The Republican-led Congress is considering a “Big Beautiful” reconciliation bill that might include new hurdles for crucial assistance programs like Medicaid and SNAP, such as adding work requirements and increasing paperwork. GOP lawmakers claim the changes aim to tackle fraud, waste and abuse in the programs.

In today’s episode, Ken talks with Bob Greenstein, founder and president emeritus of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a think tank that for more than 40 years has been the gold standard for analyzing the impact of federal and state government budget policies.

Ken and Bob highlight the millions of Americans who will lose access to health care and food assistance if the bill becomes law. A core EWG belief is that you can’t help people make healthier choices if they don’t have access to food. Creating barriers to, and reducing, benefits, doesn’t mean healthier kids – it only leads to hungrier kids.

For a deeper dive into today’s discussion:

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

The Brookings Institution

Paul Krugman's Substack

Work Requirements and Work Supports for Recipients of Means-Tested Benefits (CBO)

The Recession of 2007–2009 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Medicaid Work Requirements In Arkansas: Two-Year Impacts On Coverage, Employment, And Affordability Of Care (NIH)

Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.

@kencookspodcast

www.ewg.org

@environmentalworkinggroup

While there are positive aspects of having top government officials talking about chronic disease prevention and diet, the food industry's primary goal remains profit – not public health. In today’s episode, Ken is joined by Marion Nestle, one of America's most respected voices on nutrition and food politics.

Marion believes that truly addressing human health and equality in food requires getting politics out of the discussion. She has dedicated her career to advocating for public health and food policy, is a professor at NYU, author of several books and writes the daily newsletter Food Politics.

For a deeper dive into today’s discussion:

Marion Nestle’s Newsletter Food Politics

Marion Nestle’s Books

Awareness of the MyPlate Plan: United States, 2017–March 2020

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

Food Research & Action Center

Food security among SNAP participants 2019 to 2021: a cross-sectional analysis of current population survey food security supplement data (Journal of Nutritional Science)

Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.

@kencookspodcast

www.ewg.org

@environmentalworkinggroup

Eric Garcia is a journalist and author who challenges the misconceptions about autism spectrum disorder through his own experience living with autism. In Eric’s book, “We’re Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation,” he explores how society can improve support for people on the spectrum through policy, education and healthcare.

In today’s episode Ken is joined by Eric to refute Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 's harmful and scientifically discredited claims linking autism to vaccines. But more importantly, this episode is about changing the conversation around autism to focus on the importance of self-advocacy, inclusion, progress and respect.

For a deeper dive into today’s discussion:

We’re Not Broken Changing the Autism Conversation

Sen. Maggie Hassan questions RFK Jr. in confirmation hearing

In a Different Key: The Story of Autism

Neurotribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity

The Closing of Willowbrook (DisabilityJustice.org)

Robert Kennedy Visiting Institutions in NY

Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.

@kencookspodcast

www.ewg.org

@environmentalworkinggroup