Inside Golden State Politics

Health Care Chaos: The Nation's And Trump's

• Nancy Boyarsky

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We examine the rocky road toward health care reform. We discuss the concerns being raised about Trump's health.  We take a  quick glance at the continuing saga of political frenemies Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris.

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

Welcome to another episode of Inside Golden State Politics. I'm Bill Voki, former city editor and columnist for the Los Angeles Times. And with me is Nancy Voki, our producer director.

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

And I am Sherry, me Jeffy political analyst and self-styled, meaning Maven.

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

I.

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

to you from a Zoom chat with a dear friend. Our weekly go at trying to dissect what the hell is unfolding in this wack noodle world. Suddenly, totally exasperated my friend, threw out what I consider to be the ultimate question. How did we get here? It set my head spinning. My answer is way too simple. Two words three if you count the middle initial, but the real answer is far more complicated than that. Just as complicated and exasperating was my response. Where do we go from here? I don't know if we'll ever figure out how we arrived at the world we're living in now. But we all have to work on where we go from here. to you, bill.

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

I don't wanna be simplistic, but if you wanna cut away all the crap,, he won the great battle that's coming up in the next few days is going to be over the future of Obamacare and whether subsidies will, continue to 22 million people who get their health insurance from Obamacare. And that will be decided by a vote in the house. And if the Republicans lose,

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

only the house, the Senate has to

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

Yeah, but the house is the greatest obstacle. But one thing.

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

We could argue that all day long, sweetheart.,

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

One thing about this Obamacare, that I'm really intrigued about. I've been writing about Obamacare since it was first proposed, and I've been writing about healthcare since before that and. What struck me is way, we're talking about Obamacare now. It's now part of American life. It's there, it's not going away. I don't think it's going away.

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

Bill,

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

it's you know what it is? It's like social security. It's there gonna change it around here and there but Obamacare, much to everyone's surprise, much to the skeptic, surprise. It's now part of our healthcare system. Now the question for the Republicans is. Especially in their battleground states, will they vote to continue the subsidies that make Obamacare reachable by middle class and poorer people? And that is the issue facing the Republicans. And it's the issue facing the Speaker of the house Mike Johnson. Which way will he go?

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

The, it is the question that is facing everybody who has to cast a vote on whether or not to maintain and extend the pandemic, premium subsidies. It's becoming an even hotter political issue as we move toward the 2026 elections, the midterm elections, then the Epstein files. That is astonishing. People are actually now talking. something other the Epstein files, but I have to tell you, not sure that security will last forever. If only because we may run out of taxpayer funding of Social security. I guess we could continue paying a boatload of money to keep it solvent, but. never, I've learned, never to say never in politics, but I think in so far as Obamacare issue is concerned, I do not think it, that issue will be settled the subsidies expired at the end of the year because. The Democrats are here, the Republicans are there and they ain't moving, and that means, at least until this becomes a crisis that needs to be removed by both sides, nothing's gonna happen If any need.

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

The point you made about Obamacare running out of money was a very fine point. It was made about social security in the late 1930s.

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

I,

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

the Republicans said Social security will run out of money Obama and it didn't. By the way, we all get social security, including you. Including me.

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

here's what you Bill.

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

Unless you turn it down. Huh?

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

apart when part, when the world is different, the political environment is different. The people who make the decision are different. I can't accept any comparison

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

that what about

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

we are

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

when the Republicans No, you're wrong.

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

worry that we may see those subsidies just cut off

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

You're just overly neg. You're just overly negative on this,

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

I think you're

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

The, after

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

on this

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

the after the Republicans, if you don't mind a little history. After the Republicans took control of the presidency and Congress in the 1950s and Eisenhower became president social Security continued under what two terms of I of Eisenhower's presidency.

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

That

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

That was, oh, that was so long ago. Nobody even remembers Eisenhower, right? That people are real, real stupid. They don't know Eisenhower. For sake,

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

what that has to do with it. Is,

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

point is what?

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

The, right now the Supreme Court is overthrowing 90-year-old decisions that I do not see the axiomatic answer that. Obamacare or Social security will certainly because they have been vetted before, will be vetted and supported. This time, I think we need to talk about program, if that's what we wanna talk about and what's right or wrong with what's the policy is today how it's being handled by the federal government today.

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

What's right about the policy is before Obamacare healthcare was at a minimum policies could be canceled. Children were off of healthcare. Women had less coverage. It was a minimal thing and it was a Chancey thing.. Obamacare gave a bit of stability to to medical care and so people could. Be assured that they can buy health insurance. Now, Obamacare was a minimal plan. That's all you're telling people is that you can buy insurance and we'll subsidize it. That's really all you're doing. That's,

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

Oh no. That ain't minimal. That's critical.

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

It's critical.

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

Yeah.

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

By the way as far as the Republicans are not holding firm on this, the Republicans are not gonna vote entirely to gut Obamacare. They've said that. Listen to'em.

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

One, they didn't say they would not vote against Obamacare. What they said was, we will reform it, which may mean tearing it apart and building it

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

No.

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

But let's not forget wait. I gotta make a point. Let's not forget to do anything before subsidies expires in the Senate. It's gonna take

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

that's what the Republicans are saying. That's

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

it had, it takes 60 votes to advance the bill, do a floor vote. There are 53 Republicans, and not all of them are marching in time with the party game plan. And every single Democrat, I believe, 47, gonna stand firm. And not move a bill that they don't want. And the bill that they want requires the extension of the sub, of the subsidy ex expire of the subsidies themselves. This is just, I, what we're seeing is on one very important topic, what has been happening on Capitol Hill. Since Trump started a second term, we are polarized. is no ideological trust. There is no move to compromise no matter how bad it may become if there is no compromise. A case study.

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

Have you followed what house member or Republican from California? Kevin, Kylie and his few followers asks, he's asking for an extension.

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

Of course he is. He is probably the most vulnerable Congress person for reelection, not only in the state, but pretty close nationally. He's seen the way the wind is blowing. You can be stupid. To fold and say, no, I'm not gonna vote for an ex extension. It's a pretty smart political move his part to do what he did in relation to this issue, because he's gonna have a really tough California Congress reelection.

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

You were you were making it sound like all of the Republicans will fall behind. Mike Johnson, the speaker.

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

I, where the hell did you get that bill? I'm, oh, what? I said, it becoming difficult because not every Republican will stand and march behind MAGA Mike.

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

Right.

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

there are only 53 Republicans in the House and the Senate, and they're not gonna come. And there are Marjorie Taylor Green for one. There are Republican House members, mainly those who are retiring. Or resigning, but nonetheless, there are Republicans who have moved away. There really isn't a major agreement on the part of the Republican conference on how face this issue. There are like six different bills really floating around, and there are Republicans who know they must solidify their support for expanding, extending. The subsidies, that's, they're not marching in. That's one of the problems Mike Johnson has.

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

They're not marching in life still.

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

regard to this is really highlighting his lack of leadership.

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

I think that's something that we can agree on. You mentioned representative Green

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

Marjorie Taylor Green. There are three Republican women who have now stepped out to become challengers to the will. Of Donald Trump. Marjorie Taylor Greene, and she said that two things. One the Epstein files, which I think was really what cut it, although I think really what cut it was that Trump would not endorse a, her run for Senate. She's not doing it. He wouldn't support it. He showed her a poll that had her behind by 20 points in the election, and she took off like a rocket. But she also cares about Ukraine. She also cares about the subsidies and changes to the A CA Obamacare, you will. She's leaving. She's resigning. She

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

Oh,

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

need to

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

what she had, she.

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

Donald Lloyd slick. Wait, there are two more.

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

Yeah, let's hear about

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

Mays, who is running for governor. Of her state and she's leaving

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

right.

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

she's speaking up and he's yelling at her too. Nik of New York, member of Congress, three members of Congress now, Republican members of Congress, who is running for governor of New York. They all understand the risk in just marching Donald Trump.

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

Something that all three have in common is they all say the speaker, they all say the speaker of the house. Mike Johnson has not given him good committees, has treated him with no respect. Is a guy who's actually, he's a, one of these guys, fundamentalist guys who think women should be in the kitchen, resent the very idea of these three dissidents who have a very good point, I think. Don't you think?

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

What is the very good point that they have?

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

Yeah, quit screwing us out of good committee Chairmanships.

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

They're not gonna be there to get a committee chairmanship. The point, and this is true, the committees, the committee chairs, I don't believe there is a committee chair now who is a woman. What is going on the Republican side with all these. Christian nationalist white men is to block women from positions of power. And it's, it's, let me put it this way. Donald Trump has given us all permission to be bullied. Donald Trump has either ordered or given permission to the congressional Republicans to be as hateful and nasty and cruel to women and to block. progress of strong, powerful women as he's been doing. This is all of a piece.

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

Do you think that's part of of mental instability on Trump's part?

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

I am not a psychiatrist.

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

you don't have to be.

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

don't, I'm not gonna talk about

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

In the business we're in the bus.

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

no. I, not even me, I'm not going to talk about it. There are those who will talk

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

Ah,

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

and those who make the case Is a problem and I don't disagree with the need to talk about it. To examine reality.

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

That's what representative Green is doing, examining

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

not

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

Examining reality. And then there was the lengthy Trump speech the other day went on for the

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

see him. I

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

Name calling, all of his foes disrespect to everybody who's not him. Is that a little scary?

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

A little I, obscene for getting scary. We're way behind. Scary, my dear. This is truly appalling. an embarrassment before the world as far as I'm concerned.

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

Yeah, the part of the world he hasn't insulted, which is pretty, pretty much limited to Hungary.

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

Lichtenstein, I think is

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

Yeah. Speaking of his relationships with other countries, which he thinks is quite well how is he doing? I think he's definitely moving ahead on his overthrow plan for Venezuela. In fact, as we were preparing for this podcast this week we've taken over a Venezuelan tanker. Oil tanker. Somebody asked me, why is he doing that? And I said, because we need the oil.

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

Because he's Donald Trump is a good answer too. Don't know whether that's gonna get us enough oil from one tanker being overtaken and what it may move to become, which is really scary. But it I wonder if maybe this is all part of the plan to keep the Epstein files off the air, off the papers. again, I'm telling you he's trying everything it keep our attention away from the Epstein files and it's, I think it's a part of almost all his decision making. It might not be the critical turn, but it is an important. Object in his decision making on any levels and is marching through the rest of the world, which he has been doing, is really unusual for a president who is flailing in the polls. Richard Nixon went to China, China to get our minds off the Vietnam War. happens, but. What Trump is doing that I haven't seen even Nixon do, is he's basically just walked out of the domestic policy arena. He's focused on his place in the world, not our place in the world. Here's a place on the world foreign policy, international policy. And look at what we're talking about and screaming about healthcare. That's I think, far more important.

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

talking about what most people care about.

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

Exactly. Most Americans care about

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

And as we approach the end of the year and they get these notices from their insurer that their premiums are going way up, they'll care about it even more. And that's going to have a tremendous impact, I think on the midterm elections.

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

And it will come about just as 20, 26 walks onto the. American stage as the new year. The timing could be more ridiculous, but again, cannot get past the assumption that it's going to be so difficult because the Republicans are just, don't get their heels, no subsidy, extension, and the Democrats have dug in their heels. Yes, only subsidy extensions if you wanna have any kind of a piece of legislation, and they can do it given the numbers in Washington. And we've seen that problem before. I don't see either. Everybody's feet are in concrete, different pieces of concrete, and I don't see. An ability to compromise, partially because of the strength or lack thereof of legislative leadership Washington. Partly because of the ideological differences of both the far ends of both parties, the far left, the Democratic party and the MAGA base in the Republican party. I thought this is crazy. Flat out crazy. I said it before, I'll say it again. It's obscene.

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

I think people's feet are more in clay than concrete. And in the legislative game.

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

about quick stand?

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

In the legislative game clay can be moved, and

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

not if it dries.

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

We've brushed over. A negative thing about Trump. He is looking a little peek at it as they say. He's looking tired.

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

I'm looking peak and tired as a result of what's going on in Washington. I'm not as old as he is, but he's not only old, but he's involved in all this chaos in Washington. I expect I would be totally exhausted and quite frankly, there are times. When I am and when I talk to people who find what is going on in this whack noodle world, extremely exhausting. Even though we're not a primary player In the drama,

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

You're always pretty negative about all these things and

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

you're really out for it today, aren't you? Boy.

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

I was just pointing out the things

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

you're pointing it out wrong, but just continue now. Now let's not get personal.

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

no, I'm not personal.

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

I say? Quiet

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

not personal, but I'm just saying that. This may not be as awful as you say.

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

Or it may be worse. We just don't know. We don't. We have some indications, not only looking at the stock market, but looking at the federal Reserve decisions. at the fallout of actions that have already been taken by Trump and his cabinet. Look at the polls, and I think he now has a record disapproval rating and on every issue except. Shoring up the border Trump is in negative territory and including his number one issue in the election, the last election, was immigration. say, yeah, we do need to strengthen the border. Yeah, we need immigration reform, but not the way you're doing it, Trump.

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

No.

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

we don't know. We don't know yet. Although we are getting clues that it is getting difficult on so many levels Trump, you cannot deny that

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

I'm not going to deny it because people really don't like, as it's turning out. People really don't like these raids on, in

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

without

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

parking lots and in markets they don't like that, they don't like the border patrol going into hospitals and school houses, and they don't like that. That's not what they voted for. Now he's determined to follow this course. He and his border Czar Steven Miller,

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

Tom Holman

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

and right Tom Hoig. What happened to that$50,000 that

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

Hey, what

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

didn't he get, didn't he get an envelope? An envelope with$50,000 in it?

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

you mean? His immigrations are Tom Holman.

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

Yeah. Yeah. Anyway I they're in too deeply on this subject and they're not going to change speaking of people who, might be taking a rosier viewpoint than you is the governor gavin,

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

me and a whole lot of other people.

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

You and a whole lot. The governor Gavin Newsom. Is suddenly because of the victory of proposition 50 is redistricting measure, suddenly is moving up to the polls from 46 to up to 56 and

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

is that his approval rating?

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

That's his approval rating, right? The legislature's approval rating miraculously has gone up to 53%. He's come out of this confusing, messy situation. Looking not bad.

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

in fact, in the way too early, presidential primary polls. He's now the front runner and it does have a lot to do with what he did with Prop 50, but it also has a lot to do with what he did with regard to trolling Trump, with regard to using social media, with regard to communicating intensely on the internet and with opinion. Influencers and court. And it also, conservatives who are, have the significant podcasts he has become the dissatisfied, angry, voters champion against Donald Trump and he's having a ball and it's working so far. Again, have a long way to go to 2028.

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

yeah. But he does seem to have his sort of his hand on the wheel. He seems to be know which direction he's going in. There's.

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

Yeah. Away from Donald Trump. That's easy.

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

I agree with you on Trump. I think he's in all kinds of trouble. But and we haven't really talked about how that's going to affect, the midterm elections. He said this week that midterm elections are very important and he intends to win them. He makes it, he is gonna win the midterm elections.

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

Well today there was an interview with the his chief of staff and she. He does real well when he is on the ballot, and we are gonna put him just like he's on the ballot. I haven't bought him to this yet, she said, he's gonna be absolutely campaigning all around the continent, if you will, in districts who need to be shoring up. What I'm saying. And what histor? Historically, the party in power loses seat Congress because it, it's the elections viewed as a referendum on the incumbent president and the incumbent progress. They liked their own member of Congress, but they're occasion. They just wipe out the party in power and that may well happen this time. On the other hand. Again, if I had to, if I had to, if the election were held today and I had to announce who would win, predict who would win which party, I'd say the Democrats are just in the best position they've been in for a very long time,

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

What if the Democrats nominate Kamala Harris for president in the coming presidential election? Or do you think she has a chance? She just completed. Nationwide book tour out there going from bookstores to libraries to theaters. And she did one at the Wiltern, I think really doing a major league book tour selling her books.

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

And tickets too are of discussions too,

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

and also as she was selling books, she was really looking around in a way that indicates that she might be interested in running for president again. There was a feeling in the book and in her appearances of unfinished business, and she'd like to finish it off and finish it off by being nominated for president.

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

She's certainly making many of the moves that potential candidates for the presidency make the book tour. The fact that after the November 5th, Alexis, just a couple, few weeks ago, she literally made 40 congratulate congratulatory phone calls Democratic victors, including the new governor of Virginia and the new governor of New Jersey, and all the way down the ballot. That looks to me like someone who is at least beginning the shore up. The possibility, not the inevitability, but the IPOs possibility of a presidential run.

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

I agree with you. And she's one who's doesn't take defeat lightly, and she wants to she wants to reverse that. I think. Sherry, good talking to you.

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

We have a lot more to discuss, honey.

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

We do. We do.

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

boy.

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

Okay.

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

10 paces at the top of the hill, BKI.

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

Alright.

squadcaster-df66_2_12-10-2025_150949:

All right, everybody.

host-4ha0_2_12-10-2025_150950:

Bye-bye.