Tradeoffs
@tradeoffs.org
Journalism that explores the complicated, costly, and often counterintuitive world of health care.
New podcast episodes every Thursday, hosted by Dan Gorenstein.
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: tradeoffs.org/subscribe
New podcast episodes every Thursday, hosted by Dan Gorenstein.
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: tradeoffs.org/subscribe
Tradeoffs has added veteran journalist Julie Wernau as its newest reporter and producer.
Wernau joins after more than a decade at The Wall Street Journal. At Tradeoffs, she will focus on covering mental health and addiction.
Learn more: tradeoffs.org/2026/01/13/t...
Wernau joins after more than a decade at The Wall Street Journal. At Tradeoffs, she will focus on covering mental health and addiction.
Learn more: tradeoffs.org/2026/01/13/t...
Tradeoffs Adds Veteran Health Journalist Julie Wernau to Reporting Team
Tradeoffs has added veteran journalist Julie Wernau as its newest reporter and producer.
tradeoffs.org
January 13, 2026 at 2:34 PM
Tradeoffs has added veteran journalist Julie Wernau as its newest reporter and producer.
Wernau joins after more than a decade at The Wall Street Journal. At Tradeoffs, she will focus on covering mental health and addiction.
Learn more: tradeoffs.org/2026/01/13/t...
Wernau joins after more than a decade at The Wall Street Journal. At Tradeoffs, she will focus on covering mental health and addiction.
Learn more: tradeoffs.org/2026/01/13/t...
Listen to todays's bonus episode of Tradeoffs to hear rural health experts dig into the Trump administration’s effort to transform rural health care, from our virtual event with @pennldi.bsky.social
tradeoffs.org/2026/01/12/b...
tradeoffs.org/2026/01/12/b...
Breaking Down Trump's $50 Billion Rural Health Fund
Rural health experts dig into the Trump administration’s effort to transform rural health care.
tradeoffs.org
January 12, 2026 at 11:48 PM
Listen to todays's bonus episode of Tradeoffs to hear rural health experts dig into the Trump administration’s effort to transform rural health care, from our virtual event with @pennldi.bsky.social
tradeoffs.org/2026/01/12/b...
tradeoffs.org/2026/01/12/b...
The generic drug industry has saved patients and the U.S. health care system trillions of dollars.
In Part 2 of Race to the Bottom, we shine a light on the weaknesses in the system, shortages of cancer drugs, and companies cutting dangerous corners.
tradeoffs.org/2024/09/19/r...
In Part 2 of Race to the Bottom, we shine a light on the weaknesses in the system, shortages of cancer drugs, and companies cutting dangerous corners.
tradeoffs.org/2024/09/19/r...
Race to the Bottom: Hard Bargain
America pays less, on average, than any other major country for our generic drugs. But selling essential medicines at such low prices comes with hidden costs — from quality problems to frequent shorta...
tradeoffs.org
January 11, 2026 at 10:48 PM
The generic drug industry has saved patients and the U.S. health care system trillions of dollars.
In Part 2 of Race to the Bottom, we shine a light on the weaknesses in the system, shortages of cancer drugs, and companies cutting dangerous corners.
tradeoffs.org/2024/09/19/r...
In Part 2 of Race to the Bottom, we shine a light on the weaknesses in the system, shortages of cancer drugs, and companies cutting dangerous corners.
tradeoffs.org/2024/09/19/r...
Generic drugs fill 9 out of every 10 prescriptions in the U.S.
Americans have saved trillions of dollars, paying less for these drugs, on average, than people in any other major country. But all these low prices have come with some hidden costs.
Americans have saved trillions of dollars, paying less for these drugs, on average, than people in any other major country. But all these low prices have come with some hidden costs.
Race to the Bottom: Hard Bargain
America pays less, on average, than any other major country for our generic drugs. But selling essential medicines at such low prices comes with hidden costs — from quality problems to frequent shortages.
tradeoffs.org
January 9, 2026 at 5:50 PM
Generic drugs fill 9 out of every 10 prescriptions in the U.S.
Americans have saved trillions of dollars, paying less for these drugs, on average, than people in any other major country. But all these low prices have come with some hidden costs.
Americans have saved trillions of dollars, paying less for these drugs, on average, than people in any other major country. But all these low prices have come with some hidden costs.
America pays less, on average, than any other major country for the generic drugs that fill 90% of our prescriptions.
But selling essential medicines at such low prices comes with hidden costs — from quality problems to frequent shortages.
But selling essential medicines at such low prices comes with hidden costs — from quality problems to frequent shortages.
Race to the Bottom: Hard Bargain
America pays less, on average, than any other major country for our generic drugs. But selling essential medicines at such low prices comes with hidden costs — from quality problems to frequent shortages.
tradeoffs.org
January 8, 2026 at 7:00 PM
America pays less, on average, than any other major country for the generic drugs that fill 90% of our prescriptions.
But selling essential medicines at such low prices comes with hidden costs — from quality problems to frequent shortages.
But selling essential medicines at such low prices comes with hidden costs — from quality problems to frequent shortages.
Generic drugs bring remarkable medical innovations within reach for millions of Americans — but will they continue to?
"This medication that was once $130,000 a year to, you know, nothing," one patient said. "It’s kind of hard to wrap your head around."
"This medication that was once $130,000 a year to, you know, nothing," one patient said. "It’s kind of hard to wrap your head around."
Race to the Bottom: Boom Times
Forty years ago this month, President Ronald Reagan signed groundbreaking, bipartisan legislation that gave birth to a new drug industry. In part one of Race to the Bottom, we get an inside look at the choices made back then that help explain the wild success and also the troubles we see today with generic medicines.
tradeoffs.org
January 7, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Generic drugs bring remarkable medical innovations within reach for millions of Americans — but will they continue to?
"This medication that was once $130,000 a year to, you know, nothing," one patient said. "It’s kind of hard to wrap your head around."
"This medication that was once $130,000 a year to, you know, nothing," one patient said. "It’s kind of hard to wrap your head around."
Reposted by Tradeoffs
THANK YOU to the hundreds of attendees who tuned in to our virtual seminar featuring experts Kevin Bennett of @sc.edu, LDI's Paula Chatterjee, @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social of @kffhealthnews.org. & @dgorenstein.bsky.social of @tradeoffs.org.
Video recap drops next week!
https://bit.ly/4964AXd
Video recap drops next week!
https://bit.ly/4964AXd
The $50 Billion Rural Health Program in Context
National experts will discuss the challenges facing health care access in rural America, evidence-based solutions to those issues, and more.
ldi.upenn.edu
January 6, 2026 at 6:00 PM
THANK YOU to the hundreds of attendees who tuned in to our virtual seminar featuring experts Kevin Bennett of @sc.edu, LDI's Paula Chatterjee, @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social of @kffhealthnews.org. & @dgorenstein.bsky.social of @tradeoffs.org.
Video recap drops next week!
https://bit.ly/4964AXd
Video recap drops next week!
https://bit.ly/4964AXd
Reposted by Tradeoffs
📹 We're LIVE TODAY at 12pm ET with a panel of national experts to discuss the challenges facing health care access in rural America.
➡️ REGISTER:
https://bit.ly/49EdoDT
Virtual discussion co-hosted w/ @tradeoffs.org | open to the public!
➡️ REGISTER:
https://bit.ly/49EdoDT
Virtual discussion co-hosted w/ @tradeoffs.org | open to the public!
January 6, 2026 at 1:42 PM
📹 We're LIVE TODAY at 12pm ET with a panel of national experts to discuss the challenges facing health care access in rural America.
➡️ REGISTER:
https://bit.ly/49EdoDT
Virtual discussion co-hosted w/ @tradeoffs.org | open to the public!
➡️ REGISTER:
https://bit.ly/49EdoDT
Virtual discussion co-hosted w/ @tradeoffs.org | open to the public!
Generic drugs are, in many ways, the unsung hero of our health care system.
But will affordable, high-quality generic drugs continue to be there when we need them?
But will affordable, high-quality generic drugs continue to be there when we need them?
Race to the Bottom: Boom Times
Forty years ago this month, President Ronald Reagan signed groundbreaking, bipartisan legislation that gave birth to a new drug industry. In part one of Race to the Bottom, we get an inside look at the choices made back then that help explain the wild success and also the troubles we see today with generic medicines.
tradeoffs.org
January 5, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Generic drugs are, in many ways, the unsung hero of our health care system.
But will affordable, high-quality generic drugs continue to be there when we need them?
But will affordable, high-quality generic drugs continue to be there when we need them?
Join us tomorrow for Decoding the Moment: The $50 Billion Rural Health Program in Context.
Co-hosted with @pennldi.bsky.social, hear from experts about the challenges facing health care access in rural America.
🗓️ Tomorrow, Jan. 6 from 12-1 p.m. ET.
Register: tradeoffs.org/event/50-bil...
Co-hosted with @pennldi.bsky.social, hear from experts about the challenges facing health care access in rural America.
🗓️ Tomorrow, Jan. 6 from 12-1 p.m. ET.
Register: tradeoffs.org/event/50-bil...
Decoding the Moment: The $50 Billion Rural Health Program in Context
Discussing the challenges facing health care access in rural America, evidence-based solutions to those issues, and how states and the federal government are looking to use the RHTF.
tradeoffs.org
January 5, 2026 at 5:14 PM
Join us tomorrow for Decoding the Moment: The $50 Billion Rural Health Program in Context.
Co-hosted with @pennldi.bsky.social, hear from experts about the challenges facing health care access in rural America.
🗓️ Tomorrow, Jan. 6 from 12-1 p.m. ET.
Register: tradeoffs.org/event/50-bil...
Co-hosted with @pennldi.bsky.social, hear from experts about the challenges facing health care access in rural America.
🗓️ Tomorrow, Jan. 6 from 12-1 p.m. ET.
Register: tradeoffs.org/event/50-bil...
Reposted by Tradeoffs
🔴 Decoding the Moment: The $50 Billion #RuralHealthProgram in Context 🔴
🗓️ Tomorrow, Jan 6 @ 12pm ET
Expert virtual discussion, co-hosted w/ @tradeoffs.org
➡️ REGISTER HERE:
https://bit.ly/4964AXd
🗓️ Tomorrow, Jan 6 @ 12pm ET
Expert virtual discussion, co-hosted w/ @tradeoffs.org
➡️ REGISTER HERE:
https://bit.ly/4964AXd
January 5, 2026 at 2:03 PM
🔴 Decoding the Moment: The $50 Billion #RuralHealthProgram in Context 🔴
🗓️ Tomorrow, Jan 6 @ 12pm ET
Expert virtual discussion, co-hosted w/ @tradeoffs.org
➡️ REGISTER HERE:
https://bit.ly/4964AXd
🗓️ Tomorrow, Jan 6 @ 12pm ET
Expert virtual discussion, co-hosted w/ @tradeoffs.org
➡️ REGISTER HERE:
https://bit.ly/4964AXd
One doctor believes plainspoken information from trusted messengers can help shrink health disparities.
Some insurers are buying in — listen why here:
Some insurers are buying in — listen why here:
One Doctor’s Crusade to Improve Health Literacy
Dr. Lisa Fitzpatrick believes plainspoken information from trusted messengers can help shrink health disparities, and some insurers are buying in.
tradeoffs.org
January 3, 2026 at 7:00 PM
One doctor believes plainspoken information from trusted messengers can help shrink health disparities.
Some insurers are buying in — listen why here:
Some insurers are buying in — listen why here:
Generic drugs now fill 9 out of every 10 prescriptions in the U.S.
But experts warn that America’s market for these cheap, essential medicines is on shaky ground.
But experts warn that America’s market for these cheap, essential medicines is on shaky ground.
Race to the Bottom: Boom Times
Forty years ago this month, President Ronald Reagan signed groundbreaking, bipartisan legislation that gave birth to a new drug industry. In part one of Race to the Bottom, we get an inside look at the choices made back then that help explain the wild success and also the troubles we see today with generic medicines.
tradeoffs.org
January 2, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Generic drugs now fill 9 out of every 10 prescriptions in the U.S.
But experts warn that America’s market for these cheap, essential medicines is on shaky ground.
But experts warn that America’s market for these cheap, essential medicines is on shaky ground.
In this first part of series “Race to the Bottom,” we trace the origins of America’s generic drug industry — groundbreaking, bipartisan legislation signed by President Ronald Reagan that saved us trillions and also got us into trouble.
Listen:
Listen:
Race to the Bottom: Boom Times
Forty years ago this month, President Ronald Reagan signed groundbreaking, bipartisan legislation that gave birth to a new drug industry. In part one of Race to the Bottom, we get an inside look at the choices made back then that help explain the wild success and also the troubles we see today with generic medicines.
tradeoffs.org
January 1, 2026 at 2:01 PM
In this first part of series “Race to the Bottom,” we trace the origins of America’s generic drug industry — groundbreaking, bipartisan legislation signed by President Ronald Reagan that saved us trillions and also got us into trouble.
Listen:
Listen:
Make sure you sign up for our virtual event with @pennldi.bsky.social about the challenges facing health care access in rural America next week.
When? Tuesday, Jan. 6 from 12-1 p.m. ET.
🔗 Register here:
When? Tuesday, Jan. 6 from 12-1 p.m. ET.
🔗 Register here:
Decoding the Moment: The $50 Billion Rural Health Program in Context
Discussing the challenges facing health care access in rural America, evidence-based solutions to those issues, and how states and the federal government are looking to use the RHTF.
tradeoffs.org
December 31, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Make sure you sign up for our virtual event with @pennldi.bsky.social about the challenges facing health care access in rural America next week.
When? Tuesday, Jan. 6 from 12-1 p.m. ET.
🔗 Register here:
When? Tuesday, Jan. 6 from 12-1 p.m. ET.
🔗 Register here:
Join us on Tuesday, January 6th at 12-1 p.m. ET for our next Decoding the Moment event cohosted with @pennldi.bsky.social, where we'll explore evidence-based solutions to rural America’s health care challenges.
Decoding the Moment: The $50 Billion Rural Health Program in Context
Discussing the challenges facing health care access in rural America, evidence-based solutions to those issues, and how states and the federal government are looking to use the RHTF.
tradeoffs.org
December 28, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Join us on Tuesday, January 6th at 12-1 p.m. ET for our next Decoding the Moment event cohosted with @pennldi.bsky.social, where we'll explore evidence-based solutions to rural America’s health care challenges.
Dr. Lisa Fitzpatrick founded Grapevine Health to help more people understand their health care.
Grapevine creates short videos featuring Black and other doctors of color explaining everything from kidney disease to how to sign up for Medicaid.
Grapevine creates short videos featuring Black and other doctors of color explaining everything from kidney disease to how to sign up for Medicaid.
One Doctor’s Crusade to Improve Health Literacy
Dr. Lisa Fitzpatrick believes plainspoken information from trusted messengers can help shrink health disparities, and some insurers are buying in.
tradeoffs.org
December 27, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Dr. Lisa Fitzpatrick founded Grapevine Health to help more people understand their health care.
Grapevine creates short videos featuring Black and other doctors of color explaining everything from kidney disease to how to sign up for Medicaid.
Grapevine creates short videos featuring Black and other doctors of color explaining everything from kidney disease to how to sign up for Medicaid.
In the spirit of the holidays, we've been featuring people with innovative fixes to health care's toughest challenges.
Dr. Lisa Fitzpatrick believes plainspoken information from trusted messengers can help shrink health disparities.
tradeoffs.org/2023/02/02/h... less
Dr. Lisa Fitzpatrick believes plainspoken information from trusted messengers can help shrink health disparities.
tradeoffs.org/2023/02/02/h... less
One Doctor’s Crusade to Improve Health Literacy
Dr. Lisa Fitzpatrick believes plainspoken information from trusted messengers can help shrink health disparities, and some insurers are buying in.
tradeoffs.org
December 25, 2025 at 3:01 PM
In the spirit of the holidays, we've been featuring people with innovative fixes to health care's toughest challenges.
Dr. Lisa Fitzpatrick believes plainspoken information from trusted messengers can help shrink health disparities.
tradeoffs.org/2023/02/02/h... less
Dr. Lisa Fitzpatrick believes plainspoken information from trusted messengers can help shrink health disparities.
tradeoffs.org/2023/02/02/h... less
Have you signed up yet for our virtual event about the challenges facing health care access in rural America?
🗓️ Join us on Tuesday, Jan. 6 from 12-1 p.m. ET for our talk with national experts, co-hosted with @pennldi.bsky.social
🔗 Register here: tradeoffs.org/event/50-bil...
🗓️ Join us on Tuesday, Jan. 6 from 12-1 p.m. ET for our talk with national experts, co-hosted with @pennldi.bsky.social
🔗 Register here: tradeoffs.org/event/50-bil...
Decoding the Moment: The $50 Billion Rural Health Program in Context
Discussing the challenges facing health care access in rural America, evidence-based solutions to those issues, and how states and the federal government are looking to use the RHTF.
tradeoffs.org
December 24, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Have you signed up yet for our virtual event about the challenges facing health care access in rural America?
🗓️ Join us on Tuesday, Jan. 6 from 12-1 p.m. ET for our talk with national experts, co-hosted with @pennldi.bsky.social
🔗 Register here: tradeoffs.org/event/50-bil...
🗓️ Join us on Tuesday, Jan. 6 from 12-1 p.m. ET for our talk with national experts, co-hosted with @pennldi.bsky.social
🔗 Register here: tradeoffs.org/event/50-bil...
Violence is one of the biggest threats to the health of American children.
Listen to or read the transcript of our episode about a program in Chicago that’s having success using therapy to prevent violence among kids who are most at risk.
tradeoffs.org/2025/06/05/t...
Listen to or read the transcript of our episode about a program in Chicago that’s having success using therapy to prevent violence among kids who are most at risk.
tradeoffs.org/2025/06/05/t...
How Treating Teens’ Trauma Is Stopping Violence in Chicago
A Chicago violence prevention program is pairing cognitive behavioral therapy with intensive mentoring and wraparound support to help high-risk teens avoid incarceration.
tradeoffs.org
December 23, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Violence is one of the biggest threats to the health of American children.
Listen to or read the transcript of our episode about a program in Chicago that’s having success using therapy to prevent violence among kids who are most at risk.
tradeoffs.org/2025/06/05/t...
Listen to or read the transcript of our episode about a program in Chicago that’s having success using therapy to prevent violence among kids who are most at risk.
tradeoffs.org/2025/06/05/t...
Join us on Tuesday, 1/6 @ 12 p.m. ET for our virtual event with @pennldi.bsky.social for a discussion with experts about challenges facing health care access in rural America.
Register here: https://tradeoffs.org/event/50-billion-rural-health-transformation-program/
Register here: https://tradeoffs.org/event/50-billion-rural-health-transformation-program/
December 20, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Join us on Tuesday, 1/6 @ 12 p.m. ET for our virtual event with @pennldi.bsky.social for a discussion with experts about challenges facing health care access in rural America.
Register here: https://tradeoffs.org/event/50-billion-rural-health-transformation-program/
Register here: https://tradeoffs.org/event/50-billion-rural-health-transformation-program/
There are only a few hours left to donate to Tradeoffs by midnight for our $2,000 matching challenge, where every amount donated will be matched, dollar for dollar.
Give a gift to help continue to make our reporting possible.
Tradeoffs.org/donate
Give a gift to help continue to make our reporting possible.
Tradeoffs.org/donate
Donate to Tradeoffs
Support smarter health policy conversations.
tradeoffs.fundjournalism.org
December 20, 2025 at 12:00 AM
There are only a few hours left to donate to Tradeoffs by midnight for our $2,000 matching challenge, where every amount donated will be matched, dollar for dollar.
Give a gift to help continue to make our reporting possible.
Tradeoffs.org/donate
Give a gift to help continue to make our reporting possible.
Tradeoffs.org/donate
Reposted by Tradeoffs
Registration is open for our first virtual event of 2026!
🔴 DECODING THE MOMENT: The $50 Billion Rural Health Program in Context 🔴
🗓️ Tuesday, January 6 @ 12pm ET co-hosted by @tradeoffs.org
https://ldi.upenn.edu/events/decoding-the-moment-the-50-billion-rural-health-fund-in-context/
🔴 DECODING THE MOMENT: The $50 Billion Rural Health Program in Context 🔴
🗓️ Tuesday, January 6 @ 12pm ET co-hosted by @tradeoffs.org
https://ldi.upenn.edu/events/decoding-the-moment-the-50-billion-rural-health-fund-in-context/
December 17, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Registration is open for our first virtual event of 2026!
🔴 DECODING THE MOMENT: The $50 Billion Rural Health Program in Context 🔴
🗓️ Tuesday, January 6 @ 12pm ET co-hosted by @tradeoffs.org
https://ldi.upenn.edu/events/decoding-the-moment-the-50-billion-rural-health-fund-in-context/
🔴 DECODING THE MOMENT: The $50 Billion Rural Health Program in Context 🔴
🗓️ Tuesday, January 6 @ 12pm ET co-hosted by @tradeoffs.org
https://ldi.upenn.edu/events/decoding-the-moment-the-50-billion-rural-health-fund-in-context/
Today is the last day to raise $2,000 to unlock a matching gift from our Audience Match Fund.
Donate by midnight to Tradeoffs so each dollar you give can be doubled, increasing the effect of your support.
Tradeoffs.org/donate
Donate by midnight to Tradeoffs so each dollar you give can be doubled, increasing the effect of your support.
Tradeoffs.org/donate
Donate to Tradeoffs
Support smarter health policy conversations.
tradeoffs.fundjournalism.org
December 19, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Today is the last day to raise $2,000 to unlock a matching gift from our Audience Match Fund.
Donate by midnight to Tradeoffs so each dollar you give can be doubled, increasing the effect of your support.
Tradeoffs.org/donate
Donate by midnight to Tradeoffs so each dollar you give can be doubled, increasing the effect of your support.
Tradeoffs.org/donate
We have the chance to unlock a $2,000 matching gift — but only if we raise $2,000 by midnight Friday.
If you’ve valued our clear, evidence-based reporting this year, this is a great moment to power the stories and coverage you rely on.
tradeoffs.org/donate
If you’ve valued our clear, evidence-based reporting this year, this is a great moment to power the stories and coverage you rely on.
tradeoffs.org/donate
Donate to Tradeoffs
Support smarter health policy conversations.
tradeoffs.org
December 18, 2025 at 2:02 PM
We have the chance to unlock a $2,000 matching gift — but only if we raise $2,000 by midnight Friday.
If you’ve valued our clear, evidence-based reporting this year, this is a great moment to power the stories and coverage you rely on.
tradeoffs.org/donate
If you’ve valued our clear, evidence-based reporting this year, this is a great moment to power the stories and coverage you rely on.
tradeoffs.org/donate