America’s Health Care: Affordability, AI, & Politics 11/21/25

Affordable Care Act health insurance premiums expire on December 31st, but Congress has yet to come to a bipartisan agreement on policy ahead of that deadline. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) explains his party’s strategy and the affordability crisis for many Americans. Former CEO of the Cleveland Clinic Dr. Toby Cosgrove has hope for AI’s impact on health care costs; he discusses the future of hospitals and medical innovation. Plus, leaders in the industry have penned a concerned letter to President Trump, the HHS, and the FDA about rare disease research and investment. Outside of health care, President Trump will lower tariffs on some Argentinian food products, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will work with the U.S. on a peace plan between Russia and Ukraine.  Rep. Hakeem Jeffries - 13:48Dr. Toby Cosgrove - 26:16 In this episode:James Lankford, @SenatorLankfordHakeem Jeffries, @RepJeffriesBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The 5 things you need to know before the stock market opens today: Netflix, Paramount and Comcast have all submitted bids for Warner Brothers Discovery, Nvidia shares under pressure have driven the markets lower, prediction market Kalshi has raised $1 billion in its latest fundraising round, the CEO of CrowdStrike has taken a stake in the Mercedes Formula One team, and a painting by Frida Kahlo sets records for female artists at auction. Squawk Box is hosted by Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin.  Follow Squawk Pod for the best moments, interviews and analysis from our TV show in an audio-first format. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Bridgewater founder Ray Dalio addresses investor concerns about economic bubbles, both in AI and in the broader markets. Part interview, part historical markets lesson, Dalio shares his perspective on the biggest risks to the American economy and on a well-balanced portfolio in this environment. Plus, Nvidia beat Wall Street expectations for its third quarter, buoying the stock and the major averages. CNBC’s Kristina Partsinevelos breaks down the report and CEO Jensen Huang’s comments to investors, and CNBC’s Emily Wilkins reports on the Trump administration’s plans for AI regulation.  Kristina Partsinevelos - 2:24Emily Wilkins - 12:05Ray Dalio - 16:39 In this episode:Kristina Partsinevelos, @KristinaPartsEmily Wilkins, @emrwilkinsBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ahead of the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum at The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, President Trump received Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at The White House for a meeting and a star-studded dinner with dozens of business leaders including Tim Cook and Elon Musk. Nvidia’s third quarter earnings are looming over markets this week, particularly after the company’s investment in Anthropic, alongside Microsoft. Chief economics commentator for The Wall Street Journal Greg Ip compares today’s AI revolution to the dotcom bubble of the 1990s. He argues that the energy is different nowadays: it’s “joyless” instead of optimistic, and the public is now more suspicious of innovation. Plus, Tom Freston co-founded MTV and served as CEO of both MTV and Viacom. The veteran media executive discusses his new memoir “Unplugged” and MTV’s legacy in music and storytelling.  Eamon Javers - 05:57Greg Ip - 24:14Tom Freston - 33:59 In this episode:Greg Ip, @greg_ipEamon Javers, @eamonjaversJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The 5 things you need to know before the stock market opens today: Nvidia third quarter results are due after the bell, Congress approved legislation to compel the Department of Justice to release all records related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the Trump Administration is working on shutting down the Department of Education, an airline trade group wants plans to pay air traffic controllers in future government shutdowns, and a massive sale at Sotheby’s – a Gustav Klimt painting sells for more than $236 million.  Squawk Box is hosted by Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin.  Follow Squawk Pod for the best moments, interviews and analysis from our TV show in an audio-first format. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman visits the White House today; his first visit since the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Retired 4-star General David Petraeus describes the high stakes of the event and the shifting politics in the Middle East. The complex web of connections to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has revealed private communications between Epstein and former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, causing Summers to announce a pull-back from public appearances – as the house readies for a vote to ask the President to release more full files.  Emily Wilkins reports on Senate Republicans’ new goal to lower health care costs. And, how’d he do it?  Mentalist Oz Pearlman reads minds – and the results are stunning.   Emily Wilkins - 14:15Davvd Petraeus - 20:45Oz Pearlman - 31:12 In this episode:  Emily Wilkins, @emrwilkinsOz Pearlman, @OzTheMentalistJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

President Donald Trump is rolling back tariffs on more than 200 food products, from coffee and beef to bananas and orange juice, as the White House faces rising frustration from Americans over grocery prices. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett explains the administration’s push for affordability and the persistence of inflation. Then, Legendary Filmmaker Ken Burns walks through his newest project, The American Revolution, and the stories that shaped the nation. Plus, RBC Capital Markets’ Lori Calvasina breaks down market sentiment and Alphabet rallies after Berkshire Hathaway takes a new stake. Lori Calvasina - 09:13Kevin Hassett - 23:19Ken Burns - 35:11 In this episode:Ken Burns, @KenBurnsBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The 5 things you need to know before the stock market opens today: Berkshire Hathaway has taken a roughly $5 billion stake in Google parent Alphabet, the Financial Times is reporting that Apple is stepping up the search for CEO Tim Cook’s successor, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says the Trump Administration plan to send Americans rebate checks from tariff revenue would require legislation, Netflix’s 10-for-1 stock split happens today, and YouTube and Disney reach a deal after a two-week standoff.  Squawk Box is hosted by Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin.  Follow Squawk Pod for the best moments, interviews and analysis from our TV show in an audio-first format. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After Tesla shareholders approved a new pay package for CEO Elon Musk that approaches the trillion-dollar mark, investor Ron Baron weighs in on what it means for the company’s future. The billionaire discusses his outlook on Tesla, the markets, and Musk ahead of the 32nd annual Baron Investment Conference. And Walmart CEO Doug McMillon is stepping down next year after leading the retailer’s push into e-commerce. Plus, Hollywood is bracing for bids for Warner Brothers Discovery, the Trump administration is preparing tariff exemptions aimed at lowering food prices, and Under Armour and Steph Curry are parting ways.Ron Baron - 12:17 In this episode:Ron Baron, @BaronCapitalBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinZach Vallese, @zachvallese Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The 5 things you need to know before the stock market opens today: Homeland Security announces bonus checks for TSA officers, Boeing defense workers approve a new contract, Verizon plans more layoffs, SoftBank shares continue to fall after the company disclosed it sold its entire Nvidia stake, and Blue Origin is bound for Mars. Squawk Box is hosted by Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin.  Follow Squawk Pod for the best moments, interviews and analysis from our TV show in an audio-first format. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.