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Latest Episodes:

An Unkept Promise Sep 19, 2019

Show notes

Members of Utah’s Pacific Islander community met with with Rep. Ben McAdams, Utah’s only Democrat in its congressional delegation, in Washington D.C., to discuss the reauthorization of COFA (Compacts of Free Association) in 2023 and how changes to the U.S. healthcare system a few years ago took medicaid benefits from a population deserves them. Not only do residents of Micronesian countries, like the Marshall Islands, travel and work freely in the U.S., they pay taxes, and they were exposed to radiation as the U.S. tested weaponry near their communities in World War II. It is an informative and moving conversation about a little known reality for many members of the Micronesian community living in the U.S.

A Republican and Two Democrats discuss managing public lands Sep 06, 2019

Show notes

If the Federal Government manages state land, how do local government’s generate revenue? In this episode, Rep. Ben McAdams discusses public lands, including how the state is compensated for the public land managed by the federal government, with Piute County Commissioner, Darin Bushman, a Republican, and Summit County Councilman Glenn Wright, a Democrat. The trio have worked together before, and they are discussing some of the things they all agree on when it comes to generating revenue from public lands.

The work of a surgeon activist Aug 30, 2019

Show notes

In this episode, Rep. Ben McAdams talks with Utah surgeon Dr. Scott Leckman about his advocacy work for on behalf of the poorest among us. He talks about what Dr. Leckman has been involved with, how Congress has responded to his requests for help, and what he’s working on in the future. Dr. Leckman explains why the U.S. government should be concerned about disease and healthcare around the world.

Extended Episode: At the Border with the Problem Solver’s Caucus Aug 19, 2019

Show notes

This is an extended episode in which, Rep. Ben McAdams visits the U.S. southern border with colleagues from the Problem Solver’s Caucus. He interviews Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, a Republican from Ohio, Rep. Tom Reed, R-New York, and Rep. Abigail Spanberger, R-Virginia, about what they saw during their visit and how they might find solutions to the growing crisis. The problem, McAdams says, is much more complicated and nuanced that the public debate, which makes finding solutions more difficult. For Gonzalez, some moments took him back to his childhood. One weeping woman, in particular, made him think of the many relatives who spent time at his home as they immigrated from Cuba to the U.S.“That was incredibly powerful for me,” Gonzalez said. “I couldn’t help but see members of my own family when I looked in her eyes and saw the tears running down her face.”This is a longer version of Episode 24, in which featured only Gonzalez.

Does Utah have the cure for the country’s health care woes? Aug 09, 2019

Show notes

In this episode, Rep. Ben McAdams talks with Marc Harrison, president and CEO of Intermountain Healthcare, about what innovative ways the company has found that might provide guidance for the federal government as they try to address health care issues. He also discusses how aspects of what’s being developed in Utah can serve as a model for other companies, other states and possibly the country with Florida Rep. Donna Shalala, who served as Health and Human Services Director under President Bill Clinton.

At the Border with the Problem Solver’s Caucus Aug 02, 2019

Show notes

In this episode, Rep. Ben McAdams visits the U.S. southern border with colleagues from the Problem Solver’s Caucus. He interviews Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, a Republican from Ohio, about what they saw during their visit and how they might find solutions to the growing crisis. The problem, McAdams says, is much more complicated and nuanced that the public debate, which makes finding solutions more difficult.For Gonzalez, some moments took him back to his childhood. One weeping woman, in particular, made him think of the many relatives who spent time at his home as they immigrated from Cuba to the U.S.“That was incredibly powerful for me,” Gonzalez said. “I couldn’t help but see members of my own family when I looked in her eyes and saw the tears running down her face.”He also talks with Rep. Tom Reed, R-New York, and Rep. Abigail Spanberger, R-Virginia, about what moved them and what it might take to actually deal with the crisis at the border.Here is an article from the Deseret News about McAdams and Gonzalez’s trip to the border: https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900081837/utah-ben-mcadams-border-immigration-crisis.html (https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900081837/utah-ben-mcadams-border-immigration-crisis.html)

Shopping at the Same Grocery Store Jul 19, 2019

Show notes

In this episode, Rep. Ben McAdams talks with Salt Lake City Council members about why local government tends to get so much done despite very different political philosophies. From homeless issues to infrastructure projects, local government officials set aside personal differences to accomplish a wide range of things that stall in halls of our federal government.City officials discuss the importance of autonomy of local government, but also the ways in which local officials can cooperate with federal representatives to “be a rising tide that lifts all ships.”

A big sister’s perspective Jul 12, 2019

Show notes

In this episode, we bring you an edited version of the podcast “Thanks for sharing” with Jackie Pack. The Bountiful addiction recovery therapist is the older sister of Congressman Ben McAdams, and they discuss overcoming the difficulties of their childhood, how hardships shaped him, and how politics can become something that helps people and heals communities.You can find more from Pack, including the complete episode, at healingpathsrecovery.com.

The Realities of Addiction Jul 06, 2019

Show notes

In this episode Congressman Ben McAdams meets with USARA (Utah Support Advocates for Recovery Awareness) about the realities of addiction and what programs and strategies help people escape the grip of addiction. Rep. McAdams talks with those in recovering about what helps – and what doesn’t – and how partnerships between community organizations and government entities can provide a lifeline to people and families.The conversation includes statistical analysis of local programs and how data can help tell the story of addiction and recovery.

Two views of Iran Jun 27, 2019

Show notes

In this episode of WashingTown, Congressman Ben McAdams talks with two of his colleagues from the House of Representatives about the tenuous relationship between the U.S. and Iran. He talks with one member from each of the major parties – Rep. Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat who represents Michigan’s 8th District, and Rep. Mark Green, a Republican who represents Tennessee’s 7th District. They each bring a unique and thought-provoking perspective to a political situation that is not well understood among many Americans. Rep. Green is a physician and veteran who served one tour in Afghanistan and two tours in Iraq, while Rep. Slotkin is a former CIA analyst and Defense Department official who served three tours in the Middle East, and has worked on issues related to Iran most of her professional career.

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