Joanne Kenen
@joannekenen.bsky.social
Journalist in residence at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Contributor @politico magazine. KFF “What the Health” podcast. Forthcoming book on
media, misinformation, public health. I write about birth, death and everything in between.
media, misinformation, public health. I write about birth, death and everything in between.
Reposted by Joanne Kenen
In a new article in NPR Shots, @joannekenen.bsky.social Kenen explains how the Big Beautiful Bill's limits on federal student loans for health professional students are expected to lead to a less diverse health care workforce. www.npr.org/sections/sho...
November 25, 2025 at 6:59 PM
In a new article in NPR Shots, @joannekenen.bsky.social Kenen explains how the Big Beautiful Bill's limits on federal student loans for health professional students are expected to lead to a less diverse health care workforce. www.npr.org/sections/sho...
Reposted by Joanne Kenen
New U.S. law limits nursing degree loans, no longer designating nurses as professional. This dismisses their expertise & limits our need for a representative workforce. Our nation’s health depends on making nursing loans & tuition more affordable, not less. @joannekenen.bsky.social: t.jh.edu/aw79ZB
November 25, 2025 at 3:27 PM
New U.S. law limits nursing degree loans, no longer designating nurses as professional. This dismisses their expertise & limits our need for a representative workforce. Our nation’s health depends on making nursing loans & tuition more affordable, not less. @joannekenen.bsky.social: t.jh.edu/aw79ZB
Reposted by Joanne Kenen
BREAKING: Louisiana health official who ordered his health department to stop promoting mass vaccinations during a surge in flu cases this winter has been tapped to be the new number 2 at @CDCgov. My story.
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
New leader tapped for CDC had stopped pushing vaccines amid flu surge
Ralph Abraham, a Louisiana health official who stopped promoting mass vaccination vaccines, has been appointed as the CDC's principal deputy director
www.washingtonpost.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:20 PM
BREAKING: Louisiana health official who ordered his health department to stop promoting mass vaccinations during a surge in flu cases this winter has been tapped to be the new number 2 at @CDCgov. My story.
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Reposted by Joanne Kenen
New #WTHealth podcast up: @joannekenen.bsky.social, @shefali.bsky.social and Paige Cunningham on what the GOP really wants on health care, how the D's may well have won the shutdown, and an interview with @avik.bsky.social on possibilities for bipartisanship...
kffhealthnews.org/news/podcast...
kffhealthnews.org/news/podcast...
The GOP Circles the Wagons on ACA - KFF Health News
Republicans are solidifying their opposition to extending pandemic-era subsidies for Affordable Care Act plans and seem to be coalescing around giving money directly to consumers to spend on health ca...
kffhealthnews.org
November 20, 2025 at 9:19 PM
New #WTHealth podcast up: @joannekenen.bsky.social, @shefali.bsky.social and Paige Cunningham on what the GOP really wants on health care, how the D's may well have won the shutdown, and an interview with @avik.bsky.social on possibilities for bipartisanship...
kffhealthnews.org/news/podcast...
kffhealthnews.org/news/podcast...
Reposted by Joanne Kenen
I had the opportunity to review the work experience and skills of numerous people who were laid off or fired from public health jobs by Donald Trump.
I want every taxpayer to know that the US has lost an immeasurable number of the smartest, most experienced, and hardworking people on the planet.
I want every taxpayer to know that the US has lost an immeasurable number of the smartest, most experienced, and hardworking people on the planet.
November 12, 2025 at 9:43 PM
I had the opportunity to review the work experience and skills of numerous people who were laid off or fired from public health jobs by Donald Trump.
I want every taxpayer to know that the US has lost an immeasurable number of the smartest, most experienced, and hardworking people on the planet.
I want every taxpayer to know that the US has lost an immeasurable number of the smartest, most experienced, and hardworking people on the planet.
Politico's Future Pulse wrote up our book event from last night -- Information Sick: How the Decline of Journalism and the Rise of Disinformation is Harming Our Health - and What We Can Do About It." www.politico.com/newsletters/...
Future Pulse
The ideas and innovators shaping health care
www.politico.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Politico's Future Pulse wrote up our book event from last night -- Information Sick: How the Decline of Journalism and the Rise of Disinformation is Harming Our Health - and What We Can Do About It." www.politico.com/newsletters/...
Big news- our podcast is now available via @wamu.org or the NPR app
first #WTHealth podcast with our new distribution partner @wamu.org! Find us now on the NPR app, or wherever you get your podcasts!
kffhealthnews.org/news/podcast...
kffhealthnews.org/news/podcast...
Happy Open Enrollment Eve! - KFF Health News
A standoff in Congress is keeping much of the government shut down as open enrollment begins in most states for Affordable Care Act plans. Democrats are demanding Republicans agree to extend ACA tax c...
kffhealthnews.org
November 3, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Big news- our podcast is now available via @wamu.org or the NPR app
I haven't been all that active on this site - but maybe publishing a new book is a good time to change that. with @drjoshs.bsky.social and l. Morales. We write about the intertwined crisis of the decline of the US news industry -- and the rise of misinformation and mistrust of public health. I
October 27, 2025 at 7:38 PM
I haven't been all that active on this site - but maybe publishing a new book is a good time to change that. with @drjoshs.bsky.social and l. Morales. We write about the intertwined crisis of the decline of the US news industry -- and the rise of misinformation and mistrust of public health. I
Reposted by Joanne Kenen
Did an interview with @kuow.org on this story: www.kuow.org/stories/is-t...
Is the future of healthcare decision making in the hands of AI?
The federal government is planning a new program to approve Medicare claims. Washington is one of six states that will pilot the program, which relies on AI, starting Jan. 1st.
www.kuow.org
October 22, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Did an interview with @kuow.org on this story: www.kuow.org/stories/is-t...
The "Welfarization of Medicaid."
Are the "video game / TV bingers" the "Welfare Queens" of our Times A lot easier politically to take health care from lazy bums and system-bilkers from those who "deserve" help.
Wrote about this for @politico.com Nightly
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
Are the "video game / TV bingers" the "Welfare Queens" of our Times A lot easier politically to take health care from lazy bums and system-bilkers from those who "deserve" help.
Wrote about this for @politico.com Nightly
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
The ‘welfarization’ of Medicaid
www.politico.com
October 22, 2025 at 1:25 AM
The "Welfarization of Medicaid."
Are the "video game / TV bingers" the "Welfare Queens" of our Times A lot easier politically to take health care from lazy bums and system-bilkers from those who "deserve" help.
Wrote about this for @politico.com Nightly
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
Are the "video game / TV bingers" the "Welfare Queens" of our Times A lot easier politically to take health care from lazy bums and system-bilkers from those who "deserve" help.
Wrote about this for @politico.com Nightly
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
Reposted by Joanne Kenen
new #WTHealth up! @laurenweberhp.bsky.social, @annaedney.bsky.social, @joannekenen.bsky.social and I on shutdown latest, another Rx deal for Trump, and layoffs at HHS. Plus @louisenorris.bsky.social on Medicare Open Enrollment for 2026.
kffhealthnews.org/news/podcast...
kffhealthnews.org/news/podcast...
Schrödinger’s Government Shutdown - KFF Health News
Democrats and Republicans remain stalled over funding the federal government as Republicans launch a new attack on the Affordable Care Act. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is taking advantage of t...
kffhealthnews.org
October 16, 2025 at 8:06 PM
new #WTHealth up! @laurenweberhp.bsky.social, @annaedney.bsky.social, @joannekenen.bsky.social and I on shutdown latest, another Rx deal for Trump, and layoffs at HHS. Plus @louisenorris.bsky.social on Medicare Open Enrollment for 2026.
kffhealthnews.org/news/podcast...
kffhealthnews.org/news/podcast...
Haven't been on social media much today so perhaps this has been said 100 times over but -wouldn't it be interesting to see @jimmykimmel.com have Ted Cruz on .. As I tell my students, there's a reason it's the FIRST Amendment.
September 22, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Haven't been on social media much today so perhaps this has been said 100 times over but -wouldn't it be interesting to see @jimmykimmel.com have Ted Cruz on .. As I tell my students, there's a reason it's the FIRST Amendment.
Reposted by Joanne Kenen
on this week's #WTHealth podcast: @sangerkatz.bsky.social, @alicemiranda.bsky.social, and @joannekenen.bsky.social on the CDC hearing, shutdown countdown, and more. Plus an interview with Troyen Brennan on his new book on primary care: kffhealthnews.org/news/podcast...
Ousted CDC Officials Clap Back at RFK Jr. - KFF Health News
The recently fired head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told senators that health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ordered her to fire top officials and agree to approve changes to na...
kffhealthnews.org
September 18, 2025 at 9:32 PM
on this week's #WTHealth podcast: @sangerkatz.bsky.social, @alicemiranda.bsky.social, and @joannekenen.bsky.social on the CDC hearing, shutdown countdown, and more. Plus an interview with Troyen Brennan on his new book on primary care: kffhealthnews.org/news/podcast...
Reposted by Joanne Kenen
"A full year before anyone casts their vote in November 2026 — meaning now, in the fall of 2025 — the American health care system will begin transitioning from an era of unprecedented expansion of coverage to an era of unprecedented cutbacks." Via @politico.com @joannekenen.bsky.social
September 18, 2025 at 1:30 PM
"A full year before anyone casts their vote in November 2026 — meaning now, in the fall of 2025 — the American health care system will begin transitioning from an era of unprecedented expansion of coverage to an era of unprecedented cutbacks." Via @politico.com @joannekenen.bsky.social
Tobacco stocks? Really? (yes she's promising to divest and yes she says her husband bought them but.. Wellness?)
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/h...
Surgeon General Nominee Pledges to Divest From Wellness Interests
www.nytimes.com
September 18, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Tobacco stocks? Really? (yes she's promising to divest and yes she says her husband bought them but.. Wellness?)
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/h...
"With her steady demeanor, Monarez served as the poised yin to Kennedy’s agitated yang at a similar hearing before the Senate Finance Committee earlier this month — the one where he called her a liar, among other things."
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
How the vaccine policy debate went off the rails
www.politico.com
September 18, 2025 at 1:25 AM
"With her steady demeanor, Monarez served as the poised yin to Kennedy’s agitated yang at a similar hearing before the Senate Finance Committee earlier this month — the one where he called her a liar, among other things."
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
Reposted by Joanne Kenen
"Paul Offit, longtime member of the FDA’s vaccine advisory committee and an outspoken critic of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., was recently informed by the Department of Health and Human Services that his services are no longer required."
www.biospace.com/fda/offit-ou...
www.biospace.com/fda/offit-ou...
Offit Out at FDA Vaccine Advisory Committee After HHS Rebuff
Paul Offit, longtime member of the FDA’s vaccine advisory committee and an outspoken critic of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., was recently informed by the Department of Health and Human Servi...
www.biospace.com
September 2, 2025 at 9:45 PM
"Paul Offit, longtime member of the FDA’s vaccine advisory committee and an outspoken critic of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., was recently informed by the Department of Health and Human Services that his services are no longer required."
www.biospace.com/fda/offit-ou...
www.biospace.com/fda/offit-ou...
Not sure I'm really smart enough to understand this since I have a Girl Brain.
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Trump’s BLS nominee discussed controversial theory on gender IQ with interns
Trump’s nominee to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics, E.J. Antoni, discussed a controversial scientific theory on gender IQ differences with Heritage interns.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 2, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Not sure I'm really smart enough to understand this since I have a Girl Brain.
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
A friend was rejoicing in new rule by Chicago Manual of Style regarding colons and was hoping for a rally around the Oxford Comma. Told her not to worry, it's probably going to become the Trump Comma.
September 2, 2025 at 9:22 PM
A friend was rejoicing in new rule by Chicago Manual of Style regarding colons and was hoping for a rally around the Oxford Comma. Told her not to worry, it's probably going to become the Trump Comma.
"Austin American-Statesman seeks an Elon Musk reporter"
Stumbled across this while looking for something utterlly unrelated. Hope it doesn't mean he's also becoming a pop superstar.
Stumbled across this while looking for something utterlly unrelated. Hope it doesn't mean he's also becoming a pop superstar.
August 20, 2025 at 5:41 PM
"Austin American-Statesman seeks an Elon Musk reporter"
Stumbled across this while looking for something utterlly unrelated. Hope it doesn't mean he's also becoming a pop superstar.
Stumbled across this while looking for something utterlly unrelated. Hope it doesn't mean he's also becoming a pop superstar.
NASA isn't a public health agency - but as I wrote for @undark.org it sort of is! It collects and shares huge amounts of data onclimate and environment. Cholera, Asthma, Lyme, even dementia and Preterm Birth-- Naturally it's all in jeopardy now because of Trump's budget. undark.org/2025/08/18/n...
Proposed NASA Cuts Could Affect Public Health Research
From space, NASA collects data that’s crucial for public health. Potential cuts could threaten that work.
undark.org
August 18, 2025 at 7:59 PM
NASA isn't a public health agency - but as I wrote for @undark.org it sort of is! It collects and shares huge amounts of data onclimate and environment. Cholera, Asthma, Lyme, even dementia and Preterm Birth-- Naturally it's all in jeopardy now because of Trump's budget. undark.org/2025/08/18/n...
Vacation. And this is before family member # 14 had arrived. No one has needed stitches yet!
August 11, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Vacation. And this is before family member # 14 had arrived. No one has needed stitches yet!
Reposted by Joanne Kenen
Pandemic preparedness in the US has been leveled a crippling blow with the cancellation of multiple #BARDA contracts to help develop mRNA vaccines. No other vaccine platform produces vaccine so quickly; without mRNA, Americans will have a long wait for pandemic vax. www.statnews.com/2025/08/05/m...
Health secretary RFK Jr. shuts door on U.S. investment in mRNA vaccine research
Vaccine experts and people steeped in pandemic preparedness expressed horror at the news that RFK Jr. has shut the door in U.S. investment in mRNA vaccine research.
www.statnews.com
August 5, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Pandemic preparedness in the US has been leveled a crippling blow with the cancellation of multiple #BARDA contracts to help develop mRNA vaccines. No other vaccine platform produces vaccine so quickly; without mRNA, Americans will have a long wait for pandemic vax. www.statnews.com/2025/08/05/m...
