New Code WACK! episode

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‘Absolutely Ruthless’:
The Brutal Privatization
of U.S. Health Care

 

Featuring Peter Shapiro,
Healthcare Advocate & Author

 

 

 

 

Breaking News in Healthcare Reform

 

Snippets of news & commentary with a special focus on

health policy, Medicare for All & California

 

 

Like Weekly News Roundup? Then you’ll love our popular podcast Code WACK! where we shine a light on the outrageous hassles patients face when dealing with America’s callous healthcare system. Subscribe below!

 

 

 

“…her bosses cared more about being fast than being right: ‘Deny, deny, deny. That’s how you hit your numbers,’ Day said.”

A Doctor at Cigna Said Her Bosses Pressured Her to Review Patients’ Cases Too Quickly. Cigna Threatened to Fire Her.

Propublica | Patrick Rucker, David Armstrong | April 29, 2024

“The [national] calculator uses estimates from the Congressional Budget Office of how much new revenue the federal government would need to fully fund Medicare for All as specified in Rep. Jayapal’s bill.” 

Medicare for All Individual Cost Calculator

Health Justice Monitor | James G. Khan, MD, MPH | April 27, 2024

“The new bill, AB 2200, calls for a single-payer system called CalCare, and it would give Californians benefits no matter their financial or work background.”

California Has Plan for Dramatic Health Care Change

Newsweek | Suzanne Blake | April 25, 2024

“…about 4,500 people in California each day are stuck in hospital inpatient wards or in the emergency department while waiting for their insurers to coordinate or sign off on their discharge plans.”

California Hospital Association Sues Anthem Blue Cross Over Discharge Delays

Fierce Healthcare | Paige Minemyer | April 24, 2024

“Wednesday’s vote was the state’s first foray into tackling health care spending in California, which reached $405 billion in 2020, or $10,299 per person….”

New California Rule Aims to Limit Health Care Cost Increases to 3% Annually

Associated Press | Adam Beam | April 24, 2024

“Last year, California and Oregon legislatures passed laws setting deadlines for developing publicly financed, universal healthcare coverage system.”

California, Oregon Eye Universal Health Coverage

Healthcare Dive | John Canham-Clyne | April 24, 2024

“Novo Nordisk charges Americans with obesity nearly $400 more every month than those with Type 2 diabetes for the same product provided in similar doses….”

Sanders Launches Probe of ‘Outrageously Overpriced’ Ozempic and Wegovy

Common Dreams | Brett Wilkins | April 24, 2024

“We’re trying to prevent that window opening where, within 24 hours, somebody could unfortunately die. Having to wait until I’m in that window to intervene is dangerous for people.”

The Absurd Case About Whether Doctors Can Let You Bleed Out in the ER Is Reaching SCOTUS

Salon | Dahlia Lithwick | April 22, 2024

“Taking into account the increased risk of death that comes with being uninsured in the United States, they estimated that 9,646 additional lives would be lost each year if the Medicare age is increased.”

Study: Proposed Changes to Medicare, Medicaid Could Cost Thousands of Lives

Yale News | Mallory Locklear | April 22, 2024

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Shining a light on ongoing inequities in health care

and the impact they have on vulnerable individuals and communities. 

 

Our podcast Code WACK! brings to life the failures of America’s healthcare system with stories, commentary and analysis. 

Our Weekly News Roundup shares news and views about health policy, health equity and healthcare reform (from non-paywalled news sources) 

Our Media page connects you to doctors, advocates and experts in health economics and health policy.

Our Resources page provides a wealth of additional resources including links to legislation and studies.

 

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