The hottest Health Politics Substack posts right now

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16 years ago, my story was told in Michael Moore's documentary "Sicko." I still struggle for the health care I need

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 339 implied HN points • 16 Mar 23
🏥 Health Politics Health care Medical Debt Insurance Issues Policy Reform Advocacy
  1. Having health insurance isn't always enough. Many people still face huge costs and hardships despite having coverage.
  2. Medical bills can lead to severe financial strain and even bankruptcy, impacting people's lives deeply.
  3. Advocacy for better healthcare systems is crucial, and personal stories highlight the struggles that many individuals endure with the current system.

FDA approves Pfizer drugs with inadequate safety and efficacy data, and then regulators work for Pfizer

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 180 implied HN points • 24 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Drug Approval Regulation Public Health Corruption Pharmaceuticals
  1. FDA approvals for Pfizer drugs may not have enough safety and effectiveness data. This raises concerns about the reliability of the drugs available to the public.
  2. There is a pattern of FDA regulators moving to jobs at pharmaceutical companies after approving their products. This can create a conflict of interest and lead to questions about transparency.
  3. The system seems designed to favor big pharmaceutical companies rather than prioritize patient safety and well-being. This indicates a troubling relationship between regulators and the companies they oversee.
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Cocooning using TDAP vaccine

Who is Robert Malone • 15 implied HN points • 14 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Vaccine Policy Maternal health Infectious Disease Health Guidelines
  1. Vaccinating close contacts ("cocooning") was widely promoted as a way to protect newborns, but it has limited evidence and many programs now prioritize giving Tdap to pregnant women so antibodies pass directly to the baby.
  2. The current acellular pertussis vaccine often prevents symptoms but not infection, so vaccinated people can carry and spread pertussis without knowing it, meaning cocooning alone may be ineffective or could even raise risk.
  3. Requiring vaccination for visitors has proved hard to implement and can create real family conflict and isolation for new parents and grandparents, so the social harms and logistical costs are important considerations.

IARC: Can't Be Aspar-Tamed

KCKlatt’s Substack • 219 implied HN points • 02 Jul 23
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Food Safety Nutrition Cancer Research Risk Assessment
  1. Aspartame has been classified as 'possibly carcinogenic' by the IARC, meaning there's some evidence it might cause cancer, but it's not conclusive. This classification can create confusion about actual cancer risks.
  2. It's important to understand the difference between hazard and risk. Just because something is identified as a hazard doesn’t mean it will definitely cause harm in normal consumption amounts.
  3. IARC's ruling stirs up fear without clear guidance on safe consumption levels. Consumers need clear communication about risks when it comes to food additives like aspartame.

Prasad FDA Memo: Regulatory Implications

Who is Robert Malone • 18 implied HN points • 01 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Vaccine Policy Regulation Public Health Medical Ethics Child Health
  1. The memo discusses serious concerns about COVID vaccines, suggesting they may have caused more harm to children than saved lives. This recognition challenges previous beliefs about vaccine safety.
  2. Dr. Prasad's guidance could lead to major changes in how vaccines are regulated, including stricter requirements for showing safety and effectiveness. This might slow down the approval process for new vaccines in the future.
  3. There are implications for the entire vaccine market, including potential changes in how vaccines are mandated for children and pregnant women. These changes could affect vaccine companies and public health policies.

VSRF LIVE TONIGHT: Episode 215: Leslie Manookian

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 1 implied HN point • 19 Feb 26
🏥 Health Politics Vaccine Policy Legal Challenges Supreme Court Mandates Public Health State Legislation
  1. The Health Freedom Defense Fund's challenge to LAUSD's COVID-19 vaccine mandate has reached the Supreme Court, which could lead to a major national decision on school vaccine mandates.
  2. Advocacy groups are pushing Medical Freedom Acts in multiple states and coordinating federal litigation to limit or overturn vaccine mandates and represent affected people.
  3. Parallel federal lawsuits and emergency motions, including attempts to intervene in disputes over the childhood immunization schedule, are active and could shape U.S. vaccine policy for years.

Innovation In Execution: Disrupting Death?

The Frontier Psychiatrists • 78 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics Medical Ethics Capital Punishment Legal issues
  1. In the US, only amateurs are involved in the process of execution since physicians are not allowed to put humans to death.
  2. Using nitrogen gas for execution is a novel and horrible method that can lead to suffering.
  3. Creating new ways to end human life is questioned as unnecessary, given the existing death penalty methods and the suffering involved.

A message large nonprofit hospitals should hear: "The judge will see you now…"

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 319 implied HN points • 15 Mar 23
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare system Finance Nonprofit Public Policy Accountability
  1. Many large nonprofit hospitals behave like people who often go bankrupt. They spend a lot on fancy buildings and high salaries without really understanding their finances.
  2. These hospitals sometimes close services in poorer areas while investing heavily in more affluent locations. This hurts communities that need healthcare the most.
  3. Just like how a judge talks to people who are bankrupt about their spending, hospital systems also need honest discussions about their financial habits to avoid future problems.

HHS, CDC to Make Announcement on Children’s Health Tomorrow

Who is Robert Malone • 13 implied HN points • 18 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Vaccination Public Health Health Policy Pediatrics Regulation Pharmaceuticals Government
  1. HHS and CDC are expected to announce a major change to the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule that could align it with other Western countries, potentially delaying start ages and reducing total doses for some vaccines.
  2. The decision may be driven at the HHS leadership level rather than through the CDC's advisory committee (ACIP), which would later need to update recommendations and align the Vaccines for Children program.
  3. If certain vaccines are removed from the official schedule, manufacturers could lose liability protections, likely triggering large lawsuits and intense pushback from pharmaceutical-backed medical groups, advocacy organizations, and trial lawyers.

From the Precipice, Nitrogen Asphyxiation Looks a Lot Like Lethal Injection Did

The Medicine & Justice Project • 79 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics Capital Punishment Legal issues Ethics Public Health
  1. Alabama is attempting an unprecedented execution method using nitrogen asphyxiation, which has never been intentionally used to kill prisoners before
  2. Lethal injection and nitrogen asphyxiation methods for executions both originated from unlikely sources, with unexpected individuals pushing for more humane practices in capital punishment
  3. Despite opposition from medical associations and lack of certainty regarding effectiveness, nitrogen asphyxiation as an execution method is spreading among states like Alabama, Oklahoma, and Mississippi

"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.

We can significantly reduce the impact of the next pandemic by upgrading building ventilation standards

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 4 implied HN points • 22 Jan 26
🏥 Health Politics Pandemic Prevention Public Policy Infrastructure Air Quality
  1. Upgrading building ventilation to modern standards—combining rapid air mixing with dilution from fresh air, high-efficiency filtration, or UV—makes indoor aerosol transmission of respiratory viruses highly unlikely.
  2. These upgrades are very cost-effective and practical: one-time or incentivized investments (retrofitting HVAC, portable purifiers, etc.) cost far less than pandemic losses and provide lasting protection against future outbreaks.
  3. Public health responses focused on closures and behavior instead of air quality; simple, low-cost steps like smoke tests, opening windows, improved filtration, and tax/loan incentives would keep schools and businesses safer without disruptive lockdowns.

Atrium Health halts lawsuits against patients for unpaid medical bills

The Charlotte Ledger • 137 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare Medical Debt Patient Advocacy Hospitals
  1. Atrium Health has stopped suing patients for unpaid medical bills, a practice criticized for targeting vulnerable individuals.
  2. The change comes amidst increasing concern over medical debt burdens on Americans.
  3. Despite halting new lawsuits, Atrium still pursues payment for existing judgments, leaving some patients struggling with debt.

Imported Doubt: How RFK Jr. Spearheaded a Disinformation Campaign that Left Samoa's Children Exposed (Pt. 1)

Off-Topic • 209 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Vaccination policy Public Health Misinformation Epidemiology Health Advocacy
  1. In 2019, Samoa experienced serious measles outbreaks, affecting many kids and even leading to deaths. This situation showed how important vaccines are for preventing disease.
  2. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has played a big role in spreading misinformation about vaccines. His actions contributed to fears that led to lower vaccination rates in places like Samoa.
  3. The disinformation campaign not only put lives at risk but also highlighted the influence of individuals spreading doubt about vaccines, showing how public health can be harmed by such claims.

What the DSM-5 Gets Wrong About Mental Illness

Mind & Mythos • 299 implied HN points • 20 Jan 23
🏥 Health Politics Mental health Psychology Diagnosis Health Systems
  1. The DSM-5 categorizes mental illnesses, but it fails to recognize that human traits exist on a spectrum. This means someone might feel varying levels of anxiety on different days, rather than simply being anxious or not.
  2. People often show symptoms of multiple disorders at once, making current diagnostic categories too rigid. For example, two people diagnosed with the same mental illness might have very different experiences and symptoms.
  3. Instead of labeling normal behaviors as disorders, we should focus on a person's distress and functioning. A new model called HiTOP offers a better way to understand mental health by looking at underlying dimensions rather than strict categories.

Covid shots don't need to be 'pulled' from the market, we just need to stop giving EUA to boosters without data

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 199 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Vaccination policy Public Health Regulatory Affairs Healthcare Ethics
  1. Most people who want COVID shots are getting them, while those who don't want them simply aren't taking them. There's no need to remove the vaccines from the market.
  2. The FDA should require proper clinical trials for COVID boosters to gather real data on their effectiveness. This would help clarify the true benefits and risks of the vaccines.
  3. Calling for all COVID shots to be pulled from the market is unhelpful and distracts from the need for transparency and accuracy in vaccine data. Better studies will provide clearer answers.

All major Covid vaccines worldwide were once declared 100% effective, but zero actually worked

The Dossier • 490 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🏥 Health Politics Vaccines Pharmaceuticals Government Deception Statistics
  1. 40 Covid vaccine candidates worldwide were claimed to be highly effective, but none of them actually worked.
  2. Pharmaceutical companies and governments globally falsely advertised Covid vaccines as the ultimate protection.
  3. The Covid-19 vaccine situation highlights the importance of scrutinizing statistics and not letting a crisis be exploited.

Kennedy, Conspiracy, and the Measles Outbreak that Nearly Destroyed Samoa

Off-Topic • 174 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Vaccination Public Health Disinformation Health Policy Crisis Management
  1. In 2018, two babies in Samoa died after a vaccine was mistakenly prepared with the wrong liquid. This led to a public outcry and a temporary halt to vaccinations in the country.
  2. Disinformation spread online, particularly from anti-vaccine groups, made parents in Samoa afraid of vaccines. This fear led to a significant drop in vaccination rates, even as a measles outbreak began in 2019.
  3. Despite the devastating impact of misinformation, Samoa managed to recover by launching a vaccination campaign that brought their vaccination rates back up and controlled the outbreak. However, the consequences of the misinformation were severe, with many lives lost.

Bombshell Rasmussen Survey Released

Who is Robert Malone • 19 implied HN points • 21 Nov 25
🏥 Health Politics Vaccine Safety Public Health Medical Ethics Health Policy Disease Prevention
  1. About 36% of people who got the COVID vaccine report side effects. This means many felt some impact after receiving it.
  2. Many Americans think the vaccine could have caused serious health problems and even deaths. This shows there's confusion and concern among the public.
  3. There's a big difference between what the public believes about vaccine side effects and what health organizations report. This disconnect needs to be addressed.

kitten corner: late night conspiracies

bad cattitude • 220 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Conspiracy Theories Media influence
  1. Pharmaceutical companies advertise heavily on TV, which seems unusual to some people. It makes you wonder why all the TV content is often in favor of these companies.
  2. The author expresses a sense of confusion about the relationship between media messaging and the interests of pharma companies.
  3. There's a hint of worry from the author about how working in this environment might be affecting their thoughts and perceptions.

Dr. Arthur Caplan: Will you help us stop the disinformation crisis?

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 6 implied HN points • 07 Jan 26
🏥 Health Politics Vaccination Disinformation Bioethics Public Health Medical Ethics Vaccine Safety Research Integrity
  1. Some record-level studies and analyses are claimed to show that childhood vaccinations do not reduce mortality and may be linked to higher infant deaths or SIDS, challenging mainstream claims that vaccines clearly save lives.
  2. Critics contend that many experts who warn about vaccine disinformation avoid open public debates with qualified dissenting voices, and a public challenge is being made to force that discussion.
  3. Open, transparent public debate is presented as the best way to stop disinformation and let people judge who is telling the truth.

The Pursuit of Parenthood

Asimov Press • 219 implied HN points • 24 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Reproductive Rights Medical Ethics Health Regulation 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.

Big Data, Small Payoff: Madrid Study Finds Pediatric mRNA Vaccine Benefits Thin—and Safety Questions Still Linger

Who is Robert Malone • 9 implied HN points • 31 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Vaccination policy Pediatric health Vaccine Safety Public Health Medical Research Regulatory Policy
  1. mRNA COVID-19 vaccines cut hospitalizations by only a few cases per 100,000 children, with almost no measurable benefit in 6–11-year-olds and a modest reduction in 12–17-year-olds.
  2. Serious outcomes like hospitalizations, MIS‑C, and myocarditis were rare overall, and while heart inflammation was uncommon, it was not clearly lower in vaccinated adolescents.
  3. Because absolute benefits are tiny and uncertainty is wide, the findings support shifting away from universal pediatric vaccination toward individualized, risk‑based recommendations.

Interview with Tony Fauci

Science Forever • 139 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Government Science communication Science Policy Vaccine Hesitancy
  1. Misinformation and vaccine hesitancy are exacerbated by the huge impact of social media, making it challenging to counter with correct information.
  2. Challenges exist in countering misinformation when highly credentialed individuals spread inaccurate information, creating difficulty in preserving the integrity of scientific communication.
  3. Communicating the evolving nature of science and the iterative self-correcting process can aid in improving science literacy and public understanding.

Outbreak Outlook - National - Aug 4

Force of Infection • 59 implied HN points • 04 Aug 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Infectious Diseases COVID-19 Epidemiology Healthcare policy
  1. COVID-19 cases are increasing as we approach the school season, with more people testing positive and higher wastewater levels showing the virus's presence.
  2. For respiratory illnesses like flu, we're seeing very low activity levels across all age groups, which is encouraging for now.
  3. While COVID-19 hospitalizations are still low, emergency department visits are slightly rising, so it's important to stay alert.

Doctors and patients raise alarm about prior authorization

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 319 implied HN points • 01 Feb 23
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare Insurance Patient Care Policy Medical Ethics
  1. Prior authorization can cause major problems for patients, leading to delays or denials of necessary treatments. This can sometimes result in serious health issues or even death.
  2. A lot of doctors believe that the prior authorization process actually worsens care for patients. Most doctors say these requirements can make patients abandon their treatment plans.
  3. Insurance companies aren't really cooperating with doctors to fix these issues. This makes it hard for patients to access the care they really need.

The American Health Care System is on the Brink of Collapse: How the Center for Health & Democracy Will Help Us Fix It

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 319 implied HN points • 31 Jan 23
🏥 Health Politics Health care Insurance Health Reform Medical Debt Legislation
  1. The American healthcare system is failing, with many people struggling to get the care they need while insurance companies make huge profits.
  2. The Center for Health & Democracy aims to expose issues in the insurance industry and work for meaningful reforms to help improve healthcare access and affordability.
  3. Many Americans are dealing with high medical costs and debt, and there is a growing need for significant changes to ensure everyone gets proper healthcare without financial burden.

Test-Negative Case Control Studies Are a Scam

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 599 implied HN points • 19 Feb 22
🏥 Health Politics Vaccine Efficacy COVID vaccines
  1. Test-negative case control studies are commonly used in vaccine efficacy calculations, where both cases and controls are enrolled based on the same clinical definition.
  2. Despite being efficient and controlling for healthcare-seeking behavior, the public health messages derived from these studies can be misleading to the general public.
  3. By focusing solely on lab results, test-negative case control studies highlight a significant aspect of modern medicine that prioritizes specific lab outcomes over overall health outcomes.

Big Insurance in-fighting: why it's so important that Cigna is suing CVS

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 319 implied HN points • 30 Jan 23
🏥 Health Politics Insurance Healthcare Lawsuit Pharmacy Regulation
  1. Cigna is suing CVS to stop them from hiring a former executive, citing a non-compete agreement. This shows how competitive the big insurance companies are over valuable staff.
  2. Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are key players in health insurance, making more money than some health plans. They act as middlemen between patients and drug companies, but their operations are often unclear.
  3. Both political parties are focusing on reforming PBMs because they're seen as raising drug costs. There's growing legal pressure and proposed bills aimed at improving transparency and fairness in their practices.

Were the COVID vaccines genocide?

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 9 implied HN points • 21 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Vaccines Public Health Regulation Pharmaceuticals Medical Ethics Data Transparency Censorship
  1. There’s no clear evidence the vaccine campaigns were a centrally planned genocide, but secrecy, manipulation, and censorship during rollout made large-scale harm possible without explicit intent.
  2. Post-rollout data showed worrying signals like unexplained excess deaths, increased cardiac events in some groups, and reproductive or neurological problems that were often underreported or dismissed.
  3. Pharmaceutical companies and regulators acted with profit and protection motives, suppressing data and dissent in ways many view as a large-scale ethical and medical betrayal.

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.

Welcome to HEALTH CARE un-covered (formerly Wendell Potter NOW)

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 319 implied HN points • 27 Jan 23
🏥 Health Politics Health care Insurance Policy Reform Medical Debt Patient Advocacy
  1. Many patients are struggling with high medical costs and debt, making it hard for them to get the care they need. Even those with insurance often end up underinsured and facing high out-of-pocket expenses.
  2. Big insurance companies are reporting record profits while many people still lack proper coverage or are pushed into bankruptcy due to healthcare costs. This shows a big gap in the current healthcare system.
  3. There's a push for more transparency in healthcare costs and a call for reforms to create a fairer system. The aim is to educate both the public and lawmakers about the issues and to find better solutions together.

Vaccines and Adjuvants: Aluminum

Who is Robert Malone • 16 implied HN points • 28 Nov 25
🏥 Health Politics Vaccination Regulation Public Health Safety concerns Immunology
  1. Vaccines are not all the same; each one is made with different ingredients and processes that affect how they work and their safety. It's important to not assume that all vaccines are equally safe and effective.
  2. Adjuvants like aluminum are added to vaccines to boost the immune response. They help the body react better to the vaccine, but understanding their long-term effects is still a bit uncertain.
  3. There are gaps in research about the safety of aluminum in vaccines, especially for babies and young children. More studies are needed to figure out if these aluminum compounds are completely safe.

Outbreak Outlook - National - Feb 17

Force of Infection • 152 implied HN points • 17 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Infectious Diseases Vaccination Healthcare policy Disease outbreaks
  1. Flu season is very severe this year, especially affecting young children, with many doctor visits for flu symptoms.
  2. COVID-19 cases are still around but are currently lower than flu cases. Hospitalizations for COVID-19 have slightly decreased recently.
  3. There have been notable outbreaks, like measles in Texas and human cases of bird flu in Nevada, showing the need for ongoing health monitoring.

On the bizarre anger and meanness of our public health betters

Unreported Truths • 69 implied HN points • 09 Jul 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Medical Ethics Vaccine Policy Health care Social Commentary
  1. Some public health figures show anger and judgment toward people who disagree with them. They often seem to value their positions more than the people they serve.
  2. There are concerns about how some doctors prioritize their political views over patient care. This can lead to frustrating situations for both parents and children.
  3. Recent events highlight the disconnect between health professionals and the public. Sometimes they express a sense of superiority, making it hard for people to feel supported in their health decisions.

Is the 1986 act vaccine liability shield now gone for vaccines that got kicked off the recommended list? Yes, according to Aaron Siri.

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 6 implied HN points • 05 Jan 26
🏥 Health Politics Vaccines Public Health Regulation Health law Government
  1. The Vaccine Injury Table is the legal mechanism that decides which vaccines get federal liability protection, and if a vaccine is removed from that table the statutory immunity tied to it disappears.
  2. Liability depends on two things: a vaccine being recommended for routine use and being listed in the Injury Table, so changing the CDC schedule alone doesn’t automatically remove legal immunity unless HHS revises the regulatory table through rulemaking.
  3. A separate law (the PREP Act) shields COVID vaccines during a declared emergency, so COVID shots remain protected while that emergency declaration stays in effect.

VSRF LIVE TONIGHT: Episode 213: Dr. Clinton Ohlers, PhD.

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 2 implied HN points • 05 Feb 26
🏥 Health Politics Vaccines Informed consent Patient rights Public Health
  1. There are growing concerns that mRNA technology could affect the safety of the blood supply, with some studies and clinicians reporting persistent spike protein and structural changes in post-mRNA blood samples.
  2. SafeBlood is an international group that helps patients get directed donations from non-mRNA-vaccinated donors and argues patients should be allowed to refuse blood from mRNA-exposed donors in non-emergency situations.
  3. Longstanding safeguards like directed and autologous donations are being restricted, which raises questions about informed consent, transparency, and who gets to decide what is put into a patient’s bloodstream.