The politics of public health – Roll Call

Podcasts

The politics of public health

Political Theater, Ep. 215

A nurse administers the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine Monday in Columbus, Ohio. — A nurse administers the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine Monday in Columbus, Ohio. (Stephen Zenner/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

By Sandhya Raman, Evan Campbell and Joanne Levine

Posted August 25, 2021 at 8:00am

Health inequities between racial and ethnic groups existed well before COVID-19, but the pandemic has revealed just how stark those disparities are. Throw in the politicization of science, and the United States has a big mountain to climb to conquer the virus.

On this episode of the Political Theater podcast, Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and former Baltimore health commissioner, sits down with guest host Sandhya Raman to unpack where we are and what can be done.

Show Notes:

Recent Stories

Speaker Mike Johnson celebrates the “One Big Beautiful Bill” on July 3, 2025. More than a year later, Republicans are treating the law as a menu of achievements they can highlight.

How to serve up a year-old bill

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., the ranking member on the House Appropriations Committee, raised the issue of cuts to medical research during the panel's June markup of the fiscal 2027 Defense spending bill. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Defense funding to research troops’ brain injuries shrank since 2025

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is seen on the House steps in June. This month he’ll be treading familiar ground as he tries again on some priorities.

This week: Graham’s death, McConnell’s recovery add to drama

The office of Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., on Sunday afternoon sent this photo of he and his wife, Elaine Chao. Submitted by the office of Sen. Mitch McConnell (Submitted by the office of Sen. Mitch McConnell)

After weeks of questions, McConnell provides information on health

Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., talks with reporters outside the Capitol on Sept. 11, 2025.

Graham’s death upends primary season further

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., conducts a Senate Budget Committee confirmation hearing on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.

Lindsey Graham, defense hawk and four-term senator, dead at 71