The hottest Insurance Issues Substack posts right now

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Top Health Politics Topics

All you need to know about health care this week.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 79 implied HN points • 24 Jun 22
🏥 Health Politics Insurance Issues Patient Care Medical Research Racial Disparities
  1. 41% of Americans have health care debt, showing a huge problem with medical costs in the country.
  2. People with high-deductible health plans often delay necessary treatments due to costs, which can worsen their health outcomes.
  3. Even those with insurance can struggle financially, leading many to seek help from friends or crowdfunding for medical expenses.

The $140 billion the New York Times says Americans owe in medical debt is just the tip of the iceberg.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 99 implied HN points • 21 Jul 21
🏥 Health Politics Medical Debt Insurance Issues Patient Advocacy Healthcare Costs Public Policy
  1. Americans owe $140 billion in medical debt, but this number is likely much larger. Many people are also using credit cards to cover healthcare costs, which adds to the debt.
  2. A significant amount of medical debt comes from insured people, not just the uninsured. High deductibles make it hard for many to afford care even with insurance.
  3. High-deductible health plans can be risky, as they can lead to big out-of-pocket costs when people get sick. This situation needs more attention from lawmakers to protect individuals from financial ruin.

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.

UnitedHealthcare is caught in a PR nightmare. Here’s what they did and how it'll soon be your nightmare.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 59 implied HN points • 24 Jun 21
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare policy Insurance Issues Public Health Patient Advocacy
  1. UnitedHealthcare plans to deny ER claims if their nurses decide patients weren't sick enough. This could leave many with unexpected bills after emergencies.
  2. The company's recent policy change sparked a major public relations crisis, leading to widespread backlash from doctors and healthcare organizations.
  3. Despite delaying the policy for now, UnitedHealthcare may implement it later, risking patient safety and putting profits over care.

Wendell Potter: I've been alive for 70 years. It is time for me to speak up like I never have before.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 19 implied HN points • 24 Jun 21
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare policy Insurance Issues Whistleblowing Advocacy Transparency
  1. Wendell Potter, a former health insurance executive, plans to reveal how health insurance companies operate and make decisions that affect people's lives. He aims to shed light on the industry’s practices and motivations.
  2. He emphasizes that he has changed his approach and now wants to share the truth after years of misleading customers for profit. Potter feels less fearful as he approaches his 70th birthday, motivating him to speak out more.
  3. Potter's experiences also include a personal journey, sharing stories from his life that influenced him, and inviting others to contribute their own insights about unethical practices in the industry.
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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.

Ticking Time Bombs and the Climate-Housing Crisis

The Snap Forward • 0 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate Crisis Housing Market Natural Disasters Insurance Issues Real Estate
  1. Climate change is making real estate more risky, especially in places affected by disasters like fires. This increases pressure on housing markets, leading to shortages and higher prices.
  2. People are willing to pay more to live in safer areas that don't face climate threats. This trend shows that safety is becoming a priority for many home buyers.
  3. The combination of a housing crunch and climate impacts is creating a situation where more people are looking for secure places to live. This demand is expected to grow, making safe properties harder to find.