Medicare’s historic plan to slow prescription drug spending is taking shape.
Leslie Walker
Leslie is a senior reporter and producer for Tradeoffs covering a wide range of health policy issues including prescription drugs and Medicare. Her story, “Inside Big Health Insurers’ Side Hustle,” was awarded first place in audio reporting by the Association of Health Care Journalists and her work has been featured on Marketplace, NPR and STAT News. Before Tradeoffs, Leslie worked as a freelance writer and editor, in nonprofit communications, and at a health care social enterprise. She lives in San Francisco.
Posted inCost of Care
The End of Humira’s $200 Billion Drug Monopoly
What will happen when the best selling drug ever finally faces direct competition?
Posted inHealth Equity
The Hurdles Facing Black Families Navigating Serious Illness
What stops seriously ill Black patients and their families from getting the care they want in life and in death?
Posted inWorkforce
The ‘Wild West’ of Health Workforce Policy
The pandemic has reignited long-standing turf wars among health professions, and state lawmakers are caught in the middle.
Posted inInsurance
4 Studies that Explain the Stakes of Medicare Open Enrollment
Leslie Walker shares four research studies to explain the stakes of Medicare open enrollment.
Posted inHealth Technology
The Next Chapter in Democratizing America’s Health Data
We talk with Micky Tripathi, the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, about the push to give patients more access to their health care data.
Posted inCost of Care
The Race to Prepare for Medicare’s New Drug Pricing Powers
Congress gave Medicare historic new powers to lower drug prices, but lawsuits, loopholes and opposition from the drug industry could undermine them.
Posted inMental Health
Answering the Call, Part 1: America’s New Mental Health Crisis Line
A new nationwide crisis line launches in July 2022. Will it be ready to meet America’s mental health needs?
Posted inInsurance
Medicare’s Unprecedented Alzheimer’s Drug Decision
A doctor, a patient and a former federal official weigh in on Medicare’s recent move to restrict access to a new Alzheimer’s treatment.
Posted inCost of Care
Let’s Make a Deal…on Drug Prices
Democrats are on the brink of passing a historic set of drug price reforms. How will they impact patients, insurers and the drug industry?