Tradeoffs
banner
tradeoffs.org
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
More than 50 million seniors, and others with certain disabilities, rely on the Medicare Part D marketplace to find coverage for the medications they need.

But troubling trends suggest this essential part of Medicare is on shaky ground.

https://youtube.com/shorts/gcxeiBn-2yg?si=aHyR_RayrA_Rt8BN
November 26, 2025 at 9:00 PM
We make health policy coverage that cuts through the noise — but we can’t do it without you.

If you value the work we do at Tradeoffs, please consider donating. Every contribution helps power independent, evidence-based reporting.

💙 tradeoffs.fundjournalism.org/donate/
Join | Tradeoffs
Tradeoffs is supported by people like you. Support Tradeoffs today.
tradeoffs.fundjournalism.org
November 26, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Several cities and counties are addressing street homelessness with a new approach, which experts say can clear encampments while protecting the health of people who are forced to move.

Read the story: tradeoffs.org/2025/11/20/h...

Published in partnership with @themarshallproject.org.
Homeless Camp Sweeps Can Harm Health. Some Cities Are Trying a New Way.
Several cities and counties are addressing street homelessness with a new approach, which experts say can clear encampments while protecting the health of people who are forced to move.
tradeoffs.org
November 20, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Facing mounting financial pressures, insurance companies are changing the prescription drug coverage available to many consumers in Medicare Part D.

tradeoffs.org/2025/11/13/r...
Rising Costs, Fewer Choices: What’s Up with Medicare Drug Plans?
Facing mounting financial pressures, insurance companies are changing the prescription drug coverage available to many consumers in Medicare Part D.
tradeoffs.org
November 19, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Many shoppers are expected to be priced out of the health insurance market next year, leaving those who stay with higher premiums. It’s a dynamic that threatens to repeat, leaving markets with fewer and more expensive options as insurers exit, too. How did we get here?

tradeoffs.org/2025/09/11/o...
Obamacare Premiums Are About to Soar. How’d We Get Here?
Federal subsidies for Affordable Care Act health plans are set to shrink next year. Many shoppers are expected to be priced out, leaving those who stay with higher premiums. The dynamic that threatens...
tradeoffs.org
November 12, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Extra federal support has helped millions of Americans access health insurance. What's going to happen if that aid goes away? tradeoffs.org/2025/09/29/b...
BONUS: What Happens if Obamacare Subsidies Shrink?
Excerpts of a live conversation with two top health economists about how extra federal support has helped millions of Americans access health insurance, and what would happen if that aid went away.
tradeoffs.org
November 10, 2025 at 9:28 PM
ACA enrollment opened this week and West Virginia navigator Jeremy Smith has been talking with consumers who feel overwhelmed.

"What are they going to do? Go without health care? Or have to pay more and not have enough money for groceries.”
The Quiet Cuts Making ACA Enrollment Harder
Higher premiums and penalties have made shopping for Obamacare plans more confusing this year. Navigator programs, a resource for consumers, lost about 90% of federal funding across more than two dozen states earlier this year. How’s open enrollment going so far? “Chaotic,” says one remaining ACA navigator.
tradeoffs.org
November 7, 2025 at 6:01 PM
If you're a fan of Tradeoffs, could you do us a favor?

We're looking for a few more people to take our audience survey to help guide our editorial decisions and shape the future of Tradeoffs.

10 mins of your time will help inform the next year of our work: www.surveymonkey.com/r/5TZRDMG
Tradeoffs 2025 Audience Survey
Help us chart Tradeoffs’ path forward by taking our annual survey.
www.surveymonkey.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Higher premiums and new penalties have made shopping for Obamacare plans more confusing this year.

Listen to our latest episode to hear why federal funding cuts have left consumers in many states with fewer guides to help them navigate their options.
The Quiet Cuts Making ACA Enrollment Harder
Higher premiums and penalties have made shopping for Obamacare plans more confusing this year. Navigator programs, a resource for consumers, lost about 90% of federal funding across more than two dozen states earlier this year. How’s open enrollment going so far? “Chaotic,” says one remaining ACA navigator.
tradeoffs.org
November 6, 2025 at 11:22 PM
“I think there’s this notion now that all a doctor has to be is an empathic human, because everything else can be looked up or given to you by an AI. And that is not at all true," @dhruvkhullar.bsky.social‬ said in the latest Tradeoffs episode.

Listen now:
Should I Trust AI to Diagnose Me?
Physician and New Yorker writer Dhruv Khullar says artificial intelligence is a powerful tool to get quicker and more accurate diagnoses. But it can also be dangerous.
tradeoffs.org
November 3, 2025 at 7:00 PM
A 2024 survey found that 1 in 6 American adults use AI chatbots at least once a month to get health information. Physicians are increasingly using AI too. But should we trust AI to diagnose us?
Should I Trust AI to Diagnose Me?
Physician and New Yorker writer Dhruv Khullar says artificial intelligence is a powerful tool to get quicker and more accurate diagnoses. But it can also be dangerous.
tradeoffs.org
October 31, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Reposted by Tradeoffs
🩺 Is it safe to use #AI to help diagnose me? 🩺

@dhruvkhullar.bsky.social, a physician at @weillcornell.bsky.social and contributing writer at @newyorker.com, told @tradeoffs.org 3️⃣ key things he thinks every patient, nurse and doctor should know about AI.

tradeoffs.org/2025/10/30/s...
Should I Trust AI to Diagnose Me?
Physician and New Yorker writer Dhruv Khullar says artificial intelligence is a powerful tool to get quicker and more accurate diagnoses. But it can also be dangerous.
tradeoffs.org
October 30, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Physician and @newyorker.com writer @dhruvkhullar.bsky.social‬ says artificial intelligence is a powerful tool to get quicker and more accurate diagnoses. But it can also be dangerous.

Learn more in our newest episode:
Page not found - Tradeoffs
Tradeoffs is a nonprofit news organization on a mission to help America have smarter, more honest conversations about health policy.
tradeoffs.org
October 30, 2025 at 3:25 PM
We asked 10 experts to evaluate the potential impact of the Trump administration's recent moves to lower the cost of prescription drugs. Their verdict: Most are unlikely to deliver substantive savings, at least based on what we know today.
Will Trump’s Prescription Drug Deals Really Lower Prices?
Facing unprecedented pressure from the Trump administration, some of the world’s top drugmakers promise to cut prices. But experts say the savings might not be what they seem.
tradeoffs.org
October 29, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Good news 🍎 users: Tradeoffs is now on Apple News!

Subscribe to our channel to see our stories in your Apple News feed: apple.news/TqZbur7r0R_-...
Tradeoffs
Channel
apple.news
October 28, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Will Trump’s prescription drug deals really lower prices? Listen to the latest Tradeoffs podcast to hear why experts warn we shouldn’t expect most of these moves to deliver substantive savings — at least not yet.
Will Trump’s Prescription Drug Deals Really Lower Prices?
Facing unprecedented pressure from the Trump administration, some of the world’s top drugmakers promise to cut prices. But experts say the savings might not be what they seem.
tradeoffs.org
October 24, 2025 at 7:45 PM
If you're a fan of Tradeoffs, could you do us a favor?

We're looking for 250 more people to take our audience survey to help guide our editorial decisions and shape the future of Tradeoffs.

10 mins of your time will help inform the next year of our work: www.surveymonkey.com/r/5TZRDMG
Tradeoffs 2025 Audience Survey
Help us chart Tradeoffs’ path forward by taking our annual survey.
www.surveymonkey.com
October 24, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Facing unprecedented pressure from the Trump administration, some of the world’s top drugmakers promise to cut prices. But experts say the savings might not be what they seem.

Listen to the new episode:
Page not found - Tradeoffs
Tradeoffs is a nonprofit news organization on a mission to help America have smarter, more honest conversations about health policy.
tradeoffs.org
October 23, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Tradeoffs is hiring a Managing Director of Growth & Partnerships to lead our newsrooms’ efforts to grow and diversify revenue across all development streams.

💰 $122K - $155K
📍Remote, based anywhere in the continental US

Visit our website to learn more and apply:
Careers at Tradeoffs
Join our small and mighty team dedicated to producing impactful and engaging health care journalism.
tradeoffs.org
October 22, 2025 at 2:07 PM
We want to hear from you.

Every year, we survey our audience to understand how we’re doing, where we can improve, and how our reporting makes a difference.

Your feedback helps guide our editorial decisions and shape the future of Tradeoffs.

Take the survey 👉 www.surveymonkey.com/r/5TZRDMG
Tradeoffs 2025 Audience Survey
Help us chart Tradeoffs’ path forward by taking our annual survey.
www.surveymonkey.com
October 21, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Artificial intelligence is reshaping medical care, and we know that people have a lot of questions about how AI can make our care better — and the risks it poses. Will AI chatbots replace doctors? Should we trust ChatGPT with questions about our care?

What questions do you have?
October 20, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Journalist Paula Span covers everything from the challenges of caregiving, to when to say no to a medical test, to the pros and cons of cannabis gummies for insomnia.

Hear Span’s advice and why she thinks we shouldn’t fear getting older: tradeoffs.org/2024/10/17/p...
How New York Times Columnist Paula Span Navigates ‘The New Old Age’
Journalist Paula Span, who writes The New Old Age column for the New York Times, shares what she’s learned about how to age well.
tradeoffs.org
October 20, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Journalist Paula Span, who writes “The New Old Age” column for the @nytimes.com, shares what she’s learned about how to age well and why we shouldn't fear getting older.

Listen to the episode: tradeoffs.org/2024/10/17/p...
How New York Times Columnist Paula Span Navigates ‘The New Old Age’
Journalist Paula Span, who writes The New Old Age column for the New York Times, shares what she’s learned about how to age well.
tradeoffs.org
October 17, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Want to join the Tradeoffs team?

We’re looking for an experienced health care journalist ready to contribute to our distinct footprint at a moment of audience and impact growth for our newsroom.

Learn more and apply: tradeoffs.org/reporter-pro...

Applications accepted through October 19.
Reporter/Producer
We're looking for an experienced health care journalist ready to contribute to Tradeoffs' distinct footprint at a moment of audience and impact growth for our newsroom.
tradeoffs.org
October 16, 2025 at 1:01 PM
It's a big week for Tradeoffs! 🎉

Our team gathered in NYC to accept a Murrow Award for The Fifth Branch, our three-part series exploring how one community is transforming its response to people experiencing mental health crises.

And this Thursday, our podcast turns six years old.
October 15, 2025 at 6:37 PM