The hottest Health Equity Substack posts right now

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Medicare Advantage's $64 Billion Supplemental Benefits Slush Fund

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 999 implied HN points • 28 May 24
🏥 Health Politics Medicare Health Policy Insurance Health Equity
  1. Medicare is spending around $64 billion on extra benefits for Medicare Advantage plans, like dental and vision care. But we don't really know if people are actually using these benefits.
  2. Many seniors are drawn to Medicare Advantage plans for these added perks, but some end up losing access to their preferred doctors. It's important to understand what you're giving up when switching plans.
  3. There's a growing call to improve how Medicare Advantage plans operate and to provide similar benefits to those in traditional Medicare. Everyone should have access to the same quality of care and benefits.

Confronting the Dangers of Artificial Intelligence in Health Care is Imperative

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 359 implied HN points • 17 Jul 24
🏥 Health Politics AI risks Regulation Patient rights Health Equity Privacy
  1. AI in health care needs more rules to keep patients safe. Governments must step up to protect people from potential problems with these technologies.
  2. It's important to make AI decisions clear and understandable for patients. Patients should have the right to ask for a human to review any decision that affects their care.
  3. We need to ensure AI doesn't make health care inequality worse. AI programs should reflect diverse patient groups and focus on fairness, not just existing biases.

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.

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.

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.
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What’s True and False in One Health

Who is Robert Malone • 19 implied HN points • 22 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Environmental justice Global Health Health Equity
  1. One Health is an idea that looks at health from a broad perspective, including animals and the environment, but it raises concerns about prioritizing non-human life equally to human life. Many people find it hard to accept that a rat’s life is as important as a person's.
  2. The CDC's recent plan for One Health suggests a strong commitment to global monitoring and control of health threats, which some see as a potential overreach of power in the name of public health.
  3. Concerns are growing that One Health might lead to unnecessary restrictions and testing in both animal and human populations, which could disrupt food supplies and raise prices.

Insurers are trying to buy good will for the inequalities they help create. See how.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 59 implied HN points • 27 Jul 21
🏥 Health Politics Health Equity Insurance Issues Policy Analysis
  1. Big health insurers are focusing on profits instead of addressing health inequalities. They're making large profits while many people suffer from inadequate healthcare.
  2. Insurers are trying to improve their image by claiming to support health equity, but they're not investing enough to make a real difference. Their top executives are earning much more than what’s being spent on addressing health issues.
  3. High-deductible insurance plans make healthcare unaffordable for many, leading to more people being underinsured, especially among communities of color. This situation is creating more financial stress and worsening health outcomes for those affected.

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

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 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.