The hottest Health Politics Substack posts right now

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ScienceVs revisits the issue of gender affirming care for children with gender dysphoria.

Carolina Curmudgeon • 19 implied HN points • 08 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Gender Dysphoria Medical Ethics Child Health Public Policy
  1. ScienceVs has both criticized and supported gender affirming care for children with gender dysphoria. They seem to have a bias in how they present the evidence surrounding this care.
  2. A recent study found that many teens who initially identified as trans ended up identifying as cis later. This suggests that some may not need medical intervention.
  3. The effects of hormone treatments can lead to serious and permanent health issues. Critics argue that children should not be put on these treatments if there’s a chance they might change their identity later.

Here's how AI can REDUCE health misinformation

Odds and Ends of History • 1072 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics
  1. AI can help find false health claims online, which can reduce health misinformation. This means that people can get more accurate information about alternative medicine.
  2. Regulating alternative medicine is important because it protects vulnerable people from being misled by unproven treatments. Clear rules can help limit the spread of false hope.
  3. Using AI to check claims made by alternative medicine clinics could help the government monitor misleading information better. This could lead to safer practices in health care.

Outbreak Outlook - National - Jan 6

Force of Infection • 90 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Disease Control Vaccination Health Education Food Safety
  1. Influenza-like illnesses are at a peak, especially affecting young children the most. Parents should be cautious and ensure their kids are staying healthy during this time.
  2. COVID-19 levels are rising again, with some regions seeing more severe cases. It's important to stay vigilant and consider precautions if you're in a high-risk area.
  3. Norovirus is spreading quickly, with test positivity rates very high. It's a good idea to wash hands frequently and be aware of food recalls to avoid sickness.

Jay Bhattacharya is a superb pick for NIH director

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 209 implied HN points • 30 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Policy Analysis Epidemiology Healthcare systems Health Equity
  1. Jay Bhattacharya wants to study the effects of lockdowns and other COVID-19 measures. He believes this research will help prevent similar harsh actions in the future.
  2. He plans to improve how scientific research is done, focusing on making findings repeatable and clear. This could really help how science is understood and applied.
  3. Jay aims to change leadership rules at NIH and make grant processes better through trials. He believes changes in these areas could lead to more effective research.

Medicare Advantage gets walloped in the press as the federal government's rate notice looms

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 779 implied HN points • 25 Mar 24
🏥 Health Politics Medicare Insurance Regulation Advocacy Policy
  1. The federal government will soon decide how much money to give private health insurers running Medicare Advantage, affecting millions of seniors' healthcare options.
  2. Many reports are showing that Medicare Advantage plans may not be as beneficial as claimed, often leading to overcharging taxpayers.
  3. More groups are speaking out against the industry's tactics this year, pushing back against pressures to increase funds for these insurance companies.
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Covid mRNA Vaccines Required No Safety Oversight: Part Three

Human Flourishing • 1297 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics Vaccines Legal analysis Government oversight Medical Ethics
  1. Emergency Use Authorization for Covid mRNA vaccines was based on legal categorization of SARS-Cov-2 as a biological weapon to bypass safety protocols.
  2. FDA has lower evidence standards for Emergency Use Authorization, questioning the safety and effectiveness of products authorized in this way.
  3. Emergency Use Authorization pathway lacks systematic data collection, retrospective studies, informed consent, and institutional review board involvement, raising legal and safety concerns.

UnitedHealth Group, the Biggest Private Health Insurer on the Planet, Made $8.5 Billion in Profits in Q1 2024

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 619 implied HN points • 16 Apr 24
🏥 Health Politics Insurance Medicare Medicaid Healthcare Regulation
  1. UnitedHealth Group made $8.5 billion in profits in the first quarter of 2024, showing strong financial growth despite recent challenges. Their revenues have tripled over the last decade, indicating a significant increase in business.
  2. A big part of their success comes from government programs like Medicare and Medicaid, where enrollment has jumped in recent years. This growth has helped them dominate the market alongside a few other large competitors.
  3. Despite their financial success, many healthcare providers are struggling due to a cyberattack on a subsidiary. Advocates are concerned that profit-focused practices may lead to patients not receiving necessary care.

Covid Situation Report: Jun 27, 2024

Independent SAGE continues • 239 implied HN points • 28 Jun 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Pandemic response Healthcare policy Vaccination
  1. Covid cases in England are rising again, especially in the North East and North West, but they are still at relatively low levels overall.
  2. Deaths from Covid have slightly increased recently, but they remain lower compared to last year, with only 101 deaths recorded for a recent week.
  3. The Spring 2024 booster campaign is ending soon, and while 55% of those eligible have received it, many immunocompromised individuals still need to get vaccinated.

The Pursuit of Parenthood

Asimov Press • 219 implied HN points • 24 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Reproductive Rights Medical Ethics Biotechnology Public Policy
  1. In-vitro fertilization (IVF) has become widely accepted in society, with many people knowing someone who has used this technology. Just 50 years ago, it faced a lot of criticism from scientists and the public.
  2. The journey to making IVF mainstream involved many scientific breakthroughs and changes in public perception, starting from early experiments in the 1930s to the birth of the first IVF baby in 1978. This shows how challenging and slow scientific progress can be.
  3. Despite the success of IVF, there is a lack of federal regulation, which can lead to some issues like inflated success rates and high costs. Still, this absence of strict rules has allowed for a lot of innovation and diverse options for people seeking reproductive assistance.

The great Medicare Advantage marketing scam: How for-profit health insurers convince seniors to enroll in private Medicare plans

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 1338 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics Medicare Health Insurance Health Advocacy Healthcare policy
  1. Seniors receive a lot of ads for Medicare Advantage plans that often oversell the benefits and don't mention the downsides, like limited networks and requiring approvals for care.
  2. More than half of seniors are now enrolled in Medicare Advantage, a shift that many believe is driven by aggressive marketing tactics from insurance companies.
  3. Complaints about how Medicare Advantage is marketed have doubled recently, highlighting the need for stricter regulations on these advertising practices.

Tuskegee for everyone

Disaffected Newsletter • 2358 implied HN points • 19 Sep 23
🏥 Health Politics Medical Ethics Public Health Vaccination Debate Chronic Illness Healthcare system
  1. Many people are starting to distrust the medical system, especially after the experiences during Covid and how vaccines were handled. It's important to question the advice given and think critically about health decisions.
  2. Listening to your intuition about your health can be crucial. Signs of something wrong shouldn't be ignored, and recognizing these early can save lives.
  3. Chronic health advice, like dietary recommendations, can often be wrong or outdated. People should be open to new information and trust their own experiences over established guidelines.

Sabotaging RFK Jr's confirmation will increase vaccine hesitancy

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 197 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Vaccination Public Health Policy Regulation
  1. Blocking RFK Jr.'s confirmation could make more people anxious about getting vaccines. This is bad for public health.
  2. Scott Gottlieb has made decisions that may hurt trust in the FDA. His past actions raise concerns about his true intentions.
  3. To reduce vaccine hesitancy, it's better to approve RFK Jr. so he can help produce more research and answer important questions.

Problems of the Modern World

David Friedman’s Substack • 188 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Environmental health Mental health Social Issues
  1. There are many problems in the modern world, like rising autism rates, obesity, and lifestyle changes, but their causes are not always clear.
  2. Different factors, such as environmental changes, political decisions, and lifestyle habits, might be contributing to these issues.
  3. Identifying the true causes of these problems is complex and might require more research to understand what’s really happening.

Pandemic and Panopticon: The Rise of the Biomedical Security State

Human Flourishing • 2181 implied HN points • 14 Jun 23
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Vaccine Mandates Global Health Biosecurity
  1. During the pandemic, extreme measures like lockdowns and vaccine mandates were imposed with little debate or explanation.
  2. The biomedical security state involves magnifying risks, imposing control on citizens, justifying surveillance and merging public health with military-industrial complex.
  3. The global elite aim to establish a new world order using entities like the World Economic Forum and International Monetary Fund, pushing for international pandemic treaties and digital IDs.

Reader Question – What Should Disclosures in Weight Science and Weight Loss Research Include?

Weight and Healthcare • 499 implied HN points • 01 May 24
🏥 Health Politics Research Funding Conflicts of Interest Transparency
  1. Research in weight science and weight loss should prioritize scientific integrity over business interests.
  2. Disclosures in research should be easily accessible within the study and in front of any paywall to inform decision-making.
  3. Disclosures should include details on study funding, financial entanglements with companies, organizations, and personal benefits for researchers.

More than half of every dollar spent by Medicare drug plans goes to private health insurers' pharmacy benefit managers and wholesalers

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 1318 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics Health Insurance Medicare Drug Pricing Pharmacy Benefits Healthcare Reform
  1. More than half of the money spent on Medicare drug plans goes to middlemen like pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and wholesalers, not to the actual drugs.
  2. These PBMs are making huge profits, taking over 40% of the funds while people often end up paying more for their medications.
  3. Lawmakers need to act on this issue because if they can reduce PBM profits, there could be funds to support important health programs for low-income Americans.

Bah Humbug: No Matter How Hard They Try, Masks Still Don't Work

Unmasked • 113 implied HN points • 24 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Pandemic response Mask Mandates COVID-19 Medical Research
  1. Masks have been debated since the pandemic began, but many experts still believe they don't work effectively. This has led to ongoing discussions among people who support or oppose their use.
  2. Past studies attempting to prove the effectiveness of masks have often been criticized for their flaws and misleading results. This has caused skepticism about the reliability of mask research.
  3. Recent studies that promote mask-wearing continue to fuel the belief among some groups, but they are viewed by others as inaccurate or propaganda. This division highlights the ongoing controversy over mask mandates.

'Experts' Running The COVID Playbook Again As Mask Mandates Return

Unmasked • 86 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Policy Debate Pandemic response
  1. Some COVID-19 policies were based on arrogance and made without admitting they failed. It's worrying when experts ignore their mistakes and push for restrictions continuously.
  2. The pandemic showed how dangerous it is when authority figures act with big egos and lack accountability. This issue hasn't disappeared even years later.
  3. Despite all the evidence against them, some people still believe in the effectiveness of masks. Many experts have criticized masks, saying they haven't worked as promised.

CDC Director Is Exhibit A That 'Experts' Have Learned Nothing From COVID

Unmasked • 73 implied HN points • 08 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Policy Analysis Crisis Management Pandemic response
  1. The CDC made mistakes in managing COVID-19, like failing to roll out tests properly and giving confusing mask advice. This led to a lot of public criticism.
  2. Their guidance on masks changed too many times without strong evidence to support the changes. They often relied on poor studies that were quickly disproven.
  3. Despite the backlash and criticism, the CDC didn't seem to learn from their mistakes or adjust their approach effectively during the pandemic.

Health Insurer Admits “Mistake” – and Still Sticks Disabled Veteran With $110,000 in Medical Bills

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 519 implied HN points • 25 Apr 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare access Insurance Issues Patient Advocacy
  1. Health insurers can make big mistakes that leave patients with hefty bills, as seen with a disabled veteran who faced $110,000 in medical expenses after an insurance error.
  2. Even when companies admit to their mistakes, they may not take responsibility to fix the situation, often leaving vulnerable people to deal with the consequences.
  3. Finding help through patient advocates can make a huge difference, showing the importance of community support in navigating medical billing issues.

The "cost" of COVID-19

Independent SAGE continues • 699 implied HN points • 25 Mar 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Vaccination Long Covid Healthcare Costs Economic Impact
  1. COVID-19 is still an economic issue, and the impact of Long Covid needs to be considered in vaccine decisions. Vaccination helps prevent Long Covid, but we don't fully understand how long this protection lasts.
  2. Many people are unable to access vaccines, especially children. In contrast, other countries widely vaccinate kids, while the UK has limited offers.
  3. Long Covid can significantly affect people's ability to work and has a heavy economic burden. This includes healthcare costs and loss of income, which could impact the economy in the long run.

BREAKING: Lin et al. (Hanna) study shows transplacental transmission of the COVID vaccine mRNA: Evidence from Placental, Maternal and Cord Blood Analyses Post-Vaccination; Dr. Jim Thorp comments?

Alexander News Network -Dr. Paul Elias Alexander's substack • 982 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🏥 Health Politics Pregnancy Health Risks Women's Health
  1. The study shows evidence of transplacental transmission of COVID vaccine mRNA, impacting the baby in utero.
  2. The study suggests the COVID mRNA vaccine may cross the blood-milk barrier and reach the fetus following maternal vaccination.
  3. The vaccine mRNA was detected in placentas, maternal blood, and cord blood, raising concerns about the impact on pregnant women and infants.

AMNESTY? You said you want amnesty, forgiveness? Absolutely fucking not! We will not let you go, all you in the fraud fake von-COVID pandemic, never was, all you who abused our elderly, killed them

Alexander News Network -Dr. Paul Elias Alexander's substack • 943 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Strong opposition to amnesty and forgiveness for those involved in the COVID-19 pandemic fraud and abuse of the elderly.
  2. Criticism towards individuals who developed mRNA technology and COVID gene injections, branding them as murderers and money-driven.
  3. Call for accountability through judicial processes for all involved in the alleged COVID-19 crimes, including medical professionals.

Covid levels remain low but new variants are coming, as is bird flu

Independent SAGE continues • 499 implied HN points • 22 Apr 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Epidemiology Infectious Diseases Pandemic Preparedness Vaccination
  1. Covid levels are currently low in the UK, but new variants are expected to emerge soon. We need to stay alert as these variants could cause more infections.
  2. There's growing concern about bird flu as it spreads among animals and may jump to humans. Health experts worry this could lead to the next pandemic.
  3. It's important to prepare for future outbreaks by improving vaccines, treatments, and surveillance systems based on lessons learned from Covid.

The Dose: This week's public health explained (Oct 11)

Your Local Epidemiologist • 959 implied HN points • 11 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Vaccination Epidemiology Chronic diseases Health Policy
  1. Free Covid-19 tests are now available for all. You can order them online and they will be delivered to your home.
  2. Obesity rates in the U.S. are showing some decline after many years of increase, but the drop could be uncertain and isn't significant yet.
  3. Routine vaccinations for kids are dropping, which is concerning. More children are unvaccinated against diseases like measles, and this trend needs to be addressed to prevent outbreaks.

How to spot an effort to trick you into lobbying for Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly’s weight loss drugs

Weight and Healthcare • 698 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🏥 Health Politics Weight Stigma Informed consent Medical Industry
  1. Big pharmaceutical companies like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are trying to manipulate the healthcare industry to push insurance coverage for their weight loss drugs.
  2. These companies are using tactics like grassroots campaigns and lobbying efforts to pressure insurance companies and governments to cover their expensive drugs.
  3. To identify efforts to promote these drugs, watch out for claims that lack of access to weight loss medication is about fighting weight stigma, and be wary of campaigns that push for increased access to these drugs in the name of social justice.

New York Presbyterian's Anti-Competitive Maneuver Cost the 32BJ Health Fund $25 Million

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 299 implied HN points • 31 May 24
🏥 Health Politics Health care Legislation Market Competition Policy Reform Consumer Protection
  1. The conflict between the 32BJ Health Fund and New York Presbyterian shows how strong hospitals can pressure unions for money. This kind of influence can hurt efforts to keep healthcare affordable.
  2. There are specific unfair contract practices, like forcing insurers to include all services or keeping prices secret, that are hurting competition in healthcare. These practices usually benefit powerful hospital systems at the expense of smaller payers.
  3. Legislators need to work harder to protect consumers and unions from these unfair practices. Recent attempts to create stronger laws against such actions were weakened by hospital lobbyists.

A simple suggestion for RFK Jr to end corruption in medicine

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 189 implied HN points • 23 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Medical Ethics Pharmaceuticals Public Health Government Policy Healthcare Reform
  1. RFK Jr. wants to fight corruption in medicine, especially the money doctors take from pharmaceutical companies. It's important to have honest practices to benefit patients.
  2. A proposed change is to limit the number of doctors in advisory groups who have received money from drug companies. This could start at no more than 60% in 2025 and end with 0% by 2028.
  3. By having fewer conflicts of interest, doctors might focus more on what's best for patients rather than just following drug company interests. This could lead to better healthcare decisions.

Science, Policy, and Values

Your Local Epidemiologist • 904 implied HN points • 09 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Vaccination Misinformation Policy decisions Trust Issues
  1. It's important to separate facts from opinions when discussing science and policy. Confusing the two can lead to mistrust in both.
  2. Values play a big role in public health decisions, and people often disagree on what should take priority, like saving lives versus personal freedom.
  3. We need clear and honest communication about scientific uncertainty. People want to understand evolving data, not just fixed facts.

The federal government will soon announce its payment rates and policy changes for the Medicare Advantage program. Here's how you can influence their decision.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 599 implied HN points • 26 Mar 24
🏥 Health Politics Medicare Policy change Insurance Health Outcomes
  1. The government will soon decide how much money to give to private Medicare Advantage insurers for 2025. People are encouraged to voice their opinions to influence this decision.
  2. Many Medicare Advantage plans cost taxpayers more money and often provide worse care than traditional Medicare. There's a call to demand better use of tax dollars.
  3. The marketing of Medicare Advantage plans can be misleading, impacting vulnerable seniors. It's important to push the government to avoid giving more funds to these insurers.

Foundational Steps Vital on the Road to Universal Health Care

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 379 implied HN points • 09 May 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare policy Insurance Industry Economic Impact Public Health
  1. Incremental changes in health care shouldn't be viewed negatively. They can be seen as essential steps that help us get closer to universal health care.
  2. The pandemic showed how unprepared many health systems were, revealing deep flaws that need fixing for better care in the future.
  3. Fighting for universal health care means understanding the complex ties between health care and finance, as both sectors are deeply connected and affect each other's success.

Between Trump Terms, Biden Quietly Killed Public Health

OK Doomer • 146 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Policy Issues Government Action Pandemic response Health care
  1. The end of the mask mandate on planes showed how quickly people were ready to celebrate personal freedoms, even if it worried others. Many people seemed to ignore the health risks involved.
  2. After a period of silence on health issues, some writers are now blaming past leaders for future health crises. This shift indicates a potential return of public focus on health threats.
  3. There’s a growing concern about how health policies are being handled between different administrations. The decisions made can have long-lasting effects on public health and safety.

It's All-Out War On the Vulnerable

¡Do Not Panic! • 1159 implied HN points • 20 Dec 23
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Disability Rights Government Policies COVID-19 Response Social Welfare
  1. The British government eliminated the position of minister for disabled people, impacting the representation of disabled individuals.
  2. The US government aims to change the definition of disability to reduce the number of people classified as disabled.
  3. Governments are implementing policies that underreport disabilities, showing a lack of responsibility towards vulnerable populations.

Hospitals across the country are dumping Medicare Advantage plans and canceling their contracts with insurers

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 1238 implied HN points • 07 Dec 23
🏥 Health Politics Medicare Insurance Healthcare access Patient rights Policy Reform
  1. Many hospitals are canceling their contracts with Medicare Advantage plans due to lower payments and extra work to get approvals. This creates difficulties for both hospitals and patients.
  2. Patients on Medicare Advantage plans may face delays in receiving care and might get stuck with high medical bills. This is because these plans often deny or delay necessary services.
  3. There's a growing concern about whether Medicare Advantage plans are good for seniors. People are questioning if these plans truly provide the best care or if they profit from denying treatments.

The Enemy is Us on Health Policy

In My Tribe • 440 implied HN points • 25 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Health care Policy Analysis Public Health Consumer behavior Health economics
  1. Many Americans see health care as a gift, not a product, which makes it hard to talk about costs. Doctors want to be paid, but they don't want to think of themselves as selling their services.
  2. There are certain cultural attitudes that shape the way our health care system works today. These attitudes include the reluctance to view health care as a commodity.
  3. People often ignore other ways resources can be used when it comes to health care. This can create issues in how we manage and think about health care policies.

The Real Science on Masks: They Make No Difference

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 5745 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Masks CDC Pandemic Risk Assessment
  1. The most authoritative estimate shows masks do not significantly reduce the spread of Covid-19 or other respiratory illnesses.
  2. Cochrane, a respected health organization, conducted a review concluding that all types of face coverings probably make little or no difference in reducing respiratory illness spread.
  3. The CDC and public health officials continue to recommend masks despite lack of strong evidence, ignoring downsides like social, psychological, and medical problems.