The hottest Health Policy Substack posts right now

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Top Health & Wellness Topics

Two Whole Milks with . . . RFK Jr. at the ‘Disneyland for cows’

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 463 implied HN points • 30 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Health Policy
  1. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is touring under the MAHA banner to promote the Trump administration’s new dietary guidelines and to push dairy as an important part of American diets.
  2. He visited Kreider Farms, a large family dairy with a 1,600-cow milking operation, and the owners and he emphasized the benefits of milk and dairy products.
  3. His dietary proposals have ruffled feathers in Washington, and he used the trip to also discuss other topics like legalizing marijuana and a personal anecdote about sharing a Big Mac with Trump.

Inside The Trump-Affiliated Outfit Trying to Repeal The Affordable Care Act

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 559 implied HN points • 12 Aug 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Health Policy
  1. There's a group trying to repeal the Affordable Care Act, led by people connected to Trump. They believe that Obamacare has failed and want to make major changes.
  2. Bobby Jindal, a key figure in this group, argues that patients should have more control over their healthcare choices, but this could risk leaving some people without proper coverage.
  3. Critics say Obamacare has actually helped many Americans get health insurance, and there's evidence suggesting that healthcare costs have not risen as much as claimed by its opponents.

Health NZ puts the ‘men’ in menstruation.

A B’Old Woman • 759 implied HN points • 31 Jul 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Health Policy
  1. Health NZ's new policy claims that menstruation is not just for women, stating that people of all genders can menstruate.
  2. Many people are surprised and upset by this policy, feeling it's confusing and not in line with most people's understanding of gender.
  3. There are concerns about how this affects cultural beliefs, especially in Māori culture, which emphasizes the sacredness of women's experiences.

1DaySooner's Trump II Health Policy Proposals

Astral Codex Ten • 14935 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Health Policy
  1. To improve kidney donations, policies may allow compensation for organ donors, which could help reduce the waiting list and save lives.
  2. There is a push for better transparency in healthcare data from the FDA, which could improve research and lead to safer medical products.
  3. Novel research ideas are often underfunded, so increasing support for unconventional studies and human challenge trials could speed up medical advancements.

Thanksgiving guide to viruses, family conversations, and public health updates

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1585 implied HN points • 24 Nov 25
🏥 Health Politics Health Policy
  1. This Thanksgiving, there are fewer viruses like colds and the flu, which means people are less likely to get sick. That's good news for family gatherings!
  2. When talking about tough subjects with family, like vaccines, it's important to stay calm and look for common ground. This can help keep the conversation friendly and productive.
  3. Recent settlements from opioid lawsuits will provide $7 billion to help communities affected by the opioid crisis. This money aims to support better treatment and prevention efforts.
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The Means-Testing Industrial Complex

Can We Still Govern? • 314 implied HN points • 29 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Health Policy
  1. Large vendors like data brokers and big consulting firms have captured core parts of the means-tested safety net, charging high fees and running clunky systems that block many eligible people from getting benefits.
  2. Policy changes that increase income verifications and add work requirements multiply those verification events, funnel more public dollars to vendors, and put millions at risk of losing coverage.
  3. The solution is to use federal buying power and antitrust to curb monopolies, build public or open-source verification and eligibility systems, and simplify or universalize benefits to cut administrative burdens and reduce opportunities for corporate capture.

Public Choice Links, 1/24/2026

In My Tribe • 273 implied HN points • 24 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Health Policy
  1. Higher health-care spending per person often doesn't lead to better health outcomes. That means much medical spending is likely wasted.
  2. Large government health programs create big opportunities for fraud and rent-seeking because third-party billing is easy to exploit. Directly giving money to beneficiaries reduces those opportunities.
  3. Foreign aid can become a target for rent-seeking and help entrench corrupt governments, sometimes contributing to coups and extremist violence. This 'aid curse' shows aid can worsen, not fix, governance failures.

The low life expectancy of Americans is not just about deaths among young people

Sustainability by numbers • 570 implied HN points • 07 Jan 26
🏥 Health Politics Health Policy
  1. Americans have much lower life expectancy at birth than other high-income countries, lagging by several years for both men and women.
  2. Much of the gap comes from high deaths among infants and younger adults—especially from drug overdoses, car crashes, violence, and suicide. These early deaths are important but do not explain the whole difference.
  3. People who reach 65 in the US still have fewer expected remaining years than peers, especially women. By age 80 the gap largely narrows, but the US spends far more on healthcare to achieve these outcomes.

Fifteen Years Ago Today I Became a Whistleblower

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 1039 implied HN points • 24 Jun 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Health Policy
  1. Becoming a whistleblower can be a big, brave step. It means standing up for what's right, even when it could hurt your career.
  2. Working in healthcare, some companies mislead the public and lawmakers. This can lead to serious consequences, like denying care to patients who need it.
  3. Transparency and honesty are vital in healthcare. Sharing insider knowledge can help push for important reforms and make the system better for everyone.

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

Unmasked • 92 implied HN points • 24 Feb 26
🏥 Health Politics Health Policy
  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.

The alternate reality of RFK and the antivaxers

Noahpinion • 13470 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Health Policy
  1. RFK Jr. has been a strong opponent of vaccines, which may influence U.S. vaccination policies if he takes a leadership role in the government. This could lead to less public support for vaccinations.
  2. Beliefs can be useful for creating group unity, even if those beliefs are not based on facts. Sometimes, being a part of a group means accepting ideas that might not be true in reality.
  3. The tension between what is real and what people believe can impact society. It shows how important it is to balance scientific facts with how communities view and accept those facts.

I’m Finally Practicing Medicine the Way It Should Be Done

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 825 implied HN points • 10 Dec 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Health Policy
  1. Primary care has become rushed, fragmented, and impersonal because doctors are forced to see too many patients in too little time, which leaves patients feeling rushed or dismissed.
  2. A continuous, thoughtful primary care relationship matters for prevention, early detection, and whole‑person care, but many people pick providers by insurance convenience and avoid care after bad experiences.
  3. A new model that shifts decision-making from insurers back to doctors lets clinicians spend more time with patients and practice more patient-centered, thoughtful medicine.

Economics Links, 12/16/2025

In My Tribe • 561 implied HN points • 16 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Health Policy
  1. There’s a deep political-economics mismatch in health care: voters want broad, low-cost access so politicians promise it, and that demand makes cost control nearly impossible without unpopular rationing or higher out-of-pocket costs.
  2. A direct primary care model with a monthly membership plus catastrophic insurance can make routine care affordable and accessible for generally healthy people and small-business owners, but it won’t cover regular specialist or chronic-care needs.
  3. Growth requires willingness to accept risk, and stripping risk out of people’s lives can drag down growth; meanwhile, current entitlement programs direct large benefits to retirees (often the wealthier), creating intergenerational imbalance and political barriers to reform.

Fauci Did It!

Disaffected Newsletter • 919 implied HN points • 09 Jun 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Health Policy
  1. People are quick to blame others for problems, like Fauci being blamed for the pandemic. But regular folks also played a part by not standing up for what’s right.
  2. There's a concern that cultural relativism is messing up society. For example, a court case showed how cultural excuses can sway justice, which isn't fair.
  3. The conversation touches on various social issues, like reactions to Pride Month and how some people are mocked for their choices. It's about how different views clash in today's world.

Yes, mRNA Vaccines Work—&, It Appears, Work Much Better than I Thought

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 315 implied HN points • 10 Jan 26
🏥 Health Politics Health Policy
  1. mRNA COVID-19 vaccines greatly lower the risk of dying from COVID and are associated with about a 25% reduction in all-cause mortality.
  2. The reduction in non‑COVID deaths is unlikely to be just selection bias; by preventing infections and long‑COVID harms across cardiovascular, thrombotic, metabolic, and neurological systems, vaccination likely reduces the lingering metabolic and inflammatory burden that raises other causes of death.
  3. Vaccine hesitancy has real costs: with about one‑fifth of people unvaccinated, adults aged 19–64 who skip mRNA vaccines face a substantially higher annual death risk (roughly 0.12% higher), implying many preventable deaths.

Medicare Advantage's $64 Billion Supplemental Benefits Slush Fund

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 999 implied HN points • 28 May 24
🏥 Health Politics Health Policy
  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.

My promise to you

Your Local Epidemiologist • 6868 implied HN points • 02 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Health Policy
  1. The goal is to provide clear, evidence-based health information, not to add to the noise of social media. This platform is designed to help you make informed decisions for your health.
  2. Transparency is key, and it’s important to understand what the science says and what it means for you. It's okay to admit when we don’t know something and to clarify the difference between data and opinions.
  3. Public health is about people, not just statistics. Every issue will be approached with empathy to consider the real human impact behind the numbers.

COVID Masks Are Back At Winter Olympics, Because We Refuse To Learn Anything

Unmasked • 111 implied HN points • 10 Feb 26
🎾 Sports Health Policy
  1. Authorities and organizations keep reinstating COVID protocols like masks and handshake bans even though the author argues those measures failed to stop transmission.
  2. The Netherlands Olympic team is using phased precautions — masks in crowded areas, no handshakes, and possible escalation — despite no confirmed athlete cases.
  3. The argument is that lockdowns, masks, and vaccine claims didn’t prevent spread and that measures aimed at contact transmission (like handwashing or avoiding handshakes) offer little benefit against aerosol spread, per cited evidence.

The Press Is Beginning to Take Notice of How Health Insurers Are Raiding The Medicare Trust Fund

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 1019 implied HN points • 30 Apr 24
🏥 Health Politics Health Policy
  1. Health insurers are overcharging Medicare by about 22%, costing taxpayers a lot more than if seniors received care directly from traditional Medicare.
  2. Recent reports highlight how private Medicare Advantage plans have historically not saved money and often result in higher overall costs for the program.
  3. The media is beginning to spotlight the negative impacts of Medicare Advantage, leading to more scrutiny and awareness about how these plans operate.

The Pet Theory Economy

Nepetalactone Newsletter • 1965 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🔬 Science Health Policy
  1. In the Pet Theory Economy, people defend and promote their theories as if their livelihoods depend on it, driven by the need for traffic and novelty.
  2. Challenging someone's theory is seen as interference with their ability to make a living, leading to a circular logic where blame is shifted.
  3. Focusing on various aspects of issues is valid; one should not be limited to a single perspective or group and should question narratives that feed into a narrow Pet Theory economy.

Measles reaches highest number since elimination. Start of a Covid wave? Incoming Medicaid cuts, GAVI, and some good news

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1988 implied HN points • 07 Jul 25
🏥 Health Politics Health Policy
  1. Measles cases in the U.S. have hit their highest level since it was declared eliminated in 2000. This is mostly due to falling vaccination rates, as measles is extremely contagious.
  2. There are signs of a possible Covid-19 summer wave, particularly in states like Nevada and Texas. Factors like indoor gatherings and waning immunity could contribute to this increase.
  3. Recent Medicaid cuts could affect millions, leading to a loss of coverage for many people. It's important to inform and support those in need as these changes roll out.

Minnesota Vice. Is There Anyone Trump Can’t Fire? Plus . . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 370 implied HN points • 09 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Health Policy
  1. A huge fraud at a Minneapolis nonprofit allegedly stole over $250 million meant to feed kids during the pandemic, with investigators saying some money was spent on luxury items and may have flowed to militants in Somalia.
  2. The Supreme Court is weighing a case that could let the president remove many more federal officials, which would greatly expand presidential power and reshape how government works.
  3. The newsletter highlights a string of cultural and political flashpoints — from assisted‑suicide debates and library book bans to online harassment of women scholars and infighting among Democrats — showing rising polarization on social issues.

When professional regulation by a college becomes professional strangulation

Heterodox STEM • 263 implied HN points • 21 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Health Policy
  1. Professional regulators are overreaching by policing political speech and disciplining professionals, which pushes clinicians to self-censor and can undermine patient care.
  2. Complaint systems are easily weaponized by frivolous or non-patient complaints, creating life-altering investigations; reasonable safeguards like limits on who can complain, modest refundable fees, clear initial evidence requirements, and independent arbitration are needed.
  3. Restoring viewpoint neutrality, evidence-based decision making, and strong due process in professional colleges would rebuild public trust and protect both free expression and public safety.

Extremely Powerful Men Who Can’t Be Arsed

Singal-Minded • 1908 implied HN points • 02 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Health Policy
  1. Powerful people sometimes don't bother to fact-check their work. This can lead to big mistakes, like making false claims in important reports.
  2. Not being interested in learning the basics can cause serious problems, especially in complicated areas like government budgeting. Ignoring the details can hurt a lot of people.
  3. There's a difference between those who care enough to do thorough work and those who don't. This attitude can greatly influence important decisions that affect everyone.

Outbreak Outlook - National - February 1

Force of Infection • 94 implied HN points • 01 Feb 26
🏥 Health & Wellness Health Policy
  1. Flu has started to rebound after weeks of decline, driven mainly by increases in school-age children and a rise in influenza B, though overall activity and hospitalizations remain well below the recent peak and influenza A still makes up most cases.
  2. COVID-19 indicators are generally declining — wastewater and ED visits are down and hospitalizations are low — but the Midwest is seeing very high wastewater levels and regional differences persist.
  3. RSV is at quite elevated levels and growing in parts of the country while norovirus trends are mixed regionally, and public health attention is also on multiple food recalls and a Nipah outbreak in India; a partial U.S. government shutdown could disrupt CDC surveillance reporting.

Working Musicians, Unite – or Divide?

Natural Selections • 5 implied HN points • 17 Mar 26
🎶 Music Health Policy
  1. COVID-era mandates and safety rules split musicians and families, creating lasting personal and professional rifts.
  2. Union and management choices to enforce mandates sometimes led to halted pay and lost health coverage for dissenting members, weakening solidarity.
  3. Attempts to protect individual medical autonomy collided with legal limits and collective bargaining, forcing hard ethical and financial decisions for many musicians.

Covid-19 in pockets, sugar cane isn't better, ticks march on, rescission cuts (vs. everything else), bright spots, and more

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1442 implied HN points • 21 Jul 25
🏥 Health Politics Health Policy
  1. Covid-19 cases are rising in some parts of the U.S., especially in Texas and Florida. It's important to wear masks in crowded places to protect yourself and others.
  2. Ticks are a growing concern this summer, with a rise in emergency room visits. To stay safe, wear protective clothing and use tick repellent when outdoors.
  3. Recent studies show that aluminum in vaccines does not cause chronic illnesses, so there’s no need to worry about it. Vaccines remain an important tool for public health.

Covid summer and confusion, measles, cucumber recall, maternal health declining, and a curious MAHA report

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1855 implied HN points • 02 Jun 25
🏥 Health Politics Health Policy
  1. COVID-19 cases are currently low in the U.S., but summer waves are common. A new variant could lead to increasing cases, so it's important to stay informed.
  2. There is a lot of confusion around who can get COVID-19 vaccines right now. Eligibility seems to change often, and it's crucial to keep up with the latest guidelines.
  3. The MAHA report raised concerns about children's health but lacked detail on important issues like poverty. We need clear strategies and proper funding to truly improve children's health.

Abigail Shrier Was Vilified. Now She’s Been Vindicated.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 3987 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Health Policy
  1. Some researchers bravely challenge popular beliefs, and Abigail Shrier is one of them. She wrote a book about the risks of transitioning minors, especially teenage girls.
  2. Shrier found that parents were often misled about the consequences of their choices. Medical professionals used fear tactics to push life-changing treatments on families.
  3. Critics of the idea that minors should transition faced serious backlash. Speaking out against this belief often led to social and professional consequences.

World Health Organization Now Disingenuously Walking Back Their Support For Masks, Lockdowns

Unmasked • 67 implied HN points • 06 Feb 26
🏥 Health Politics Health Policy
  1. The WHO backed China’s strict COVID measures early on, appearing to put funding and relationships ahead of independent assessment.
  2. Despite pre-pandemic WHO documents that warned against or questioned harsh mandates, the organization abandoned that guidance and supported panic-driven policies like lockdowns and widespread masking.
  3. As funding wanes and scrutiny grows, the WHO is now distancing itself and denying responsibility for those earlier recommendations.

Nurse Sirotek: did she tell us that patients are dying in New York hospitals not from COVID but because of “medical mismanagement” and “gross negligence.” Did she say that minorities, blacks etc.

Alexander News Network -Dr. Paul Elias Alexander's substack • 1552 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics Health Policy
  1. Nurse Sirotek alleges patients are dying in New York hospitals due to medical mismanagement and negligence, not just COVID.
  2. She claims that minority patients, including blacks, are disproportionately affected by these deaths.
  3. Sirotek accuses hospital management and advocacy groups of not caring whether minority patients live or die.

The AstraZeneca vaccine saved millions of lives – it should not be demonised

Independent SAGE continues • 479 implied HN points • 19 May 24
🏥 Health Politics Health Policy
  1. The AstraZeneca vaccine played a crucial role in saving millions of lives during the pandemic. It was affordable and easy to distribute, especially in poorer countries.
  2. Although there were concerns about rare side effects like blood clots, these issues were quickly identified and monitored. The benefits of the vaccine far outweighed the risks.
  3. Now, there are newer vaccines that are safer and easier to update for new variants. This doesn't take away from the important impact the AZ vaccine had in 2021.

“Senator, Saying It Doesn't Make It True”

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 599 implied HN points • 19 Apr 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Health Policy
  1. The health insurance industry often uses certain lawmakers to protect their profits when faced with regulatory changes. This means politicians sometimes reinforce misleading talking points to serve big insurance companies.
  2. Senator Kennedy challenged Health and Human Services Secretary Becerra with claims about Medicare Advantage savings that are based on questionable research. These figures have been promoted by the insurance industry to create a positive image of their plans.
  3. Becerra pushed back against Kennedy's claims, stating that funding for Medicare Advantage has increased, countering the argument that the administration is cutting funds. This highlights the ongoing debate over the true costs and benefits of these healthcare plans.

Poster Children of Gaza’s Hunger Crisis Are Actually Suffering from Other Illnesses. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 867 implied HN points • 18 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Health Policy
  1. Some kids in Gaza shown in the news as starving actually have serious health issues, not just hunger. This shows how reports can sometimes mix facts and feelings.
  2. A monk's backlash against Egypt is highlighting issues for Christians in the region. It suggests their struggles are part of a bigger pattern of religious tension.
  3. People are discussing sperm donation more openly now, as the industry needs changes to better serve those looking to start families.

The U.S. withdrawal from the WHO

Your Local Epidemiologist • 2760 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Health Policy
  1. The U.S. withdrawal from the WHO means less influence in global health decisions, leaving a gap that countries like China might fill.
  2. The WHO faces challenges like limited funding and authority, which makes it hard to enforce health policies effectively.
  3. Even though the U.S. has strong public health systems, global health threats affect everyone, so it's important to stay involved with organizations like the WHO.

The week of the NZ Midwifery petition, the Aussie court case Tickle v Giggle, and the UK Cass Review.

A B’Old Woman • 519 implied HN points • 14 Apr 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Health Policy
  1. A new petition in New Zealand is pushing for an investigation into midwifery practices, signaling a shift in how politicians view discussions on gender issues.
  2. An Australian court case is determining if someone who identifies as a woman should be allowed access to a women-only app, raising important questions about gender identity rights.
  3. The UK Cass Review found that puberty blockers were being used too liberally, sparking a call for more careful discussions about their use and the impact of gender ideology in healthcare.

Behind the curtain at YLE

Your Local Epidemiologist • 959 implied HN points • 18 Jul 25
🏥 Health Politics Health Policy
  1. The post gives a behind-the-scenes look at how YLE keeps track of health signals and reads scientific studies. It's a sneak peek into the work that goes into health communication.
  2. Many members of the YLE community play important roles in spreading health information, like clinicians and school nurses. They help share and adapt YLE content to reach more people.
  3. The YLE team wants to experiment with new ways to support their community and make health communication easier for everyone involved.

RFK Jr.’s War on mRNA Vaccines. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 704 implied HN points • 21 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Health Policy
  1. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is opposing mRNA vaccine research and the government is cutting $500 million in funding for related projects. This has raised concerns about the balance between politics and science.
  2. A group of doctors wants to change the definition of death to potentially increase organ availability, but this could risk the lives of patients who might regain consciousness.
  3. There are discussions around the Broadway hit 'Hamilton', questioning if it could be made today due to political and societal changes affecting its content and reception.

Will New York Soon Make It Too Easy to Die?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1136 implied HN points • 08 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Health Policy
  1. New York is considering a law that would allow assisted dying with no waiting period. This is different from other states that have waiting times.
  2. Some people worry that making it too easy to die could turn suicide into a medical choice for those in crisis.
  3. A family member shared their experience, saying they didn't want to suffer if diagnosed with a terminal illness. This highlights the personal impact of such laws.