Fight Back: Recent Episodes
Healthcare Consumer Rights Foundation
Healthcare Consumer Rights Foundation (HCRF) provides free education to help healthcare consumers navigate the complex healthcare system and to better understand their legal rights and options. The Foundation will provide consumers up-to-date and useful news, data, and expert analysis of the most urgent and relevant healthcare issues.
(The information provided on this podcast is for general information only, and is no substitute for obtaining legal advice from a qualified attorney. Consumers who need legal advice about health care access or insurance should consult a qualified attorney who can provide advice tailored to their particular situations. The views expressed by individuals in these podcasts are their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of the Healthcare Consumer Rights Foundation or the views any other organization or agency with which such individuals are affiliated.)
Today on FightBack! we discuss the latest information about the COVID 19 vaccine, and the new delivery systems that are being developed. We talk about this development and how the lessons learned with the COVID-19 pandemic are helping scientists gain ground on other vaccines. Joining us to shed light on these issues is Dr. Mike Ybarra, Emergency Room Physician and Chief Medical Officer at Pharmaceutical Researchers and Manufacturers of America who shares his knowledge regarding vaccine developments, not only regarding COVID, but other vaccines as well.
In this Fight Back Minicast, we talk about chiropractic care. Chiropractic is a healthcare discipline emphasizing the body’s inherent recuperative power to heal without using drugs or surgery. The chiropractic practice focuses on the relationship between structure (primarily the spine) and function (as coordinated by the nervous system) and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health.
We welcome our special guest, Dr. Steven Barham. After suffering a severe back injury playing college football, Steven faced major surgery but chose to try chiropractic care. The treatment he received provided quick and lasting results, and he decided to enter the chiropractic profession. For the last 30 years, he has been helping patients of all ages seek relief and healing from their health problems.
In this library release Fight Back episode, Dr. Ted Mazer joins us to talk about how you can make your medical expenses fit into your budget. We discuss the importance of shopping for medical procedures, ways to avoid surprise billing, understanding how in and out of network physicians and procedures affect your final bill, how to negotiate hospital bills and more.
Dr. Mazer is a former President of the California Medical Association. In 2015, San Diego County Medical Society named him one of the county’s “Top Doctors” in their annual “Physicians of Exceptional Excellence” survey published by San Diego Magazine.
Please see the companion episode, “Negotiating Medical Bills,” one of our most popular.
In early April 2023, President Biden signed a bipartisan congressional resolution to end the federal government’s emergency response to the COVID pandemic. What does that mean for America? How does that affect access to healthcare? Will new vaccines still be produced? Our COVID expert, Dr. Brad Pollock, joins us to answer these and other questions, including the new medical diagnosis of long COVID.
Listen in to this minicast as “Fight Back” covers the critically important topic of advanced healthcare directives, a legal document that addresses such end-of-life issues as “do not resuscitate” orders, treatment options, healthcare proxies, and more.
Our guest is Ashton Ellis, an expert on advanced directives and an attorney who creates advanced directives for families. Ashton is currently working to develop a curriculum that trains doctors and lawyers on how to apply the appropriate standard of care when complying with end-of-life care laws. Our conversation will briefly examine why a healthcare directive is so important for yourself and your loved ones.
On today’s new Fight Back episode, our hosts discuss the illegal Fentanyl drug crisis with California Assemblyman Joe Patterson and community advocate Laura Didier, who lost her son to illicit Fentanyl. With fentanyl deaths surging by 279% since 2016, public health and community leaders are looking for solutions.
Assemblyman Joe Patterson was elected in November 2022 and represents California Assembly District 5. Before his election to the Legislature, Joe ran his own business and served on the Rocklin City Council as Mayor. Laura Didier, after the loss of her son, began advocating and educating youth and parents about the danger of illicit Fentanyl. She travels nationwide to raise awareness of this crisis. Join us as we learn about the crisis, what leaders are doing to try to solve the problem in California, and what resources could be available in your community.
In this Library episode of Fight Back, we talk extensively about chiropractic care. Chiropractic is a healthcare discipline that emphasizes the body’s inherent recuperative power to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery. The chiropractic practice focuses on the relationship between structure (primarily the spine) and function (as coordinated by the nervous system) and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health.
We welcome our special guest, Dr. Steven Barham. After suffering a severe back injury playing college football, Steven was faced with major surgery but chose to try chiropractic care. The treatment he received provided quick and lasting results, and he decided to enter the chiropractic profession. For the last 30 years, he has been helping patients of all ages seek relief and healing from their health problems.
Dr. Barham will discuss with us the origins and evolution of chiropractic care, what patients should do to find the right chiropractor for their needs, what patients can expect at their first visit, and much more.
In this Fight Back Minicast, Dr. Ted Mazer discusses various ear, nose, and throat conditions and disorders. We get to hear about general care for your ears, learn some basic information about sleep apnea, and the questions you need to ask your specialist.
Dr. Mazer specializes in treating ear, nose, head, throat, and neck disorders. He was named one of the “Top Doctors” in the 2015 San Diego Magazine “Physicians of Exceptional Excellence” and is a former President of the California Medical Association.
On this Library Release of Fight Back, we talk with special guest Dr. Alan Sanders, a specialist in infectious diseases. Dr. Sanders previously served as Chief of Medicine at St Peter’s Hospital in Albany, NY, and currently is the Chief Medical Officer of St Peter’s Health Partners. He will soon be assuming the role of Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Albany Medical Center Hospital. Among many other responsibilities, he will spearhead establishing a telemedicine program to deliver clinical care—including diagnosing and treating infectious diseases—to underserved areas.
Dr. Sanders gives us a behind-the-scenes look at telemedicine, from the implementation and use of the technology to what consumers should do to educate themselves on how telemedicine can work for them. Listen in now!
In this Fight Back minicast, we jump into the complex world of long-term care insurance and what that really means. Our special guest is Bonnie Burns, who has more than 40 years of experience in long-term care insurance and works to improve consumer protections in state and federal legislation and regulations. She has served as a consumer representative to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners since 1992. She is a consultant to California Health Advocates providing training, educational materials, and technical assistance on long-term care insurance. Let's find out if consumers really need long-term care insurance.
In this Fight Back library release we meet Linda Garvin, a Health Advocate. Linda graduated from the University of Massachusetts, earning her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Adult Nurse Practitioner training with honors. She has a Public Health Certificate in California. She has spent the last 20 years as a health advocate in California and nationwide.
Health Advocates support and advocate on behalf of patients and their families when a third party’s expertise and knowledge can improve treatments and navigate a complicated health situation. Could a health advocate help you or your loved one? What specific kind of services do health advocates provide? Join us as Linda answers these and other questions.
In this Fight Back minicast, we welcomes our special guest, Dr. Jeff Poizner. Dr. Poizner is a Staff Psychologist at VA San Diego Healthcare System and specializes in providing evidence-based treatments via Telemental Health platforms to veterans with PTSD and other conditions.
Dr. Poizner joins us to discuss a very complicated and challenging issue: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, more commonly known as PTSD. While most are familiar with PTSD as it relates to Armed Forces Services members, Dr. Poizner reminds us that there are many forms of PTSD, and anyone who has suffered a traumatic event can suffer from PTSD. Join us today as we learn more about this very complicated diagnosis.
In this Fight Back Library Release, our special guest, Dr. Ted Mazer discusses various ear, nose, and throat conditions and disorders. From ringing in the ears, the causes and treatment for hearing loss, to the loss of smell, we will cover it and get real-world answers for you.
Dr. Mazer specializes in treating ear, nose, head, throat, and neck disorders. He was named one of the “Top Doctors” in the 2015 San Diego Magazine “Physicians of Exceptional Excellence” and is a former President of the California Medical Association.
In this FightBack! minicast, we discuss alternative health systems: different ways to deliver healthcare to patients, and how states, nonprofit organizations, and even companies—like Whole Foods—have implemented unique concepts to enable better and cheaper healthcare options for consumers.
Our guest is Sean Flynn, Assistant Professor of Economics at Scripps College. He is the author of Economics for Dummies, which has now been translated into seven foreign languages, as well as the coauthor of the world's best-selling college textbook, Economics: Principles, Problems, and Policies. Sean's in-depth knowledge of our healthcare system makes for a great discussion.
In this FightBack Library Release, Adriana Contreras joins us to discuss the health and safety of student-athletes in high school and collegiate sports. Adriana is a voluntary Assistant Coach on the swim team at the University of Nevada, Reno, a former Assistant Coach at UC Davis, a former Senior Group Coach for the DART swimming team, a former Assistant Swimming Coach at the University of the Pacific, Head Swimming Coach at St. Francis High School, and a certified professional and collegiate Division I soccer referee.
Adriana talks about how parents should communicate with their children’s coaches and doctors to create a healthy sporting experience, the mental health challenges brought on by high-pressure athletics—including the lessons learned from Simone Biles’ Olympic experiences—what student-athletes should know about the rules and regulations around performance-enhancing drugs, and much more.
In today's Fight Back! minicast we get a quick Pharmacy 101 with special guest Debby Johnson, a third-generation pharmacist and former President of the California Pharmacist Association. We'll take a quick look into several topics related to the world of pharmacy, including the importance of having your prescriptions at one pharmacy, the differences between brand name and generic medicines, and some advice for consumers interacting with pharmacists.
Healthcare consumers often do not know the actual cost of health services. Whether it is a bed in a hospital, a prescription drug, or a procedure like an MRI, the price is usually buried beneath government regulations, insurance forms, and confusing terminology. In this FightBack Library release, we first hear from John about how a brief hospital visit to deal with kidney stones turned into a $20,000 surprise. Fortunately, his insurance paid most of the bill, but he might have made different decisions if he had known the true cost. David Balat, a former hospital CEO and now a policy healthcare advocate focusing on healthcare costs, explains that consumers have the right to proper billing, how to understand the actual cost of healthcare, and what resources are available for shopping for healthcare.
In this Minicast release, Fight Back revisits a conversation we had during the early days of the COVID-19 vaccine. We talked about how the vaccine was developed, how the clinical trial process works, and how herd immunity and vaccines work together.
We were joined by vaccine expert Dr. Mike Ybarra, an Emergency Room physician and Vice President of Medical Affairs and Strategic Alliances at the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association. Dr. Ybarra has over ten years of advocacy, health policy, and direct patient care experience. His background and knowledge help us take a closer look into the development of the COVID vaccine, its technology, and its implications for the public.
Health insurance is critical for individuals and families. In this library release of FightBack!, we talk about when you suddenly lose your health insurance: how it can feel overwhelming and difficult to determine where to start and what to do. Fortunately, there are many options available. Jenn Moore, Health Net’s chief commercial officer, joins us to talk about how to navigate this complicated and challenging process. For nearly 20 years, Jenn has overseen Health Net’s insurance plans for corporations, small businesses, families, and individuals. She also led the insurer’s planning for complying with and implementing the Affordable Care Act.
In part two of our Minicast on Autism, we talk with special guest Kristin Jacobson. Kristin is the Founder and Executive Director of the Autism Deserves Equal Coverage Foundation, which advocates for health policy and legal enforcement for autism and other mental health conditions.
Kristin will help our listeners understand the laws and regulations that provide ASD patients with the rights to treatments, requirements for health insurance companies to cover such treatments, what you can do to fight back when facing coverage denials, and much more.
In this special Fight Back Library release, we welcome our special guest, Erica Costa, to discuss how to quit smoking. Erica is the Director of Advocacy for tobacco control in California for the American Lung Association. In her work, she advocates for support programs and methods to help people quit tobacco use and kick their nicotine addiction.
Erica gives our listeners a wealth of information on the best ways to tackle smoking and nicotine addictions. From providing us with the dangers of smoking cigarettes and vaping to the immediate health benefits of quitting, Erica discusses how best to create a plan to stop that encompasses counseling, nicotine replacement therapy, medication, friend and family support networks, and more.
In this FightBack! Minicast, we discuss autism. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates autism’s prevalence as 1 in 59 children in the United States—1 in 37 boys and 1 in 151 girls. A lifelong condition, autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, impacts those with this disorder and their families in many ways.
Our special guest is former Assemblywoman Suzette Martinez Valladares. Suzette is a Latina businesswoman and educator specializing in early childhood education and advocacy. As the former Executive Director of Southern California Autism Speaks, she served special needs children.
Suzette will help us understand ASD, the critical importance of parent advocacy, and available resources to patients and families.
In this Fight Back Library Release, we discuss the important topic of health equity. Health equity means that everyone has a fair and equal opportunity to be as healthy as possible. Many factors impact a person’s health, including poverty, access to good jobs, education, and housing, to name a few. Race should not be one of them. Health equity advocates have emerged in response to challenges that people of color face while seeking medical care.
What does health equity look like? How do communities and health organizations collaborate to promote health equity? How does addressing health equity impact everyone’s health and safety? We’ll dig into these issues and more with our special guest Jahmal Miller, System Vice President of CommonSpirit Health, serving in the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging. Jahmal is recognized as a national thought leader and a leading spokesperson on public policy, health equity, mental health, social justice, and innovation.
In this Minincast Release of Fight Back, we welcome our special guest, Dr. Cari Spencer. Dr. Cari is a California-licensed naturopathic doctor and physical therapist. Dr. Cari believes in getting to the cause of the problem, personalizing treatments, and using the least force necessary to heal and treat the whole person.
Dr. Cari joins us to discuss the medical practice of naturopathy, an area of medical treatment of which most consumers are unaware. She talks about what naturopathy really is, what types of treatment are available, and how a Doctor of Naturopathy could help you improve your health. Join us today as we discuss Naturopathy 101!
In this Fight Back Library Release, we talk about bringing healthcare into the digital age. Digital health is applying digital technologies to healthcare to improve wellness programs and make medicine more accessible, personalized, and precise. It aims to improve the quality of care and lower costs.
We welcome our special guest, Gary Cohen, Vice President of Government Affairs at Blue Shield of California.
Gary joins us to discuss what bringing healthcare into the digital age means. How are your healthcare records kept safe, secure, and yet accessible to your healthcare providers? How can the new technologies that help you monitor your health at home be integrated into your health records? Why are you still filling out a form with pen and paper when you visit a new doctor or specialist, or in the worst case, the emergency room? We dive into these questions and more.
The Healthcare Consumer Rights Foundation extends a happy and HEALTHY New Year to all and a hearty thank you to our listeners who helped make our Fight Back podcast one of the most listened to healthcare podcasts in America in 2022!
Our Fight Back 2022 year-in-review episode looks back at some of our most interesting and informative episodes. From discussing the importance of canine companions to analyzing long COVID, we will continue to interview expert guests about the important healthcare topics that matter most to you.
Listen to our Fight Back Year in Review episode today, and be sure to subscribe to our podcast so you won’t miss out on what we have in store for you in 2023!
In this Fight Back Library Release, we discuss the little-known yet potentially impactful Independent Medical Review system that gives healthcare consumers in every state of the country a powerful tool to fight back when insurance companies deny doctor-prescribed medical treatments.
Our special guest is Mary Watanabe, Director of the California Department of Managed Health Care, which oversees health plans that provide healthcare services to more than 27.7 million Californians. As Director, Mary is responsible for protecting consumers’ healthcare rights and ensuring a stable healthcare delivery system in accordance with federal and state rules.
We discuss the independent medical review process in California and the free resources and tools offered to consumers to help them make an appeal. Join us as we learn how to appeal a medical insurance coverage issue.
Everyone loves to go to the dentist, right? After listening to this surprisingly fascinating Fight Back minicast, you might not exactly love your dentist, but you will be more informed and even inclined to visit your dentist more often.
Our special guest, Dr. Joel Strom, discusses how oral hygiene impacts overall health and how preventive care almost always spares you from losing teeth and other problems. He also addresses a number of issues: Is flossing your teeth more important than brushing? How can oral health care impact your heart health, and how do you find the right dentist? Let's listen in and see if it's time to schedule your next dental exam.
Today's Library release, Lifestyle Medicine, focuses on educating and motivating patients to change personal habits and behaviors by using a whole food, plant-predominant diet, regular physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances, and positive social connection.
We discuss this topic with lifestyle medicine expert Dr. Cate Collings, Director of Lifestyle Medicine at El Camino Hospital and President of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. Join us as we explore Lifestyle Medicine and how this approach can change things for patients and doctors alike.
In this minicast release from Fight Back, we learn about physical therapy. Physical therapists are highly educated, licensed healthcare professionals who examine, evaluate, and treat patients whose conditions limit their ability to move and function in daily life. From augmenting recovery after surgery or illness or proactively using physical therapy to improve general wellness to providing an alternative to pain-killing drugs, physical therapists play a critical role in a patient’s overall health and recovery from injuries and illnesses.
Our special guest is Dr. Rick Katz, who worked as a physical therapist in hospital and outpatient settings. He developed programs for cardiac, pulmonary, and stroke patients, a sports injury clinic, and a coaches clinic.
Dr. Katz will give our listeners a quick look at when you might need a physical therapist, how to access care, and if your insurance plays a role in access to care.
In this Library episode of Fight Back, we talk about the holiday blues. Feeling a bit "blue" or downcast during the holidays is common. This year, many people will continue to feel added stress and anxiety of dealing with the effects of COVID, RSV, and a more severe flu season on family gatherings.
Our special guest is Dr. Richard Sherman, a licensed psychologist in private practice. He has been active in organizations that serve both the profession of psychology and the consumer. Dr. Sherman served as President of the CA Psychological Association and the Los Angeles County Psychological Association. He was also a gubernatorial appointee to the CA Board of Psychology, where he served for five years. He earned his doctorate in psychology from the University of Georgia.
Dr. Sherman explains the holiday blues and offers tips regarding coping with COVID challenges, staying mentally healthy through it all, and much more.
In this Fight Back minicast, join us as we welcome back Ken Barnes to explore the opportunities that persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities have in the workforce. Mr. Barnes is President and Chief Executive Officer of Options for All, an organization that serves, supports, and educates adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Ken also discusses some of the impacts that COVID had on employment for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
In this Library Release of Fight Back!, we talk with Peter Lee, Executive Director for California’s health insurance marketplace, Covered California. Here in California, the open enrollment period ends at the end of the year. Join us as we talk about the key things you need to know about enrolling in healthcare.
In our conversation, Peter provides valuable insight into the many facets of the Covered California program, including what options consumers have for obtaining affordable health insurance even if they lose their employment, how middle and low-income families can access subsidies for premiums and co-pays, how the open and special enrollment windows operate, the value of shopping around for the best possible plan, the status of the COVID-19 vaccination program, and much more.
Millions of people suffer from autism, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and intellectual disabilities. In this minicast, Ken Barnes talks about growing up with his developmentally disabled twin brother, and the issues that he and his family went through caring for him. Former Options for All CEO Ken Barns shares about how to work through these issues and the resources that are available. He then provides some helpful tips about what people and families facing similar problems can do.
In this Library Release of Fight Back, we get an insider’s look at Intensive Care Units. Dr. Wes Ely, author of Every Deep-Drawn Breath: A Critical Care Doctor on Healing, Recovery, and Transforming Medicine in the ICU joins us to shed light on what patients and their loved one(s) experience when entering an ICU, how mental health plays such a significant role for an ICU patient’s mind and body, the potential long-term effects from a stay in an ICU (known as Post Intensive Care Syndrome), the ways that COVID has led to changes in how ICU medical teams treat their patients, and so much more.
Dr. Ely is an internist, pulmonologist, and critical care physician and serves as the Grant W. Liddle endowed chair in medicine and is a physician-scientist and tenured professor at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He is also the associate director of aging research for the Tennessee Valley Veteran’s Affairs Geriatric Research Education Clinical Center (GRECC). He is the founder and co-director of the Critical Illness, Brain Dysfunction, and Survivorship (CIBS) Center, an organization devoted to research and ongoing care for people affected by critical illness.
Dr. Richard Sherman, a licensed psychologist in private practice, joins us to talk about the holiday blues. Feeling a bit “blue” or downcast during the holidays is common. Dr. Sherman explains the holiday blues and offers tips on how to meet the challenges of spending extra time with family and staying mentally healthy through it all, and much more.
In this Fight Back minicast, we welcome Dr. Howard Zucker, former New York State Public Health Commissioner who led New York through the initial impact of COVID-19.
Dr. Zucker shares New York’s experience as the first hot spot for COVID-19, dealing with shutdowns, masks, vaccines, and overrun emergency rooms. Join us as we take a quick look back at the start of COVID-19 in New York. Listen to the full episode, The NY COVID Health Experience here.
Join us on this Library Release of Fight Back, as we discuss medical marijuana. Many states in recent years have legalized the use of cannabis as a treatment for various medical conditions. We welcome our special guest, Sally Brammell, Senior Corporate Counsel at PAX Labs, a cannabis vaporizer company. She is also a parent of a young adult son who is developmentally disabled by a rare pediatric epilepsy syndrome. Although his seizures are resistant to most medications, they have been well-controlled for the past seven years with medical cannabis.
We discuss with Ms. Brammell the science behind medical marijuana, insurance and legal issues, different cannabis delivery methods, and more.
America is living through a time of unprecedented demographic change. In the last twenty years, the segment of our population over the age of 65 has increased from 6% to 9%. According to estimates, those over 65 will comprise 17% of the population by 2050. At 65, individuals can join the Medicare healthcare system. But Medicare is complicated, and for many who are about to or have recently turned 65, they face many choices and daunting questions.
In this episode, we talk with Medicare Expert Karen Johnson of Wellcare to learn the details about how to enroll successfully in Medicare.
Join us on this Library Release of Fight Back, as we talk with special guest Dr. Alan Sanders, a specialist in infectious diseases. Dr. Sanders previously served as Chief of Medicine at St Peter’s Hospital in Albany, NY, and currently is the Chief Medical Officer of St. Peter’s Health Partners. He will soon be assuming the role of Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Albany Medical Center Hospital. Among many other responsibilities, he will spearhead establishing a telemedicine program to deliver clinical care—including the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases—to underserved areas.
Dr. Sanders gives us a behind-the-scenes look at telemedicine, from the implementation and use of the technology to what consumers should do to educate themselves on how telemedicine can work for them, and more. We will also discuss the current state of the pandemic and the significant role the vaccines are playing in defeating the virus.
Peter Lee, Executive Director of Covered California, talks about the many facets of the Covered California program, including who qualifies, how the program works, what options consumers have if they lose their job, and how to navigate the open enrollment process.
In this Fight Back episode, our host, Steve Poizner, executive director of HCRF, welcomes our special guest, Linda Garvin, a Health Advocate. Linda graduated from the University of Massachusetts, earning her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Adult Nurse Practitioner training with honors. She has a Public Health Certificate in California.After an extensive medical career, Linda founded Patient Advocate Bay Area, where she serves as President. She has spent the last 20 years as a health advocate in California and nationwide.
Linda joins us to discuss what a health advocate is and what their job entails. Health advocates are available to support and advocate on behalf of a patient and their family when added knowledge and expertise can support better understanding, improved treatment, and more ease navigating a complicated health situation.
Could a health advocate help you or your loved one? What type of services could a health advocate provide? Join us as we learn more about this unique service.
In this Fight Back minicast, we talk with Gary Cohen, Vice President of Government Affairs at Blue Shield of California, about bringing healthcare into the digital age. We discuss what needs to happen to make electronic records work, hurdles to overcome regarding privacy concerns, and what consumers can do during the “digital transition.”
In this Fight Back episode, our host, Steve Poizner, executive director of HCRF, welcomes our special guest, Dr. Jeff Poizner. Dr. Poizner is a Staff Psychologist at VA San Diego Healthcare System and specializes in providing evidence-based treatments via Telemental Health platforms to veterans with PTSD and other conditions. Dr. Poizner completed his pre-doctoral internship at UCLA Counseling and Psychological Services and post-doctoral fellowship at UCSD Counseling and Psychological Services. His clinical and research interests include reducing barriers and improving access to evidence-based treatments for veterans with PTSD.
Dr. Poizner joins us to discuss a very complicated and challenging issue: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, more commonly known as PTSD. While most are familiar with PTSD as it relates to Armed Forces Service members, Dr. Poizner reminds us that there are many forms of PTSD, and anyone who has suffered a traumatic event can suffer from PTSD. Our conversation today looks at the many types of PTSD, what symptoms look like, the types of treatment, and how to access treatment.
Are your stomach and digestion connected to your overall health? The answer is obvious: yes. But exactly how profound that connection is and the level to which an anti-inflammatory diet can impact your overall health and wellness is the topic we explore this week on Fight Back.
In this Minicast, host Steve Poizner talks with Dr. Melamed about how you can fight back against the inflammatory foods so pervasive in the American diet and improve your physical well-being with some easy-to-access, affordable anti-inflammatory food strategies. Listen in to this health-changing Minicast for more!
In this Fight Back episode we welcome our special guest, Dr. Cari Spencer. Dr. Cari is a California-licensed naturopathic doctor and physical therapist. She holds a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University, the leading naturopathic medical school in North America, as well as two Masters Degrees in physical therapy from the University of Pittsburgh. She has a special interest in the treatment of neuroendocrine disorders as well as many health issues related to digestion. Dr. Cari believes in getting to the cause of the problem, personalizing treatments, and using the least force necessary to heal and treat the whole person.
Dr. Cari joins us to discuss the medical practice of naturopathy, a lesser-known area of medical treatment. She talks about the type of doctors who practice naturopathy, what naturopathy really is, how you can find a practitioner, and how a Doctor of Naturopathy could help you diagnose your health problems or improve your health. Join us today as we discuss Naturopathy 101!
In this Fight Back Minicast, we talk with Adriana Contreras about the health and safety of student athletes. As a collegiate swim coach and a certified and professional Division I collegiate soccer referee, Adriana talks about how pressure can be too much for an athlete, when parents need to speak with an athlete’s coach, and adhering to the banned substances guidelines.
What's the latest on "Long-COVID"? What is the current predominant sub-variant in the United States? What do we know about the new vaccine coming out in the fall of 2022? Do we have any data on why some people never test positive for COVID? Recently, President Biden experienced a rebound effect from the antivirals. How common is this? What should we know about monkey pox? Dr. Brad Pollock from UC Davis joins us for our monthly COVIDcast to answer these questions and more!
In this minicast, we talk with Sean Flynn, an assistant professor of economics at Scripps College, about the economics of our healthcare system: why consumers don’t pay much attention to healthcare costs, why health insurance companies spend so much, and why employers don’t push for reform. He also profiles Whole Food’s experiment.
In this Fight Back episode, we welcome Dr. Howard Zucker, former New York State Public Health Commissioner who led New York through the initial impact of COVID-19. He has held public health positions at the state, federal, and international levels and academic appointments at the Yale, Columbia, and Albert Einstein medical schools. He served as head of the Pediatric ICU at New York Presbyterian Hospital and was a research affiliate at MIT.
Dr. Zucker shares New York’s experience as the first hot spot for COVID-19, dealing with shutdowns, masks, vaccines, and overrun emergency rooms. Join us as we look back at the start of COVID-19 in New York and how local, state, and federal governments interfaced with the healthcare system.
Should we be worried about the Ba5 COVID subvariant? Is a “master” vaccine that targets all omicron variants possible? Should I vaccinate my child? Dr. Pollock joins us for our monthly COVIDcast to answer these questions. He also talks about the COVID global outlook and vaccine boosters.
Service animals—especially canines—have proven to be able helpers to those in need. In this Fight Back Minicast episode, Michelle Williams, Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator for Canine Companions, and Stefanie Lund, a volunteer breeder of service canines, discuss the difference between service, therapy, and emotional support dogs and how they can improve their owner’s health, especially veterans.
In this Fight Back episode, Dr. Ted Mazer discusses various ear, nose, and throat conditions and disorders. From ringing in the ears, the causes and treatment for hearing loss to the loss of smell, we will cover it and get real-world answers for you.
Dr. Mazer specializes in treating ear, nose, head, throat, and neck disorders. He was named one of the “Top Doctors” in the 2015 San Diego Magazine “Physicians of Exceptional Excellence” and is a former President of the California Medical Association.
On this special Fight Back minicast, we hear a clip from our very first LIVE Telephone Town Hall where we discussed the latest Covid-19 outbreak and the endemic with University of California COVID-19 expert, Dr. Brad Pollock. Hundreds of listeners interacted and asked questions of Dr. Pollack and Healthcare Consumer Rights Executive Director and the host of the Fight Back podcast, Steve Poizner.
In this unique Fight Back podcast, we hosted our first LIVE telephone “Town Hall.” Hundreds of Fight Back podcast listeners called in to hear the latest news about the COVID-19 endemic, ask questions and interact with our two moderators: Dr. Brad Pollock and Steve Poizner.
Dr. Brad Pollock hosts a monthly “COVIDCast” on the Fight Back podcast, where he discusses the latest news and information about COVID-19, its variants, treatments, how to stay healthy, and other topics. Dr. Pollock is Chairman of the Department of Public Health Sciences at the University of California Davis School of Medicine.
Steve Poizner, Director of the Healthcare Consumer Rights Foundation, is the host of Fight Back.
Health insurance is critical for individuals and families. When you suddenly lose your health insurance because of COVID-19 or any other reason, it can feel overwhelming and difficult to determine where to start and what to do. Fortunately, there are many options available. Jenn Moore, Health Net’s chief commercial officer, joins us to talk about how to navigate this complicated and challenging process.
In this Fight Back episode, we welcome our special guest, Dr. Brad Pollock, to discuss childhood and young adult cancers. Dr. Pollack is a Distinguished Professor of Epidemiology, Chairman of the Department of Public Health Sciences, and Associate Dean for Public Health Sciences at the University of California (UC) Davis School of Medicine. He is also the Principal Investigator of the Children’s Oncology Group at the National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) and a leading researcher on the epidemiology and control of childhood and adolescent cancers.
He joins us to talk about how cancer is not just an older person’s disease, the types of cancers that strike children and young adults, the research that goes into finding effective treatment options and identifying causes of cancers, the long-term health outcomes for those who have cancer at a young age, and more.
Lifestyle Medicine focuses on educating and motivating patients to change personal habits and behaviors by focusing on whole food, plant-predominant diet, regular physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances, and positive social connections.
We discuss this topic with lifestyle medicine expert Dr. Cate Collings, Director of Lifestyle Medicine at El Camino Hospital and President of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.
In this Fight Back episode, Dr. Ted Mazer joins us to talk about how you can make your medical expenses fit into your budget. We discuss the importance of shopping for medical procedures, ways to avoid surprise billing, understanding how in and out of network physicians and procedures affect your final bill, how to negotiate hospital bills and more.
Dr. Mazer is a former President of the California Medical Association. In 2015, San Diego County Medical Society named him one of the county’s “Top Doctors” in their annual “Physicians of Exceptional Excellence” survey published by San Diego Magazine.
In this Fight Back Minicast, we cover the critically important topic of advanced healthcare directives, a legal document that addresses such end-of-life issues as “do not resuscitate” orders, treatment options, healthcare proxies, and more.
Do you need a second COVID vaccine booster shot? Are the home rapid tests able to detect the newest variants? What's the latest data regarding long COVID? Dr. Pollock joins us for our monthly COVIDcast to answer these questions. He also talks about vaccine availability in third world countries, and how other countries are currently struggling with COVID outbreaks.
This minicast discusses whether it is possible to negotiate your medical bills with the hospital and what that means for you and your bottom line. (Hint: You have options.) Our special guest Allan Fox, a former hospital CFO, offers his unique insights on the topic.
Most people with COVID-19 don’t become severely ill and will often get better within weeks of falling sick. By staying up to date on your COVID-19 vaccine, including a booster dose, you can lower the odds of a severe illness and the risk of hospitalization. However, even a mild COVID infection can cause what doctors and researchers call “long COVID.”
Long COVID is a wide range of new, returning, or ongoing health problems people may experience more than four weeks after being first infected. Researchers estimate that 10% to 30% of patients might experience long COVID after recovering—even if they experienced mild symptoms. This leaves many COVID long-haulers with questions about symptoms and what to do. In this Fight Back episode, our special guest, Dr. Aras Mattis, a research scientist at the University of California San Francisco, will discuss the ongoing research and understanding of long COVID.
Many states in recent years have legalized the use of cannabis as a treatment for various medical conditions. We welcome our special guest, Sally Brammell, Senior Corporate Counsel at PAX Labs, a cannabis vaporizer company. She is also a parent of a young adult son who is developmentally disabled by a rare pediatric epilepsy syndrome. Although his seizures are resistant to most medications, they have been well-controlled for the past seven years with medical cannabis. We discuss with Ms. Brammell the science behind medical marijuana, insurance and legal issues, different cannabis delivery methods, and more.
Do you need a fourth COVID vaccine booster shot? Will we need annual COVID vaccine shots, just like shots for the flu? Dr. Pollock joins us for our monthly COVID update to answer these questions. He also talks about the possibility of new variants, the importance of strengthening the global network of laboratory surveillance to detect such strains, and how wastewater monitoring has proven helpful in tracking COVID.
Debby Johnson, a third-generation pharmacist and former President of the California Pharmacist Association, gives us a peek into the world of a pharmacist.
She explains the important role pharmacists play as they interact with patients, how computer technology has become an indispensable tool and offers advice when insurance companies deny coverage for prescription drugs.
Click here to listen to the complete “Pharmacy 101” podcast.
Despite tremendous progress, smoking is still a leading cause of death from lung cancer and a significant contributor to heart disease. Our special guest, Erica Costa, discusses how to quit smoking. Erica is the Director of Advocacy for Tobacco Control in California for the American Lung Association.
In this special Minicast, Ms. Costa talks about how fast your body heals the moment you quit smoking, are vapes good for you, and the first steps to take to quit smoking.
For many years, service animals—especially canines—have helped those with various disabilities. But did you know that such service animals can do so much more? Amazingly they can:
- Keep track of your blood sugar level
- Warn you of impending issues
- Pick up, move or retrieve household items
- Play a considerable role in treatment for veterans and others with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
In this Fight Back episode, Michelle Williams, Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator for Canine Companions, and Stefanie Lund, a volunteer breeder of service canines, explore why service animals are man’s best friends. From the breeding and training of canine companions to the laws governing their identification and purposes, we cover it and more.
Today, we talk with Michele Lew, Chief Executive Officer of the Health Trust. Michele explains how to use food to prevent and treat diseases such as diabetes.
In our March COVID Update episode, Dr. Pollack joins us to talk about the origins, definitions, and differences of an epidemic, pandemic, and endemic. We also discuss when the COVID pandemic could become endemic, the state of COVID variants, and the potential for more “variants of concern.” We even talk about the unseemly yet important (and interesting!) topic of how wastewater and sewage treatment plants are an essential tool in tracking COVID.
Each month, Dr. Brad Pollock from UC Davis joins us to discuss the latest COVID news and information.
Dr. Laith Alshawabkeh, a board-certified cardiologist, discusses the latest advancements in the treatment of heart disease, specifically valve replacements and stents.
Dr. Alshawabkeh specializes in caring for adults with congenital heart disease, an abnormality in the heart present at birth. He leads the Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program at UC San Diego.
Click here to listen to the full “Cardiovascular Disease” podcast.
Everyone loves to go to the dentist, right? After listening to this surprisingly fascinating Fight Back episode, you might not exactly love your dentist, but you will be more informed and even inclined to visit your dentist more often.
Our special guest, Dr. Joel Strom, discusses how oral hygiene impacts overall health and how preventive care almost always spares you from losing teeth and other problems. He also addresses a number of questions: Is flossing your teeth more important than brushing? Ever wonder what your wisdom teeth are for? Is gum disease associated with an increased risk of developing heart disease? Can dentists spot sleep apnea in their patients?
Dr. Strom is a former President of the California State Dental Board, past Chairman of the California Science Center, and presently is a member of a Dental Advisory Panel at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). He also is a practicing dentist and an Adjunct Faculty member at The Forsyth Dental Institute, the only independent research institute in the United States focusing on the connections between oral health and overall wellness.
In this Fight Back Minicast episode, our special guest, world-renowned Dr. Kathy Magliato, who is one of the few female cardiothoracic surgeons in the world, will discuss with us why heart disease is called the silent killer, its signs and symptoms, and some of the lifestyle changes you can make to improve your heart’s health.
Do you ever feel overwhelmed trying to keep up-to-date with the latest information on COVID-19, its variants, treatments, how to stay healthy, and so many more questions?
The Healthcare Consumer Rights Foundation is proud to announce the release of our brand new podcast series: "What you need to know about COVID-19!" In this new series, Dr. Brad Pollock from UC Davis joins us to discuss all these topics and so many more!
Dr. Pollock is the Chairman of the Department of Public Health Sciences and Associate Dean for Public Health Sciences at the University of California (UC) Davis School of Medicine. He is a Fellow of the American College of Epidemiology. Previously he was the Founding Chair of the Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and on the faculty of the University of Florida. He received his B.S. in biological sciences from UC Irvine, and his MPH and Ph.D. degrees in epidemiology from the UCLA School of Public Health.
Appointed in March 2020, Dr. Pollock serves as the Chair of the UC Systemwide Public Health COVID-19 Workgroup. He also is the Director of Healthy Davis Together, a large demonstration project involving a partnership between the City of Davis and UC Davis. Healthy Davis Together is employing a model for applying integrated response and recovery strategies to combat COVID-19 in the community, including K-12 schools as well as special populations such as the unsheltered, those in congregate living facilities, and migrant farmworkers.
Dr. Pollock will join us each month to discuss the latest COVID news, studies, information, and misinformation. Enjoy the February, 2022, update!
In this Fight Back Minicast episode, our special guest, Claire Day, discusses the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and how it differs from dementia and answers questions about the newly FDA-approved treatment for Alzheimer’s.
Claire has been on the staff of the Alzheimer’s Association since 2001. She is currently the Chief Program Officer at the Northern California and Northern Nevada Chapter. Claire oversees all clinical operations and service delivery throughout the Chapter’s territory. She and her highly trained staff deliver community social services in the form of education, support, advocacy, and care management to people with Alzheimer’s and their families, as well as to professional caregivers.
In this episode of Fight Back, we get an insider’s look at Intensive Care Units.
We are privileged to interview Dr. Wes Ely, author of Every Deep-Drawn Breath: A Critical Care Doctor on Healing, Recovery, and Transforming Medicine in the ICU.
Dr. Ely sheds light on what patients and their loved one’s experience when entering an ICU, how mental health plays such a significant role for an ICU patient’s mind and body, the potential long-term effects from a stay in an ICU (known as Post Intensive Care Syndrome), the ways that COVID has led to changes in how ICU medical teams treat their patients, and so much more.
Dr. Ely is an internist, pulmonologist, and critical care physician and serves as the Grant W. Liddle endowed chair in medicine and is a physician-scientist and tenured professor at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He is also the associate director of aging research for the Tennessee Valley Veteran’s Affairs Geriatric Research Education Clinical Center (GRECC). He is the founder and co-director of the Critical Illness, Brain Dysfunction, and Survivorship (CIBS) Center, an organization devoted to research and ongoing care for people affected by critical illness. In addition to his book, Dr. Ely has had numerous studies published in The New England Journal, JAMA, and The Lancet, and his writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, USA TODAY, StatNews, The Daily Beast, and many other publications.
In the debut of our Fight Back Minicast series, renowned sleep expert Dr. Rafael Pelayo will provide you with answers to "What is Insomnia?", and "Are sleep monitoring devices effective?" Dr. Pelayo is a clinical professor at the Sleep Medicine division of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at Stanford University.
To listen to the full "Trouble Sleeping" podcast with Dr. Pelayo, click here.
Today, we have a unique podcast for you, and we are excited that our Founder and Executive Director, and the usual host of this podcast, Steve Poizner, will join us from the hotseat as our guest for our Annual Year-in-Review podcast!
This episode of Fight Back is an all-encompassing update on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our guest is Dr. Linda Halderman, a board-certified general surgeon with over 20 years of experience. Her interest in medicine and public health began after high school when she volunteered at an HIV clinic and hospice during the 1980’s AIDS pandemic. Dr. Halderman had her first experience treating a deadly virus in 2009 when she provided medical relief for three months in the U.S. territory of American Samoa during the H1N1 influenza pandemic. Since March 2020, Dr. Halderman has studied the SARS-CoV2 novel coronavirus, providing public education on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19. During one of the surges, she served as a relief physician at a COVID-19 field hospital and antibody infusion center set up by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. She continues to volunteer at mass vaccination sites in southern Nevada and rural communities.
As we enter the third year of the pandemic, Linda will review what we have learned about the biology, prevention, and treatment of COVID-19, including how it mutates into new variants like Omicron, the monumental success of the mRNA based vaccines and why they are the primary weapon to defeat the pandemic, the development of new treatment options for those infected with COVID-19, and more.
In this episode of Fight Back, we will discuss the little-known yet potentially impactful Independent Medical Review system that gives healthcare consumers in every state of the country a powerful tool to fight back when insurance companies deny doctor-prescribed medical treatments.
Our special guest is Mary Watanabe, Director of the California Department of Managed Health Care, the state entity that oversees health plans that provide healthcare services to more than 27.7 million Californians. As Director, Mary is responsible for protecting consumers’ healthcare rights and ensuring a stable healthcare delivery system in accordance with federal and state rules.
Mary will discuss why the Department of Managed Health Care is the first place healthcare consumers should go when they encounter problems with their coverage. She explains the free, available tools that consumers can use to make an appeal, including a simple phone call or visit to the DMHC website. From how to use the independent medical review process to how to file a complaint against your health insurer or provider, Mary will give us the answers and more.
In this episode of Fight Back, we discuss the latest innovations in treating all types of cardiovascular disease.
We welcome our special guest Dr. Laith Alshawabkeh. Dr. Laith is a board-certified cardiologist specializing in caring for adults with congenital heart disease, an abnormality in the heart present at birth. He leads the Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program at UC San Diego. An assistant professor in the Department of Medicine at UC San Diego School of Medicine, Dr. Laith is the lead investigator on multiple studies that impact the care of adults with congenital heart disease. The top medical journals, including the Journal of the American Medical Association, Journal of the American College of Cardiology, and Journal of the American Heart Association, have featured his work.
Dr. Laith covers in-depth a variety of topics surrounding cardiovascular disease, including the advancements in the treatment of heart disease—valve replacements, stents, pacemakers, heart transplants—the long-term effects of COVID, how to live a heart-healthy lifestyle, and more.
In this episode of Fight Back, we talk about the benefits of using a personal trainer.
We welcome our special guest, Nicholas Andrus. A gifted athlete, Nick was selected for the junior Olympic soccer team and attended the University of California, Santa Barbara, on a soccer scholarship. He also has won numerous bodybuilding competitions. With this background, he entered the personal trainer profession. As a certified personal trainer, he works with clients virtually and in-person across the country and world.
Nick will share with us his insights and experiences into how to find a personal trainer best suited for your desired outcomes, the importance of a collaborative trainer-client relationship, the positive mental and physical health benefits of a training program, and more.
In this episode of Fight Back, we talk about the holiday blues.
Our special guest is Dr. Richard Sherman, a licensed psychologist in private practice. He has been active in organizations that serve both the profession of psychology and that of the consumer. Dr. Sherman served as President of the CA Psychological Association and President of the Los Angeles County Psychological Association and was also a gubernatorial appointee to the CA Board of Psychology, where he served for five years. He earned his doctorate in psychology from the University of Georgia.
Feeling a bit “blue” or downcast during the holidays is common. But this year, many will have to face the added stress and anxiety of dealing with the effects of COVID on family gatherings. Dr. Sherman explains the holiday blues and offers tips regarding coping with COVID challenges, how to stay mentally healthy through it all, and much more.
In this episode of Fight Back, Adriana Contreras joins us to discuss the health and safety of student-athletes in high school and collegiate sports. Adriana is a voluntary Assistant Coach on the swim team at UC Davis, a Senior Group Coach for the DART swimming team, a former Assistant Swimming Coach at the University of the Pacific, Head Swimming Coach at St. Francis High School, and a certified professional and collegiate Division I soccer referee.
Adriana talks about how parents should communicate with their children’s coaches and doctors to create a healthy sporting experience, the mental health challenges brought on by high-pressure athletics—including the lessons learned from Simone Biles’ Olympic experiences—what student-athletes should know about the rules and regulations around performance-enhancing drugs, and much more.
In this episode of Fight Back! we explore the topic of hospice care with Kendra Micka, a Medical Social Worker in the Department of Hospice at Kaiser Permanente, Sacramento.
Kendra received her Master’s Degree from California State University of Sacramento. She later earned her clinical license to provide therapeutic support and counseling. In addition to her work with terminally ill patients, Kendra is regularly asked to speak on caregiving, grief, community resources, dementia, and palliative care. She spent the last ten years working as a clinical social worker in the Department of Palliative Medicine at Kaiser and, before that, as a Family Consultant for a local non-profit where she provided clinical support to family caregivers.
Kendra discusses what hospice care means and what it encompasses, the choices families can make for their loved ones nearing the end of their lives, how it is covered by insurance or Medicare, and much more.
Do adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities get the same healthcare and benefits as everyone else? Join us as we welcome back Ken Barnes to explore the surprising answers to this question. Mr. Barnes is President and Chief Executive Officer of Options for All, an organization that serves, supports, and educates adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Ken also discusses practical COVID policies that have been implemented to protect this community during the pandemic, new California legislation that potentially impacts employment and income for those with developmental disabilities, and much more.
On this episode of Fight Back, we are going to dive right into the topic of quitting smoking and nicotine addiction. Smoking is a leading cause of death from lung cancer, and a major contributor to heart disease in the U.S. While huge progress has been made in recent decades to combat this addiction, there is still much more to be done.
We welcome our special guest, Erica Costa. Erica is the Director of Advocacy for tobacco control in California for the American Lung Association. In her work at the American Lung Association, Erica advocates for support programs and methods to help people quit tobacco use and kick their nicotine addiction.
Erica brings to our listeners a wealth of information of the best ways to tackle a smoking and nicotine addiction. From providing us with the dangers of smoking cigarettes and vaping, to the health benefits that can immediately be seen when quitting, Erica will discuss with us how best to create a plan to quit that encompasses counseling, nicotine replacement therapy, medication, friend and family support networks, and more.
Many states in recent years have legalized the use of cannabis as a treatment for various medical conditions, including pain mitigation, combatting the side effects of chemotherapy or AIDs treatments, and more.
We welcome our special guest, Sally Brammell. Sally is an attorney who has practiced at two international law firms, the Securities and Exchange Commission, two biotech companies, and is currently the Head of Legal Affairs at PAX Labs, a cannabis vaporizer company. She is also the parent of a young adult son who is developmentally disabled by a rare pediatric epilepsy syndrome. His seizures are resistant to most medications but have been well-controlled for the past seven years with the application of medical cannabis.
We will discuss with Sally what consumers should know about the science behind medical marijuana, the differences between CBD and THC, how to tell whether their cannabis has been tested for quality and safety, how to talk with their physicians about cannabis as a medicine, and much more. She also shares her family’s experiences with medical marijuana and their journey to find an effective treatment for her son.
In this Fight Back episode, we talk about bringing healthcare into the digital age. Digital health is applying digital technologies to healthcare to improve wellness programs and make medicine more accessible, personalized, and precise. It aims to improve the quality of care and lower costs.
We welcome our special guest, Gary Cohen, Vice President of Government Affairs at Blue Shield of California. Gary has worked on healthcare issues for many years, including the original implementation of the Affordable Care Act, which he helped to direct in several federal and state roles. Gary was also a Deputy Commissioner and General Counsel at the California Department of Insurance for several years.
Gary discusses what bringing healthcare into the digital age means. How are your personal healthcare records kept safe, secure, and yet accessible to your healthcare providers? How can the new technologies that help you monitor your health at home be integrated into your personal health records? Why are you still filling out a form with pen and paper when you visit a new doctor or specialist, or in the worst case, in the emergency room? We dive into these questions and more.
In this episode of Fight Back, we have a conversation about Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other cognitive problems severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60-80% of all dementia cases, with most people afflicted over the age of 65. Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, where dementia symptoms gradually worsen over a number of years. It is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States.
We welcome our special guest, Claire Day, to talk about Alzheimer's. Claire has been on the staff of the Alzheimer's Association since 2001. She is currently the Chief Program Officer at the Northern California and Northern Nevada Chapter and oversees all clinical operations and service delivery throughout the Chapter's territory. She and her highly trained staff deliver community social services in the form of education, support, advocacy, and care management to people with Alzheimer's and their families, as well as to professional caregivers.
Claire discusses what Alzheimer's is, how it is diagnosed, what families should look for and do when early symptoms arise, the newly FDA approved treatment for Alzheimer's, and much more.
In this episode of Fight Back, we talk extensively about chiropractic care. Chiropractic is a health care discipline that emphasizes the body's inherent recuperative power to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery. The chiropractic practice focuses on the relationship between structure (primarily the spine) and function (as coordinated by the nervous system) and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health.
We welcome our special guest, Dr. Steven Barham. After suffering a severe back injury playing college football, Steven was faced with major surgery but chose to try chiropractic care. The treatment he received provided quick and lasting results, and he decided to enter the chiropractic profession. For the last 30 years, he has been helping patients of all ages seek relief and healing from their health problems.
Dr. Barham will discuss with us the origins and evolution of chiropractic care, what patients should do to find the right chiropractor for their needs, what patients can expect at their first visit, and much more.
In part one of our special two-part series on physician-assisted suicide, guest Dr. Lonny Shavelson, a physician and proponent of medical-aid-in-dying laws, joined us. In this part two episode, we talk with Dr. Brian Callister, a physician with an opposing viewpoint on this controversial but important issue.
A nationally recognized expert in hospital care transitions and end-of-life care, Dr. Callister is a board-certified internal medicine and hospitalist specialist. He is a Professor of Medicine and the Director of Rural Medical Education for the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine. He is also the Governor of Nevada for the American College of Physicians. Dr. Callister previously served as the National Medical Director, Chief Medical Officer, and Senior Physician Executive for LifeCare Hospitals, one of the country's largest long-term acute care hospital systems, from 2004 until April of 2016.
Dr. Callister will discuss why he and others oppose physician-assisted suicide laws and how these laws have a wide-ranging impact on our healthcare system and patients.
With this episode, we begin a special two-part series on physician-assisted suicide/medical aid in dying. In part one, special guest, Dr. Lonny Shavelson, a physician and proponent of physician-assisted suicide/medical aid in dying, joins us. Part two will feature Dr. Brian Callister, a physician with an opposing viewpoint on this controversial but important issue.
Dr. Shavelson, a former ER doctor, founded Bay Area End of Life Options in 2016, a clinic dedicated to providing terminally ill patients physician-assisted suicide/medical aid in dying prescriptions. Dr. Shavelson is currently Chair of the American Clinicians Academy on Medical Aid in Dying, where he focuses on advancing the clinical knowledge and practice about physician-assisted suicide/medical aid in dying, teaching, consulting with other clinicians about their patients, and advocating for best practices.
Dr. Shavelson will discuss dying laws in states around the country, along with his experience and perspective on the origins and evolution of physician-assisted suicide/medical aid in dying laws, how the process works, what he believes people ought to know about it, and more.
On this episode of Fight Back, we talk with special guest Dr. Alan Sanders, a specialist in infectious diseases. Dr. Sanders previously served as Chief of Medicine at St Peter’s Hospital in Albany, NY, and currently is the Chief Medical Officer of St Peter’s Health Partners. He will soon be assuming the role of Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Albany Medical Center Hospital. Among many other responsibilities, he will spearhead establishing a telemedicine program to deliver clinical care—including the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases—to underserved areas.
Dr. Sanders gives us a behind-the-scenes look at telemedicine, from the implementation and use of the technology to what consumers should do to educate themselves on how telemedicine can work for them, and more. We will also discuss the current state of the pandemic and the significant role the vaccines are playing in defeating the virus.
In this episode of Fight Back, we learn about physical therapy. Physical therapists are highly educated, licensed health care professionals who examine, evaluate, and treat patients whose conditions limit their ability to move and function in daily life. From augmenting recovery after surgery or illness or pro-actively using physical therapy to improve general wellness to providing an alternative to pain-killing drugs, physical therapists play a critical role in a patient’s overall health and recovery from injuries and illnesses.
Our special guest is Dr. Rick Katz. Dr. Katz worked as a physical therapist in both hospital and outpatient settings. He developed programs for cardiac, pulmonary, and stroke patients and a Sports Injury Clinic and a Coaches Clinic. In addition, he has held numerous elected and appointed positions at the national, state, and local levels of the American Physical Therapy Association.
Dr. Katz will give our listeners a deep dive into how important physical therapy is to patient outcomes, how physical therapy can play a pro-active role in a healthy lifestyle as we age, the ways that physical therapy is covered by insurance companies, the current state of this fast-growing profession, and much more.
April is Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month, a nationwide effort to promote improved understanding and acceptance of people diagnosed with autism. Fight Back has joined this effort with a special two-part series on autism. If you haven’t listened to part one, we encourage you to visit www.healthcareconsumerrights.org and listen in.
In episode two, we talk with special guest Kristin Jacobson. Kristin is the Founder and Executive Director of Autism Deserves Equal Coverage Foundation, which advocates for health policy and legal enforcement for autism and other mental health conditions. Previously, Kristin led a multi-year effort to pass autism insurance reform in California and was a principal drafter of the autism insurance law enacted in 2011. Kristin subsequently served on the Department of Managed Health Care’s Autism Advisory Task Force implementing the law.
Kristin will help our listeners understand the laws and regulations that provide ASD patients with the rights to treatments, requirements for health insurance companies to cover such treatments, what you can do to fight back when facing coverage denials, and much more.
April is Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month, a nationwide effort to promote improved understanding and acceptance of people diagnosed with autism. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates autism’s prevalence as 1 in 59 children in the United States—1 in 37 boys and 1 in 151 girls. A lifelong condition, autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, impacts the autistic individual and their families in many ways.
On this Fight Back episode, we join the autism awareness effort with our special guest Assemblywoman Suzette Martinez Valladares. Suzette is a Latina businesswoman and educator who specializes in early childhood education and advocacy, and served special needs children as the former Executive Director of Southern California Autism Speaks. Suzette currently represents the 38th Assembly District in the California Legislature.
Suzette will help us understand ASD, the importance of early diagnosis, how the parent-doctor and parent-teacher relationships play a huge role in diagnosis, the rights that autistic children have in the classroom, and much more.
It is projected that about 70 percent of individuals over 65 will require at least some type of long-term care services during their lifetime, from help with everyday activities of daily living or requiring supervision due to severe impairments to needing placement in a nursing home.
In this episode of Fight Back, we cover the state of long-term care in the country and the key issues surrounding insurance coverage: what is causing the skyrocketing rise in the cost of long-term care insurance plans, what are the new hybrid coverages that are packaged with life insurance policies, where can consumers find help with new or existing policies, and much more.
Our special guest is Bonnie Burns, who has more than 40 years of experience in long-term care insurance and works to improve consumer protections in state and federal legislation and regulations. She has served as a consumer representative to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners since 1992. She is a consultant to California Health Advocates providing training, educational materials, and technical assistance on long-term care insurance.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and school closures, there has been a significant uptick in children's mental health issues, including eating disorders, depression, anxiety, and suicide.
This is a critical time for parents, children, and teachers. The pandemic has affected students' mental and physical well-being, and schools are reporting children experiencing academic and developmental difficulties across all grade levels. School officials are still weighing safety concerns about returning to in-person instruction for all grades.
On this Fight Back episode, our special guests are Jessica Cruz, the Executive Director of the California branch of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and Dr. Kim Newell Green, a pediatrician, Associate Clinical Professor at UCSF, and Past President of the San Francisco Marin Medical Society. We discuss the health crisis that parents, children, and teachers are still dealing with after a year of school closures, the shift to virtual learning, what parents can do to prepare themselves and their children for a return to in-person learning, and much more.
Many of us have heard that heart disease is often called a “silent killer.” But what does that really mean to each of us? Heart disease can be a difficult and confusing diagnosis to understand and navigate.
Our special guest is world renowned Dr. Kathy Magliato, who is one of the few female cardiothoracic surgeons in the world. She is currently developing a Women’s Heart Center to address the cardiac needs of female patients. We will discuss heart disease, its signs and symptoms, and some of the lifestyle changes you can make to improve your heart's health.
We all know a good night's sleep can make a world of difference, but you may not realize just how integral sleep is to your overall health—or that there is a whole field of medicine devoted to the subject.
During this Fight Back episode, we speak with renowned sleep expert Dr. Rafael Pelayo, who talks with us about how important sleep is to our health. Dr. Pelayo is a clinical professor at the Sleep Medicine division of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at Stanford University. We cover many key topics, from the basics of getting a good night's sleep to the physical and mental impacts of not getting enough high-quality sleep each night. We also discuss sleep disorders, the best ways to treat insomnia, and much more.
Fight Back! talks with Peter Lee, Executive Director for California’s health insurance marketplace, Covered California. In his role, Mr. Lee oversees the planning, development, and administration of Covered California and its efforts to improve the affordability and accessibility of quality healthcare for all Californians.
In our conversation, Peter provides valuable insight into the many facets of the Covered California program, including what options consumers have for obtaining affordable health insurance even if they lose their employment, how middle and low-income families can access subsidies for premiums and co-pays, how the open and special enrollment windows operate, the value of shopping around for the best possible plan, the status of the COVID-19 vaccination program, and much more.
Lifestyle Medicine focuses on educating and motivating patients to change personal habits and behaviors around using a whole food, plant-predominant dietary lifestyle, regular physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances, and positive social connection.
We discuss this topic with lifestyle medicine expert Dr. Cate Collings, Director of Lifestyle Medicine at El Camino Hospital and President of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.
Cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, once thought to be irreversible, are just a couple of conditions that lifestyle interventions have improved. Join us as we explore Lifestyle Medicine and how this approach is changing things for patients and doctors alike.
Fight Back is switching things up in our first episode of 2021. For this episode, our host, Steve Poizner, is in the hot seat, discussing what led to the launch of the Healthcare Consumer Rights Foundation and the Fight Back podcast, sharing some of the podcast's most memorable moments, and looking forward to 2021. It's a year in review—and a year to look forward to!
You'll also meet Fight Back co-producers Robert Molnar and J'aime Rosales as they take us back through some of our most poignant episodes. Launching right around the time of California's first stay-at-home order in March, Fight Back wasted no time in addressing the current struggles that healthcare consumers face. From prioritizing mental health when life takes a drastic turn to steps we can take to promote health equity across races, ethnicities, and genders, our goal has been to equip listeners with information and tools to fight for their health. We even hosted Taiwan's former Health Minister, who provided invaluable insight into how Taiwan successfully fought COVID-19 and avoided the fallout that so many other nations experienced.
In 2021, we're going even bigger. Our priority remains to motivate and equip people to fight back and to become the best advocate for their and their loved ones' health.
Latest reports indicate that COVID-19 cases are on the rise throughout the U.S., and many warn of more difficult days to come with the onset of winter. Throughout the pandemic, leaders have indicated that getting the pandemic under control hinges on creating and distributing a vaccine.
But now that the first of the vaccines are rolling out to the public, consumers want answers to several pressing questions: how were these vaccines developed so fast? Will they be available for everybody? How will they distribute them? Most importantly, are they safe?
In this Fight Back! episode, we talk with vaccine expert Dr. Mike Ybarra, an Emergency Room Physician, and Vice President of Medical Affairs and Strategic Alliances at the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association. Dr. Ybarra has over ten years of advocacy, health policy, and direct patient care experience. His background and knowledge will help us take a deep dive into the development of the COVID vaccine, its technology, and its implications for the public.
Let's take a quick course in Pharmacy 101 with special guest Debby Johnson, a third-generation pharmacist and former President of the California Pharmacist Association. We'll dive into important topics related to the world of pharmacy, including the importance of having your prescriptions at one pharmacy, the dangers of drug interactions, the differences between brand name and generic medicines, and the pharmacist's specific roles and responsibilities. We'll also discuss two very timely topics: the value of receiving a flu shot during the COVID-19 pandemic and the role pharmacists will play in distributing the forthcoming COVID vaccines.
In this episode, we discuss alternative health systems: different ways to deliver healthcare to patients, and how states, nonprofit organizations, and even companies—like Whole Foods—have implemented unique concepts to enable better and cheaper healthcare options for consumers.
Our guest is Sean Flynn, Assistant Professor of Economics at Scripps College. He is the author of Economics for Dummies, which has now been translated into seven foreign languages, as well as the coauthor of the world's best-selling college textbook, Economics: Principles, Problems, and Policies. A recurring commentator on NPR, FOX Business, and ABC News, Sean holds a B.A. in economics from the University of Southern California and a Ph.D. in economics from U.C. Berkeley. Sean's in-depth knowledge of our healthcare system makes for a great discussion.
While COVID-19 cases explode anew across the world, and America struggles with its next steps, Taiwan's national response has proven to be an important case study for world leaders.
With a population of 23 million, Taiwan has reported only 550 cases of COVID-19 and seven deaths. How did they do this?
We talk with Dr. Wen Chiu, former Taiwanese Minister of Health and Welfare (2011 – 2014), about how Taiwan learned valuable lessons from previous pandemics such as SARS and MERS and applied those lessons quickly as COVID-19 first erupted. From testing and contact tracing to national medical ID cards and an aggressive mandate to wear masks, we'll discuss what steps Taiwan took to mitigate the virus and protect its population.
As we enter the fall and winter months, and as cases begin surging again across the country and world, we provide an update on all things COVID-19.
From testing and tracing to the progress the medical community has made developing therapeutics and vaccines to what you and your loved ones can do to protect yourself against the next wave, we will discuss it all with our special guest, Dr. Bob Wachter, MD, Professor and Chair of the Department of Medicine at University of California, San Francisco, where he is the Holly Smith Distinguished Professor in Science and Medicine and the Benioff Endowed Chair in Hospital Medicine.
A prominent voice for accurate information on all things COVID-19, Dr. Wachter has been a frequent commentator in the media. It is an honor to have him on Fight Back to talk about this national crisis.
Can we eliminate prescription narcotics, even after spinal surgery? It might sound far-fetched, but that is just one of the promises of Holistic Medicine. In this episode, orthopedic spine surgeon Dr. Hooman Melamed joins Fight Back as our special guest. Dr. Melamed is an outspoken advocate of holistic and integrated medicine, the idea that we need to address all aspects of our health for our bodies to be in optimal condition. We discuss what this looks like in our day-to-day practices, including incorporating probiotics to considering the food you eat. Tune in to learn how you might benefit from a more holistic and integrated approach to your health.
Fight Back discusses the important and timely topic of health equity. "Health equity" means that everyone has a fair and equal opportunity to be as healthy as possible. Many factors impact a person's health, including poverty, access to good jobs, education, and housing, to name a few. Health equity advocates have emerged in response to challenges that people of color face while seeking and securing needed treatments from the medical community.
What does health equity look like? How do communities and health organizations collaborate to promote health equity? How does addressing health equity impact everyone's health and safety? We'll dig into these issues and more with our special guest Jahmal Miller, System Vice President of CommonSpirit Health, serving in the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging. Jahmal is recognized as a national thought leader and a leading spokesperson on public policy, health equity, mental health, social justice, and innovation. He serves on the American Diabetes Association's National Health Disparities Committee and previously served as the Deputy Director of the California Department of Public Health's Office of Health Equity (OHE). He also worked as a communications manager for Kaiser Permanente.
Today, we discuss whether it is possible to negotiate with your local hospital and what that means for you and your bottom line. (Hint: You have options.) We will be joined by special guest Alan Fox, a former hospital CFO, who offers his unique insight on the topic.
America is living through a time of unprecedented demographic change. In the last twenty years, the segment of our population over the age of 65 has increased from 6% to 9%. According to estimates, those over 65 will comprise 17% of the population by 2050. At 65, individuals can join the Medicare healthcare system. But Medicare is complicated, and for many who are about to or have recently turned 65, they face many choices and daunting questions.
In this episode, we first hear from Jane, who had a challenging time enrolling in her Medicare program. She found out the hard way that not signing up when you first turn 65 made it more difficult and costly to enroll. Then we talk with Medicare Expert Karen Johnson of Wellcare to learn the details about how to enroll successfully in Medicare.
There are many reasons why we should pay attention to what we eat. The processed, low-variety foods many of us consume regularly may be convenient and tasty, but they compromise our health. We especially need to pay attention to what we eat when we are sick so we can give our bodies the nutrients it needs to heal. And if you want to be even more deliberate in improving health—perhaps to address a chronic disease or condition—a holistic approach can yield significant benefits.
In this episode of Fight Back, we hear from Jamie about some of the practical implications of Food as Medicine, including how to access healthy foods. Then, we talk with Michele Lew, Chief Executive Officer of the Health Trust, an organization that helps people at risk in the Silicon Valley area gain access to healthy, nutritious food. Join us as we learn how food can improve your health!
Health insurance is critical for individuals and families. When you suddenly lose your health insurance, because of COVID-19 or any other reason, it can feel overwhelming and difficult to determine where to start and what to do. Fortunately, there are many options available. Jenn Moore, Health Net’s chief commercial officer, joins us to talk about how to navigate this complicated and challenging process. For nearly 20 years, Jenn has overseen Health Net’s insurance plans for corporations, small businesses, families, and individuals. She also led the insurer’s planning for complying with and implementing the Affordable Care Act.
In this episode, Fight Back covers the critically important topic of advanced healthcare directives, a legal document that addresses such end-of-life issues as “do not resuscitate” orders, treatment options, healthcare proxies, and more. In this emotionally powerful conversation, we hear from Kristen, whose husband J.J. was diagnosed with brain cancer at just 34 years old and given a few months to live. With the help of J.J.’s advanced healthcare directive, Kristen was able to act as her husband’s healthcare advocate—fighting for new treatments, second opinions, and facilitating J.J.’s wishes as he went on to live, not for three months, but for three years. Our special guest Ashton Ellis then joins us, who is an expert on advanced directives and attorney who creates advanced directives for families. Ashton is currently working to develop a curriculum that trains doctors and lawyers on how to apply the appropriate standard of care when complying with end-of-life care laws. Our conversation will cover many reasons why a healthcare directive is so important, not only for yourself but for your loved ones too.
Most often, healthcare consumers do not know the real cost of health services. Whether it is a bed in a hospital, a prescription drug, or a procedure like an MRI, the price is usually buried beneath government regulations, insurance forms, and confusing terminology.
In this episode, we first hear from John about how a recent brief hospital visit to deal with kidney stones turned into a $20,000 surprise. Fortunately, his insurance paid most of the bill, but if he had known the true cost, he might have made different decisions. David Balat, a former hospital CEO and now a policy healthcare advocate focusing on the costs of healthcare, explains consumers have the right to proper billing, how to understand the real cost of healthcare, and what resources are available for shopping for healthcare.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is difficult for healthcare patients to obtain their routine, everyday care. We hear from Diannah, whose young son has Cystic Fibrosis. Her family turned to telemedicine to consult with their physicians and meet their medical needs. Barry Jantz, head of the Grossmont Healthcare District in San Diego, will then join us. Barry explains how the Grossmont Hospital has worked to provide patients and their families stable access to routine medical care and secure appointments during this pandemic. Hospitals and clinics are creating new approaches to meet patients where they are at, while still providing quality healthcare.
Mental Illness Challenges in America: A discussion with NAMI CA Executive Director Jessica Cruz.
Millions of Americans are affected by severe mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, mood disorders, and also everyday mental health challenges such as anxiety and stress.
Today, we will discuss the issues surrounding these illnesses and provide valuable information and resources. First, we'll hear from John and how severe mental illness impacted his family's life as a caregiver to his spouse, who suffers from bipolar disorder.
Then, we will talk with Jessica Cruz, chief executive officer of the California chapter for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), about how to work through these issues, the challenges presented, the resources available, and some helpful tips about what people and families in similar situations can do.
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities—Your Rights and Options: A discussion with Ken Barnes, CEO at Options For All.
Millions of people suffer from autism, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and intellectual disabilities. In this episode, Ken Barnes talks about growing up with his developmentally disabled twin brother, and the issues that he and his family went through caring for him. Because of that experience, in 2014, Ken volunteered to serve at Options for All, a nonprofit organization located in San Diego that provides a variety of community engagement services for the developmentally disabled. In 2017 he joined the board; in 2020, he became CEO. During the episode, Ken shares about how to work through these issues and the resources that are available. He then provides some helpful tips about what people and families facing similar problems can do.
COVID-19 & Your Mental Health: A discussion with NAMI CA Executive Director Jessica Cruz.
The coronavirus has brought stress and anxiety to every American. First, we'll hear from Liz and her story about how COVID-19 has impacted her and her family. Then, we will talk with Jessica Cruz, chief executive officer of the California chapter for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), about how to work through these issues, the challenges presented, the resources available, and some helpful tips about what people and families can do improve their mental wellness.
Visit our website at: https://healthcareconsumerrights.org/
Welcome to our kickoff podcast to introduce what Healthcare Consumer Rights Foundation is all about and how we plan to help you navigate the complex healthcare system and to help folks understand their legal rights and options. Each “Fight Back” podcast will tell the personal story of someone who has been tripped up by the healthcare system in some way—insurance claims denied, not getting the referral to a specialist or medical procedure one needs, an unexpected “out of network” bill, and so forth. Then we will interview a relevant expert who can provide the insights, resources, and help to solve these kinds of problems while navigating our complex healthcare system. We want to empower you, the consumer, with the information that you need to fight back.
Music by Antti Luode.