Nurse Talk: Recent Episodes
Nurse Talk
This time on Code WACK! We're talking about one of the most frustrating experiences in American healthcare - when your insurance company says ‘no.’ According to Miranda Yaver, an assistant professor of health policy and management at the University of Pittsburgh, insurance denials aren't rare. They're a routine part of navigating our healthcare system. In her new book, Coverage Denied: How Health Insurers Drive Inequality in the United States, Miranda Yaver explores what happens when patients undergoing treatment find themselves trapped between their doctors and their insurance companies.This is the first of two episodes with Miranda Yaver.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.
This time on Code WACK! California has debated a single-payer healthcare system for decades, but a new UCLA report commissioned by the California Health and Human Services Agency under Senate Bill 770 could reshape the conversation. In this episode, Michael Lighty, president of Healthy California Now, explains how the report moves the debate from cost to equity. This is the second of two episodes with Michael Lighty.And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.
This time on Code WACK! The upcoming governor's race could shape the future of health care for nearly 40 million Californians. With former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra facing Republican Steve Hilton, the election is raising critical questions about whether California will move closer to a single-payer healthcare system—or further away. Michael Lighty, president of Healthy California Now, joins us to break down what the primary results mean, where the candidates stand on healthcare reform, and what's at stake for the future of universal healthcare in California. This is the first of two episodes with Michael Lighty.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.
Kantor, LLP has spent more than two decades helping patients challenge health insurance denials. Her cases have ranged from eating disorders to life-threatening cancers, giving her a firsthand look at how insurers make coverage decisions and the consequences when they favor profits over patients. This is the second episode in a two part series.And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.
Kantor, LLP, about what can happen when insurers end coverage before a patient is medically ready to leave treatment.This is part one of a two-part episode.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.
and a national single-payer healthcare system.Dr. Malinow is the former president of Physicians for a National Health Program and currently serves on the steering committee of National Single Payer.This is Part 2 of a two-part episode.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.
This time on Code WACK! America's healthcare system doesn't only hurt us in big ways - like forcing us to choose between getting expensive medical treatments or living sick. Or having to choose the ‘least worst,’ but always very expensive health insurance policy. It also hurts us in small ways, forcing us to compromise to save a few bucks, to make a thousand little choices that can cost us our quality of life. As we approach the 4th of July, we’re talking with Dr. Ana Malinow, a retiredpediatrician. She’s helping lead a campaign for a new Declaration of Independence … from the ‘US Medical-Industrial Complex.’ Dr. Malinow spent three decades working as a pediatrician with immigrant refugees and underserved children. She's past president of Physicians for a National Health Program and is currently on the steering committee of National Single Payer. This is part one of a two-part episode. And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.
This time on Code WACK! Imagine being cut off from Mom - a nursing home resident - for months. You can't bring her favorite foods, or help dress her, hug her, or even hold her hand.For thousands of families during the COVID-19 pandemic, this became a heartbreaking reality. And without new laws, advocates say, it could very well happen again.That's why they are fighting to ensure our loved ones are never again separated from those they depend on most in nursing homes and other long-term care settingsToday we're speaking with Tony Chicotel, senior staff attorney with California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, or CANHR. For decades, Tony has fought to protect the rights of nursing home residents. And he says the isolation and neglect that families experienced during COVID was one of the most painful chapters of his career.This is part two of a two-part series on the Essential Caregiver’s Act. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.
This time on Code WACK! What role do family members and friends play in the lives of nursing home residents? When COVID hit, how were residents impacted when their loved ones were no longer allowed to visit them? Today we share the story of Melody Taylor Stark, who became an advocate for the Essential Caregivers Act after her husband, a retired dentist and nursing home resident, dramatically declined, then died, after being denied her daily visits during the dark days of COVID. Melody is a founding member of Essential Caregivers Coalition; a member of Caregivers for Compromise, and San Gabriel Valley Disability Collaborative; and Facebook co-administrator for Aging Enlightened, a group that was begun by a prominent reporter for Kaiser Health News. She works diligently to advance positive system changes in disability rights and long-term care. This is part one of a two-part series on the Essential Caregiver’s Act. Please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.
This time on Code WACK! What happens when we get too sick to work in a healthcare system that is tied to our jobs? What is the ultimate cost? The story of New York Health Act advocate Mariana Pineda is a case in point. After developing Long COVID, Mariana spent years navigating the same fragmented healthcare system she was fighting to change. She lost her job. She lost her health insurance. She lost her home. And earlier this year, in March, 2026, she lost her life. Mariana was just 46 years old.This is part two of a two-part series featuring tri-chair of the New York State Poor People’s Campaign, Susan Karbiner, and LGBTQ and healthcare justice advocate Carly Paris. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.
This time on Code WACK! This is the story of a dedicated advocate, organizer, and powerful voice in the fight for healthcare justice - Mariana Pineda.Mariana was a teacher in the Roosevelt School District, Nassau County, Long Island, until she caught a serious case of COVID complicated by pre-existing conditions, including asthma and heart problems.No longer able to work, she lost her employer-sponsored health insurance. Desperate to have some kind of coverage, she spent down her savings on COBRA. Despite financial help from friends, Mariana eventually ended up in a homeless shelter with her young son, Max, where they suffered from cockroaches and bedbugs.Yet through it all, Mariana never stopped advocating for people's rights. A social justice activist and tireless organizer, she could command a rally one minute and spend the next making sure everyone had something to eat.And before she died earlier this year at age 46… she spent years fighting for healthcare as a human right.This is part one of a two-part series about Mariana Pineda, single mom, teacher, and healthcare justice fighter. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.
This time on Code WACK! For millions of Americans, health care means fighting insurance companies, putting off costly treatment, wondering whether the hospital you prefer is in-network, or fearing financial disaster if you get seriously sick. But what if healthcare worked differently? This is part two of our conversation with Dr. Bernard Ho, an emergency physician in Toronto and vice chair of Canadian Doctors for Medicare, a national evidence-based organization working to strengthen Canada’s publicly funded healthcare system. He is a lecturer at the University of Toronto, where he also earned his M.D. Bernard is currently completing his Master's of Public Administration at the Harvard Kennedy School. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.
This time on Code WACK! Today we’re taking an inside look at Canada’s public health insurance system known as Medicare. What are the biggest misconceptions Americans have about it? What works, what doesn’t, and why? And what happens when a public system starts drifting toward privatization? This is part one of our conversation with Dr. Bernard Ho, an emergency physician in Toronto and Vice-Chair of Canadian Doctors for Medicare, a national evidence-based organization working to strengthen Canada’s publicly funded healthcare system. He is a lecturer at the University of Toronto, where he also earned his M.D. Bernard is currently completing his Masters of Public Administration at the Harvard Kennedy School. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.
This time on Code WACK! As of spring 2026, enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies have not been extended. Without congressional action, millions of Americans could face significantly higher premiums—or lose coverage altogether.Around 22 million people receive ACA premium subsidies, many of whom benefited from pandemic-era enhancements. If those aren’t restored, affordability for individuals buying their own coverage will take a major hit.Meanwhile, health care costs are rising across the board. Employer-sponsored insurance premiums have seen some of the largest increases in over a decade, shifting more costs to workers through higher premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses. Medicare premiums are also climbing, adding pressure on older adults.As coverage becomes less affordable, many people delay care, skip medications, or make tough financial tradeoffs just to get by.So what options do people have?Today, we revisit a timely 2025 conversation with Rachel Madley, executive director at the Center for Health and Democracy and former advisor to Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.
Democracy has been working to reveal just this. Founded by former insurance executive-turned-whistleblower Wendell Potter, the organization shines a light on how corporate power shapes the American health care system — and what it means for patients and families.Joining us today is Rachel Madley, the Center’s Executive Director. A scientist by training and a federal health policy expert, Rachel also brings lived experience navigating the health system with Type 1 diabetes — giving her unique insight into how policy decisions ripple into real lives.Today, we’re talking about the Center’s recent Sunlight Report, a first-of-its-kind investigation into the corporate structure and expansion of UnitedHealth Group, the largest healthcare company in the world. The report pulls back the curtain on health care consolidation and reveals how deeply corporate expansion is reshaping who delivers care, how much it costs, and who ultimately benefits.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.
This is the second of a two-part series. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.
This is the first of a two-part series. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.
Johnson in early 2025 and went on to launch Disruptive Dialogue, a podcast and consulting platform where he shares insights from inside the U.S. healthcare system – while exploring ideas for reform.This is the second of a two-part series. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.
Johnson in early 2025 and went on to launch Disruptive Dialogue, a podcast and consulting platform where he shares insights from inside the U.S. healthcare system – while exploring ideas for reform.This is the first of a two-part series. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more!
This time on CodeWACK!Today, most people on Medicaid get their care through private insurers called Managed Care Organizations, or MCOs—like Aetna and UnitedHealthcare. Critics say these companies add layers of bureaucracy that make it harder for patients—most of them low-income—to get care. They discourage physicians from accepting Medicaid patients by making them jump through hoops to get treatment pre-authorizations, or even to get paid. Are Managed Care companies making health care more expensive, not less? How are some states reacting? Are legislators starting to wake up and see through the hype? Some are.All this and more is discussed in a recent report from Physicians for a National Health Program, Removing the Middlemen from Medicaid. To unpack it, we spoke with Dr. Alankrita Olson, a public health physician and PNHP board member who advocates for a single-payer healthcare system.This is the 2nd of a two-part series. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.
This time on CodeWACK!Why are there middlemen in Medicaid—and what are they doing to our most vulnerable patients and physicians? How and why are private insurance intermediaries permitted to put profits ahead of patients? A recent report by Physicians for a National Health Program, titled Removing the Middlemen from Medicaid, pulls back the curtain on Managed Care Organizations (MCOs).To learn more, we spoke with Dr. Alankrita Olson, a public health physician and advocate for a universal single-payer system. She serves on the board of Physicians for a National Health Program and works to protect and expand healthcare access for all Americans. This is the first episode of a two-part series.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.
This time on Code WACK! We’re taking a closer look at what happens when private equity buys hospitals. Our guest is Dr. Renee Hsia (pronounced “Shaw”).An emergency physician at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, Dr. Hsia explains how patients can be harmed when Wall Street firms take over health care. A Professor of Emergency Medicine and Health Policy at the University of California, San Francisco, she is also Vice Chair of Health Services Research in the Department of Emergency Medicine, and a core faculty member of the Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies.This is part two of our two-part series.Keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.
This time on Code WACK! What happens to staff and patients when private investors buy hospitals to make them more profitable? And why should this concern us all?To break it down, we spoke to Dr. Renee Hsia ( pronounced “Shaw”) an attending physician at San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center and a Professor of Emergency Medicine and Health Policy at the University of California, San Francisco. She’s also Vice Chair of Health Services Research in the Department of Emergency Medicine, and a core faculty member of the Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies. This is the first episode in a two-part series.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! Keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.
This time on Code WACK! Millions of Americans have health insurance, but still can’t afford to use it. So what happens when high deductibles and corporate profit pressures shape the care patients receive?To break it down, we spoke with Dr. Adam Gaffney — a pulmonary and critical care physician, public health researcher, and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He’s also a former president of Physicians for a National Health Program, and his work focuses on health care financing and national reform. This is the second episode in a two-part series.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! Keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.
This time on Code WACK! Why do Americans live about four years less, on average, than people in similar European countries, despite spending far more on health care? And why are so many dying from illnesses we already know how to prevent or treat?To help us unpack this, we spoke with Dr. Adam Gaffney — a pulmonary and critical care physician, public health researcher, and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He’s a former president of Physicians for a National Health Program, and his research and advocacy focus on health care financing and national reform. He’s also the author of To Heal Humankind: The Right to Health in History. This is part one of a two-part series.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! Keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.
This time on Code WACK! Why are people in America resorting to receiving medical care in animal stalls - even if they have health insurance? What would it take to make volunteer stopgap clinics unnecessary - and who stands in the way of real reform?To break it down, we spoke with leading healthcare reform advocate and New York Times bestselling author Wendell Potter. A former health insurance executive turned industry whistleblower, Wendell now serves as board president of the Center for Health and Democracy, which advocates for healthcare reform, and editor-in-chief of HEALTHCARE Un-covered, which investigates healthcare corporations and insurance conglomerates. This is part two of a two-part series.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more!
This time on Code WACK! Privatized Medicare now covers more than half of older adults nationwide. But how do Medicare Advantage plans’ lower star ratings, narrow networks, and “paper benefits” hit seniors of color hardest-and why are hospitals dropping these plans, leaving patients scrambling for care? Our guest is Dr. Belinda McIntosh, an Atlanta-based psychiatrist with more than 20 years of experience, Physicians for a National Health Program board member, and co-author of the PNHP report No Real Choices: How Medicare Advantage Fails Seniors of Color. This is part two of a two-part series.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! Keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.
This time on Code WACK! How does Medicare Advantage - also known as privatized Medicare - fail seniors … especially seniors of color? Why do many seniors find they actually have no other choice than an Advantage plan? What’s the consequence of that lack of choice? And how do Medicare Advantage insurance plans actually deepen racial and income disparities?To find out, we spoke with Dr. Belinda McIntosh — an Atlanta-based psychiatrist with more than 20 years of experience, a board member of Physicians for a National Health Program, and co-author of a new PNHP report titled “No Real Choices: How Medicare Advantage Fails Seniors of Color.”This is the first episode in a two-part series.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! Keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.
This time on Code WACK! This time on Code WACK! In celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we’re rebroadcasting this episode examining how desegregation shaped the experiences of Black patients in America – and what still hasn’t changed. What does racism in medicine look like today?To break it down, we spoke to Dr. Barbara Berney, project creator and producer of the documentary “Power to Heal: Medicare and the Civil Rights Revolution.” She’s also an emeritus professor at City University of New York School of Public Health and a distinguished scholar in public health, environmental justice, and the U.S. healthcare system. This is the second of two episodes with Dr. Berney. It originally aired in March of 2025. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! Keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.
This time on Code WACK! In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we’re rebroadcasting our Anthem Award–winning episode on one of the most overlooked civil rights battles in American history: the desegregation of hospitals.The episode features Dr. Barbara Berney, a distinguished public health scholar and the creator of the award-winning documentary Power to Heal: Medicare and the Civil Rights Revolution. Together, we explore how federal Medicare dollars were used as a powerful tool to force hospitals to integrate in the 1960s.We’re uplifting this groundbreaking story to educate a new generation about the critical role health care played in the civil rights movement - and to confront how racism still shapes access to care and health outcomes today.This is part one of a two-part series. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.
This time on Code WACK!As healthcare costs skyrocket and Americans face new coverage threats, California advocates are pushing for something bigger than simple fixes around the edges. We’re joined by longtime healthcare organizer Michael Lighty, who breaks down the fight for single payer, what’s at stake in 2026, and why unity may be the key to winning guaranteed healthcare for all.Michael is the president of Healthy California Now and has organized, advocated and developed policy for single payer Medicare for All nationally and in California for more than 30 years. This is the second episode in a two-part series with Michael Lighty. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.
This time on Code WACK!Today we’re talking about rising healthcare costs and the renewed momentum behind Medicare for All. Recent polling shows majority support for the idea-across Democrats, independents, and even a notable share of Republicans-even when voters are told it would replace most private insurance and require higher taxes.As premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs continue to climb, healthcare affordability is once again front and center in the political debate. To help us unpack what’s driving this support-and whether it represents a real political opportunity-we’re joined by longtime healthcare advocate and policy strategist Michael Lighty, president of Healthy California Now and former healthcare constituency director for the Bernie 2020 campaign. This is the first of two episodes with Michael Lighty.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.
This time on Code WACK!America is facing a looming crisis in caregiving with an aging population and scarce in-home care resources . Could neighborhood-based care networks offer answers? What becomes possible when they’re in place?To find out, we spoke with Dr. Mary-Elizabeth Harmon, a scientist-turned-storyteller, caregiver and founder of a business helping neighbors build caring communities and local economies through community villages.She spent more than two years caring for her father, who lived with dementia, and is currently the unreimbursed caregiver for her elderly mother in Virginia. This is the second episode in a two-part series featuring Dr. Harmon.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.
This time on Code WACK!Suddenly, with little notice, you may find yourself having to step into a caregiving role for a friend or family member. Maybe you already have. It could be an aging parent, an ailing partner or an injured child. What does it really cost—emotionally, physically, and financially—to care for someone you love?To find out, we recently spoke with Dr. Mary-Elizabeth Harmon, a scientist turned storyteller and caregiver whose life changed in an instant. What she thought would be a brief visit to her father ultimately became a years’ long caregiving journey that nearly pushed her to the brink—and ultimately inspired her vision for “vertical villages,” where neighbors foster caring communities and economies to support one another through life’s toughest moments.As the founder of Village Company 360 and the caregiver of her mother in Virgina, Dr. Harmon reveals just how unprepared our systems are for the caregiving crisis—and why all of us need to pay attention.This is the first episode in a two-part series.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.
This time on Code WACK!Join us on a deep dive into the hidden forces behind soaring out-of-pocket costs, from rising medical costs to pandemic aftershocks and corporate profit pressures. Our guest, health insurance agent Sherry Davis Johnson, shares eye-opening stories from the front lines. We’ll also explore how the Affordable Care Act has saved lives, what protections still matter most, and what it really takes to navigate today’s healthcare maze. This is the second episode in a two part-series.Sherry Davis Johnson — a former nurse turned long–time insurance agent in Southern California — has seen our challenging healthcare system from every angle, as a nurse and home health provider, insurance agent and patient. Today, she’s here to help us make sense of it all. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.
This time on Code WACK!We’re digging into big questions: Are reduced health insurance subsidies leaving Americans with a bad case of sticker shock? If you’re shopping on the ACA marketplace, what should you watch out for before picking a plan? And what happens if you're pre-authorized for treatment in 2025, but can't afford to renew with the same plan in 2026? (It's not pretty).For these answers and more, we talked to Sherry Davis Johnson — a former nurse turned long–time insurance agent in Southern California. Sherry has seen our challenging healthcare system from every angle, as a nurse and home health provider, insurance agent and patient, having personally gone through five major surgeries in just two years. Today, she’s licensed in health, property, casualty, accident, and life insurance — and she’s here to help us make sense of it all. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more!And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.
This time on Code WACK!Will Humana and UnitedHealth Group be found by the courts to have prematurely denied or cut off physician-ordered post-acute care for Medicare Advantage members using AI models with error rates as high as 90%? And could these same AI tools, which over 60% of doctors allege systematically deny patients necessary care, be used in Traditional Medicare as well? The answer is YES, depending on where you live. To learn more, we spoke with Jeremy White, author of InHumana: An American Healthcare Story, published recently by White Lines Press. Jeremy and his wife, Edie, founded the award-winning satirical publication Red Shtick Magazine and its online version, The Red Shtick. They live in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This is the second episode of a two-part series with Jeremy about his new book.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.
This time on Code WACK! Imagine watching your mom suffer a stroke and two seizures that left her unable to use her right side… and then having her Medicare Advantage health insurer deny coverage for the nursing home care she desperately needs.Now imagine learning that the decision to deny her coverage may have been based on artificial intelligence (AI) instead of clinical observation by a qualified medical professional!Here to share this shocking personal story is Jeremy White, author of InHumana: An American Healthcare Story, published by White Lines Press. Jeremy and his wife, Edie, founded the award-winning satirical publication Red Shtick Magazine — and its online version, The Red Shtick. They live in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, near Jeremy’s mother. This is the first episode of a two-part series with Jeremy about his new book. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.
This time on Code WACK! How do health insurance hassles like denials and preauthorizations exacerbate inequities in our broken healthcare system? How do they rob physicians of precious time caring for patients and even jeopardize their practices? And why are some big insurance companies buying up physician practices?To find out, we recently spoke with Dr. Erica Rowe Urquhart, a private practice orthopedic surgeon in northern New Jersey. Harvard-trained in biomedical engineering with an MD and PhD from Johns Hopkins, Dr. Urquhart is the author of the forthcoming book The Invisible Hand Wielding the Scalpel: Paying the Price in America’s Fractured Healthcare System. This is the second episode of a two-part series.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.
This time on Code WACK! Why can working as a doctor in America feel like being on a battleground? What questionable tactics are insurance companies using? How are they affecting patients and physicians alike? And when coverage is denied, what can patients do? (See Helpful Links below for tips on appeals.)To find out, we recently spoke with Dr. Erica Rowe Urquhart, a private practice orthopedic surgeon in northern New Jersey. A Harvard-trained biomedical engineer with an MD and PhD from Johns Hopkins, Dr. Urquhart is the author of the forthcoming book The Invisible Hand Wielding the Scalpel: Paying the Price in America’s Fractured Healthcare System.This is the first episode of a two-part series.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.
This time on Code WACK! Millions of Americans are expected to forgo buying health insurance starting in 2026 as the cost of their coverage soars. Others who currently qualify for Medicaid may find the rules have changed and they are no longer eligible. What can people do when they need care but can’t afford it? And why are young people especially at risk?To find out, we spoke with Rachel Madley, director of policy and advocacy at the Center for Health and Democracy. She previously served as health policy advisor to Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal and worked in the Office of Legislative Affairs at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Having struggled personally with a chronic medical condition, Rachel shares her firsthand experience staying alive despite America's cruel healthcare system. This is the second episode of a two-part series.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.
This time on Code WACK! With millions of Americans poised to lose their health coverage due to government cuts to Medicaid and other health programs, what can you do to protect your health and access to care? If you find yourself uninsured, are there ways to get free or low-cost prescription meds and health care?To find out, we spoke with Rachel Madley, director of policy and advocacy at the Center for Health and Democracy. She previously served as health policy advisor to Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal and worked in the Office of Legislative Affairs at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Having struggled personally with a chronic medical condition, Rachel shares her firsthand experience staying alive despite America's cruel healthcare system. This is the first episode of a two-part series.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.
This time on Code WACK! What will happen when Medicaid is slashed for millions of people as a result of Trump’s H.R. 1, the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill?” How will the largest rollback of the social safety net in over 50 years harm children, families, and rural communities – and what could it mean for states that recently expanded Medicaid, like North Carolina? To find out, we spoke to Jennifer Wells, director of Economic Justice at Community Change Action, where she leads the organization’s work to advance policies and practices that improve the material conditions of low-income communities. This is the second episode in a two-part series.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.
New from CodeWACK! Medicaid Saved My Mom’s Life – But Trump Could End It for Millions by Nurse Talk
This time on Code WACK! As a consequence of Trump's drastic cuts to Medicaid and other health programs, experts estimate that between nearly 8 million and 10 million more Americans will be uninsured by 2034. These include the most vulnerable among us, people who depend on Medicaid because they are poor, ill and/or live with disabilities. And here’s the kicker: experiencing disability isn’t as rare or improbable as we’d like to think. That's why this fight for health care is about all of us—our families, our neighbors, and our future. From hospital care to home-based services to keeping rural clinics alive, Medicaid is a pillar of our healthcare system—and when it’s weakened, entire communities feel the impact. So what happens when that pillar is damaged? We recently spoke to Andy Imparato, executive director of Disability Rights California, and policy analyst Sabrina Epstein. This is the second episode in a two-part series with Disability Rights California.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.
This time on Code WACK! What’s already changing for people with disabilities now that President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” has been signed into law? From pediatric clinics closing their doors to looming cuts in home and community-based services, the fallout is just beginning — and it’s hitting hard.Today we’re joined by two staff members of Disability Rights California, Executive Director Andy Imparato and Policy Analyst Sabrina Epstein, who have been working to track the bill’s impact and fight for the rights of those with disabilities across the state. This is the first episode in a two-part series with Disability Rights California. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.
This time on Code WACK! We talk a lot about how our healthcare system fails us when we get sick, but what about when regulators fail to PREVENT ILLNESS? Case in point: lead poisoning. It’s not just a danger from the past. Thousands of children are sickened from lead poisoning each year across the country. This week we’re looking at New York State which has older, poorly maintained housing stock in several areas, and where we’ve seen some of the highest incidences of lead poisoning in the country. So why hasn’t the state legislature passed the Lead Paint Right to Know Act, a bill that could help protect families from this entirely preventable harm?To learn more, we recently spoke with Shannon Burkett, a New York mother whose son Cooper was diagnosed with lead poisoning as an infant in 2008. Shannon is also the writer, producer, and editor of the podcast LEAD: How This Story Ends Is Up to Us. Both Shannon, a registered nurse, and Cooper, now 18, have been powerful voices in the fight to end lead poisoning. This is the second episode in a two-part series.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.
This time on Code WACK! Imagine discovering that your infant child—your nine-month-old baby—has lead poisoning – a toxin banned from paint and phased out of gasoline decades ago. So why do thousands of children each year have dangerously high levels of lead in their system?We spoke with New York mom, nurse, and advocate Shannon Burkett, whose son Cooper developed lead poisoning that stole his words, halted his development, and nearly cost him his life. Shannon is also the writer, producer, and editor of the podcast LEAD: How This Story Ends Is Up to Us, which had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival 2025, starring Merritt Wever and Cynthia Nixon. She’s a registered nurse, a mother of three, and a fierce voice in the fight to end lead poisoning.This is the first of a two-part series with Shannon Burkett.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.
This time on Code WACK! What happens when millions are stripped of Medicaid coverage? Who shoulders the costs when hospitals are forced to care for more uninsured patients? And how will unions and the workers they represent bear the brunt of skyrocketing premiums, job losses, and a growing healthcare crisis? Today we're joined by Cindy Young, a veteran labor negotiator and health policy advisor, and now vice president of the California Alliance for Retired Americans and of Healthy California Now. Cindy has spent decades fighting for healthcare justice and protecting workers' rights. She breaks down Trump's so-called One Big, Beautiful Bill, explains why unions are sounding the alarm and reveals what's really at stake for working families, seniors, and communities across America. This is the first episode in a two-part series in honor of Labor Day. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.
This time on Code WACK! What happens when millions are stripped of Medicaid coverage? Who shoulders the costs when hospitals are forced to care for more uninsured patients? And how will unions and the workers they represent bear the brunt of skyrocketing premiums, job losses, and a growing healthcare crisis? Today we're joined by Cindy Young, a veteran labor negotiator and health policy advisor, and now vice president of the California Alliance for Retired Americans and of Healthy California Now. Cindy has spent decades fighting for healthcare justice and protecting workers' rights. She breaks down Trump's so-called One Big, Beautiful Bill, explains why unions are sounding the alarm and reveals what's really at stake for working families, seniors, and communities across America. This is the first episode in a two-part series in honor of Labor Day. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.
This time on Code WACK! What if California, Oregon, and Washington joined forces to win federal approval for universal, single-payer healthcare? Could a united West Coast shift the balance of power in America’s healthcare debate? To find out, we recently spoke with Michael Lighty, president of the single payer advocacy coalition Healthy California Now. Michael ’s a founding fellow of the Sanders Institute, and he was healthcare constituency director for the Bernie 2020 campaign. Most recently, he co-wrote and was a leader in the successful campaign to enact California’s Senate Bill 770, a critical step toward negotiating the federal waivers the Golden State needs to build a universal, publicly financed healthcare system.Join us as we explore how these three states are moving to collaborate toward a common goal — and why this could be a game-changer for patients, politics, and policy nationwide.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.
This time on Code WACK! Why are some Americans choosing to go off the health insurance grid? For Lani Gonzales, entrepreneur and hypnotherapist, it was the mounting frustration with denials, delays … and ultimately being dropped by her health insurer through no fault of her own. So instead of reapplying, she walked away—and pieced together a system for herself. Combining medical tourism, concierge medicine, a health share, and even reclaiming her Philippine citizenship, Lani took an unconventional route to take control of her health care.What drove her to make these radical changes—and what can we learn from her journey? This is the second episode in a two-part series.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.
THIS WEEK ON CODE WACK!What would you do if your health insurer suddenly dropped you—and the care you needed cost thousands out of pocket? That’s what happened to Lani Gonzales, a former attorney from Florida who thought she understood contracts—until she came face-to-face with America’s broken healthcare system.After experiencing medical debt and being denied coverage for vital health treatments, Lani asked herself: Why keep playing a game that’s rigged against me? Her search for affordable, compassionate care led her across the border to Mexico – and to some surprising lessons about what health care in America could look like. This is the first episode in a two-part series with Lani.
THIS WEEK ON CODE WACK!Most of us know that our profit-driven healthcare system results in moral injury. How is moral harming physicians? And how is it harming patients? Dr. Diljeet Singh is an integrative gynecologic oncologist and the president of Physicians for a National Health Program. She’s leading a powerful new project with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to find out.By gathering stories from doctors and patients across the country, her team is uncovering how corporate control and financial pressures are fueling moral injury in medicine—and what it will take to make things right. From physicians losing autonomy to entire communities losing access to care, the stakes are real—and deeply personal. This is the second episode in a two-part series.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more!
THIS WEEK ON CODE WACK!What happens when doctors feel forced to act against their own moral compass? When financial barriers—not clinical judgment—determine the care a patient receives?We’re talking about moral injury in medicine—how it’s affecting physicians, harming patients, and why it’s getting worse under our profit-driven healthcare system.Joining us is Dr. Diljeet Singh, an integrative gynecologic oncologist and president of Physicians for a National Health Program. She shares powerful stories from her own practice—and from the front lines of American healthcare—that reveal a deeper crisis than just burnout. This is the first episode in a two-part series.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.
As Trump Administration attacks on public health care ramp up, what’s California doing to fight back? Can the state break free from a system that puts profits over patients — and build a truly universal, single-payer healthcare system? Or will political roadblocks and federal inaction keep us stuck in a broken status quo? Bottom line, how close can California - the 4th largest economy in the world - get to single payer on its own?To find out, we spoke with Michael Lighty, president of Healthy California Now who has organized, advocated and developed policy for single-payer Medicare for All nationally and in California for over three decades. He’s a founding fellow of the Sanders Institute, and he was healthcare constituency director for the Bernie 2020 campaign. Most recently, he co-wrote and was a leader in the successful campaign to enact California’s Senate Bill 770, a critical step toward negotiating the federal waivers the Golden State needs to build a universal, publicly financed healthcare system.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.
What does freedom really mean when, in 2025, health care costs more than $31,000 a year for the average American family? This Independence Day, we’re revisiting a powerful conversation about how single-payer healthcare could slash costs, unleash innovation, and expand access for all. Could it also help revive the American Dream of owning your own business?Ian Lewis, now with Unite Here Local 2 but at the time of this interview, with National Union of Healthcare Workers, breaks down how our current system burdens small businesses, stifles entrepreneurship—and what a bold reform could change. Could Medicare for All be the key to greater financial security, opportunity, and true independence for millions of Americans?While Ian ends the interview on an optimistic note, the political context for healthcare reform has changed dramatically since this episode. Funding for public health insurance programs like Medicaid and Medicare are on the chopping block and the threat of privatization is greater than ever. Keep up with the latest news on health policy reform by subscribing for updates at heal-ca.org/take-action. And keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-free donation: https://heal-ca.org/donate/
THIS WEEK ON CODE WACK!As millions of Americans face losing their health coverage, what can single-payer advocates do right now to protect our care and push for something better? What’s truly at stake for our country—and especially for its most vulnerable residents?To find out, we spoke to Michael Lighty, president of the Healthy California Now coalition and former constituency director for the Bernie 2020 campaign.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.
THIS WEEK ON CODE WACK!How are young people pushing back against a potential rollback that could once again block DACA recipients, or Dreamers, and thousands of others from enrolling in Affordable Care Act coverage? And why do advocates call this potential move by the Trump administration extremely dangerous?To find out, we spoke with Kristin McGuire, Executive Director of Young Invincibles, the nation’s largest young adult policy and advocacy organization. Kristin leads efforts to elevate the voices of young adults in the political process and expand their access to economic opportunity.This is the second episode in our two-part series.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.
THIS WEEK ON CODE WACK!As federal officials carry out large-scale, military-style raids and widespread arrests of undocumented immigrants, another fight is quietly brewing — one that could push thousands of people off their health insurance.More than half a million young people who were brought to the U.S. as children and grew up here could soon lose eligibility for affordable and subsidized health coverage. A new rule proposed by the Trump Administration would once again block DACA recipients from buying Marketplace insurance or receiving financial assistance.What would this mean for their health, their communities and the widening gap in health and economic equity?To find out, we spoke with Kristin McGuire, Executive Director of Young Invincibles — the nation’s largest young adult policy and advocacy organization — where she leads the charge to amplify the voices of young adults in the political process.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation.
This time on CodeWACK!How are big insurance companies dodging the very rules meant to protect patients — and turning our health care system into a profit machine for Wall Street? What can we the people do to stop it?Join us as we dive into the dark side of corporate loopholes, for-profit health care, and policy failure with Rachel Madley, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Center for Health and Democracy. A former FDA staffer and health policy advisor to Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, Rachel played a key role in crafting and reintroducing the House Medicare for All bill in 2023. With a PhD in Microbiology and Immunology from Columbia University, she brings both scientific rigor and firsthand policy experience to this eye-opening conversation.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.
This week on CodeWACK!Are Americans finally waking up to the truth about single-payer healthcare? With new Medicare for All bills recently reintroduced in Congress, we’re setting the record straight. Will it really save us money? Is it socialized medicine? And why aren't our legislators addressing the REAL causes of our skyrocketing healthcare costs?To unpack this, we spoke with Rachel Madley, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Center for Health and Democracy. A former health policy advisor to Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal — lead sponsor of the House Medicare for All bill — Rachel helped shape and reintroduce the landmark legislation in 2023. She’s also a former FDA staffer and holds a PhD in Microbiology and Immunology from Columbia University, where she was active in both Physicians for a National Health Program and Students for a National Health Program.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.
This week on CodeWACK!Medicare for All is back in the spotlight! With two new bills recently introduced in Congress, what makes these proposals different from earlier versions— and why are some advocates feeling hopeful, even in the current political climate? What would a truly public, universal health care system look like, and how could it help curb the soaring costs, corporate greed, and bureaucracy plaguing our current system?To unpack this, we spoke with Rachel Madley, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Center for Health and Democracy. A former health policy advisor to Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal — lead sponsor of the House Medicare for All bill — Rachel helped shape and reintroduce the landmark legislation in 2023. She’s also a former FDA staffer and holds a PhD in Microbiology and Immunology from Columbia University, where she was active in both Physicians for a National Health Program and Students for a National Health Program.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.
New on CodeWACK! Sex Ed, Medicaid, & Abortion Access: A trio of policies worth fighting for by Nurse Talk
This week on CodeWACK!How is America doing on sexual and reproductive health nearly three years after the Dobbs decision overturned Roe v. Wade? What are the real-life human rights consequences of abortion bans now sweeping across many states?To unpack the fallout, we spoke with Jennie Wetter, Director of the rePROs Fight Back initiative at The Population Institute, where she champions sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice every day. Jennie also hosts the rePros Fight Back Podcast, offering deep dives into abortion access, birth control, sex ed, LGBTQ+ rights, and more.This is part one of a powerful two-part series with Jennie.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.
This week on CodeWACK!Single payer is back in the spotlight with Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Pramila Jayapal submitting new Medicare for All bills for 2025-26! How will the upcoming National Day of Action on May 31st keep the need for healthcare reform in the spotlight? And how do physicians feel about single payer today, 60 years after the American Medical Association’s infamous ‘stealth campaign’ against socialized medicine (featuring none other than Ronald Reagan)? To find out, we recently talked to Dr. Ana Malinow, who spent three decades working as a pediatrician with immigrant, refugee and underserved children before retiring as clinical professor of Pediatrics from UC San Francisco School of Medicine. The past president of Physicians for a National Health Program, she is on the steering committee of National Single Payer. She’s also a lead organizer for The Movement to End Privatization of Medicare.This is the second episode in a two-part series.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.
This week on CodeWACK!Why is National Single Payer organizing a National Day of Action on May 31 amid cuts and freezes to public health programs? How has an incremental approach to universal health care in America made comprehensive healthcare reform more difficult? To find out, we recently talked to Dr. Ana Malinow, who spent three decades working as a pediatrician with immigrant, refugee and underserved children before retiring as clinical professor of Pediatrics from UC San Francisco School of Medicine. The past president of Physicians for a National Health Program, she is on the steering committee of National Single Payer. She’s also a lead organizer for The Movement to End Privatization of Medicare.This is the first episode in a two-part series.And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.
This week on CodeWACK!The Wyoming legislature effectively shut down the only surgical abortion clinic in the state. How did it use "TRAP" (Targeted Regulations Against Abortion Providers) as its legislative strategy? And how does this make getting an abortion even more challenging for residents in Wyoming and nearby states that have abortion bans?We recently spoke to Julie Burkhart, longtime reproductive rights advocate, founder and CEO of Trust Women Foundation, which works to expand access to abortion care in underserved communities. Julie is president of Wellspring Health Access, in Caspar, Wyoming and a protégé of Dr. George Tiller, who was murdered for providing abortion care in 2009. This is the second episode in a two-part series.We interviewed Julie just before the Wyoming legislature passed a bill that effectively shut down her women’s health clinic in Casper, Wyoming. Since this interview, the clinic has put a pause on performing abortions and is awaiting further guidance from a regulatory body.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.
This week on CodeWACK!What’s it like operating an abortion clinic in Wyoming, one of the most anti-abortion states in the nation? Meet Julie Burkhart — longtime reproductive rights advocate, founder and CEO of Trust Women Foundation, which works to expand access to abortion care in underserved communities, and protégé of Dr. George Tiller, who was murdered for providing abortion care. Hear how Dr. Tiller’s legacy lives on through her work. Why are patients traveling hundreds of miles for abortion care, post-Roe? What’s it been like to offer care in as state where arson, litigation, and political threats against reproductive care providers are part of daily life.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.
This time on Code WACK! Can our local health departments counteract the mixed messages given by RFK, Jr. the secretary of Health and Human Services, about vaccine safety and efficacy? What about us? How can we combat disinformation and highlight the benefits of vaccinating our children and ourselves?To find out, we spoke with Dr. Abdul El-Sayed—physician, epidemiologist, author, and county health commissioner. He is formerly the health director for the city of Detroit. As the host of the award-winning America Dissected podcast, he breaks down the forces shaping public health for tens of thousands of listeners each week. This is the second of two episodes with Dr. El-Sayed. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.
This time on Code WACK! What could Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s appointment as Secretary of Health and Human Services mean for the public health of everyday Americans, given his history of vaccine misinformation? With measles already on the rise and deadly, and the looming threat of future pandemics, how might his leadership shape the nation’s response to infectious diseases?To find out, we spoke with Dr. Abdul El-Sayed—physician, epidemiologist, author, and county health commissioner. He is formerly the health director for the city of Detroit. As the host of the award-winning America Dissected podcast, he breaks down the forces shaping public health for tens of thousands of listeners each week. This is the first of two episodes with Dr. El-Sayed. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.
This time on Code WACK! How is Ireland’s plan for single-tier, universal health care, known as Sláintecare, funded? Is it sustainable long term? What improvements has the nation’s healthcare system seen so far – and what can America learn from this?To find out, we spoke to Dr. Sara Burke, associate professor and director of the Centre for Health Policy and Management in Trinity College Dublin’s School of Medicine. She is the Principal Investigator of a research project entitled 'Health system foundations for Sláintecare implementation in 2020 and beyond …’ and Co-Director of SPHeRE, Ireland’s national research training program for population health, policy and health services research. Her research interests include health policy, inequities in health, healthcare access and the politics of health reform. This is the second of two episodes with Dr. Burke. And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.
This time on Code WACK! In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, we’re featuring Ireland’s healthcare reform agenda known as Sláintecare. What healthcare challenges have plagued the country – and how will Sláintecare help? To find out, we interviewed Dr. Sara Burke, associate professor and director of the Centre for Health Policy and Management in Trinity College Dublin’s School of Medicine. She is the Principal Investigator of a research project entitled 'Health system foundations for Sláintecare implementation in 2020 and beyond …’ and Co-Director of SPHeRE, Ireland’s national research training program for population health, policy and health services research. Her research interests include health policy, inequities in health, healthcare access and the politics of health reform. This is the first of two episodes with Dr. Burke.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate.
This time on Code WACK! How did desegregation impact Black patients in America? What hasn’t changed? What does racism in medicine look like today? And what should we do when we see it? To break it down, we spoke to Dr. Barbara Berney, project creator and producer of the documentary “Power to Heal: Medicare and the Civil Rights Revolution.” She’s also an emeritus professor at City University of New York School of Public Health and a distinguished scholar in public health, environmental justice, and the U.S. healthcare system. This is the second of two episodes with Dr. Berney.Keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate
This time on Code WACK! What did segregation look like in hospitals and medical facilities in America, and did it only extend to the South? What finally brought an end to the deadly practice that cost countless Black and Brown lives? To break it down, we spoke to Dr. Barbara Berney, project creator and producer of the documentary “Power to Heal: Medicare and the Civil Rights Revolution.” She’s also an emeritus professor at City University of New York School of Public Health and a distinguished scholar in public health, environmental justice, and the U.S. healthcare system. This is the first of two episodes with Dr. Berney.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more!
This time on Code WACK! What would cutting off or limiting Social Security benefits – or privatizing Social Security – mean for the roughly 68 million retirees who rely on such benefits? And what could that mean for those who receive disability benefits? To break it down, we spoke with Alex Lawson, executive director of Social Security Works, an organization fighting to protect and expand Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid; lower drug prices; and ensure health care as a human right. This is part two of a two-part series.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more!
This time on Code WACK! What’s at stake for Medicaid—the lifeline for millions of low-income Americans—under President Donald Trump and a Republican-controlled Congress determined to slash spending? How would cutting Medicaid affect the more than 72 million people who rely on it for health care? And is Social Security next on the chopping block? To break it down, we spoke with Alex Lawson, executive director of Social Security Works, an organization fighting to protect and expand Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid; lower drug prices; and ensure health care as a human right. This is part one of a two-part series.
This time on Code WACK! Why are some 200,000 Americans dying each year due to issues with their health insurance and access to care? Would a single payer healthcare system put a stop to this? To find out, we interviewed Dr. James G. Kahn, an expert in health policy and economics, and advisor to Code WACK! and editor and primary blogger of Health Justice Monitor. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more!
This time on Code WACK! The strong reactions to the tragic murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson by alleged killer Luigi Mangione are bringing renewed attention to the abuses of for-profit health insurance. How does our complex, costly, and callous for-profit healthcare system contribute to America's high mortality rate and how many people are believed to die each year as a result?To find out, we interviewed Dr. James G. Khan, an expert in health policy and economics, and advisor to Code WACK! and editor and primary blogger of Health Justice Monitor, a health policy blog.
This time on Code WACK! For the second episode in our two-part series on racism in medicine, in honor of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr, we’re asking the question: What is racially concordant care and how does it help save lives? What else can be done to reduce deadly disparities in medicine? To find out, we spoke to Dr. Uché Blackstock. Blackstock, author of the New York Times best-selling book “Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine,” which is now available in paperback. She’s also the founder and CEO of Advancing Health Equity, an organization that aims to dismantle racism in healthcare and narrow racial health inequities. Blackstock was named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in Global Health and one of the Top 13 Innovators Shaping the Future of Health by Fortune Magazine.
This time on Code WACK! In honor of Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy of equality and justice for all, we welcome Dr. Uché Blackstock, author of the New York Times bestselling book “Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine.” Trained as an ER physician, the Harvard Medical School graduate is founder and CEO of Advancing Health Equity, an organization that aims to dismantle racism in healthcare and narrow health inequities.
This time on Code WACK! How is the Department of Veterans Affairs becoming increasingly privatized and what could this mean for those who have served and sacrificed for our country? Is corporate health insurance better than the VA healthcare system - or not? How is privatization affecting the financial viability of the VA -- and what can be done to stop it?To find out, we recently spoke to Wendell Potter, a former health insurance industry executive turned whistleblower, the New York Times bestselling author of Deadly Spin and the president of the Center for Health and Democracy. He’s also the author of the Substack newsletter HEALTH CARE un-covered where he recently penned a post entitled “Privatizing the VA: The Unseen Costs to Veterans and Taxpayers Alike.”
This time on Code WACK! Why have U.S. administrations from both sides of the aisle chosen to privatize Medicare and how has that complicated health care for patients? How do mega insurance companies benefit as a result? How much is all this costing us, anyway? And what can we do about it?To find out, we spoke with Wendell Potter, a former health insurance industry executive turned whistleblower, the New York Times bestselling author of Deadly Spin and the president of the Center for Health and Democracy. He’s also the author of the Substack newsletter HEALTH CARE un-covered which chronicles out-of-control profiteering in U.S. health care, its impact on everyday Americans, and potential policy solutions.
THIS TIME ON CODE WACK!In the wake of the recent presidential election, we’re revisiting one of our favorite podcast episodes from 2023 about the hurdles America's Indigenous peoples face in accessing health care. What’s being done to help elder Native Americans receive culturally competent long term care? Would it surprise you to learn that relying on the Indian Health Service may not be enough to meet their needs? Why are some members of this highly vulnerable population buying health insurance too? To find out, we spoke to Elder Billie Tohee, executive director of the Albuquerque-based National Indian Council on Aging (NICOA) and former chair of the board.
This time on Code WACK! What could another Trump presidency mean for the rise in Medicare private plans and what would that mean for patient care and financial waste in our healthcare system and for the Medicare Trust Fund? To find out, we recently interviewed Dr. Diljeet Singh, an integrative gynecologic oncologist and incoming president of Physicians for a National Health Program [PNHP]. With more than 25,000 members across the United States, PNHP advocates for a universal, comprehensive, single-payer national health program. This is the second episode in a two-part series.
This time on Code WACK! Why are seniors between a rock and a hard place when choosing between various Medicare options? How do private Medicare plans, known as Medicare Advantage, limit patients’ options and why are they considered riskier than traditional Medicare? And what's the ‘Medigap Trap?’To find out, we spoke to Dr. Diljeet Singh, an integrative gynecologic oncologist and the incoming president of Physicians for a National Health Program [PNHP]. With more than 25,000 members across the United States, PNHP advocates for a universal, comprehensive, single-payer national health program.
This time on Code WACK! What questionable justifications did a major insurance company give to repeatedly deny coverage to treat a baby’s brain tumor? What would have been the financial impact on the family if they had to pay for their baby's treatment out-of-pocket? What specific health policies could we implement to avoid situations like this? To find out, we spoke to Dr. Eunice Stallman, a psychiatrist in Idaho and mother of two-year-old Zoey, who has suffered seizures and developmental delays because of a brain tumor discovered when she was an infant. This is the second episode in a two-part series.
Imagine learning that your baby girl has a brain tumor that’s causing seizures and disrupting her development, and your health insurance company is denying coverage for treatment her pediatric oncologist says she needs to survive and thrive? What would you do? Where did one mother turn when repeated health insurance denials delayed time-sensitive treatment to shrink her baby’s tumor? To find out, we spoke to Dr. Eunice Stallman, a psychiatrist in Idaho and clinical faculty at the University of Washington School of Medicine and the University of Washington Boise Psychiatry Residency Program. Her daughter Zoey is two years old now and still undergoing medical treatment. This is the first episode in a two-part series.
This time on Code WACK! What can be done to protect health care for the most vulnerable in the aftermath of Trump's victory? What does another Trump administration mean for single payer both nationally and in the states? How do many union leaders feel about single payer, and why? If we had Medicare for All, what other benefits could unions bargain for?To find out, we recently interviewed Ada Briceño, chair of Orange County Democrats and co-chair of Unite Here Local 11, which represents tens of thousands of workers in hotels, restaurants, airports, and sports arenas in Southern California and Arizona. This is the second episode in a two-part series.
This time on Code WACK! What could a Trump White House mean for your health care and your family’s? What might it mean for public health at a time when the nation is still reeling from the devastating COVID-19 pandemic? And which populations stand to lose the most? To find out, we spoke to Ada Briceño, chair of Orange County Democrats and co-chair of Unite Here Local 11, which represents tens of thousands of workers in hotels, restaurants, airports, and sports arenas in Southern California and Arizona. Ada is also a former National Steering Committee Member for the Labor Campaign for Single-Payer. This is the first episode in a two-part series.
This time on Code WACK! Why have healthcare giants like United Health and Cigna have been purging some of their commercial accounts and pivoting to government-funded programs like Medicare Advantage and Medicaid? How is this affecting patients? And what is the government doing about it? To find out, we spoke with Wendell Potter, a former health insurance industry executive turned whistleblower, the New York Times bestselling author of Deadly Spin and the president of the Center for Health and Democracy. He’s also the author of the Substack newsletter HEALTH CARE un-covered which chronicles out-of-control profiteering in U.S. health care, its impact on everyday Americans, and potential policy solutions.
This time on Code WACK! How do some Australians, who have single-payer health care they call Medicare, view the American healthcare system? What do they think about the many people in America who need to have a job to get health insurance? Who set their wedding day with their health insurance in mind? Or who have health insurance but go bankrupt anyway, because it doesn't cover all their medical bills?To find out, we spoke to Australian Anna Candler, founder and CEO of The Circular Water Company. Through frequent visits to family in the U.S., Anna has gained firsthand insight into the stark differences between the Australian and American healthcare models. This is the second episode in a two-part series.
This time on Code WACK! How does Australia's healthcare system work and why is it considered one of the best in the world? What are some of the ways the Australian healthcare system, which they call Medicare, and private health insurance differ from ours?An Australian citizen, Anna is founder and CEO of The Circular Water Company in Sydney. Through frequent visits to family in the United States, particularly in Maryland, she's gained firsthand insight into the stark differences between the Australian and American healthcare models. This is the first episode in a two-part series.
This time on Code WACK! What is “data justice” and how does it inform and refine health policies for invisibilized communities? What policy solutions are needed to reduce health disparities among people, especially marginalized Latinx and indigenous communities? What role does the Latino Coalition for a Healthy California play in advancing the health of vulnerable communities throughout the state? And what are the hopes and fears of these communities when it comes to their health and the upcoming presidential election? To find out, we recently interviewed Dr. Seciah Aquino, executive director of the Latino Coalition for a Healthy California. This is the second episode in a two-part series.
This time on Code WACK! Public health advocacy requires considerable insight into the major issues that affect communities. How best to gain this insight? What role does direct personal experience play? Today Seciah Aquino, DrPH, MS shares how her lived experience as an immigrant has informed her work as Executive Director of a leading health equity advocacy organization, the Latino Coalition for a Healthy California. How did her experience, first as a young child in Guatemala and later as an immigrant living in Gardena, California, inspire her to pursue higher education and transform her life, and the lives of others? And how did that experience inform her response to the COVID pandemic?
This time on Code WACK! Rebate aggregators? Group purchasing? Vertical integration? How exactly do Pharmacy Benefit Managers, or PBMs, operate to maximize profit? And how are everyday Americans suffering from these practices?To find out, we spoke to Dr. Ed Weisbart, national board secretary of Physicians for a National Health Program, a single-payer advocacy coalition that boasts more than 25,000 members, and former chief medical officer for one of the largest PBMs in the country. This is the second episode in a two-part series.
We’re taking another look at Pharmacy Benefit Managers or PBMs. Why were PBMs started and how did they morph to become one of the most powerful entities in health care? Why have they caught the attention of the Federal Trade Commission? How are they a threat to consumers?To find out, we spoke to Dr. Ed Weisbart, the national board secretary of Physicians for a National Health Program and former chief medical officer of one of the biggest PBMs in the country. This is the first episode in a two-part series.
What’s at stake in health care with the upcoming federal election? Would Donald Trump really try to repeal the Affordable Care Act - again? Would Kamala Harris continue fighting to rein in the skyrocketing cost of medicine? What will be the fate of Biden-era policies like enhanced tax credits limiting the cost of health insurance premiums? Or access to reproductive health care (including contraception)?With so much up in the air, how is Families USA, a leading national, non-partisan voice for healthcare consumers, responding? To find out, we spoke to Anthony Wright, Families USA’s new executive director. This is the second episode in a two-part series.
The fight for affordable, accessible health care in the U.S. has gone on for decades. Who’s in the fight to win solutions that improve health care for everyone? What policies are they working on? Today we’re featuring the Washington DC-based Families USA, a leading national nonpartisan voice for healthcare consumers. We welcome their new executive director, Anthony Wright, who previously served for 22 years as executive director of Health Access California. This is the first episode in a two-part series with Anthony Wright.
This time on Code WACK!What are lawmakers and the Federal Trade Commission doing about Pharmacy Benefit Managers and their undue influence over drug prices and access? Who is watching out for consumers when the pharmaceutical industry pursues self-serving arrangements? And what’s the impact on independent pharmacies and their patients?To find out, we recently interviewed Hannah Garden-Monheit, director of the Office of Policy Planning, Federal Trade Commission. Prior to joining the FTC, Garden-Monheit worked at the National Economic Council (NEC), where she served as Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and Director for Competition Council Policy. At the NEC, she was extensively involved in shaping the President’s Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy, and much more. This is the second episode in a two part series.
This time on Code WACK!So you might have heard the term pharmacy benefit managers – or PBMs – in the news. But what are they? How did these middlemen get to be so powerful? How are they causing drug prices to skyrocket? And what’s the Federal Trade Commission doing about it? To find out, we recently interviewed Hannah Garden-Monheit, the FTC’s director of the Office of Policy Planning. Prior to joining the FTC, Garden-Monheit worked at the National Economic Council (NEC), where she served as Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and Director for Competition Council Policy. At the NEC, she was extensively involved in shaping the President’s Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy, and much more. This is the first episode in a two part series.
This time on Code WACK!As the United States faces an election possibly unlike any other in our history, we wonder about the future of our healthcare system. What changes might we expect under President Trump, or President Harris? What would a new administration mean for single-payer efforts in states like California and Oregon? And what about Medicare, a lifeline for so many vulnerable Americans?To find out we spoke to the one and only Michael Lighty, president of the Healthy California Now coalition and former healthcare constituency director for Bernie 2020.
What’s been happening on the healthcare front since California Senate Bill 770, which paves the way for a single-payer healthcare system, was passed last year? What’s the process and the timeline? What are the necessary next steps to winning single payer in the Golden State and why is it so important to achieving healthcare equity? To find out we spoke to the one and only Michael Lighty, president of the Healthy California Now coalition and former healthcare constituency director for Bernie 2020.
Need out-of-state coverage? Get ready to jump through hoops & pay through the nose.This time on Code WACK!How far did one man have to go to get the health insurance he needed to cover a specialized surgery in another state? Despite jumping through many hoops to even qualify to buy the coverage he needed, why did he still end up paying tens of thousands of dollars in out of pocket costs? How much would you be willing to pay for the freedom to consult the doctor of your choice?We recently spoke to Rand, a commercial property manager, writer and father of three in Southern California who shared the formidable health and insurance challenges that he’s faced with us. Rand asked that we not use his last name for this interview. This is the second of a two-part series with Rand.
This time on Code WACK!Imagine having to fight with your HMO insurer about compensating your surgeon who doesn't belong to your provider network, but happens to be a specialist in a particular procedure that you want because it has fewer side effects. Could you afford to cough up a few thousand dollars to pay the surgeon while hassling with your HMO? But the story doesn't end there. What if you then needed a followup procedure that is relatively new but has a 98% chance of a positive outcome? But the surgeon you want - who invented it - is not in your state, never mind your network?We recently spoke to Rand, a commercial property manager, writer and father of three in Southern California who shared the formidable health and insurance challenges that he’s faced with us. Rand asked that we not use his last name for this interview. This is the first of a two-part series with Rand.
Why did California’s latest single payer bill fail and what can we do about it? How can the public learn the truth about how much they could save with unified financing when deep-pocketed corporations keep lobbying legislators against it? What will it take to make Medicare for All a reality once and for all? To find out, we asked Jodi Reid, executive director of California Alliance for Retired Americans or CARA, California’s largest grassroots senior advocacy organization. Jodi represents her organization on the board of Healthy California Now, a single-payer advocacy coalition. This is the second of a two-part series with Jodi.
This time on Code WACK!Why is long term care, including in-home health care, in crisis? How are skyrocketing costs affecting patients? How come two-thirds of people in California who are getting in-home health care get it from family members who are often unpaid? Would universal long term care - or a single-payer system with unified financing - help? To find out, we spoke to Jodi Reid, executive director of California Alliance for Retired Americans, California’s largest grassroots senior advocacy organization. She has more than four decades of organizing experience on issues ranging from health care to housing. Jodi represents her organization on the board of Healthy California Now, a single-payer advocacy coalition. This is the first of a two-part series with Jodi about long-term care.
This time on Code WACK!How do insurance companies put up barriers to addiction treatments? How does this affect treatment programs and their clients? And how would it be if we had Medicare for All?To find out, we spoke to Arlene Stanich-Prince, executive director of Ohlhoff Recovery Programs in San Francisco, one of the longest standing treatment programs in the area. This is the second of two episodes with Stanich-Prince.
This time on Code WACK!What are some of the most common misconceptions about people who are addicted to substances like opioids? What medicines are revolutionizing the way people are being treated today – and how accessible are they? To find out, we spoke to Arlene Stanich-Prince, executive director of Ohlhoff Recovery Programs in San Francisco, one of the longest standing treatment programs in the area. This is the first of two episodes with Stanich-Prince.Check out the Show Notes and Transcript for more!
What is the true cost of the American health insurance system? What toll is it taking on both patients and providers? And what do we need instead?To find out, we recently interviewed Dr. Linda Peeno, a physician, ethicist and health insurance industry whistleblower who testified before Congress and who has spent nearly four decades working to protect patients from harm and death by corporate healthcare systems. Dr. Peeno was played by actor Laura Dern in the 2002 docudrama “Damaged Care,” and she was also featured in Michael Moore’s 2007 documentary “Sicko.”
How did a single mom in Kentucky, in the 1970s, become a physician, then a health insurance medical reviewer and eventually a whistleblower?To find out, we recently interviewed Dr. Linda Peeno, a physician and ethicist who has spent nearly four decades working to protect patients from harm and death by corporate healthcare systems. Dr. Peeno was played by actor Laura Dern in the 2002 docudrama “Damaged Care,” and she was also featured in Michael Moore’s 2007 documentary “Sicko.” She has assisted in more than 150 legal cases to expose for-profit systems that have corrupted medicine and health care.
In honor of PRIDE Month, we’re revisiting a popular episode about the HIV/AIDS crisis of the 1980s and 1990s. What were the health policy failures that spurred so many Americans to militant activism? How did the LGBTQ+ community win the struggle to get government funding to address the deadly virus?Fortunately, today, with appropriate medical intervention, more and more people are living, instead of dying, with HIV/AIDS. But the U.S. still trails many developed countries in life expectancy, a result of health policy failures that continue to cause unnecessary death and suffering. What can today's Medicare-for-All movement learn from AIDS activists? To find out, we spoke with Michael Lighty, President of the Healthy California Now Coalition and former constituency director for Bernie 2020.
This time on Code WACK!At least seven states are grappling with budget shortfalls in 2024. What goes on behind the scenes when a state needs to cut costs? Who stands to lose the most as programs are trimmed or eliminated? Today we're looking at California’s multi-billion dollar budget deficit – and what's being done to protect the state’s most vulnerable residents. To find out, we spoke to Jodi Reid, executive director of California Alliance for Retired Americans, California’s largest grassroots senior advocacy organization. She has more than four decades of organizing experience on issues ranging from health care to housing. Jodi represents her organization on the board of Healthy California Now, a single-payer advocacy coalition.
This time on Code WACK!How do Managed Care health insurance plans hurt patients? Why is it legal for commercial health insurers to use Denial-of-Care as a business model? And what is one organization doing to call attention to such issues? To find out, we spoke to Kimberly J. Soenen, founder of “SOME PEOPLE,” a Chicago-based not-for-profit organization and multiverse channel dedicated to removing barriers to healthcare access. Soenen is also the COO of AMPERS Radio Association in Minnesota, but the views she expressed in this podcast are solely her own. This is the second episode in a two-part series with Kimberly Soenen.
This time on Code WACK!What’s the impact of health insurance denial-of-care tactics? Who “wins” when new employees have to wait three months before their health insurance kicks in? What devastating physical, financial and emotional consequences did one young woman face after she was seriously injured during such a waiting period? To find out, we spoke to Kimberly Soenen, the Minnesota-based founder of “Some People,” a not-for-profit organization and multiverse channel that examines the people, processes and systems that constitute the maintenance of and barriers to health. This is the first episode in a two-part series with Kimberly.Soenen is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of AMPERS Radio Association. All views expressed during this podcast are her own.
This time on Code WACK!Why do lawmakers continue to ignore the toll our broken healthcare system takes on us? And what can we do, ourselves, to bring about change? What inspired single-payer advocate and mother Rebecca Wood to put much of her activism on hold to “sharpen her swords”? To find out, we interviewed Rebecca, a first-year law student and public interest fellow at the University of Massachusetts. She’s a 2024 Rappaport Fellow in Law and Public Policy and the president of the University of Massachusetts Law National Lawyers Guild chapter. This is the second episode in a two-part series with Rebecca.
This time on Code WACK!In honor of Mother's Day, we're talking about how our dysfunctional health insurance system affects moms. How far did one mother go to ensure that her daughter – born extremely premature – got the critical care she needed? How did our broken healthcare system push our guest, Rebecca Wood, to delay her own care for the sake of her daughter Charlie, with devastating consequences? How has Rebecca’s life been transformed since she testified before Congress in 2019 about the impossible choices she faced? This is the first of two podcast episodes featuring Rebecca Wood.
This time on Code WACK! With all its apparent advantages, why hasn’t California passed single payer yet? Is organized labor fully in the Medicare-for-All game? Do managed care providers - like Kaiser Permanente - have outsized influence on healthcare reform in the state? To find out, we spoke to Peter Shapiro, a retired letter carrier and author of Song of the Stubborn One Thousand: the Watsonville Canning Strike (Haymarket Books 2016). He represented his union at the founding conference of the Labor Campaign for Single Payer in 2009 and has been involved with the issue ever since. He currently represents the Alameda Labor Council on the board of Healthy California Now, a single-payer advocacy coalition. This is the second episode in a two-part series with Peter Shapiro.
This time on Code WACK! How is private equity affecting our healthcare system? What’s being done about it? How does our fragmented healthcare system affect patients, including people who have cancer? And what cues can healthcare reform activists take from California's immigrant community?To find out, we spoke to Peter Shapiro, a retired letter carrier and author of Song of the Stubborn One Thousand: the Watsonville Canning Strike (Haymarket Books 2016). He represented his union at the founding conference of the Labor Campaign for Single Payer in 2009 and has been involved with the issue ever since. He currently represents the Alameda Labor Council on the board of Healthy California Now, a single-payer advocacy coalition. This is the first episode in a two-part series with Peter Shapiro.
This time on Code WACK! How would single-payer, Medicare for All affect the experience of getting care? Would it make it easier to find and see a primary care doctor? And just as importantly, how much money could individuals and families save under a state or national single-payer system?See how much you would save with the new, national Medicare for All Household Savings Calculator!Join us as we chat with Dr. James G. Kahn, who led the calculator team. He's an expert in health policy and economics, an advisor to Code WACK! and editor and primary blogger of Health Justice Monitor, a health policy blog.This is the second episode in a two part series with Dr. Kahn.
This time on Code WACK! What the heck is going on with Medicare for All in California? Can single-payer advocates overcome their differences and finally win health care for all in the Golden State? What’s the significance of two recent bills, Senate Bill 770, and Assembly Bill 2200, in achieving Medicare for All in California? To find out, we spoke to Dr. James G. Kahn, an expert in health policy and economics, an advisor to Code WACK! and editor and primary blogger of Health Justice Monitor, a health policy blog.This is the first episode in a two-part series.
This time on Code WACK! Will California’s new single payer bill, CalCare, be a tough sell for the state’s legislature, even if most of the state’s residents want Medicare for All? What political hurdles must be cleared before such a bill would pass? And what would it mean for single payer efforts if Donald Trump is re-elected president this year?To find out, we spoke to Assemblymember Ash Kalra. As a longstanding champion of single-payer health care, Assemblymember Kalra introduced statewide legislation known as CalCare (AB 1400 in 2021 and AB 2200 in 2023), which would guarantee comprehensive, high-quality health care for all Californians as a human right. This is the second episode in a two-part series.
This time on Code WACK! Once again, a new single-payer bill, AB 2200 or CalCare, sponsored by the California Nurses Association, has been introduced in the California state legislature. How will it help save lives? Will it break the bank, or will it save us money? What’s different about this version of the bill and what kind of support does it have in the state legislature? To find out, we spoke to Assemblyman Ash Kalra. As a longstanding champion of single-payer health care, Assemblymember Kalra introduced statewide legislation known as CalCare (AB 1400 in 2021 and AB 2200 in 2023), which would guarantee comprehensive, high-quality health care for all Californians as a human right. This is the first episode in a two-part series.
This time on Code WACK! Besides the Alabama IVF decision, how else are reproductive rights being rolled back in America? Why are some states going after emergency contraception known as the morning-after pill? What policy solutions are needed to better protect reproductive rights?To find out, we spoke to Vina Smith-Ramakrishnan, a fellow at The Century Foundation, where she works on issues related to maternal health and reproductive rights and justice. Vina’s work supports The Century Foundation’s efforts to eliminate racial and gender disparities in health outcomes. Vina has a master’s of public health in global health policy from George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health.
This time on Code WACK! Where are we today when it comes to reproductive rights in America? And what does the latest IVF case in Alabama mean for reproductive justice and healthcare equity in America? To find out, we spoke to Vina Smith-Ramakrishnan, a fellow at The Century Foundation, where she works on issues related to maternal health and reproductive rights and justice. Vina’s work supports The Century Foundation’s efforts to eliminate racial and gender disparities in health outcomes. Vina has a master’s of public health in global health policy from George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health.
This time on Code WACK! Are regulations meant to protect nursing home residents being enforced? How is understaffing at the California Dept of Public Health affecting nursing home regulation? Are for-profit and nonprofit nursing homes comparable when it comes to the quality of care residents receive? What reforms are in the works to better protect residents?To find out, we spoke to Tony Chicotel, senior staff attorney at California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, or CANHR, where he promotes the rights of residents in long-term care facilities through litigation, legislation, regulatory policy, and consumer education.
The COVID pandemic devastated nursing homes and other long-term care facilities highlighting the need for major reforms. What are the policies behind the often dismal performance of the nursing home industry? What policy changes have been made so far and why are nursing home residents still so vulnerable? To find out, we spoke to Tony Chicotel, senior staff attorney at California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, or CANHR, where he promotes the rights of residents in long-term care facilities through litigation, legislation, regulatory policy, and consumer education.
Why is tying a medical provider’s pay to the outcomes of their patients a bad idea? Why else should we be concerned about Accountable Care Organizations and the privatization of traditional Medicare? To find out, we spoke to Dr. Ana Malinow, who spent three decades working as a pediatrician with immigrant, refugee and underserved children before retiring as Clinical Professor of Pediatrics from the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine. She’s past president of Physicians for a National Health Program and is currently a lead organizer for National Single Payer and The Movement to End Privatization of Medicare. This is the second episode in a two-part series with Dr. Malinow.
This time on Code WACK! You've probably heard about the dangers of Medicare Advantage, but did you know that traditional Medicare is being privatized too? How is this corrupting our healthcare system even more and what does this mean for patients?To find out, we spoke to Dr. Ana Malinow, who spent three decades working as a pediatrician with immigrant, refugee and underserved children in Ohio, Texas, Pennsylvania, and California before retiring as Clinical Professor of Pediatrics from the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine. She’s past president of Physicians for a National Health Program and is currently a lead organizer for National Single Payer and The Movement to End Privatization of Medicare. This is the first episode in a two-part series with Dr. Malinow.
This time on Code WACK! Some states are making it easier for trans and non-binary individuals to get gender-affirming care but in other states, a record number of laws have been passed to outlaw – or limit – such care. What kind of toll does this take on people in the trans community, their doctors and their advocates? What policy solutions are needed to ensure that everyone, regardless of gender identity, has access to the medical care they need?To find out, we spoke to Ash Orr, a trans organizer from West Virginia and press relations manager for the National Center for Transgender Equality or NCTE. This is the second episode in a two-part series.
This time on Code WACK! What unique challenges do transgender individuals face when it comes to accessing health care - especially in rural America? Why is gender affirming care considered potentially life saving for trans and nonbinary individuals? How do inaccessible health care, employment discrimination and medical mistreatment intersect for trans people?To find out, we spoke to Ash Orr, a trans organizer from West Virginia and press relations manager for the National Center for Transgender Equality or NCTE. Ash is also a National Storyteller for Planned Parenthood, leveraging their personal experiences with abortion care and transition-related healthcare to help dispel societal stigmas around these topics. This is the first episode in a two-part series.
What can be done about the fentanyl crisis on Los Angeles’ Skid Row that disproportionately affects Black residents? What policy solutions are needed? In light of the historical evidence of racial disparities in the criminal justice and healthcare systems, should reparations be considered?To find out, we spoke to Nyabingi Kuti, director of the LA Harm Reduction Network. Harm reduction, an evidence-based public health approach, focuses on reducing harmful consequences of substance use. It meets people where they’re at and acknowledges that many people aren’t willing or able to stop using. This is the second episode in a two-part series.
More than 3,000 people died of drug overdoses in Los Angeles County alone in 2022 and last October, Hollywood actor Matthew Perry, of “Friends” fame, became one of the latest overdose victims when he accidentally died of acute effects of ketamine at his Los Angeles home. Perry's story reminds us that no one is immune to drug overdoses, but who are the most vulnerable in LA County and why? How do poverty, homelessness and mental health issues intersect with addiction to create a deadly “perfect storm” for so many? To find out, we spoke to Nyabingi Kuti, director of the LA Harm Reduction Network, which aims to expand and enhance access to substance use disorder treatment for L.A. County and especially Skid Row. This is the first episode in a two-part series.
This time on Code WACK! Can California’s new Office of Health Care Affordability stem the rising tide of healthcare inflation? Are similar efforts to rein in healthcare costs happening in other states? And what does the creation of the Office mean about the chance for single-payer, Medicare for All in the Golden State?To find out we spoke to Ian Lewis, the policy director for Unite Here Local 2, a union of over 15,000 hospitality workers in the San Francisco Bay Area. Ian previously served as a research director for the National Union of Healthcare Workers and is a board member of California's Office of Health Care Affordability established in 2022. This is the second episode in a two-part series.
The New Year is ringing in higher health care premiums while U.S. life expectancy continues to fall. Despite spending more on health care than any other country, we don’t seem to be getting much bang for our bucks! For instance, in 2023 American men can expect to live only 73 years while Frenchmen can expect to live to age 80 - nearly 10% longer! What’s the link between lower life expectancy and higher healthcare costs? And what can we do about it?To find out we spoke to Ian Lewis, the policy director for Unite Here Local 2, a union of over 15,000 hospitality workers in the San Francisco Bay Area. Ian previously served as a research director for the National Union of Healthcare workers and is a board member of California's Office of Healthcare Affordability established in 2022. This is the first episode in a two-part series.
In honor of more than 200 podcast episodes and the New Year, we’re running one of our oldies but goodies about the medical tourism phenomenon - Need surgery but your $7,000 deductible is in the way? How about major dental care that your insurance doesn't even begin to adequately cover? Could you save by going to another country for treatment?The skyrocketing cost of care and rising insurance premiums are driving some Americans to seek affordable health care abroad. Many medical tourists get high quality, affordable health care abroad. However, some have problems. It's essential to thoroughly research the risks and benefits before pursuing medical care in another country.That being said, how much could you save? And what's the experience like? To find out, we spoke to Michael Djavahery, a Los Angeles-based life coach, trainer, speaker, author, and master hypnotist. In this episode Michael shares his experiences, including how much money he saved, traveling to the Philippines and Malaysia, to be treated by highly-qualified, internationally accredited doctors and dentists. If the U.S. had Improved Medicare for All, would that have influenced Michael's decisions?
Patients aren’t the only people who are frustrated with our current healthcare system. So are doctors! Why? And why doesn’t free market capitalism work with health care?To find out, we spoke to award-winning filmmaker Maddy Purves, who is editor of the documentary Healing US narrated by Susan Sarandon, and Laura Fielding, founder of Red Berets for Medicare for All and associate producer of Healing US. This is the second episode in a two-part series.
How did the new documentary Healing US, about the drawbacks of America’s for-profit healthcare system, get made? Which harrowing stories did they highlight? When Americans need health care, why do so many worry whether they can afford to be treated?For answers to these questions and more, we spoke to award-winning documentary filmmaker Maddy Purves, who is editor of the film, and Laura Fielding, founder of Red Berets Medicare for All and associate producer of Healing US. This is the first in a two-part series.
How can we, as a society, better support Black expectant parents and their babies in light of how vulnerable they are to dying in America? And what root causes must be addressed to do this most effectively? To find out, we spoke to Melissa Franklin, the first Black director of Maternal Child and Adolescent Health for LA County’s Department of Public Health. Dr. Franklin is a system transformation leader with over 25 years of experience in organizational development, community engagement and communications strategy. This is the second in a two-part series with Dr. Melissa Franklin.
Why are Black people so vulnerable to maternal and infant mortality - and what’s being done about it? What will the closing of a maternity ward in South Los Angeles County – a trend happening around the country – mean for local residents there?To find out, we spoke to Melissa Franklin, EdD, MBA, the first Black director of Maternal Child and Adolescent Health for LA County’s Department of Public Health. Dr. Franklin is a systems transformation leader with over 25 years of experience in organizational development, community engagement and communications strategy. This is the first in a two-part series with Dr. Melissa Franklin.
New from Code WACK,Money, money, money! The politics of funding single payer by Nurse Talk
What kind of a healthcare system could actually promote equity? How does a new bill recently signed by Governor Gavin Newsom get California closer to universal, single-payer health care? And how is it different from previous Medicare-for-All bills? To find out, we spoke to Irene Kao, executive director of Courage California, a progressive grassroots advocacy organization for which she’s the first woman of color to lead. She’s also a board member of the Healthy California Now, a single-payer advocacy coalition. This is the first episode in a two-part series with Irene Kao.
What can be done in light of Medicare Advantage overcharging taxpayers to the tune of around $140 billion a year? What’s the Medigap Trap and why should you worry about it? Why should we work to improve traditional Medicare while pursuing Medicare for All?To find out, we spoke to Dr. Ed Weisbart, the national board secretary for Physicians for a National Health Program and president of the Consumers Council of Missouri.
Medicare Advantage is overcharging the federal government – and you won’t believe by how much! How’s this affecting taxpayers like you and me and what can be done about it?To find out, we spoke to Dr. Ed Weisbart, the national board secretary for Physicians for a National Health Program and president of the Consumers Council of Missouri.
THIS TIME ON Code WACK!We're taking a closer look at what the millions of people being kicked off Medicaid can do about it. What’s being done to help them? And what else could we do to make sure people don't get stranded without health insurance coverage? To find out, we spoke to Loretta Alexander, who recently retired as the health policy director of Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families. Ms. Alexander has over 40 years of experience in health care. This is the second episode in a two-part series with Loretta.
THIS TIME ON Code WACK!Now that COVID protections have ended, what does that mean for the millions of people getting booted off Medicaid in the country? Where does that leave our nation’s most vulnerable, including children and people with chronic diseases or mental health issues? To find out, we spoke to Loretta Alexander, health policy director of Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families. Ms. Alexander has over 40 years of experience in health care. This is the first episode in a two-part series with Loretta.Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more!
THIS TIME ON CODE WACK!What’s being done to help elder Native Americans receive culturally competent long term care? Would it surprise you to learn that relying on the Indian Health Service may not be enough to meet their needs? Why are some members of this highly vulnerable population buying health insurance too? To find out, we spoke to Elder Billie Tohee, acting executive director of the Albuquerque-based National Indian Council on Aging (NICOA) and former chair of the board.
In honor of Indigenous People’s Day, we’re examining healthcare inequities in Native communities. What challenges do they face when it comes to accessing quality health care in America? What problems could they encounter when they get their care through the Indian Health Service, the principal federal health care provider to American Indians and Alaska Natives? To find out, we spoke with Elder Billie Tohee, acting executive director of the National Indian Council on Aging and former chair of the board. She’s an enrolled member of the Otoe-Missouria tribe and a descendant of the Iowa Nation of Oklahoma.
How did UnitedHealth Group, America’s largest health insurer by revenue, make billions in profit in the second quarter of 2023? How do UnitedHealth Group, CVS and Cigna control 80 percent of the drug supply market -- and why should we be concerned? To find out, we spoke to Wendell Potter, a former health insurance industry executive turned whistleblower, the New York Times bestselling author of Deadly Spin and the president of the Center for Health and Democracy. He is the author of the Substack newsletter HEALTH CARE un-covered which covers out-of-control profiteering in U.S. health care, its impact on everyday Americans, and potential policy solutions.
What policy solutions are needed to help people with disabilities get and keep quality health care - and which policies may do more harm than good? What would a Medicare for All system mean to this community? To find out, we spoke to Angela Gardner, a disability rights advocate who lives in the Los Angeles area. Angela is also a board member of Healthy California Now representing Hand in Hand, which fights for access to home care and disability justice, among other things.This is the second of two episodes with Angela.
What challenges do people living with disabilities face when it comes to accessing quality health care? And are they being included in decisions about health policies that affect them?To find out, we spoke to Angela Gardner, a disability rights advocate who lives in the Los Angeles area. Her work focuses on helping people with disabilities in the areas of employment, education, healthcare, services and support to live independently in the community.This is the first of two episodes with Angela.
What’s the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike about and what’s at stake for actors? Plus, what could the ongoing strike mean for their health care?
To find out, we spoke to Pat Finn, a Los Angeles-based actor who has worked in Hollywood for more than 25 years. He’s appeared in such shows as Seinfeld, Friends, Drew Carey, and Murphy Brown and in movies such as It’s Complicated opposite Meryl Streep.
This time on CodeWACK! In honor of Labor Day, we're looking at the trade-offs some workers face in order to have health care. What choices are families forced to make when they can't afford to insure everyone? To find out, we spoke to Rose Roach, chair of Healthcare for All Minnesota and national coordinator for the Labor Campaign for Single Payer. She recently retired as the executive director of the Minnesota Nurses Association.
This time on Code WACK!
How is Minnesota on the front lines of healthcare reform? What gains has the state legislature made when it comes to busting dangerous corporate healthcare mergers and moving closer to Medicare for All?
To find out, we spoke to Rose Roach, chair of Healthcare for All Minnesota and national coordinator for the Labor Campaign for Single Payer. She recently retired as the executive director of the Minnesota Nurses Association.
This time on Code WACK!
How are corporate health insurers using artificial intelligence to step up their claims’ denials? And what’s being done to out some of the bad actors in Medicare Advantage?
To find out, we spoke to Diane Archer, founder and president of Just Care USA, an independent digital media hub, covering health and financial issues facing boomers and their families. Miss Archer is the past chair of the Board of Consumer Reports, currently serves as a senior advisor at Social Security Works and as a member of the board of the Center for Health and Democracy.
This time on Code WACK! How do Medicare Advantage plans use pre-authorizations and claim denials to maximize their profits at the expense of senior citizen’s lives? And how are health insurers getting away with this?
To find out, we spoke to Diane Archer, founder and president of Just Care USA, an independent digital media hub, covering health and financial issues facing boomers and their families. Miss Archer is the past chair of the Board of Consumer Reports, currently serves as a senior advisor at Social Security Works and as a member of the board of the Center for Health and Democracy.
This time on Code WACK!
How does the way health insurance works discourage patients from seeking care in the first place? What other challenges do physical therapists face when dealing with a variety of insurance plans and regulations? To find out, we spoke to Ariel Wynne, a physical therapist and board certified pelvic health clinical specialist in Chicago. Ariel recently opened her clinic, Ground Floor Physical Therapy, which specializes exclusively in pelvic floor physical therapy for all genders. This is the second episode in a two-part series.
This time on Code WACK!
Despite the proven value of physical therapy, what health insurance hassles do physical therapists and their patients face today? Why are patient costs all over the place? To find out, we spoke to Ariel Wynne, a physical therapist and board certified pelvic health clinical specialist in Chicago. Ariel recently opened her clinic, Ground Floor Physical Therapy which specializes exclusively in pelvic floor physical therapy for all genders. What can patients do to afford the physical therapy they need?
This time on Code WACK! How have health clinics that perform abortions been affected by the reversal of Roe vs. Wade one year ago? What kind of legal challenges have there been to individual states' limitations on abortion since then?
To find out, we spoke to Cat Duffy, a policy analyst in the National Health Law Program’s Washington DC office. This is the second part of our recent interview on the state of abortion access in America.
This time on Code WACK! Now that the COVID health emergency has ended and millions of Americans are losing Medicaid coverage, we’re thinking about the nearly two million Americans who never got it in the first place because their state did not adopt the Medicaid expansion back in 2014. How did this affect them?
To find out, we’re revisiting one of our favorite episodes about radio personality and performance artist, Eliska Hahn, who was struggling with multiple sclerosis while living in a state that did not accept the ACA’s Medicaid expansion. How did she avoid financial ruin? This oldie but goodie episode is an excellent reminder of why we need Medicare for All in America.
What are the most common concerns of doctors about Medicare for All? Would reforming America's broken healthcare system improve - or worsen - doctors’ lives? How does the focus on corporate profits impact doctors’ experience? To find out, we spoke to Dr. David Leibowitz, hematologist-oncologist and past chair of Physicians for a National Health Program - California, a non-partisan voluntary organization that supports equitable access to high quality health care as a right to all people.
This time on Code WACK!
This Independence Day we’re thinking about freedom to pursue our dreams. The high cost of health care makes it difficult or impossible for Americans to afford higher education, or retirement, and the impact on business is severe too, as employers struggle to afford health care for their workers.
Thirteen years after the Affordable Care Act passed, health care in America is still marked by inequity and spiraling costs. Could single payer free us to pursue our dreams of financial security and independence?
To find out, join Ian Lewis, political & research director at the National Union of Healthcare Workers, and a board member of California’s Office of Health Care Affordability.
It’s been one year now since the Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe vs. Wade ruling, and reversed five decades of legal precedent. The Dobbs v Jackson decision returned the power to regulate abortion to individual states. What has that meant for abortion access in America?
To find out, we spoke to Cat Duffy, a policy analyst in the National Health Law Program’s Washington, DC office. She holds a doctorate and works on reproductive and sexual healthcare access and services with a particular focus on abortion coverage and access.
This time on Code WACK!
April Valentine knew that Black women were more likely to die from a pregnancy or child-related cause -- and tried to beat the odds with careful research, preparation and a supportive birthing team. So why did the 31-year-old die at an L.A.- area hospital while in labor with her baby girl?
To find out, we spoke to April’s doula, Stanis Askew, who works with Frontline Doulas, a perinatal health program that connects Black families with Black doulas. While the incident remains under investigation, here is April’s tragic story told through the eyes of her doula.
What exactly is a doula and how does it differ from a midwife? How can doulas support those who are most likely to die from giving birth?
To find out, we spoke to Stanis Askew, a full spectrum doula in Southern California who helps families from conception until after birth. She works with Frontline Doulas, a perinatal health program connecting Black families with Black doulas, and is passionate about elevating the Black birth experience.
This time on Code WACK!
In honor of pride month, we’re examining the pivotal role the LGBTQ+ community has played in advocating for healthcare reform. Is it just a coincidence that most of California's single-payer bills have been introduced by lawmakers in the LGBTQ+ community? How can we further galvanize the community around this life-saving issue?
To find out, we spoke with Michael Lighty, president of the Healthy California Now Coalition, and former constituency director for Bernie 2020.
In honor of Pride month, we’re examining LGBTQ activism in health care. How did the HIV/AIDS crisis devastate the community and what pushed many members toward militant activism? What can the Medicare for All movement learn from AIDS activists? To find out, we spoke with Michael Lighty, president of the Healthy California Now Coalition, and former constituency director for Bernie 2020.
Why do Black women have a 5-year mortality risk from endometrial cancer that’s 90 percent higher than White women? Is it about race or racism – and what can we do about it? To find out, we spoke with Dr. Diljeet Singh, a women’s health advocate and integrative gynecologic oncologist who has practiced for nearly 25 years. She’s also the vice president of Physicians for a National Health Program, which advocates for Medicare for All.
This time on Code WACK!Why is it that infant mortality rates in America differ by race? Why are some American babies more likely to be born premature or underweight than babies in other developed countries? And how could single-payer health care help? To find out, we spoke with Dr. Diljeet Singh, a women’s health advocate and integrative gynecologic oncologist who has practiced for nearly 25 years. She’s also the vice president of Physicians for a National Health Program, which advocates for Medicare for All.
his time on Code WACK!What would organized labor, and the workers they represent, gain under Medicare for All? Despite these gains, why are unions still divided on the issue? What would it take for labor to speak with a unified voice on this issue? To find out, we spoke to Ada Briceño, co-president of UNITE HERE Local 11, which represents more than 30,000 hotel workers in Southern California and in Arizona. She's also a Democratic National Committee member, chair of the Orange County Democratic Party and was named one of Orange County’s 100 Most Influential by the Orange County Register four times since 2014.
This time on Code WACK!Who’s the powerhouse behind the Orange County Democratic Party in California? Why is she raising her voice in support of Medicare for All as a union leader representing more than 30,000 hotel workers in Southern California and Arizona?To find out, we spoke with Ada Briceño, co-president of UNITE HERE Local 11, who has dedicated her career to uplifting marginalized voices and bridging communities. Besides years of union organizing and political work, she has led many civil rights, immigrant rights, women’s rights and environmental efforts. She is a Democratic National Committee member and was named one of Orange County’s 100 Most Influential by the Orange County Register four times since 2014.
This time on Code WACK!Are hospitals and health insurers incentivized to keep costs high? Are mergers and acquisitions in the healthcare sector helping - or hurting? How has the state of Maryland kept hospital costs in check – and how might other states do the same?To find out, we spoke with Richard Master, CEO of MCS Industries, founder of Business Leaders for Health Care Transformation and executive director of American Hospitals, the latest film in his documentary series. He’s joined by Wendell Potter, a former health insurance industry communications executive, the New York Times best-selling author of Deadly Spin and president of Business Leaders for Health Care Transformation. This is the second episode in a two-part series about the film American Hospitals.
This time on Code WACK!What led a CEO to produce a series of films to change America's healthcare system? What role do hospitals play in health care’s astronomical pricing? And what options do we have to rein in costs and make hospital care affordable to everyone?To find out, we spoke with Richard Master, CEO of MCS Industries, founder of Business Leaders for Health Care Transformation and executive director of American Hospitals, the latest film in his documentary series. He’s joined by Wendell Potter, a former health insurance industry communications executive, the New York Times best-selling author of Deadly Spin and president of Business Leaders for Health Care Transformation. This is the first episode in a two-part series about the film American Hospitals.
Winning Medicare for All in the U.S. may be at a standstill at the federal level, but it's a different story In the states. In 2021 alone, 18 single payer bills were introduced in states such as Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, and Oregon.Winning in California -- the most populous nation in the state -- could be a game changer. And, not one but two bills have been introduced in the California State Legislature this year. What's the latest single payer bill introduced in the California Senate and how is it different from previous bills? How will it work with CalCare, which was introduced in the California State Assembly this year for the second time?To find out, we spoke with Michael Lighty, president of the Healthy California Now Coalition, and former constituency director for Bernie 2020. What's the thinking behind this new strategy?
This time on Code WACK! How does diversity in politics affect the policies that impact our everyday lives? What challenges do women face when running for office and once they get there, how do their life experiences influence their political work? To find out, we spoke to California Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, the only Democrat to unseat a Republican incumbent in the state assembly last November. This is the second episode in a two-part series.
This time on Code WACK! Longtime nurse advocate, single mother, and now California Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo was the only Democrat to unseat a Republican incumbent in the California assembly last November. What inspired her to get into politics? What are her priorities when it comes to health care, homelessness, and housing?We're highlighting Schiavo’s impressive story today in honor of Women's History Month. Find out what she thinks would be a major game-changer in the fight against poverty. This is the first of a two-part series with the assemblywoman.
This time on Code WACK! What are the latest attempts to rein in Medicare Advantage insurers and their questionable practices? What hurdles do patients face with Medicare Advantage plans when it comes to their care? Is Medicare Advantage a better deal for patients, or for insurers? Is Medicare Advantage actually fixable?To find out, we spoke to Diane Archer, founder and president of Just Care USA, an independent digital media hub, covering health and financial issues facing boomers and their families. Miss Archer is the past chair of the Board of Consumer Reports, currently serves as a senior advisor at Social Security Works and as a member of the board of the Center for Health and Democracy. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more!
This time on Code WACK! How does running a hospital like a business run counter to providing reliable and affordable healthcare? How would having Medicare for All change the way hospitals are financed and what would it mean for patients, doctors, and the hospitals themselves? To find out, we spoke to Dr. David Himmelstein, a distinguished professor of public health at CUNY's Hunter College and a lecturer in medicine at Harvard Medical School. He also serves as a staff physician at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx and is the co-founder of Physicians for a National Health Program. This is the second of a two-part series with Dr. Himmelstein.
This time on Code WACK! What's the story behind the EMTALA patient protection law of 1986, which requires hospitals to stabilize or treat patients who are in a health emergency regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay? What has this law done for patients and what does it mean for hospitals? How does the current way hospitals are paid incentivize them to pass the buck on uninsured patients?To find out, we spoke to Dr. David Himmelstein, a distinguished professor of public health at CUNY's Hunter College and a lecturer in medicine at Harvard Medical School. He also serves as a staff physician at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx and is the co-founder of Physicians for a National Health Program. This is the first of a two-part series with Dr. Himmelstein.
This time on Code WACK! What if you don't have health insurance but need medical care to save your life? If you're drowning in bills from the hospital, what can you do?To find out, we spoke to Venus Lockett, a financial services professional who lives near Atlanta. After an ambulance ride, one night in the hospital and multiple tests, she faced over $30,000 in medical bills while she was in-between jobs, uninsured and living in Georgia, one of 12 states that still has not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.Find out what Venus did to get out from under those crushing bills and save her credit rating. Learn how to protect yourself with the Consumer Guide for Medical Bills and Debt, published by the nonprofit consumer protection organization Georgia Watch.
How do people get into medical debt in the first place? Sometimes it can happen when a business reorganization turns employees with benefits into contractors with no benefits. Or maybe you live in one of the 12 states that did not expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act? To find out, we spoke to Venus Lockett, a financial services professional who lives near Atlanta. Learn what happened when Venus’s health took a bad turn while she was uninsured, and nearly $31,000 in medical bills came rolling in. Does it really make sense to have a healthcare system with no caps on patient costs? And can anyone honestly say that employer-sponsored coverage is “best” when the business sector is often in flux, whether from recession or pandemic?
This time on Code WACK! What’s the latest threat to original Medicare? What could happen if we link health outcomes to physician compensation? How is it that a whole new program affecting millions of Americans on original Medicare can be rolled out without congressional oversight? To find out, we spoke to the new president of Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP), Dr. Philip Verhoef, an adult and pediatric intensivist and Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii-Manoa.Learn more about the new program called ACO REACH, and the issues it raises around physician compensation. Could ACO REACH threaten the trust between patients and their doctors?
This time on Code WACK! What say should doctors have in reforming America’s healthcare system? Are their decades-long efforts to stop the commercialization of medicine having an impact? How can health professionals, and students in the health sciences, get involved in the movement for single-payer health care? To find out, we spoke to the new president of Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP), Dr. Philip Verhoef, an adult and pediatric intensivist and Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii-Manoa.Find out the main strategies, goals and challenges of PNHP, the only single-issue physician led organization advocating for Medicare for All in America. And learn about the growing influence of Students for a National Health Program (SNaHP) in the single-payer movement.
This time on Code WACK! At least 20 legislative bills targeting transgender medical care were pre-filed in at least nine states for 2023, according to The Hill. And last year, more than two dozen states sought to enact measures to ban or severely restrict access to gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youth. To learn more about the challenges transgender individuals face when seeking such treatments, we spoke to Jeffrey Rodriguez, the director of Community Health Programs at the Los Angeles LGBT Center. He’s worked there for over 12 years, mainly in sexual health and education.
This time on Code WACK! What would you do if you were faced with thousands of dollars of medical debt? Would you file for bankruptcy or let the debt go to collections? What help is out there for people facing such difficult dilemmas? Would Medicare for All protect patients from the hassles and financial burdens that face ill patients today? To find out, we spoke with Monique Davis, a nonprofit executive in Southern California, who, during midlife, faced an unexpected diagnosis with a rare and potentially deadly disease. This is the second of two episodes featuring Monique's harrowing story.
Can you count on your health insurance when you need it? What if you and your spouse are "double-covered?" What are your options when medical debt is dragging you down? And if you can't pay, what happens after you get well and start looking for a new job?To find out, we spoke with Monique Davis, a nonprofit executive in Southern California, who, during midlife, faced an unexpected diagnosis with a rare and potentially deadly disease. How did her HMO respond when claims for chemotherapy, medical equipment, multiple ambulance rides and a stem cell transplant came rolling in? Monique says her survival is a miracle and her treatments were arduous. . . Did dealing with the claims really have to be so hard?
New from Code WACK, "Legalized Manslaughter for Profit?' Grieving Dad Demands Change by Nurse Talk
Was the Affordable Care Act a cure-all or a mixed bag for freelancers? Where can gig workers turn for expert insurance information and coverage? How would Medicare for All affect independent workers? To find out, we spoke to Rafael Espinal and Jonathan Gray of the New York-based Freelancers Union. Rafael, a former New York state assemblyman and former New York City councilman, is executive director and Jonathan is their member benefits manager. This is the second of two episodes with the Freelancers Union.
This time on Code WACK! Why are so many Americans choosing to freelance these days? What are some of the benefits - and risks - of choosing to work for yourself? What challenges do gig workers face when it comes to getting the basics, like health insurance and quality health care?To find out, we spoke to Rafael Espinal and Jonathan Gray of the New York-based Freelancers Union. Rafael, a former New York state assemblyman and former New York City councilman, is executive director and Jonathan is their member benefits manager. This is the first of two episodes with the Freelancers Union.
New from code WACK, How Hospital Consolidation Inflates Prices & Hurts Patients by Nurse Talk
This time on Code WACK! When it comes to our broken healthcare system, are nonprofit hospitals part of the solution ... or part of the problem? What are their priorities? How do their actions affect patient care? To find out, we spoke to filmmaker Sandra Alvarez, director of the new documentary InHospitable, which tells the story of patients and advocates as they fight for their lives and take on a billion dollar hospital system. This is the first of two episodes with Sandra about her film InHospitable.
Medicare’s 2023 enrollment period is ending on Dec. 7 and Code WACK! is on the case! What are the true risks of choosing Medicare Advantage instead of original Medicare with a Medigap supplement? Are you risking your pocketbook, or your health? Both, suggests expert Dr. Ed Weisbart, a retired family physician, former chief medical officer of Express Scripts and a national board member of Physicians for a National Health Program. "Don't get tricked" by Medicare Advantage, he warns, because there's a lot at stake. Why don't our lawmakers protect us by leveling the playing field between the two Medicare programs? To find out, listen to the episode!
This time on Code WACK!. How do the results of the midterm elections affect the prospect for state-based single payer healthcare systems? Will state governments continue to subsidize the private insurance system and defend the status quo as we lose money and lives? To find out, we asked Michael Lighty, president of Healthy California Now, a statewide coalition dedicated to winning single payer, Medicare for All in the Golden State. He was also the healthcare constituency director for Bernie Sanders 2020. This is the second of two pods about the election results with Mr. Lighty.
This time on Code WACK!. What do the tight midterm elections mean for our nation's health care? Hanging in the balance are the fates of those who are dependent on pandemic emergency programs for their health care and millions of American seniors who anxiously face the privatization of traditional Medicare. To find out, we asked Michael Lighty, president of Healthy California Now, a statewide coalition dedicated to winning single payer, Medicare for All in the Golden State. He was also the healthcare constituency director for Bernie Sanders 2020. This is the first of two pods about the election results with Mr. Lighty.
This time on Code WACK! In 2022, nearly half of people eligible for Medicare are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans. So what's the problem? Good question.
To find out, we spoke to Diane Archer, founder and president of Just Care USA, an independent digital media hub covering health and financial issues facing boomers and their families.
What pitfalls does Medicare Advantage pose? Is the Medicare Star Rating System a reliable guide to the best Advantage plans? And what's the Medigap Trap?
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What are the major differences between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage? How do the two programs compare when it comes to accessing care?
To get the facts, join host Brenda Gazzar and Ed Weisbart, MD, a retired family physician, former chief medical officer of Express Scripts and a national board member of Physicians for a National Health Program.
From narrow provider networks to pre-authorizations and claims denials, Dr. Weisbart shares the nitty-gritty on Medicare Advantage. What is the Medicare Advantage business model? Why are so many Medicare Advantage insurers being accused of fraud?
Need surgery but your $7,000 deductible is in the way? How about major dental care that your insurance doesn't even begin to adequately cover? The skyrocketing cost of treatment and rising insurance premiums are driving some Americans to seek affordable health care abroad. While the COVID pandemic slowed international travel, in 2019 nearly 2 million Americans sought health care abroad, a number that is projected to grow.
Many medical tourists get high quality, affordable health care abroad. However, some have problems. It's essential to thoroughly research the risks and benefits before pursuing medical care in another country.
That being said, how much could you save? And what's the experience like? To find out, we spoke to Michael Djavahery, a Los Angeles-based life coach, trainer, speaker, author, and master hypnotist. In this episode Michael shares his experiences, including how much money he saved, traveling to the Philippines and Malaysia, to be treated by highly-qualified, internationally accredited doctors and dentists. If the U.S. had Improved Medicare for All, would that have influenced Michael's decisions?
How would most families and individuals fare financially with a single-payer Medicare for All system? What about you? Would you pay more - or less - for health care than you’re paying now? If saving money (and lives) weren't enough, what else could we gain if we had Medicare for All? Could Medicare for All help unite our divided nation?
To find out, we spoke to James G. Kahn, a professor emeritus of health policy, epidemiology, and global health at the University of California, San Francisco, and an expert in health policy and economics. He’s an advisor for Code WACK! as well as editor and primary blogger for Health Justice Monitor.
What do Medicare beneficiaries need to know about open enrollment and their drug plans? How can they get free and unbiased help navigating their Medicare options? Most importantly, how can they save money on their medicines?
To find out, we spoke to Steve Maas, a freelance writer and a retired Boston Globe editor. The Maryland resident is currently a volunteer for the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (or SHIP program), a federal-state partnership that offers counseling on Medicare and Medicaid. In this interview about prescription drug pricing and Medicare, Steve spoke to us on his own behalf and not on behalf of SHIP. This is the second of two episodes with Steve.
What's up with America's prescription drug market? Why do some of us pay a lot more for our prescriptions than others? How can people on Medicare get the best prices for the medicines they need?
To find out, we spoke to Steve Maas, a freelance writer and a retired Boston Globe editor. The Maryland resident is currently a volunteer for the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (or SHIP program), a federal-state partnership that offers counseling on Medicare and Medicaid. In this interview about prescription drug pricing and Medicare Part D, Steve spoke to us on his own behalf and not on behalf of SHIP. This is the first of two episodes.
What are the primary drivers of poverty in America? How has the commodification of medicine affected health care? What's behind immigrants' fear of accessing programs established to provide them lawful services?
For these answers and more, we spoke with Maribel Nuñez, executive director of Inland Equity Partnership, an economic justice coalition working to reduce poverty for the most vulnerable in Southern California’s Inland Empire. From the front lines of this struggle, Maribel is here to break it all down for us! This is the second of two episodes
State by state, advocates of guaranteed health care for immigrants are slowly making gains - what's their formula for success? Which California immigrants will get access to full Medicaid coverage in 2024, for the first time? How did this happen in an America that holds complicated feelings about people who are undocumented?
For these answers and more, we spoke with Maribel Nuñez, executive director of Inland Equity Partnership, an economic justice coalition working to reduce poverty for the most vulnerable in Southern California’s Inland Empire. From the front lines of this struggle, Maribel is here to break it all down for us! This is the first of two episodes.
New from Code WACK, 'Out in the Cold:' America's Deadly Un-Insurance Problem by Nurse Talk
Description - Why are nearly half of all U.S. residents burdened with medical debt? Does it simply result from people making poor personal choices, or is it a symptom of a deeper, systemic problem with our healthcare system? What are the scary implications of this and what can we do about it? To find out, we spoke to James G. Kahn, MD/MPH, a professor emeritus of health policy, epidemiology, and global health at the University of California, San Francisco. An expert in health policy and economics, he's an advisor for Code WACK! as well as editor and primary blogger for Health Justice Monitor.
This Labor Day Code WACK! is taking a fresh look at the different perspectives held by organized labor in the fight for Medicare for All. Host Brenda Gazzar and Cindy Young, labor advocate and expert in health benefits negotiations, discuss how union members are harmed by America’s fragmented healthcare system. So why are unions split on this issue? What happens when rank and file members disagree with union leadership on policy? Is the fight to end healthcare inequity dividing organized labor or pushing it towards social justice? Could the tide be turning on this issue?
What happens when the cost of surviving an illness is so high, it's simply out of reach? How does Big Pharma enjoy such outsized profits from cancer and other treatments? And what about patients who are stuck between a pharmaceutical company and their health insurer?
To find out, we spoke to Dr. David Leibowitz, hematologist-oncologist and incoming chair of Physicians for a National Health Program - California, a non-partisan voluntary organization that supports equitable access to high quality health care as a right to all people. What's on his agenda for the California state chapter?
How have government policies created inequitable access to abortion? What's the Hyde Amendment and what has been its impact over the past 45 years? What role are some states playing in the effort to assure abortion access? And what can we do now to support reproductive freedoms? To find out, we spoke to Cat Duffy, policy analyst with the National Health Law Program, who works on reproductive and sexual healthcare access and services, including abortion coverage and access.
What are the implications of the Dobbs ruling for people seeking reproductive care across the United States? What kind of burdens will they face if they have to wait days or even weeks to get an abortion? Will this Supreme Court decision result in people having babies they don't want to have? To find out, we spoke to Cat Duffy, policy analyst with the National Health Law Program, who works on reproductive and sexual health care access and services with a particular focus on abortion coverage and access.
Why is it that many Americans who have health insurance are still not able to get the care they need? How are health insurers increasing their profits at the expense of American families?
To find out, we spoke to Wendell Potter, ex-communications executive for the health insurance giant Cigna turned industry whistleblower and New York Times bestselling author. Wendell is the co-founder of Business Leaders for Health Care Transformation and the president of the Center for Health and Democracy. He's also a strong advocate for Medicare for All.
How is medical debt a racial justice issue, and what's being done about it? What role does the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion play in reducing medical debt and keeping rural hospitals open? And what specific health policy should legislators pursue that would solve the medical debt crisis once and for all?
To find out, we spoke to Berneta L. Haynes, a staff attorney for the National Consumer Law Center, who focuses on medical debt and consumer energy policy. She previously served as a director at Georgia Watch, a state-based consumer advocacy organization, where she worked to make energy programs and quality health care more equitable and accessible for all.
New from Code WACK, A perfect storm: racism, chronic Illness & medical debt by Nurse Talk
What challenges do people in the LGBTQ+ community face in accessing quality health care and how does this affect their wellbeing? What policy solutions are needed to tackle these challenges?
To find out, we spoke to Jeffrey Rodriguez, the incoming director of Community Health Programs at the Los Angeles LGBT Center. He’s worked there for the past 12 years mainly in sexual health and education.
What special health needs do LGBTQ communities have – and how well are they being addressed? What can our broken healthcare system learn from the retail industry about how to treat clients with unique needs?
To find out, we spoke to Jeffrey Rodriguez, the incoming director of Community Health Programs at the Los Angeles LGBT Center. He’s worked there for the past 12 years mainly in sexual health and education, HIV and sexually transmitted infection or STI testing and treatment, HIV prevention, linkage into primary care, as well as with mental health and substance use programs.
How does the struggle for healthcare justice intersect with the movement to protect consumers? How do regulations on corporations and their products benefit us all? Is putting profit above consumer safety really "good business?" What's essential to winning Medicare for All?
To find out, we spoke with Andrew McGuire, a lifelong trauma prevention specialist and grassroots activist who lives in Sonoma County, California. He's an MacArthur fellow and Emmy award-winning filmmaker who has produced films related to his work in trauma prevention. Andrew's also the executive director of Code WACK’s parent organization, California OneCare, and a strong single-payer advocate.
California has expanded the state's Medicaid program to some undocumented immigrant workers, but not all. Who gets coverage, and who doesn't? Is lack of insurance coverage the only issue immigrant workers face when it comes to their survival? Did the pandemic reveal that the "safety net" is full of holes?
To find out, we spoke to Luz Gallegos, executive director of TODEC Legal Center in Southern California’s Inland Empire. The nonprofit mobilizes immigrant communities to build political power and demand justice while advocating for their most critical needs – from improved schools and better jobs to expanding access to medical coverage and legal protections.
Undocumented workers in California contribute about $3.7 billion in state and local taxes each year. They hold one in 16 jobs in the state. What challenges do they face when it comes to getting access to quality health care? How is this impacting their health and our communities? To find out, we spoke to Luz Gallegos, executive director of TODEC Legal Center in Southern California’s Inland Empire. The nonprofit mobilizes immigrant communities to build political power and demand justice while advocating for their most critical needs – from improved schools and better jobs to expanding access to medical coverage and legal protections.
Since the free market has failed to rein in costs and achieve equity in health care, what’s next? Can we govern our seemingly ungovernable healthcare sector? Can we build legislative consensus around policies that protect all of us, equally? Join Anthony Wright, executive director of Health Access, a health consumer advocacy coalition, and host Brenda Gazzar for the lowdown on California legislation that will hold health plans accountable for quality, cost control and reducing disparities. Will the state's purchasing power be enough to move the needle on single payer?
Why is reforming our healthcare system necessary? Is there any point in trying to change it, given the power of health insurers and pharmaceutical companies? Find out from someone who’s spent decades fighting and winning battles for healthcare justice. Join Anthony Wright, executive director of Health Access, a health consumer advocacy coalition, and host Brenda Gazzar in this first of two podcasts. Learn why reform is absolutely imperative. Can legislators afford to sit back while healthcare inflation chokes our economy?
Why do some elderly patients on Medicare struggle to get the health care they need? What are some of the dangers of Medicare Advantage?Join Casey Hobbs, RN, director of nursing at a retirement community in Northern California and co-creator/co-host of the popular podcast NurseTalk, and host Brenda Gazzar, to learn exactly what expenses senior Americans are on the hook for. In this second podcast of two, Hobbs explains some important gaps in health insurance coverage and why she sometimes has to fight tooth and nail for her patients. Check out the Show Notes & Episode Transcript!
Health care in America remains marked by disparities and spiraling costs twelve years after passage of the Affordable Care Act. Given the divisive political climate in Washington DC, states are struggling to work out their own solutions. Governor Gavin Newsom’s Healthy California for All Commission studied the problem for two years and released an eye-opening report detailing how single payer would save 40,000 lives and half a trillion dollars over the next decade while supporting equal access to care. But how would this plan affect businesses and employees?
To find out, join Ian Lewis, political & research director at the National Union of Healthcare Workers, and host Brenda Gazzar for this second of two podcasts on the challenges and benefits of transitioning to single payer.
With all the hand-wringing about the cost of single-payer, it’s time to ask if California can keep paying the price for the fragmented healthcare system we have today. Listen and check out the surprising answer in this first podcast of two featuring Ian Lewis, Political & Research Director at the National Union of Healthcare Workers and host Brenda Gazzar as they do the math on healthcare systems in the Golden State. Has our thinking on this been wrong all along?
Is California finally getting serious about fixing health care? On April 25, 2022, a major report was issued on California's fragmented and uber-expensive healthcare system. Who's behind the report? What were its conclusions and recommendations? And how much money can Californians actually save? Get these answers and more!
Join host Brenda Gazzar and guest Michael Lighty, president of Healthy California Now, to get the facts about Governor Gavin Newsom's Healthy California for All Commission and its new report on single-payer health care in the Golden State.
Why is employee health insurance a growing burden on American businesses? How are some large employers managing to cut out the health insurance middleman? Why didn’t the Affordable Care Act solve all these problems? Join host Brenda Gazzar and guest Wendell Potter, co-founder of Business Leaders for Healthcare Transformation, for these answers and more! Potter, former VP of corporate communications at CIGNA and insurance industry whistleblower, is a NY Times bestselling author. Tune in to this second of two podcasts on the ultimate price American business pays for their employees’ health care.
What’s the healthcare industry been up to since winning passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010? Are mergers, acquisitions and industry consolidation improving care for patients? Who are the Big Six healthcare corporations and how are they faring?
Join host Brenda Gazzar and guest Wendell Potter, co-founder of Business Leaders for Healthcare Transformation, for these answers and more! Potter, former VP of corporate communications at CIGNA and insurance industry whistleblower, is a NY Times bestselling author. Tune in to this first of two podcasts to get the facts about corporate healthcare’s latest business strategies and what they may mean for the rest of us.
How is the truth about single payer/Medicare for All twisted by the corporate media and right-wing billionaires? What must Americans do to take back their health care? Join host Brenda Gazzar and Hartmann, America’s No. 1 progressive talk radio show host and New York Times bestselling author, as they discuss the implications of his book, “The Hidden History of American Health Care: Why Sickness Bankrupts You and Makes Others Insanely Rich.”
Why should people who have great health insurance care about people who don't? Listen as guest Dr. Paul Y. Song, radiation oncologist and president of Physicians for a National Health Program - California, and host Brenda Gazzar discuss the roots of America's unequal healthcare system. Why did the Lyndon B. Johnson Administration develop two different public insurance programs - Medicare for retirees - and Medicaid for low-income people? How is that decision still impacting American communities over 50 years later? What can we do now that would help?
What does it mean to “privatize” Medicare? What’s ACO-Reach? Why does it matter? Who’s for it, who’s against it, and why? Join host Brenda Gazzar and Ed Weisbart, MD, a retired family physician, former chief medical officer of Express Scripts and a national board member of Physicians for a National Health Program to get the low-down. Dr. Weisbart shines a revealing light on an issue that will impact the healthcare experience of almost every American aged 65 or older - the ongoing effort to give away Medicare to private, for-profit investors. Should health care be “just another way” for investors and shareholders to make money? Is a for-profit Fire Department just around the corner?
How do common American hospital practices traumatize patients and their nurses? What experiences erode trust between the sick and their healers? Join host Brenda Gazzar and Kathy Allan, RN and board-certified holistic nurse, for unique insights into healthcare-acquired trauma and what we can do about it. Her years of training in PTSD and Developmental Trauma, combined with her experience working as a nurse at a major California hospital, inspired her to create a program to address systemic trauma in health care. How can hospitals restore a sense of confidence among patients and nurses that their needs will be met? Where can nurses and other providers learn strategies to release trauma? How could Medicare for All make a positive difference, not just in the patient experience but also in the community?
For most of us, the horror of getting a cancer diagnosis is only the beginning of a protracted, exhausting and stressful struggle to get the coverage and care we need to survive. Patients with life-threatening illnesses are at ground zero of a major moral conflict in America - a healthcare system that is as much about profit as it is about care. Join host Brenda Gazzar and Daniel Ray Hilsinger, filmmaker, activist, singer and songwriter as they discuss his fight to survive a rare cancer while only in his 20s. What did he learn about health care and privilege while on the chemo wards? How did his experience change his life? Why should sick people have to deal with the "overwhelming and tragic and horrible burden" of health insurance hassles while fighting to live?
What can advocates do when lawmakers shirk their responsibility to fix a healthcare system that hurts so many? Are campaign contributions from the for-profit healthcare industry the reason legislators refuse to advance reforms that would cover everybody, for everything, for less money? In this second of two podcasts, join host Brenda Gazzar and Whole Washington founder and operations director Georgia Davenport, to get Whole Washington's take on how to get around legislative inaction using the ballot initiative process. Why could winning single payer in Washington state "open the floodgates" to expanding improved Medicare to everyone? Plus, learn what you can do to support Whole Washington in this fight!
Whole Washington, a grassroots coalition in the Evergreen State, is committed to winning health care, "created by The People, for Everyone!" The Whole Washington Health Trust would be the nation's first public, non-profit healthcare system. Who's the founder of Whole Washington, and what led her to champion healthcare reform? What's been done so far to advance health care for all in Washington, and what's next for the single-payer movement there? Join host Brenda Gazzar and Whole Washington founder and operations director, web designer and mom, Georgia Davenport, who has helped establish and lead the state's all-volunteer initiative effort for universal health care.
HMOs may seem like a good deal, but what if you need a medical specialist? Will the doctor you need be in your network? And what about those crazy bills? Join host Brenda Gazzar and guest Nilton Fonseca, husband, father of three, and a construction engineering director, as he describes his struggle to find a plastic surgeon experienced in his condition. Did his appeal to the relevant state regulatory agency help? (Take a guess.) In this second of two podcasts, Fonseca details hassles with his health insurance that marred his treatment experience as he battled breast cancer. How could his experience have been different with single payer?
How do our healthcare and health insurance systems respond to patients with rare diseases? What about diseases that are stereotypically considered a “woman’s disease?” Do all breast cancer patients - even men - receive the full range of care they need? Join guest Nilton Fonseca, husband and father of three, with three decades of domestic and international construction engineering experience, as he details his journey after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020. In this first of two podcasts, Fonseca and host Brenda Gazzar discuss the unexpected and unacceptable hassles he faced.
What should single-payer supporters around the country think about the defeat of California's AB 1400? Did the state just lose its bid for healthcare equity? Join guest Michael Lighty, president of Healthy California Now, and host Brenda Gazzar for an insightful analysis of how this campaign played out on the political stage. How can advocates make healthcare equity a political necessity for legislators? In light of the growing popularity of government-run healthcare, what lessons can we learn from AB 1400? How can proponents lay the foundation for future success?
Does the type of insurance you have make a difference in your care? If the goal is equity, can America's multi-payer system ever deliver? Listen as guest Dr. Paul Y. Song, radiation oncologist and president of Physicians for a National Health Program - California, joins host Brenda Gazzar to pull back the curtain on the inequities baked into our healthcare system. Does expanding Medi-Cal to more people do any good, when so few doctors accept it? What's the most equitable and efficient health insurance in the U.S.? And how could we make Medicare better?
Does the path to winning single payer in the U.S. lie in the states, or in Congress? Would states that rejected the Medicaid expansion accept federal Medicare for All? Join guest Dr. Paul Y. Song, radiation oncologist, president of Physicians for a National Health Program - California and host Brenda Gazzar for a rundown of states’ efforts to pass single-payer healthcare. What’s behind their failure to win? And what can we do about legislators who care more about special interests than about people?
Is California set to lead the nation with single payer? Tune in for expert analysis of the latest legislative developments on Assembly Bill 1400, the California Guaranteed Health Care Act! Join host Brenda Gazzar and Michael Lighty, president of Healthy California Now, as he describes the complex path to victory for what could be the first state-based single-payer program in the nation. What just happened in the Assembly Health Committee? What comes next? This fight has gone on for decades. At long last, is a win within reach?
In celebration of our first 100 Code WACK! episodes, we’re revisiting one of our very first - and most disturbing - podcasts. It’s about how our ‘wack’ healthcare system, with its confusing mess of various insurance plans, treats patients very differently depending on who pays the claims. Tragically, it’s as relevant today as ever! Guests Dr. Ron Birnbaum and Dr. Paul Y. Song reveal to host Brenda Gazzar the problems patients and doctors face due to our multi-payer health insurance scheme, and some potentially life-threatening hassles that are common health insurance industry practices. And Dr. James G. Kahn explains just how much money the average American family is paying each year for our ultra-complicated healthcare system. (It’s a shocker!)
Ever think about your personal vulnerability in the face of a health challenge? A car accident, the flu, or a cancer diagnosis can have severe consequences, including emotional and economic chaos. Why? Because right when we need to focus on getting well, we find ourselves struggling to navigate a confusing health insurance labyrinth designed around someone else’s profit. Join guest Kayla Westergard-Dobson in this second of a two-part podcast as she and host Brenda Gazzar explore the true cost of America’s corporate healthcare system - a cost which goes far beyond impossibly high premiums and out-of-pocket costs. How would things be different if we had Medicare for All?
New from Code WACK, A devastating loss, then corporate callousness. An American healthcare story. by Nurse Talk
Join Dr. Howard Pinderhughes and host Brenda Gazzar as they discuss innovative programs that are helping to heal community trauma. Is community healing simply psychological and emotional, or is it more? What is the role of the community in the healing process? How could our healthcare system go beyond treating the individual to promoting community wellness?
The tragic effects of structural violence & community trauma, Featuring Howard Pinderhughes, Ph.D. professor and department chair, Social & Behavioral Sciences Dept, School of Nursing, University of California San Francisco. This is a must listen to podcast!
Assemblyman Ash Kalra represents California's 27th District which encompasses about half of the city of San Jose in the Silicon Valley. The first Indian-American to serve in the state's legislature, he has established himself as a progressive leader on issues ranging from criminal justice reform to the environment to health care and housing. His bill AB 1400, Guaranteed Health Care for All Act, would establish a California-based single-payer system covering all residents of the state. Get the ultimate insider’s perspective on the challenges California faces in this struggle, and find out why this bill is so important to Assemblyman Kalra!
Check out Code WACK!’s latest illuminating podcast, the first of two featuring Assemblyman Ash Kalra discussing his healthcare legislation AB 1400, California Health Care for All.
What’s California’s latest single-payer bill all about? Get the facts from its author, California Assemblyman Ash Kalra (D-San Jose), who introduced AB 1400, California Health Care for All (also known as CalCare), in early 2021. Why did Kalra introduce AB 1400? For one thing, he believes health care is a human right.
Check out Code WACK!’s latest insightful podcast, the second of two featuring Cindy Young, labor advocate and expert in health benefit negotiations, discussing how best to work with the labor movement in the fight for single-payer, Medicare for All.
Host Brenda Gazzar and Young, board member of the California Alliance for Retired Americans and vice chair of Healthy California Now, talk about the winning strategies needed to guarantee American workers the healthcare security they need.
Check out Code WACK!'s latest podcast featuring Cindy Young, labor advocate and expert in health benefit negotiations, discussing the significance of the labor movement in America’s struggle for healthcare justice, and the need for Medicare for All. Host Brenda Gazzar and Young, a board member of the California Alliance for Retired Americans and vice chair of the Healthy California Now coalition, explore the historic antecedents of our nation’s current healthcare system, including the heroic role played by the United Mine Workers of America in 1946 to win health benefits for the first time.
Join Code WACK! for the second of two podcasts featuring Thom Hartmann on America's healthcare fiasco and what we can do about it. After all, how does it help the nation’s health to have insurance industry executives sucking millions of dollars out of the system while Americans deny themselves healthcare because they can’t afford it?
And why have our political leaders abandoned us to this mess? Host Brenda Gazzar and Hartmann, America’s No. 1 progressive talk radio show host and New York Times bestselling author, continue their discussion of his newest book, “The Hidden History of American Health Care: Why Sickness Bankrupts You and Makes Others Insanely Rich.”
Join us for a lively discussion with Thom Hartmann about how America’s healthcare system got so screwed up! You probably know Thom Hartmann as America’s No. 1 progressive talk radio show host. But did you know that he’s also a New York Times bestseller? His latest book, “The Hidden History of American Health Care: Why Sickness Bankrupts You and Makes Others Insanely Rich,” is hot off the presses and already making waves.
The book is not only easy-to-digest but super informative and part of Thom’s popular Hidden History book series.
What’s the latest move to sell off traditional Medicare to venture capital and private equity? How will this affect your health care? Join host Brenda Gazzar and Dr. Ed Weisbart, board member of Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP), to learn about "direct contracting entities." What are they? How do they make money? Why is this a problem? And what can we do about it?
Despite the barrage of television commercials touting Medicare Advantage, is it really superior to traditional Medicare? How do the two programs differ on coverage, access and cost? Join host Brenda Gazzar and Dr. Ed Weisbart, retired family physician, former chief medical officer of Express Scripts and board member of Physicians for a National Health Program, for a deep dive into dismaying developments with Medicare, including how Medicare Advantage plans are draining the Medicare Trust Fund.
What essential coverage could Improved Medicare for All offer seniors that they can’t get through Medicare? And what’s California up to when it comes to healthcare reform...another commission? Really? Host Brenda Gazzar and Jodi Reid, executive director of the California Alliance for Retired Americans (CARA), share updates from the Golden State and talk about how we can trigger the political will for change.
New from Code WACK, Making Medicare Even Better? The Promise of Improved Medicare for All by Nurse Talk
What is the connection between colonization and the American healthcare system? How has systemic exploitation impacted the health of the most vulnerable among us? How will our healthcare system respond to the new diseases climate change will bring? Could Medicare for All help? Join host Brenda Gazzar and guests Rupa Marya, MD and Raj Patel, PhD in this second podcast on their new book "Inflamed: Deep Medicine and the Anatomy of Injustice.”
Is there a link between inflammation of the Earth and inflammation in our bodies? What about the disparate impact of climate change on BIPOC communities? How are concepts like "choice" being weaponized to absolve our responsibilities to one other? Join host Brenda Gazzar and guests Rupa Marya, MD and Raj Patel, PhD in a wide-ranging discussion of their new book "Inflamed: Deep Medicine and the Anatomy of Injustice," tracing the links between colonialism, climate change and our health.
What if you got a really terrible diagnosis in your mid-40s? ”Terrible” as in “unimaginably expensive?” “Terrible” as in “terminal?” Would you want to spend the time you have left on hold, searching for some kind of insurance for the chance to save or at least prolong your life? What are your options, really? Hear heart-failure patient Joel Sloan explain to host Brenda Gazzar what he’s gone through after falling down the chaotic rabbit hole of the American healthcare system.
It’s tough enough to be born with a genetic predisposition to heart disease. Tougher still to suffer advanced heart failure at 43. Then add in an HIV diagnosis and a hyper-fragmented healthcare system. What if your health plan won’t pay for your heart transplant because of a pre-existing condition or some other reason? Join Joel Sloan and Brenda Gazzar as they delve into the disturbing details of his extraordinary fight to live.
Part 2. How has America’s lack of a national, coordinated response to COVID affected us? What about the attacks on America’s public sector? Why did simply having to go to work turn out to be the single biggest issue Black Americans faced during the pandemic? Join host Brenda Gazzar and Chicago’s own Dr. Linda Rae Murray, MD, MPH, as they take a deep dive on the structural reasons for America’s fragmented healthcare system and what we need to do to fix it.
How is racism baked into American society? What role has medicine played in propagating it? How does racism in health care affect Black and indigenous peoples? Listen as "full-time troublemaker" Dr. Linda Rae Murray, MD, MPH, former Chief Medical Officer - Primary Care for the Cook County Bureau of Health Services and host Brenda Gazzar discuss the artificial separation between social, structural and personal racism -- and how little has changed since the 1970s.
Does commercial health insurance - when it's actually affordable - even provide the kinds of coverage restaurant workers need to cope with backbreaking work and emotional abuse? Who would want to risk catching COVID to do a job that pays $2.13 an hour plus tips? Join Brenda Waybrant, union organizer and former long-time restaurant worker, and host Brenda Gazzar as they discuss how COVID was a wake-up call for workers in a service industry that in too many cases, ignored and forgot them during the pandemic.
What health challenges do restaurant workers face as a result of their work? How did they fare during COVID? Can most restaurant workers really afford to miss a shift due to illness? Join Brenda Waybrant, union organizer and former long-time restaurant worker in Nashville, and host Brenda Gazzar as they discuss how private health insurance - whether employer-sponsored or from the marketplace - remains unaffordable for many Americans in low-income jobs, while public health insurance saves lives.
How do health insurance companies avoid insuring more costly patients? What’s a “trojan horse” when it comes to single-payer legislation? Does financing health care through an insurance system make sense? Join Dr. Stephen Kemble, practicing psychiatrist and past president of the Hawaii Medical Association, and Brenda Gazzar as they discuss one of the biggest challenges to winning Medicare for All in California - the popularity of HMO giant Kaiser Permanente.
What's long COVID like, after a year? How much does it cost to treat? Are some Americans still having to "stay married for the health insurance" - in 2021? What's one way Medicaid fails special needs kids? Listen as Mariana Pineda, a New York teacher, mother of four and single-payer activist pulls back the curtain on the campaign for the New York Health Act. Why, on the heels of a devastating pandemic, did the Democratic-controlled New York Legislature take a pass on Medicare for All?
As if having Long COVID weren’t enough, does America’s broken healthcare system make things worse? Does the social safety net - meaning Medicaid, unemployment and disability insurance - actually save us? Join Mariana Pineda, a New York teacher and mother of four, as she shares her COVID long-haul nightmare with host Brenda Gazzar. It was hard enough just trying to stay alive and keep her health insurance in force. Why was getting treatments approved by her insurance like a full-time job?
What if your surgery were suddenly cancelled the day before because your insurer deemed it "medically unnecessary?" What choices do Americans have when it comes to their care? Would global budgeting have helped rural hospitals cope with the pandemic? Stephanie Kang, PhD, health policy director for Rep. Pramila Jayapal, shares with Brenda Gazzar how her father's personal experience with a marketplace health plan during a serious health crisis illustrates the need for improved, expanded Medicare for All.
What’s the point of pushing for Medicare for All when President Biden opposes it? What about racial equity in healthcare - is winning single payer enough? Is there any value in supporting incremental legislation expanding Medicare to some? Host Brenda Gazzar and guest, Dr. Stephanie Kang, PhD and current Congressional health policy director, discuss legislative strategies worth pursuing now if we hope to win a better healthcare future for America.
Featuring Dr. Thomas Rice, health economist and Distinguished Professor at University of California, Los Angeles’ Fielding School of Public Health, and host Brenda Gazzar, discussing why it’s not “one-size-fits-all” when it comes to health insurance systems.
This is part two of a two-part series.
Why does the U.S. healthcare system perform poorly in equity and efficiency compared to other wealthy nations? How does the U.S. ration access to health care based on cost? How do other countries manage to cover everyone for less? What lessons can we learn from their health insurance systems? Host Brenda Gazzar and her guest, Dr. Thomas Rice, health economist and Distinguished Professor in UCLA’s Department of Health Policy and Management, discuss his new book, “Health Insurance Systems: An International Comparison.”
What's happening with healthcare reform in one of the bluest states in the nation, California? On which three fronts are single-payer advocates battling? What's essential to winning a healthcare justice ground game? Join host Brenda Gazzar and her guest, Ellen Karel, Chair of Health Care for All - California, as they discuss this historic moment for single-payer in the Golden State!
How did Ellen Karel, the chair of Health Care for All-California, come to support Medicare for All? What lead her to advocate for healthcare equity? Join host Brenda Gazzar and Ellen Karel as they discuss how expensive getting care can be, even with health insurance. Why should hardworking Californians, struggling to survive on low incomes, face hurdles to getting the care they need? What is holding California back from embracing single-payer healthcare, which would cover everyone for less money? Learn more at HEAL California!
How did Hawaii’s effort to establish universal healthcare get derailed by the Affordable Care Act? What’s an all-payer healthcare system and is it an alternative (or a path) to single-payer? What really happened with Vermont’s attempt at single payer? Dr. Stephen Kemble, psychiatrist and past president of the Hawaii Medical Association, and host Brenda Gazzar discuss what key feature of a single-payer plan is absolutely essential to reduce overall healthcare costs. Learn more & subscribe at HEAL California!
How has Medicaid Managed Care affected the availability of mental health services for low-income patients? Do corporate insurance industry practices, like medication preauthorization, complicate the treatment of mental health patients? Dr. Stephen Kemble, psychiatrist and past president of the Hawaii Medical Association, and host Brenda Gazzar discuss how Managed Care creates burdens for patients and psychiatrists alike and how new models, such as collaborative care, might help.
Featuring Dr. Nancy Niparko, a pediatric neurologist, and host Brenda Gazzar on how common health insurance industry practices drove her to shut down her private practice. Can doctors stay in business when today’s reimbursement rates in some specialties can be lower than they were 30 years ago?
What can doctors do when they learn the best treatment for their patients is not covered by health insurance? How are American children impacted by coverage denials and the high cost of medicines? Brenda Gazzar and Dr. Nancy Niparko, a pediatric neurologist at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, discuss the frustrating and unnecessary insurance hassles doctors routinely face while trying to properly treat their patients, and how different it is in Canada.
How has the coronavirus pandemic affected those who lost their jobs and their health insurance? What has been the emotional and the financial toll? Cathy Munzer, a fitness instructor from New York, shares her personal struggle to make ends meet while getting the health care she desperately needs.
What would the political path to winning Medicare for All look like? How can we take on the power of corporate health care? Why is it essential that people understand how our for-profit healthcare system affects them personally? Host Brenda Gazzar and Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, physician and politician, discuss how his compelling new book, “Medicare for All: A Citizen’s Guide” was written for skeptics and advocates alike, and why this fight matters for everyone.
What impact did having roots in two worlds - Detroit, Michigan and Alexandria, Egypt - have on a young Dr. Abdul El-Sayed? How did his life experience sharpen his perception of the systems of inequality? What motivated him to first pursue a career in medicine, then move on to public health and now politics? Host Brenda Gazzar and Dr. El-Sayed, physician and politician, discuss his compelling life and best-selling new book, “Medicare for All: A Citizen’s Guide.”
What are the key features of CalCare, California’s new single-payer bill (AB 1400)? Will it save money, or cost more? If we had single-payer, would Californians still have to pay premiums and deductibles? University of California San Francisco professor emeritus James G. Kahn, health economics expert, and host Brenda Gazzar discuss facts about CalCare, including options to finance it, and what we can do to help get it passed!
What convinced a global health expert that single-payer healthcare systems are the way to go? How did the coronavirus pandemic impact the existing American healthcare system? Why has the California Legislature failed to get to single-payer despite widespread support for it? UCSF professor emeritus James G. Kahn, health economics expert, and Brenda Gazzar discuss the state of past and future healthcare reform efforts.
How does our corporate healthcare system prevent us from fully investing in the public good? What about its disparate impact on Black Americans? How would we all benefit if our society prioritized taking care of people? Sean Cavanaugh, campaign director for Whole Washington, and host Brenda Gazzar, discuss why SB 5204, the latest single payer bill in Washington State, is vital and how it would work.
What are the traps that can keep survivors locked into abusive relationships? Is domestic violence more common in lower-income households? What advantages do higher-income survivors have when they seek help? Michele Hamilton, counselor and board member of Health Care 4 All-PA, joins host Brenda Gazzar to discuss how Medicare for All would change the dynamics for abuse survivors.
How does our health insurance system meet the needs of domestic violence victims? What obstacles do survivors of abuse face when it comes to getting and keeping health care? We spoke to Michele Hamilton, who’s been a counselor, and advocate for survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence since 2004. She’s also a board member of Health Care for All Pennsylvania. The views expressed are her own and do not represent her employer.
New from Code WACK, Radio Bilingue’s Hugo Morales – from farmworker to public radio mogul by Nurse Talk
What options are there for an uninsured performing artist facing financial destruction from medical bills? How does one’s state of residence impact the affordability of health care? Eliska Hahn and host Brenda Gazzar discuss the challenge of affording health care after developing a devastating illness even with the Affordable Care Act.
A second podcast featuring Dr. Nina Harawa, PhD, MPH, a professor-in-residence at the UCLA School of Medicine. Today she breaks down for us why incarcerated people are experiencing such devastating coronavirus outbreaks. How do the day-to-day realities of life in prisons and jails make it nearly impossible to avoid exposure, and what needs to be done about it?
Featuring Dr. Nina Harawa, PhD, MPH, a professor-in-residence at the UCLA School of Medicine where she has conducted innovative research with populations including HIV positive and high-risk African American men, sexually active African American and Latina women, transgender women and the incarcerated. How are these communities faring during the coronavirus pandemic?
Why did a man in his 20s die from a totally treatable disease? How do social determinants affect patients’ ability to get to doctors appointments or buy prescribed medicines? Host Brenda Gazzar and Dr. Susan Rogers, new president of Physicians for a National Health Program, discuss how essential it is to acknowledge the role inequities play in health care and to stop blaming patients. For more information visit https://heal-ca.org.
What was it like growing up Black in America during the Civil Rights struggles of the 1960's? What was the experience of systemic racism faced by students of color - especially Black women - in medical school during that era? With host Brenda Gazzar, Dr. Susan Rogers, new president of Physicians for a National Health Program, describes the life experiences that helped shape her commitment to social justice and healthcare equity. This is part one of two podcasts. For more about Code WACK visit https://heal-ca.org.
How does having to work to get employer-sponsored health insurance affect Americans with chronic illness? Does managing health insurance get any easier after retirement? (Hint – not necessarily.) Are Medicare Advantage plans really advantageous? And for whom? Retired actor Kathy Fields Lander, wife of actor and comedian David L. Lander, and host Brenda Gazzar talk about how fears for a loved one’s health care can keep family members up at night, and the importance of health care to our democracy. Note: Since this podcast David Lander passed away from complications due to his chronic illness. For more information visithttps://heal-ca.org/podcasts/
Join us for the second in a series of exclusive advance Code WACK podcasts with Michael Lighty, founding fellow of the Sanders Institute and former healthcare constituency director for Bernie 2020. In this preview Michael talks about the future of the Medicare for All Movement in California. Check out Code WACK at heal-ca.org
Join us for this exclusive advance CODE WACK podcast with Michael Lighty, founding fellow of the Sanders Institute and former healthcare constituency director for Bernie 2020. In this preview Michael talks about the future of Medicare for All during and after the Biden Administration. Get ready because no-one has a better take on this than Michael. A longer podcast with more detail will follow. Check out CODE WACK at https://heal-ca.org.
This CODE WACK podcast features David L. Lander, the comedian who played Squiggy on Laverne & Shirley, and his wife, Kathy Fields Lander. They’re retired actors who are longtime SAG-AFTRA members in Los Angeles. They’re now bracing themselves for dramatic changes to their health plan. That’s a concern in part because David Lander really needs good health coverage.
Featuring Michael Lighty, founding fellow of the Sanders Institute and former healthcare constituency director for Bernie 2020:
What’s holding the U.S. back from Medicare for All? (Hint: It’s not just Trump.) What about California? In this second episode in a podcast series with host Brenda Gazzar, Michael Lighty, founding fellow of the Sanders Institute and former healthcare constituency director for Bernie 2020, discusses the political obstacles to winning single payer and the essential connection to the issue of racial equity in health care.
Will “a little bit of this and a little bit of that” solve America’s healthcare problems? Is COVID-19 a game-changer in the fight for single-payer? In this first episode of a podcast series with host Brenda Gazzar, Michael Lighty discusses the Medicare-for-All movement and the Democratic Party’s new unity task force.
Nurses Talk, Healthcare in America is proud to present a new series of mini pods called CODE WACK. The mini pods are teasers and all full podcasts are available at HEAL CA https://heal-ca.org/podcasts/
Time for much reflection. Thinking about family, friends--- the paths we've taken over the years. All roads for me this morning lead to the love and gratitude I feel for the life I have lived and the family and friends that I am blessed with. I came upon a song I wrote a while back and it just felt right to share. To all my sisters and brothers out there... I'm with you.....
Patients and healthcare professionals deserve better. The nations healthcare system is broken!
The nation’s most trusted professional voices discuss the political issues that impact our lives...... Let's FIX IT!
For more information about our new program premiering FALL 2019 visit http://nursetalksite.com/healthcareinamerica/
With us for this podcast is Executive Director of Business for Medicare for All, Daniel Barlow. “The employer-based health insurance system hurts economic growth, suppresses wages, and creates a stagnant workforce,” Barlow said. “Options like Medicare for All don’t just improve public health, they also improve our economy". Business for Medicare for All is comprised of business owners nationwide who believe Medicare for All must be the top policy priority of American business. For more information visit We comprise business owners nationwide who believe Medicare for All must be the top policy priority of American business. We comprise business owners nationwide who believe Medicare for All must be the top policy priority of American business. For more information visit http://www.businessformedicareforall.org.
Are American businesses looking to ditch the current health insurance system? Executive Director of Business for Medicare for All Daniel Barlow gives us the answer to that question. For decades, a “good job” has been one that includes benefits – primarily health insurance. When most Americans worked full-time for a single employer and health care costs were lower, that worked fine. But these days, the average American will have 12 jobs over the course of their lifetime.
The Truth about Social Security: The Founders' Words Refute Revisionist History, Zombie Lies, and Common Misunderstandings. That's quite a title and author and President of Social Security Works, Nancy Altman means every word of it. In the book, she uses the founder's own words to debunk myths and reveal the truth about the most popular and successful government program in our nation's history.
Ben Day is no stranger to the National Single Payer movement. He currently serves as Executive Director of Healthcare NOW and prior to taking on this role he was the Executive Director of MASS-Care, the Massachusetts Campaign for Single Payer Health Care, for eight years. Listen as Ben gives a short overview of the differences between a "public option" and "Medicare for All".
All Myths aside the case for Medicare for All is getting stronger every day. "“We need to destroy once and for all the preposterous myth that the so-called “free market” will ever be capable of delivering the health system we need if we are to remain an economic super power”, said Richard Masters one of the founders of the Business Initiative for Health Policy, an independent, nonpartisan policy focused on public education and advocacy to advance the business and economic rationale for Medicare for All in the U.S.
President of National Nurses United Zenei Cortez joins Nurse Talk Radio this week with highlights from D.C. Lobby Day and the first Medicare for All congressional hearing in ten years. "I was so moved and the testimony at the hearing and our rally was so compelling I don't know how a person could not have been moved by these healthcare stories", said Cortez.
RN, Professor of Health Policy at University of San Francisco Barbara Sattler joins us to talk about the Nurses Climate Challenge. It's a national campaign to mobilize nurses to educate 50,000 health professionals on the impacts of climate change on human health. "It's ambitious and it's doable" said Sattler.
Check out this podcast and find out how you can get involved. The website is nursesclimatechallenge@hcwh.org,
Hello Thom Hartmann listeners! This week our Top of the Hour podcast features Nurse Talk's Healthcare in America Senior Correspondent Donna Smith. Donna had the privilege of talking with Jane O'Meara Sanders recently and if the name sounds familiar Jane is the wife of Senator Bernie Sanders, co-founder of the Sanders Institute and a longtime social, educational and political activist.
Jane played a major role in Bernie’s 2016 Presidential run and worked closely with thousands of nurses during the campaign. She learned first-hand how nurses fight for their patients both at the bedside and beyond. Jane is busy working on Bernie's 2020 Presidential bid and is focusing her efforts on quality of life issues.
Hello Progressive Voices Tune In listeners! This week our Top of the Hour podcast features Nurse Talk's Healthcare in America Senior Correspondent Donna Smith. Donna had the privilege of talking with Jane O'Meara Sanders recently and if the name sounds familiar Jane is the wife of Senator Bernie Sanders, co-founder of the Sanders Institute and a longtime social, educational and political activist.
Jane played a major role in Bernie’s 2016 Presidential run and worked closely with thousands of nurses during the campaign. She learned first-hand how nurses fight for their patients both at the bedside and beyond. Jane is busy working on Bernie's 2020 Presidential bid and is focusing her efforts on quality of life issues.
Nurse Talk's Healthcare in America Senior Correspondent Donna Smith had the privilege of talking with Jane O'Meara Sanders recently. If the name sounds familiar Jane is the wife of Senator Bernie Sanders, co-founder of the Sanders Institute and a longtime social, educational and political activist.
Jane played a major role in Bernie’s 2016 Presidential run and worked closely with thousands of nurses during the campaign. She learned first-hand how nurses fight for their patients both at the bedside and beyond. Jane is busy working on Bernie's 2020 Presidential bid and is focusing her efforts on quality of life issues.
With us for this podcast is California Nurses Association/National Nurses United community organizer Max Cotterill. Last week nurses stood with Senator Bernie Sanders as he reintroduced his updated Medicare for All bill which now includes a long-term care component. With support for Medicare for All at an all-time high--now is the time to get involved. For more information visit https://medicare4all.org.
Clinical Hypnotherapist Georgia Foster has been a long sought-after expert commenter on the subject of how to drink less in her home country of Australia, and in the UK where she now lives. In Georgia’s book “Drink Less In 7 Days,” she helps drinkers train the brain to reduce Inner Critic time and improve sober coping strategies without needing to drink...and without having to quit drinking all together. Check out her programs at georgiafoster.com.
To coin the phrase “it takes a village” is no understatement. Nurses and Medicare for All supporters are mobilized and fired up. National Nurses United Community Organizer Carolyn Bowden joins us to talk about the unique strategies being employed by NNU and supporting organizations. Don't miss this chance to be a part of the Medicare for All national campaign, it's easy and fun! Visit medicare4all.org.
Laugh, learn and listen to Nurse Talk Radio on Progressive Voices Tune In. You can download the PV APP @www.progressivevoices.com. This week on the show, States of Grace, from Doctor to Patient and Back Again…San Francisco Internist Dr. Grace Dammann is with us. And, to coin the phrase “it takes a village” is no understatement. Nurses and Medicare for All supporters are mobilized and fired up. Don't miss this chance to be a part of the campaign, it's easy and fun! Visit medicare4all.org. And last but not least Trump 2020 budget calls for $845 billion reduction to Medicare!
The Green New Deal (GND) is a set of proposed economic stimulus programs in the United States that aim to address climate change and economic inequality. ... The Green New Deal combines Roosevelt's economic approach with modern ideas such as renewable energy and resource efficiency. At least according to Wikipedia that is.
Dr. Grace Dammann’s life was forever altered when a driver crashed head-on into her car on the Golden Gate Bridge. After a seven-week coma and numerous surgeries, Grace miraculously regained consciousness, with her cognitive abilities almost entirely intact, but her body left shattered and severely disabled. In 2015 her friends Mark and Helen Cohen released the award-winning documentary States of Grace which follows Grace and her family as she goes through the arduous process of healing her body and spirit. Grace joins us for this inspiring conversation about life during and after her accident. www.statesofgracefilm.com
Laugh, learn and listen to Nurse Talk Radio on Progressive Voices Tune In. You can download the PV APP @www.progressivevoices.com. This week on the show, after decades of fighting, nurses join thousands to gather in the nation’s capital for Representative Pramila Jayapal’s launch of the New Medicare for All bill, a bill that has strong support from a broad coalition. And RN, NP USF Professor Barbara Sattler schools us on the New Green Deal Resolution. All this and more on Nurse Talk.
Listen to this week’s Mini Podcast with RN and California Nurses Association board member Sandy Redding. Nurses national campaign for Medicare for All is off to a great start with thousands attending barnstorm meetings.
Nurses across the country are off to a great start with a grassroots movement to demand Medicare for All. Thousands of people interested in supporting the movement attended over 150 barnstorms from Maine to California where they shared their healthcare stories and learned about the new Medicare for All Act that will be introduced in Congress by Representative Pramila Jayapal. RN and California Nurses Association board member Sandy Redding talks about all ...on this podcast. www.medicare4all.org
Laugh, learn and listen to Nurse Talk Radio on Progressive Voices Tune In. You can download the PV APP @www.progressivevoices.com. This week on the show, author and President of Social Security Works, Nancy Altman is on a mission to debunk the manufactured myths about Social Security and she uses Facts to do it! And as nurses and other influential organizations and labor movements launch a national Medicare for All Campaign. Labor Campaign for Single Payer National Coordinator Mark Dudzic is with us today. And introducing medicare4all.org.
Laugh, learn, and listen to Nurse Talk Radio on Progressive Voices Tune In. You can download the PV APP @www.progressivevoices.com. This week on the show.... writer, filmmaker, and social activist Jennifer Nix share's how she saved 90% on her medications while on vacation in Spain... and Director of Nurse Practice Safety Gerard Brogan talks about the 15th anniversary of California Nurse Patient Ratios. All this and more on Nurse Talk Radio
In the era of so called Fake News, it's critical to know and research our news sources. That’s why Tarbell is expanding its excellent coverage. Tarbell is supported by readers and not influenced by politics or corporate donations.
With us for this podcast is Tarbell Investigative Journalist Donna Shaw. Donna recently wrote about dangerous drug shortages that threaten patients in ER’s, Cancer Clinics, and Ambulances. This is a shocking revelation! www.tarbell.org
Laugh, learn and listen to Nurse Talk Radio on Progressive Voices Tune In. You can download the PV APP @www.progressivevoices.com. This week on the show.... Tarbell Investigative Reporter Donna Shaw reports DANGEROUS DRUG SHORTAGES THREATEN PATIENTS IN ERS, CANCER CLINICS AND AMBULANCES. DANGER IN DISGUISE…why nurse licensure compact seems like a good idea BUT not so fast! All this and more on the show today.
Ask yourself, who do you trust to make decisions about who should be allowed to practice nursing in your state? Do you trust your state’s nursing board, or would you trust an organization with little oversight and a comfy relationship with corporate sponsors such as big pharma? That question is central to our discussion today. RN and Nurse Practice Specialist for National Nurses United, Michelle Mahon joins us for this podcast.
With us today is Mark Dudzic, National Coordinator of the Labor Campaign for Single Payer. The primary purpose of his organization is to increase and coordinate grassroots labor support for a Single-Payer Medicare-for-All healthcare system in America. Mark, like many of us believes health care is a fundamental human need and that the labor movement must take a leading role in the fight for healthcare justice.
The Truth about Social Security: The Founders' Words Refute Revisionist History, Zombie Lies, and Common Misunderstandings. That's quite a title and author and President of Social Security Works, Nancy Altman means every word of it. In the book she uses the founder's own words to debunk myths and reveal the truth about the most popular and successful government program in our nation's history.
This week Healthcare In America Senior Correspondent Donna Smith introduces medicare4all.org. The site is sponsored by National Nurses United and Our Revolution and is a great resource for people across the country to get involved in the grass roots campaign.
Astronomical health care costs and lack of access continue to drive individuals, families, and businesses past their breaking point while insurance companies continue to soak-up billions of health care dollars as millions of children’s basic needs go unmet. Medicare has provided guaranteed health care for millions of American seniors for more than 51 years.
It’s time we have a Medicare for all, single-payer health care system that would end health disparities, effectively control costs, and assure that everyone has equal access to an excellent standard of care.
Writer, filmmaker and social activist Jennifer Nix joins us to share about how she saved 90% on her anti-rejection medications while on vacation in Spain...and how her story led her to Bernie Sanders's Senate office to meet his powerhouse social media team. Jennifer had a kidney transplant in 2009 and has written extensively about her experience.
California’s historic first-in-the-nation safe staffing ratios, sponsored by the California Nurses Association, took 13 years to win. The legislation has now been in effect since January 2004 despite continued efforts from the hospital industry to overturn the law. Safe RN to patient ratios have been proven to improve the quality of care and nurse recruitment and retention in California hospitals. Director of Nurse Practice Safety for California Nurses Association, National Nurses United Gerard Brogan joins us for this podcast.
Laugh, learn and listen to Nurse Talk Radio on Progressive Voices Tune In. You can download the PV APP @www.progressivevoices.com. This week on the show.... RN and Co-President of National Nurses United, Deborah Burger gives us the "state of the nurses union". In case you are wondering they are 150,000 strong and growing and they are fighting for their patients both at the bedside and in their communities. AND, Salt Lake City Utah's self proclaimed "Old Coots" giving bad advice are with us. You will love them and even if they say it's bad advice---see for yourself. All this and more on Nurse Talk on Progressive Voices Tune In.
Introducing, the Old Coots. That’s right they’re the self-proclaimed Old Coots giving Bad Advice and they are with us today. They aren’t a household name yet but they are popping up everywhere because---well---people need advice and apparently, they don’t care if it’s good. It all started when a group of retired friends who meet every Saturday morning at a Salt Lake City deli were growing tired of the same conversation each week. They wanted to share their wisdom beyond their friend group of seven. As a lark, they set up a card table at the nearby farmers market and told people they were dispensing free advice. Have some fun and check out this all new podcast!
This week we share one of the most critical Nurse Talk Radio interviews of 2018---The State of the Nurses’ Union with RN and Co-President of National Nurses United, Deborah Burger. At a time when the Republican Party is set on the destruction of organized labor in this country National Nurses United (the largest Union of Registered Nurses with over 150,000 members) is gaining members and momentum both nationally and globally. "When fighting for our patients, nurses are stronger when we come together" said Burger.
Join Nurse Talk Radio and Progressive Voices for a conversation with RN and Co-President of National Nurses United, Deborah Burger. National Nurses United is the largest organization of nurses in the U.S. with over 150,000 members. Deborah shares with us "the 2018 state of the nurses’ union", which includes successful workplace safety and RN to Patient ratios state and national legislation and the way forward to Expanded and Improved Medicare for All.
Laugh, learn and listen to Nurse Talk Radio on Progressive Voices Tune In. You can download the PV APP @www.progressivevoices.com. This week on the show.... Executive Director for Healthcare NOW, Ben Day. Ben talks about the mission of his organization and the national campaign for Expanded and Improved Medicare for All. And our Healthcare in America segment includes a $69 billion-dollar wedding announcement by CVS and Aetna and another outrageous Kaiser Health News bill of the month. All this and more...
Ben Day is no stranger to the National Single Payer movement. He currently serves as Executive Director of Healthcare NOW and prior to taking on this role he was the Executive Director of MASS-Care, the Massachusetts Campaign for Single Payer Health Care, for eight years. Ben talks about Healthcare NOW's broad coalition (including National Nurses United) of single payer supporters mobilizing in more than 300 cities across the country to create systematic change from the bottom up which of course includes grassroots educating and organizing. https://www.healthcare-now.org.
Author Suzanne Gordon has written an extraordinary book called Wounds Of War How the VA Delivers Health, Healing, And Hope To The Nations Veteran's. Ms. Gordon addresses the current issues of privatization and the unwillingness the current VA Secretary is demonstrating to allow RN's to take part in their rightful collective bargaining process and ultimate protections of their VA patients.
Author and journalist Suzanne Gordon joins us for a two-part interview about her new book Wounds Of War, How The VA Delivers Health, Healing, and Hope to The Nations Veterans. Suzanne does an extraordinary job describing how VHA(Veterans Health Administration)tasked with a challenging patient population---does a better job than private-sector institutions. She also talks about efforts to privatize the system, who's behind it and how efforts are underway right now to do just that.
Author and journalist Suzanne Gordon joins us for a two-part interview about her new book Wounds Of War, How The VA Delivers Health, Healing, and Hope to The Nations Veterans. Suzanne does an extraordinary job describing how VHA (Veterans Health Administration) tasked with a challenging patient population---does a better job than private-sector institutions. She also talks about efforts to privatize the system, who's behind it and how efforts are underway right now to do just that.
Laugh, learn and listen to Nurse Talk Radio on Progressive Voices Tune In. You can download the PV APP @www.progressivevoices.com. This week on the show.... award-winning journalist and author Suzanne Gordon. Suzanne's new book is Wounds Of War, how the VA Delivers Health, Healing, And Hope To The Nation's Veterans. "Wounds of War highlights what the average American rarely gets to see in the news media but what veterans know first-hand: day in and day out--and with little fanfare--the Veterans Health Administration provides high quality, patient centered care to millions of our nation's veterans". -- U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders
No one sets the record straight on Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid better than Alex Lawson. Alex, the Executive Director of Social Security Works say's Mitch McConnell actually told the truth a couple of weeks ago when he said the Republicans were going to cut the big three. "No doubt about it, they're coming for your Medicare and Social Security, something they've wanted to do since 1935". Republicans love to refer to these programs as "entitlements rather than what they really are "earned benefits".
Last month we shared the story of RN’s from Johns Hopkins Hospital declaring their intent to organize a union with National Nurses United, the nation’s largest organization of Registered Nurses. We also talked about the aggressive campaign waged by Johns Hopkins against the nurses right to form a union, which is why the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) recently found merit to the charges brought by the nurses. With us to provide an update is Johns Hopkins RN Derek Jannarone.
Laugh, learn and listen to Nurse Talk Radio on Progressive Voices Tune In. You can download the PV APP @www.progressivevoices.com. This week on the show.... RN and Co-President of National Nurses United, Jean Ross. Jean recently accompanied NNU Executive Director Bonnie Castillo to the U.K.'s World Transformed Festival. Also, healthcare for all activist and Senior Correspondent for Healthcare in America, Donna Smith is will us to talk about all things U.S. healthcare.
Here's this week's Mini Podcast with RN and Co-President of National Nurses United Jean Ross. Jean recently accompanied NNU Executive Director Bonnie Castillo to the U.K. to visit with Labor Leader Jeremy Corbyn at The World Transformed Festival in Liverpool.
Our guest for this podcast is RN and Co-President of National Nurses United, Jean Ross. Jean is a frequent guest on Nurse Talk and in her capacity of Co-President of the nation’s largest organization of nurses, she travels throughout the country and world working on behalf of RN’s and their patients for safer hospitals, safe patient staffing, collective bargaining and Expanded and Improved Medicare for All in the U.S. Jean recently accompanied NNU Executive Director Bonnie Castillo to the U.K. to visit with Labor Leader Jeremy Corbyn at The World Transformed festival in Liverpool.
Here's this week’s Nurse Talk Mini Podcast with Johns Hopkins Hospital RN Danny Andazola. Nurses at the hospital reached out to National Nurses United (NNU) to help form a union. NNU is the nation’s largest organization representing over 150,000 bedside nurses. Johns Hopkins nurse’s top concerns are staff retention and patient care.
As RN's at Johns Hopkins Hospital continue their campaign to form a union, the hospital pushes back with intimidation tactics and a campaign of disinformation. “Many units are hemorrhaging experienced nurses, which puts our patients in danger and our licenses at risk. When one nurse has to double their patient load, so their coworker can take a much-needed break, our patients are in danger. When nurses are forced to pick up overtime shifts in order to support themselves and their families, our patients are at risk", a quote from the Organizing Committee letter. This week Nurse Talk spoke with RN Danny Andazola about the campaign. Danny has been a nurse for five years and is part of the efforts to form the union. The nurses at Johns Hopkins reached out to National Nurses United, the nation’s largest organization of RN’s with over 150,000 members nationwide.
This week we're talking about Hospice grappling with stolen meds during this time of the Opioid crisis. It is critical that hospice patients receive pain meds to comfort them but in some cases the meds are being stolen by family members or others. What can be done? And the GOP case against the ACA's preexisting condition protections is being heard in a Texas court room. What happens if they prevail? All this and more on Nurse Talk this week
With us this week is National Medicare for All Healthcare Activist and former Executive Director of Progressive Democrats of America, Donna Smith. Donna and her husband Larry were featured in Michael Moore's famed 2007 movie SICKO. Listen as we discuss a new Poll that reveals Healthcare is the No. 1 issue for voters. And with Open Enrollment coming up there are changes you will need to know about. Visit nursetalksite.com for more information.
Laugh, learn and listen to Nurse Talk Radio on Progressive Voices Tune In. You can download the PV APP @www.progressivevoices.com. This week on the show.... Acid Reflux in Children? We’ve all heard about the perils of Acid Reflex but now Dr. Jamie Koufman talks about it affecting children.. and what is #REDforFED? Three Executive Orders issued by Trump in May cause nurses and Government Employees to fight back!
More than 100 million American adults suffer from acid reflux driving nearly $15 billion in annual sales of anti-reflux drugs. But can children get acid reflux too? Surprisingly, the answer is yes. Symptoms in children can include poor sleeping, noisy breathing, allergies, ear infections, asthma, croup, throat infections, and a "chronic cold." Often presenting as silent respiratory reflux, which is not easily detected by pediatricians, the disease can go untreated for an entire childhood—leading to rounds of ineffective medications, emergency room visits, and even unnecessary surgeries. Dr. Jamie Koufman talks about what every parent should know about Reflux in Infants, Children and Teens. She is a frequent guest on Nurse Talk and is one of the world’s leading authorities on reflux. For more than three decades, Dr. Koufman’s groundbreaking research and writings have focused on acid reflux as it affects the voice and respiratory system. She is the Founder and Director of the Voice & Reflux Institute of New York.
Ahead of Robert Willkie’s confirmation as the new Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Trump loyalists at the agency took aggressive steps to purge or reassign staff members perceived to be disloyal to President Trump and his agenda for veterans, according to multiple people familiar with the moves. The reshuffling marked a new stage in a long estrangement between civil servants and Trump loyalists at VA, where staff upheaval and sinking morale threaten to derail service to one of the president’s key constituencies, according to current and former employees. RN and Chair of NNOC NNU Irma Westmoreland answers questions about the VA and the recent #REDforFED protest.
Join Us for Part One of Nurse Talk Radio’s Interview with RN and Candidate for Governor of Minnesota, Erin Murphy. National Nurses United, the nation's largest union of registered nurses, last week announced its endorsement of RN and State Representative Erin Murphy for Governor of Minnesota. “We are endorsing Erin because she’s a proven champion fighting for all Minnesotans,” said Jean Ross, RN, Co-President of National Nurses United and resident of Bloomington, Minn. http://murphyformn.com
Part Two of Nurse Talk Radio's Interview with Erin Murphy. National Nurses United, the nation's largest union of registered nurses, last week announced its endorsement of RN and State Representative Erin Murphy for Governor of Minnesota. “We are endorsing Erin because she’s a proven champion fighting for all Minnesotans,” said Jean Ross, RN, Co-President of National Nurses United and resident of Bloomington, Minn. http://murphyformn.com
You know the saying “follow the money” and it looks like we have a trail that starts with the big health insurance companies and is now making its way to Democrats on the hill. The reason this trail is so interesting is—historically health insurers have given much more to Republicans rather than Democrats. Why the change? Wendell Potter-- founder of Tarbell, the pioneering reader funded journalism platform ---sheds light on the topic.
GOP has been working on proposed cuts to Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid---1.5 trillion dollar’s worth of cuts to be exact. Does that number sound familiar? Of course, that's what the tax giveaway to the top one percent cost us. Alex Lawson, Executive Director of Social Security Works is with us and he says, "the magnitude of these proposed cuts will change Medicare as we know it".
Here's a Nurse Talk Mini Podcast with a business and personal case for Expanded and Improved Medicare for All. Check it out.
As predicted the Supreme Court passed down its decision to roll back decades of union and worker rights in Janus v. (AFSCME) American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, posing a significant threat to patient safety as well as worker and community health and economic standards, said National Nurses United, the nation’s largest union and professional association of registered nurses. RN and Co-President of NNU talks about what's next.
With us for this podcast is Executive Director of Social Security Works, Alex Lawson. While some of us try to fathom the constant barrage of horrible policies the Trump Administration is putting forth--the GOP is designing yet another and plotting how they will cut 1.5 trillion dollars from Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. "The magnitude of these proposed budget cuts would mean the fundamental restructuring of Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security as they were intended", say's Alex.
With us for this podcast is Executive Director of Social Security Works, Alex Lawson. While some of us try to fathom the constant barrage of horrible policies the Trump Administration is putting forth--the GOP is designing yet another and plotting how they will cut 1.5 trillion dollars from Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. "The magnitude of these proposed budget cuts would mean the fundamental restructuring of Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security as they were intended", say's Alex.
Healthcare Activist and Executive Director of Progressive Democrats of America-- Donna Smith takes on the latest assaults on the U.S. Healthcare system--most notably the dismantling of the Affordable Healthcare Act. Pre-existing conditions are the latest obstacle collateral damage. Donna also talks about the horrific border policies that are resulting in infants, toddlers and parents being separated.
Here are highlights of National Nurses United Director of Organizing David Johnson talking about a recent Supreme Court ruling, the Federal Arbitration Act. Bad for labor...good for corporations! All part of a strategic assault on Labor in the U.S.
David Johnson, Director of Organizing for National Nurses United shares with Nurse Talk Radio about how the recent Supreme Court ruling to bar workers from acting collectively to resolve illegal workplace discrimination is a “disgraceful assault on the rights of all working people” and a “direct attack on the Constitutional rights of freedom of association.” This is one in a series of anti-labor Supreme Court rulings.
Life is like a song. It has crescendos and rhythm and a defined beginning, middle and end. The Threshold Choir takes this song metaphor literally and uses it to comfort terminally ill individuals with music and harmony. While singing at bedsides, people have told the singers they feel less pain, anxiety and loneliness. Today, the group has expanded from its origin in San Francisco to 150 choirs around the world. https://thresholdchoir.org
Laugh, learn and listen to Nurse Talk Radio on Progressive Voices Tune In. You can download the PV APP @www.progressivevoices.com. On the show, this week a California Judge abruptly overturns the End Of Life Option Act. The law allows doctors to prescribe lethal drugs to patients with six months or less to live. Hundreds of Californians have already taken advantage of that option, including 111 individuals who died from taking the drugs in the first seven months of their availability. And, what is the Workplace Democracy Act? Oh, and let's not forget the Medical Bill of the Month---how about $15,060.00 for four tiny screws! Courtesy of Kaiser Health News.
With the attacks on workers’ rights nurses applaud Senator Bernie Sander's Workplace Democracy Act. "This bill is desperately needed by all non-union workers across the country who need a union and who want a union, but who are denied their right to freedom of association and the right to bargain collectively because of employer harassment, intimidation and opposition", said RN and Co-President of National Nurses United, Jean Ross. The bill is a topic of discussion on this week’s Nurse Talk Radio program.
With us for this podcast is Attorney for Compassion and Choices ( the organization that fought to pass the bill), Jonathan Patterson. California’s End of Life Option Act was signed into law in 2015 by Governor Jerry Brown. The law allows doctors to prescribe lethal drugs to patients with six months or less to live. Hundreds of Californians have already taken advantage of that option, including 111 individuals who died from taking the drugs in the first seven months of their availability. Sadly a few days ago, a Riverside County Superior Court judge granted a motion by opponents of the California End of Life Option Act to invalidate the law. Unless the state successfully appeals the ruling in the next five days, eligible California residents will be prevented from utilizing medical aid in dying to peacefully end unbearable suffering.
Barbara was a big fan of Nurse Talk and she and her daughter Missy wrote some very moving blog posts for us that chronicled Barbara’s Alzheimer’s and eventually her death. Her daughter Missy was her caretaker and their relationship is a true mother, daughter love story. Missy joins us for a short conversation about why Barbara was/is so special.
Laugh, learn and listen to Nurse Talk Radio on Progressive Voices Tune In. You can download the PV APP @www.progressivevoices.com. On the show, this week we talk to members of the Threshold Choir. With over 150 Choirs around the world, the mission is to offer those transitioning beautiful songs at the bedside. Healthcare in America's Donna Smith talks about California Single Payer, cuts to the CHIP Program and Novartis! And we honor a mother and daughter who inspire all around them.
Nurses Fight For S.B. 562 And Remind Us Why California Needs Gavin Newsom by Nurse Talk
Laugh, learn and listen to Nurse Talk Radio on Progressive Voices Tune In. You can download the PV APP @www.progressivevoices.com. On the show, this week is Executive Director of Social Security Works, Alex Lawson. Alex talks about what you need to know about the so-called balanced budget amendment--which is anything but! Also, the Square Needle Award and a delightful interview with author and humorist Terri Tate. Terry talks about her journey through oral cancer and presents her new book, "A Crooked Smile"
Executive Director for Social Security Works, Alex Lawson visits with Nurse Talk Radio about the so-called Balanced Budget Amendment. A few weeks ago Paul Ryan and his Republican caucus voted on a so-called balanced budget amendment (BBA.) While it sounds like a vote for mom and apple pie, every politician who supports it will be voting to cut Social Security. Ryan and his caucus have so far been thwarted in their efforts to cut Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid, because doing so is extremely unpopular. They would love to go after Social Security through the undemocratic reconciliation process, but because Social Security doesn’t add a penny to the deficit, past Congresses have made sure that today’s Republicans can’t cut Social Security through that closed, expedited process. So, enter the BBA.
Laugh, learn and listen to Nurse Talk Radio on Progressive Voices Tune In. You can download the PV APP @http://www.progressivevoices.com. On the show this week is RN Jane Sandoval. Jane worked closely with a team of dedicated nurses from National Nurses United, California Nurses Association and law makers to pass legislation that makes it mandatory for healthcare facility employers to subscribe to Workplace Violence Prevention measures. Nurses are hoping this will become a model for the nation. And, we visit with California State Director of Compassion and Choices, Matt Whitaker. Compassion and Choices, is the organization leading the state and national campaigns to pass End of Life Option Legislation.
Listen to our Nurse Talk Special Feature Mini Podcasts on our website or during the Thom Hartmann Program. This week RN Jane Sandoval joins us to talk about the new California Workplace Violence Prevention Measures. Workplace violence is a serious and growing issue affecting nurses and other healthcare workers and their patients. The California Nurses Association/National Nurses United fought for Senate Bill 1299, which requires California healthcare employers to ensure a safe environment for patients and nurses by preventing workplace violence before it happens. Cal/OSHA developed a standard that is the model for the nation.
California healthcare employers are required by law to have comprehensive, unit-specific workplace violence prevention plans in place by April 1, 2018. National Nurses United and California Nurses Association fought long and hard for these protections. RN Jane Sandoval visits with Nurse Talk Radio about the importance of these protections.
What is Schoolbox? One U.S. Trauma doctor says it’s the most innovative initiative she has seen in response to the needs of children who have experienced trauma. Every year, 77 million children have their lives torn apart by armed conflict or natural disasters. School box founded in 2017 by Belle Sweeney, provides mobile, solar-powered child-friendly spaces that operate from whatever infrastructure is available. provide trauma informed programming to children in refugee camps and crisis situations. RN and Schoolbox Volunteer, Sarah Prysock joins Nurse Talk Radio for a conversation about this incredible project. www.schoolboxproject.org.
Our friend RN and Humorist Karyn Buxman talks about the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor’s 28th Annual Conference coming up April 12-15th in San Diego CA. Humor and laughter professionals from around the world are invited to learn the latest applications and benefits of therapeutic humor presented by field experts. CEU and CME credits will be available for the conference session as well as the one-day Humor Academy sessions. To learn more about the conference and AATH visit www.aath.org
This week on Nurse Talk Radio we had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Rana Awdish about her book In Shock: How Nearly Dying Made Me a Better Intensive Care Doctor. In Shock, is Dr. Awdish's searing account of her extraordinary journey from doctor to patient, during which she sees for the first time the dysfunction of her profession’s disconnection from patients and the flaws in her own past practice as a doctor. Shatteringly personal yet wholly universal, it is both a brave roadmap for anyone navigating illness and a call to arms for doctors to see each patient not as a diagnosis but as a human being.
Join us for this special edition podcast with Director of Public Policy for National Nurses United, Michael Lighty. In Michael’s article he notes, the labor movement exists to stop money from being the metric of value and power. Healthcare is exhibit A for money as the metric (see Elizabeth Rosenthal’s book, “American Sickness”). Unions derive power from members, engaged in fights to win a better life at work, home and in society. Medicare for All enjoys strong majority support among the general public, and overwhelming support among union members and Democrats (70-80% in recent polls).
With every passing day, it becomes clearer who's reaping the benefit of the huge tax cut handed over to American corporations by the Republican-dominated Congress in December. The big drug company Pfizer seems intent on being a pace-setter in cranking out the benefits of the tax cut to stakeholders who need them the least. In an announcement in late January, Pfizer said it was shutting down its research efforts on treatments for Alzheimer's and Parkinsonism. The company didn't say how much it was spending on the two conditions, but said about 300 researchers will lose their jobs as it redirects its research and development budget elsewhere. Healthcare In America's Donna Smith talks about what this means to those who count on continued research.
An estimated 3,500 infants die each year from deaths related to sleep. Together, these are called sudden unexpected infant deaths, which includes both sudden infant death syndrome and deaths from suffocation, asphyxiation, strangulation and other preventable deaths. RN and author of Secrets of a Baby Nurse, Marsha Podd talks about co-sleeping, bed sharing and room sharing and gives good advice to parents about how they can avoid posing danger to your baby.
It's a great day for 19,000 RN's and NP's but an even better day for their Kaiser patients. Join us for this Nurse Talk Radio special edition podcast with RN and Co-President of National Nurses United, Deborah Burger.
We all knew this was coming and true to form Paul Ryan is busy preparing for Medicare, Social Security, and Medicaid cuts this year. But as our Healthcare in America Senior Correspondent, Donna Smith says, the cuts may be subtle until after the mid-terms in November. Subtle but impactful including raising the age of retirement from 65 to 70, adjustments to Medicaid qualifications and other measures. Some changes could come as inclusions in other bills that are passed. "We must remain vigilant and involved", says Smith.
What is it like to lose your mind, to see slices of one’s identity slowly drifting away like blow balls? Veteran journalist Greg O’Brien likens the journey in this expanded edition of ON PLUTO: INSIDE THE MIND OF ALZHEIMERS—with 12 new chapters—to a flyby of the dwarf planet Pluto, as seen through the lens of NASA’s intrepid spacecraft New Horizons. ON PLUTO, an international award winner when initially published in 2014, is the first book written by an investigative reporter, embedded inside the mind of Alzheimer’s, chronicling the unbroken progression of his own disease.
Listen to our Nurse Talk Special Feature Mini Podcasts on our website or during the Thom Hartmann Program. This week RN Maureen Dugan talks about pivotal union case Janus v AFSCME. The case was heard recently by the Supreme Court and could have devastating affects on Unions across the country, not the least of which is the largest RN Union in the country, National Nurses United.
This week U.S. Supreme Court justice Neil Gorsuch, President Trump’s appointee, is expected to be the deciding vote in the pivotal union case Janus v AFSCME. But during oral arguments in the case on Feb. 26, Gorsuch gave no sign which side he’ll take. He asked no questions, made little eye contact with attorneys, and often rested his chin in his hands. California Nurses Association RN, Maureen Dugan spoke with Nurse Talk about the devastating affects this decision could have on Nurses and their patients.
Our Healthcare In America Correspondent, Donna Smith gives her perspective on the Three Tenors aka the CEO’s from JP Morgan Chase, Amazon, and Berkshire-Hathaway announcing they are forming a new healthcare company signaling the symbolic end of the ACA-reform era. What do we know, what do they know and what if anything does this do to the National Single Payer movement?
BIG Pharma paid $14.3 million to think tanks, disease advocacy groups and universities in 2015 alone. The money bought both assistance and silence. Fast forward three years and Congress just voted to make the first former drug industry executive the head of the Department of Health and Human Services. What’s going on? Nurse Talk Radio visits with Journalist, Randy Barrett about the lobbying, games and manipulation the drug industry uses to keep the cost of your prescription drugs rising — and what you can do about it. www.tarbell.org
Dotty Nygard is an ER nurse, former City Council Member, Patient Advocate, Mother and Grandmother and she is running for Congress to say enough is enough. She pledges: No more playing politics with our healthcare, our natural resources, our children’s education or our right to earn a living wage and support our families. If (when) Dotty is elected she will represent California’s Central Valley. To learn more about Dotty and how you can support her campaign visit https://www.dottynygardforcongress.com.
RN Rose Anne Wilson joins Nurse Talk Radio to talk about the protracted battle to keep Affinity Medical Center in Massillon, Ohio open.
With a national trend toward rural, urban and small community hospital closures—RN’s in Massillon, Ohio find themselves in a battle with Quorum Health Care. Quorum is a spin-off of Franklin Tenn. Based Community Health Systems. The company began a divestiture spree in late 2016.
Late last week a Judge issued a 120-day restraining order against Quorum Health Care siting the company moved to quickly and without regard to the impact the closure would have on the community. After the order was issued, Quorum sued the city.
California has an opportunity to make healthcare a human right and guarantee it to everyone in the Golden State. As Democrats in the State House continue to hold the Healthy California Act (S.B. 562) hostage, nurses and millions of others continue their push to move this bill forward. California Nurses Association/National Nurses United, Legislative Advocate Stephanie Roberson updates us on the status of S.B. 562 and what you can do to support it.
It's time to dispel the hoax of "entitlement reform" and no one does it better than President of Social Security Works, Nancy Altman. On the heels of Senate Republicans jamming through a historically unpopular tax bill that enriches their wealthy donors at the American people’s expense, the tax giveaway to the wealthy triggered a $400 billion in automatic cuts to Medicare in the next decade. However, with little help from Republicans Congress ultimately voted afterwards to waive those cuts. Please listen to the important FACTS Nancy shares in this podcast.
This week we share one of the most critical Nurse Talk Radio interviews of 2017---The State Of The Union with RN and Co-President of National Nurses United, Deborah Burger. At a time when the Republican Party is set on the destruction of organized labor in this country National Nurses United (the largest Union of Registered Nurses with over 150,000 members) is gaining members and momentum both nationally and globally. "When fighting for our patients, nurses are stronger when we come together" said Burger.
In 2007 our Senior Healthcare Correspondent and Executive Director of Progressive Democrats of America Donna Smith, appeared in Michael Moore’s groundbreaking documentary about the American Healthcare System “SICKO”. Nine years later and we ask Donna how or if we’ve made any progress on Healthcare In this country.
Cohousing is gaining ground in the U.S. What is it and could it be a tool to curb isolation and the high cost of housing? Nurse Talk visits with Cohousing Coach Raines Cohen to find out just what it is and isn't. "A big myth about cohousing is that it's a commune", says Raines. Not true he says, its a form of intentional community in which neighbors commit to being a part of the community for everyone’s mutual benefit. Check it out --you'll be impressed with the concept.
RN and Chief Steward Of Maine State Nurses Association, Maureen Hayward, joins us for this Nurse Talk Special Edition podcast. We're talking about recent Legislation that was introduced to the Maine State Legislative Committee to hold hospitals accountable for elimination of major care facilities. Maureen says, "these cuts to services and closures by hospitals are not only bad for our patients but they're bad for our communities. We must hold healthcare executives and their boards accountable to the public".
Having failed to repeal the expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, the Trump Administration wants to open the door for states to dismantle this essential safety net program by allowing them new ways to deny care. Director of Public Policy for National Nurses United, and Sanders Institute Fellow, Michael Lighty visits with Nurse Talk for this Special Edition Podcast.
As a former public relations executive for healthcare giants Humana and Cigna, Wendell Potter knows all too well how and why journalism can be influenced by money. In 2006 he resigned from his job and became a whistle-blower testifying in Congress about the manipulative practices of his former industry. Since then, Wendell has been on a mission to bring truth and integrity back to journalism. His new endeavor is Tarbell, an independent reader funded non-profit new site. Check it out at www.tarbell.org
Thousands of lives changed in an instant when Northern California was hit by one of the worst suburban wildfires in the states history. With so many people displaced children of elder adults are finding themselves filling the role of "instant caregivers". Kira Reginato is an Elder Care Consultant and author of Tips For Helping Your Aging Parents, without losing your mind! She shares advice with those who become “instant caregivers”.
Listen to Christine Grant, RN from Washington DC. Christine was one of 50 nurses who went to Puerto Rico with the support of RNRN(Registered Nurses Response Network) and was part of a Congressional meeting where nurses submitted a report on conditions in Puerto Rico and called for immediate Congressional action.
Last year California became the fifth state to allow people with terminal illnesses to request pills from their doctors to end their lives. In the first six months the law was in effect, 111 terminally ill patients ended their lives that way, state officials said. Medical Aid In Dying, which has been practiced in six states for a combined 40 years and within those states not a single case of abuse or coercion nor any criminal or disciplinary charges have been led. Not one. Join us for a conversation with Matt Whittaker, California State Director of Compassion and Choices, the organization leading the state and national campaigns to pass End Of Life Option Legislation. https://www.compassionandchoices.org
Earth to Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon! Nurses never give up and neither will millions of Californians who support Single Payer Healthcare.
By now it’s no secret the California Senate passed S.B. 562 on June 1 but it was then blocked from moving forward in the Assembly by Speaker Anthony Rendon. After a great deal of pressure from bill supporters to allow the bill out of the Rules Committee, he instead created a “Select Committee" that has no legislative authority. Supporters remain steadfast in their efforts to pass S.B. 562.
Nurse Talk Radio spoke with RN Cathy Kennedy on the evening prior to her departure to Puerto Rico. "As nurses whenever there's a call and there's an ask, we go. From the reports I've heard especially the elderly that have been without oxygen, without food or water, are at risk, everyone's at risk but particularly the children and the elderly," said Cathy who is an NNU Vice President and a volunteer with the Puerto Rico deployment. Listen to this short podcast.
Wendell Potter is known to many of us for his courageous stand against the healthcare industry. Having served as a corporate executive for Cigna and Humana for 20 years he left his job and decided to expose the unsavory PR practices of the insurance giants. Wendell went on to write two books, Deadly Spin and Nation on the Take. He is a strong advocate for truth in journalism and has just unveiled his new project called Tarbell. Please take a few minutes and listen to the wisdom of Wendell Potter. https://www.tarbell.org.
Check out our exclusive weekly feature Healthcare In America with Donna Smith. Get the latest on big pharma, healthcare debates and debacles, behind the scenes hospital and healthcare mergers, the Medicare For All movement -- and the RN's and progressive activists and organizations on the front lines of it all.
Nurse Talk Radio visits with Nancy Altman, President of Social Security Works about yet another disastrous healthcare replacement bill. The Graham Cassidy bill is worse than its predecessors and must be stopped. Nurses also rallied against the bill with Deborah Burger RN and Co-President of National Nurses United saying, “The provisions in the Graham-Cassidy Amendment would be devastating for millions of our patients." Please call United States Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 today to stop this proposed bill.
Kaiser Health News correspondent Melissa Bailey joins Nurse Talk Radio for a discussion about her recent article about how Hospices are struggling with Opioids being stolen from Hospice patients by either relatives or in some cases Healthcare Workers. The discussion is not an indictment of hospice care in any way--but rather a call to action about the insidious nature of the opioid crisis.
According to a recent nationwide poll commissioned by the Doctor-Patient Rights Project (DPRP), more than 50 million Americans WITH health insurance may still lack access to essential treatments for chronic or persistent diseases because their insurance provider denied coverage. What's going on? Seth Ginsburg Co-Founder and CEO of the Global Healthy Living Foundation explains these disturbing findings.
Flexibility is key when you are volunteering for a large-scale disaster such as the recent hurricane in Houston. RN Amy Bowen just returned from a week in Houston and Beaumont. Amy talks about how she and her fellow nurses from the Registered Nurse Response Network worked side by side with local medical professionals, who were also volunteering--to give aid to those in need. She came away inspired by the strength and resolve of those she met.
Faster than it had been approved in the Senate, House Speaker Anthony Rendon tabled S.B. 562 indefinitely. Rendon who is a Democrat said the bill was “woefully incomplete”. Where does the bill stand now? With us on our podcast is California Nurses Association Legislative Advocate, Stephanie Roberson. Stephanie talks about the way forward.
Part 1: Bridging the gap between conventional and alternative medicines, NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE IS ON THE RISE. Nurse Talk visits with Dr. Todd Born and Dr. Mimosa Tonnu. Both are doctors of Naturopathic Medicine. If you've ever been curious or interested in finding out the facts about Naturopathy join us for this great two-part podcast. http://www.bornnaturopathic.com
Part 2: Bridging the gap between conventional and alternative medicines, NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE IS ON THE RISE. Nurse Talk visits with Dr. Todd Born and Dr. Mimosa Tonnu. Both are doctors of Naturopathic Medicine. If you've ever been curious or interested in finding out the facts about Naturopathy join us for this great two-part podcast.
Nurse Talk Radio visits with RN and Co-President of NNU, Deborah Burger about the current Kaiser negotiations. 18,000 Kaiser RN's are successfully reaching out to patients to let them know the nurses are fighting for them and it's making a difference. “Our patients deserve the best care and the safest care. It’s through our nurse advocacy that we will be able to achieve that,” said Zenei Cortez, RN.
SO OFTEN the healthcare debate sheds very little light on the role insurance companies play both in skyrocketing premiums and the interference in patient care. Our featured guest is the founder of the Global Healthy Living Foundation, Seth D. Ginsburg. With healthcare being at the center of all things political and personal Mr. Ginsburg recently wrote an article that appeared in U. S. News & World Report called 5 WAYS INSURANCE COMPANIES MEDDLE IN YOUR HEALTHCARE. For information about the Global Healthy Living Foundation visithttps://www.ghlf.org
Healthcare is the fastest-growing sector of the U.S. economy, employing over 18 million workers. Women represent nearly 80% of the healthcare work force. Health care workers face a wide range of hazards on the job, including sharps injuries, harmful exposures to chemicals and hazardous drugs, back injuries, latex allergy, violence, and stress. What's being done about it? Nurse Talk Radio talks with USF Professor of Public Health, Barbara Sattler and Occupational Health Nurse Consultant Mary E. Miller. Part 1.
Nurses and healthcare workers beware! Healthcare is the fastest-growing sector of the U.S. economy, employing over 18 million workers. Women represent nearly 80% of the healthcare work force. Health care workers face a wide range of hazards on the job, including sharps injuries, harmful exposures to chemicals and hazardous drugs, back injuries, latex allergy, violence, and stress. What's being done about it? Nurse Talk Radio talks with USF Professor of Public Health, Barbara Sattler and Occupational Health Nurse Consultant Mary E. Miller. Part 2
Alex Lawson is the Executive Director of Social Security Works and as such he's read and knows just how bad the Republican Senate Repeal and Replace Bill is. He is urging all of us to take action NOW--to stop the bill from passing. Listen to our podcast to find out all the reasons he thinks this bill can pass.
SB 562 needs you! Don Nielsen, Director of Government Relations for California Nurses Association joins Nurse Talk Radio for an update on SB 562 the Healthy California Act. There is still time to call your California Assembly Members and tell them to support the bill. Why did Assembly Speaker Rendon table it? Listen to the podcast for the latest news.
Mayo Clinic Health System’s decision to effectively close the Albert Lea hospital and turn it into an outpatient and surgery center will disrupt patient care and cost the community hundreds of jobs, including nurses and other healthcare employees, over the next few years, according to MNA nurses at the facility. “Albert Lea residents are losing their community hospital and will have to travel long distances for the quality healthcare they now enjoy close to home,” said MNA Albert Lea spokesperson Kathy Lehman, RN.
This week on Nurse Talk Radio we take a look at the vast accomplishments of National Nurses United. Founded in 2009 NNU has over 150,000 members and a presence in all 50 states. RN and Co-President of NNU, Deborah Burger joins us to talk about why now more than ever--nurses need strong and progressive leadership and representation. This is part 1 of our 2 part podcast.
This week on Nurse Talk Radio we take a look at the vast accomplishments of National Nurses United. Founded in 2009 NNU has over 150,000 members and a presence in all 50 states. RN and Co-President of NNU Deborah Burger joins us to talk about why now more than ever--nurses need strong and progressive leadership and representation. This is part 2 of our 2 part podcast.
Mayo Clinic Health System’s decision to effectively close the Albert Lea hospital and turn it into an outpatient and surgery center will disrupt patient care and cost the community hundreds of jobs, including nurses and other healthcare employees, over the next few years, according to MNA nurses at the facility.“Albert Lea residents are losing their community hospital and will have to travel long distances for the quality healthcare they now enjoy close to home,” said MNA Albert Lea spokesperson Kathy Lehman, RN.
WHAT IS OOLA? Oola-la … that’s what life feels like when you’re in the sweet spot, when your life is balanced, and growing in the 7 key areas of health and well-being (the 7 F’s of Oola): fitness, finance, family, field (career), faith, friends and fun. It’s more than a best-selling book series, it’s a lifestyle. To hop on the Oola Bus visit https://www.oolalife.com/
A few weeks ago Executive Director of California Nurses Association, National Nurses United RoseAnn DeMoro spoke at the State Democratic Convention. Let's just say--she didn't mince her words and delivered a strong and forceful message to the crowd. Here are some of her comments.
Here are some highlights from our visit with Alex Lawson, Executive Director of Social Security Works. Alex talks about the assault on Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security. For more information on this topic visit socialsecurityworks.org.
For over 50 years, Medicaid has provided vital health insurance protections to seniors in nursing homes and low-income Americans of all ages. Although the majority of Medicaid beneficiaries are children and working-age adults, Medicaid spends more money on long term care for seniors and people with disabilities than anything else.1 In addition to the provision of long term care support and services, Medicaid also finances critical acute care for our nation’s low-income seniors who cannot afford Medicare’s out-of-pocket costs and who struggle to meet basic costs of living, let alone health care costs. SO WHY IS MEDICAID UNDER ATTACK? Listen now...
Most of us know someone who is a member of Rotary Club but not many of us know about the positive global impact the organization is having on peace, clean water, education, healthcare and the eradication of polio worldwide. Rotary of San Francisco member Elisabeth Whitney visits with Nurse Talk Radio.
“An elected representative should embody the ideals, strengths, and spirit of the people they represent. An elected official must show leadership and dedication to their constituents, rather than sacrifice our future to the highest bidder.”— Dotty Nygard- Dotty Nygard is an Emergency Room RN and she's running for Congress in California's 10th district. Nurse Talk Radio visits with Dotty this week. https://www.dottynygardforcongress.com
If you haven't heard about the Healthy California Act (S.B. 562) you need to listen to this podcast. Nurse Talk visits with CNA/NNU Legislative Advocate Stephanie Roberson about this SINGLE PAYER legislation that if passed could afford all California residents affordable comprehensive healthcare. We need your help to pass this California! Visit www.healthyca.org for full details of the bill and how you can support it.
How and when do you start saying NO to baby? RN and author of "Secrets of a Baby Nurse", Marsha Podd is with us today. Parents you won't want to miss this discussion. "NO" might be the hardest thing you have to say to your adorable baby but our resident "Baby Whisperer" walks parents through the process. Also which new baby/toddler products are good and which you might want to stay away from. www.gotosleepbaby.com
The news is out! The California Senate Health Committee passed SB 562 the Healthy California Act. “In the run up to this day we’ve been meeting with thousands of Californians all across the state in meetings, rallies and town halls," said Bonnie Castillo RN, CNA/NNU Associate Executive Director. "The combination of nurses working with all of you community organizers is a winning combination. We are demonstrating to our elected officials what Californians need and that’s a fair, just and equitable healthcare system for all.
The time is here for SINGLE PAYER and there is a GROUNDSWELL OF SUPPORT. The SINGLE PAYER HEALTHCARE MOVEMENT—more specifically California’s Healthy California Act or SB 562 and on a National level HR 676 a Single Payer Bill introduced by John Conyers. Both bills are garnering much attention. Executive Director of Progressive Democrats of America, Donna Smith joins Nurse Talk Radio.
The time is here for SINGLE PAYER and there is a GROUNDSWELL OF SUPPORT. The SINGLE PAYER HEALTHCARE MOVEMENT—more specifically California’s Healthy California Act or SB 562 and on a National level HR 676 a Single Payer Bill introduced by John Conyers. Both bills are garnering much attention. Executive Director of Progressive Democrats of America, Donna Smith joins Nurse Talk Radio.
Americans pay the highest price for prescription drugs in the world but the five largest drug companies raked in more than $50 BILLION in profits in 2015. What’s going on?
The corrosive tar sands oil that is extracted, transported, and refined for the Keystone project is a major contributor to climate change. An assessment from the pre-Trump Administration Environmental Protection Agency found that well-to-well emissions from tar sands are 82 percent higher than for conventional oil. Then why is the pipeline going full steam ahead?
Here's a statistic for you. The CEO of United Healthcare Stephen Hemsley, makes 10,597.00 an hour or 177.00 a minute. In 2015 his compensation was 66 million but that did not include the sale of stock--which brought the total compensation to 102 million. It's time for a Single Payer/Medicare For All system in the U.S. Making huge amounts of money off the sick and dying is unacceptable, unsustainable and immoral. We have the power to change that! Let's start in California with SB 562! Andrew McGuire the Executive Director of California One Care joins us on Nurse Talk.
In her one woman show (playing at the Marsh Theater in San Francisco), Elaine Magree first takes audiences to January 28, 1986 where as a hospice nurse---she finds herself in the chaotic socio-political center of the AIDS epidemic on the day of the Challenger explosion, confronting the relative value of lives.
While the GOP "replacement" plan failed--don't get complacent! Now is the time to organize, educate and take action to improve and expand Medicare for All. Our current system is not sustainable. Nurse Talk chats with Healthcare Advocate and Activist Donna Smith. Donna is also the Executive Director of Progressive Democrats of America.
Many Americans may be surprised to know that California is the only state in the country with mandatory limits on the number of patients a nurse can be assigned at one time. The regulations were enacted in 2004, after nurses with the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United fought for years to achieve them. Now nurses across the country are pushing for national legislation.
Healthcare Advocate and Executive Director of Progressive Democrats of America Donna Smith talks about what we know and what we don't know about the ACA replacement from the GOP. What we know--the insurance companies win again. AND--making it clear that Social Security and Medicare ARE solvent and NOT going bankrupt.
Words matter! Casey Hobbs RN & Host of Nurse Talk talks about the distinction between saying she "has cancer" and saying she is cancer free but undergoing Chemo Therapy so that the cancer does not return. "I am not a cancer patient, I am a person receiving Chemo Therapy". Does it make a difference to say that? To me it does"!
RN and Co-Host of Nurse Talk, Casey Hobbs continues her short commentary about the arduous journey of Chemo Therapy and the "mind games" she fights. "It's much different being on the patient side of things. This journey is very humbling".
A few weeks ago R's reached tentative pact, affecting 1,300 RNs, with Kaiser L.A. Medical Center. RN and NNU Co-President Deborah Burger talks about why now more than any time before, this agreement is so critical. In a time when labor unions across the country are being attacked, this was a huge victory for nurses everywhere.
Coming up on Nurse Talk...Casey and Shayne get busy and make up a few Executive Orders of their own. In them--Nurses rule and BIG PHARMA CEO's..not so good! Listen this week as we talk about a thriving Social Security Program and what's happening with "repeal and no replace". Much more on Nurse Talk this week..
Social Security Works and a growing chorus of prominent voices in Congress and elsewhere are calling for the expansion of our Social Security system—people who know that Social Security will not “go broke” and does not add a penny to the national debt. Nancy Altman co-author of "Social Security Works" is with us today.
Healthcare In America's Donna Smith talks about "repeal and no replace". AND constituents are keeping the pressure on elected officials as town hall meetings spread across America.
Donna Smith is a long time healthcare for all activist and is Executive Director for Progressive Democrats of America.
This week on Nurse Talk ---Nancy Altman co-author of "Social Security Works" helps bust the MYTH that social security is going bankrupt. NO-- it isn't. AND --Casey & Shayne introduce and sign some executive orders of their own. Healthcare In America Senior Correspondent, Donna Smith talks "repeal and no replace" and more.
Welcome PDA listeners! Listen to highlights of Nurse Talk's "Healthcare In America" with Healthcare Advocate and Activist, Donna Smith. What are the real reasons for repealing Obamacare? NO-- not the ones Republicans are pushing --more like the ones that are always at the core of their "covered wagon" proposals.
A Major Impact On Nursing...... The UN recently declared “the greatest and most urgent global risk.” And it may surprise you to know that threat is antimicrobial resistance. An extraordinary gathering at the United Nations in September of 2016 may have permanently changed how the world deals with antibiotic resistance, which is believed to kill 700,000 people around the world each year. http://www.fao.org/antimicrobial-resistance/en/
Being diagnosed with cancer begins a journey that no one is prepared for, least of all me. I thought I made a bargain with God that if I was a good nurse I would not ever get cancer. Wrong. I also thought that since I accompanied friends with cancer through their treatments and a myriad of patients that I would be prepared for what was to come. Wrong again.
Ever been the target of a workplace bully? Andrew Faas, the author of the new book, "From Bully To Bull's Eye" has first hand experience as a bully and a victim of bullying. It cost him his high profile corporate job and caused serious illness. According to a 2015 Harvard University study, more than 120,000 deaths a year may be due to stress related to bullying---resulting in 5-8% of annual healthcare costs. http://www.andrewfaas.com/bully-to-bulls-eye/
There were 1.7 million new cases of cancer diagnosed in 2016. Prostate cancer was the most common cancer among males (21%), followed by lung (14%) and colorectal (8%) cancers. Among females, breast (29%), lung (13%), and colorectal (8%) cancers were the most common. Two of those cases were personal. Nurse Talk Co-host Casey Hobbs and her sister Vicki talk about their personal journey.
Why did Minnesota's Hennepin Community Medical Center change it's financial projections by a whopping $45.4 million dollars? Apart from calling into question the financial management of this valuable community resource, this $45.4 million decrease demands some answers. AND.. now it looks like lay-offs are being considered? Hmm. The nurses want to know what's up?
Repeal and Replace with?????? Here's the right answer--and the only answer. A SINGLE PAYER SYSTEM. With Medicare for ALL-- $494 billion dollars could be saved. To learn more visit https://heal-ca.org/getthefacts/
From the other side of the divide. " I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer stage 2b to 3b on November 8, 2016, otherwise known as Election Day. There were two things I was certain of that day, the first was that Hillary would win the election, the second was that my tumor would be benign. Damn---I was wrong on both accounts"
From the repeal of Obamacare to an unusual horse race --we've got it. Join hosts Casey Hobbs and Shayne Mason for an all new Nurse Talk.
So here we are. The day has come for Republicans to do what they’ve tried to do 60 times before—REPEAL OBAMACARE. Healthcare In America's Senior Correspondent Donna Smith takes us through what this might look like and it isn't pretty!
National Nurses United (the nations largest organization of nurses with over 190,000 members) called on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, as well as the full Senate, to reject the nomination of Rep. Tom Price as Secretary of Health and Human Services. RN and Co-President of National Nurses United Jean Ross joins us this week.
This week on Nurse Talk Radio --How important is public policy and protective legislation for nurses and patients? Life saving is the answer. During the last two years alone nurses represented by California Nurses Association and National Nurses United fought to author and pass state and national legislation that includes “Safe RN-to Patient Staffing Ratio’s, and California’s Ballot Proposition 61, also known as the Drug Price Relief Act. Along with these bills, California State Legislation that was introduced and/or passed included: SB 1076, OBSERVATION UNITS, AB 2272 STOPPING TOXIC PLUMES IN OPERATING ROOMS, and the adoption of CALOSHA Regulations to Prevent Workplace Violence. With us this week is Lead Legislative Lobbyist for California Nurses Association, Stephanie Roberson.
This week on Nurse Talk and WIN(Workers Independent News) --How important is public policy and protective legislation to nurses and patients? Life saving is the answer. During the last two years alone nurses represented by California Nurses Association and National Nurses United fought to author and pass state and national legislation that includes “Safe RN-to Patient Staffing Ratio’s, and California’s Ballot Proposition 61, also known as the Drug Price Relief Act. Along with these bills, California State Legislation that was introduced and/or passed included: SB 1076, OBSERVATION UNITS, AB 2272 STOPPING TOXIC PLUMES IN OPERATING ROOMS, and the adoption of CALOSHA Regulations to Prevent Workplace Violence. With us this week is Lead Legislative Lobbyist for California Nurses Association, Stephanie Roberson.
Recently National Nurses United launched the Nurses Health & Safety Campaign. This project is a network of nurses and allies, committed to collectively advocating for nurse health and safety. The nurses vow to continue fighting to advance protections for nurses and patients, through direct action and advocacy in the legislative and regulatory arenas. With us to talk about this project is Jane Thomason. Jane Thomason is the Industrial Hygienist for National Nurses United, where she serves as an expert on nurses’ health and safety in the workplace.
This week we talk with Jane Thomason. Jane is an Industrial Hygienist for National Nurses United, where she serves as an expert on nurses’ health and safety in the workplace. Recently NNU launched a new Health & Safety Project headed up by RN Director of Health & Safety, Bonnie Castillo.
Recently National Nurses United launched the Nurses Health & Safety Campaign. This project is a network of nurses and allies, committed to collectively advocating for nurse health and safety. The nurses vow to continue fighting to advance protections for nurses and patients, through direct action and advocacy in the legislative and regulatory arenas. With us to talk about this project is Jane Thomason. Jane Thomason is an Industrial Hygienist for National Nurses United, where she serves as an expert on nurses’ health and safety in the workplace.
RN and Co-President of National Nurses United, Deborah Burger joins us this week to talk about the People’s Rally that converged in D.C. to celebrate the defeat of the TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership) and chart a path ‘Forward Together’. Nurses and other organizations have been fighting against the TPP for over 4 years now and are largely responsible for it's demise. "It's a movement, and it doesn't matter who's in the White House, rather it matters who's in the streets", said Executive Director of NNU RoseAnn DeMoro.
How do you keep going when the doctors give you a two percent chance of survival? For Terri Tate, it was a blend of faith, perseverance, prescription-strength humor—and most of all, a heart that never quit.
"A Crooked Smile", Terri's memoir, is the irresistible story of her journey through diagnosis, surgeries, the labyrinth of modern health care, and into surprising new adventures in self-discovery. YOU MUST listen to this podcast with Terri. You will get in touch with gratitude and grace.
Terri Tate is a clinical nurse specialist, teacher, and humorist. Terri was first diagnosed with oral cancer in 1991, and is now a nationally recognized speaker; a consultant and therapist who uses lessons from her own struggle to help support anyone facing life challenges.
RN and Nursing Practice and Safety Specialist for National Nurses United, De Ann McEwen, talks with Nurse Talk Radio about the Registered Nurses Response Network … Recently the Registered Nurses Response Network sent volunteer nurses to help with medical aid at the Standing Rock Site where a protest against the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline has been going since January 2016 and has gained significant traction for the past nine months. But why isn’t the mainstream media covering this when the Dakota Access Pipe Line does not lack the potential to be devastating to the environment? Nurses know why and are offering their solidarity and support.
Nurses and over 200 other organizations are supporting Colorado Amendment 69, single payer healthcare for all Coloradans. Our Healthcare in America correspondent, Donna Smith gives us the details about the amendment, the nurse’s involvement and why it is so important to the National Single Payer Healthcare Movement. Coloradocare.org
Nurses and over 200 other organizations are supporting Colorado Amendment 69, single payer healthcare for all Coloradans. Our Healthcare in America correspondent, Donna Smith gives us the details about the amendment, the nurse’s involvement and why it is so important to the National Single Payer Healthcare Movement. http://www.coloradocare.org
New study sites price gouging trends by BIG PHARMA will continue. Director of Government Relations for California Nurses Association/National Nurses United Don Nielsen, talks about California's Proposition 61. Vote YES so Californians can have access to the same discount pricing available to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Healthcare In America's Donna Smith talks about the Medicaid Estate Recovery Program. Listen up folks. Did you know that after a Medicaid beneficiary passes away, the state where they lived can collect the cost of Medicaid Services received on or after his/or her 55th birthday from his/or her estate? Check this out.
As the Minnesota Nurses Strike against Allina Health Systems continues, issues concerning Allina's financial dealings and a recent power grab to seek sole control of Unity Hospital are disturbing. Unity is a community hospital supported by taxpayers. "This is another example of Allina bullying nurses, other employees, and the entire community in the name of profits", said Minnesota Nurses Association Executive Director, Rose Roach.
Green light for two California Bills sponsored by National Nurses United and California Nurses Association (CNA). This is great news for patients and healthcare workers. Oh, and if you haven't yet heard of "observation status", check out this podcast. AND, what are "toxic plums"? Ask anyone who works in an operating room. CNA's Legislative Advocate Stephanie Roberson is with us on Nurse Talk.
Nurse Talk visits with RN, JD Mathew Keller: As Minnesota RNs strike against Allina Health Systems, nurses are concerned over the hospitals business dealings. The hospital wants to shift $10 million dollars in healthcare costs to nurses at a time when Allina financial disclosures report $1.3 billion dollars in net profit over the past 6 years, with $130 million in net revenue in 2015 alone. WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?
This week we visit with RN and Nursing Practice and Safety Specialist for National Nurses United, De Ann McEwen. De Ann talks about national workplace violence protections for nurses and healthcare workers. Whether or not you are represented by a union, National Nurses United is leading the way to protect all nurses from workplace violence.
Last week the National Labor Relations Board held public hearings on labor violations at Bluefield Regional Medical Center, (West Virginia) one of seven hospitals owned by Community Health Systems. We spoke with RN Brenda Meadwell about what results the nurses are hoping for.
Author and Gerontologist, Kira Reginato talks about her new book, TIPS FOR HELPING YOUR AGING PARENTS---without losing your mind! The book offers checklists that will turn “what do I do now”? Into “I got this!” Listen to our podcast and buy the book.
For our listeners out there not familiar with the critical issue of workplace violence in the healthcare setting—it is a growing national epidemic against registered nurses and healthcare workers and it is finally being taken seriously on a national level. Between 2005 and 2014 incidents of workplace violence increased by 110% in private industry hospitals.
This week on Nurse Talk we talk about a National Nurses United Petition to Federal OSHA for Workplace Violence Prevention Standards. Is Workplace Violence a problem at hospitals? Bigger than you know! AND, Healthcare In America's Donna Smith talks about Health Insurance greed and ACA rate hikes. Is this a problem? The answer is YES--a big one. All this and more....
In the wake of new cases of ZIKA being reported in the U.S. and other countries, National Nurses United issues guidelines to employers on how to protect nurses from ZIKA transmission. RN & Co-President of National Nurses United, Deborah Burger talks with Nurse Talk Radio.
Let's face it--there IS a water shortage in California and no one knows that more than farmers in the Central Valley. While our hearts go out to them---this week we talk about crops being watered with oil waste water. That's right and no one knows what's in the water. RN and Professor of Public Health Barbara Sattler visits with us about this 20 year old practice.
Part 1: RN and Professor of Public Health at University of San Francisco talks with us about the practice of using oil wastewater in California's Central Valley--to irrigate crops. And the oil companies are making a profit on the wastewater--they SELL, yes sell--to the farmers. Barbara talks about this and more about California oil production and the concerns nurses have about public health. This is a 3-part podcast.
Part 2: RN and Professor of Public Health at University of San Francisco talks with us about the practice of using oil wastewater in California's Central Valley--to irrigate crops. And the oil companies are making a profit on the wastewater--they SELL, yes sell--to the farmers. Barbara talks about this and more about California oil production and the concerns nurses have about public health. This is a 3-part podcast.
RN and Professor of Public Health at University of San Francisco talks with us about the practice of using oil wastewater in California's Central Valley--to irrigate crops. And the oil companies are making a profit on the wastewater--they SELL, yes sell--to the farmers. Barbara talks about this and more about California oil production and the concerns nurses have about public health. This is a 3-part podcast.
Exclusive---what's going on behind and in front of closed doors before the Democratic National Convention? ALOT! Nurses and progressive groups are still fighting for a platform that includes "medicare for all" and other issues such as anti TPP. Donna Smith from Progressive Democrats of America and National Nurses United are leading the charge all week.
Naomi Katz is a writer and teacher and has been working with young women for over 15 years. She is the author of Beautiful: Being an Empowered Young Woman, and founder of Beautiful Project, a curricular initiative dedicated to building self confidence among adolescent girls and young women. For more information visit beautiful project.net.
One of our favorite guests RN and author of "Secrets Of A Baby Nurse", Marsha Podd visits with us about steps to take before the new baby comes home, what to do upon arrival, the do's and don'ts of teaching your baby to sleep, play and eat and much more. It's always an eye opener to listen to Marsha's tips. For more information visit gotosleepbaby.com
Nurse Talk visits with Naomi Katz who is the visionary behind the BEAUTIFUL PROJECT, a movement dedicated to building self-confidence in women and girls. And, Secrets Of A Baby Nurse author RN Marsha Podd is with us to talk about what to do to prepare your house and your family for the new baby. There's work to do! All this and more on Nurse Talk.
As two large, Catholic hospital chains—St. Joseph Health and Providence Health and Services—celebrate their official merger last week, nurses at three of the chains’ California hospitals marked the alliance with a strike vote. RN, Susan Johnson say's nurses are concerned about the reduction in vital patient services, chronic understaffing and major cuts to nurses healthcare and other benefits. ALL seem to be patterns when hospitals merge.
Our Healthcare In America correspondent Donna Smith urges all to contact Democratic National Committee about omission or refusal to include Medicare For All on the DNC Platform. Nurses waging a good fight. https://demconvention.com/platform/ or nnu.org
Matt Whittaker, California State Director of Compassion and Choices, (the organization that led the yearlong campaign to pass the law) talks about the End Of Life Option Act that is currently being implemented in the state. Please listen to this 2-part podcast as Matt dispels common myths about the law and offers amazing educational resources for anyone who wants to learn or is considering the End Of Life Option.
Matt Whittaker, California State Director of Compassion and Choices, (the organization that led the yearlong campaign to pass the law) talks about the End Of Life Option Act that is currently being implemented in the state. Please listen to this 2-part podcast as Matt dispels common myths about the law and offers amazing educational resources for anyone who wants to learn or is considering the End Of Life Option.
10,000 nurses in three states strike. At issue--safe patient staffing, safe work environment and the right to negotiate and be heard. AND, out of the national spotlight Flint Michigan is still not making progress and the story is barely back page news. Need a little advise? The "Fruitcake Lady" is here and wait until you hear what she has to say. All this and more on Nurse Talk this week.
What’s happening in Flint? No press, no cameras? Not if PROGRESS MICHIGAN HAS ANY THING TO SAY ABOUT IT-----AND THEY DO. Our friend Sam Inglot from Progress Michigan is back with us to talk about what is happening with the Flint Water Crisis.
This week on Nurse Talk we talk with Progress Michigan's Sam Inglot about what has become a SILENT CRISIS--the Flint water contamination. What's going on? Sadly not much. AND 10,000 nurses are striking for patient care, the right to negotiate fairly and workplace safety. MIX this with advice from the "Fruitcake Lady" and we've got a show.
Nurse Talk Radio visits with Minnesota RN Angela Becchetti about the major nurses strike. Over 10,000 will participate.
As U.S. Healthcare Corporation continue to acquire and merge with hospitals around the country a picture of power and profit emerges. But for the millions of RN’s and healthcare workers whose professions and ability to provide safe patient care is at stake---the ability for the nurses and others in the profession to bargain in good faith—is coming under fire.
Hospitals bring new meaning to the word "observation" while nurses push back with a Senate bill. AND, how did Florence Nightingale end up on the phone with Nurse Talk hosts Casey and Shayne? All this and more on Nurse Talk.
Nurse Talk progressive healthcare correspondent and Executive Director of Progressive Democrats of America Donna Smith-- talks about the upcoming People's Summit in Chicago June 17th thru 19th. Together activists committed to a different kind of agenda: a People’s Agenda that can enhance and expand issue campaigns and hold all elected officials accountable to popular demands for justice, equality and freedom. Speakers will be Naomi Klein, Dr. Cornell West and Rose Ann DeMoro. thepeoplessummit.org.
Nurse Talk's "Progressive Healthcare In America" contributor Donna Smith talks about the passage of California Senate Bill SB 1076 (observation status") and what it does to insure patient protection. The law is sponsored by California Nurses Association and National Nurses United. The bill SB 1076 makes certain hospitals provide quality care while ensuring staffing levels that keep patients safe, irrespective of how a patient is classified."
Come along and have a little fun! If you're a nurse --things could be worse. Listen to a list of duties you may have been asked to perform if you had been in the profession in 1897. AND, we visit with documentary film maker and Richard Master about FIX IT, healthcare at a tipping point. All this and more on Nurse Talk.
This week on Nurse Talk we talk with Filmmaker and CEO, Richard Master about his new powerful documentary that reaches across the political and ideological divide to expand support for major healthcare reform. The documentary takes an in-depth look into how our dysfunctional health care system is damaging our economy, suffocating our businesses, discouraging physicians and negatively impacting on the nation's health, while remaining un-affordable for a third of our citizens. You can view the entire movie free at nursetalksite.com or fixithealthcare.com
This week on Nurse Talk, workplace violence in hospitals---it's a big problem. And what is an independent health advocate and how do you know if you need one? All this and more on Nurse Talk.
Nothing should stand between you and the best possible care. Does this describe you or a loved one: Do you have a rare disease or an advanced illness? Have you been told you need surgery but want a second opinion? Are you frustrated with your health insurance and its costs? Are you confused about advance care directives? If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, Ruth Linden can help.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nonfatal injuries due to workplace violence experienced by healthcare workers increased by 12 percent in recent years. “Workplace violence should not be part of the job, and it doesn’t have to be,” said Brandy Welch, RN, and National Nurses United general pediatric nurse from Long Beach, Calif. who spoke, along with other healthcare workers, at a recent Congressional hearing.
If you or a person you know is raising a child that has been diagnosed with Autism, you need to listen to this podcast. Author Rupert Isaacson shares his story through the book, "The Long Ride Home,The Extraordinary Journey of Healing that Changed a Child’s Life. Check it out and share...
This week on Nurse Talk... There IS a way to pay for a universal healthcare system in our country. Healthcare Advocate, Donna Smith talks about the Sander's plan and how much could be raised by implementing a Wall Street Transaction Tax.
This week on Nurse Talk... California Nurses Association Legislative Advocate Stephanie Roberson joins us to talk about the "making of a law" and the critical importance of legislation such as the landmark nurse to patient ratios bill passed in California in 1999.
This week on Nurse Talk: What does it take to make a law? Making huge profits on old medications and much more.
Here's a bit of what we are talking about this week on Nurse Talk on Progressive Voices Tune In. Or listen on the Nurse Talk APP.
Medicare Advantage Money Grab. Another whistleblower comes forward with claims of fraud against insurance giant Humana. Sometimes being a landlord can be bad for your health, what is the Robin Hood Tax and how is it playing a role in the election? And 911 calls that will crack you up! All this and more on Nurse Talk this week.
What is the Robin Hood Tax, what part does it play in Presidential Candidate Bernie Sanders plans and why don't we hear more about it? And another whistleblower comes forward about the Medicare Advantage "money grab". To what extend is health insurance giant Humana involved? All this and more on Nurse Talk's Healthcare In America Update.
RN and Co-President of National Nurses United Deborah Burger talks about the National Labor Relations Board trial against Tennessee-based Community Health Systems/CHS the nation's largest for-profit hospital chain.
How do nurses meet their patients "where they are"? Is the patient the expert? Combining medicine and holistic care is opening up new ways for patients to heal. Dr. Linda Bark talks nurse coaching at upcoming Bay Area American Holistic Nurses Association workshop. ahna.org
In case the Flint water crisis and dismantling of Detroit’s public school system didn’t convince you, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has yet again proven that he will always value profits over peoples’ lives. With still no fixes for Flint, his new budget reflects privatization of mental health services. Sam Inglot from Progress Michigan gives us a great perspective on these shocking issues.
The National Nurses United Bernie Bus update this week is with Progressive Democrats of America Executive Director Donna Smith. Donna is with the nurses on the bus and visiting southwestern states and Colorado. Donna is also our Nurse Talk Healthcare In America Reporter.
This week on Nurse Talk, Dr. Julia Greenstein, V.P. of Discovery Research for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation talks about the groundbreaking therapy called Encapsulation. The therapy is showing great promise for persons living with Type 1 Diabetes. AND, why is filmmaker Michael Moore invading other countries? All this and more on Nurse Talk.
National Nurses United RN's are working hard for Bernie Sanders. Nurse Talk Radio caught up with RN and Activist Martese Chism in South Carolina.
This week on Nurse Talk, Dr. Julia Greenstein, V.P. of Discovery Research for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation talks about the groundbreaking therapy called Encapsulation. The therapy is showing great promise for persons living with Type 1 Diabetes. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is the leading global organization funding T1D research.
National Nurses United RN's are working hard for Bernie Sanders. Nurse Talk Radio caught up with RN and Activist Martese Chism in South Carolina.
What you need to know about the Zika Virus. RN and Nurse Practice Safety Specialist for National Nurses United, De Ann McEwen talks about the Zika Virus. For more information visit nursetalksite.com
Baby Whisperer RN Marsha Podd is with us to talk about sleep training for babies, the importance of interaction and much more. Marsha is also the author of "Secrets of a Baby Nurse", a great read for anyone but especially parents with newborns and toddlers. www.gotosleepbaby.com
The "baby whisperer" RN Marsha Podd is with us, the Bernie Bus on the road again and Mary Ellen has swollen legs.
Flanked by thousands of nurses and other volunteers, RN and Co-President of National Nurses United Jean Ross, has been back and forth in the state of Iowa singing the praises of presidential candidate, Bernie Sanders. Ross say's, "Americans trust nurses..nurses trust Bernie". www.nursetalksite.com or www.nnu.org
Here's a sample of what we're talking about this week on Nurse Talk Radio. Listen to the entire show on our NT APP or on Progressive Voices Tune In. Visit our website for schedule and podcasts!www.nursetalksite.com
If you've been in a hospital lately you may have been asked to participate in a customer satisfaction survey. That's all well and good and it helps to know how your customers like your product. There's only one thing wrong. If you're in a hospital you aren't a customer, you're a patient! There's a BIG DIFFERENCE. All this and more on Nurse Talk this week.
With the facts about the Sanders Single Payer Healthcare Plan. Bernie spells out the details and it is clear that it is doable, affordable and probably one of the most important changes this country could ever benefit from. Oh, and no one is talking about one of the revenue raising components of the Sanders plan. It's called the Inclusive Prosperity Act ( H.R. 1464) aka Robin Hood Tax. Check it out at robinhoodtax.org
In 2015 California passed the End Of Life Option Act. The aid in dying legislation allows 38 million citizens in California to now have access to medical aid in dying or what is referred to as “death with dignity”www.compassionandchoices.org
Who said a bus wasn't a great way to travel across the country? Nurse Talk is following the National Nurses United "Bernie Bus" as it makes it's way to Iowa. The bus is full of nurses who are working to turn out the vote for Bernie and to promote Nurses Values. Stay with us as we follow the bus all the way to Iowa. visit nun.org.
Well no better way to start the new year than with a story from the wild west, a bird sanctuary to be exact, big PHARMA fast tracking generic drugs, Obamacare repeal attempt #62 and lots more on Nurse Talk. Listen every weekend on Progressive Voices Tune In.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a worker in health care and social assistance is nearly five times more likely to be the victim of a nonfatal assault or violent act by another person, than the average worker in all other major industries combined. Nurses moving toward solution in California.
This week ..California Nurses Association endorses Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom for Governor, Donna Smith talks BIG PHARMA mergers, and Obamacare Exchanges....and we play "Don't Wait Tell Me Now" our Nurse Talk 'signature' quiz.
This week California Nurses Association endorses Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom for Governor, Donna Smith talks BIG PHARMA mergers, and Obamacare Exchanges....and we play "Don't Wait Tell Me Now" our Nurse Talk 'signature' quiz.
Executive Director Of Minnesota Nurses Association, Rose Roach gives the best explanation of what a Single Payer Healthcare System is. It starts with "people over profits". Listen to this short, powerful, achievable solution.
Executive Director Of Minnesota Nurses Association, Rose Roach gives the best explanation of what a Single Payer Healthcare System is. It starts with "people over profits". Listen to this short, powerful, achievable solution.
OK--- Sometimes you just need to have a little fun in between all the weightiness in the world. While we talk about Woman's Global Health, Colorado's Single Payer ballot initiative and babies sleeping in boxes (clearly important issues) a little fun must be put into the mix. Check it out!
A quick look at the Women's Global Health Leadership Certificate Program with recent course graduate RN Jana Siu and NNU Education Director Michelle Grisat.
RN Jana Siu, a recent graduate of the "Women's Global Health Leadership Course shares why she was drawn to the course and the impact she knows it will have in the world. National Nurses United Educational Director, Michelle Grisat provides an overview of the certificate program.
Nurse Talk News Update---National Nurses United, the nations largest organization of RNs continues its steadfast support of Presidential Candidate Bernie Sanders as conference delegates approve endorsement. RN Irma Westmoreland a life long Republican will be casting her ballot for Senator Sanders.
Healthcare activist and Nurse Talk Reporter Donna Smith joins us for a look at Health Insurance Mega Mergers and a few other items of concern!
If you are trying to understand what if feels like to live with Alzheimer's, you won't want to miss our full interview with Author and Investigative Reporter, Greg O'Brien. Greg was diagnosed with the disease at the age of 59. He is now 65 and still able to give a moment-to-moment account of what it's like living with Alzheimer's. Here is a clip from the interview. The full interview will be broadcast this week on Progressive Voices Tune IN and also available on the Nurse Talk TV site. visit nursetalksite.com
You may have noticed things have changed in hospitals and in some cases not for the better. Donna Smith talks about what you need to know about a "hospitalist".....and why your doctor doesn't do hospital rounds any more.
In August National Nurses United endorsed Bernie Sanders for President. "Bernie Sanders is aligned with 'nurses values". National Nurses United is the largest organization of RN's with over 185,000 members.
What is a hospitalist? Getting out of the way of patients healing. Big health insurance mergers--good or bad for you? Can staring at white paper give you a migraine? All this and more on Nurse Talk with RN's Casey Hobbs and Shayne Mason.
California just passed a bill that requires pharmacists to provide LEP (limited-English proficient) patients with translated standardized directions for use on prescription drug labels, ensuring that all LEP patients understand how to take their medication.
Why are nurses lining up to support Senator Bernie Sanders and what does lifting the "class ceiling" mean? RN Martha Kuhl.
A $700 saw blade? What? That's right our healthcare in america reporter Donna Smith got a hospital bill that included $700 for a saw blade. And why are nurses lining up to support Senator Bernie Sanders? All this and more on Nurse Talk.
In our country we celebrate Labor Day as the last holiday of the summer. But what is Labor Day all about? Nurse Talk visits with RN, and Nurse Safety and Practice Specialist for National Nurses United, DeAnn McEwen.
Here's what we're talking about this week.... "Will you still need me when I'm 64"? Nurse Talk's Healthcare In America Reporter, Donna Smith gives us the basics about how and when to sign up for Medicare. Fun fact: every day there are 10,000 'baby boomers' turning 65! You know who you are!!
"Will you still need me when I'm 64"? Nurse Talk's Healthcare In America Reporter, Donna Smith gives us the basics about how and when to sign up for Medicare. Fun fact: every day there are 10,000 'baby boomers' turning 65! You know who you are!!
USF Professor of Public Health, Barbara Sattler leads a revealing 2 part discussion about a growing national movement which includes nurses (California Nurses Association). The intent is to shine a public light on the controversial method of hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as Fracking, and its adverse health risks.
USF Professor of Public Health, Barbara Sattler leads a revealing 2 part discussion about a growing national movement which includes nurses (California Nurses Association). The intent is to shine a public light on the controversial method of hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as Fracking, and its adverse health risks.
What do you do with a BS in Nursing and a minor in music? You combine the two to 'lift the spirits' of those who are sick. USF Grad and nurse An Nhein Le talks about how she incorporated her love of music with her nursing profession. AND, light the candles here comes MEDICARE'S 50th Birthday!
SURVEY SAYS! 85% of RNs agree that the quality of patient care in Massachusetts’s hospitals is suffering due to unsafe patient assignments. Nurses across the country continue their fight for patient safety.
Last week, in a 6-3 Supreme Court ruling to uphold federal subsides under the Affordable Care Act, Chief Justice John Roberts emphasized the key line in the decision: "Congress passed the Affordable Care Act to improve health insurance markets, not to destroy them." Now what? Universal Healthcare Activist Donna Smith speaks with Nurse Talk.
On Thursday, July 30th, 2015, patients, caregivers, providers, policy makers, and neighbors will join together to celebrate Medicare's first 50 years and commit to strengthening, protecting and expanding Medicare for decades to come. RN Martha Kuhl joins us.
On Thursday, July 30th, 2015, patients, caregivers, providers, policy makers, and neighbors will join together to celebrate Medicare's first 50 years and commit to strengthening, protecting and expanding Medicare for decades to come. RN Martha Kuhl joins us.
After Congress voted to pass Fast Track now it goes back to the Senate. ACT NOW to stop Fast Track from passing! Call your Senators!
Political Director for National Nurses United Ken Zinn, sheds much needed light on the Trans Pacific Partnership. It's NOT good for anyone--- BUT multi national companies. REALLY!
After Congress voted to pass Fast Track now it goes back to the Senate. ACT NOW to stop Fast Track from passing! Call you Senators!
RN and Professor of Public Health at University of San Francisco, Barbara Sattler talks about the rising rate of occupational asthma specific to nurses. What's going on? Latex gloves are just one of many causes. This is a three part (short) series.
RN and Professor of Public Health at University of San Francisco, Barbara Sattler talks about the rising rate of occupational asthma specific to nurses. What's going on? Latex gloves are just one of many causes. This is a three part (short) series.
RN and Professor of Public Health at University of San Francisco, Barbara Sattler talks about the rising rate of occupational asthma specific to nurses. What's going on? Latex gloves are just one of many causes. This is a three part (short) series.
Here's what we're talking about this week! What does Latex have to do with Asthma & Nurses? Don't get sick in July...and congress get's sneaky with 700 million dollar proposed cut to Medicare written into the TPP! Say what???
All this and more on Nurse Talk & the Progressive Voices Network.
OK how much have you heard about the virtues of probiotics? It seems everyone is talking about them and half of those talking about them are taking them--right? But is what they are taking really doing the job? Join Casey & Shayne as they visit with Natasha Trenev, President of Natren Probiotics. You'll find out why Natren is so powerful!
Part 4 of Legislative conversation with Don Nielsen, Director of Government Relations for CNA. Don talks about a "Sunset" provision that might do away with the California Board of Nursing. Interesting!
Part 3 of Don Nielsen, Director of Government Relations for California Nurses Association. Don explains AB305, Gender Bias Compensation bill.
In a 5 part series, California Nurses Association Director, Government Relations Don Nielsen joins Nurse Talk to talk about the critical issues facing nurses as they advocate for their patients and why nurses are involved in the legislative process.
Don Nielsen, Director, Government Relations for Cal Nurses visited with Nurse Talk about nurses and the critical reasons they are involved in the legislative process. Recently nurses urged California lawmakers to support several bills, which protect patient’s rights. SB 483 addresses “observation" status, and the other bill AB 305 addresses gender disparity with respect to workers comp.
Nurses are making strides to improve patient care at the nations VA hospitals, thank a caregiver-even when you think it's too late, Cancer empathy cards; they say what patients really want to hear. This and more on Nurse Talk on the Progressive Voices Network.
DohJe is Thank You. Literally, in Cantonese. It is pronounced "Dough-Jay". DohJe connects patients or families directly with caregivers so those that feel the need to say "thank you" can now do so easily, even after time has passed. This is not the obligatory "thank you"; this is the deep-rooted-hard-to-explain kind of gratitude. This is the feeling in your chest when you know that you could not have made it through without that person's dedication to your care.
Registered nurses marked International Nurses’ Day with two actions in the District of Columbia aimed at protecting patients and caregivers. “As we speak, management continues to harass, threaten and intimidate RN’s who speak up on behalf of veterans. RNs will always advocate on behalf of our nation’s heroes to provide them the best possible care,” said Irma Westmoreland, RN, chair of Veterans Affairs for National Nurses United.
Nurse Talk welcomes Isabel Sadurni, one of the filmmakers of The American Nurse; Healing America. The film will be screened nationally as well as at the Rafael Film Center/California Film Institute in San Rafael California on Wednesday, May 6th, 2015. The event celebrates National Nurses Day.
You never know what you're going to hear on Nurse Talk! This week the 30 day humor challenge, it's important to get a second opinion about medical issues but preferable not from your neighbor, and does pot help Glaucoma?
“We’re fighting for patient safety, we’re fighting against unsafe staffing. We believe patients deserve better". Just a few of the issues for over 6,500 nurses striking this week. Northern California RN Laura Hinerfeld visits with Nurse Talk Radio.
RN Laura Hinerfeld talks with us about the upcoming nurses strikes, the Nerdy Nurse, aka RN Brittney Wilson talks Tech, RN and humorist Karyn Buxman with her 30-day humor challenge. All this and more on Nurse Talk.
Any way you slice it technology is here to stay. This might surprise you but some nurses (you know who you are) shy away from using technology. Why? Because well---they think the computer is smarter than they are. Not true, say's The Nerdy Nurse. RN Brittney Wilson talks tech on Nurse Talk.
From California to Chicago Nurses are striking this week. At issue? Patient Safety, huge hospital profits and proposed cutbacks on staff and benefits. AND, RN Brittney Wilson aka The Nerdy Nurse talks Tech!
This week --there's two sides to every coin! On one side is a 'call to action" to STOP the proposed Trans Pacific Partnership, which is very bad for your health and our Democracy. On the other side is something that is great for your health--PROBIOTICS! And we have just the expert to tell you everything you ever needed to know about the subject. Check it out..all on Nurse Talk this week.
WARNING! No we aren't alarmists but please take a few minutes and listen to Political Director for National Nurses United, Ken Zinn as he talks about why it is critical to call your elected officials immediately and tell them to vote NO on Fast Tracking the Trans Pacific Partnership! REALLY! visit.nnu.org
Nurse Talk Radio presents National Nurses United Week In Review, a look at the critically important work that goes on at and away from the bedside. For more information about these and other topics visit.nnu.org
Why are nurses leading the charge to "Reclaim Chicago"? And statistics show that over 40% of hospital staff nurses experience nurse burnout. Is there a solution? All this and more on Nurse Talk this week.
Preventing and Reversing Nurse Burnout RN and TM Instructor Amy Ruff. The nursing profession attracts individuals who are strong and supportive who want to make a difference in people’s lives. Statistics show that over 40% of hospital staff nurses experience nurse burnout. Listen to this podcast and your life could change. http://tmwomenprofessionals.org/nurses/
With a runoff vote just days away, one Chicago politician figures almost as prominently in the city’s mayoral campaign as do the two candidates themselves, incumbent Rahm Emmanuel and his challenger, Cook County Commissioner Jesus “Chuy” Garcia. RN and Midwest Director for National Nurses United, Jan Rodolfo
Good show coming your way. Listen now or listen on Progressive Voices Tune In every Saturday and Sunday.
What would you do with $300billion? Revisiting death with dignity. What song reminds you of a nurse? All this and more on Nurse Talk this week.
What would you do with $300 billion? Heal the sick, feed the poor? Well there is a bill being reintroduced in Congress that establishes a 'tiny' transaction tax on Wall Street Trades (mostly high frequency trades) that can raise---you guessed it---$300 billion annually for U.S. budget. Nurses say yes--to The Inclusive Prosperity Act!
Here is what we're talking about this week...a little fun along with some heartbreaking facts about Alzheimer's disease. Check us out at www.nursetalksite.com
Are hospitals responsible for back injuries sustained by nurses on the job? YOU MIGHT THINK SO –BUT NOT SO FAST… and Alzheimer's, 'heartbreak and hope", we talk with Dr. Heather Snyder from alz.org. Check it out!
We're in good company on Progressive Voices Tune In every Saturday at 2p and Sunday @ 6p EST. BUT, you can listen to the entire show right here. Join us we're--- Talking about the women of the film STILL Alice, fighting to WIPE OUT ALZEIMER’S DISEASE,Are hospitals responsible for back injuries sustained by nurses on the job? YOU MIGHT THINK SO –BUT NOT SO FAST… and FIND OUT WHICH GOVERNMENT AGENCY SPENDS $84 MILLION A YEAR ON VIAGRA.
More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease, every 67 seconds someone in the U.S. develops the disease and it's the 6th leading cause of death in our country. The Alzheimer's Association is the world's leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. We spoke with Dr. Heather Snyder, Director of Medical & Scientific Operations for alz.org.
Are hospitals responsible for back injuries sustained by nurses on the job? YOU MIGHT THINK SO –BUT NOT SO FAST… Nurse Talk visits with RN and Lead Nursing Practice Rep for Cal Nurses/National Nurses United, Gerard Brogan. Don't miss this revealing conversation.
With the White House and some of the biggest multinational corporations lobbying Congress to “fast track" the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a massive trade deal between the United States and 11 other countries, nurses are sounding a CODE BLUE. When you find out about this treaty you will see why. RN & Co-President of National Nurses United, Deborah Burger.
In January of this year the White House proposed a Community College Initiative where the federal government would cover 75 percent of the cost of two years of community college education with the states paying for the rest. Could this be a good thing for the nursing profession?
This week on Nurse Talk, an EBOLA update from RN DeAnn McEwen, humorist Ellen Goldberg talks about how laughter helped her through Menopause and beyond. And--might there be someone dropping out of the GOP presidential race already?? AND can 3-D Printers make organs? All this and more on Nurse Talk this week..
Although EBOLA has all but vanished from the news, it is still not over by any measure. RN DeAnn McEwen, Nursing Practice, Health and Safety Specialist for National Nurses United joins us to talk about current issues and remaining challenges in the fight.
RN De Ann Mc Ewen checks in with Casey & Shayne about the latest news on EBOLA, including a $40K donation from the nurses to those who are on the front lines in West Africa-----and -----can laughter help get you through Menopause? We say yes and so does humorist Ellen Goldberg.
This week on Nurse Talk Casey & Shayne talk with RN Zenei Cortez about the new Kaiser contract---everybody wins and most of all patients! AND, a new poll shows 55% of Americans still want Universal Healthcare and that number is climbing. Dr. Paul Y. Song joins us.....check it out.
In Overwhelming Vote, Kaiser RNs OK New Pact Registered nurses and nurse practitioners who work at 21 Kaiser Permanente hospitals and 65 clinics across Northern and Central California, the largest nurses’ collective bargaining contract in the U.S., have voted to approve a new three-year agreement that provides for substantial improvements in patient care, health and safety protections for nurses, and economic gains. Rn Zenei Cortez talks about the highlights of this landmark contract.
Did you know nurses are on par with police officers and prison guards for the number of assaults against them while on the job? An alarming truth that most do not know. BUT..Nurses are working hard to prevent this by proposing legislation and changing public perception.
If you're a nurse the odds are high that you have been assaulted by a patient or a patients family member. Is this just part of a nurses job? What do you think?
Dr. Grace Dammann’s life was forever altered when a driver crashed head-on into her car on the Golden Gate Bridge. After a seven-week coma and numerous surgeries, Grace miraculously regained consciousness, with her cognitive abilities almost entirely intact, but her body left shattered and severely disabled. Directors Mark Lipman and Helen Cohen were granted unlimited access to Grace, her life partner and their adopted daughter allowing them to follow Grace as she struggles to reinvent herself and find meaning and purpose in her radically-altered post-accident life. Grace and her unusual support network must navigate a sea of personal and professional challenges, and she does it with – what else – grace. visit http://openstudioproductions.com/states-of-grace/
You can't start the year without taking a look at "Obamacare" and no one does that better than Donna Smith. And, there is not a more important topic related to health than "global warming" RN, Erin Carrera talks about her trip to Peru to attend the U.N. Summit on Global Warming. It's all REAL,this week on Nurse Talk.
"Today, I am on my way to Lima, Peru as part of a small delegation from National Nurses United going to participate in the United Nations Climate Change Summit 20th yearly Conference. Our delegation will share what I consider to be a big missing piece at the conference – the human health perspective. As nurses, we will highlight the fact that the climate crisis is a public health crisis." RN Erin Carrera writes on her blog.
What has 1000 different bacterial species and is sub host to around 160 subgroups of those species? You guessed it--we do! That is if you are a human being. Learn why now more than ever we need Probiotics. But first, what are Probiotics and how do you know if you should take them. Check this out...
When it comes to Probiotics there is no one better to explain it all than Natasha Trenev. Natasha is Founder & CEO of Natren Inc. Probiotics and there is no one that knows more than she does about all of it! No, really we aren't kidding. She knows so much she is referred to as a "Probiotics Scholar". Check it out.
You say ..walk a mile in my shoes? Well how about walking in Retired RN Elizabeth Pataki's shoes--for 50 years! Join us as Elizabeth reflects on her life as a nurse. AND how much do you know about Probiotics? Really. Check it out!
Retired RN and activist Elizabeth Pataki talks about her life as a nurse, a nurse leader and activist. Elizabeth was a nurse for just short of 50 years and she has a lot to share. From her early years as a Public Health Nurse to her current role as an activist, Elizabeth projects heart and passion to her story.
Something's happening here and it's not exactly clear--- there's a man with a …well if you are old enough you may know those are lyrics to a song--but check out what's happening in hospitals today. Oh, and by the way---it's pretty clear what is happening and why.
If you or a loved one have been to or in a hospital lately --you may have noticed some disturbing changes. Check it out.
Join Casey & Shayne coming up on Progressive Voices Tune In, Saturday at 2p/est & Sunday at 6p/est. Or right here at nursetalksite.com Guest, RN and Author Theresa Brown
Here's some of what we're talking about this week on Progressive Voices Tune In. www.nursetalksite.com Check it out.
NATIONAL NURSES UNITED URGES YOU TO TAKE ACTION NOW! TELL PRESIDENT OBAMA AND CONGRESS TO PROTECT ALL HEALTH CARE WORKERS, THEIR PATIENTS AND THE PUBLIC!
Nurses are in the news these days and we couldn’t be more proud. An update on a petition to impose mandatory safety regulations in hospitals, the news and our views, rerun of the Bionic Pancreas Trials, a few email questions and more.
Each of us holds the potential to effect great change. Grassroots initiatives like the end-of-life choice movement grow gradually, one person at a time, doing what we can to contribute. Barbara Coombs Lee, President, Compassion and Choices
The press calls it "assisted suicide" those in the know call it "death with dignity" and how is Obamcare doing as open enrollment approaches? All on Nurse Talk this week
Healthcare for all advocate Donna Smith talks about Round #2 Obamacare and open enrollment coming up November 15th. Are we better off now than we were before Obamacare? Some are, some aren't. Check it out!
News & Views, Donna Smith and round two of Obamacare, RN Katy Roemer updates us on NNU & Ebola, Compassion and Care talks Death with Dignity and a few email questions from the mail bag.
The EBOLA crisis and a little something on the light side. Michael Lighty, Director of Public Policy for NNU and Teresa Corrigan RN and Laughter Yoga Instructor join us on Nurse Talk….. www.nursetalksite.com
OK ---so we are all over the map. RN hosts Casey Hobbs & Shayne Mason share the weekly news and views, talk with Michael Lighty, Director of Public Policy for National Nurses United about the ever threatening EBOLA and just for fun--throw in Laughter Yoga! RN and Laughter Yoga Instructor Teresa Corrigan gives Casey her first lesson. Check it out.
Nurses Call on Obama to Direct Hospitals to Follow Highest Standards for Beating Ebola (Nurse Talk spoke with Director of Public Policy for National Nurses United, Michael Lighty last week) . HERE ARE THE STORY UPDATES SINCE THEN…
AS NEWS BREAKS THAT SECOND HEALTH WORKER IN DALLAS TESTS POSITIVE FOR EBOLA, 11,500 RNS JOIN NATIONAL CONFERENCE CALL FOR NURSES ON PREPAREDNESS
With concern escalating across the U.S. about the threat of a wider Ebola outbreak, National Nurses United today called on President Barack Obama to “invoke his executive authority” to order all U.S. hospitals to meet the highest “uniform, national standards and protocols” in order to “safely protect patients, all healthcare workers and the public.”
So much going on and the nurses are in the news this week! A recent survey conducted by National Nurses United shows hospitals are not ready for a large scale disaster such as EBOLA. No, we aren't trying to scare you! Rather inform you --so--collectively we can impact public and private health policy. Check it out!
RN and Co-President of National Nurses United, Deborah Burger leading the charge on sounding the alarm about U.S. Hospitals not being prepared for EBOLA or any other disaster. Oh, and they aren't going away anytime soon. While it may be unpopular to be publically vocal--it ---may save your life. Listen…@nursetalksite.com
Bay Area Reporter Jeannie Lynch covers a story about the Bionic Pancreas Trials underway at Mass General. Dr. Steven J. Russell talks about this breakthrough therapy that could change the way diabetics manage their disease. Listen to this fascinating Nurse Talk Special Edition.
Nurses take an oath to "advocate for their patients". In the case of many nurses and nurse leaders this means going beyond the bedside to the streets and the halls of congress---and sometimes even laying on public sidewalks in front of Casinos. A look at some of the initiatives National Nurses United is committed to. The biggest? Patient safety. And that means more now than you would ever think. Check it out.
Here's what we're talking about this week on Nurse Talk Radio. Check us out every Saturday noon pst & Sunday 3p/pst on Progressive Voices. Visit www.nursetalksite.com homepage click the PV Player!
Healthcare Activist and Executive Director of Healthcare For All Colorado, Donna Smith talks about her the pros and cons of the Affordable Care Act. Bottom line "Universal Healthcare" is what Donna is passionately fighting for. She's not alone-- she recently attended the National Single Payer in Oakland Ca.
One University of San Francisco Nurse’s War on Fracking: A Struggle for Public Health. USF’s Barbara Sattler is at the forefront of a growing national movement to shine a public light on the controversial method of hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking, and its adverse health risks. Barbara joins Casey & Shayne on Nurse Talk this week.
This week on Nurse Talk, RN Bonnie Castillo sounds a call to help the nurses in Liberia who are fighting to save their patients lives, this all without protective gear! Professor of Public Health at USF, RN Barbara Sattler talks about the health risks of "Fracking" and it isn't a short list! And always a few laughs in between. www.nursetalksite.com
Most have heard the news reports about the Ebola outbreak in West Africa but few have heard about the crisis of unprotected healthcare workers fighting to save their patients. Nurses on an Ebola ward in Liberia have been cutting up old overalls to serve as makeshift head-coverings to protect themselves from infection, despite international promises of more equipment,
OK, so we're concerned about hospital profits. Is Obamacare really to blame? Why did the top 5 hospital corps in America report increased profits to the tune of 5-18% in the first quarter of 2014? Are they really just saving their money so they can respond to the Medicare reimbursement cuts that are coming? Would transparency help? You know, then we (the public) would understand how these hospitals have every right to cut patient care and staffing in order to survive…..Hmmm.
If you're trying to understand what if feels like to live with Alzheimer's..then Award Winning Author Greg O'Brien's book, "On Pluto" is the book to read. "The book glows with honesty, intelligence and compassion, and, given the subject, is a suprisingly spirit renewing book." Anne D. LeClaire, author of "Listening Below the Noise".
How can listeners help support those who take care of them in their time of need? Let Kaiser know it is not ok to cut direct patient care. Call, email, write in support of your nurses!
Where was Kaiser when negotations with California Nurses were to begin? Not once, but twice Kaiser management
Bay Area Reporter Jeannie Lynch covers a story about the Bionic Pancreas Trials underway at Mass General. Dr. Steven J. Russell talks about this breakthrough therapy that could change the way diabetics manage their disease. Listen to this fascinating Nurse Talk Special Edition.
Just a taste of whats coming up. Why isn't Kaiser management showing up for bargaining talks with the California Nurses Association? What are they afraid of? AND, a Bionic Pancreas is coming your way. All this on Nurse Talk @www.nursetalksite.com
California Nurses Association (18,000 RN's) rolled up their sleeves and went to the bargaining table but where was Kaiser? No where to be found. AND, veteran Bay Area Reporter, Jeannie Lynch joins Nurse Talk for a special interview with Dr. Steven J. Russell. Dr. Russell is leading the Bionic Pancreas Trials at Mass. General. All this week on Nurse Talk
Medicare for all is not a crazy idea. It's been tossed around since the Nixon Administration (well so Rosemary Wood but..). Campaign for Healthy California is on the march for single payer healthcare and so is 87 year old Myrtle Braxton of Richmond California.
This week on Nurse Talk Casey has the pleasure of speaking with the remarkable Myrtle Braxton Ellington. Myrtle, at 87 is hard for most younger people to keep up with. She and her church feel deeply that healthcare is a right not a privilege.
Casey talks with activist and community leader Myrtle Braxton Ellington about why she and her church thing healthcare is a human right.
RN Jean Ross talks about Detroit "Turn On The Water" Rally. Over 3,000 people participated.
Pam Allen spells out the latest Supreme Court anti union ruling in Harris v Quinn”. Everyone should be concerned about this decision. Listen to Nurse Talk at www.nursetalksite.com
If you have confusing and unexplained breathing problems or your asthma has not responded to treatment, this book is for you. The Chronic Cough Enigma is written for people who have been coughing for months or years and cannot get useful answers from their doctors. More than 20 million Americans suffer from what is known as enigmatic chronic cough.
“The inexcusable waiting lists are symptoms of deeper problems,” said Irma Westmoreland, RN, chair of Veterans Affairs for National Nurses United and a registered nurse at the Augusta, Georgia VA Medical Center. “The VA is suffering from a tragic lack of resources that leads to delays in care, it spends resources in ways that do not benefit veterans, and it does not sufficiently empower front line caregivers to act as patient advocates.”
“There comes a time when you have two choices, to do something or nothing–we choose to do something”,RN Sharon Waite.
“There comes a time when you have two choices, to do something or nothing–we choose to do something”,RN Sharon Waite.
NNU segment of Nurse Talk #538 featuring actor Michael Milligan, as he discusses his play "Mercy Killers", based on real health care horror stories.
Guests include actor Michael Milligan discussing his play "Mercy Kills" based on real health care horror stories. Musician, songwriter and author Lani Hall Alpert discusses her new book "Emotional Memoirs & Short Stories".
National Nurses United segment from Nurse Talk 537. R.N. & Co-President of NNU Deborah Burger discusses the "Robin Hood Tax" with Casey and Shane.
Affordable Care Act segment of Nurse Talk Radio featuring Donna Smith, Executive Director of Healthcare for all Colorado.
National Nurses United sponsored segment of Nurse Talk Radio, featuring an interview with R.N. Kathy Donahue. Topic: Closure of Kaiser facilities.
Nurse Talk Radio taped from a live webcast 10.26.2013 from KOFY studios in San Francisco CA. Special thanks to Michelle Meow from the TSN Network.
Listen to our guest this week RN Jeff Breslin of the Michigan Nurses Association on The Safe Patient Care Act “Every Michigan resident deserves to receive safe care at every hospital, every time. Michigan’s nurses are simply asking for our leaders’ support to make that happen.” Jeff will talk with us about this important initiative that is sweeping the country. And later, a fierce leader, and one of our favorite guests, Healthcare and Human Rights Advocate Donna Smith, will join us. As some of you know, Donna has been leading the charge for the past 8 years for a universal healthcare system in our country. Donna was featured in Michael Moore’s film “Sicko.” For the past 5 years she worked as the Legislative Coordinator for National Nurses United. She is now the Executive Director of Healthcare for All Colorado. We’ll talk with Donna about all things healthcare, a little politics, the effects of the sequester – particularly the ones you don’t hear about — and more. Read more...
This week on Nurse Talk: Lynn Ruth Miller What’s it like to be a stand up comedian traveling the world? Oh..did we mention…an 80 year old stand up comedian traveling the world? Our resident comedian, Lynn Ruth Miller, is with us to talk about what keeps her young at her ripe age and how laughter saved her life.
Safe Lift Bill
We’ll also visit with Marti Smith, RN Government Relations Lead for the California Nurses Association. Marti will talk about why hospitals are not complying with California’s Safe Lift Bill (AB 1136) passed in January of 2012. Is this something we non-medical people should be concerned about? YES! Trust us when we say you do not want to be dropped on your next hospital visit! Is this possible? Yes, indeed, so stick around and find out why you should know about your neighborhood hospital’s “safe lift” policy. Read more...
Listen to our guest this week RN Jeff Breslin of the Michigan Nurses Association on The Safe Patient Care Act “Every Michigan resident deserves to receive safe care at every hospital, every time. Michigan’s nurses are simply asking for our leaders’ support to make that happen.” Jeff will talk with us about this important initiative that is sweeping the country. Read more...
A fierce leader, and one of our favorite guests, Healthcare and Human Rights Advocate Donna Smith, will join us. As some of you know, Donna has been leading the charge for the past 8 years for a universal healthcare system in our country. Donna was featured in Michael Moore’s film “Sicko.” For the past 5 years she worked as the Legislative Coordinator for National Nurses United. She is now the Executive Director of Healthcare for All Colorado. We’ll talk with Donna about all things healthcare, a little politics, the effects of the sequester – particularly the ones you don’t hear about — and more. For more information about Healthcare for All Colorado, visit healthcareforallcolorado.org. Read more...
Nursing Without Borders
This week we take on a controversial issue, and in doing so we learn ALOT (as if that never happens!). Healthcare Journalist Heather Boerner joins us to talk about an article she recently wrote for National Nurses United Magazine. The article, “Nursing Without Borders,” provides an in-depth look at the unique factors at play in providing the best care for undocumented patients. Ms. Boerner interviews undocumented families who do their best to stay off the radar for fear of being deported and therefore do not often seek medical treatment. AND here is a statistic that will surprise most of us: Contrary to what the politicians and others tell us, according to the Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy, undocumented workers (in 2010) paid about $11.2 billion in state, local, and sales taxes, yet they do not qualify for healthcare services. How do nurses and other healthcare workers deal with this issue? Read more...
Safe Lift Bill
We’ll also visit with Marti Smith, RN Government Relations Lead for the California Nurses Association. Marti will talk about why hospitals are not complying with California’s Safe Lift Bill (AB 1136) passed in January of 2012. Is this something we non-medical people should be concerned about? YES! Trust us when we say you do not want to be dropped on your next hospital visit! Is this possible? Yes, indeed, so stick around and find out why you should know about your neighborhood hospital’s “safe lift” policy. Read more...
A look at the concerns about The Affordable Care Act from those who work for hospital corps. This week Michael Lighty, Director of Public Policy for California Nurses Association, joins us to talk about why he thinks the Affordable Care Act is “Bad Medicine” for nurses. The article, “Bad Medicine” recently appeared in the National Nurse Magazine and states, “…the biggest health reform of our lifetime does little to rein in healthcare corporations and insurers. Instead, it shifts even more in costs onto workers who can’t afford it and, at the same time, threatens the practice of registered nursing.”
Professor Shayne! Nurses, we may send you mixed messages from time to time but now is (honestly) a great time to consider getting a master’s degree. And we have the best program in the nation (maybe we are prejudice since our co-host Shayne Mason just happens to be an instructor) to share with you. Read more...
In my day, honey was the most used product in my mothers medicine cabinet besides vinegar and the rectal thermometer. If I had muscle cramps, she made me take two teaspoons of honey with my meals and told me to stop complaining. If I had a sore throat, she gave me tea with lemon and honey, fever or not, and she told me to stop complaining. My mother used honey instead of alcohol to sterilize cuts and open wounds because it didn’t sting. If her skin felt dry, she made up a poultice of eggs, flour and honey and used it as a hand lotion. I can still remember her shaking my teacher’s hand and both of them had to teach the rest of the class. In the late 40′s, I had to deal with acne and momma rubbed honey on my face and covered the pimples with Band-Aids overnight and told me to quit complaining. Read more...
California Nurses Association’ s Government Relations Lead Marti Smith talks about enforcement of the California Safe Lift Bill. The bill, AB 1136, was passed into law in January of 2012 yet some California hospitals are still not in compliance. Read more...
In my day no matter what ailed me, my father fixed it up with blackberry brandy. If I ate too much for dinner, and I swore I would explode, Daddy would give me a hefty shot of blackberry brandy. If I suffered from the trots, out came the bottle of brandy and I downed it in one gulp. If I complained of a sore throat, he insisted I gargle with it and the best part was I got to swallow. In moments I was singing like a canary, or so I thought. He also used the brandy as a preventative. If we were all going out caroling or to a community sing we would all drink a Warsaw cocktail before we left the house: vodka, vermouth, blackberry brandy and lemon juice. You can’t beat that for numbing the throat, or the whole body for that matter. Now you’d never do that because you’d be charged with child abuse. Read more...
Nursing Without Borders
This week we take on a controversial issue, and in doing so we learn ALOT (as if that never happens!). Healthcare Journalist Heather Boerner joins us to talk about an article she recently wrote for National Nurses United Magazine. The article, “Nursing Without Borders,” provides an in-depth look at the unique factors at play in providing the best care for undocumented patients. Ms. Boerner interviews undocumented families who do their best to stay off the radar for fear of being deported and therefore do not often seek medical treatment. AND here is a statistic that will surprise most of us: Contrary to what the politicians and others tell us, according to the Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy, undocumented workers (in 2010) paid about $11.2 billion in state, local, and sales taxes, yet they do not qualify for healthcare services. How do nurses and other healthcare workers deal with this issue? Read more...
Nursing Without Borders
This week we take on a controversial issue, and in doing so we learn ALOT (as if that never happens!). Healthcare Journalist Heather Boerner joins us to talk about an article she recently wrote for National Nurses United Magazine. The article, “Nursing Without Borders,” provides an in-depth look at the unique factors at play in providing the best care for undocumented patients. Ms. Boerner interviews undocumented families who do their best to stay off the radar for fear of being deported and therefore do not often seek medical treatment. AND here is a statistic that will surprise most of us: Contrary to what the politicians and others tell us, according to the Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy, undocumented workers (in 2010) paid about $11.2 billion in state, local, and sales taxes, yet they do not qualify for healthcare services. How do nurses and other healthcare workers deal with this issue? Read more...
Professor Shayne! Nurses, we may send you mixed messages from time to time but now is (honestly) a great time to consider getting a master’s degree. And we have the best program in the nation (maybe we are prejudice since our co-host Shayne Mason just happens to be an instructor) to share with you. Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator, Dr. Enna Trevathan is with us to talk about the MSN/RN Online Program. Read more...
Nursing Without Borders
This week we take on a controversial issue, and in doing so we learn ALOT (as if that never happens!). Healthcare Journalist Heather Boerner joins us to talk about an article she recently wrote for National Nurses United Magazine. The article, “Nursing Without Borders,” provides an in-depth look at the unique factors at play in providing the best care for undocumented patients. Ms. Boerner interviews undocumented families who do their best to stay off the radar for fear of being deported and therefore do not often seek medical treatment. AND here is a statistic that will surprise most of us: Contrary to what the politicians and others tell us, according to the Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy, undocumented workers (in 2010) paid about $11.2 billion in state, local, and sales taxes, yet they do not qualify for healthcare services. How do nurses and other healthcare workers deal with this issue? Read more...
A look at the concerns about The Affordable Care Act from those who work for hospital corps. This week Michael Lighty, Director of Public Policy for California Nurses Association, joins us to talk about why he thinks the Affordable Care Act is “Bad Medicine” for nurses. The article, “Bad Medicine” recently appeared in the National Nurse Magazine and states, “…the biggest health reform of our lifetime does little to rein in healthcare corporations and insurers. Instead, it shifts even more in costs onto workers who can’t afford it and, at the same time, threatens the practice of registered nursing.” Read more...
Fast Food…or Maybe Not Fast Enough?
Casey and Shayne are beside themselves (as I am sure every 911 operator in the country is) listening to this 911 call from a woman in southern California that can’t get a fast food joint to cook her burger the way she wants it. AND YES, she thinks that is an emergency! Oh, dear Lord above.
SIRI Doesn’t Even Know What the Affordable Care Act Is! Another 42% of U.S. citizens don’t either as the clock ticks closer to October 1st: the date for the State Insurance Market Places (aka SIRI) starts selling affordable insurance to some of the 40 million uninsured people in our country. We’ve made no secret that Nurse Talk will be taking questions from our listeners every week about the Affordable Care Act. There is so much misinformation out there, we have to ensure we are getting FACTS to our listeners. Read more...
A look at the concerns about The Affordable Care Act from those who work for hospital corps. This week Michael Lighty, Director of Public Policy for California Nurses Association, joins us to talk about why he thinks the Affordable Care Act is “Bad Medicine” for nurses. The article, “Bad Medicine” recently appeared in the National Nurse Magazine and states, “…the biggest health reform of our lifetime does little to rein in healthcare corporations and insurers. Instead, it shifts even more in costs onto workers who can’t afford it and, at the same time, threatens the practice of registered nursing.” Read more...
In my day we didn’t spend a lot of money on medications to cure depression. We didn’t have Zoloft or Paxil. If we complained my mom pushed us outside and told us to get back on the horse. What she meant was, get over it. Never did find that damn horse. If we started to whine, she would pour herself a glass of red and say, “You kids are driving me to drink. Don’t you listen to Bing Crosby? You know, “You gotta Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the positive. Eliminate the negative. Latch on to the affirmative and don’t mess with Mr. In-Between. And, don’t get in his car either.” We didn’t hospitalize people with depression. If someone in the family was acting funny, we locked them in the attic and we waved to them when we backed out of the driveway. And sometimes they even waved back and my mom would say, “See I told you. Read more...
Nursing Without Borders
This week we take on a controversial issue, and in doing so we learn ALOT (as if that never happens!). Healthcare Journalist Heather Boerner joins us to talk about an article she recently wrote for National Nurses United Magazine. The article, “Nursing Without Borders,” provides an in-depth look at the unique factors at play in providing the best care for undocumented patients. Ms. Boerner interviews undocumented families who do their best to stay off the radar for fear of being deported and therefore do not often seek medical treatment. AND here is a statistic that will surprise most of us: Contrary to what the politicians and others tell us, according to the Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy, undocumented workers (in 2010) paid about $11.2 billion in state, local, and sales taxes, yet they do not qualify for healthcare services. How do nurses and other healthcare workers deal with this issue? Read more...
Nursing Without Borders
This week we take on a controversial issue, and in doing so we learn ALOT (as if that never happens!). Healthcare Journalist Heather Boerner joins us to talk about an article she recently wrote for National Nurses United Magazine. The article, “Nursing Without Borders,” provides an in-depth look at the unique factors at play in providing the best care for undocumented patients. Ms. Boerner interviews undocumented families who do their best to stay off the radar for fear of being deported and therefore do not often seek medical treatment. AND here is a statistic that will surprise most of us: Contrary to what the politicians and others tell us, according to the Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy, undocumented workers (in 2010) paid about $11.2 billion in state, local, and sales taxes, yet they do not qualify for healthcare services. How do nurses and other healthcare workers deal with this issue? Read more...
The Royal Baby and Dixon Has Two Moms…
Well, Casey and Shayne are no different than the millions of others who were, well, mildly interested in the birth of the Royal Baby. It’s old news now, but Shayne couldn’t help but wonder how it feels to be born and immediately have money, a job, a title and lots of attention. But all is not lost for Shayne and his family! Here’s a hint from the our show coming up: “Casey, it must be nice to be born and already have money and a job. No resume, no experience—just a bloodline. On another note our family had some good news at the same time—but of course it wasn’t front-page news.” Casey: ”Oh, what’s that Shayne”? Shayne: ”Casey, on the very same day the Royal Baby was born, my niece in Oklahoma, Karla Sue Mason, had a bouncing baby girl, weighing 10 pounds and 8 ounces.” Casey: ”Does she have a job yet? Read more...
In my day my mother said baking soda did everything. She sprinkled it all over the bathroom because she said it absorbed odors. I guess it worked because our toilet seat was so gritty I always went next door. Whenever I took a bath, I looked frosted. That’s probably why I love cake. My mom polished her silverware with baking soda and cleaned out our baby bottles. That made the silver look like ivory and I still hate the taste of milk. My mother didn’t spend money on caustic cleaners. She used baking soda to polish plastic, porcelain and glass. And when she felt a storm coming on, she ran outside and put baking soda on the car’s windshield. She said it repels rain if you wipe the windows inside and out and it keeps lightning from striking the car. When I asked her why she didn’t just pull the car into the garage, she washed my mouth out with baking soda. Read more...
Massachusetts Nurses Take “Safe Staffing” to the People! Massachusetts Nurses Association President, Donna Kelly Williams RN talks about a newly sponsored ballot measure campaign to fight for patient safety and protection. As most of you who listen to our show already know, the national fight for proper nurse to patient ratios is something that is not going away any time soon. The California Safe Hospital Staffing Law (AB 394) went into effect on January 1, 2008, establishing a minimum ratio of nurses to patients, but most of the country doesn’t have this sort of protection. Check out Donna’s “President’s Column” on the Massachusetts Nurses Association’s Website. Read more...
Massachusetts Nurses Take “Safe Staffing” to the People! Massachusetts Nurses Association President, Donna Kelly Williams RN talks about a newly sponsored ballot measure campaign to fight for patient safety and protection. As most of you who listen to our show already know, the national fight for proper nurse to patient ratios is something that is not going away any time soon. The California Safe Hospital Staffing Law (AB 394) went into effect on January 1, 2008, establishing a minimum ratio of nurses to patients, but most of the country doesn’t have this sort of protection. Check out Donna’s “President’s Column” on the Massachusetts Nurses Association’s Website. Read more...
You know, my grandma didn’t believe in drugs. She believed in nuts. She used almonds for everything. She would slip them into everything she fed us just to be sure they did their job. We found them in salads, desserts, candy, and even our underwear. She said they got rid of warts. I grew up during the depression. And, we spent the little money we had on food, not beauty products. When we saw a wrinkle in the mirror, we just gave up hope. But not my grandma. She made a paste of milk, almonds and rosebuds and smeared it on her face every night. She looked looked like the ghost of the apocalypse but she smelled like Almond Roca. And my grandpa loved sweets. She had 18 children, not counting the 4 miscarriages and she wasn’t even Catholic. She wasn’t very careful either. When grandpa lost his hair, she made a paste of gooseberry juice and almond oil. Read more...
Victory for Nurses in Northern California! …AND a victory for nurses across the country! Last week, a federal administrative law judge with the National Labor Relations Board handed nurses a victory, finding Sutter Bay East Hospitals in the San Francisco Bay Area engaged in illegal “unfair labor practices” when it unilaterally cut paid sick leave and eliminated all paid healthcare coverage for RNs who work less than 30 hours per week, affecting hundreds of nurses and their families. The judge ordered the hospital chain to “rescind its unilateral changes and…make whole employees for any losses they have suffered…plus interest.” Sutter had maintained it projected expenses related to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, but would not “show their homework” to the judge. Why? Because there was no certainty or reason for their projected increases. Joanne Jung, a spokeswoman for the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United joins us to discuss the topic. Read more...
Myth-ectomy.
It’s coming! Congress tried to stop it thirty-seven times! The Affordable Care Act is on track and headed for the station and you need to know the FACTS. Is it good? Is it bad? Will Grandma meet her demise in front of a “death panel?” Will it bankrupt the country? Is it just another give away? Is it universal healthcare? Will insurance rates be lower? Will doctors and nurses be laid off? Will it throw our healthcare system into chaos? Should we get in line for our microchip implants? Tune in as Shayne and Casey perform a “myth-ectomy” on at least one of these questions.
Technology Without Common Sense? RNs DeAnn McEwen and Michelle Mahon tell it like it is. EMR, or Electronic Medical Records systems, are rolling out “live” in hospitals across the country. BUT WAIT! Were nurses at the table when these systems where designed and implemented? Read more...
Fast Food…or Maybe Not Fast Enough?
Greetings and good wishes from our house to yours! The nurses are in this week with a new show. Casey and Shayne are beside themselves (as I am sure every 911 operator in the country is) listening to this 911 call from a woman in southern California that can’t get a fast food joint to cook her burger the way she wants it. AND YES, she thinks that is an emergency! Oh, dear Lord above.
SIRI Doesn’t Even Know What the Affordable Care Act Is! Another 42% of U.S. citizens don’t either as the clock ticks closer to October 1st: the date for the State Insurance Market Places (aka SIRI) starts selling affordable insurance to some of the 40 million uninsured people in our country. We’ve made no secret that Nurse Talk will be taking questions from our listeners every week about the Affordable Care Act. Read more...
Victory for Nurses in Northern California! …AND a victory for nurses across the country! Last week, a federal administrative law judge with the National Labor Relations Board handed nurses a victory, finding Sutter Bay East Hospitals in the San Francisco Bay Area engaged in illegal “unfair labor practices” when it unilaterally cut paid sick leave and eliminated all paid healthcare coverage for RNs who work less than 30 hours per week, affecting hundreds of nurses and their families. The judge ordered the hospital chain to “rescind its unilateral changes and…make whole employees for any losses they have suffered…plus interest.” Sutter had maintained it projected expenses related to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, but would not “show their homework” to the judge. Why? Because there was no certainty or reason for their projected increases. Joanne Jung joins us to discuss the topic. To read more on this victory visit www.nationalnursesunited.org. Read more...
Try as we might to stay away from polarizing issues on our show, it seems you can’t talk about health and healthcare without touching on these controversial topics. The Keystone XL Pipeline is one of those issues. It could have a significant impact on the health of communities in the tar sands production areas along its route and refinery fence-line communities where the heavy sour crude will be processed. In addition, the emissions from tar sands will exacerbate climate change, affecting public health more broadly even than the widespread direct impacts of the tar sands industry. Director of Public Policy for California Nurses Association Michael Lighty talks with Casey and Shayne about the health and environmental concerns related to the Keystone XL Pipeline.
A Moving Tribute to Barbara Taylor Vaughan and her daughter Missy.
Some of our listeners and visitors to our Nurse Talk blog might have heard us talk about the touching account of life with Alzheimer’s written by Barbara Taylor Vaughan and her daughter Missy. Read more...
Have you heard about the tissue paper diet? You haven’t, well, let me fill you in. Last May, Kirstie Clements, the editor of Vogue Australia was fired after 13 years in the top seat! Needless to say she was not happy. She decided to lift the lid off all she witnessed in her 25 years in the industry.
She writes about supermodels eating tissue paper to fill themselves up, depriving themselves of vital nutrition and making themselves feel artificially satiated by eating tissue paper rather than actual food. “You know how you read interviews where models insist they eat a lot? Not true.” says the former editor of Vogue Australia. “The only way they can get that thin is to stop eating. They eat tissue paper to starve off the hunger pangs, literally ball it up and eat it.” She continues “You might be starving, drunk and high, with dried up kidneys and liver of a 55-year old alcoholic, but just as long as you can make it down the run way looking fabulous, who cares?”
It is no secret that the fashion industry is highly competitive and cutthroat. Read more...
Massachusetts Nurses Take “Safe Staffing” to the People! Massachusetts Nurses Association President, Donna Kelly Williams RN talks about a newly sponsored ballot measure campaign to fight for patient safety and protection. As most of you who listen to our show already know, the national fight for proper nurse to patient ratios is something that is not going away any time soon. The California Safe Hospital Staffing Law (AB 394) went into effect on January 1, 2008, establishing a minimum ratio of nurses to patients, but most of the country doesn’t have this sort of protection. Check out Donna’s “President’s Column” on the Massachusetts Nurses Association’s Website. Read more...
The Royal Baby and Dixon Has Two Moms…
Well, Casey and Shayne are no different than the millions of others who were, well, mildly interested in the birth of the Royal Baby. It’s old news now, but Shayne couldn’t help but wonder how it feels to be born and immediately have money, a job, a title and lots of attention. But all is not lost for Shayne and his family! Here’s a hint from the our show coming up: “Casey, it must be nice to be born and already have money and a job. No resume, no experience—just a bloodline. On another note our family had some good news at the same time—but of course it wasn’t front-page news.” Casey: ”Oh, what’s that Shayne”? Shayne: ”Casey, on the very same day the Royal Baby was born, my niece in Oklahoma, Karla Sue Mason, had a bouncing baby girl, weighing 10 pounds and 8 ounces.” Casey: ”Does she have a job yet? Read more...
SIRI Doesn’t Even Know What the Affordable Care Act Is! Another 42% of U.S. citizens don’t either as the clock ticks closer to October 1st: the date for the State Insurance Market Places (aka SIRI) starts selling affordable insurance to some of the 40 million uninsured people in our country. We’ve made no secret that Nurse Talk will be taking questions from our listeners every week about the Affordable Care Act. There is so much misinformation out there, we have to ensure we are getting FACTS to our listeners. Every week Shayne and Casey will be joined by national healthcare advocate Donna Smith to talk about the good, the not so good, the challenging and everything else. We will also soon have a complete resource center on our website.
Massachusetts Nurses Take “Safe Staffing” to the People! Massachusetts Nurses Association President, Donna Kelly Williams RN talks about a newly sponsored ballot measure campaign to fight for patient safety and protection. Read more...
We mentioned a few weeks ago that we attended the National Nurses United Conference here in San Francisco. We met nurses from most of the states and from over 13 other countries. It’s very interesting to talk to nurses from around the world because even though the healthcare systems are different than ours in the U.S. (most we talked to have a form of universal healthcare), the problems and challenges are the same. RN and Co-President of National Nurses United, Deborah Burger shares the global vision. Read more...
Global Nurses? Yes, It’s Necessary! We mentioned a few weeks ago that we attended the National Nurses United Conference here in San Francisco. We met nurses from most of the states and from over 13 other countries. It’s very interesting to talk to nurses from around the world because even though the healthcare systems are different than ours in the U.S. (most we talked to have a form of universal healthcare), the problems and challenges are the same. RN and Co-President of National Nurses United, Deborah Burger shares the global vision.
Leaders of the initial participating unions of the newly formed Global Nurses United
ACA is here to stay…lets find out the FACTS
Love it, hate it, don’t know enough about it to do either? Its here and the best thing we can do is find out the FACTS about it. Not the political posturing from both parties or the “myths” (and oh, there are plenty of them) but the FACTS. Read more...
Try as we might to stay away from polarizing issues on our show, it seems you can’t talk about health and healthcare without touching on these controversial topics. The Keystone XL Pipeline is one of those issues. It could have a significant impact on the health of communities in the tar sands production areas along its route and refinery fence-line communities where the heavy sour crude will be processed. In addition, the emissions from tar sands will exacerbate climate change, affecting public health more broadly even than the widespread direct impacts of the tar sands industry. Director of Public Policy forCalifornia Nurses Association Michael Lighty talks with Casey and Shayne about the health and environmental concerns related to the Keystone XL Pipeline. Read more...
Ahhhh, technology! It’s a very good thing, but when are we going too far? Should ROBOTS replace doctors and nurses? Can they diagnose and treat patients? Well it’s already happening in some hospitals. Get the good, the bad, and the ugly on this emerging trend when Casey and Shayne visit with National Nurses United RN Deborah Burger. Our bodies and our hungers carry messages; carry wisdom. Turning these into our enemies in order to lose weight, or try to change other habits, is almost never sustainable. Author and psychologist David Bedrick returns to the show and will show us how to listen to our bodies, befriend our hungers, and develop more loving strategies to affect change. David is the author of the best-selling book, Talking Back To Dr. Phil, Alternatives to Mainstream Psychology. David facilitates an on-air process with Casey about “losing weight.” Check it out on our website or visit www.talkingbacktodrphil.com. Read more...
Try as we might to stay away from polarizing issues on our show, it seems you can’t talk about health and healthcare without touching on these controversial topics. The Keystone XL Pipeline is one of those issues. It could have a significant impact on the health of communities in the tar sands production areas along its route and refinery fence-line communities where the heavy sour crude will be processed. In addition, the emissions from tar sands will exacerbate climate change, affecting public health more broadly even than the widespread direct impacts of the tar sands industry. Director of Public Policy for California Nurses Association Michael Lighty talks with Casey and Shayne about the health and environmental concerns related to the Keystone XL Pipeline. Oh, don’t miss Health Trivia…and you should see this weeks email questions! A listener asks, “Should women take Viagra?” Read more...
Victory for Nurses in Northern California! …AND a victory for nurses across the country! Last week, a federal administrative law judge with the National Labor Relations Board handed nurses a victory, finding Sutter Bay East Hospitals in the San Francisco Bay Area engaged in illegal “unfair labor practices” when it unilaterally cut paid sick leave and eliminated all paid healthcare coverage for RNs who work less than 30 hours per week, affecting hundreds of nurses and their families. The judge ordered the hospital chain to “rescind its unilateral changes and…make whole employees for any losses they have suffered…plus interest.” Sutter had maintained it projected expenses related to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, but would not “show their homework” to the judge. Why? Because there was no certainty or reason for their projected increases. Joanne Jung joins us to discuss the topic. To read more on this victory visit www.nationalnursesunited.org. Read more...
Doctors prefer Camels In 1947, R.J. Reynolds commissioned a survey among more than 100,000 doctors, asking the key question, “What cigarette do YOU smoke, Doctor?” However, BEFORE the survey was sent out, all of those doctors received free samples of Camel cigarettes. Naturally, when the survey was taken, most of those doctors gave the answer Reynolds was expecting. In their radio and magazine advertising, their slogan was, “According to a nationwide survey, more doctors smoked CAMELS, than any other cigarette.”
The Psychiatrist and the Proctologist Best friends graduated from medical school at the same time and decided that in spite of two different specialties, they would open a practice together to share office space and personnel. Dr. Smith was the psychiatrist and Dr. Jones was the proctologist. They put up a sign reading: Dr. Smith and Dr. Jones: Hysterias and Posteriors. The town council was livid and insisted they change it. Read more...
Victory for Nurses in Northern California! …AND a victory for nurses across the country! Last week, a federal administrative law judge with the National Labor Relations Board handed nurses a victory, finding Sutter Bay East Hospitals in the San Francisco Bay Area engaged in illegal “unfair labor practices” when it unilaterally cut paid sick leave and eliminated all paid healthcare coverage for RNs who work less than 30 hours per week, affecting hundreds of nurses and their families. The judge ordered the hospital chain to “rescind its unilateral changes and…make whole employees for any losses they have suffered…plus interest.” Sutter had maintained it projected expenses related to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, but would not “show their homework” to the judge. Why? Because there was no certainty or reason for their projected increases. Joanne Jung, a spokeswoman for the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United joins us to discuss the topic. Read more...
Ahhhh, technology! It’s a very good thing, but when are we going too far? Should ROBOTS replace doctors and nurses? Casey and Shayne visit with National Nurses United RN Deborah Burger. Psychologist David Bedrick is the author of the best-selling book, Talking Back To Dr. Phil, Alternatives to Mainstream Psychology. David facilitates an on-air process with Casey about “losing weight.” Read more...
Ahhhh, technology! It’s a very good thing, but when are we going too far? Should ROBOTS replace doctors and nurses? Can they diagnose and treat patients? Well it’s already happening in some hospitals. Get the good, the bad, and the ugly on this emerging trend when Casey and Shayne visit with National Nurses United RN Deborah Burger. Also, Jean Ross, recaps on the importance of the Inclusive Prosperity Act and reports back on the SEA OF RED SCRUBS march. Read more...
We mentioned a few weeks ago that we attended the National Nurses United Conference here in San Francisco. We met nurses from most of the states and from over 13 other countries. It’s very interesting to talk to nurses from around the world because even though the healthcare systems are different than ours in the U.S. (most we talked to have a form of universal healthcare), the problems and challenges are the same. RN and Co-President of National Nurses United, Deborah Burger shares the global vision.
Leaders of the initial participating unions of the newly formed Global Nurses United
Read more...
Oh my, what a lively discussion! A recent census report shows the average male nurse earns almost $10,000 a year more than the average female nurse. Although 90% of registered nurses in America are women, they don’t think of male nurses as underdogs. But who better to discuss the topic than Shayne and Casey! Luckily we bring some sanity to the conversation with Boston RN and NNU Co-President, Karen Higgins. And moving right along, check THIS out: God Helps Me Pee: A Patient Story… An old man and his daughter go to the nurse practitioner for his monthly checkup. During the examination, the nurse practitioner asks how his nightly incontinence is. “It’s fine,” says the old man. “I just get up and go to the bathroom, and God turns on the light for me.” Listen to the show for the rest of the story! Does your doctor really want to discuss your weight? Read more...
Myth-ectomy.
It’s coming! Congress tried to stop it thirty-seven times! The Affordable Care Act is on track and headed for the station and you need to know the FACTS. Is it good? Is it bad? Will Grandma meet her demise in front of a “death panel?” Will it bankrupt the country? Is it just another give away? Is it universal healthcare? Will insurance rates be lower? Will doctors and nurses be laid off? Will it throw our healthcare system into chaos? Should we get in line for our microchip implants? Tune in as Shayne and Casey perform a “myth-ectomy” on at least one of these questions.
Technology Without Common Sense? RNs DeAnn McEwen and Michelle Mahon tell it like it is. EMR, or Electronic Medical Records systems, are rolling out “live” in hospitals across the country. BUT WAIT! Were nurses at the table when these systems where designed and implemented? Read more...
Global Nurses? Yes, it’s necessary! We mentioned a few weeks ago that we attended the National Nurses United Conference here in San Francisco. We met nurses from most of the states and from over 13 other countries. It’s very interesting to talk to nurses from around the world because even though the healthcare systems are different than ours in the U.S. (most we talked to have a form of universal healthcare), the problems and challenges are the same. RN and Co-President of National Nurses United, Deborah Burger shares the global vision.
Leaders of the initial participating unions of the newly formed Global Nurses United
ACA is here to stay…lets find out the FACTS
Love it, hate it, don’t know enough about it to do either? Its here and the best thing we can do is find out the FACTS about it. Not the political posturing from both parties or the “myths” (and oh, there are plenty of them) but the FACTS. Read more...
Do you wish that workouts didn’t seem to last forever? You have a lot of company. Believe it or not, research actually shows that people enjoy exercise more than they think they will. There are many physical and mental reasons to exercise on a regular basis, so why not make the experience as enjoyable as possible Here are eight tatics to make any workout seem as quick and painless as possible. 1) Grab a friend: Life is full of great solo activities, but exercise isn’t always one of them. Working out with a friend isn’t just a fun way to squeeze in some face time; it provides extra accountability along with an added push to go that extra mile. 2) Crank the tunes: Save the silence for meditation class. Workouts are meant to be energetic! Create a perfect play list (or let an app do it for you) and then pump up the volume to get better results and have more fun doing it. Read more...
Oh my, what a lively discussion! A recent Census Report shows the average male nurse earns almost $10,000 a year more than the average female nurse. Although 90% of registered nurses in America are women, they don’t think of male nurses as underdogs. But who better to discuss the topic than Shayne and Casey! Luckily we bring some sanity to the conversation with Boston RN and NNU Co-President, Karen Higgins. Read more...
What a wonderful find this was: Clowns Without Borders, founded in Barcelona in July 1993. The idea began when Tortell Poltrona, a professional clown in Spain, was invited to perform in a refugee camp in Croatia. This performance unexpectedly attracted audiences of more than 700 children, proving to Poltrona that there is a great need for clowns and entertainment in crisis situations. He founded Clowns Without Borders to offer humor as a means of psychological support to communities that have suffered trauma. The clowns have organizations in nine countries Spain, France, Sweden, Germany, Belgium, Ireland, South Africa, Canada and the United States. We’ll visit with RN and president of “Clowns,” Tim Cunningham. This is just a beautiful story. AND—Flu shot controversy rages on. What do you think? Nurse Talk took a Facebook poll and we got some very passionate answers. We will share this with you in the show. Very interesting—and no less interesting was a mainstream media newscast we’ll share. Read more...
Male Nurses…More Pay?? Oh my, what a lively discussion! A recent census report shows the average male nurse earns almost $10,000 a year more than the average female nurse. Although 90% of registered nurses in America are women, they don’t think of male nurses as underdogs. But who better to discuss the topic than Shayne and Casey! Luckily we bring some sanity to the conversation with Boston RN and NNU Co-President, Karen Higgins. Does your doctor really want to discuss your weight? Dr. Gail Altschuler weighs in (no pun intended)! The answer may be “no,” but the sobering statistics indicate the strong need for a change in the way doctors talk to their patients about their weight. Approximately 35.7% of adults and 16.9% of children and adolescents in the United States are considered obese, according to the most recent figures. That means more than 90.5 million Americans are at increased risk of serious health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, heart attack, and stroke. Read more...
Myth-ectomy.
It’s coming! Congress tried to stop it thirty-seven times! The Affordable Care Act is on track and headed for the station and you need to know the FACTS. Is it good? Is it bad? Will Grandma meet her demise in front of a “death panel?” Will it bankrupt the country? Is it just another give away? Is it universal healthcare? Will insurance rates be lower? Will doctors and nurses be laid off? Will it throw our healthcare system into chaos? Should we get in line for our microchip implants? Tune in as Shayne and Casey perform a “myth-ectomy” on at least one of these questions.
Technology Without Common Sense? RNs DeAnn McEwen and Michelle Mahon tell it like it is. EMR, or Electronic Medical Records systems, are rolling out “live” in hospitals across the country. BUT WAIT! Were nurses at the table when these systems where designed and implemented? Read more...