Miles and Dr. Rob kick off the new year by laying out the health care fights already shaping 2026. From rising insurance costs and unfinished ACA business to reinstating an upside-down food pyramid (while removing guidelines around alcohol moderation), the hosts break down how political decisions continue to put patients and families at more and more risk.

They also examine Republican hypocrisy on drug pricing, more changes to the recommended childhood vaccine schedule, and the continued erosion of public and international trust in America’s health institutions.

As the stakes rise heading into a pivotal election year, Miles and Dr. Rob explain what listeners should be watching closely, and what it will take to protect care, health, and basic government accountability in the months ahead.

Background reading:

* People: Doctor Tried to Help Woman Shot Dead by ICE, but Agents Blocked Him from Treating Her: ‘I Don’t Care’

* The Center Square: First negotiated Medicare drug prices go into effect Jan. 1

* ReutersDrugmakers raise US prices on 350 medicines despite pressure from Trump

* HEALTH CARE un-covered: The Other Health Care Cliff Americans Are About to Fall Off

* The Guardian: Canadian officials say US health institutions no longer dependable for accurate information

* CIDRAP: CMS to stop requiring states to report childhood vaccination levels

* The New York Times: Kennedy Scales Back the Number of Vaccines Recommended for Children

* Annenberg Public Policy Center: CDC Urges ‘Shared Decision-Making’ on Some Childhood Vaccines; Many Unclear About What That Means

* STAT: Why Denmark’s vaccine schedule works for Denmark — but not for the United States

* NPR: Should the U.S. model its vaccine policy on Denmark’s? Experts say we’re nothing alike

* KFF Quick Takes: Do We Want to Outsource U.S. Vaccine Policy to Denmark?

* AMA Pres. Bobby Mukkamala’s Facebook post with RFK Jr. is HERE

* NPR Shots: RFK Jr.’s new food pyramid puts meat, cheese and vegetables at the top

* The Washington Post: In reversal, U.S. loosens guidance on alcohol

* JAMA Internal Medicine: The Political Polarization of Physicians in the United States

* Kevin Bass tweet about the political leanings of doctors is HERE

* HUFFPOST: Trump Admin Says It’s Cutting Welfare Funds To Blue States Over Alleged Minnesota Fraud

* HUFFPOST: Katie Miller Drops Revelation About Youngest Kid’s Vaccinations

* The Wall Street Journal: As Signs of Aging Emerge, Trump Responds With Defiance

* Wikipedia: Age and health concerns about Donald Trump

Join the fight at committeetoprotect.org.

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