Apple News Today: Inside the Unlikely Alliance to Make Childbirth Free in the U.S.

Release Date: June 3, 2025
Host: Shemitah Basu

1. Introduction

In the June 3, 2025 episode of Apple News Today, host Shemitah Basu delves into a range of pressing topics, beginning with a groundbreaking legislative effort aimed at reducing the financial strain of childbirth in the United States. The episode also covers high-profile legal battles, alarming trends in cryptocurrency-related crimes, and significant developments in social justice and disaster preparedness.

2. An Unlikely Alliance in Congress to Make Childbirth Free

Overview: Shemitah Basu opens the episode by highlighting a bipartisan legislative initiative designed to alleviate the exorbitant costs associated with childbirth in the U.S. Recognizing that childbirth expenses can reach tens of thousands of dollars even with insurance coverage, this bill seeks to make all childbirth-related costs entirely free, mirroring the benefits currently provided by Medicaid.

Key Points:

• Bipartisan Support: The bill garners support from both Republican and Democratic senators, showcasing a rare moment of cross-party collaboration. The sponsors include Republican Senators Cindy Hyde Smith (Mississippi) and Josh Hawley (Missouri), along with Democratic Senators Tim Kaine (Virginia) and Kirsten Gillibrand (New York).

  Rachel Cohen (Vox Policy Reporter): "It's a really unusual mix of people thus far supporting this bill."
  [00:40]

• Comprehensive Coverage: The proposed legislation aims to cover all aspects of childbirth, including prenatal care, ultrasounds, delivery, and postpartum care, without co-pays or deductibles. This comprehensive approach is expected to position private insurance on par with Medicaid concerning childbirth costs.

• Minimal Financial Impact: According to analysis by the libertarian think tank Niskanon, implementing this bill would result in only a modest increase in insurance premiums—approximately $30 per year for everyone.

  Rachel Cohen: "Obviously, one upside from the politician's perspective is this means that there's no budgetary costs to Congress."
  [02:33]

• Broad Endorsement: The bill enjoys endorsements from a diverse array of organizations, spanning both reproductive health advocates like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and pro-life groups such as Susan B. Anthony and Pro Life America.

• Challenges Ahead: Despite the broad support, the reliance on private health insurance, which is often tied to employment, poses a significant hurdle. As Rachel Cohen points out, "a lot of people lose their jobs and so they lose their health insurance along with it," making the stability of this coverage uncertain.

  Rachel Cohen: "There are tons of problems just associated with having all of these health benefits of all kinds tied to our jobs."
  [03:43]

• Future Prospects: A companion bill is expected to be introduced in the House in the coming weeks. The reconciliation process will determine whether Republicans prioritize this family-oriented policy or maintain a focus on fiscal restraint.

  Shemitah Basu: "The upcoming reconciliation process will test whether Republicans ultimately choose to prioritize family policy or fiscal restraint."
  [02:40]

Conclusion: This bipartisan effort exemplifies a significant step toward making childbirth financially accessible in the U.S., reflecting a shared recognition across the political spectrum of the urgent need to address high healthcare costs for families.

3. Federal Criminal Trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs

Overview: Shifting to the legal realm, Basu provides an update on the high-stakes federal criminal trial of music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs. The trial, now in its fourth week, centers on allegations of using his music empire to orchestrate a sex trafficking and racketeering operation—a charge Combs vehemently denies.

Key Points:

• Prosecution's Case: The prosecution has presented extensive testimony from former employees, industry stars, sex workers, and notably, Combs's ex-girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura. Ventura's testimony is particularly damning, describing violent and coercive tactics employed by Combs.

  Elizabeth Wagmeister (CNN Reporter): "Make no mistake, she is the star witness of this case. This trial would not be happening without her."
  [05:34]

• Notable Testimony: Ventura detailed how Combs forced her to participate in "freak offs"—group sex events that involved male sex workers, heavy drug use, and were often recorded. She described these events as "painful and degrading" and expressed fear of Combs releasing the videos if she refused.

  Basu: "She told the jury, quote, the freak offs became a job that she felt she couldn't say no to because she was afraid Combs would release the videos to the public."
  [06:14]

• Defense Strategy: The defense portrays Combs as a "bad tempered swinger" rather than a criminal mastermind. In cross-examination, they question why accusers like Ventura would maintain contact with Combs despite his alleged abusive behavior.

  Elizabeth Wagmeister: "The common thread is they are asking why these people continued to stay in touch with Sean Combs."
  [06:38]

• Prosecution’s Counter: Prosecutors argue that maintaining contact does not negate the severity of the allegations. Trauma expert Dr. Don Hughes explained that victims can form attachments or present a different public persona despite ongoing abuse.

  Basu: "The prosecution says this does not disprove the allegations..."
  [07:03]

• Racketeering Claims: The case extends beyond individual acts of violence to include racketeering and an organized conspiracy. Multiple witnesses, including former employees and security personnel, support this broader narrative.

  Elizabeth Wagmeister: "This picture, this world of Sean Combs, that was built on control, that was built on threats..."
  [07:39]

Conclusion: The trial of Sean Combs is evolving into a complex case that not only addresses individual allegations of violence and abuse but also seeks to establish a pattern of organized criminal behavior within his empire. The outcome of this trial remains uncertain as more evidence and testimonies are presented.

4. Rising Violence Against Crypto Investors

Overview: The episode shifts focus to a disturbing trend of physical attacks targeting cryptocurrency investors. As cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin surge in value, high-profile investors are becoming lucrative targets for criminals seeking to access their digital assets through extreme measures.

Key Points:

• Physical Extortion Tactics: Contrary to expectations of cyber-based attacks, many crimes against crypto holders involve physical abductions and violent confrontations aimed at extracting ransoms or wallet information.

  Shemitah Basu: "Now, you might expect a more sophisticated digital form of targeting. But many of these attacks are alarmingly physical abductions..."
  [08:20]

• Notable Incidents: A recent case in New York City involved two men being indicted for holding a man captive in a townhouse and torturing him for over two weeks to steal his Bitcoin password.

• “Wrench Attacks”: These blunt-force methods have been dubbed "wrench attacks" due to their unsophisticated and forceful nature. The reliance on physical keys for digital wallets necessitates in-person theft, contrasting with the digital security measures many crypto investors employ.

  Sam Scheckner (Wall Street Journal Reporter): "Oftentimes they keep their keys offline... so if you want to steal that person's crypto, you have to do it in person."
  [09:30]

• Data Breaches as Enablers: Cybersecurity experts indicate that recent hacks of cryptocurrency companies, which exposed names, emails, and addresses, have facilitated these physical attacks by making it easier for criminals to locate and target investors.

  Sam Scheckner: "If the personal information of big holders of crypto leaks, then that can... have really dramatic real world consequences."
  [10:22]

• Vulnerable Targets: The primary targets are high-profile investors with significant holdings, making these attacks not only financially motivated but also intended to send a message of intimidation within the crypto community.

  Shemitah Basu: "In some cases, the perpetrators have aimed to pull off multimillion dollar ransom schemes."
  [09:47]

Conclusion: The intersection of physical violence and digital assets represents a new frontier in criminal activity. As cryptocurrencies continue to gain prominence, the security of investors is under threat from increasingly audacious and violent criminal strategies.

5. Additional Stories

a. Colorado Hate Crime Attack

• Incident Details: Muhammad Sabri Soliman is charged with a federal hate crime and multiple state offenses, including attempted first-degree murder. He allegedly attacked eight individuals during a march supporting Israeli hostages in Gaza, causing severe injuries with incendiary devices.

• Motivation and Background: Soliman reportedly intended to kill all participants, expressing no remorse for his actions. He entered the U.S. in 2022 on an expired visa and has been seeking asylum.

  Shemitah Basu: "Soliman was living in the US with an expired visa after entering the country in 2022 and applying for asylum."
  [10:55]

b. Upcoming Hurricane Season

• Forecast: Meteorologists predict an above-average hurricane season with 13 to 19 named storms. This comes at a challenging time for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which has recently lost around 25% of its full-time staff under the new administration.

• Leadership Concerns: An initial report from Reuters highlighted a concerning moment when FEMA head David Richardson appeared unaware of the hurricane season, later clarified as a joke. Nevertheless, this incident underscores the agency's precarious position ahead of a potentially severe storm season.

  Shemitah Basu: "A spokesperson later said it was intended as a joke."
  [11:43]

c. Tulsa, Oklahoma's Reparations Initiative

• Historical Context: Tulsa is set to distribute $105 million in reparations aimed at rectifying the devastation wrought by the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. This allocation is intended for community redevelopment rather than direct payments to descendants or survivors.

• Mayor's Vision: Mayor Monroe Nichols envisions a Tulsa unscarred by the massacre, emphasizing the long-term benefits such as improved public safety and enhanced trust among community members.

  Mayor Monroe Nichols: "Imagine what it would have meant for public safety, and... imagine the trust and faith we would have built in each other over these last 104 years."
  [13:13 - 13:19]

Conclusion: These additional stories highlight significant social and environmental challenges facing the U.S., from addressing historical injustices to preparing for natural disasters, underscoring the complex landscape of contemporary American society.

6. Closing Remarks

Shemitah Basu concludes the episode by directing listeners to the Apple News app for more in-depth stories, including an exclusive feature on Bill Nye discussing science, family, and hereditary health conditions.

Summary: This episode of Apple News Today presents a multifaceted exploration of current events, emphasizing bipartisan legislative efforts to make childbirth affordable, the high-profile trial of Sean Combs, the unsettling rise of physical attacks on crypto investors, and critical social issues ranging from hate crimes to historical reparations. Through engaging discussions and insightful interviews, the show provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of these complex and interrelated topics.