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Consider This from NPR

Focusing on care not just coverage; economist argues for bigger solutions

Consider This from NPR

NPR

Society & Culture, News, Daily News, News Commentary

4.15.3K Ratings

🗓️ 7 December 2025

⏱️ 11 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

New research from the Aspen Economic Strategy Group argues that the subsidies-or-no-subsidies approach to the Affordable Care Act debate is too narrow. Co-author of the paper 'Coverage isn't Care: An Abundance Agenda for Medicaid' Professor Craig Garthwaite tells NPR’s Miles Parks that solutions to make healthcare both more efficient and more affordable at scale are right in front of us.

For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at [email protected] episode was produced by Avery Keatley, Jeffrey Pierre and Henry Larson. It was edited by Sarah Robbins. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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Transcript

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0:00.0

Hi there, it's Miles Parks. Okay, I know it's Sunday, but real quick, we do have to talk about

0:05.2

last Tuesday. It was giving Tuesday this week, and it's not too late to support consider this and

0:10.4

everything you love from NPR. This was a difficult year, unlike any other for NPR, because

0:15.8

federal funding for public media was eliminated as of October 1st. That means NPR is now operating without federal support for the first time in our history.

0:24.4

But NPR's commitment to you has not changed.

0:27.4

Here, consider this.

0:28.5

We're going to keep bringing you a deep dive into one of the day's major news stories and what it means for you.

0:33.7

But we need your help to do it, and we are so grateful for everyone who has already stepped up to

0:38.2

give. Like Catherine in Montana, who says, I absolutely adore NPR and every podcast they produce.

0:44.6

I listen to Up First and consider this every day. Thank you for all you do. Thanks, Catherine.

0:49.9

And thank you if you've already made your gift or if you're an NPR Plus supporter. If not, sign up today.

0:55.4

Support public media and get perks to NPR's podcasts, including bonus episodes of Consider This.

1:01.1

Sign up at plus.mpr.org.

1:10.2

Millions of Americans could see their health insurance premiums skyrocket in the new year

1:14.5

if Congress doesn't extend subsidies to the Affordable Care Act.

1:18.2

The debate over that funding was at the heart of the government shutdown this fall.

1:21.7

The deadline has passed to keep the government open.

1:24.6

Millions of Americans now face higher health insurance costs.

1:28.5

At the heart of the government shutdown is a debate about health care.

1:32.0

Do they continue offering services and hope to recoup payments from Medicare later?

1:36.0

A group of Senate Democrats have defected to agree to a deal with Republicans to end the government shutdown.

1:42.2

Eventually, the government did reopen with the promise that Congress would hold a vote on those subsidies by the end of the year.

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