Care Talk with Laura Packard

Naveed Shah of Common Defense talks about what has happened over the past several years for veterans on health care, including changes to the VA, the PACT Act, what could happen in 2025 under President Trump next year including Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy's DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) recommendations for spending cuts, and how it will affect veterans.

Plus experts including show host, stage 4 cancer survivor and health care advocate Laura Packard from Health Care Voices, and special guest Brandy Schantz of the Living Chronic podcast talk about Tricare and VA health care, and answer your veterans' health insurance questions.

This episode includes what is Tricare? Who is eligible? What is the difference between Tricare and the VA healthcare system? Do you need Tricare to use the VA? Can you use Tricare outside the VA? How do you enroll? What are your Tricare options as a retired reservist?

New episodes of Care Talk every Tuesday, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Text or call in your health insurance and health care questions in to (202) 838-6837 to get answers in future shows!

Dr. Oz has been nominated by President Trump to run CMS, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Ed Weisbart of Physicians for a National Health Program talks about the dangers of putting Dr. Oz in charge of Medicare, Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act.

Plus experts including show host, stage 4 cancer survivor and health care advocate Laura Packard from Health Care Voices, Diane Archer from Just Care and Social Security Works, and Louise Norris of healthinsurance.org answer your American health insurance and health care questions on Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, private insurance and more.

This episode includes explainers about how tariffs could affect the cost of health care in America and possible Medicaid budget cuts, what to do if your insurance declines to cover your medication, how can we see reforms in health care, and why Medicare doesn't cover a specific drug.

New episodes of Care Talk every Tuesday, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Text or call in your health insurance and health care questions in to (202) 838-6837 to get answers in future shows!

What’s going on with medical research in America? Grant funding through NIH and NSF was paused. What does this mean for medical breakthroughs and cures? Dr. Meena Bewtra of Doctors for America talks about the attacks on medical research funding in America, and abroad through the shutdown of U.S.A.I.D.

Plus experts including show host, stage 4 cancer survivor and health care advocate Laura Packard from Health Care Voices, Diane Archer from Just Care and Social Security Works, and Louise Norris of healthinsurance.org answer your American health insurance and health care questions on Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, private insurance and more.

This episode includes explainers about what changes we could see in Medicare Advantage during the Trump administration, open enrollment for Medicare Advantage continues through March 31st, what to do when your insurer won't cover a full series of vaccines.

New episodes of Care Talk every Tuesday, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Text or call in your health insurance and health care questions in to (202) 838-6837 to get answers in future shows!