Like Weekly News Roundup?
Subscribe to our popular podcast Code WACK! and donate to support our work!
New Code WACK! episode
“I think the biggest change would be that people would access care
based on need and not ability to pay…. And that happens
in some circumstances now, but not always and
particularly not in relation to planned acute care.”
—Dr. Sara Burke
How Ireland is Fixing
Its Healthcare System –
And What the U.S. Can Learn
Featuring Dr. Sara Burke,
Trinity College Dublin,
School of Medicine
Find us on Apple podcasts, our website or your favorite podcast platform.
________________________________________
Breaking News in Healthcare Reform
“Oz told the committee he supported Medicaid work requirements. Oz also talked about giving patients the data they need to monitor their own health, in efforts to reduce both chronic disease and spending.”
Dr. Oz Makes No Commitment to Not Cut Medicaid
Healthcare Finance | Susan Morse | March 17, 2025
“The expansion of private health insurance, the corporate infiltration of every aspect of medicine, and the decline of independent medical practice have reshaped U.S. health care, for better or worse.”
How Corporatization Continues to Change U.S. Health Care
Leonard David Institute of Health Economics | Hoag Levins | March 13, 2025
“California could face a cascade of troubles if federal funding for health care is slashed.”
Domino Effect: Calculating the Dangers Posed by Medi-Cal Cuts
Capital & Main | Mark Kreidler | March 13, 2025
“Pharmacy costs have been rising across the board, and they’re starting to weigh down the Medi-Cal budget for citizens and immigrants alike…. There are also more seniors in the program … a roughly 40% increase.”
Medicaid Shortfall Forces California to Borrow $3.44B
Politico | Rachel Bluth | March 12, 2025
“Since their inception in 2003, Medicare Advantage plans are estimated to have cost taxpayers more than $600 billion in overpayments. These overpayments are expected to grow to $1 trillion over the next decade.”
Medicare Advantage Companies Spend $330M+ to Influence Policy
Common Dreams | Emily Leach, Public Citizen | March 11, 2025
“The reality is the only way Republicans can cut at least $880 billion … is by making deep, harmful cuts to Americans’ health care.”
Republicans Can’t Meet Budget Target Without Medicaid Cuts: CBO
Healthcare Dive | Emily Olsen | March 10, 2025
“The Trump administration is proposing to shorten ObamaCare’s annual open enrollment period by a month, a move the administration said is aimed at helping consumers pick the right plan.”
Trump Proposes Cutting ACA Enrollment Period, Ending ‘Dreamer’ Coverage
The Hill | Nathaniel Weixel | March 10, 2025
“…the reason a lot of auto and truck manufacturing was shifted away from Michigan and other parts of the US to Canada was because of the enormous cost per vehicle the US car companies were paying for health care coverage for their workers and dependents….”
Why US Automakers Make Vehicles and Source Parts in Canada
CounterPunch | Dave Lindorff | March 10, 2025
“…nearly 3 million Americans … live in mostly rural counties that lack both health care and reliable high-speed internet, according to an analysis by KFF Health News, which showed that these people tend to live sicker and die younger than others in America.”
Millions in US Live in Places Where Doctors Don’t Practice and Telehealth Doesn’t Reach
KFF Health News | Sarah Jane Tribble, Holly K. Hacker, Data visuals: Lydia Zuraw | March 10, 2025
____________________________________________
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.
Keep up with the Medicare for All movement
Subscribe to Code WACK!
Apple Google Amazon Spotify Subscribe
Podcasts Podcasts Music for emails
Or wherever you find your favorite podcasts!
And follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe for email updates.