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A Closer Look at a Widely Despised Health Insurance Policy

May 28, 2026

Every year, millions of people’s medical care runs into the roadblock known as prior authorization, which requires an insurer to sign off before chemotherapy, surgery or countless other services can proceed. Who does this often onerous process help, who does it hurt and how could it work better for everyone?Guests:Tom Roberts, Oncologist, Mass General Cancer CenterAaron Schwartz, Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy and Department of Medicine, University of Penn...

Republicans Want to Change How You Buy Health Care

May 21, 2026

President Trump and other leading conservatives are pushing policies they hope will empower patients to shop more wisely for the health care they need.Guests:Brian Blase, President, Paragon Health InstituteSherry Glied, Professor of Public Service, New York UniversityAdam Leive, Assistant Professor of Public Policy, UC BerkeleyJason Levitis, Senior Fellow, Urban InstituteTony Lo Sasso, Professor of Public Affairs, University of Wisconsin–MadisonAvik Roy , Co-founder and Chairman, Foundation f...

The U.S. Saved $1 Trillion on Health Care. Why Doesn't It Feel Like It?

May 14, 2026

New research from leading health economist David Cutler explores what’s behind a historic slowdown in health spending, even as millions of Americans struggle to afford their care.Guest:David M. Cutler, Dean of Social Science, Professor of Economics, Harvard UniversityLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring our latest reporting on health care's toughest choices.Donate to support our work. Tradeoffs is a nonprofi...