Slender Starbucks, Medicaid at risk, and the gold card visa

Summary

In-Depth Summary of "Slender Starbucks, Medicaid at Risk, and the Gold Card Visa"

Episode: Slender Starbucks, Medicaid at risk, and the gold card visa
Release Date: February 28, 2025
Host/Author: NPR's The Indicator from Planet Money
Hosts: Waylon Wong, Cooper Kasper Kim, Kenny Malone

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Introduction

In this engaging episode of The Indicator from Planet Money, hosts Waylon Wong, Cooper Kasper Kim, and Kenny Malone delve into three significant and diverse topics shaping current economic and social landscapes: potential budget cuts jeopardizing Medicaid, the introduction of a high-cost Gold Card visa program, and Starbucks' strategic decision to streamline its beverage menu. Through insightful discussions and expert analysis, the trio unpacks the implications of these developments for individuals and the broader economy.

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1. Medicaid at Risk: $880 Billion in Proposed Budget Cuts

Overview:
The episode opens with a discussion on a Republican budget resolution passed by the House, which proposes substantial tax and spending cuts totaling trillions of dollars. A focal point is the directive for the House Energy and Commerce Committee to execute $880 billion in spending reductions over the next decade.

Key Points:

• Potential Impact on Medicaid:
  Waylon Wong highlights, "[...] these massive cuts could affect Medicaid" (00:40). Medicaid, covering approximately one in five Americans—including low-income, elderly, and disabled individuals—is not explicitly targeted but is under scrutiny due to its oversight by the Energy and Commerce Committee.

• Republican Lawmakers' Stance:
  House Speaker Mike Johnson asserts that the budget does not intend to drastically reduce benefits for deserving individuals, emphasizing the removal of "waste, fraud, and abuse" (03:05).

• Proposed Measures to Reduce Costs:
  Discussions include potential impositions of work requirements for Medicaid recipients and reductions in federal funding to states. As Kenny Malone aptly puts it, "[...] some GOP reps and senators will not be happy about" these measures (04:09).

• Budget Process and Reconciliation:
  Waylon explains the budget resolution's role in the reconciliation process, designed to expedite passage through the Senate by avoiding filibusters. This process requires alignment between the House and Senate to achieve the necessary majority support (04:11).

Notable Quote:
Waylon Wong emphasizes the magnitude of the proposed cuts, stating, "That is my indicator. $880 billion" (03:05).

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2. The $5 Million Gold Card Visa Program: A Path to U.S. Citizenship?

Overview:
Cooper Kasper Kim introduces the concept of the Gold Card visa program, touted as a luxurious alternative to the existing EB5 visa, requiring a $5 million investment for U.S. citizenship without stringent conditions.

Key Points:

• Program Details and Comparisons:
  The Gold Card program, announced by President Trump, is positioned as a no-strings-attached pathway to citizenship, contrasting with the EB5 program's $1 million investment requirement tied to job creation (04:42).

• Economic Projections vs. Reality:
  Trump claims that selling one million Gold Cards could generate $5 trillion in revenue. However, immigration experts counter this by pointing out that historical data, such as the EB5 program attracting only around 8,000 participants, makes the million-sales figure highly improbable (05:13).

• Effectiveness and Concerns:
  A 2021 joint study by Harvard and the London School of Economics found that similar programs have "negligible economic impact" and can lead to undesirable outcomes like increased housing costs and opportunities for tax evasion and money laundering (06:16). The European Union is even considering discontinuing such programs due to these negative effects.

• Legal and Logistical Questions:
  There are ongoing debates about the legality of the Gold Card program and whether it requires congressional approval. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has indicated that the cards could be available within two weeks, adding a layer of urgency to the discussions (06:50).

Notable Quote:
Waylon humorously remarks on the feasibility of the program, saying, "He's over at Kinko's with the golden card stock" (06:50).

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3. Starbucks Simplifies Menu: 13 Drinks to Disappear

Overview:
Kenny Malone brings attention to Starbucks' recent strategic move to eliminate 13 beverages from its menu as part of an effort to streamline operations and return to its roots as a "third space" for customers.

Key Points:

• Strategic Rationale:
  Starbucks is aiming to reduce menu complexity to lower wait times and ease the workload for baristas. Simplifying the offerings is intended to enhance customer experience by focusing on core products (07:00).

• Customer Reactions and Specifics:
  The hosts discuss the specific drinks being removed, such as the "Royal English Record Rocker" and the "Chocolate Cookie Crumble Creme Frappuccino." Kenny shares a personal anecdote about ordering these drinks before their removal (07:47).

• Impact on Starbucks' Identity:
  The new CEO from Chipotle is focused on transforming Starbucks back into a community-centric space rather than just a high-volume beverage outlet. This shift includes fostering an environment where customers can relax, work, and engage more meaningfully (07:10).

• Future Outlook:
  Starbucks plans to eliminate about 30% of its menu by the end of the fiscal year, which could significantly alter the customer experience and brand identity. The team advises customers to savor the remaining options while they last (09:43).

Notable Quote:
Waylon shares a lighthearted moment, saying, "I have a little tween with some very specific Starbucks needs. So can I ask, is the strawberry acai lemonade refresher on the hit list?" (08:31).

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Conclusion

This episode of The Indicator from Planet Money thoughtfully navigates through complex issues ranging from healthcare funding challenges and innovative yet controversial immigration policies to corporate strategy shifts in the global coffee giant, Starbucks. By weaving together economic analysis with real-world implications, the hosts provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of how these indicators influence both policy and everyday consumer experiences.

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Notable Exchanges:

• Humorous Banter:
  Kenny Malone jokes about reading the dictionary and the high caffeine content of Starbucks drinks, adding a personable touch to the discussions (07:00-08:30).

• Behind-the-Scenes Insight:
  Cooper Kasper Kim shares his experience stepping out from behind the producer's curtain, bringing a relatable and lighthearted element to the episode (10:20-10:30).

Production Credits:
The episode was produced by Angel Carreras, engineered by Gilly Moon, fact-checked by Cierra Juarez, and edited by Kate Kincannon, with production support from NPR.

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key topics and discussions from the episode, providing a clear and engaging overview for those who haven't listened while maintaining the essence and insights shared by the hosts.

Transcript

[NPR Announcer]

Npr.

[Waylon Wong]

This is the indicator from Planet Money. I'm Waylon Wong. And joining me today all the way from Denver, Colorado, indicator producer Cooper Kasper Kim.

[Cooper Kasper Kim]

I've been released from behind the producer curtains. And joining me and Waylon Wong, our Planet Money pal won Kenny Malone.

[Kenny Malone]

Yes. Oh, Cooper, you can hear the high altitude, the low oxygen. It's sounding great.

[Waylon Wong]

Yay. And we are gathered here for one reason and one reason only, Indicators of the week.

[Cooper Kasper Kim]

That is right. It is our weekly look at interesting numbers from the news. On today's show, we have danger ahead for Medicaid, Gold card, immigration and.

[Kenny Malone]

Oh, I'm sorry, just reading the script. Starbucks did what now?

[Waylon Wong]

Coming up after the break, this message.

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[Cooper Kasper Kim]

Today, it's indicators of the week. Waylon, what do you have?

[Waylon Wong]

My indicator comes from Capitol Hill, where a Republican budget resolution has passed the House. This proposed budget calls for trillions of dollars in tax cuts and spending cuts. And I wanted to focus on one part of this budget framework which directs the House Energy and Commerce Committee to cut spending by $880 billion over the next Decade, chump change. That is my indicator. $880 billion. And I'm bringing it up because these massive cuts could affect Medicaid.

[Kenny Malone]

Medicaid is the program that provides health care for low income Americans.

[Waylon Wong]

Yes. It also covers elderly and disabled Americans. And about one in five people in the US Are enrolled in Medicaid.

[Cooper Kasper Kim]

I mean, this is one of the programs, like Social Security, that's seen as untouchable. Right.

[Waylon Wong]

Well, it's important to note that the House budget resolution does not single out Medicaid for cuts, but this Energy and Commerce Committee oversees Medicaid. And you've got analysts and even some Republican lawmakers saying that the likeliest scenario to get to this huge number, 880 billion, is by slashing Medicaid. It's just the math.

[Cooper Kasper Kim]

So what might these cuts actually look like?

[Waylon Wong]

House Speaker Mike Johnson has said we're not going to see huge cuts in benefits for people who, quote, rightly deserve them. He says the program needs to get rid of waste, fraud, and abuse the.

[Kenny Malone]

Refrain we've been hearing.

[Waylon Wong]

Yes, yes, yes. And some Republican lawmakers have talked about imposing work requirements on some Medicaid recipients or limiting how much money the federal government pays to states, which I imagine.

[Cooper Kasper Kim]

That some GOP reps and senators will not be happy about.

[Waylon Wong]

Yes.

[Cooper Kasper Kim]

So what's next for the budget?

[Waylon Wong]

Well, this budget resolution is leading up to a wonky process called reconciliation. Basically means that if the House and Senate can agree on a budget, it can get expedited through the Senate. So this process helps avoid a filibuster in the Senate. Otherwise, the GOP would need 60 votes, and with their current numbers, that's unlikely to happen.

[Kenny Malone]

All right, well, we don't want you to filibuster indicators of the week, Waylon. So. So, please.

[Waylon Wong]

I was going to read the dictionary.

[Kenny Malone]

No dictionary reading. West Wing over there. Let's move on. Cooper, what is your indicator?

[Cooper Kasper Kim]

My indicator is $5 million. That's how much it would cost to pay for a single Gold card.

[Waylon Wong]

It's like a golden ticket.

[Kenny Malone]

Was this Willy Wonka Pokemon, or is that a Pokemon?

[Cooper Kasper Kim]

It is. In fact, neither. President Trump announced the gold. It's less fun. President Trump announced the Gold Card program this week, which is basically a new path to US Citizenship for foreigners. It would replace a similar program called EB5, where foreign investment would result in a green card for a lot less money.

[Kenny Malone]

How much? Less than $5 million.

[Cooper Kasper Kim]

So we're typically at $1 million of investment for the EB5 program, and it comes with conditions.

[Kenny Malone]

Okay.

[Cooper Kasper Kim]

Like investment must go into a company that'll either keep or create 10 full time jobs. For the Gold Card, there are no conditions, at least not yet. The idea is that it would bring in wealthy people paying lots of taxes, spending lots of money, employing lots of people. Trump threw around some numbers that if like a million people bought the cards, it would bring in $5 trillion.

[Kenny Malone]

Okay, that, that is true in terms of back of the napkin calculation, but. But are there a million people who are going to buy this golden Visa?

[Cooper Kasper Kim]

Immigration experts think no, there just aren't that many people who can afford the program. And I mean we already have some idea. The US already has this EB5 program a few years ago that brought in like 8,000 people, which is, hold on down to the.

[Waylon Wong]

Not a million.

[Cooper Kasper Kim]

Yeah, it's less than a million.

[Waylon Wong]

Well, I mean other countries have a similar program, right? Like Spain, Canada, Italy. Is there evidence on how well programs have worked?

[Cooper Kasper Kim]

A joint study between Harvard and the London School of Economics in 2021 said these programs had a, quote, negligible economic impact. And in fact the EU is trying to end these programs because they have negative effects on like raising housing costs and open the door for tax evasion and money laundering. Fun things like that. There is still a lot to unpack about this program though, like who can apply? Russian oligarchs maybe. Also, is this even legal or would it need congressional approval? That said, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the cards could be available in as soon as two weeks.

[Waylon Wong]

He's over at Kinko's with the golden card stock.

[Cooper Kasper Kim]

I mean, Gold is doing pretty well right now. That is my indicator. Up next we have Kenny Malone.

[Kenny Malone]

All right, so my indicator this week is 13. 13 is the number of drinks that according to the Associated Press will next week vanish from the Starbucks menu as part of an effort to turn things around. You know, Starbucks has been struggling. They announced a round of corporate layoffs this week. They got this new CEO in from Chipotle and he has initiated a plan to quote, get back to Starbucks. Which means basically trying to be less like a human drive through for a gazillion drinks and more like the, the third space they used to be where people would sit and hang out and work and. And have I ever told you too, the day I saw a customer working from a Starbucks with their own full sized printer that they had like brought in. Yes.

[Waylon Wong]

That's amazing.

[Kenny Malone]

I mean this was like peak heyday of Starbucks as a third space, which you all have done an awesome episode about actually. And and look, part of this new effort to go back is also simplifying the menu. Back to the basics, which is why these 13 drinks are disappearing next week. And so, you know, of course, before they disappear, I had to. Here, I've got a little white hot chocolate. Mm. Also ordered the royal English record rocker. I also got. This is the chocolate cookie crumble creme frappuccino. Mm.

[Waylon Wong]

Oh, my gosh. This is more caffeine than any human is supposed to ingest in a two minute period. Kenny.

[Cooper Kasper Kim]

This is how it's meant to be consumed right here.

[Kenny Malone]

I did that one all in one sip.

[Waylon Wong]

Well, I have to say, Kenny, the stakes in my house are very high because I've got a little tween with some very specific Starbucks needs. So can I ask, is the strawberry acai lemonade refresher on the hit list?

[Kenny Malone]

Iced matcha lemonade is going away. Acai lemonade? No. Not. Not here. No.

[Waylon Wong]

Okay, how about the mocha cookie crumble frappuccino?

[Kenny Malone]

Is that different from the white chocolate mocha frappuccino?

[Waylon Wong]

I think so.

[Kenny Malone]

Okay, then no, yours is not going away. But whatever I just said is going away.

[Waylon Wong]

Okay, thank God.

[Kenny Malone]

Yeah, I'm glad I could help.

[Cooper Kasper Kim]

As someone who only orders a decaf coffee, have they said why these 13 drinks specifically are going away?

[Waylon Wong]

Coffee going away?

[Kenny Malone]

There's no word on decaf. They do away. Starbucks says that these items are not commonly purchased, that they have a close ish substitute that will still be on the menu. And I think probably most, most critically, they are complex to make. And one of the key talking points has been getting wait times down and simplify life for the baristas. You know, fewer items done better and faster. This is what they are hoping will turn things around at Starbucks.

[Waylon Wong]

Oh, wait, I just remember I really like the London Fog latte. Is that on the bubble?

[Cooper Kasper Kim]

No, the LFL.

[Kenny Malone]

Not on the list. No LFL. Although yet the Starbucks says 30% of the menu will be gone by the end of the fiscal year. So I don't know. I don't know. Drink them while you got them. Pour one out. Whichever makes more sense, you're supporting them single handedly. The National Zoo Woodley park location is doing gangbusters on indicator recording days. Cheers, y'all, to the drinks that will go away.

[Waylon Wong]

Well, thank you, Kenny, and thank you, Cooper, for a fun indicators of the week.

[Cooper Kasper Kim]

Thanks for letting me out behind the producer curtain.

[Kenny Malone]

You talk like they have you in a cage, Cooper.

[Cooper Kasper Kim]

Jeez, is that true?

[Kenny Malone]

Blink twice.

[Cooper Kasper Kim]

I have so much sunlight that's great.

[Kenny Malone]

Oh, great.

[Cooper Kasper Kim]

This episode was produced by Angel Carreras with engineering by Gilly Moon. It was fact checked by Cierra Juarez. Kate Kincannon is our editor and the indicators of production of npr.

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