The hottest Health Politics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health Politics Topics

BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR DOCTOR: How Medicare Advantage care denials affect patients

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 499 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare policy Medicare Insurance Patient rights
  1. Medicare Advantage plans are often denying care for patients, which can lead to serious health issues. Insurers like UnitedHealth prioritize profits over patient care, creating barriers for those who need treatment.
  2. The process of 'prior authorization' used by these insurers causes significant delays in receiving necessary medical care. This system can sometimes result in life-threatening situations for patients who are waiting for approval.
  3. Organizations like People’s Action are working to help patients navigate the complicated insurance system and advocate for fair treatment. They aim to expose the challenges faced by patients and push for changes to the healthcare system.

Here are 13 Other Explanations For The Adolescent Mental Health Crisis. None of Them Work.

After Babel • 2133 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
🏥 Health Politics Mental health Technology Youth Issues Social media Schooling
  1. Smartphones and social media are the main factors behind the adolescent mental health crisis.
  2. The decline in independence among children and teens may be a contributing factor to the rise in teen depression, but it works in conjunction with smartphones and social media.
  3. Alternative explanations such as increased academic pressure or lack of places to hang out do not fully explain the significant increase in teen depression rates.

New Data Once Again Proves Sweden Was Right About Masks

Unmasked • 130 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health COVID-19 Mask Mandates Policy Analysis Epidemiology
  1. Sweden's approach to COVID-19, particularly regarding masks, suggests that their policies were more effective compared to strict mandates. Many believe masks didn't help much, and the data supports this view.
  2. Experts' predictions and mandates around masks and vaccines were often incorrect, leading to public distrust. A lot of information from that time is either ignored or downplayed now.
  3. Recent studies reinforce that Sweden's strategies during the pandemic were valid while challenging the widely accepted methods enforced elsewhere. This raises questions about what really works in handling health crises.

Bursting the Conservative Bubble

Break Free with Karen Hunt • 1218 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
🏥 Health Politics Gender identity Youth AI Art
  1. Conservatives boycotting companies for promoting the transgender agenda may not be effective as the focus is on influencing the younger Generation Z.
  2. Boycotting a few companies may not be enough to stop the transgender agenda that is progressing towards a future where AI and technology dominate.
  3. Young people are increasingly embracing fluid gender identities and diverse pronouns, reflecting the evolving societal norms.

Five Medicare Advantage fixes we can all get behind (except the health insurance industry, of course)

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 499 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare policy Insurance Practices
  1. Aligning prior authorization standards between Medicare Advantage and traditional Medicare can reduce delays in care. This change can help patients get the treatment they need faster and ensure insurers are held accountable.
  2. Protecting seniors from misleading marketing scams is crucial. Congress and CMS are taking steps to ensure that ads for Medicare Advantage plans are clear and truthful, which is good for seniors.
  3. Medicare Advantage plans should offer real supplemental benefits that seniors actually use. It's important for these plans to track how these benefits are being utilized to ensure they improve health outcomes.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Aldén et al. showed us that SARS-CoV-2 (COVID) mRNA (RNA) can be reverse-transcribed & integrated into the genome of human cells; shit, did Malone know this? I know he knew but was silent! Can he be

Alexander News Network -Dr. Paul Elias Alexander's substack • 569 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🏥 Health Politics Research Public Health COVID-19 Government Vaccines
  1. SARS-CoV-2 (COVID) mRNA can be reverse-transcribed and integrated into the genome of human cells, leading to potential implications and questions regarding the knowledge of certain individuals.
  2. The up-take of BNT162b2 into human liver cells can result in changes in genetic expression, potentially suggesting rapid effects of mRNA exposure.
  3. Studies have shown that mRNA from vaccines can be reverse transcribed into DNA within human cells in as fast as 6 hours, indicating a swift biological process.

Your Money or Your Life

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 599 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare system Insurance Issues Patient rights Medical Ethics
  1. Patients with insurance are sometimes asked to pay the full cost of treatment upfront, which can be very high, making healthcare access difficult.
  2. Many healthcare providers may refuse treatment to insured patients if they can't pay large amounts in cash before receiving care, creating ethical concerns.
  3. Patients can protect themselves by understanding their insurance, confirming costs beforehand, and knowing their options if they face payment demands at appointments.

NBC Blasts Trump and Kennedy for Wanting to Conduct Vaccine-Autism Studies

Injecting Freedom • 84 implied HN points • 08 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Vaccines Autism Public Health Political Debate Medical Research
  1. NBC criticized Trump and Kennedy for wanting to explore a possible link between vaccines and autism. They say it has been thoroughly studied and debunked, but some people think more research is needed.
  2. Many parents of autistic children believe vaccines might have caused their child's autism. However, there haven't been enough studies specifically on this issue to confirm or deny that link.
  3. Despite claims that vaccines don't cause autism, there’s a lack of solid studies backing it up. This raises questions about the safety of vaccines and other health concerns that parents have.

The Depravity of the Hospital Protocol

COVID Reason • 1903 implied HN points • 05 Jul 23
🏥 Health Politics Campaign
  1. Billboard campaign in Ridgefield, NJ highlights deadly hospital protocol during COVID.
  2. Federal government incentivized hospitals to use Remdesivir and ventilators, leading to medical harm.
  3. FormerFeds Freedom Foundation seeks justice for loved ones lost due to hospital protocol and aims to raise awareness through billboards and other initiatives.

"Guts full of anger and compassion"

Men Yell at Me • 184 implied HN points • 02 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Abortion rights Reproductive Health Activism
  1. The Iowa Abortion Access Fund is one of the oldest in the U.S. and has grown a lot over the last decade due to increasing needs for abortion access.
  2. Historical documents show that the fund was started by a group of caring clergy in 1969, reflecting a strong commitment to helping people in their community.
  3. A letter from one of the founders highlights how relevant the issues surrounding abortion remain today, nearly 60 years after the fund was established.

The Forced Medication of All Citizens

Break Free with Karen Hunt • 1139 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
🏥 Health Politics Pandemic response Public Health Pandemic Preparedness
  1. Historically, the acceptance of medication started with voluntary use, then shifted to recommendations, and eventually became mandatory for safety.
  2. The current trend suggests a future where medication may be mandated by law, conditioning people to comply without question.
  3. Global emergencies are being used to justify stockpiling medication and giving organizations like the WHO significant control over policies and responses.

Inaccurate Study Claims More Masking Would Have Stopped COVID

Unmasked • 79 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health COVID-19 Mask Mandates Misinformation Policy Analysis
  1. There is no solid evidence showing that wearing masks helps stop the spread of respiratory viruses like COVID-19. Many studies from before 2020 found that masks are not effective.
  2. Despite the lack of evidence, some people continue to insist that more masking would have made a difference during the pandemic.
  3. It's important to recognize that a lot of the information about masks has been based on political beliefs rather than scientific facts.

Mapping UnitedHealth’s consumption of our health care system – from the ‘70s to today

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 759 implied HN points • 20 Dec 23
🏥 Health Politics Health care Insurance Policy Acquisitions Corporate Power
  1. UnitedHealth has grown significantly by acquiring many health companies since the 1970s. This has made it one of the biggest and most influential health care companies in the U.S.
  2. Their acquisitions have changed how health care is managed, often focusing more on profit rather than patient care. Some companies they've bought have faced criticism for denying necessary treatments.
  3. UnitedHealth's size allows it to impact many areas of health care, from insurance to the providers of medical services. This has raised concerns about its influence over patient care and competition in the market.

Increased risk of 20%? Dr. JimThorp, obstetrician/gynecologist who led the fight against the COVID mRNA technology gene injections as to harms on the fetus, mother, newborn, as has Dr. Naomi Wolf, are

Alexander News Network -Dr. Paul Elias Alexander's substack • 530 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🏥 Health Politics Vaccination Research Healthcare COVID-19 Women's Health
  1. A new study suggests a 20% increased risk of severe bleeding post-mRNA vaccination in women hospitalized for heavy menstrual bleeding.
  2. The study focused on women aged 15-50 who experienced heavy menstrual bleeding post-mRNA vaccination in France between May 2021 and August 2022, with 99.8% receiving Comirnaty (Pfizer) or Spikevax (Moderna).
  3. Primary vaccination doses showed a 20% increased risk, particularly in socially disadvantaged municipalities and among women not using hormonal contraception, but this increased risk was not found for booster doses.

This one paragraph in abstract of the Mead, Wolfinger, Rose, Seneff, Kirsch et al. paper and these 3 words indicate why this abstract MUST be rewritten (paper taken down): 1)'modified' is a Malone

Alexander News Network -Dr. Paul Elias Alexander's substack • 530 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. The abstract of the paper calls for a temporary halt on modified mRNA products until certain questions are answered.
  2. There is concern that the language used in the abstract could soften the stance against mRNA technology and COVID vaccines.
  3. The need for clarity and transparency in scientific communication to ensure the public receives the truth without any games.

More New Information Says COVID Came From Gain Of Function Research In Wuhan Lab

Unmasked • 52 implied HN points • 28 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Policy Debate Pandemic response Research Ethics Government Accountability
  1. Gain of function research in Wuhan might have played a role in the COVID-19 pandemic. This type of research involves modifying viruses to understand their effects.
  2. Anthony Fauci was involved in supporting this risky research, which has led to questions about accountability. His actions have been under scrutiny regarding the origins of COVID-19.
  3. Recent reports suggest that important findings about COVID's origins were not shared with top officials in the U.S. government. This lack of communication raises concerns about transparency and decision-making.

Walensky wins the IDSAs Fauci Award

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 175 implied HN points • 24 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Policy decisions Trust Issues Covid response Communication
  1. Public health needs to be honest about its mistakes to regain people's trust. If it keeps celebrating errors, trust will stay low.
  2. Both Walensky and Fauci have made many mistakes in their public health decisions, like masking and vaccine guidelines. Their actions confused people and didn't always follow the science.
  3. For public health to improve, it should focus on open discussions and the truth instead of promoting those who were wrong. Otherwise, trust in health organizations will keep declining.

Recording now available

Your Local Epidemiologist • 303 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Communication Trust Building
  1. Effective health communication is about more than just facts. It's about building trust and helping people take action, especially when opinions are divided.
  2. Listening to others and framing messages carefully can help get more people on board with health initiatives.
  3. It's important for public health workers to avoid burnout after a long fight, as they still have ongoing challenges ahead.

Children and Social Media Links

In My Tribe • 227 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Youth Mental Health Legislation Public Discourse Crisis response
  1. People worry that social media harms kids, just like past generations worried about things like comic books and movies. Over time, these fears might seem outdated or exaggerated.
  2. Studies show that teen depression increased significantly after the rise of smartphones and social media. This suggests that these platforms might have a big impact on mental health.
  3. Laws to verify ages online aim to protect kids, but they can also limit freedom and privacy for everyone. It's a tricky balance between keeping children safe and respecting individual rights.

2 men with same problem, one a POTUS, one a bench pipetting scientist, one a leader, one a fraud: Trump vs Malone, how do they have same problem? 1)Trump, was against lockdowns & vaccine now supports

Alexander News Network -Dr. Paul Elias Alexander's substack • 511 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🏥 Health Politics Health Politics Public Health Vaccines COVID-19 Science Leadership
  1. Trump initially against lockdowns and vaccines, now supporting them. Needs to address why he shifted his stance.
  2. Dr. Malone, an advocate of mRNA technology, faced criticism for supporting vaccines based on his technology but then going against them. People question his credibility.
  3. Both Trump and Malone need to address their inconsistencies and the public's distrust towards their actions and statements.

Hospital rebuild plans ‘progressing at pace' and ‘fairly simple’ says health boss

NN Journal • 735 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics Public funding
  1. Hospital rebuild plans for Kettering General Hospital are progressing quickly and smoothly.
  2. The hospital's director noted that the project is considered 'fairly simple' compared to others due to its location and lack of lengthy land sales and planning permissions.
  3. Some car parking on the site will be lost during the construction of a new energy center, resulting in a reduction in staff parking.

Marketing Medicare Advantage to seniors of color – even when it’s bad for their health

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 659 implied HN points • 03 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare access Medicare Advantage Racial Disparities Insurance policies Patient Advocacy
  1. Many seniors of color, especially Black and Latino seniors, are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans, but these plans often don't cover necessary care. This can lead to serious health issues and preventable hospitalizations.
  2. The marketing for Medicare Advantage often misleads seniors into believing they will receive good care, but the reality is that many end up facing care denials and complicated processes that are hard to navigate.
  3. There are significant racial disparities in the quality of care provided through Medicare Advantage. This impacts the well-being of seniors of color, who are often targeted by aggressive marketing strategies that don't fully explain the potential downsides.

Covid Situation Report: Mar 28, 2024

Independent SAGE continues • 339 implied HN points • 30 Mar 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Pandemics Vaccination
  1. Covid cases and hospital admissions are currently low and showing a downward trend. This means the winter surge is considered over.
  2. The Juno variant is still the main strain, but no new variants have been detected that could cause another surge.
  3. A Spring 2024 booster campaign is starting for vulnerable groups, reminding us that older individuals have a higher risk of hospitalization if infected.

Year-on-year COVID comparisons

Logging the World • 1056 implied HN points • 01 Oct 23
🏥 Health Politics COVID-19 Data Analysis Public Health Vaccination Epidemiology
  1. Overall, COVID admissions and death rates in 2023 are lower than the corresponding days in 2022, suggesting positive progress in managing the virus.
  2. Comparisons of primary beds occupied 'for COVID' show similar positive trends in 2023 compared to 2022, indicating improved conditions.
  3. The data suggests that in 2023, COVID outcomes have improved significantly compared to previous years, with lower deaths and better management, showcasing progress in handling the pandemic.

Vaccines for all?

Independent SAGE continues • 299 implied HN points • 11 Apr 24
🏥 Health Politics Vaccines Global Health Public Health Health Equity Disease Prevention
  1. Many children around the world are not getting vaccinated, especially in poor or remote areas. This puts them at high risk for diseases like measles, which is highly contagious.
  2. Vaccine access can be improved with flexible delivery methods, like mobile clinics that bring vaccines directly to communities. This has worked well in places like Sierra Leone and Scotland.
  3. There's a lot of fear and misinformation about vaccines that affects people's willingness to get vaccinated. It's important to listen to concerns and provide accurate information to build trust.

Suggestions for a Practical Way of Responding to RFK, Jr: Reflections from an Infectious Disease Doctor

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 115 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Vaccines Infectious Diseases Health Policy
  1. Don't assume bad intentions of people like RFK Jr. Even if you disagree with them, it's important to recognize that they may genuinely care about public health.
  2. Instead of labeling individuals as 'quacks,' it's smarter to engage with their arguments and acknowledge when they make valid points. This can earn more respect.
  3. Being honest about past mistakes in public health can help rebuild trust with the community. Acknowledging errors makes it easier to improve in the future.

Outbreak Outlook - National - Dec 16

Force of Infection • 69 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Infectious Diseases Public Health Food Safety Healthcare system
  1. Influenza-like illness is on the rise, especially in the southern U.S., with young children seeing a slight decrease in cases. This suggests a possible peak in activity as we move into the new year.
  2. COVID-19 cases are starting to pick up again, particularly in the Midwest, though severe illness remains low. It's a good time to stock up on at-home tests ahead of holiday gatherings.
  3. Norovirus is seeing high positivity rates this year, especially in the West and Midwest. It's important to be cautious and aware of food recalls related to contamination.

Press release: The Lesbian Project releases new report about the category of sexual orientation in the England and Wales Census

Julie Bindel's podcasts and writing • 589 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics
  1. The Lesbian Project found problems with the collection of data about lesbians in the 2021 England and Wales Census.
  2. The ONS did not follow Equality Act 2010 definitions of sexual orientation, leading to errors in measuring sexual orientation in the census.
  3. Issues identified with collecting data about lesbians also apply to gay men.

FDA Commissioner Promotes Products Off Label, an Illegal Pharma Marketing Scheme Long Criticized by Democrats

The DisInformation Chronicle • 2005 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics FDA Regulation Vaccination Conflicts of Interest
  1. FDA Commissioner is promoting products off-label, which is illegal marketing scheme criticized by Democrats
  2. There are concerns about conflicts of interest in reporting on COVID vaccine efficacy
  3. Clinicians may not always see conflicts of interest when receiving payments from pharmaceutical companies

How Employers Can Easily Bend the Rx Cost Curve

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 259 implied HN points • 24 Apr 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare Costs Prescription drugs Insurance Legislation
  1. Employers can save money on prescription drugs by creating a competitive environment for pharmacy benefit management (PBM) contracts. This means they should compare prices from various PBMs to find the best deal.
  2. Using objective pricing metrics helps employers understand exactly how much they are paying for drugs. By focusing on all costs including fees and ensuring transparency, they can cut down unnecessary expenses.
  3. Employers should keep track of their spending regularly and adjust as needed. This ongoing management can lead to significant savings for both the employer and employees without limiting access to necessary medications.

Bi-partisan pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform bill gets endorsement from AARP

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 439 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare Reform Legislation Medicare
  1. A new bill to reform pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) is getting support from AARP, which is important for many Medicare beneficiaries.
  2. The bill aims to change how PBMs are paid, moving away from linking their fees to drug prices, which can lead to higher costs for patients.
  3. Bipartisan support for this reform shows that both political sides agree on the need to address high prescription drug prices.

Covid Situation Report: May 16, 2024

Independent SAGE continues • 199 implied HN points • 17 May 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Vaccination Infectious Diseases Policy Data Reporting
  1. Covid positivity rates are rising again, but hospital admissions have mostly stabilized. Older adults, especially those over 65, still face higher hospitalization rates.
  2. The Spring 2024 booster campaign is going well, with over 2.8 million doses given. However, many immunocompromised individuals have not been vaccinated yet.
  3. Covid deaths are much lower compared to last year, proving that while we have challenges, the situation is improving overall.

Covid Situation Report: May 23, 2024

Independent SAGE continues • 179 implied HN points • 24 May 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Vaccination Infectious Diseases Health Policy Epidemiology
  1. Covid positivity rates have peaked and are now decreasing, indicating a potential end to the recent wave of infections.
  2. The Spring 2024 booster campaign is going well, with over 3.3 million doses given, but vaccination among vulnerable groups remains low.
  3. A new variant, KP.2, is spreading but doesn't appear to be more aggressive than others currently in circulation.

Answering reader questions on H5N1

Force of Infection • 35 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Disease Control Epidemiology Surveillance
  1. There are strong surveillance systems in place for detecting H5N1 and other influenza viruses, which helps identify outbreaks among humans quickly.
  2. While experts are confident about detecting severe H5N1 cases in hospitals, some mild cases may go unnoticed in outpatient settings.
  3. Global surveillance for H5N1 is uneven; some countries have great systems while others are less prepared, making it important to stay alert to potential cases everywhere.

Public health should be distrusted

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 176 implied HN points • 17 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Policy Analysis Vaccine debate Trust Issues
  1. Public health policies, like mask mandates, may not have strong evidence supporting their effectiveness. It's important to question if these rules actually help reduce virus spread.
  2. There seems to be no clear reason for timing these mandates, like starting in November. This raises doubts about their real necessity.
  3. Distrust in public health may be justified if they impose rules without credible data or consideration of their impact on people. It's okay to ask for better evidence and accountability.

Does RFK Jr have a guiding philosophy or is he just spitballing?

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 112 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Health care Regulation Philosophy Public Health Medical Ethics
  1. RFK Jr. has a distinct philosophy focused on skepticism towards corporations and promoting body autonomy. He is against vaccine mandates and supports personal choice in health decisions.
  2. Vivek Ramaswamy believes in reducing FDA regulations to make it easier for drug companies to operate, but he emphasizes the need for safety studies without enforcing unrealistic efficacy requirements.
  3. The current FDA leaders, like Scott Gottlieb and Bob Califf, prioritize corporate interests and maintain high drug prices. Many feel they don't push for the best evidence and often end up working for pharmaceutical companies after leaving government.

Clinicians Hate NGS?

ASeq Newsletter • 72 implied HN points • 07 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Genetics Healthcare Diagnostics Patient Advocacy
  1. Many doctors are not keen on genetic tests because they believe the tests do not change how patients are treated. This attitude makes it hard for patients to get the tests they need.
  2. It's not just about the cost of testing; the main issue is that doctors often don't like running tests if they feel there's no direct benefit to patients.
  3. To improve the situation, we need to raise awareness among doctors and patients about the benefits of whole genome sequencing, especially for those with rare diseases. Grassroots efforts can help push for more understanding and acceptance of these tests.

New CDC-Funded Study Finds Some Vaccinated Children More Likely To Get COVID

Unmasked • 62 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Vaccines COVID-19 Misinformation
  1. A new study funded by the CDC shows that some vaccinated children may actually be more likely to get COVID. This surprises many who thought the vaccines would fully protect them.
  2. Many countries in Europe did not recommend COVID vaccines for children, raising questions about their necessity and safety in the U.S.
  3. There's a growing distrust in public health guidelines as experts appear to have given mixed messages on vaccines and their effectiveness.