Explore every episode of the podcast Hoosier Health Matters
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana Freezes Childcare Vouchers, Legislators Target Mifepristone, and Why Syringe Exchange Matters | 14 Nov 2025 | 00:43:48 | |
Hoosier Health Matters 00:00- Intro 2:15- we will not have an episode the week of Thanksgiving- will drop the week after (December 5) 2:28- Special Session to start November 18, end before December 12 and it will be a part of the 2026 session 5:09- Indiana freezing childcare vouchers until 2027- leaving 31,000 families on a wait list 7:15- Letter to the White House from 55 Indiana legislators calling on a review of the safety of mifepristone is ideological hand-waving dressed up as a scientific question 11:00- The federal shutdown furloughed 50 Indiana Department of Health workers 12:25- SNAP legal drama was dramatic 16:13- Interview with Alan Wichey, CEO of Damien Center, and Dr. Shane Avery, a physician from Scott County who was involved in the 2015 HIV outbreak- we talk to them about syringe exchange programs (you can get more info and help pass the law to allow Indiana to continue syringe exchange programs at www.protectsep.org) 39:58- Little things- look at the Mifepristone letter and if your senator or rep signed it, call them and let them know your thoughts. And call your state senator and representative and let them know your thoughts on the re-gerrymander attempt. 40:44- Wrap up | |||
| Indiana’s Medical Debt Shrug, SNAP Shutdown, and all you could want to know about FQHCs | 31 Oct 2025 | 00:26:38 | |
Hoosier Health Matters 00:00- Intro 3:05- They are going to try and re-gerrymander Indiana. Which is good for no one 4:50- The interim study committee on medical debt in Indiana released a report that said it was issuing no recommendations, despite the fact that 20% of Hoosiers have been reported to collections for medical debt 7:06- The first flu death was confirmed in Indiana this week. Get your flu vaccine. And check out the Indiana Influenza dashboard- it is cool 8:10- The federal shutdown continues; and SNAP funding has been cut off as of today. This is a huge deal 9:45- The New England Journal and CIDRAP is going to publish an alternative to the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, because it is now unreliable 11:20- Interview with Staci Walters about what federally qualified health centers are and why they are an important aspect of public health in Indiana 23:38- Little things- call your legislator to oppose re-gerrymandering 24:30- Wrap up | |||
| ACIP jumps the thimerosal shark, The Big Beautiful Bill really isn't, and we answer your questions | 11 Jul 2025 | 00:30:28 | |
Hoosier Health Matters In this episode of Hoosier Health Matters, hosts Gabriel Bosslet and Tracey Wilkinson discuss the decision by the ACIP to remove thimerosal from vaccine formulations in the US, which will have little effect on vaccines here but underscore their escape from scientific decision-making. They also discuss the Indiana-specific effects of the Big Beautiful Bill on Medicaid and SNAP. It is not good. And a bunch of random questions about stuff. 00:00- Intro 02:15- BMV rule to disallow gender changes on state IDs- YOU CAN SUBMIT COMMENTS HERE 4:05- Indiana Department of Health abortion ban enforcement report doesn't do that much (full report at the bottom of this article) 4:53- ACIP bans thimerosal from vaccines, establishing firmly that they are more interested in making decisions based on vibes rather than science 7:26- AAP and other medical societies sue HHS over COVID-19 vaccine guidance 8:06- another measles case (Putnam County) and convincing folks about vaccines 10:06- The BBB will make SNAP benefits much more expensive for Indiana and will likely cut about 12% of recipients 14:22- Medicaid changes in the big Beautiful bill will cut 127,000 Hoosiers from Medicaid and will jeopardize up to 12 rural hospitals in Indiana 20:08- How does medical debt show up in medical practice? 21:48- Why do states not embrace gun safety laws given the fact that it reduces death? ( 24:18- Climate change and public health- we talk about Purple Air monitors among other things 28:19- Little things/good vibes 28:55- Wrap up Thanks to Elijah Bosslet for editing assistance on this episode | |||
| ACIP shakeup, SCOTUS doesn't like gender affirming care, and deconstructing the bogus mifepristone report | 27 Jun 2025 | 00:32:11 | |
Hoosier Health Matters In this episode of Hoosier Health Matters, hosts Gabriel Bosslet and Tracey Wilkinson discuss the new members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and find many of them to be sus. They discuss SCOTUS's ruling on the Tennessee gender affirming care ban and they highlight the fact that opioid deaths are down 24% over the past year. And they interview Daniel Grossman MD, about the (bogus) recent mifepristone report that has provided cover for RFK, Jr. to review mifepristone. 00:00- Intro 1:58- submit questions for the next episode! Email us at goodtrouble@goodtroubleindiana.org 2:55- A breakdown of the members of the new ACIP committee (mostly sus) 8:15- SCOTUS uphold the Tennessee gender affirming care ban stand (not good) 9:25- LGBTQ youth specialization hotline discontinued by the federal government 10:38- Opioid deaths way down- see the CDC state-by-state dashboard 12:12- Interview with Dr. Daniel Grossman on the recent mifepristone report that has provided cover for RFK, Jr. to review mifepristone. 28:28- Little things or good vibes (call your Senators about the budget) 29:38- Wrap-up Elijah Bosslet provided editorial assistance on this week's episode | |||
| When Protections Vanish: EMTALA, ACIP, and Indiana’s Hunger Crisis | 13 Jun 2025 | 00:34:47 | |
Hoosier Health Matters In this episode of Hoosier Health Matters, hosts Gabriel Bosslet and Tracey Wilkinson update public health news including a discussion of the rescinding of a guidance about EMTALA in pregnancy (we will explain this- it is a big deal), RFK, Jr's move to fire all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), and then we interview Emily Weikert Bryant, executive director of Feeding Indiana's Hungry, about the state of food insecurity in Indiana. 00:00- Intro 01:16- The Trump Administration has rescinded a guidance regarding how EMTALA works for pregnant women who need an emergency abortion 10:21- RFK, Jr. has fired all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and will likely replace them with cranks and grifters 12:59- The Bethesda Declaration, an open letter by academics and scientists pushes back against the NIH 14:20- Interview with Emily Weikert Bryant, Executive Director of Feeding Indiana's Hungry, about food insecurity in Indiana 30:46- Little things- Call Senator Banks and Senator Young to urge them not to cut SNAP benefits- you can find their numbers and a script here 32:35- Wrap -up | |||
| The federal budget, vaccine policy process woes, and judicial cases that will affect us all | 30 May 2025 | 00:33:44 | |
Hoosier Health Matters **Editorial note: Gabe's audio this week is wonky because he had to tape in a room that apparently had demons in it that could only be heard by the microphone** In this episode of Hoosier Health Matters, hosts Gabriel Bosslet and Tracey Wilkinson update public health news including a brain dead woman in Georgia who is forced to continue a pregnancy, they highlight what the Federal budget passed by the House of Representatives may mean for Indiana, and process changes to decision making at the FDA and CDC that undermine the credibility of national vaccine policy. They then take a deep dive with Good Trouble board member and lawyer Jane Hartsock on two cases being heard that will have major impacts for health policy in Indiana. 00:00- Intro 1:25- Georgia case of a brain dead woman forced to continue a pregnancy against her family's will; the statute that requires this exists also in Indiana law (see this interactive map outlining state laws regarding pregnancy and advance directives) 3:20- the POST form in Indiana and pregancy 6:27- The federal budget cuts medicaid dramatically and what it will mean for Indiana (it is not good) 9:17- ban on medicaid/affordable care act plans from paying for gender-affirming transition care even for adults 10:28- Major changes to COVID-19 vaccine policy (NEJM announcement, HHS announcement) 16:30- New MAHA report released; more of the same as we have discussed 17:55- Interview with Jane Hartsock about health policy legal cases 20:05- U.S. v. Skrmetti 24:38- The Religious Freedom Restoration Act challenge to the Indiana abortion ban 29:40- little things/good news 31:34- Wrap up Join us at the Good Trouble Annual Meeting (zoom) on June 23, 2025 730-830 pm EST Elijah Bosslet provided editorial assistance on this week's episode | |||
| What is MAHA all about anyway? And what the heck do lobbyists do? | 16 May 2025 | 00:33:20 | |
Hoosier Health Matters In this episode of Hoosier Health Matters, hosts Gabriel Bosslet and Tracey Wilkinson update public health news including Measles in Indiana (flat, thank goodness), shenanigans related to a lawsuit and FDA investigation into the safety of mifepristone, and the shameful fact that Indiana has pulled out of the SUN Bucks program. They then discuss the nomination of Casey Means as surgeon general, someone who is not a practicing or board-certified physician- they use this to discuss the goals of the Make America Healthy Again movement. They then interview Amy Levander, Good Trouble lobbyist, to talk about what a lobbyist does and get her thoughts on the 2025 legislative session. 00:00- Intro 1:45- Measles is flat 1:55- Mifepristone shenanigans- the Trump admin wanted to throw out a case, but for all the wrong reasons. And now the FDA is going to re-review Mifepristone based on junk science 4:45- Indiana opts out of the SUN Bucks program, which provides food money to low-income families 6:57- The nomination of Casey Means for Surgeon General, who never finished a residency and does not have a medical license (here is the newsletter we reference in this discussion). Here we discuss what MAHA means and how there are actually good policy ideas in the movement (but the devil is in the details of the execution). 14:42- discussion of the "Why Should I Trust You?" podcast 16:10- What does a lobbyist do? Interview with Amy Levander, lobbyist for The Good Trouble Coalition 29:32- Little things you can do this week- call your representative and urge them to not cut medicaid funding. And call Senator Young and Banks and urge them to not confirm Casey Means. You can find scripts for both phone calls here. 30:49- Wrap Up Meet us in person at Half Liter BBQ on May 29th from 630-8 PM EST! | |||
| Exhaling after the legislative session | 02 May 2025 | 00:27:28 | |
Hoosier Health Matters In this episode of Hoosier Health Matters, hosts Gabriel Bosslet and Tracey Wilkinson update public health news including Measles in Indiana (flat, thank goodness), and journals get a threatening letter from a US attorney. They then talk about the end of the session: a wrap up on the bills GTC followed, a silver lining (cigarette tax), and discuss the massive budget cuts, including to public health funding (not good). Also, this will be the last weekly edition of this podcast, which will start dropping every other week (next episode 5/16/2025). 00:00- Intro 01:20- ANNOUNCEMENT- podcast moving to every other week episodes 02:58- updates- measles flat, legal challenge against HHS public health funding cuts, journals sent nutso letter from US Attorney for DC (response from lancet) 06:08- what the heck does "sine die" mean? 07:23- 30,000 foot view of the legislative session (from Good Trouble's point of view) 10:46- The terrible budget and slash and burn end to the budget bill (HEA 1001) 12:34- Massive cuts to public health in the 2025-2026 budget 17:15- The silver lining (raising the cigarette tax) 22:58- Little things to do this week including a Good Trouble meetup 24:38- Wrap up | |||
| SB1: The tax break likely to cost most Hoosiers more taxes | 25 Apr 2025 | 00:33:56 | |
Hoosier Health Matters In this episode of Hoosier Health Matters, hosts Gabriel Bosslet and Tracey Wilkinson update public health news including Measles in Indiana (flat, thank goodness), and Universities pushing back against federal overreach. They then talk about SB 442 (the sex ed bill), and use it to explain how conference committees work. They then interview Professor Michael Hicks about Senate Bill 1, which dramatically changes how local taxes work. 00:00- intro 1:14- Updates: Measles cases relatively flat, Universities push back against federal overreach, Op-ed about the effects of the NIH in Indiana 4:28- SEA 442 (sex ed bill) shenanigans teach us all about conference committees, you can watch the 13-minute meeting (but it has a good ending) 12:42- Interview with economics Professor Michael Hicks (Ball State University) about the details on SEA 1 ("property tax bill") 30:07- Little things to do this week- Call Senator Gary Byrne to let him know how important teaching consent in sex ed is! And call your Federal Senators and Representative and tell them to reinstate the funding of the NIH Women's Health Study. 31:48- Wrap up Elijah Bosslet provided editorial assistance on this week's episode | |||
| The not-so-great plan to Make Indiana Healthy Again | 18 Apr 2025 | 00:26:57 | |
Hoosier Health Matters In this episode of Hoosier Health Matters, hosts Gabriel Bosslet and Tracey Wilkinson update public health news including a brief discussion of how fluoride at reasonable doses in the water is beneficial, an update on bills in the legislature, and a breakdown of the nine Executive Orders in Governor Braun's "Make Indiana Healthy Again" initiative revealing that they are designed more to cut people off of SNAP benefits than actually make anyone more healthy. 00:00- intro 1:00- Apply to be a Good Trouble Coalition Board Member 1:35- Fluoride in drinking water 3:41- Bill update- SB 96 is dead, SB 475 (physician non-competes) is in conference committee, and SB 442 (sex ed) was improved but still isn't great, and the budget bill (HB 1001) battles are ongoing, but it's not great 11:30- A breakdown of the "Make Indiana Healthy Again" initiative announced this week, and looking at how the 9 Executive Orders that make up this initiative will make Hoosiers healthier (spoiler alert: most won't) A terrific op ed on the Make Indiana Health Again by researcher Erika Cheng, PhD 24:05- Little things to do this week 24:47- Wrap up Elijah Bosslet provided editorial assistance on this week's episode. | |||
| The measles in Indiana, medicaid overhaul passes the house, and effect of HHS cuts on the Indiana Immunization Coalition (interview) | 11 Apr 2025 | 00:28:54 | |
Hoosier Health Matters In this episode of Hoosier Health Matters, hosts Gabriel Bosslet and Tracey Wilkinson update public health news including quick story updates, how to approach vaccination now that measles has been detected in Indiana (6 cases), a bad sex ed bill passes out of a house committee even worse than it went in, how it started/how it ended for SB2 (the medicaid overhaul bill) which has passed both houses; and an interview with Sara Dillard, communications director at the Indiana Immunization Coalition, which has lost a ton of funding in the HHS budget cuts. 00:00- intro 00:40- updates on past stories: lawsuit over the NIH funding cuts, the state has appealed the TPR injunction ruling, PRAMS maternal mortality data collection halted 4:40- Measles is now in Indiana, and how to know if you need to inquire about a booster (from Your Local Epidemiologist) 9:02- SB 442 (the sex ed bill) passes out of House Education committee even worse than it went in 10:35- SB 2 (medicaid overhaul) passes House- how it started/how it ended 18:00- Interview with Sara Dillard, communications director for the Indiana Immunization Coalition (IIC), talks about the effects of HHS cuts on the IIC 25:05- Little things you can do this week 26:20- wrap up Elijah Bosslet provided production and editing support on this episode. | |||
| How the federal government is dismantling public health (and a couple other things) | 04 Apr 2025 | 00:25:58 | |
Hoosier Health Matters In this episode of Hoosier Health Matters, hosts Gabriel Bosslet and Tracey Wilkinson update public health news including major HHS job cuts resulting in a 25% reduction in the workforce, an update on bills heard this week, a discussion of Title X funding and what that means, and massive federal cuts to public health spending. 00:00- Introduction 1:35- updates- more measles, massive cuts to the HHS workforce 5:53- Update on SB 96, SB 2, SB 473, and HB 1003 8:57- Cuts to Title X family planning funding 16:30- Public Health funding cuts to CDC will affect Indiana significantly 22:40- Little things (call Brad Barrett and urge him to vote on SB 96) 24:02- Wrap up Elijah Bosslet provided production and editing support on this episode. | |||
| Why we stay in Indiana and why the government shutdown over public health is important | 17 Oct 2025 | 00:33:30 | |
Hoosier Health Matters 00:00- Intro 1:37- CDC director uses his best vibes to call for the separation of the MMR vaccine into three separate shots 2:19- CDC ACIP recommendations adopted, and they quietly walked back the "only risk factors under 60" recommendation to recommend it with shared decision-making 3:13- New study shows that, even in the last winter season, COVID vaccination was massively protective against hospitalizations and death 4:15- CDC lays off 1400 employees, immediately rehires half, administrative malfeasance continues 5:50- 6 former surgeons general call for the resignation of RFK, Jr. A big deal. 6:52- The federal shutdown is about public health and pulling back the ACA subsidies is bad for all Americans 9:36- Gabe and Tracey talk to Dr. Veronica Santana-Ufret about why they stay in Indiana. Gabe mentions the book Hoosiers: A new history of Indiana (and this link is to a local bookstore!) 29:50- Call your legislators to oppose redistricting, fill out this form, and we will send you Good Trouble swag 31:00- Wrap up
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| A favorable ruling in the TPR case and the role of pharmacists in public health | 28 Mar 2025 | 00:25:33 | |
Hoosier Health Matters In this episode of Hoosier Health Matters, hosts Gabriel Bosslet and Tracey Wilkinson update public health news including a lawsuit opposing the Columbia NIH grant issue and a charlatan is named by an unserious person (RKF jr) to head up a(nother) study of vaccines and autism (narrator: the science is pretty settled here). They interview Veronica Vernon, a pharmacist, about the role of pharmacists in vaccination distribution and public health. 00:00- Introduction 1:46- Updates, including a lawsuit against the Trump administration by the American Federation of Teachers and the American Association of University Professors and RFK Jr names an unserious person to head up an unneeded study of vaccines and autism 4:37- A favorable ruling the Terminated Pregnancy Reports lawsuit 10:44- Senate Bill 96 and the role of pharmacists in public health: an interview with Veronica Vernon 22:10- Little things: April 1st gatherings at the statehouse, and call your federal Senators and Representatives to give your input about the HHS vaccines study | |||
| The evolution of medicaid reform (SB2), horse dentists, and harm reduction | 21 Mar 2025 | 00:26:50 | |
Hoosier Health Matters In this episode of Hoosier Health Matters, hosts Gabriel Bosslet and Tracey Wilkinson discuss how SB2 (medicaid reform) has changed as it has traversed the legislature. They discuss the Senate floor testimony about SCR 24 (crisis pregnancy centers), and how Senator Yoder pointed out that horse dentists are more closely regulated in Indiana than pregnancy centers. And they interview Cameron McNeely HB 1167, which decriminalizes drug test strips, about harm reduction and public health. 00:00- Introduction 1:19- updates (NIH grants cancellation, Flu shots updated but without VRBPAC input) 5:13- Senate Concurrent Resolution 24 passes, Senator Yoder points out that horse dentists are regulated more than Crisis Pregnancy Centers 9:05- Medicaid overhaul (SB2) has it's rough edges sanded down 12:57- HB 1167 allows for drug test strips and an interview with Cameron McNeely on harm reduction 22:06- 2 little things to do this week 24:31- wrap up Audio and editing- Elijah Bosslet HHM cover art- Janine Zee-Cheng | |||
| Navigating Indiana's legislative website (it's easy!) and the harm of crisis pregnancy centers in Indiana | 14 Mar 2025 | 00:26:56 | |
Hoosier Health Matters In this episode of Hoosier Health Matters, hosts Gabriel Bosslet and Tracey Wilkinson discuss how to find information about bills on the Indiana General Assembly website (which is one of the best in the country) and talk about Senate Concurrent Resolution 24, which commends Crisis Pregnancy Centers. They interview Dr. Erin Johnson, a PhD postdoctoral fellow at Indiana University who studies reproductive health social movements about Crisis Pregnancy Centers in Indiana and why the risks of these centers outweigh the positive benefits. 00:00- introduction 2:08- Update on TPR case, possible government shutdown 3:10- How to use the Indiana General Assembly website 4:32- Quick discussion of HB 1148 7:14- Senate Concurrent Resolution 24 overview 9:04- Interview with Erin Johnson, PhD regarding crisis pregnancy centers Repro health resources: Crisis Pregnancy Center map project 23:03- Little things you can do this week 24:45- Wrap up Elijah Bosslet provided production support on this episode. Become a member of the Good Trouble Coalition (free!) | |||
| A good executive order, SB 289 takes medical education back 2 decades, and Maternal Mortality Review Committees | 07 Mar 2025 | 00:29:03 | |
Hoosier Health Matters In this episode of Hoosier Health Matters, hosts Gabriel Bosslet and Tracey Wilkinson discuss give kudos to Governor Braun for an executive order that beefs up parental leave for Indiana state employees. They then talk about one of the less controversial parts of SB 289 that would nonetheless completely change the face of medical education in not good ways. And they talk to Carrie Rouse, an OB GYN and member of the Maternal Mortality Review Committee about the committee and maternal mortality in Indiana. | |||
| Dolly Parton teaches us about budget values, abolishing the menstruation tax, and the Leeroy Jenkins approach to public health at HHS | 28 Feb 2025 | 00:25:08 | |
Hoosier Health Matters 00:00- Introduction 01:23- Halftime bird's eye view of the session 04:15- Dolly Parton teaches us all about how the budget is the most tangible manifestation of Hoosier priorities 09:34- Senator Shelli Yoder talks about the push to eliminate the menstruation tax for Hoosiers 16:25- How the new HHS secretary is taking the "Leeroy Jenkins" approach to public health and how this is really, really bad 21:57- 2 things you can do this week, including at terrific substack on how to find out how to know if you are likely immune to the measles, and the Stand Up for Science rally on March 7 from 12-2 on the South Lawn of the Statehouse 23:13- Wrap up Become a member of the Good Trouble Coalition (free!) Kudos to Janine Zee-Cheng for our podcast art and to Elijah Bosslet for production and editing assistance. | |||
| Halftime lookback, update on TPR case, and Hoosier public health funding | 21 Feb 2025 | 00:23:33 | |
Hoosier Health Matters Gabe's medium pieces summarizing the Governor's Public Health Commission: part 1, part 2 00:00- Introduction 01:00- Updates on bills we have discussed: SB 317 (did not pass- boo!), HB 1169 (did not pass- yay!), SB 442 (passed- boo!), SB 475 (passed- yay!) 03:00- Terminated pregnancy reports case (temporary restraining order ruling) 04:06- Bills that died that make us sad (SB 145 and HB 1251), and those that make us happy (HB 1657 and SB 286) 08:12- The basics of public health delivery in Indiana (before the Governor's public health commission) 09:58- Funding of public health before 2023 (far below the national average) 12:12- Indiana standing in typical public health outcomes 13:01- What do local health departments actually do in Indiana? 14:56- Governor's public health commission recommendations 16:27- Public health funding in 2025-2026 budget (HB 1001) 18:25- Health First Indiana County Scorecard 19:16- Life expectancy in Indiana is going down 19:57- Something you should do this week (bill page on the General Assembly website) 21:42- Summary and wrap up Become a member of the Good Trouble Coalition (free!) Kudos to Janine Zee-Cheng for our podcast art and to Elijah Bosslet for production and editing assistance. | |||
| A contraception bill gone wrong, Indiana medicaid, and NIH funding controversy | 14 Feb 2025 | 00:28:38 | |
Hoosier Health Matters 00:00 Introduction 01:25 House Bill 1169: The Contraceptive Access Debate 07:14 Senate Bill 2: Understanding Medicaid in Indiana (Report: The economic power of Indiana's Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP): 2025) 21:13 NIH funding chaos 25:39 Small things for this week (including this short clip from Mallory McMorrow and an invitation to the Reproductive Health Lobby Day February 20) 27:27 Wrap up Become a member of the Good Trouble Coalition (free!) | |||
| Three bills, a cancelled conference, and the state of science in America | 07 Feb 2025 | 00:23:36 | |
Hoosier Health Matters A huge thanks to Janine Zee-Cheng for design of our podcast cover art! 00:00- Introduction 01:50- Senate Bill 370: Tracey's colonoscopy bill 05:18- Senate Bill 317: Reducing Medical Debt (with special guest Fady Qaddoura!) 09:50 -Senate Bill 442: Sex Education in Indiana 12:52 -The Cancellation of the IULGBTQ+ Healthcare Conference (read Lawdork's blog about this here) 16:07 -Concerns Over CDC pulling clinical information and data (terrific article here) 19:44- Small things you should do this week (find your legislators here) 22:33 Wrap up Become a member of the Good Trouble Coalition (free!) | |||
| Thus it begins | 30 Jan 2025 | 00:24:55 | |
Hoosier Health Matters | |||
| Tylenol, Leucovorin, and Mifepristone—When “science” serves politics, not patients | 03 Oct 2025 | 00:31:56 | |
Hoosier Health Matters 00:00- Intro 02:00- A school board north of Fort Wayne removes 6 books from the shelves, based on a gross misinterpretation of a sex ed law passed last year (SEA 442) 04:36- USDA no longer publishing gold standard food insecurity reports- we debunk the reasons why with the help of Katelyn Jenelina's Your Local Epidemiologist blog (a good one!) 08:24- Mifepristone safety being studied by FDA despite TONS of data that it is VERY safe- this will lead nowhere good (scientific malpractice episode 1) 10:57- HHS announces the "cause" and a "cure" for autism- and a discussion of correlation v causation, which is not that difficult to understand but apparently many don't understand it 14:45- Correlation v causation- Red wine causes you to live longer- oh wait, no it doesn't (it's just correlated with a longer life) 21:50- reaction to the press conference swift [AAP, SMFM, ACOG, SDP (which has a terrific public facing statement on this issue)] 22:20- Leucovorin as a treatment for autism and the peril of using small trials to make large claims (using vitamin C in septic shock as an example) 27:11- One little thing today- Tracey calls the Speaker of the House (and a script and phone numbers here for you to call) 29:17- Wrap up | |||
| Is gerrymandering a public health issue? (hint: yes) and a family facing cuts to medicaid waivers | 19 Sep 2025 | 00:36:30 | |
Hoosier Health Matters In this episode of Hoosier Health Matters, hosts Gabriel Bosslet and Tracey Wilkinson discuss continued chaos at the CDC (evergreen topic). They then talk about the partisan effort to gerrymander and why it is a public health issue. They then interview Debby Holcombe, the mother of Michael who is on a home ventilator, about the medicaid waiver system, how it has helped her family and her son, and proposed changes that put that help in peril. 00:00- Intro 01:18- The state of Indiana has cut low income childcare voucher reimbursement rates, and many child care centers are closing as a result 03:48- ACIP madness continues, as the committee meets (today!) and is voting on a lot of vaccines stuff, including COVID; but health insurers have said they are going to ignore what they say 07:00- IDSA, ACP, and AAFP have called for RKF, Jr's removal as HHS secretary 09:14- A primer on redistricting in the shadow of a threatened (likely unconstitutional) mid-decade gerrymander; is it a public health issue? Gabe and Tracey say yes 14:29- Attendant care services medicaid waiver program and how it affects one family- an interview with Debby Holcombe and about her experience with the medicaid waiver program and proposed changes that threaten families with disabled members 34:16- Little things- contact your state senator and representative, and State Senate majority leader Rod Bray and House Speaker Todd Huston and give them thoughts on the threatened gerrymander 35:23- Wrap up | |||
| BONUS episode: Questions answered about getting vaccines this fall | 12 Sep 2025 | 00:23:38 | |
Hoosier Health Matters In this episode of Hoosier Health Matters, hosts Gabriel Bosslet and Tracey Wilkinson are joined by infectious disease physician Haley Pritchard and pharmacist Veronica Vernon to untangle the massive confusion that is vaccine policy this fall and answer questions about who should get the shot, who can get it, and try to discern why HHS did it this way. 00:00- Intro 02:30- Flu vaccines (the simple part) 04:05- Vaccine approval/recommendation process 06:20- What to expect from COVID this winter (TL;DR: lots of disease, mostly very mild) 8:31- new formulation of the COVID vaccine currently available 09:00- Who should get the vaccine (ignoring the approval/guidelines) 10:40- Confusion at pharmacies, and Gabe is pissed that he has to write prescriptions for this now 13:18- Other medical groups make recommendations about vaccines 14:31- in general, pregnant people benefit from the COVID vaccine 15:43- Kids and the COVID vaccine 16:16- Vaccines for Children program may not have COVID vaccine (this covers 50% of the kids in the country) 17:00- Can I get a COVID vaccine at a pharmacy right now? 18:13- It didn't have to be this way 19:58- Will insurance cover COVID vaccines for everyone? 21:17- wrap-up | |||
| The enshittification of the CDC and (unrelated) all you want to know about school based health centers | 05 Sep 2025 | 00:37:39 | |
Hoosier Health Matters In this episode of Hoosier Health Matters, hosts Gabriel Bosslet and Tracey Wilkinson discuss the continued systematic dismantling of expertise and value in the CDC, a form of enshittification (a real word). Then they talk with Dr. Meg Carlson about school-based health centers. 00:00- Intro 01:30- CDC director fired after being hired a month ago and then unsuccessfully fired and unsuccessfully asked to resign. 04:25- James O'Neill has been named as new interim CDC director. The least qualified candidate in history. 05:10- Enshittificaiton and how it applies to HHS. 06:05- Indiana Department of Health gives milquetoast answer on its approach to respiratory season guidance. 07:41- RFK, Jr. cosplays as a vitriolic scientist and requests Annals of Internal Medicine retract a study that doesn't tie aluminum to vaccine injury. They say no. 11:46- State coalitions create health alliances in the face of CDC incompetence and Florida will try to eliminate school vaccine mandates. 15:16- IDH emphasizes safe sleep in response to 10 infants dying to unsafe sleep practices 17:18- Interview with Dr. Meg Carlson, Director of Health Services for Indianapolis Public Schools, about the role of School Based Health Centers in public health. 33:54- Look at the trees as they change colors, and call your Senators to request they get rid of RFK, Jr. at HHS (phone numbers and script here) 34;46- Wrap up | |||
| Lived experience: an interview on the personal toll of Indiana's reproductive politics | 22 Aug 2025 | 00:42:46 | |
Hoosier Health Matters In this episode of Hoosier Health Matters, hosts Gabriel Bosslet and Tracey Wilkinson discuss Indiana public health news and then talk with Amber and Michael Dowd, who share their story of navigating a devastating fetal anomaly diagnosis under Indiana’s abortion laws. Their experience highlights the emotional toll of reproductive politics, the urgency of compassionate care, and the impact of legislation on personal healthcare decisions. 00:00- Intro 2:00- Dr. Vinay Prasad rehired a week after being forced out as the vaccine head at the FDA, highlighting the chaos in HHS 2:32- RFK, Jr. says "trusting experts is not a feature of either science or democracy" 5:04- American Academy of Pediatrics releases vaccine recommendations that are different than that of the CDC (which never happens) 6:56- Indiana abortion ban upheld by Indiana Court of Appeals 8:06- Interview with Amber (Martin) and Michael Dowd about their experience navigating Indiana's abortion ban earlier this year when they received news of a fatal fetal anomaly at 21 weeks. 38:58- Little things/Good vibes (1. develop your own story, and 2. email this episode to your lawmaker!) 40:37- Wrap up A thanks to Eli Bosslet for editing assistance on this episode. | |||
| Climate change and public health, and some news | 08 Aug 2025 | 00:36:10 | |
Hoosier Health Matters In this episode of Hoosier Health Matters, hosts Gabriel Bosslet and Tracey Wilkinson discuss 00:00- Intro 1:20- Tracey's state fair llama costume contest disappointment 3:28- $500 million in mRNA vaccine research cancelled and ACIP kicks out medical societies 6:48- New CDC director confirmed by the Senate 7:45- JAMA article shows 35% of OB/GYN physicians have left Idaho since its abortion ban 9:00- Indiana General Assembly interim study committees look at some public health issues 13:11- Interview with Dr. Gabriel Filippelli, executive director of the Indiana University Environmental Resilience Institute 31:48- Little things/Good vibes- Green energy options at the big Indiana utilities
Get a purple air! 33:53- Wrap up A huge thanks to Elijah Bosslet for his editing expertise in this episode. | |||
| A terrific interview about gun violence prevention in Indiana (and some news) | 25 Jul 2025 | 00:28:32 | |
Hoosier Health Matters In this episode of Hoosier Health Matters, hosts Gabriel Bosslet and Tracey Wilkinson discuss the decision by HHS to abruptly cancel the Preventative Services Taskforce meeting and what it could mean for public health, a provision of the federal budget that makes Planned Parenthood no longer a healthcare resource for anyone on Medicaid, and a sketchy committee discussing SSRIs in pregnancy. Then Tracey and Gabe interview Dr. Lauren Magee, a gun safety researcher from IU School of Medicine about gun violence in Indiana. 00:00- Intro 00:55- Tracey spoke on Capitol Hill in DC 2:10- USPSTF meeting cancelled- not good 4:15- Federal budget bans Medicaid payments to Planned Parenthood for any services (abortion has not been paid for by Medicaid for decades) 6:12- HHS Meeting about SSRIs in pregnancy held by very sketchy SSRI skeptics 7:37- Interview with Dr. Lauren Magee on gun violence and public health in Indiana 25:32- Little things/Good Vibes (Happy Gilmore 2 comes out this weekend) 28:34- Wrap up Elijah Bosslet provided exhaustive editing assistance on this episode (seriously, this one was a very heavy lift due to technical issues with our recording software) | |||
| Taxing cigarettes reduces smoking (who knew?) and a direct cash assistance program for pregnant women | 05 Dec 2025 | 00:41:58 | |
Hoosier Health Matters 00:00- Intro 1:21- The redistricting saga continues (and will be resolved by our next episode) 3:48- New tobacco tax has reduced tobacco consumption and increased tobacco tax revenue 5:24- Strain of H3N2 influenza has drifted and may be more infectious this season- check out the Indiana influenza dashboard (which is awesome) 7:00- CDC now officially says we can't say vaccines don't cause autism (which is just dumb) 8:40- The new principal deputy director of the CDC is a quack 10:06- A memo in the FDA suggests 10 kids have died of COVID vaccine without providing any details or evidence or anything 11:35- An interview with Ben Tapper about the BIRTH fund program, which is giving direct cash assistance to hundreds of pregnant women in central Indiana 37:49- Little things- donate to good orgs (and email goodtrouble@goodtroubleindiana.org if you donate to GTC in someone's name and want a card to give them) and CALL YOUR LEGISLATORS about redistricting '39:09- Wrap up | |||
| A legislative prep episode featuring a tenderloin | 19 Dec 2025 | 00:28:55 | |
Hoosier Health Matters 00:00- Intro 2:00- Indiana eschewed a redistricting push, 31-19 3:55- Indiana appellate court denies injunction in TPR case (this is good news)- and you can see the IDH's aggregate terminated pregnancy reports here 5:27- ACIP removes the recommendation for Hepatitis B vaccines at birth- a recommendation based more on vibes than science- good info here 7:23- ACA subsidy kerfuffle continues and unlikely to be resolved by Jan 1- one of the issues with this subsidy is a battle over enforcement of the Hyde Amendment 9:23- Sugary drinks no longer able to be purchased with SNAP benefits in Indiana 10:06- 2026 legislative session boot camp, featuring a bill about tenderloin sandwiches subtitle: How a bill becomes a law in Indiana Find all of the bills currently filed here 25:31- Little things to do this week (mostly good vibes this week) | |||
| SB1 will kick people off medicaid, Gabe and Tracey argue about SB 221, and new batshit ACIP members | 16 Jan 2026 | 00:24:22 | |
Hoosier Health Matters Season 2, Episode 2 Date: 1/16/2026 Title: SB1 will kick people off medicaid, Gabe and Tracey argue about SB 221, and new batshit ACIP members 00:00- Intro 1:02- Indiana receives $207 million rural health fund grant 2:05- The flu is still bad. Get vaccinated if you aren't already. 2:59- U.S. set to lose measles eradication status 4:25- 2 new batshit members of ACIP 5:20- House of Representatives vote to pass ACA subsidy extension (using a discharge petition!) 7:00- SB1 will make many more uninsured Hoosiers by making work requirements even more stringent 13:30- SB 282 is a good bill that would regulate medical spas and compounding pharmacies 14:45- SB 221 would permit pharmacists to test and treat some thigns and Gabe and Tracey argue about it 19:40- Check out the Good Trouble Bill Tracker and kudos to David Ives for setting it up for GTC! 20:23- Little things- tell someone about a bill that has gotten a hearing, and donate something to a candidate starting a campaign 21:26- Wrap up | |||
| Indiana opts out of Sunbucks again, the vertical flu graph, and a fast-moving legislative session | 09 Jan 2026 | 00:23:16 | |
Hoosier Health Matters Date: 1/9/2026 00:00- Intro 1:08- Indiana opting out of SunBucks program, because they can't afford the $5 million to bring in $70 million to feed hungry children during the summer despite a newly announced $5 billion surplus 3:02- There is a lot of influenza in Indiana right now. If you aren't vaccinated yet, get vaccinated now. 5:06- HHS changes vaccine schedule recommendations to mirror Denmark. Which is like going offroading in a Porsche. Which is stupid. Follow the AAP vaccine schedule. 8:47- Overview of the bills filed thus far for the 2026 session 10:50- Check out the Good Trouble Bill Tracker 11:33- Bills heard this week: SB 91 (Tracey's favorite bill) extends Indiana needle exchange program (GTC supports, passed out of committee), SB 90 clarifies consent around sensitive exams for medical procedures (GTC supports, passed out of committee), SB 51 requires a postpartum visit be scheduled prior to discharge for medicaid patients (GTC supports, no vote taken), SB 139 provides jury duty exemption for breastfeeding women (GTC supports, passed out of committee) 14:07- Tracey's least favorite bill- SB 1 enshrines the ban on soda and candy for SNAP beneficiaries 15:21- Gabe's favorite bill- HB 1014 requires training in order to do ultrasound (which is a problem for crisis pregnancy centers). Gabe's least favorite bill- SB 174- outlaws employers to require vaccines or masks (including hospitals) and would disallow fluoride in water systems (dumb). 20:08- Look for GTC weekly emails with statehouse updates and share with a friend; also share the GTC bill tracker with those you care about 20:55- Wrap up | |||
| No shadow, no money, and no medicaid: Indiana’s Groundhog Day | 06 Feb 2026 | 00:30:34 | |
Hoosier Health Matters Season 2, Episode 5 Date: 2/6/2026 Title: No shadow, no money, and no medicaid: Indiana’s Groundhog Day 00:00- Intro 1:10- Indiana's groundhog, Hope, from Hope, Indiana, did not see her shadow so 1:56- Executive order by Governor Braun to prevent fraud 3:52- Trump administration eliminated a rule that pharmacies must stock mifepristone, misoprostol, and methotraxate 4:47- Measles still bad in South Carolina, and a cool map that shows you measles risk by county 5:55- Another shut down just ended, and it fully funded the NIH (actually, it increased funding a bit) 7:00- American Society of Plastic Surgeons reverses guidance and now recommends delaying gender affirming surgery until adolescents reach age 19 9:13- Urban institute notes that Indiana ranks very low in income growth over the last 50 years and Indiana had the 4th largest percent of ACA enrollees elect not to re-enroll after the subsidies went away 11:50- Gabe explains the Nipah virus, which is very deadly (but is unlikely to be the next pandemic) 15:01- SB 90, which governs elective exams under anesthesia, heard this week and expected to pass vote next week 16:38- Long discussion of SB1, which will kick more Hoosiers off of medicaid, and Gabe and Tracey discuss the fiscal priorities (tax cuts) that require these cuts to medicaid 27:45- Things to do this week: Put your lawmakers' phone numbers in your phone, and look here to find out who is running for State Rep and State Senate (if your senator is up for election) this year and find someone to support 29:49- Wrap up | |||
| Legislative halftime! Plus the AAP is now the source for vaccine info and jabronis doing jabroni things at HHS | 30 Jan 2026 | 00:28:55 | |
Hoosier Health Matters Season 2, Episode 4 Date: 1/30/2026 Title: Legislative halftime! Plus the AAP is now the source for vaccine info and jabronis doing jabroni things at HHS 00:00- Intro 1:36- Some thoughts about the murder of Alex Pretti 3:34- CDC databases about vaccines are not being updated 4:39- The American Academy of Pediatrics now provides the national vaccine schedule because the CDC is defunct and a terrific article by YLE about why the language around shared decision making in the new CDC guidelines is problematic 6:03- Measles is rampant in South Carolina 7:50- ACIP chair doesn't think we need polio vaccine anymore 8:30- Texas attorney general is suing pediatricians for some sort of vaccine scheme (I have seen none of these monies) 10:14- The United States is no longer part of the World Health Organization 11:05- Hospitals in rural Indiana are hurting bad (due to bad health care funding policy) 13:10- Senate Bill 4 would reduce mental health funding 14:52- Guinea-Bissau refuses to do HHS funded study that would withhold hepatitis B vaccine from newborns (in a country in which the prevalence of Hepatitis B is 20%!) 18:05- Legislative halftime show (we are now only following 43 bills!) 20:28- Gabe likes SB 91, Tracey likes SB 139; Tracey doesn't like SB 236, Gabe doesn't like SB 275 25:26- Call your Representative about SB 236 and then take a break 26:04- Wrap-up | |||
| An update on bills and an interview about SB 236, which deals with pregnancy and is a problem for the entire house of medicine | 23 Jan 2026 | 00:34:05 | |
Hoosier Health Matters Season 2, Episode 3 Date: 1/23/2026 Title: An update on bills and an interview about SB 236, which deals with pregnancy and is a problem for the entire house of medicine 00:00- Intro 1:38- United States' measles eradication status at risk 3:04- The White House released the "Great Healthcare Plan"- it is anything but 3:38- New study demonstrates that tylenol taken during pregnancy is not associated with autism 4:15- Senate Bill 91- syringe exchange program- an amendment has been filed that is not good. It hasn't yet been voted on. 5:08- Senate Bill 51 (medicaid postpartum appointment bill) and Senate Bill 221 (pharmacist test and treat bill) did not get hearings and are 💀 6:58- Senate Bill 85 (medical debt) and Senate Bill 282 (regulating medical spas) passed out of committee 7:25- Senate Bill 182 (gender issues) is a bad bill and passed out of committee 7:59- Discussion with Dr. Carrie Rouse about Senate Bill 236 (a bill further regulating reproductive care in ways that are not good) 29:36- Little things/good vibes- Call your Senator on SB 236 and huge kudos to Indiana Hoosier Football 30:52- Wrap-up | |||
| Quacks gonna quack, FDA refuses to review large flu vaccine trial, and harm reduction harmed at Statehouse | 13 Feb 2026 | 00:22:55 | |
Hoosier Health Matters Season 2, Episode 6 Date: 2/13/2026 Title: Quacks gonna quack, FDA refuses to review large flu vaccine trial, and harm reduction harmed at Statehouse 00:00- Intro 2:13- FDA removes autism quackery website within weeks of autism quacks being named to Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee 3:47- Leucovorin as treatment for autism study retracted 5:00- South Carolina measles dashboard shows how effective the measles vaccine is 6:31- FDA refuses to review phase 3 trial from Moderna for an mRNA flu vaccine (which is bonkers it had 40,000 patients) 10:24- AMA partnering with the Vaccine Integrity Project 11:16- Maternity unit at Johnson Memorial health closes 12:18- SB 91, the syringe service program bill, amended in the House Public Health Committee in not good ways 18:03- SB 275 heard this week in Ways and Means and Gabe talks about testifying in opposition 21:14- Call your Indiana House Representative to ask them to return SB 91 to its original form (script here) 22:01- Wrap up | |||
| The SAVE Act solves nothing, the EPA loses its mind, and SB 236 rises from the grave (but gets buried again) | 20 Feb 2026 | 00:24:05 | |
Hoosier Health Matters Season 2, Episode 7 Date: 2/20/2026 Title: The SAVE Act is dumb, the EPA loses its mind, and SB 236 rises from the grave (but gets buried again) 00:00- Intro 1:30- The SAVE Act is a dumb bill because voter fraud with current processes is very very rare, as proven by our Attorney General 4:29- The Trump administration no longer thinks Greenhouse Gases can hurt humans 7:48- New study shows that expanding medicaid leads to less breast cancer deaths 8:54- Anti-vaccine groups targeting state-level school vaccine mandates 9:47- FDA reverses decision and will review the Moderna flu mRNA vaccine (and Gabe predicts this) 12:07- Judge reverses public health cuts to 4 states (and the vindictive nature of our current federal government is nauseating) 14:22- SB 91 (syringe service bill) was a good bill, amended to become a bad bill, re-amended to a meh bill 16:50- SB 275 (a bad bill which would allow cuts to home health rates for medicaid waivers) weakened with amendments in committee, is better but still not great 18:00- SB 139 (breastfeeding jury duty bill) continues it's unanimous tear through the statehouse 18:54- SB1 (a bad bill that will kick people off of medicaid and SNAP) to be voted on by the house next Tuesday (call your representative about this one) 19:14- Tracey introduces the word "germane" in discussion the death of SB 236 (a good thing) 22:13- things to do this week: be on alert for action alerts via email and call your rep about SB1 23:14- Wrap up | |||
| End of session wrap-up and fewer medical residents want to come to Indiana | 06 Mar 2026 | 00:23:37 | |
Hoosier Health Matters Season 2, Episode 9 Date: 3/6/2026 Title: End of session wrap-up and fewer medical residents want to come to Indiana 00:00- Intro 1:21- Good Trouble will have a call for new board members at the end of this month so look out in your email 1:49 GTC will also be hiring an executive director, so be looking for calls for that if it is something that might interest you 2:19- Donate to Good Trouble to help support this work! 3:24- Tracey makes her minor children work 4:12- Study in JAMA demonstrated that the 104 Indiana medical residency programs see 1,500 less applicants because of the abortion ban 8:01- More parents refusing vitamin K shots at birth (and why this is a terrible idea) 10:06- CDC report: number of women receiving prenatal care decreasing in Indiana 11:10- Ryan White HIV program reductions will lead to significant increases in HIV infections (and a primer on Ryan White) 14:53- Jerome Adams' mic drop tweet about the nomination of Casey Means for Surgeon General 15:50- Overview of legislative session bills filed (741) and passed (163) 17:54- Big win bills: Gabe- SB 91 (syringe exchange); Tracey- the death of SB 236 (abortion) Big loss bills: Gabe- SB 285 (criminalizing homelessness); Tracey- SB1 (bad medicaid and SNAP changes) 21:45- Check your registration at the Indiana voter portal and watch motorsports 22:42- Wrap up | |||
| ACIP's weaponized incompetence, the Fyre Fest of nominees, and conference committee crunch before Sine Die | 27 Feb 2026 | 00:25:46 | |
Hoosier Health Matters Season 2, Episode 8 Date: 2/27/2026 Title: Weaponized Incompetence, the Fyre Fest of nominees, and Conference Committee Crunch 00:00- Intro 00:50- Gabe's colonoscopy- "It was great" 1:53- NIH director named director of the CDC because finding competent people to run this mess is a fool's errand 3:30- NIH removes words "biodefense" and "pandemic preparedness" from the NIH website 4:16- USPSTF, which dictates screening guidelines, appears to be at risk 6:00- ACIP meeting cancelled- weaponized incompetence 6:15- ACOG drops out of ACIP 7:33- Hepatitis B vaccine rates have plummeted in the last 2 years 8:37- Casey Means confirmation hearing for surgeon general- she is the Fyre Fest of surgeon general nominees- all style, no substance 13:01- Court case in Louisiana would restrict telehealth abortion access nationwide 15:29- Overview of how legislative conference committees work in Indiana 19:55- Language attempted to be put into HB 1417 to counter current lawsuit against the abortion ban (language was not allowed in) 21:01- SB 85, the medical debt bill, failed (for the 2nd straight year) 21:55- SB 91, the syringe exchange program, goes to the governor for signing (yay sort of!) 22:30- SB 1 passes, will kick people off of medicaid needlessly (actually to save the state money) and will cause big problems long term for the state 23:55- Take a deep breath in the weather AND call your federal senators and let them know Casey Means is a bad choice for surgeon general (numbers and script here) 24:32- wrap up | |||
| Indiana’s 340B safety net under attack, syringe services survive without a signature, and RFK Jr's nutrition theater | 13 Mar 2026 | 00:38:53 | |
Hoosier Health Matters Season 2, Episode 10 Date: 3/13/2026 Title: Indiana’s 340B safety net under attack, syringe services survive without a signature, and RFK Jr's nutrition theater 00:00- Intro 2:01- SB 91 becomes a law without the signature of Governor Braun 5:13- Dolly Parton's Imagination Library almost funded despite no state government funds 6:50- Permanent injunction on the Indiana Abortion ban based on the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (but it's not over 9:04- Vinay Prasad resigns from the FDA again 11:05- Another study debunks Tylenol-autism, FDA reverses guidance on leucovorin for autism, and new independent autism advisory panel 13:25- States passing laws protecting clinicians from lawsuits around vaccine confusion 14:34- HHS announces a nutrition education initiative for medical schools, includes Purdue University in the list of 40 schools that have signed on besides the fact that Purdue doesn't have a medical school 16:39- An interview with Alan Witchey, CEO of the Damien Center, about the importance of the 340B drug pricing program and its role in the care of vulnerable patients in Indiana- and a HUGE risk to that program as the result of a proposed regulation change by Indiana FSSA You should use this script to send an email comment on this proposed change before March 27! 37:58- Wrap up | |||