The hottest Health Politics Substack posts right now

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Duke health's 2025 policy would ban an 11 year old kid from visiting his sick or dying father

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 141 implied HN points • 05 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Health Policy Medical Ethics Healthcare access Infectious Diseases
  1. Duke's new visitor policy can stop an 11-year-old from seeing a sick parent, which seems unfair. It's strange to think an age difference of just one year can change something so serious.
  2. The rules made by Duke don't seem to be based on solid evidence, making them feel illogical and hard to understand. A 13-year-old can visit, but not an 11-year-old, which doesn't make sense.
  3. There's a concern that this policy will cause emotional pain for families who can't visit their sick loved ones. Many believe hospitals should have better, data-driven policies to prevent such situations.

UK government still ‘withholding data that may link Covid jab to excess deaths’

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 5 implied HN points • 03 Jan 26
🏥 Health Politics Vaccine Policy Health data Data Privacy Public Health Epidemiology Government Accountability
  1. The UK health agency is refusing to publish detailed, record-level COVID vaccination and death data and has only released aggregated monthly death counts, claiming release could cause distress or privacy breaches.
  2. The Czech Republic publicly released anonymized, linked individual-level data (vaccination dates, death dates, age, sex, region) with standard disclosure controls and allowed independent analysis with no known re-identification harms.
  3. Withholding granular data undermines scientific scrutiny and public trust, and the UK could safely release similarly anonymized data with safeguards and explanatory commentary to improve accountability.

LIFE AND DOLLARS: a health care insider's account of how prior authorization really works.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 239 implied HN points • 07 Feb 23
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare system Insurance Issues Patient Advocacy Cost management Policy Impact
  1. Prior authorization was meant to reduce unnecessary medical procedures, but it's often causing more problems than it solves. Patients and doctors face delays and frustrations, and the process doesn't save as much money as expected.
  2. Health insurers are spending a lot on middlemen and outsourcing prior authorization, which drives up health care costs. These companies often prioritize profits over patient care.
  3. Many patients don't understand how prior authorization affects their care, leading to confusion. It's important for employers and patients to be informed and communicate better about these requirements to avoid frustrations.

Outbreak Outlook - National - March 3

Force of Infection • 110 implied HN points • 03 Mar 25
🏥 Health Politics Disease Control Public Health Infectious Diseases Health Policy Vaccination
  1. Influenza-like illness is declining, which is good news for everyone, especially parents. Although rates are still above the national baseline, both children and adults are seeing fewer doctor visits for flu symptoms.
  2. COVID-19 activity remains low with a decrease in hospitalizations and emergency department visits. Most states are reporting stable or decreasing cases.
  3. Norovirus rates are still very high and have been consistent since December. It's affecting many people, particularly in the Midwest, so it's important to take precautions.

Why Have Vaccines Become a Religion?

Who is Robert Malone • 13 implied HN points • 24 Nov 25
🏥 Health Politics Vaccine debate Public Health Medical Ethics Health Policy
  1. Vaccines are often treated like a religion, with strong beliefs and emotional ties. People can be very resistant to discussions about their potential dangers, similar to how some people react to questioning religious beliefs.
  2. Medicine and vaccines have become part of a modern belief system where faith in them is prioritized over individual evidence and experiences. This leads to situations where dissenting voices can face backlash.
  3. There is significant concern about the lack of transparency in vaccine safety studies, often using flawed methods that prevent clear conclusions about their risks. Critics argue that this indicates a need for more honest discussions about vaccine safety.
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ACIP - Advice or Policy?

Who is Robert Malone • 8 implied HN points • 22 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Vaccine Policy Public Health Federal Law Government Policy State Policy
  1. ACIP is an advisory committee under FACA and does not set binding vaccine policy; the CDC Director or HHS makes final federal decisions and states decide whether to adopt recommendations.
  2. Although not legally required, ACIP recommendations carry strong practical influence by shaping CDC immunization schedules and affecting insurance coverage, the Vaccines for Children program, immigration vaccine rules, and aspects of vaccine injury compensation.
  3. The committee’s independence has been eroded by capture from medical guilds, industry, and CDC bureaucracy, which has caused controversy and led to recent membership changes and political pushback.

Op-Ed in Today's Daily Beast

Ladyparts • 299 implied HN points • 05 Aug 22
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare
  1. The author highlights the oxymoron of American healthcare and the need for a bigger platform to address it.
  2. The post urges readers to engage with the Op-Ed in The Daily Beast to learn more about the failures in American healthcare.
  3. There is a call to action for readers to subscribe to Ladyparts for further insights and a 7-day free trial.

Are Medicare and Medicaid Patients Required to Weigh-In?

Weight and Healthcare • 199 implied HN points • 09 Nov 22
🏥 Health Politics Policy Healthcare Public Health Medicare Medicaid
  1. Medicare and Medicaid do not require patients to weigh-in at their appointments, despite common misconceptions.
  2. Physicians are incentivized to discuss weight and create treatment plans for patients with a BMI over 24.9 due to quality score impact on reimbursement.
  3. Patients on Medicare/Medicaid can opt-out of weigh-ins, and providers must exclude them from performance calculations, even though technical challenges may arise.

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.

The Chicken Little Problem: Are We About to Have a Bird Flu Pandemic, or Not?

OK Doomer • 136 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Pandemic Preparedness Disease Prevention Public Health Health Communication Healthcare policy
  1. Bird flu is becoming a bigger concern as new cases and mutations suggest it might spread more easily among humans. This raises questions about a potential pandemic.
  2. There have been warnings for nearly three years about H5N1, indicating it may be getting closer to affecting people significantly.
  3. Governments have not adequately prepared for pandemics in the past, which increases the risk for future outbreaks like bird flu.

Outbreak Outlook - National - July 21

Force of Infection • 47 implied HN points • 21 Jul 25
🏥 Health Politics Infectious Diseases Public Health Epidemiology Healthcare policy Disease Surveillance
  1. COVID-19 cases are rising in some southern and western states like Texas, California, and Florida, despite being low in many areas. It's important to stay alert to the changes in these regions.
  2. Influenza-like illnesses have very low outpatient visits right now, which is typical for summer. Most states are seeing minimal activity for these illnesses.
  3. The summer COVID-19 wave is starting later this year, possibly due to a lighter winter season. It may peak later than usual, so keep an eye on the trends.
  4. ] }

I just offered Paul Offit $1M to have a public debate on COVID vaccine safety for 1 hour

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 8 implied HN points • 10 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Vaccines COVID-19 Public Health Vaccine Safety Scientific Debate Misinformation
  1. A large cash offer was made to a prominent vaccine expert to do a public one-hour debate on COVID vaccine safety.
  2. That offer was declined, and another high-profile vaccine scientist also previously turned down a multimillion-dollar debate offer.
  3. Those refusals are presented as evidence that the experts either lack the data or are avoiding scrutiny, and this is used to suggest their claims about vaccine safety should be questioned.

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 Health Guidelines 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.

VSRF LIVE TONIGHT: Episode 212: Dr. Larry Palevsky, MD.

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 2 implied HN points • 29 Jan 26
🏥 Health Politics Vaccination Pediatrics Public Health Medical Ethics Health Policy Informed consent
  1. The American Academy of Pediatrics has publicly rejected recent CDC changes to the childhood vaccine schedule, signaling a split in national pediatric guidance.
  2. Several states are now opposing federal vaccine guidance and effectively ‘going rogue,’ which creates confusion for parents and doctors and undermines trust and accountability.
  3. Dr. Larry Palevsky, a pediatrician known for a holistic, systems-based approach, argues mainstream pediatric guidance can miss long-term health outcomes and stresses the importance of informed consent.

U.S. women enrolled in high-deductible health insurance plans are at risk of dying younger

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 199 implied HN points • 13 Mar 23
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare access Women's Health Racial Disparities Policy Impact
  1. Women with high-deductible health insurance plans face a greater risk of dying younger because they may not afford the care they need. This is especially true for those diagnosed with serious illnesses like breast cancer.
  2. Studies show that women in high-deductible plans are less likely to stick to their treatment due to high out-of-pocket costs, which can lead to worse health outcomes.
  3. There's a significant racial disparity in health outcomes for women with cancer in high-deductible plans, particularly affecting Black women who are less likely to receive necessary treatment compared to other groups.

NYC Mayor Adam wants to move retirees into so-called Medicare Advantage plans. See my testimony against it.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 239 implied HN points • 10 Jan 23
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare policy Medicare Public Health Political Advocacy
  1. Medicare Advantage plans are not truly Medicare, and they don't really benefit many people. These plans are designed more for profit than for helping retirees.
  2. Insurers are making a lot of money by making Medicare Advantage plans look better than they really are. They're getting extra tax dollars because they claim people are sicker than they are.
  3. The move to push retirees into these plans will primarily help insurance companies earn more money, not improve the health of retirees. This decision can hurt many people financially.

What should the control arm be in a vaccine trial? Is it a placebo if it contains aluminum?

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 106 implied HN points • 19 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Vaccines Clinical Trials Public Health Policy Ethics
  1. In vaccine trials, using a control arm that contains something like aluminum may not be truly a placebo, which can make it hard to determine side effects.
  2. If the control group feels side effects from a placebo, like aluminum, they may think they received the vaccine and change their behavior, affecting the trial results.
  3. Sometimes, trials need more than one control group to get a clearer picture of both safety and effectiveness, like comparing a true placebo to a placebo that causes some discomfort.

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.

How prior authorization can kill: a 2-year-old with cancer; a young woman needing chemo; and a 17-year-old in need of a transplant

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 219 implied HN points • 02 Feb 23
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare access Insurance Issues Patient Advocacy Medical treatment Government Policy
  1. Prior authorization is a process where insurance companies must approve treatments before they happen. This can delay or deny care, leading to serious health consequences.
  2. Patients and their advocates should not accept a denial as the final answer. Speaking out or getting media attention often leads to faster approvals for necessary treatments.
  3. The system is flawed, as people need to fight for coverage, and even then, unexpected bills can still arise. It's important to be proactive and challenge initial denials.

Consolidations and profiteering: the relentless rise of hospital expenditures

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 199 implied HN points • 02 Mar 23
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare Costs Health Policy Pharmaceuticals
  1. Hospital expenditures are rising quickly, with costs expected to reach $2.2 trillion by 2030. This growth is leading to financial burden on patients and families.
  2. Many factors contribute to these rising costs, including wasteful administrative expenses and high-priced medicines. Administrative costs alone can make up 15-30% of the health-care spending.
  3. One big reason for higher hospital prices is consolidation through mergers, which leads to less competition and price increases. Most areas now have only a few hospital options which can drive prices up by over 20%.

Six years after Tell Your Children, Fox News asked me to update the world on the harms of cannabis

Unreported Truths • 51 implied HN points • 01 Jul 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Substance Use Mental health Drug policy Health Risks
  1. Cannabis is proving to be more harmful than previously thought, especially for heavy or daily users. It can lead to serious health issues like heart problems, mental illness, and addiction.
  2. Even though some Americans still support legalization, many are starting to notice the negative effects of cannabis in their lives. This shift in attitude suggests growing awareness of its risks.
  3. Legal cannabis has not solved many of the problems advocates promised, like lower prices or reduced illegal sales. Instead, legal stores are struggling to compete, and the negative health impacts are becoming clearer.

Sex development, puberty, and transgender identity

De Novo • 132 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Transgender Issues Reproductive Health Medical treatments
  1. Transgender identity can stem from a mix of biological and social factors. While genetics may play a role, social acceptance is becoming increasingly important.
  2. Understanding the differences between sex and gender is crucial. Sex is about biological traits, while gender is about how someone identifies themselves.
  3. There's a growing awareness and increase in transgender identities, especially among young adults. This may be linked to changing societal views and more individuals feeling comfortable expressing their identities.

The price of health insurance has increased 24% over the last year

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 299 implied HN points • 04 Oct 22
🏥 Health Politics Insurance Costs Policy Healthcare Inflation
  1. Health insurance prices went up by 24% over the last year, which is a much bigger increase than most other expenses like food or gas.
  2. While the cost of medical services only rose by around 5.6%, health insurance continues to climb, indicating issues with insurers' pricing.
  3. Deductibles and out-of-pocket costs have also significantly increased, and future premium hikes are expected, putting more financial pressure on families.

Red Dye #3 is out, and boosters may get RCTs: Why is the evidence to remove a chemical from food LESS THAN the evidence to recommend a medical interventions?

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 119 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Medical Ethics Public Health Food Safety
  1. The FDA is banning Red Dye #3 because it could be harmful, but there's a higher standard for proving medical products effective before they're recommended. We should be careful about both but have different rules for food and medicine.
  2. Medical treatments often come with costs and potential side effects, so it's important to run proper studies before suggesting them to healthy people. When making decisions about interventions, we should prioritize safety and benefit.
  3. There's a real difference in how we treat food additives versus medical products. While we question the safety of new medicine, we should also question adding unnecessary chemicals to our food.

Long Before Suspicions Arose About A Lab Leak, Government Scientists Were Fiddling With Bugs to Make Them More Deadly

The DisInformation Chronicle • 640 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
🏥 Health Politics Research Bioweapons Chronic Disease
  1. Government scientists were conducting research to make bugs more deadly and contagious, potentially contributing to the increase in Lyme disease cases.
  2. There is evidence suggesting that Lyme disease may have an unnatural origin related to bioweapons research programs.
  3. There are challenges in addressing chronic Lyme disease, with issues surrounding testing, treatment, and the development of effective vaccines.

NYC mayor’s misguided and dangerous plan to move city retirees into a private Medicare replacement plan dealt another blow

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 219 implied HN points • 18 Jan 23
🏥 Health Politics Health Policy Medicare Public Health Healthcare Costs
  1. New York City retirees are fighting against a plan to move them to a private Medicare replacement that could limit their healthcare options. Many retirees feel this plan is risky and unnecessary.
  2. Recent opposition resulted in the city council not voting on the mayor's proposal, showing that collective action can influence decision-makers. The retirees are determined to continue their fight, even if it means taking legal action.
  3. The mayor's plan could lead to increased healthcare costs and less choice for retirees. There are suggested ways for the city to save money without cutting benefits, like conducting audits and improving its own systems.

The Era Of Rubber Stamping Pfizer, Moderna COVID Vaccines Is Over

Unmasked • 46 implied HN points • 09 Jul 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Vaccination policy Government regulations Health Equity Medical Ethics
  1. The U.S. is moving away from old COVID vaccine policies that weren't based on solid information. This change comes as new leaders are appointed in health agencies.
  2. Many people felt pressured into getting vaccines that may have caused more harm than good, especially children who were at low risk from COVID.
  3. Current health leaders are now questioning the automatic approval of vaccines from big companies like Pfizer and Moderna, which could lead to safer and more thoughtful health decisions.

I just caused a long line at the pharmacy counter. And still paid $141 for an inhaler.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 399 implied HN points • 18 May 22
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare access Insurance Policy
  1. Healthcare costs in the U.S. can be confusing and expensive, even for generics that are supposed to be cheaper. Sometimes, you end up paying more for generics than for brand-name drugs.
  2. Many people don’t realize they might get cheaper medication prices through services like GoodRx instead of their insurance. This can lead to significant savings on prescriptions.
  3. The Medicare Modernization Act has complicated Medicare drug coverage and prevents Medicare from negotiating drug prices, leading to greater financial burdens for many Americans.

The health care injustices that Dr. King spoke about are still here. And growing.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 219 implied HN points • 16 Jan 23
🏥 Health Politics Health Inequality Healthcare access Public Health Social justice
  1. Healthcare inequalities that Dr. King talked about are still a big problem today. Many people, especially in low-income areas, can't get the medical care they need.
  2. Emergency departments are becoming overcrowded because people can't find regular doctors. This leads to dire situations where even minor issues turn into urgent needs.
  3. Despite the suffering in poorer neighborhoods, big health insurance companies are making huge profits. This creates a larger gap in healthcare access for those who need it most.

Oh no! Berkson's paradox in clinical theories

Unconfusion • 59 implied HN points • 16 Dec 23
🏥 Health Politics Mental health Psychology Clinical Practice Health Research Patient Care
  1. Berkson's paradox can lead to false conclusions about relationships between mental health traits. When studying a specific group, like patients at a clinic, the observed patterns might not apply to the general population.
  2. Clinicians need to be careful about the data they collect and how they interpret it. Just because a pattern looks clear in a limited sample doesn't mean it's true everywhere.
  3. It's important to think about where data comes from and how that affects conclusions. Sampling bias can easily lead to misunderstandings about the relationship between different mental health factors.

ACIP votes 8 to 3 to end the universal recommendation for giving Hep B shots at birth to babies of mothers who test negative

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 8 implied HN points • 05 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Vaccines Public Health Policy Safety Medical Ethics
  1. The ACIP voted 8 to 3 to stop the universal recommendation for Hep B shots at birth for babies born to mothers who test negative. This is seen as a positive step by many.
  2. There are concerns about safety data showing that the Hep B vaccine might have serious side effects, with some arguing it could be harmful to babies.
  3. Not everyone agrees with the decision; three members of ACIP voted against it, which raises questions about their stance on vaccine safety.

Help Bring Colin Home

Karlstack • 130 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare Legislation Palliative Care Public Health Fundraising
  1. Colin is a 34-year-old man suffering from early onset Huntington's Disease, and he wants to return home to be with his family. His family believes that being at home will give him more comfort and dignity as he faces his illness.
  2. A fundraising campaign called 'Let's Bring Colin Home' is organized to cover legal costs and home care support. They want to help Colin transition from a care facility to his family's home, which requires financial assistance.
  3. The fundraiser highlights the importance of community support, as just a few donations can make a big difference. Even small contributions can help Colin receive the care he needs and improve his quality of life.

Lessons from Emory-- Masking Mistakes

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 164 implied HN points • 13 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health COVID-19 Vaccine Policy Health Equity
  1. Closing schools for long periods during COVID-19 was a mistake. Some countries didn't close schools and found that kids were not at high risk, which should have guided decisions.
  2. Vaccinating children and healthy adults who have had COVID-19 may not be the best idea. There's concern that this might lead to more vaccine hesitancy, especially when the urgency is communicated incorrectly.
  3. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted poorer communities much more than wealthier ones. There needs to be more open discussions and debates to improve understanding about pandemic responses and their effects.

An impressive new film: COVID Collateral

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 6 implied HN points • 20 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Pandemic response Public Health Health Policy Government Policy Pandemic Preparedness Media Economic Impact
  1. Governments largely ignored established pandemic plans and relied on intuition instead of science, leading to poor decisions.
  2. People who disagreed with official policies were silenced, which shut down open debate and alternative viewpoints.
  3. The response caused massive economic damage, ruined businesses, and led to avoidable loss of life.

New Study Finds What We Already Knew In 2022: COVID Mortality Risk Was Nearly Nonexistent

Unmasked • 96 implied HN points • 20 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Pandemic response Healthcare access
  1. A new study suggests that the risk of dying from COVID was much lower than previously thought. Many people believe this should have been clear from earlier data.
  2. COVID lockdowns and restrictions had huge impacts on society, like economic problems and lost learning for students. These issues continue to affect us today.
  3. The media and experts are often criticized for spreading fear and misinformation about COVID, which some say contributed to unnecessary restrictions and panic.

Fired by Pfizer: Former Harvard prof reveals he was dismissed from CDC committee for promoting a non-mRNA vaccine

The Dossier • 290 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
🏥 Health Politics Vaccines Pharma CDC Mandates Academia
  1. Martin Kulldorff was fired from the CDC committee for promoting a non-mRNA vaccine and disagreeing with the decision to pause the Johnson & Johnson Covid vaccine.
  2. Kulldorff's experience highlights the powerful influence of the Pharma-Government Health system in America.
  3. Kulldorff's stance against vaccine mandates and his opposition to Pharma influence showcases his courage and bravery in the scientific community.

NIH study sections are broken

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 106 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Research Funding Public Health Scientific Integrity Policy Debate Health Disparities
  1. NIH study sections often fund unambitious science instead of groundbreaking research. This is a problem because many mediocre scientists are in charge, which doesn't help advance science.
  2. There's a heavy focus on diversity and inclusion in NIH grants, but much of it just repeats what we already know. Instead, we need better treatments for everyone, regardless of race or status.
  3. The review process for grants can discourage scientists from speaking out on important issues. This silence can lead to a lack of innovative ideas and solutions in research.

Tribute to Carter's public health work

Force of Infection • 121 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Global Health Health Advocacy Epidemiology
  1. President Jimmy Carter was very active in global health efforts, especially through The Carter Center, aiming to eliminate diseases like Guinea worm and malaria.
  2. His work led to a huge drop in Guinea worm cases from 3.5 million to just 7, showing the real impact of his dedication.
  3. Carter even negotiated a ceasefire in Sudan to help health workers reach people in need, emphasizing how much he cared about public health.