Tag: Public Health

States Push Back Against Medicaid Managed Care

            THIS TIME ON CODE WACK!   Today, most people on Medicaid get their care through private insurers called Managed Care Organizations, or MCOs – like Aetna and UnitedHealthcare. Critics say these companies add layers of bureaucracy that make it […]

The Middlemen Making Money Off Medicaid

            THIS TIME ON CODE WACK!   Why are there middlemen in Medicaid – and what are they doing to our most vulnerable patients and physicians? How and why are private insurance intermediaries permitted to put profits ahead of patients? […]

Medicare Advantage Is Breaking America’s Promise to Seniors

        THIS TIME ON CODE WACK!   Privatized Medicare now covers more than half of older adults nationwide. But how do Medicare Advantage plans’ lower star ratings, narrow networks, and “paper benefits” hit seniors of color hardest-and why are hospitals dropping these […]

‘No real choice.’ How Medicare Advantage fails seniors

      THIS TIME ON CODE WACK!   How does Medicare Advantage – also known as privatized Medicare – fail seniors … especially seniors of color?  Why do many seniors find they actually have no other choice than an Advantage plan? What’s the consequence […]

Is racism in health care still a problem in 2026? Absolutely.

        THIS TIME ON CODE WACK!   This time on Code WACK! In celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we’re rebroadcasting this episode examining how desegregation shaped the experiences of Black patients in America – and what still hasn’t changed. […]

Revisiting America’s racist – and deadly – legacy

        THIS TIME ON CODE WACK!   In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we’re rebroadcasting our Anthem Award–winning episode on one of the most overlooked civil rights battles in American history: the desegregation of hospitals. The episode features Dr. […]

Inside California’s Push for Guaranteed Healthcare

          THIS TIME ON CODE WACK!   As healthcare costs skyrocket and Americans face new coverage threats, California advocates are pushing for something bigger than simple fixes around the edges. We’re joined by longtime healthcare organizer Michael Lighty, who breaks down […]

Why More Americans Want Medicare for All

          THIS TIME ON CODE WACK!   Today, we’re talking about rising healthcare costs and the renewed momentum behind Medicare for All. Recent polling shows majority support for the idea across Democrats, independents, and even a notable share of Republicans, even […]