The hottest Healthcare system Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics

NHS Reform - big gains from small moves

Rory’s Always On Newsletter • 575 implied HN points • 24 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare system
  1. Small changes can lead to big improvements in the NHS, like having administrators handle tasks normally done by doctors, which can cut waiting times significantly.
  2. Many missed hospital appointments could be avoided by improving text reminders and allowing patients to choose their own appointment times, which leads to better attendance rates.
  3. Using simple tech solutions or AI to remind patients about appointments can really help reduce the number of people who don't show up, making the system work better for everyone.

Death in One Day: Inside Canada’s Assisted-Suicide Machine

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 505 implied HN points • 05 Mar 26
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare system
  1. Assisted suicide has become a routine part of healthcare, with well-established referral networks and forms to fill out.
  2. About one out of every 20 deaths in Canada is due to the government-run MAID program, which has resulted in nearly 110,000 deaths overall.
  3. The program can end lives very quickly — in Ontario in 2023 many people died the same day or the next day after requesting MAID — and that speed raises ethical worries that hastening death can become the path of least resistance.

While Cigna Saddles Patients with Increasing Out-of-Pocket Requirements, the Company Bought Back $5 Billion of Its Own Stock

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 959 implied HN points • 01 Aug 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare system
  1. Cigna spent $5 billion buying back its own stock while customers face rising healthcare costs. This shows a focus on profits over patient care.
  2. Cigna has lost nearly 500,000 health plan members after raising premiums, indicating they prioritize shareholder gains over customer retention.
  3. President Biden wants to limit out-of-pocket drug costs to $2,000 a year, which could help many Americans afford medications better. Insurers like Cigna may resist these changes but it could reduce unfair financial burdens on patients.

Our Healthcare System, a Reign of Terror

Freddie deBoer • 18038 implied HN points • 14 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare system
  1. Many people only react strongly to certain types of suffering and fail to recognize the ongoing harm of our healthcare system. It's important to think about why we care more about some victims than others.
  2. Our healthcare system often denies essential care to those who need it, leading to tragic outcomes. The choices made by companies and policymakers directly affect people's lives and deaths.
  3. There's a disconnect in how society views death caused by healthcare versus murder. We need to acknowledge and address the systemic issues causing suffering in our healthcare system, rather than just express sympathy for individual cases.
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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
  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.

If I get sick, I'm moving to Malaysia

The Novelleist • 988 implied HN points • 17 Nov 25
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare system
  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.

There's Still Room on the Right Side of History

The FLCCC Alliance Community • 4088 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Healthcare system
  1. It's important to speak up against malfeasance and unethical behavior, even if it's challenging or unpopular.
  2. Silence in the face of criminal activity is complicity, and it's crucial to stand up for what's right even if it means facing consequences.
  3. History will remember those who chose to do the right thing, and it's never too late to make a positive impact.

GOOD GRIEF!

Entering The Lung • 6387 implied HN points • 08 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Healthcare system
  1. The author shares a personal experience of complications during IUD removal.
  2. There is frustration about the lack of birth control options for women and people with uteruses.
  3. The narrative touches on the societal perceptions and challenges faced by those who choose not to have children.

Insurers and Private Equity Look to Join Forces to Further Consolidate Control of Americans' Access to Health Care

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 759 implied HN points • 19 Jun 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare system
  1. Insurance companies and private equity firms are teaming up to gain more control over healthcare access for Americans. This partnership can lead to less competition and more power in deciding patient care.
  2. The trend of private equity buying up medical practices is rising, and this shift could make it harder for independent doctors to operate. Insurance companies are noticing this and are looking to profit from these partnerships.
  3. As more people enroll in Medicare Advantage plans, insurers like CVS/Aetna are pushing to own key healthcare services. This could steer patient referrals to their own facilities, limiting choices for patients.

Fixing Our Broken Healthcare System Will Take an Army. (We Just Happen to Have One.) —The FLCCC News Capsule for January 21, 2024

The FLCCC Alliance Community • 2456 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Healthcare system
  1. Fixing the healthcare system needs urgent attention and a collaborative effort.
  2. Key healthcare issues include suppressed drugs, unsafe products promotion, and corrupted medical narrative.
  3. Healthcare professionals and patients can learn together about various health conditions and treatments at the FLCCC conference.

Are You an Anti-Paxxer?

RESCUE with Michael Capuzzo • 1965 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare system
  1. The article highlights concerns about the safety and effectiveness of Paxlovid as doctors start to drop it due to drug interactions and research linking it to Covid rebounds and virus shedding.
  2. Pfizer is heavily promoting Paxlovid amidst concerns, transitioning from Emergency Use Authorization to FDA approval at a much higher price, despite struggles to market the drug successfully.
  3. There is a push to stigmatize skeptics of Paxlovid as 'anti-paxxers,' paralleling previous campaigns against alternative treatments like ivermectin.

Secrets From a Hospital CEO: How Big Hospital Chains Suck Money Out of Your Local Community

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 779 implied HN points • 15 May 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare system
  1. Big hospital chains often prioritize profits over patient care, leading to high salaries for executives while many people struggle with medical debt. This focus on money can hurt local communities by draining resources that could have been used for patient care.
  2. Health insurance companies have complicated systems that sometimes make it hard for patients to get the care they need. Instead of focusing on helping people, they often get caught up in making profits and managing money.
  3. Employers and patients should educate themselves about the healthcare system. Understanding how it works can help them make better choices and potentially reduce costs in healthcare.

Amnesty? What? Let me Dr. Paul Alexander be as clear as I can be Dr. Emily Oster & all you INSANE illogical Branch COVIDian MADMEN & WOMEN; there must be no fuck*ng forgiveness, EVER, for fake COVID!

Alexander News Network -Dr. Paul Elias Alexander's substack • 2240 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare system
  1. Dr. Paul Alexander emphasizes no forgiveness for fake COVID.
  2. Punishment and justice are demanded for those who caused harm.
  3. Calls for accountability, no closure, and proper public inquiries.

The Great COVID Ventilator Death Cover-up

The New Normal • 3085 implied HN points • 25 May 23
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare system
  1. Many COVID patients were put on ventilators in spring 2020, leading to high mortality rates.
  2. There were concerns that ventilators were being overused and used incorrectly, leading to more harm than good.
  3. The medical establishment has faced criticism for the lack of studies on how many patients died due to ventilators, with a perceived cover-up.

‘Moral Injury’ Enters Health Care Lexicon

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 739 implied HN points • 23 Apr 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare system
  1. The term 'moral injury' is now used by healthcare workers, not just doctors, to describe the emotional toll from being unable to provide proper patient care due to resource shortages. This feeling often comes from caring individuals who face situations where they cannot help patients as they wish.
  2. Nurses and other healthcare workers are increasingly striking for better working conditions, highlighting how cost-cutting measures in hospitals are harming patient care. They want to ensure enough staff and resources to provide quality treatment.
  3. The idea of moral injury shifts the focus from blaming healthcare workers for 'burnout' to highlighting the external pressures they face. This understanding encourages healthcare workers to advocate for positive changes in their work environment.

Investigations into health care consolidation, profiteering lack necessary insurer angle

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 499 implied HN points • 20 May 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare system
  1. Private equity firms are not the only problem in healthcare. Insurers, especially those owned by Wall Street, are also making big profits and taking over more doctor practices.
  2. A lot of attention is on private equity's role in healthcare, but insurance companies like UnitedHealth are also growing and may pose an even bigger issue. They have control over many doctors and healthcare facilities.
  3. There's a new effort from the DOJ to look into how much power insurers have in the healthcare market. This could bring more focus on the actions of insurance companies, not just private equity.

Tuskegee for everyone

Disaffected Newsletter • 2358 implied HN points • 19 Sep 23
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare system
  1. Many people are starting to distrust the medical system, especially after the experiences during Covid and how vaccines were handled. It's important to question the advice given and think critically about health decisions.
  2. Listening to your intuition about your health can be crucial. Signs of something wrong shouldn't be ignored, and recognizing these early can save lives.
  3. Chronic health advice, like dietary recommendations, can often be wrong or outdated. People should be open to new information and trust their own experiences over established guidelines.

Vague Recriminations Can't Fix American Mental Healthcare

Freddie deBoer • 11540 implied HN points • 14 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Healthcare system
  1. The American mental healthcare system needs more than vague criticisms to be fixed.
  2. Expanding access to mental healthcare requires understanding and addressing the existing stigma and challenges within the system.
  3. Advocacy for mental healthcare should focus on realistic goals and solutions, rather than relying on vague critiques and unfounded assumptions.

Zepbound/Mounjaro Tirzeptatide for Weight Loss Part 2

Weight and Healthcare • 718 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Healthcare system
  1. The concept of 'ob*esity' as a disease and the idea that it is progressive and relapsing are constructs of the weight loss industry and not scientifically supported.
  2. The study promoting Zepbound/Tirzepatide for weight loss has ties to the pharmaceutical industry, raising questions about potential bias and conflicts of interest among the authors.
  3. The lead author of the study, Louis J. Aronne, has a history of promoting weight loss methods without substantial research backing, raising concerns about the credibility of research surrounding weight loss drugs.

Massachusetts Wakes Up to a Hospital Nightmare

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 679 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare system
  1. Private equity firms, like Steward Health Care, have been negatively impacting hospitals by cutting resources and making false promises. This has led to unsafe conditions for both staff and patients.
  2. Steward Health Care has a history of financial mismanagement and failed commitments, which has raised concerns among local leaders and health officials. They’ve been accused of prioritizing profit over patient care.
  3. Many hospital employees and doctors are frustrated with the situation, as it puts patient safety at risk. They feel helpless in trying to provide good care amidst the company's failures.

Chartbook 342 A history of America's medico-industrial complex ... seen from the step-down ward.

Chartbook • 1859 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare system
  1. In the mid-20th century, hospitals and industrial workplaces were closely linked. Local hospitals supported the working-class community, especially in areas with heavy industrial work.
  2. The decline of industries in the 1980s changed healthcare. Smaller, local hospitals were replaced by larger, publicly funded healthcare facilities, which often led to job insecurity for care workers.
  3. The book highlights the intertwined lives of workers and healthcare, emphasizing how the changing economy impacts family life and the quality of care in hospitals.

Should a Government Help People Die?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2142 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare system
  1. Jamie Hale needs constant care due to his serious health issues and feels grateful for the National Health Service's support. Without it, he worries he might not be alive today.
  2. Hale is aware that his medical care costs a lot and feels like a financial burden on the system. This awareness makes him think deeply about his value and how society sees it.
  3. He strongly opposes the assisted suicide bill in the UK, worried it might pressure vulnerable people like himself to end their lives. He fears this could gradually lead to more extreme measures against disabled and disadvantaged individuals.

New reports detail UnitedHealth's latest acquisitions under shady pretenses

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 479 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare system
  1. UnitedHealth is buying a lot of clinics, especially in areas where it already has many Medicare Advantage members. This helps them earn more money from the government.
  2. As UnitedHealth grows, it doesn't have to publicly announce many of its deals. This means they can make several acquisitions without much notice to shareholders.
  3. The company seems to be taking advantage of crises in healthcare, such as when a recent hack affected doctors’ payments, by pushing through acquisitions that profit them during tough times.

Ascension Health, a big chain of Catholic hospitals, claims to advocate for a compassionate and just society. But its business practices and investments tell a different story.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 499 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare system
  1. Ascension Health is a large Catholic hospital system that says it supports a caring and fair society, but its actions, like aggressive debt collection and risky investments, suggest otherwise. They seem to prioritize profits over actual patient care.
  2. The company's investments have included buying interests in struggling healthcare businesses, sometimes causing harm to patients while helping their bottom line. This shows a focus on financial gain rather than true community service.
  3. There's a need for more accountability in the healthcare system. People should not allow organizations like Ascension to claim non-profit status while acting like a for-profit company, which can hurt the communities they’re supposed to serve.

Reader Question - What's With Eli Lilly's Oscar Ad

Weight and Healthcare • 439 implied HN points • 20 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Healthcare system
  1. Eli Lilly and other pharmaceutical companies are focused on lobbying for insurance coverage of weight loss drugs, pushing for the idea of higher-weight bodies as a 'disease' worth medicating.
  2. The FDA approval for weight loss drugs like Zepbound requires different criteria based on BMI, raising concerns about the risk assessments being tied to body size.
  3. Pharmaceutical companies like Eli Lilly prioritize shareholder interests over customer concerns, raising questions about the true motivations behind their actions.

Doctors speak out about the crisis in medicine

Unreported Truths • 48 implied HN points • 25 Jan 26
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare system
  1. Primary care is increasingly rushed and impersonal, so patients often don’t get thorough exams or enough time to be heard.
  2. Administrative, billing, and quality-measure incentives push doctors toward quick visits, template notes, and guideline-driven prescriptions rather than individualized care.
  3. Medical training and documentation pressures are eroding clinical judgment and critical thinking, leading to poorer-quality doctors, more specialist referrals, and higher costs.

Your Money or Your Life

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 599 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare system
  1. Patients with insurance are sometimes asked to pay the full cost of treatment upfront, which can be very high, making healthcare access difficult.
  2. Many healthcare providers may refuse treatment to insured patients if they can't pay large amounts in cash before receiving care, creating ethical concerns.
  3. Patients can protect themselves by understanding their insurance, confirming costs beforehand, and knowing their options if they face payment demands at appointments.

How to Fix the NIH

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1372 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare system
  1. Institute directors should have term limits of 5 to 10 years. This helps bring in new ideas and prevents one person from holding too much power for too long.
  2. More funding needs to go towards preventing chronic diseases rather than just treating them. Preventive care is important for keeping people healthy and can save money in the long run.
  3. The NIH should be more transparent about financial conflicts of interest. People deserve to know how research funding is influenced by financial ties to the industry.

HHS picks, the House subcommittee report, and pandemic revisionism

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1326 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare system
  1. The new appointments in HHS reflect a mix of people who disagree with Covid-19 policies and those who have ignored real issues. Learning from the pandemic means discussing both the successes and failures honestly.
  2. Covid-19 is not like the flu; it caused a lot of deaths and the vaccines were effective in saving lives. It’s essential to recognize the actual impact and the importance of public health measures that worked.
  3. Many criticisms of pandemic policies lack evidence and understanding of the complexities involved. We should focus on genuine discussions about what went wrong and how to improve in future situations.

"Under the law he had no remedy." How Dr. Dan Hurley's legacy could lead to health insurance prior authorization reform

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 519 implied HN points • 04 Oct 23
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare system
  1. Dr. Dan Hurley fought against health insurance practices that often deny essential treatments, even after initial approval. His struggles highlight how complicated and frustrating dealing with insurers can be for patients.
  2. The law governing health insurance makes it hard for patients to challenge denied claims, leaving many without proper remedies for their disputes. This unfair system discourages people from appealing denied medical treatments.
  3. Hurley's legacy encourages the formation of advocacy groups to help patients fight against unfair insurance practices. His story inspires others to push for change in health coverage to ease the burden on families dealing with medical needs.

America has a worsening hospital crisis. The new documentary "American Hospitals" charts a way out of it.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 359 implied HN points • 14 Nov 23
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare system
  1. There is a growing crisis in American hospitals, especially with large hospitals making a lot of money while smaller ones struggle and close down.
  2. The documentary 'American Hospitals: Healing a Broken System' highlights these issues and features experts sharing insights on the hospital situation.
  3. Some lawmakers are starting to pay more attention to the hospital industry's problems and are encouraging changes to make healthcare more fair and accessible for everyone.

Fighting BMI-Based Denials Part 3 - Patient Experience

Weight and Healthcare • 579 implied HN points • 22 Feb 23
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare system
  1. Patients face challenges with BMI-based denials in healthcare, leading to significant emotional, financial, and physical impacts.
  2. Advocating for medical necessities, like surgeries, can be a long and arduous process involving research, professional consultations, and legal assistance.
  3. The use of BMI as a sole metric for healthcare decisions is criticized as outdated and unfair, impacting individuals' access to necessary care.

Pay $6100 or Endure 18 1/2 Minutes of Torture?

Ladyparts • 818 implied HN points • 25 Oct 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Healthcare system
  1. The healthcare system in America presents absurd choices to individuals, forcing them to make challenging decisions in times of need.
  2. There is a disparity in experiences and income levels between men and women, leading to different perspectives on issues like healthcare and tone policing.
  3. Women continue to face challenges such as being tone policed and earning less than men, highlighting the ongoing gender inequalities that persist.

Hospitals' latest "innovation": "patient-centric payment capabilities"

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 399 implied HN points • 07 Jul 23
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare system
  1. Hospitals are focusing more on getting paid upfront from patients, even before care is provided. This shift is partly due to more people facing high medical costs because of their insurance plans.
  2. Many hospitals are using technology to remind patients of their bills and to ask for payments in advance. This creates a situation where financial discussions happen at the same time as medical care.
  3. The emphasis on collecting money may lead to less compassion in healthcare. Patients often feel pressured about their bills instead of receiving the support they need during tough times.

When Doctors' Education Is The Best That Pharma Money Can Buy- Part 2

Weight and Healthcare • 419 implied HN points • 08 Feb 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Healthcare system
  1. Doctors' education can be influenced by undisclosed ties to pharmaceutical companies, impacting the information they provide and recommendations they make.
  2. Continuing Medical Education (CME) is essential for doctors to maintain licensure, but conflicts of interest in CME material can lead to biased information and potential risks for patients.
  3. The influence of pharmaceutical companies in medical education raises concerns around the quality of information provided to healthcare practitioners and the potential impact on patient care.