Selena Simmons-Duffin appears in the following:
Trump administration ignores the experts as it cancels $500 million for vaccines
Friday, August 08, 2025
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., cancelled $500 million in mRNA vaccine development contracts this week. We discuss how the move follows a trend of actions by the Trump administration that ignore the advice of subject-matter experts.
This episode: political correspondent Ashley Lopez, health policy correspondent Selena Simmons-Duffin, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro.
This podcast was produced by Casey Morell & Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.
Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.
For handpicked podcast recommendations every week, subscribe to NPR's Pod Club newsletter at npr.org/podclub.
This episode: political correspondent Ashley Lopez, health policy correspondent Selena Simmons-Duffin, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro.
This podcast was produced by Casey Morell & Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.
Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.
For handpicked podcast recommendations every week, subscribe to NPR's Pod Club newsletter at npr.org/podclub.
Here's how the Trump administration has changed health policy in its first 100 days
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
In its first 100 days, the Trump administration — specifically, the Department of Government Efficiency — shuttered agencies and slashed budgets pertaining to foreign aid, scientific research, food safety and more. How will this impact people's health and well-being both in the U.S., and around the world? To answer that question, we're calling in our colleagues: global health correspondent Gabrielle Emmanuel and health policy reporter Selena Simmons-Duffin.
(P.S. If you liked this episode, check out the breakdown of health and science policy changes we did after Trump's first 50 days — with different NPR reporters — here.)
Want to hear more about how policy changes affect scientific research and discovery? Let us know by emailing shortwave@npr.org.
Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.
(P.S. If you liked this episode, check out the breakdown of health and science policy changes we did after Trump's first 50 days — with different NPR reporters — here.)
Want to hear more about how policy changes affect scientific research and discovery? Let us know by emailing shortwave@npr.org.
Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.
The Impact of Federal Health Agency Cuts
Tuesday, April 08, 2025
Last week thousands of federal employees who work for health agencies like the CDC, NIH and FDA lost their jobs. Selena Simmons-Duffin, health policy correspondent for NPR, reports on...
Weekly roundup: Trump's tariff swing; HHS cuts; bodega cats
Friday, April 04, 2025
The tariff plan rolled out by President Trump this week threatens to upend the global economic system. We look at the potential impacts.
Then, widespread cuts at the Department of Health and Human Services threaten the agency's ability to do its many jobs.
And, a look at a New York City tradition.
This episode: White House correspondent Deepa Shivaram, political correspondent Susan Davis, senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro, and health policy correspondent Selena Simmons-Duffin.
The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs & Kelli Wessinger and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.
Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.
Then, widespread cuts at the Department of Health and Human Services threaten the agency's ability to do its many jobs.
And, a look at a New York City tradition.
This episode: White House correspondent Deepa Shivaram, political correspondent Susan Davis, senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro, and health policy correspondent Selena Simmons-Duffin.
The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs & Kelli Wessinger and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.
Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump's HHS pick, pushed on vaccines
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
During his confirmation hearing Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump's pick to run Health and Human Services, defended his stances on vaccines and abortion access.
This episode: White House correspondent Deepa Shivaram, political correspondent Susan Davis, and health policy correspondent Selena Simmons-Duffin.
The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs & Kelli Wessinger, and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.
Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.
This episode: White House correspondent Deepa Shivaram, political correspondent Susan Davis, and health policy correspondent Selena Simmons-Duffin.
The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs & Kelli Wessinger, and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.
Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.
Supreme Court punts on abortion pill access.
Thursday, June 13, 2024
In a unanimous decision, the justices ruled that the litigants did not have standing to bring the case. But there will more challenges to abortion access ahead, including another pending case this term.
This episode: White House correspondent Asma Khalid, health policy correspondent Selena Simmons-Duffin, and national justice correspondent Carrie Johnson.
The podcast is produced by Jeongyoon Han, Casey Morell and Kelli Wessinger. Our intern is Bria Suggs. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.
Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.
This episode: White House correspondent Asma Khalid, health policy correspondent Selena Simmons-Duffin, and national justice correspondent Carrie Johnson.
The podcast is produced by Jeongyoon Han, Casey Morell and Kelli Wessinger. Our intern is Bria Suggs. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.
Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.
There are now 25 states with bans on trans health care for minors
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
With the governor of South Carolina's signature Tuesday, there are now 25 states with laws on the books banning trans health care for minors.
6 key facts about abortion laws and the 2024 election
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
State laws on abortion keep changing – with new bans taking effect in some places while new protections are enacted in others. And abortion will be on the ballot in at least four states.
Texas Medical Board faces backlash over lack of clarity around abortion ban exception
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
For years now, Texas has banned practically all abortions. There is a medical exception to the ban — and the Texas Medical Board has been tasked with clarifying that exception.
Maternal mortality went down in 2022 after spiking in 2021, new CDC report shows
Thursday, May 02, 2024
Maternal mortality got better in 2022, the latest year we have data for. It dropped back down to 2020 levels after spiking in 2021, according to a new report from CDC.
Transgender rights advocates are celebrating a major legal victory
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
A federal appeals court has ruled health insurance plans need to cover gender-affirming surgeries. Trans people in West Virginia and North Carolina sued to get the coverage.
Tennesee case: How narrow can a medical exception be in a state's abortion ban?
Thursday, April 04, 2024
Women who say they've been harmed by Tennessee's abortion bans will be in court on Thursday. Plaintiff Nicole Blackmon says she endangered her life carrying a fetus that had no chance to live.
What's at stake if SCOTUS rules against mifepristone
Monday, March 25, 2024
A case before the Supreme Court this week on medication abortion could affect not just reproductive health nationwide, but also oversight of the drug industry and the authority of federal agencies.
New study raises questions about the CDC's data on the maternal mortality rate
Saturday, March 16, 2024
A new study raises doubts about the high rate of maternal mortality in the U.S. that was officially reported.
With an Obamacare boom, comes a Medicaid bust
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Preliminary numbers show 21.3 million American signed up for Obamacare this year — a huge increase since Biden took office. 15 million people, however, have also been kicked off of Medicaid.
What the current landscape of abortion rights looks like going into 2024
Thursday, December 21, 2023
There have been wins and losses since the overturning of Roe v. Wade. The women fighting against abortion restriction laws have impacted laws, policies and court cases – all ahead of an election year.
Woman who sued Texas for access to abortion seeks procedure out of state instead
Monday, December 11, 2023
Kate Cox, a pregnant woman from the Dallas area who had sued Texas for access to an abortion, has left the state for one instead. The fast-moving case was pending before the state Supreme Court.
Legendary television producer Norman Lear has died at 101
Wednesday, December 06, 2023
Writer/producer Norman Lear has died. The legendary figure in television created All In the Family, The Jeffersons, Maude and other shows that spoke to the political moment with humor and compassion.
Texas Supreme Court to hear case on state abortion laws and pregnancy complications
Sunday, November 26, 2023
The Texas Supreme Court will hear a case this week brought by women who say the state's abortion laws are harming them.
20 women are now suing Texas, saying state abortion laws endangered them
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
7 women who were denied reproductive health care in Texas have joined an ongoing lawsuit.
