The hottest Health Politics Substack posts right now

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Top Health Politics Topics

Triple Tragedy And Thankful Theory

Astral Codex Ten • 18101 implied HN points • 09 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Mental health Medical Ethics Patient Care Neurology Public Health
  1. Survival-oriented systems focus on making quick decisions to prevent crises, while thriving-oriented systems take more time to explore options. This can cause misunderstandings between them.
  2. Collaboration can improve if both sides appreciate each other's intentions and realize they have different communication styles. Being thankful and confirming good intentions helps.
  3. When urgency rises, space-efficient communication might seem harsh, and time-efficient communication can feel unfocused. Both sides should try to interpret this behavior charitably to work together better.

As UnitedHealth and Cigna are Sued for AI-Based Claims Denials, Documents Suggest Major AI Expansion

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 739 implied HN points • 11 Jul 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare policy Artificial Intelligence Legal issues Insurance Practices Patient rights
  1. UnitedHealth and Cigna are facing lawsuits for denying medical claims using a flawed AI system, which many believe does not work correctly. This has led to patients not receiving the care they need or having to pay high costs for care.
  2. Despite the lawsuits and public criticism, these companies plan to expand their use of AI in health care decision-making. They are investing more in technology, aiming for efficiency even at the risk of more denied claims.
  3. Experts warn that using AI in health care can leave patients feeling helpless and confused when their claims are denied. They believe that patients under AI-driven systems may struggle to advocate for their own health needs effectively.

Covid Having Failed to do the Job, Bill Gates Is Making a Second Run at culling the population

2nd Smartest Guy in the World • 4913 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics Pandemic response Public Health
  1. Bill Gates is being accused of attempting to reduce the world population through a 'peaceful culling'.
  2. WHO and Big Pharma are being criticized for promoting a potential 'Disease X' that could be 20 times deadlier than COVID-19.
  3. There are concerns about a lack of transparency and a hidden agenda behind global health decisions and pandemic predictions.

Infant formula botulism cluster, black box warning for HRT, flu is waking up, new blood pressure guidelines, and more

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1503 implied HN points • 10 Nov 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Disease Control Nutrition Policy Vaccine Policy
  1. RSV and flu cases are rising, especially in young children, making vaccination important right now.
  2. A recent infant formula recall has linked botulism cases to ByHeart brand, so it's advised to stop using this product immediately.
  3. New blood pressure guidelines recommend using a calculator for personalized heart health and suggest checking blood pressure at home for better accuracy.
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A Covid Nasal Vaccine Update

Ground Truths • 10148 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Vaccines Public Health Clinical Trials Policy Infectious Diseases
  1. There are now 6 different nasal vaccines in clinical trials in the US aimed at preventing COVID-19 and blocking its transmission. These vaccines are promising because they might work better than traditional shots.
  2. Two major challenges facing these new vaccines are the low current levels of the virus, which make it harder to gather data from trials, and the uncertainty about ongoing government support for these projects.
  3. Successful nasal vaccines could provide a convenient way to protect people from COVID-19, but it will take time to find out if they really work well in humans.

BREAKING NEWS: Calling all Alberta healthcare workers & practitioners - it's time to take down corrupt & rotten Alberta Health Services, Colleges of Physicians, Surgeons, Nurses, Pharmacists...

COVID Intel - by Dr.William Makis • 4854 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics Corruption Mental health Legal Battles
  1. Dr. William Makis MD is rallying Alberta healthcare workers to take action against corruption within healthcare institutions.
  2. Specifically calling out Alberta Health Services, Colleges of Physicians, Surgeons, Nurses, and Pharmacists.
  3. Dr. Makis MD has a history of battling corruption within Alberta's healthcare system.

Pro-Mask Scientists Admit Surgical Masks Do Not Work, Debunking Anthony Fauci

Unmasked • 92 implied HN points • 24 Feb 26
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Pandemics Mask Mandates Health Policy Government Response
  1. Surgical masks are portrayed as ineffective at stopping respiratory infections and as having failed to slow COVID spread.
  2. A recent statement by pro-mask scientists is presented as evidence that universal mask mandates were always doomed and that public health leaders were wrong.
  3. Continued support for permanent universal masking is described as stubborn denialism, likened to people who refuse to accept that the fight is over.

Rx Exec on a Mission to Eliminate Unnecessary Middlemen and Slash Generics Spending

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 519 implied HN points • 25 Jul 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare access Insurance Practices
  1. Removing middlemen from the prescription drug process can help lower costs. These middlemen often increase prices unnecessarily, making medications more expensive for everyone.
  2. Generic drugs make up a large portion of prescriptions, yet many people don’t realize they often pay more for them due to the complicated pricing system in healthcare. Focusing on providing generics can make medications more affordable.
  3. There's a need for more transparency in how drug benefits are designed for employers. By simplifying the system and cutting out extra layers, businesses can save money on prescription costs.

What's Different about Health Care?

In My Tribe • 865 implied HN points • 01 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Health Insurance Government Role Consumer Rights Market Dynamics
  1. People feel it's wrong to make sick individuals pay for their own health care, which leads to government involvement. The idea is to not take advantage of those in tough situations.
  2. Health insurance isn't really functioning like typical insurance because people often make many small claims, unlike homeowners insurance where claims are rare. This creates a different financial dynamic.
  3. The arguments for more government control in health care, based on information gaps between doctors and patients, are questioned. Some believe that these problems can be solved without government intervention.

Private Medicare Plans and Vertical Integration Yield UnitedHealth $15.8 Billion in Profits Between January and June

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 619 implied HN points • 16 Jul 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare policy Insurance Practices Medicare Advantage Corporate Governance
  1. UnitedHealth made a massive profit of $15.8 billion in just six months by using strategies to boost its income from private Medicare plans. This shows how profitable these plans can be for insurance companies.
  2. The company has been increasing its earnings by owning many of the doctors and clinics its patients visit. This vertical integration gives them more control and helps them profit more from the services they provide.
  3. UnitedHealth has found ways to maximize its Medicare Advantage funding by misreporting patient conditions. This has earned them billions from the government, which has raised questions about their practices.

Rethinking mental illness, sanity, and culture in light of the fact that the chair of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, Grace Lee, is literally insane

uTobian • 8195 implied HN points • 14 Apr 23
🏥 Health Politics Mental Illness Vaccines Public Health Pharma
  1. Psychopaths who fit in are more dangerous than the stereotypical crazy ones because they are harder to spot.
  2. The American public health establishment includes individuals who seem well-adjusted but are responsible for significant harm, like downplaying vaccine safety concerns.
  3. The public health system is run by individuals who are well-adjusted to an insane society, perpetuating harm while appearing normal.

As it Turns Out, Health Insurance Executives Are Really (Really) Good at Their Jobs

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 799 implied HN points • 01 Jul 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare system Insurance Issues Patient Care Healthcare Costs Corporate Governance
  1. Health insurance executives are focused on making their shareholders happy, which often means keeping costs low for employers, not necessarily improving services for patients.
  2. In health insurance, the customer who pays for the insurance and the consumer who uses it are different, creating conflicts of interest that can harm patients.
  3. Insurance companies often make it difficult for those who need the most care to access it, which is counterproductive for the patients who genuinely need help.

The Debate of Covid Science Part 2: A Team of Covid Experts Debate The Opinions Of BC's College Of Physicians And Surgeons

Pierre Kory’s Medical Musings • 4422 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics COVID-19 Vaccines Medical Ethics Treatment
  1. Dr. Hoffe's statements on the efficacy of ivermectin in treating Covid-19 are supported by a large body of scientific evidence, including numerous positive meta-analyses and health ministry reports.
  2. Dr. Corneil's expert report ignored significant positive evidence on the effectiveness of ivermectin, focusing on selective negative studies and flawed trials.
  3. The exclusion of key studies, manipulation of trial data, and reliance on questionable criteria suggest a biased and disingenuous approach in evaluating the efficacy of ivermectin for Covid-19 treatment.

Fertility Goes Up When Men Win

Cremieux Recueil • 694 implied HN points • 21 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Fertility Gender Family Policy Demography Public Policy
  1. When men gain income or individually controlled money, households tend to have more children, while when women get the same transfers, completed fertility often falls—likely because shifts in who controls resources change household bargaining.
  2. This male-bias effect appears across many settings—reparations, lottery wins, resource booms, and sex-ratio shifts—and seems driven by higher male marriage rates and greater marital stability when men’s prospects improve.
  3. For fertility policy, that means who receives support matters: boosting men’s economic prospects or using child-contingent designs can raise births, but explicitly favoring men is politically unacceptable, so policies must instead shape incentives and bargaining in neutral, fair ways.

If I get sick, I'm moving to Malaysia

The Novelleist • 988 implied HN points • 17 Nov 25
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare system Patient Experience
  1. Healthcare in Malaysia is efficient, allowing for multiple tests and appointments in one day without lengthy waits. This saves time and offers quicker access to results.
  2. The cost of medical care in Malaysia is significantly lower than in the US, even for comprehensive services, leading to less financial stress for patients.
  3. The Malaysian system eliminates unnecessary barriers and provides open access to specialists, which improves overall patient experience compared to the US healthcare system.

Study: Abortion Bans Creating OBGYN Crisis

All in Her Head by Jessica Valenti • 3911 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🏥 Health Politics Reproductive Rights State Legislation Women's Health
  1. Abortion bans in anti-choice states have created an occupational health crisis for OBGYNs.
  2. OBGYNs struggle to provide adequate care due to legal restrictions, impacting both patient outcomes and physician well-being.
  3. There is a significant need for institutional support for OBGYNs in anti-choice states, including mental health resources and guidance prioritizing patient health over conservative interpretations of abortion laws.

People with Serious Mental Illness Say Racist and Bigoted Shit All the Time

Freddie deBoer • 13211 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Mental health Disability Rights Social Issues Psychiatry Stigma
  1. People with serious mental illnesses can sometimes express racist or bigoted thoughts, which challenges the common belief that mental illness doesn't influence behavior. It's important to recognize that mental health conditions can distort thinking and actions.
  2. Acknowledging the complex relationship between mental illness and behavior is essential. People should not dismiss bad behavior outright but consider the person's mental health struggles and how those may impact their actions.
  3. There’s a cultural tendency to oversimplify mental illness, leading to misunderstandings. It's vital to accept that being mentally ill doesn't exempt someone from responsibility for their actions, but it can complicate how we view those actions.

URGENT: Big Pharma wins again

Unreported Truths • 44 implied HN points • 07 Mar 26
🏥 Health Politics Regulation Pharmaceuticals Healthcare policy Public Health Drug Approval Industry Influence
  1. A senior FDA medical official who publicly challenged certain mRNA vaccine makers is leaving their post amid intense pressure. Shares of the companies he criticized jumped after the announcement.
  2. Powerful industry and institutional forces pushed back on criticism and can derail internal reformers. That shows it’s very hard to change drug regulation from inside the current system.
  3. The market rewarded the outcome, signaling that investors favor moves that help pharmaceutical companies. This dynamic undermines confidence in regulatory independence and efforts to hold companies accountable.

Bullets in the windows

Your Local Epidemiologist • 3103 implied HN points • 10 Aug 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Gun Violence Epidemiology Vaccination Community health
  1. Public health workers are facing serious threats and violence, including a recent shooting at their workplace that highlights the dangers they encounter in their jobs.
  2. Despite ongoing attacks and fear, these workers continue to dedicate themselves to protecting communities and improving health, driven by their care for the future and their neighbors.
  3. There is a need for society to acknowledge the sacrifices of public health professionals and to create a safer environment that values and supports their vital work.

Why would anyone want the FDA to approve drugs without real evidence they work?

Unreported Truths • 44 implied HN points • 06 Mar 26
🏥 Health Politics Drug Approval Regulatory Policy Clinical Trials Biotech industry Public Health
  1. Regulators should insist on solid, placebo-controlled evidence that a treatment actually works and is safe before approving it, because without that any risk may be too much.
  2. Drug companies and their investors often push for lower approval standards to make big profits, using weak comparisons or non-placebo studies to claim benefits.
  3. Politics and media hype can pressure regulators to relax standards, which increases the chance that unproven, risky treatments reach patients and cause harm.

A Former Republican Lawmaker’s Constant Fight with UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare Advantage Plan to Stay Alive

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 759 implied HN points • 26 Jun 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare access Insurance Issues Patient Advocacy Chronic Illness Medicare Disability Rights
  1. Healthcare can be a huge struggle, especially when battling a serious illness. Many people might face denied coverage and have to fight tirelessly for the treatments they need to survive.
  2. Financial strain can impact access to necessary medical treatments. Some individuals may even resort to fundraising or selling personal belongings to cover their medical costs.
  3. Certain Medicare Advantage plans can limit access to essential care and providers. This can be frustrating for those who need specialized treatments, forcing them into difficult situations.

Arresting Women to 'Protect' Their Fetuses

All in Her Head by Jessica Valenti • 3793 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics Reproductive Rights Women's Health Incarceration Medical care
  1. Pregnancy Justice defends pregnant people's rights and works against criminalization.
  2. Cases like Ashley Caswell's highlight the mistreatment faced by pregnant individuals, especially in Etowah County, Alabama.
  3. Alabama's use of 'chemical endangerment' charges demonstrates the prioritization of fetuses over pregnant individuals, leading to increased criminalization.

The First Diagnostic Immunome

Ground Truths • 7960 implied HN points • 22 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Immunology AI Diagnostics Autoimmunity Healthcare
  1. Sequencing B and T cell receptors can help diagnose autoimmune diseases. This kind of testing is much faster and could lead to more accurate diagnoses.
  2. Using machine learning and AI makes analyzing the complex data from these receptors easier. The technology can find patterns and help doctors understand patients' conditions better.
  3. In the future, a full immunome could be a standard test to check how well someone's immune system is working. This could help prevent diseases before they become serious.

While an Insurance Industry Front Group Pushes Against Medicare Advantage Scrutiny, Rural Hospitals Remain Unswayed

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 599 implied HN points • 08 Jul 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare policy Insurance Issues Medicare Patient Care
  1. Medicare Advantage plans are being pushed heavily by some insurance groups, but many rural hospitals are rejecting these plans due to issues like payment delays and limited coverage.
  2. Reports show that people on Medicare Advantage can face higher out-of-pocket costs and less access to necessary care compared to those on traditional Medicare.
  3. Many rural hospitals are opting out of Medicare Advantage altogether, indicating that this choice may leave beneficiaries with fewer options and potentially lead to financial burdens.

Florida Committee Passes Bill Mandating Health Insurance Cover Conversion Therapy

Erin In The Morning • 3675 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics Legislation Transgender rights
  1. Florida committee passed a bill mandating health insurance cover conversion therapy for transgender people
  2. The bill also restricts transgender individuals from updating gender markers on their driver's licenses
  3. The bill could have significant impacts on mental health care by allowing coverage for conversion therapy

ScienceVs: Trans Kids Health Care: Are We Getting It Wrong? (II)

Carolina Curmudgeon • 39 implied HN points • 12 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Trans rights Medical Ethics Child Health Mental health Public Policy
  1. The podcast only featured experts who support gender-affirming care, not those who might question its effectiveness. This creates a one-sided view of a complicated issue.
  2. The discussion did not challenge any ideas about gender identity or question the idea that being trans is just as normal as being cisgender. This could limit understanding of the topic.
  3. A study noted that using a preferred name can significantly reduce suicidal thoughts in gender dysphoric kids. However, instead of pushing for medical treatments, maybe simple name changes and support could be a better first step.

The UK Covid Inquiry First Report on Resilience and Preparedness

Independent SAGE continues • 479 implied HN points • 18 Jul 24
🏥 Health Politics Pandemic response Public Health Government Policy Health Systems Crisis Management
  1. The UK Covid Inquiry found serious issues from the Covid-19 pandemic that show we aren't ready for the next outbreak. This means improvements are really needed.
  2. The report suggests 10 key changes to build a better response system for future pandemics. It's important these changes are made in a complete way, not just in bits and pieces.
  3. There is a looming threat of new diseases, like avian flu, crossing into humans. We need to prepare now because we don't know when the next pandemic will hit.

South Carolina's “Heartbeat” Lawsuit

All in Her Head by Jessica Valenti • 3282 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🏥 Health Politics Abortion rights Legal issues State Legislation Women's Rights
  1. South Carolina's 'Heartbeat' Lawsuit involves a woman being denied an abortion just days past her 6th week of pregnancy.
  2. The difference between a 6-week ban and a 9-week ban could majorly impact the percentage of patients turned away by doctors.
  3. Even when a patient does everything 'right,' obtaining an abortion can be an incredibly difficult, lengthy, and stressful process.

Bill Gates Launches Global Tracking Tattoos

2nd Smartest Guy in the World • 3577 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Medical Misinformation Global Health Biotechnology
  1. Bill Gates is involved in projects like global tracking tattoos and genetically modified mosquitoes.
  2. There are concerns raised about Bill Gates funding schemes that involve cutting down forests and deploying GMO Frankenmosquitos.
  3. There is skepticism and caution advised regarding Bill Gates' projects to control and monitor the population.

FDA refuses to review Moderna’s mRNA flu vaccine application

Force of Infection • 153 implied HN points • 11 Feb 26
🏥 Health Politics Regulation Policy Vaccines Biotech Clinical Trials Public Health
  1. The FDA refused to start reviewing Moderna’s mRNA seasonal flu vaccine application, removing a potential new mRNA option for influenza.
  2. The agency said the trial used a comparator that didn’t reflect the best standard of care, and Moderna says that contradicts prior FDA guidance, meaning the application was dismissed for study-design reasons rather than safety or effectiveness.
  3. Regulatory unpredictability like this raises the financial risk of doing clinical trials, which can push companies away from R&D and ultimately reduce patient access to new vaccines.

Rating Trump's FDA's "Top 10" Year-1 Reforms

Cremieux Recueil • 229 implied HN points • 28 Jan 26
🏥 Health Politics Regulation Pharmaceuticals Biotech Food Safety Public Health Transparency Manufacturing
  1. The FDA published a top-10 list of first-year reforms covering things like a food supply reset, eliminating unnecessary animal testing, public decision letters, priority vouchers, HRT, tighter pharma ad rules, agency-wide AI, easier biosimilars, expanded cell and gene therapies, and more domestic manufacturing.
  2. The piece focuses on what the FDA actually accomplished with these initiatives and whether those changes matter in practice.
  3. Each of the ten items is rated individually, and the FDA receives an overall pass-or-fail grade for its first year based on those ratings.

I'm a neuroscientist. Our presidential candidates have shrinking prefrontal cortexes.

The Intrinsic Perspective • 24116 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
🏥 Health Politics Neuroscience Aging Health Science Government
  1. Neuroscientist claims both presidential candidates show signs of shrinking prefrontal cortexes due to age-related cognitive decline.
  2. There is ongoing debate about the cognitive health of Joe Biden and Donald Trump, reflecting concerns about their ability to lead.
  3. Science suggests that aging impacts cognitive abilities, including executive functions, which are crucial for effective leadership roles.