HEALTH CARE un-covered

HEALTH CARE un-covered critically examines the U.S. healthcare system, particularly the impact of Medicare Advantage plans and the practices of major health insurers. It highlights issues like aggressive marketing, profit-driven decision-making, and the effects on patients' access to care and costs. The series advocates for transparency, regulation, and reform.

Medicare Advantage Plans Health Insurance Practices Healthcare Costs Patient Access to Care Healthcare Regulation Political Influence Healthcare Reform

The hottest Substack posts of HEALTH CARE un-covered

And their main takeaways

A link to my piece in The Nation – with some added context.

0 implied HN points • 08 Jul 21
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare Reform Public Health Policy advocacy Health Insurance Pandemic response
  1. America's health care system, based on employers, is failing and needs a change. The pandemic showed that this model is not working well for many people.
  2. There is a call for President Biden to deliver on his promises for health care reform, especially after the challenges revealed by the pandemic.
  3. A Medicare for All system could be better for both individuals and businesses, and it's important to think about new solutions for health care.

UnitedHealth made far more money over the last three months than Wall Street expected.

0 implied HN points • 15 Jul 21
💼 Business Finance Healthcare Investments Insurance Profits
  1. UnitedHealth made more money than Wall Street expected, leading to higher stock prices. This was good news for the company's shareholders.
  2. Despite losing private sector customers, UnitedHealth's profits grew significantly due to increased government program revenue, especially from Medicare and Medicaid.
  3. The company has been consistently beating profit expectations over the past two years, leading to optimism about its financial future.

Anthem, the USA’s second biggest insurer, has had spectacular growth over the past 10 years.

0 implied HN points • 23 Jul 21
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare Insurance Medicaid Medicare
  1. Anthem, a major health insurer in the USA, has seen huge growth, mainly from government programs like Medicaid and Medicare. This means more taxpayers are funding their rise.
  2. Over the past decade, most new members in Anthem's plans came from government programs instead of private insurance. This shift highlights how the Affordable Care Act helped many people gain health coverage.
  3. Even with rising costs for their customers, Anthem continues to profit well by purchasing its own stocks. This move benefits investors more than it helps the people who need health insurance.

Pulling back the curtains on how Big Health is hurting Americans.

0 implied HN points • 05 Jan 21
🏥 Health Politics Health Policy Insurance Issues Public Health Healthcare access Health Equity
  1. Big Health often puts profits before patients, leading to higher costs and less care. This can hurt people's access to necessary medical services.
  2. Many Americans struggle with healthcare bills, which can lead to financial stress and even bankruptcy. It's important for people to be aware of their rights and options.
  3. Transparency in healthcare is crucial. Knowing how much treatments really cost can help patients make better decisions about their health.