The health policy journal club is an interdisciplinary, inter-professional group convened monthly by the Farley Health Policy Center to discuss timely topics in health policy. A curated selection of high-yield articles provides the basis for discussion. Past topics have included income inequality and health, professionalism in medicine, patients as consumers, and adjusting payment for measures of social risk. This page presents the reading list from the most recent journal club. 

This month's health policy journal club focused on the latest developments in healthcare coverage, payment models, public health strategies, and the "Make America Healthy Again" movement under the new Trump administration. 

Overview: the first 50 days 

Keith K. Health policy under the Trump Administration: the first 50 days. Health Affairs Forefront. March 10, 2025. 

Updates on coverage and payment 

Goldman M. Scoop: Trump Medicare center to cancel some payment trials. Axios. March 12, 2025. 

Keith K, Levitis J. HHS proposes to restrict marketplace eligibility, enrollment, and affordability in first major rule under Trump Administration. March 12, 2025. 

Public health 

McClellan M, DeSalvo K, Benjamin G, et al. Updating US Public Health for Healthier Communities. Health Affairs. 2025;44(2):148-155. 

Dunn AM, Florence MP, Turow R, Grim N. Under RFK Jr, US health policy and FDA operations may see major shifts. February 13, 2025. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. 

HHS Secretary Kennedy directs FDA to explore rulemaking to eliminate pathway for companies to self-affirm food ingredients are safe. March 10, 2025. US DHHS.

Make America Healthy Again 

Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump establishes the Make America Healthy Again Commission. The White House. February 13, 2025. (also see the details here) 

HHS Secretary praises burger chain for "RFK"ing their french fries, calls on other companies to join MAHA. Fox News. March 10, 2025. 

RFK Jr. promotes 'MAHA fries' as measles outbreak grows" MSNBC. March 12, 2025.