emphasized the last words and justice for all. [Applause] Striking moment there.Later, several attendees expressed their disappointment with the c ...
'It matters to his base': Rep. Torres calls on Trump to release Epstein files
MSNBC· 2025-07-31 13:33
Healthcare & Social Security - The discussion revolves around a bill that cuts healthcare for the needy while giving tax cuts to billionaires and multinational corporations [3][4] - The Treasury Secretary's statement suggests a way to privatize Social Security, sparking controversy [3][4] - Medicaid is crucial for 70 million Americans directly and impacts the healthcare system for all 330 million Americans [10] - Medicaid provides home care and long-term care for the elderly, disabled, and chronically ill [11] - Proposed Medicaid cuts exacerbate the existing rural healthcare crisis [15] Political Accountability & Transparency - Congressman Richie Torres criticizes Donald Trump for breaking promises on Medicaid (cut by $1 trillion), Social Security, and the Epstein files [5] - The Epstein files are a matter of credibility and transparency, with calls for their release [20][21] - Concerns arise about Donald Trump's ties to Jeffrey Epstein, citing a 2002 New York Magazine profile and Alexander Acosta's appointment [24][25] - The speaker believes releasing the Epstein files will continue to be a burden around Trump's neck [26] Economic Impact - The bill slashes healthcare in both red and blue states while cutting taxes for billionaires and multinational corporations [6] - Constituents are primarily concerned about the cost of living, public safety, Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security [19]
