Posts All of our commentary in one spot. You can also browse by topics or search. 414 posts in this category Private Equity Harms Patients & Providers January 19, 2025 Profit-driven provider ownership compounds the harm from profit-driven insurance. We must pursue a 3-step action plan: educate the public; persuade legislators; and implement universal public insurance with community-orientated providers. Americans Angry about Flawed Health Insurance January 7, 2025 The progressive physician voice is essential in health reform. A long-time leader of Physicians for a National Health Program comments on how the US public’s reaction to the murder of an insurance executive highlights the terrible human cost of insurance shortfalls, and calls for a public, national health program. Shareholder Dreams or Health Justice? December 31, 2024 Corporate stock buybacks on top of hundreds of billions in profits favored by shareholders, versus government-run universal health insurance as favored by two in three adults. It’s time to be “politely stern” in favor of health care coverage for all. Estimated US Deaths Associated with Health Insurance / Access to Care December 28, 2024 The US has far higher mortality than other wealthy nations. Yet the fraction associated with health insurance issues and impaired access to care is difficult to estimate, due to elevated disease risk factors. This analysis estimates 200,000 annual deaths after adjustment for high-burden US diseases, potentially representing insurance-related mortality. The Flawed Corporate Health Care Model December 15, 2024 The CEO of UnitedHealth Group wants to fix our “flawed, patchwork” health system by partnering with others. But there’s a deep paradox here: how can the fundamental weakness of the system – for-profit corporate control – be at the center of a solution? Deaths due to Willful Systemic Failings are Violent, Too December 10, 2024 The shooting a few days ago of a UnitedHealthcare insurance CEO generated, predictably, horror at interpersonal violence. It also unleashed widespread rage at the pain and harm inflicted by private health insurer practices. More than just prior authorization denials, our corporate insurance approach constitutes systemic violence, annually killing tens of thousands. US Seniors Experience Worst Cost Barriers to Care December 4, 2024 The Commonwealth Fund just published a ten-nation survey of health care affordability for seniors. Guess who had the highest financial barriers to care? Yup, the US. Medicare helps (beats being young & uninsured or having massive deductibles), but needs lower cost-sharing. Choice Among Private Insurance Options Isn’t Real Choice November 27, 2024 The new Commonwealth survey of health insurance reveals persistent failings in coverage and access. The myth of “choice” in health insurance should be ended, in favor of real choice – of providers, enabled by excellent universal public insurance. New Government: Time to Revisit Single Payer? November 21, 2024 Our fragmented, predominantly private health insurance serves corporations and shareholders, at the expense of financial affordability for patients. This is nothing new, but it’s worsening. What’s new is the shake-up of politics. Let’s insist on shaking up our failed insurance. HJM with the US Political Shift November 13, 2024 HJM is refining its mission in light of political realignment in the U.S. Posts pagination 1 2 3 … 42 Older
