The hottest Policy Impact Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Health Politics Topics

A snapshot into how deportations affect health

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1399 implied HN points • 13 Jun 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Mental health Immigration Child welfare Policy Impact
  1. Deportations affect not just the individuals who are removed but also the families and communities left behind, especially children who may experience trauma, stress, and uncertainty.
  2. Studies show that fear of deportation can lead families to avoid seeking medical care, which can have serious public health implications for entire communities.
  3. Support from caregivers, educators, and communities is crucial for children and families affected by these policies, helping them cope and thrive despite the challenges they face.

Are Economic Worries Overblown?

Spilled Coffee • 36 implied HN points • 05 Mar 25
💰 Finance Economics Investing Market Trends Home Sales Policy Impact
  1. The U.S. stock market is down, with the S&P 500 dropping 6% this year due to economic worries. Many people are feeling uncertain about the economy right now.
  2. Pending home sales in the U.S. have hit an all-time low, even worse than during the 2008 financial crisis and COVID-19. This is a significant sign of trouble in the housing market.
  3. There is a lot of volatility in the financial markets due to government changes and spending cuts, creating questions about whether current market conditions are a good buying opportunity.

The Good News is Fascists Always Fail

JoeWrote • 118 implied HN points • 25 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political theory Political Movements Election Analysis Public Opinion Policy Impact
  1. Fascism is a reactionary ideology that often seeks to return to a past that never really existed. This means it usually fails because it can't truly solve today's problems.
  2. Politicians like Trump might get attention by blaming others for issues, but they struggle to deliver real solutions once in power. Their promises often lead to disappointment among supporters.
  3. Despite the fear around fascist movements, they can ultimately collapse because they don't offer genuine plans for the future. People are beginning to recognize when their needs aren't being met.

Therapy Patients Stop Treatment After ‘Pre-Payment Reviews’ Swell

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 319 implied HN points • 18 Sep 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare access Insurance Issues Mental health Policy Impact Patient rights
  1. Many therapy patients are stopping their treatment because insurance company UnitedHealthcare is asking for a lot of extra paperwork before paying for services. This makes it hard for patients to get reimbursed and leads to anxiety about continuing their care.
  2. Therapists are feeling overwhelmed by the amount of time and effort needed to process these pre-payment reviews. Some have had to cut back on their schedules to handle the paperwork, which affects both their work and their patients' treatment.
  3. The situation highlights larger issues in mental health care access and billing, particularly for out-of-network providers. It raises concerns about patient privacy and adds unnecessary stress for both patients and therapists.

21 Century Housing Summary, Missouri Edition

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 168 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
💰 Finance Housing Market Economic Trends Market Analysis Policy Impact
  1. Housing prices in Missouri increased from the late 1990s to mid-2000s, but not necessarily because of a bubble. Instead, they align more with normal price patterns over a long period.
  2. There was a lending boom that raised home prices, mostly due to easier access to credit. However, this did not lead to a big increase in homeownership in Missouri.
  3. After the market crash post-2008, home construction dropped significantly, causing a supply shortage which has kept rents and housing prices high, particularly in lower-tier markets.
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1,135 days

COVID Reason • 1506 implied HN points • 11 Apr 23
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Policy Impact Children's Health Vaccination Debate
  1. The United States spent 1,135 days under a national emergency declaration due to Covid.
  2. Covid policies led to significant consequences like healthcare disruptions, flawed Covid models, and privacy concerns.
  3. The impact on child health and development, global rise in child labor, and negative effects on education were profound outcomes of Covid regulations.

URGENT: Donald Trump is reinstating thousands of members of the military who were discharged for refusing Covid jabs

Unreported Truths • 107 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military Policy Public Sentiment Policy Impact
  1. Donald Trump plans to reinstate military members who were discharged for not getting the Covid vaccine. This includes offering them back pay.
  2. Many service members faced pressure and threats over the vaccine mandate, with some forced to leave the military because they refused it.
  3. The vaccine mandate was seen by some as a political move rather than a safety measure, leading to some people feeling excluded and unfairly treated.

The seismic shift in U.S. health care imposes big hurdles for providers as payors benefit from “flywheel effect”

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 499 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare systems Policy Impact Market Trends
  1. The U.S. healthcare system has changed a lot since 2008, making it hard for providers and giving payors like UnitedHealth advantages. They manage profits by combining health services and insurance.
  2. Big insurers can keep costs low for themselves while paying their own providers well, which puts pressure on other healthcare providers. This may lead some to sell their practices to these larger companies.
  3. There is increasing tension between healthcare providers and payors due to strategies that payors use to reduce coverage and costs. Providers need to understand these changes to negotiate better.

Is the Current Bird Flu Made in America?

Who is Robert Malone • 14 implied HN points • 01 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Epidemiology Policy Impact
  1. Current claims suggest the bird flu H5N1 strain might have been created in U.S. laboratories, but there is no solid evidence to support this idea. It's important to understand that these assertions are largely based on hypotheses and still need more investigation.
  2. The publication that stirred these claims had a very quick review process, which raises concerns about the thoroughness of the research. It highlights the need for careful scrutiny before drawing conclusions from such studies.
  3. The authors of the original claims lack specialized training in virology, making their statements even more questionable. It underscores the importance of relying on experts who are truly qualified in the field when discussing public health issues.

Since my 2019 visit to Community First! Village, Austin's model for housing the chronically homeless has grown and flourished

Gotham by Susan Dyer Reynolds • 216 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Homelessness Community support Policy Impact
  1. Community First! Village in Austin provides housing and support for chronically homeless individuals.
  2. Residents at the village have opportunities for employment through farming, art, and auto mechanic workshops.
  3. The village operates on principles of accountability, requiring rent payment and adherence to community rules.

A Brief History of "Homeless"

Mental Disorder • 216 implied HN points • 22 Jun 23
💾 History Language Evolution Homelessness Activism Policy Impact
  1. The term 'homeless' is imprecise and can refer to various living conditions and situations.
  2. The language used to describe homelessness has evolved over time, from terms like 'hobo' to 'bum' to 'the homeless.'
  3. The rebranding of homelessness as a policy issue has led to significant funding for housing first policies and a shift towards more politically correct terms.

LIFE AND DOLLARS: a health care insider's account of how prior authorization really works.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 239 implied HN points • 07 Feb 23
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare system Insurance Issues Patient Advocacy Cost management Policy Impact
  1. Prior authorization was meant to reduce unnecessary medical procedures, but it's often causing more problems than it solves. Patients and doctors face delays and frustrations, and the process doesn't save as much money as expected.
  2. Health insurers are spending a lot on middlemen and outsourcing prior authorization, which drives up health care costs. These companies often prioritize profits over patient care.
  3. Many patients don't understand how prior authorization affects their care, leading to confusion. It's important for employers and patients to be informed and communicate better about these requirements to avoid frustrations.

What happened to the kids told 'not to kill Granny'?

CIEO • 98 implied HN points • 23 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Children's Health Education Policy Impact
  1. Lockdowns had significant negative effects on children, including impacts on education, mental health, and social wellbeing.
  2. The pandemic led to a rise in mental health problems among children, such as eating disorders and self-harm.
  3. Children were burdened with sacrifices during lockdown to protect vulnerable adults, with little consideration for their own needs and well-being.

U.S. women enrolled in high-deductible health insurance plans are at risk of dying younger

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 199 implied HN points • 13 Mar 23
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare access Women's Health Racial Disparities Policy Impact
  1. Women with high-deductible health insurance plans face a greater risk of dying younger because they may not afford the care they need. This is especially true for those diagnosed with serious illnesses like breast cancer.
  2. Studies show that women in high-deductible plans are less likely to stick to their treatment due to high out-of-pocket costs, which can lead to worse health outcomes.
  3. There's a significant racial disparity in health outcomes for women with cancer in high-deductible plans, particularly affecting Black women who are less likely to receive necessary treatment compared to other groups.

Here is what you need to know in healthcare this week.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 279 implied HN points • 20 May 22
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare Costs Insurance Issues Medicare Policy Impact Public Health
  1. Insulin prices have skyrocketed, and many diabetics are struggling to afford it. In fact, out-of-pocket spending for insulin doubled from 2007 to 2019 for those on Medicare.
  2. High-deductible health plans are making it harder for low-income workers to get preventative care. People earning less than $75,000 a year often avoid necessary medical check-ups due to high costs.
  3. Private insurers are paying much more for healthcare services than Medicare, which leads to higher premiums for consumers. This shows that privatizing healthcare isn't necessarily better for controlling costs.

Covid 'experts' are killing evidence based medicine

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 184 implied HN points • 12 Feb 23
🏥 Health Politics Covid response Public Health Policy Impact
  1. Evidence based medicine is important, and it's crucial to generate evidence consistently.
  2. Observational research has limitations and may not accurately determine if medical interventions work.
  3. Misinterpretations and flawed studies by so-called 'experts' can harm evidence based medicine and public health.

US Government is 'not doing their homework' on gun violence at schools

School Shooting Data Analysis and Reports • 39 implied HN points • 17 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gun Violence School Shootings Data journalism Policy Impact
  1. The US Government lacks a federal record of gun violence in schools, which is a major oversight.
  2. Rigorous databases like the K-12 School Shooting Database provide crucial information on school shootings, showing the importance of collecting data.
  3. Data collection efforts, like those of David Riedman, play a vital role in supporting policy briefings, research, and raising awareness about gun violence in schools.

The Renewable Revolution

Renewable Revolution • 59 implied HN points • 07 Jun 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Sustainability Global Warming Market Trends Policy Impact
  1. The energy transition is happening fast thanks to new technology that boosts renewable energy. It's all about using the sun, wind, and other natural energy sources more efficiently.
  2. China is taking a lead in renewable energy and pushing everyone to improve and innovate quickly in this area.
  3. Market prices will reflect the energy transition in this decade, meaning investments will start focusing more on renewable sources, which is good for the environment.

Introduction: The Housing Crisis, What We Do and Do Not Know.

The Origins of the Housing Crisis • 79 implied HN points • 07 Jul 21
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Housing Crisis Housing Market Policy Impact Historical Analysis Financial system
  1. The average house price being higher over time may not necessarily indicate a crisis as other factors like larger houses or increased income availability can contribute to it.
  2. The complaint in the housing crisis is not just about higher prices overall, but about lack of affordability for every property, especially compared to historical norms and international standards.
  3. Britain's housing crisis has deep roots dating back to the 1960s due to a mix of demand subsidies and supply limits, leading to market volatility and historical financial crises like in 1974-75 and 2008-2009.

VSRF LIVE Tonight: Episode 151 - Election Results and Health Outcomes Discussion with Shannon Joy.

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 1 implied HN point • 07 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Health Freedom Elections Public Health Policy Impact Health Advocacy
  1. The recent election results could greatly impact health freedom discussions. People are curious about whether this will lead to better health choices or more reliance on pharmaceuticals.
  2. A live discussion will feature journalist Shannon Joy breaking down what the election means for health freedom moving forward. This is a chance to understand the potential future of health policies.
  3. Support for the VSRF LIVE show is crucial as it runs on donations. Every little bit helps in maintaining efforts for health freedom for future generations.

The Bell Curve

Books Unbound • 0 implied HN points • 24 Jul 24
🚌 Education Intelligence Testing Social Inequality Cognitive ability Policy Impact
  1. Intelligence testing has a long history and aims to measure cognitive abilities, but it can also reinforce social inequalities. Tests may not show the full picture of a person's skills or potential.
  2. The book suggests that society is increasingly divided by intelligence, with smarter individuals getting the best jobs, which can widen economic gaps. Higher IQ is often linked to better job performance and success.
  3. The authors discuss controversial ideas about race and IQ, which have sparked debate. Many argue that environmental factors, like education quality, play a significant role in shaping intelligence.