Podcast Summary: "Here's the Scoop" – New GLP-1 Pills, Vaccine Schedules, and ACA Costs – Plus, Last Ditch Holiday Shopping
Host: Yasmin Vossoughian (NBC News)
Date: December 23, 2025
Featured Guests: Dr. Natalie Azar (NBC News Medical Contributor), Bill Cairns (NBC News Meteorologist), Shaquille Brewster (NBC News Correspondent), Brian Chung (NBC News Data & Business Correspondent), Ryan Nobles (Chief Capitol Hill Correspondent)
Episode Overview
This episode dives deep into three timely and pressing healthcare stories—the arrival of pill forms for popular GLP-1 weight loss drugs, proposed changes to childhood vaccine schedules, and concerns over soaring health insurance costs as ACA subsidies expire. The show also covers last-minute holiday shopping strategies, travel/weather advisories, economic outlook, and closes out with key headlines including the latest Epstein document release, a major military announcement, and Lindsey Vonn's Olympic comeback.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Healthcare Anxiety and GLP-1 Weight Loss Pill Approvals
- Context: Nearly half of US adults are anxious about rising healthcare costs approaching the new year—the highest since tracking began in 2021.
- GLP-1 Pills:
- The FDA has approved a pill version of Wegovy (GLP-1 weight loss drug by Novo Nordisk). A similar product from Eli Lilly is expected soon.
- Significance:
- Increased competition may lower costs.
- Pills appeal to those “needle-phobic” and increase accessibility.
Notable Quote:
"One is that we need more competition in the marketplace because, as we've discussed many times... costs of these medicines are just so astronomical. But secondly, a lot of people are, you know, needle-phobic... There's something more palatable... about taking a pill."
— Dr. Natalie Azar [02:03]
-
Effectiveness Comparison:
- Wegovy pill: ~13.6% body weight loss (compared to 15% with injection).
- Eli Lilly pill: ~11.5% loss (vs. 20-21% with injectable Zepbound).
- Pills are somewhat less effective, likely due to differences in absorption through the digestive tract.
-
User Experience:
- The Wegovy pill must be taken on an empty stomach 30 minutes before food/drink; the Lilly pill does not have such restrictions, potentially improving patient compliance.
Quote:
"In terms of patient compliance, I think people will be more compliant with the Lilly pills... I forgot to take it this morning, I can take it later in the afternoon.”
— Dr. Natalie Azar [03:54]
2. Childhood Vaccine Schedule Changes and Measles Uptick
- Rising Measles Cases: Sparks debate over current immunization practices.
- HHS to Overhaul Schedule:
- Goal: Give fewer shots to children.
- Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) discussions have surfaced claims the US “over-vaccinates”—a narrative Dr. Azar strongly disputes.
Quote:
“There's a big difference between how many vaccinations are available versus recommended versus mandatory... a lot of comparison was made to Denmark, and it really is like comparing apples to oranges.”
— Dr. Natalie Azar [04:45]
Key Changes Highlighted:
- Hepatitis B Vaccine:
- Birth dose no longer recommended for women who test negative for Hep B.
- Dr. Azar warns this is a risk: The universal birth dose led to dramatic reductions in Hep B transmission, especially as not all mothers are retested or accurately screened.
Quote:
“...this was what we refer to kind of as a safety net. And now there's the idea that this hepatitis B first dose should be given a month later. It's not backed by science.”
— Dr. Natalie Azar [06:54]
-
Combined MMRV Vaccine:
- Combined MMRV dose (includes chickenpox) is no longer recommended before age 4 due to slightly increased risk of febrile seizures.
-
Professional Response:
- Pediatricians, AMA, AAP and other groups are clashing with CDC/ACIP—doctors may continue to recommend the old schedules, checking CDC guidance date stamps for updates.
3. ACA Subsidies Expiring: Implications for Insurance Costs
- Loss of ACA Subsidies:
- Premiums may double or more for many, up to $2,000/month.
- Dr. Azar warns of a coming crisis: People may forego insurance and necessary preventive screenings, leading to more advanced disease and higher overall costs.
Quote:
“You can't just have sick people have health insurance. You need to have healthy people have insurance... they're not going to be catching conditions early... that's going to cost the healthcare system significantly more than the cost of the subsidies would have.”
— Dr. Natalie Azar [09:17, 10:08]
- Outlook for 2026:
- GLP-1 medications will dominate news, now being studied for broad indications (neurodegenerative diseases, PCOS, renal disease, sleep apnea).
- Positive policy notes: Medicare's new ability to negotiate prices on top drugs and new out-of-pocket caps for seniors, as well as anticipated better coverage for breast imaging.
4. Holiday Travel and Weather Update
Weather:
- Heat: Half the US could see unseasonably warm temps (even barbecuing on Christmas!).
- West: Disaster-level rain events in Southern California (atmospheric rivers), mudslides, evacuations for hundreds, especially near recent burn scars.
- Northwest: Recent and ongoing flooding in Washington and Northern California, with some tragic outcomes.
- East: Mostly clear until Friday's expected snowstorm (Philadelphia to Boston). Friday night air/road travel likely to be disrupted.
Quote:
"We have what's going to happen in the west, which is going to be horrendous... water rescues taking place, another atmospheric river event... half of their annual rain on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day."
— Bill Cairns [14:48]
Travel:
- Record numbers: AAA projects 122 million people traveling, most by car (boosted by low gas prices—20 cents a gallon lower than last year).
- Air travelers should brace for delays (~2,000 nationwide as of recording).
Tips:
- Arrive early, download your airline's app for updates. — Shaquille Brewster [16:50]
5. Last-Minute Holiday Shopping Strategies
Store Hours:
- Major chains are open late or even overnight (Target, Kohl’s until midnight; Burlington sometimes until 1am).
- Online: Walmart & Amazon offer same-day/next-day shipping, but selection is limited close to Christmas.
Quote:
“Walmart, Amazon, they still have same day shipping options that if you order today, it could arrive tomorrow... Walmart has express shipping…order as late as 5pm tomorrow on Christmas Eve and still get it in time.”
— Brian Chung [18:40]
Sales & Savings:
- Black Friday usually offers the best sales, but some winter goods (clothes, décor) are actually more deeply discounted now.
Gift Ideas:
- Digital gifts: Grubhub, Uber Eats, Netflix, e-gift cards.
- Unique ideas: Costco membership, experiential gifts (Airbnb, Spa Finder, Giftery for lessons/activities).
Quote:
"You don't even need to necessarily wait for a package... You can do a lot of digital gifts... gift someone a Costco membership... get a credit you can book for a later time." — Brian Chung [20:45]
6. Economic Snapshot: GDP and Spending
- Q3 GDP grew at a 4.3% rate, above expectations.
- Growth attributed to robust consumer spending (not including holiday shopping).
- Preliminary holiday estimates: over $1 trillion spent, driven by both increased consumer quantity and higher prices.
Quote:
“That is well above what economists had thought... there was an increase in consumption... the American economy... is driven by you and me doing shopping.”
— Brian Chung [21:58]
7. Quick News Headlines
- Epstein Investigations: DOJ releases 30,000 new pages, including uncorroborated claims involving former President Trump; concerns about redactions and incomplete disclosure.
- Russia-Ukraine War: Overnight Russian strikes kill at least four in Ukraine; warnings of possible Christmas attacks.
- US Military/Politics: Trump administration unveils plans for “Trump Class” battleships; legal controversy over renaming the Kennedy Center.
- Sports: Lindsey Vonn’s Olympic Comeback: At age 41, qualifies for 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics after robot-assisted knee surgery—a history-making return.
Quote:
“Vonn made a return to the circuit thanks in large part to a customized, robot-assisted knee replacement surgery... became the oldest alpine skier in history to win a CUP event.”
— Yasmin Vossoughian [End section]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)
-
GLP-1 Pill Accessibility:
"We need more competition in the marketplace ... a lot of people are, you know, needle-phobic and they don't love the idea of an injection. There's something more palatable... about taking a pill."
— Dr. Natalie Azar [02:03] -
Vaccine Schedule Debate:
"It's not backed by science. The whole idea here is to protect kids when they are first born."
— Dr. Natalie Azar [06:54] -
ACA Subsidy Loss:
"You're going to see people who aren't able to participate in any preventive screening... that's going to cost the healthcare system significantly more."
— Dr. Natalie Azar [10:08] -
California Weather Catastrophe:
"...water rescues taking place... half of their annual rain on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day... a pretty serious situation and it's horrific for Southern California."
— Bill Cairns [14:48] -
Holiday Shopping Tricks:
“Some of those winter sweaters, some of the holiday decor... are more deeply discounted now than they were a month ago.”
— Brian Chung [20:12]
Timestamps for Major Segments
- Healthcare Anxiety & GLP-1 Pills: 00:53–04:20
- Childhood Vaccine Schedules: 04:20–08:54
- ACA Subsidies: 08:54–12:09
- Weather / Travel Outlook: 14:01–16:39
- Holiday Shopping Tips: 18:08–21:42
- Economic Context: 21:42–23:07
- Quick News Headlines: 23:08–End
Original Tone & Voice
Throughout, the episode maintains a brisk, news-focused, conversational tone—mixing pragmatic reporting, moments of humor, and expert-driven explanation.
Example:
“I come bearing the gifts of numbers. A lot of them.”
— Brian Chung [18:21]
Summary Takeaways
- FDA approval of GLP-1 pills for weight loss may broaden access, but effectiveness and regime convenience vary between brands.
- Proposed changes to vaccine schedules spark significant debate between federal agencies and medical associations, especially regarding Hep B dosing at birth.
- Loss of ACA subsidies could impose severe financial burdens on millions.
- Holiday travelers face a split: record warmth in parts, record flooding and snow in others.
- Procrastinators can still score last-minute holiday deals—both in-store and online—with digital gift options in abundance.
- The US economy shows surprising resilience with strong consumer spending.
- News wrap covers the Epstein files, Ukraine updates, major military announcements, and a feel-good sports story with Lindsey Vonn.
This episode is an invaluable listen for Americans navigating the intersection of healthcare changes, holiday logistics, and economic reality as 2025 draws to a close.