Podcasts about Medical debt

Risa Arin doesn't just talk about health literacy. She built the damn platform. As founder and CEO of XpertPatient.com (yes, expert with no E), Risa's taking a wrecking ball to how cancer education is delivered. A Cornell alum, cancer caregiver, and ex-agency insider who once sold Doritos to teens, she now applies that same marketing muscle to helping patients actually understand the garbage fire that is our healthcare system. We talk about why she left the “complacent social safety” of agency life, how her mom unknowingly used her own site during treatment, what it's like to pitch cancer education after someone pitches warm cookies, and why healthcare should come with a map, a translator, and a refund policy. Risa brings data, chutzpah, and Murphy Brown energy to the conversation—and you'll leave smarter, angrier, and maybe even a little more hopeful.RELATED LINKS• XpertPatient.com• Risa Arin on LinkedIn• XpertPatient & Antidote Partnership• XpertPatient Featured on KTLA• 2024 Health Award BioFEEDBACKLike this episode? Rate and review Out of Patients on your favorite podcast platform. For guest suggestions or sponsorship inquiries, email podcast@matthewzachary.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Jamie Wells is back—and this time, she brought a book. We cover everything from biomedical design screwups to the glorified billing software known as the EHR. Jamie's new book, A Clinical Lens on Pediatric Engineering, is a masterclass in what happens when you stop treating kids like small, drunk adults and start designing medicine around actual human factors. We talk about AI in pediatric radiology, why drug repurposing might save lives faster than biotech IPOs, and the absurdity of thinking one-size-fits-all in healthcare still works.Jamie's a former physician, a health policy disruptor, a bioethicist, an MIT director, and a recovering adjunct professor. She's also a unicorn. We dig into the wonk, throw shade at bad design, and channel our inner Lisa Simpsons. This one's for anyone who ever wondered why kids' hospitals feel like hell and why “make it taste like bubblegum” might be the most important clinical innovation of all time. You'll laugh, you'll learn, and you might get angry enough to fix something.RELATED LINKSJamie Wells on LinkedInBook: A Clinical Lens on Pediatric Engineering (Amazon)Book on SpringerDrexel BioMed ProfileGlobal Blockchain Business CouncilJamie's HuffPost ArticlesFEEDBACKLike this episode? Rate and review Out of Patients on your favorite podcast platform. For guest suggestions or sponsorship inquiries, email podcast@matthewzachary.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bram & Sandi continue a special Friday series focused on world events and the ‘Kingdom Response'. Through scripture, word and song, we'll put a whole new spin on what's happening in the world, right now. Today: What is the biggest ministry opportunity in YOUR community? Well, one congregation in Winston/Salem, NC asked themselves that very […]

In 2022, Cook County announced its partnership with Undue Medical Debt, a nonprofit that buys old uncollectable bills from hospitals and forgives it. Since then, over half a million people have had their medical debts erased – wiping out a more than $664-million burden on residents. Reset learns more from WBEZ's health care reporter Kristen Schorsch; Cook County deputy chief of staff for health Matt Richards; and Dan Weissmann, host and executive producer of An Arm and a Leg podcast. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Erica Campbell walked away from corporate life, took a hard left from the British Embassy, and found her calling writing checks for families nobody else sees. As Executive Director of Pinky Swear Foundation, she doesn't waste time on fluff. Her team pays rent, fills gas tanks, and gives sick kids' parents the one thing they don't have—time. Then, breast cancer hit her. She became the patient. Wrote a book about it. Didn't sugarcoat a damn thing. We talk about parking fees, grief, nonprofit burnout, and how the hell you decide which families get help and which don't. Also: AOL handles, John Hughes, and letters from strangers that make you cry. Erica is part Punky Brewster, part Rosie the Robot, and part Lisa Simpson—with just enough GenX Long Island sarcasm to make it all land. This one sticks.RELATED LINKSPinky Swear FoundationThe Mastectomy I Always Wanted (Book)Erica on LinkedInThink & Link: Erica Campbell“Like the Tale of a Starfish” - Blog Post“Cancer Diagnosis, Messy Life, Financial Support” - Blog PostFEEDBACKLike this episode? Rate and review Out of Patients on your favorite podcast platform. For guest suggestions or sponsorship inquiries, email podcast@matthewzachary.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Money borrowed for hospitalization is seen by many as different from paying what you owe for consumer goods: The debt is seldom from discretionary spending. The Biden-era Consumer Financial Protection Bureau had moved to protect credit scores from medical debt, but the agency is now reversing course. A nonprofit called Undue Medical Debt, led by CEO Allison Sesso, works to pay off people's medical debt as a charitable endeavor. But first, Trump's spending bill moves to the Senate.

Money borrowed for hospitalization is seen by many as different from paying what you owe for consumer goods: The debt is seldom from discretionary spending. The Biden-era Consumer Financial Protection Bureau had moved to protect credit scores from medical debt, but the agency is now reversing course. A nonprofit called Undue Medical Debt, led by CEO Allison Sesso, works to pay off people's medical debt as a charitable endeavor. But first, Trump's spending bill moves to the Senate.

Allyson with a Y. Ocean with two Ls. And zero chill when it comes to changing the face of cancer care. Dr. Allyson Ocean has been quietly—loudly—at the center of every major cancer breakthrough, nonprofit board, and science-backed gut punch you didn't know you needed to hear. In this episode, she joins me in-studio for a conversation two decades in the making. We talk twin life, genetics, mitochondrial disease, and why she skipped the Doublemint Twins commercial but still ended up as one of the most recognizable forces in oncology. We cover her nonprofit hits, from Michael's Mission to Let's Win Pancreatic Cancer to launching the American Jewish Medical Association—yes, that's a thing now. We get personal about compassion in medicine, burnout, bad food science, and microplastics in your blood. She also drops the kind of wisdom only someone with her résumé and sarcasm can. It's raw. It's real. It's the kind of conversation we should've had 20 years ago—but better late than never.RELATED LINKS:– Dr. Allyson Ocean on LinkedIn– Let's Win Pancreatic Cancer– NovoCure Leadership Page– Michael's Mission– American Jewish Medical Association– The POLG Foundation– Cancer Buddy App (Bone Marrow and Cancer Foundation)– Dr. Ocean at OncLiveFEEDBACK:Like this episode? Rate and review Out of Patients on your favorite podcast platform. For guest suggestions or sponsorship inquiries, email podcast@matthewzachary.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week's questions focus on smart budgeting frameworks, earning more outside a 9 to 5, dealing with high annual credit card fees and a pro tip for handling medical debt.

Sponsored by Invivyd, Inc.Nobody wants to hear about COVID-19 anymore. Especially not cancer patients. But if you've got a suppressed immune system thanks to chemo, radiation, stem cell transplants—or any of the other alphabet soup in your chart—then no, it's not over. It never was. While everyone else is getting sweaty at music festivals, you're still dodging a virus that could knock you flat.In this episode, Matthew Zachary and Matt Toresco say the quiet part out loud: many immunocompromised people may not even know they have options beyond vaccines. Why? Because the system doesn't bother to tell them. So we're doing it instead. We teamed up with Invivyd to help get the word out about tools other than vaccines that can help prevent COVID-19. We break down the why, the what, and the WTF of COVID-19 risk for cancer patients and why every oncologist should be talking about this.No fear-mongering. No sugarcoating. Just two guys with mics who've been through it and want to make sure you don't get blindsided. It's fast, funny, and furious—with actual facts. You've got more power than you think. Time to use it.RELATED LINKSExpand Their OptionsInvivydMatt Toresco on LinkedInOut of Patients podcastFEEDBACKLike this episode? Rate and review Out of Patients on your favorite podcast platform. For guest suggestions or sponsorship inquiries, email podcast@matthewzachary.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In Jan. 2025, then-Vice President Kamala Harris announced a final rule by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to remove medical debt from consumers’ credit reports. The policy was to take effect in March, but just like many other Biden-era actions, the Trump administration is changing course. Now, a federal judge is expected to decide in mid-June about whether to vacate the consumer protection rule. Georgia ranks among the top five states with the most medical debt, with 13% of adults in the state owing money. Former health tech executive and consumer advocate Scott Speranza, the CEO of HealthLock, discusses what this could mean for Georgians. For “Closer Look’s” Class of 2025 graduation series, we hear from Bon Varlet. The standout Kennesaw State University graduate majored in information technology. She talks with Rose about her academic journey, including earning a Fulbright Study Award, and her aspirations to attend law school and to protect public institutions, particularly libraries.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

EPISODE DESCRIPTIONLisa Shufro is the storyteller's storyteller. A musician turned innovation strategist, TEDMed curator, and unapologetic truth-teller, Lisa doesn't just craft narratives—she engineers constellations out of chaos. We go way back to the early TEDMed days, where she taught doctors, scientists, and technocrats how not to bore an audience to death. In this episode, we talk about how storytelling in healthcare has been weaponized, misunderstood, misused, and still holds the power to change lives—if done right. Lisa challenges the idea that storytelling should be persuasive and instead argues it should be connective. We get into AI, the myth of objectivity, musical scars, Richard Simmons, the Vegas healthcare experiment, and the real reason your startup pitch is still trash. If you've ever been told to “just tell your story,” this episode is the permission slip to do it your way. With a bow, not a violin.RELATED LINKSLisa Shufro's WebsiteLinkedInSuper Curious ArchiveEight Principles for Storytelling in InnovationStoryCorps InterviewCoursera Instructor ProfileWhatMatters ProjectFEEDBACKLike this episode? Rate and review Out of Patients on your favorite podcast platform. For guest suggestions or sponsorship inquiries, email podcast@matthewzachary.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What happens when you blend the soul of Mr. Rogers, the boldness of RuPaul, and just a pinch of Carrie Bradshaw? You get Sally Wolf.She's a Harvard and Stanford powerhouse who ditched corporate media to help people actually flourish at work and in life—because cancer kicked her ass and she kicked it back, with a pole dance routine on Netflix for good measure.In this episode, we unpack what it means to live (really live) with metastatic breast cancer. We talk about the toxic PR machine behind "pink ribbon" cancer, how the healthcare system gaslights survivors when treatment ends, and why spreadsheets and dance classes saved her sanity. Sally doesn't just survive. She rewrites the script, calls out the BS, and shows up in full color.If you've ever asked “Why me?”—or refused to—this one's for you.RELATED LINKS:Sally Wolf's WebsiteLinkedInInstagramCosmopolitan Essay: "What It's Like to Have the 'Good' Cancer"Oprah Daily Article: "Five Things I Wish Everyone Understood About My Metastatic Breast Cancer Diagnosis"Allure Photo ShootThe Story of Our Trauma PodcastFEEDBACK:Like this episode? Rate and review Out of Patients on your favorite podcast platform. For guest suggestions or sponsorship inquiries, email podcast@matthewzachary.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

ICYMI: Hour One of ‘Later, with Mo'Kelly' Presents – Thoughts on the L.A. County Medical Debt Relief Program erasing more that $183 million of debt throughout the county AND the addition of ‘Smart' public restrooms throughout the city of Long Beach…PLUS – A look at the latest Health Department “ocean water warnings” in SoCal - on KFI AM 640…Live everywhere on the iHeartRadio app & YouTube @MrMoKelly

In this episode of the Charity Charge Show we chat with Jared Walker, the founder of Dollar For, to discuss the organization's mission to alleviate medical debt through a comprehensive database of hospital charity care policies.He explains how Dollar Four automates the application process for patients, the challenges of funding through philanthropy, and the importance of partnerships in expanding their reach. The conversation also touches on the legal aspects of medical debt, the potential for new revenue models, and the future vision for the organization.TakeawaysDollar Four created a database of every hospital in the country.The organization eliminated $6.9 million in medical debt in April.Funding is fully through philanthropy, with no earned revenue model.The impact of Dollar Four is measurable and clear to donors.Hospitals are motivated to avoid bad press regarding charity care.Partnerships with other organizations can enhance outreach.There is a significant amount of medical debt within communities.The organization aims to enforce policies that hospitals are required to have.Focus on providing value to the community to attract donors.Future growth plans include raising $20 million over the next four years.About Dollar ForDollar For is a national non-profit organization dedicated to tackling the widespread issue of medical debt in the United States. Recognizing that medical debt is a leading cause of financial hardship and even bankruptcy for millions, they focus on a solution that often goes unnoticed and underutilized: hospital charity care.Their core mission is to make charity care – which nonprofit hospitals are mandated by the Affordable Care Act to provide to lower-income patients – known, easy to access, and fairly applied. Dollar For acts as an advocate for patients, empowering them to navigate the often complex process of applying for financial assistance.They achieve this through a multi-pronged approach:Direct Patient Service: Utilizing technology, Dollar For has developed a system that includes a custom database of hospital policies, a simple eligibility screener, automated application completion, and patient advocates who guide individuals through the process. This direct support has resulted in significant medical debt relief for thousands of patients.Systemic Change Advocacy: Beyond individual cases, Dollar For actively works to hold hospitals accountable and push for broader policy changes. They leverage media attention and their unique understanding of both the written policies and their real-world application to inform policy and advocate for improvements in charity care access. Their efforts have already influenced regulations and hospital practices across several states.In essence, Dollar For bridges the gap between patients struggling with medical bills and the often-obscure avenue of charity care. By simplifying the application process and advocating for systemic improvements, they strive to alleviate the financial burden of medical crises and ensure that a health emergency doesn't lead to financial ruin. Their work has demonstrably reduced stress, improved health outcomes, and enhanced financial stability for the patients they serve. 

Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin is working with Democrats who control the General Assembly to put new restrictions on debt collectors seeking money for hospitals and doctors. Michael Pope reports.

JOIN DESTINY'S MEMBERSHIP - for folks with chronic pain & illness→ ⁠Join Welcome To The Waiting Room⁠ (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it's a great addition to your regular therapy appointments)**Episode summary: This episode features Jared Walker, founder of DollarFor, a nonprofit dedicated to eliminating medical debt by making hospital charity care known, easy, and fair. Walker shares how he discovered that most nonprofit hospitals are legally required to provide financial assistance (charity care) to patients who meet certain income qualifications, yet hospitals rarely inform patients about these programs. And you'd be surprised at how high some of the income requirements are!Since launching in 2012, DollarFor has helped eliminate nearly $90 million in medical debt by creating user-friendly tools that help patients determine eligibility and apply for charity care programs that can completely wipe out hospital bills. Walker explains that charity care is far more accessible than most people realize, with many programs covering households earning up to 250-400% of federal poverty guidelines, and offers practical advice for negotiating medical bills when charity care isn't an option.Resources mentioned:→ dollarfor.orgMEET DESTINY: Website / Instagram / BlueSky / YouTube / TikTokMEET GUEST: Website / Instagram / X / YouTube / TikTok→ SIGN UP FOR DESTINY'S NEXT LIVE WORKSHOP→ READ THE BLOG FOR THIS EPISODEASK DESTINY ANYTHING→ Submit your questions hereFOR YOU, OUR PODCAST LISTENERSJOIN DESTINY'S MEMBERSHIP - for folks with chronic pain & illness→ ⁠Join Welcome To The Waiting Room⁠ (ongoing support for staying regulated while living with chronic illness - This does not replace therapy, but it's a great addition to your regular therapy appointments)FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

On Episode 564 of Impact Boom, Jared Walker of Dollar For discusses eliminating medical debt through systems change, education, and advocacy, and how policy transparency can transform healthcare for underprivileged communities and empower patients. If you are a changemaker wanting to learn actionable steps to grow your organisations or level up your impact, don't miss out on this episode! If you enjoyed this episode, then check out Episode 362 with Matt and Noah Davey on improving healthcare outcomes through patient community development -> https://bit.ly/4jT9glU The team who made this episode happen were: Host: Indio Myles Guest(s): Jared Walker Producer: Emma Dimech We invite you to join our community on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram to stay up to date on the latest social innovation news and resources to help you turn ideas into impact. You'll also find us on all the major podcast streaming platforms, where you can also leave a review and provide feedback.

In this episode of the ROCC Pod, we sit down with Christina DeGregory, an independent insurance broker with Health Markets, to talk through her journey from a biology major (!) to health insurance and how she's using her science background to educate and empower clients. Christina shares that she holds a master's in biological sciences and once worked as a teaching assistant in cell biology and microbiology. That experience, she explains, helped shape her ability to explain complex topics—like health insurance—in clear, simple terms. She's now channeling that same teaching energy into her role as a broker, with a personal motto: “Insurance is hard, let me make it easier for you.”We talk through how she transitioned out of academia and into insurance after facing a stagnant job market post-grad school. What drew her to this career was the opportunity to connect with people, educate them, and help them understand their options. As an independent broker, Christina runs her own business under the Health Markets umbrella, helping individuals find coverage through the Affordable Care Act. She explains open enrollment, special enrollment periods, and how certain life events can trigger eligibility to enroll outside the standard window.We also touch on the most common challenges her clients face, such as confusion around deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. Christina emphasizes her goal of making sure clients truly understand their coverage, payments, and what to expect in case of hospitalization or routine care. She works primarily with people who aren't eligible for employer-sponsored insurance—1099 workers, part-time employees, or those in between jobs—and particularly helps those in lower-income brackets who may qualify for subsidized or even $0 monthly premium plans.Christina also works with supplemental insurance like dental, vision, and indemnity plans that offer payouts for accidents, illnesses, or hospital stays. She outlines how these offerings can protect against crushing medical debt, especially for vulnerable populations. Soon, she'll also be licensed in Medicare to help retirees navigate yet another complicated health care system.Outside of work, Christina's passionate about music and community. A long-time fan of Detroit's EDM scene, she talks about attending Movement and Electric Forest every year. We also learn about her positive experience joining the Royal Oak Chamber and her love for being involved in local networking events.Throughout the episode, it's clear Christina brings not only technical knowledge to her work but also empathy, patience, and a genuine passion for helping people navigate the confusing world of health insurance.Call Christina: 248-981-3610Visit her website: https://www.healthmarkets.com/local-health-insurance-agent/cdegregory/Or find her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christina_degregory/ Learn more about the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce: https://www.royaloakchamber.com/Connect with our hosts:Jon Gay from JAG in Detroit Podcasts - http://www.jagindetroit.com/Lisa Bibbee from Century 21 Northland - http://soldbylisab.com/

PRESIDENTIAL DEMENTIA; VETERANS' MEDICAL DEBT; A GENERAL STRIKE & THE NEED FOR DIGITAL ORGANIZING Medical specialist DR. NANCY NIPARKO opens GREEP Zoom #220 with a direct quote from Donald Trump and a diagnostic prognosis. Financial organizer JERRY ASHTON tells us his organizing has helped retire $45 billion in medical debt for more than 5 million people, including thousands of veterans, many of whom have thus avoided suicide. Poet Laureate MIMI GERMAN tells us of HEIDI STRANGE-SKY LAMBERT,  who was duly elected mayor of Waldport, Oregon, only to be forcefully removed by the bad bully she was duly elected to remove as mayor.  Heidi's amazing story of being bullied out of the mayor's office is going global. The story of Elon Musk's pro-apartheid parents follows in sequence with our discussion of the rise of Trumpian fascism. Long-time activist DOROTHY REIK expresses her intense dismay that the LA Dodgers went to see Trump in the White House, and calls for a general strike. Having attended the Bernie/AOC rally in Los Angeles, MYLA RESON also references Trump's desire to have “home growns” shipped to death camps in El Salvador. Taking the next step in electronic organizing is directed by LEE FELSENSTEIN toward business cards with QR codes leading to central organizing data bases with the technical help they need. The question of our organizing focus is raised by our steadfast engineer STEVE CARUSO raising the issue of upcoming rallies in central Ohio. The notion of a General Strike is seconded by ALEX WILLIAMS, who warns that pain will be involved, and that we must not be split up by race & gender. The need for general solidarity is underlined by co-convenor MIKE HERSH. Solar homeowner PAUL NEWMAN wonders how we can find the dictatorship's pivotal weakness.   The scourge of the “Christian Nationalist” right wing is rooted out by DAVID BROWN whose podcast demands the protection of religious diversity and rights, especially in Oklahoma, whose governor is erasing the lines between church & state.   From DAVID NADER we get a confirmation for a General Strike and a boycott against paying the bills of utility companies destroying our Earth.

WBZ's Madison Rogers reports.

Governor Glenn Youngkin is contemplating what to do with 92 bills on his desk. Michael Pope has this report about one involving medical debt.

(For Entertainment Purposes only, always seek a qualified professional.) Support: PositiveSarcasm.com/Donate Segment 1: Credit Cards, Auto Loans, Medical Debt, College Debt. It's a hole that a person can dig themselves out of...but they can also avoid the hole almost entirely. It starts by pointing the finger at yourself. FREE STOCKS, IRA, CASH MANAGEMENT: https://a.webull.com/S4xAPPzv9rXFMdF8Q4 Sign up via my referral link now and claim up to 15 FREE stocks! https://j.moomoo.com/00EoSC Trade Stocks and Crypto Reward when you sign up: https://etoro.tw/47OmXMl PositiveSarcasm.com - 2014 Therapy for yourself, for couples, for teens: https://www.betterhelp.com/ If you are completely out of options: https://988lifeline.org/ Wellness guides: Mel Robbins: https://www.youtube.com/@melrobbins Dr. Jordan B Peterson https://www.youtube.com/@JordanBPeterson

(The Center Square) – The Washington State Legislature passed a bill on Wednesday that could offer significant relief to people drowning in medical debt, but critics warn it may drive up costs for everyone. Assuming Gov. Bob Ferguson signs Senate Bill 5480, the law will prohibit healthcare providers and collection agencies from reporting medical debt to credit firms. The vote opens the door for many individuals to secure housing, but not without raising concerns about unintended consequences. Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx Read more: https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_3cb2146d-bf2d-4b39-acda-ce6bdf0a2d53.html

Health Insurance Houston consumers face mounting pressure from unclear billing and reduced protections. With debt collectors intensifying efforts, expert insurance guidance is now critical to protect financial well-being and ensure clarity in coverage across Houston's complex healthcare landscape. Insurance4Dallas City: Houston Address: 2700 Post Oak Blvd Website: https://insurance4dallas.com/group-health-insurance-houston/ Phone: +12816882540

Join hosts Ajay Mody and Asher Perzigian on Mavericks in Healthcare as they sit down with Alicia Graham, COO and co-founder of Claimable. Alicia shares the inspiration behind launching Claimable—a groundbreaking AI-powered platform that helps patients and providers challenge unjust healthcare denials in minutes. From her decade-long journey uniting clinical expertise, AI innovation, and patient advocacy, Alicia reveals how Claimable turns personal stories into powerful appeals, tackling crippling medical debt and amplifying shared patient experiences. Tune in to meet a true Maverick in Healthcare driving change for all.

9:00 to 10:00Treasurer Mike Pieciak updates1.        Treasurer's Task Force and Legislators to Host Town Hall Series on Vermont's Response to Federal Policy Changes2.        Treasurer Pieciak and Legislative Leaders Announce Proposal to Eliminate $100 Million in Medical Debt for Vermonters3.        The proposal (S.27) Treasurer Pieciak Reminds Eligible Employers to Enroll in Vermont Saves by March 110:00 to 11:00Rick and the Ramblers.  Rick NorcrossThe Last album release, The 2nd bestest songs I ever wroteMarch 23, 2025 will be Rick's 80th birthday. He has been making music since he was 16. 

This episode has three chapters. Each one answers a key question, and, bottom line, it all adds up to action steps directly and indirectly for many, including plan sponsors probably, community leaders, and also hospital boards of directors. Here's the three chapters in sum. For a full transcript of this episode, click here. If you enjoy this podcast, be sure to subscribe to the free weekly newsletter to be a member of the Relentless Tribe. Chapter 1: Are commercial insurance premiums rising faster than the inflation rate? And if so, is the employee portion of those premiums also rising, meaning a double whammy for employees' paychecks (ie, premium costs are getting bigger and bigger in an absolute sense, and also employees' relative share of those bigger costs is also bigger)? Spoiler alert: yes and yes. Chapter 2: What is the biggest reason for these premium increases? Like, if you look at the drivers of cost that underpin those rising premiums, what costs a lot that is making these premiums cost a lot? Spoiler alert: It's hospitals and the price increases at hospitals. And just in case anyone is wondering, this isn't, “Oh, chargemasters went up” or some kind of other tangential factor. We're talking about the revenue that hospitals are taking on services delivered has gone up and gone up way higher than the inflation rate. In fact, hospital costs have gone up over double the amount that premiums have gone up. Wait, what? That's a fact that Dr. Vivian Ho said today that threw my brain for a loop: Hospital costs have gone up over double the amount that premiums have gone up. Chapter 3: Is the reason that hospital prices have rocketed up as they have because the underlying costs these hospitals face are also going up way higher than the inflation rate? Like, for example, are nurses' salaries skyrocketing and doctors are getting paid a lot more than the inflation rate? Stuff like this. Too many eggs in the cafeteria. Way more charity care. Bottom line, is an increase in underlying costs the reason for rising hospital prices? Spoiler alert: no. No to all of the above. And I get into this deeply with Dr. Vivian Ho today. But before I do, I do just want to state with three underlines not all hospitals are the same. But yeah, you have many major consolidated hospitals crying about their, you know, “razor-thin margins” who are, it turns out, incentivizing their C-suites to do things that ultimately wind up raising prices. I saw a PowerPoint flying around—you may have seen it, too—that was apparently presented by a nonprofit hospital at JP Morgan, and it showed this nonprofit hospital with a 15.1% EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) in 2024. Not razor thin in my book. It's a, the boards of directors are structuring C-suite incentives in ways that ultimately will raise prices. If you want to dig in a little deeper on hospital boards and what they may be up to, listen to the show with Suhas Gondi, MD, MBA (EP404). Vivian Ho, PhD, my guest today, is a professor and faculty member at Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine. Her most major role these days is working on health policy at Baker Institute at Rice University. Her work there is at the national, state, and local levels conducting objective research that informs policymakers on how to improve healthcare. Today on the show, Professor Vivian Ho mentions research with Salpy Kanimian and Derek Jenkins, PhD. Alright, so just one quick sidebar before we get into the show. There is a lot going on with hospitals right now. So, before we kick in, let me just make one really important point. A hospital's contribution to medical research, like doing cancer clinical trials, is not the same as how a hospital serves or overcharges their community or makes decisions that increase or reduce their ability to improve the health and well-being of patients and members who wind up in or about the hospital. Huge, consolidated hospital networks can be doing great things that have great value and also, at the exact same time, kind of harmful things clinically and financially that negatively impact lots of Americans and doing all of that simultaneously. This is inarguable. Also mentioned in this episode are Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy; Baker Institute Center for Health Policy; Suhas Gondi, MD, MBA; Salpy Kanimian; Derek Jenkins, PhD; Byron Hugley; Michael Strain; Dave Chase; Zack Cooper, PhD; Houston Business Coalition on Health (HBCH); Marilyn Bartlett, CPA, CGMA, CMA, CFM; Cora Opsahl; Claire Brockbank; Shawn Gremminger; Autumn Yongchu; Erik Davis; Ge Bai, PhD, CPA; Community Health Choice; Mark Cuban; and Ferrin Williams, PharmD, MBA. For further reading, check out this LinkedIn post.   You can learn more at Rice University's Center for Health Policy (LinkedIn) and Department of Economics and by following Vivian on LinkedIn.   Vivian Ho, PhD, is the James A. Baker III Institute Chair in Health Economics, a professor in the Department of Economics at Rice University, a professor in the Department of Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, and a nonresident senior scholar in the USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics. Ho's research examines the effects of economic incentives and regulations on the quality and costs of health care. Her research is widely published in economics, medical, and health services research journals. Ho's research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the American Cancer Society, and Arnold Ventures. Ho has served on the Board of Scientific Counselors for the National Center for Health Statistics, as well as on the NIH Health Services, Outcomes, and Delivery study section. She was elected as a member of the National Academy of Medicine in 2020. Ho is also a founding board member of the American Society for Health Economists and a member of the Community Advisory Board at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. Ho received her AB in economics from Harvard University, a graduate diploma in economics from The Australian National University, and a PhD in economics from Stanford University.   05:12 Are insurance premiums going up? 05:59 What is the disparity between cost of insurance and wage increases? 06:21 LinkedIn post by Byron Hugley. 06:25 Article by Michael Strain. 06:46 How much have insurance premiums gone up for employers versus employees? 09:06 Chart showing the cost to insure populations of employees and families. 10:17 What is causing hospital prices and insurance premiums to go up so exponentially? 12:53 Article by (and tribute to) Uwe Reinhardt. 13:49 EP450 with Marilyn Bartlett, CPA, CGMA, CMA, CFM. 14:01 EP452 with Cora Opsahl. 14:03 EP453 with Claire Brockbank. 14:37 EP371 with Erik Davis and Autumn Yongchu. 15:28 Are razor-thin operating margins for hospitals causing these rising hospital prices? 16:56 Collaboration with Marilyn Bartlett and the NASHP Hospital Cost Tool. 19:47 What is the explanation that hospitals give for justifying these profits? 23:16 How do these hospital cost increases actually happen? 27:06 Study by Zack Cooper, PhD. 27:35 EP404 with Suhas Gondi, MD, MBA. 27:50 Who typically makes up a hospital board, and why do these motivations incentivize hospital price increases? 30:12 EP418 with Mark Cuban and Ferrin Williams, PharmD, MBA. 33:17 Why is it vital that change start at the board level?   You can learn more at Rice University's Center for Health Policy (LinkedIn) and Department of Economics and by following Vivian on LinkedIn.   Vivian Ho discusses #healthinsurance #premiums and #hospitalpricing on our #healthcarepodcast. #healthcare #podcast #changemanagement #healthcareleadership #healthcaretransformation #healthcareinnovation   Recent past interviews: Click a guest's name for their latest RHV episode! Chris Crawford (EP465), Al Lewis, Betsy Seals, Wendell Potter (Encore! EP384), Dr Scott Conard, Stacey Richter (INBW42), Chris Crawford (EP461), Dr Rushika Fernandopulle, Bill Sarraille, Stacey Richter (INBW41)  

Strategies to handle medical debt, it may not be wise to post details of your vacation on social media and making the most of an income tax refund.

Jon Hartley and Neale Mahoney (Stanford Economics Professor) discuss Neale's career, Neale's research on consumer sentiment, junk fees, and medical debt, as well as Neale's time in the Biden Administration National Economic Council and the future of economic policy. Recorded on January 8, 2025.  ABOUT THE SPEAKERS: Neale Mahoney is the Trione Director of Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR), a Professor of Economics at Stanford University, the George P. Shultz Fellow at SIEPR, a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, and an Affiliated Professor at J-PAL. In 2022-2023, he was a Special Policy Advisor for Economic Policy in the White House National Economic Council. Mahoney is an applied micro-economist with an interest in healthcare and consumer financial markets. He is a member of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Academic Research Council. He received the ASHEcon Medal in 2021 (given to an economist age 40 or under who has made the most significant contributions to the field of health economics) and a Sloan Research Fellowship in 2016.  Before joining Stanford, Mahoney was a professor of Economics and David G. Booth Faculty Fellow at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He was also a Robert Wood Johnson Fellow in health policy research at Harvard University and worked for the Obama Administration on healthcare reform. Mahoney received a PhD and MA in economics from Stanford University and an ScB in applied mathematics-economics from Brown University. Follow Neale Mahoney on X: @nealemahoney Jon Hartley is a policy fellow, the host of the Capitalism and Freedom in the 21st Century Podcast at the Hoover Institution and an economics PhD Candidate at Stanford University, where he specializes in finance, labor economics, and macroeconomics. He is also currently an Affiliated Scholar at the Mercatus Center, a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity (FREOPP), and a Senior Fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute. Jon is also a member of the Canadian Group of Economists, and serves as chair of the Economic Club of Miami. Jon has previously worked at Goldman Sachs Asset Management as well as in various policy roles at the World Bank, IMF, Committee on Capital Markets Regulation, US Congress Joint Economic Committee, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, and the Bank of Canada.  Jon has also been a regular economics contributor for National Review Online, Forbes, and The Huffington Post and has contributed to The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, USA Today, Globe and Mail, National Post, and Toronto Star among other outlets. Jon has also appeared on CNBC, Fox Business, Fox News, Bloomberg, and NBC, and was named to the 2017 Forbes 30 Under 30 Law & Policy list, the 2017 Wharton 40 Under 40 list, and was previously a World Economic Forum Global Shaper. ABOUT THE SERIES: Each episode of Capitalism and Freedom in the 21st Century, a video podcast series and the official podcast of the Hoover Economic Policy Working Group, focuses on getting into the weeds of economics, finance, and public policy on important current topics through one-on-one interviews. Host Jon Hartley asks guests about their main ideas and contributions to academic research and policy. The podcast is titled after Milton Friedman‘s famous 1962 bestselling book Capitalism and Freedom, which after 60 years, remains prescient from its focus on various topics which are now at the forefront of economic debates, such as monetary policy and inflation, fiscal policy, occupational licensing, education vouchers, income share agreements, the distribution of income, and negative income taxes, among many other topics. For more information, visit: capitalismandfreedom.substack.com/

A federal agency called the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — CFPB for short — has taken big steps to help people with medical debt. In early February, the Trump administration moved to effectively shutter the agency. We talked with credit counselor Lara Ceccarelli about how the CFPB has helped clients at the nonprofit where she works, and how she’s navigating the sudden change. And consumer-rights advocate Chi Chi Wu — an attorney with the National Consumer Law Center — describes the court battle she and her colleagues are mounting to slow down the agency’s dismantling — and where things could go from here. We’ll track this developing story in next week’s First Aid Kit newsletter, so if you’re not signed up, this is a great time to start: www.armandalegshow.com/firstaidkit. Here's a transcript of this episode. Send your stories and questions. Or call 724 ARM-N-LEG. Of course we’d love for you to support this show.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ilhan Omar takes Americas to task. We try to figure out why the state is getting involved in medical debt. Omar Fateh withdraws his bill that would have sent $15 million to a non-profit for no other reason than to create another fraud, allegedly. Women are no longer called mothers in Wisconsin. Johnny Heidt with guitar news. Heard On The Podcast:US Border Patrol Agent David ‘Chris' Maland laid to rest with military honors at Fort SnellingShelter-in-place ended for Burnsville neighborhood following ‘active incident'Pope Francis shows slight improvement and resumes some work, while still critical, Vatican says Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ilhan Omar takes Americas to task. We try to figure out why the state is getting involved in medical debt. Omar Fateh withdraws his bill that would have sent $15 million to a non-profit for no other reason than to create another fraud, allegedly. Women are no longer called mothers in Wisconsin. Johnny Heidt with guitar news. Heard On The Podcast: US Border Patrol Agent David ‘Chris' Maland laid to rest with military honors at Fort Snelling Shelter-in-place ended for Burnsville neighborhood following ‘active incident' Pope Francis shows slight improvement and resumes some work, while still critical, Vatican says Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tom Savidge is a Research Fellow at the American Institute for Economic Research. How the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)'s Medical Debt Rule Could Backfire

In this episode, Dayna Johnson interviews Andy Cleveland, a renowned expert in accounts receivable collections within the dental industry. They discuss recent changes in medical debt reporting, the role of collection agencies, and best practices for collecting payments effectively. The conversation emphasizes the importance of communication, value, and systems in managing patient payments and collections. Takeaways ➡Andy Cleveland has over 25 years of experience in patient collections. ➡Recent legislation has changed how medical debt is reported to credit bureaus. ➡Collection agencies can still pursue debts, but they cannot negatively impact credit scores. ➡Effective collection practices should start on the day of service. ➡Staff turnover in dental practices can hinder effective collections. ➡Patients often prioritize other bills over dental payments. ➡Communication and training are essential for staff handling collections. ➡Billing regularly can reinforce the importance of payments to patients. ➡The value of services provided should be communicated to patients. ➡Choosing the right collection agency is crucial for maintaining a practice's reputation. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Expert 03:28 Understanding Recent Changes in Medical Debt Reporting 10:32 The Role of Collection Agencies 15:55 Best Practices for Collecting Payments 20:50 The Importance of Communication and Value in Collections Please rate, review and share this episode with your colleagues. Book a call with Dayna: https://calendly.com/dayna-johnson/discovery-call

Emergency room costs now make up 6% of total healthcare plan spending—why? In this episode, host Stacey Richter welcomes Al Lewis to break down the data behind rising ER expenses, separating fact from fiction. They discuss whether increased patient acuity or widespread upcoding is driving costs, the impact of the No Surprises Act, and why plan sponsors struggle to negotiate fair ER rates. Plus, Al shares actionable strategies for employers to push back against inflated charges. If you want to understand the hidden forces behind escalating ER bills, this is a must-listen. You can find the charts and links mentioned in the show notes in the link below. === LINKS ===

Subscribe to UnitedHealthcare's Community & State newsletter.Health Affairs' Jeff Byers welcomes Kinika Young of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to the program to discuss a recent final rule/advisory issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau barring medical debt from US credit reports and how this rule will impact the scope of medical debt in the US today.  Check out a recently released Health Policy brief from Nathaniel Tran and Gilbert Gonzales exploring how public debates and enactments of both pro- and anti-LGBTQI+ policies affect LGBTQI+ populations in the places where they live, learn, work, play, and age.Also, join Health Affairs on February 25 for an exclusive Insider virtual event featuring Stacie Dusetzina and Laura Tollen discussing HHS's announcement of the 15 additional drugs selected for Medicare drug price negotiations, including weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy.Related Articles:New Federal Guidance Puts Medical Debt Collectors On Notice (Health Affairs Forefront)Consumer advisory: Pause and review your rights when you hear from a medical debt collector (CFPB)Nearly 1 in 2 Patients with Medical Debt Feel "Trapped," New Poll from Leading Health Care Orgs Find (Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) Subscribe to UnitedHealthcare's Community & State newsletter.

When Luke Messac began his emergency medicine residency at Rhode Island Hospital in 2018, he noticed his patients often came to him concerned about costs. Some worried about his recommendations for them to stay in the hospital overnight. Others questioned his motives when he asked them to undergo a test, like an X-ray or MRI. A few came in way too late in the course of their illnesses out of fear of the cost. He'd heard about aggressive debt collection practices at hospitals around the country that put people at risk of profound financial and legal consequences. It made him wonder: Was his hospital doing that, too? After a quick trip to the country courthouse to examine the case files, what he found troubled him. “I was inundated with what I thought were pretty horrific cases,” said Messac, author of the 2023 book, Your Money or Your Life: A History of Medical Debt Collection in the United States. “Low-income single moms, people living on disability, recent immigrants, were facing thousands of dollars of bills and court fees and interest fees. And if they did not pay and if they did not settle their suits quickly, then they could have their wages garnished. They would be charged double-digit interest rates.”In Berkeley Talks episode 219, Messac, now an attending physician at Brigham and Women's Hospital and an instructor in emergency medicine at Harvard Medical School, discusses how the changing role of hospitals, and the passage of Medicare and Medicaid in the 1960s, transformed how medical debts are collected in the U.S.This talk took place on Sept. 17, 2024, and was sponsored by the Berkeley Center for Social Medicine at the Institute for the Study of Societal Issues (ISSI) and cosponsored by Berkeley Public Health. Listen to the episode and read the transcript on UC Berkeley News (news.berkeley.edu/podcasts) or on YouTube @Berkeley News (youtube.com/@BerkeleyNews/podcasts).Music by Blue Dot Sessions.Photo by Ahmed for Unsplash+. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A proposal to implement a local sales tax in Waukesha County is being withdrawn amid push back from the public. A Madison crisis response program is expanding to neighboring Sun Prairie. And, Advocate Health says they're fighting against medical debt. A Guardian U.S. health reporter says some patients don't agree.

More than 100 million Americans are burdened with medical bills they can't pay. In the final weeks of the Biden administration, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued new rules banning credit agencies from including medical debt on credit reports, starting in March. KFF Health News senior correspondent Noam Levey joins Ali Rogin to discuss what this means for people carrying medical debt. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

This conversation explores various perspectives on the Ukraine conflict from a Polish viewpoint, the political dynamics surrounding Trump, immigration issues, and the differences in health care systems between Poland and the United States. It delves into the importance of forgiveness and gratitude, the challenges of co-parenting, and the impact of government policies on citizens' lives. The discussion emphasizes the need for personal responsibility and awareness in navigating these complex issues. Takeaways The Polish perspective on the Ukraine conflict is shaped by historical ties and current humanitarian efforts. Many Poles view Trump favorably due to his previous lack of military conflicts during his presidency. Immigration policies in Poland differ significantly from those in the US, impacting national identity and safety. Poland's conservative stance on immigration has contributed to a sense of safety in the country. The healthcare system in the US is criticized for its high costs and inefficiencies compared to Poland. Forgiveness and gratitude are essential for personal well-being and moving forward after adversity. Child custody laws in Poland emphasize joint responsibility, contrasting with the more contentious nature of custody battles in the US. Education systems in Poland rank highly, highlighting the importance of a well-informed populace. Food quality and health standards in Poland are generally higher than in the US, raising concerns about American food practices. Personal responsibility and awareness are crucial in addressing societal issues and fostering change. Chapters 00:00 Poland's Perspective on the Ukraine Conflict 02:52 Views on Donald Trump and Political Dynamics 05:41 Immigration Policies and National Identity 08:37 Social Issues and Public Safety 11:22 Healthcare and Economic Concerns 14:15 Education and Censorship in Schools 16:59 Accountability and Sovereignty 19:50 Health and Nutrition in Poland vs. the US 25:46 Standing Up Against Injustice 28:07 The Impact of Medical Debt on Bankruptcies 29:25 The Flaws in the Medical System 32:36 The Role of Forgiveness in Healing 39:36 Resilience Through Financial Loss 48:39 The Importance of Quality Time with Children Check out the Website for Interactive Activity Guides, Resources, Full Transcripts, all things YDP- ⁠⁠www.youngdadpod.com Clink the Link for YDP Deals (Joon, Forefathers &more)- ⁠https://linktr.ee/youngdadpod Want to be a guest on Young Dad Podcast? Send Jey Young a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/youngdadLastly consider a monetary donation to support the Pod, https://buymeacoffee.com/youngdadpod

Episode 492: Neal and Kyle discuss the major decision from Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg to rollback fact-checking programs across its platforms in an effort to promote “more free speech.” Then, Donald Trump Jr. visits Greenland while his father has expressed interest in buying the island for the US. Next, the CFPB announces a new rule that will bar medical debt being used against your credit report. Plus, Dell is rebranding its PCs by ditching confusing names and going with simple words such as “pro” and “pro max.” Sound familiar? Lastly, the biggest headlines you need to know for the day.  Subscribe to Morning Brew Daily for more of the news you need to start your day. Share the show with a friend, and leave us a review on your favorite podcast app. Checkout public.com/morningbrew for more Listen to Morning Brew Daily Here: https://link.chtbl.com/MBD Watch Morning Brew Daily Here: https://www.youtube.com/@MorningBrewDailyShow All investing involves the risk of loss, including loss of principal. Brokerage services for US-listed, registered securities, options and bonds in a self-directed account are offered by Public Investing, Inc., member FINRA & SIPC. Public Investing offers a High-Yield Cash Account where funds from this account are automatically deposited into partner banks where they earn interest and are eligible for FDIC insurance; Public Investing is not a bank. Cryptocurrency trading services are offered by Bakkt Crypto Solutions, LLC (NMLS ID 1890144), which is licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the NYSDFS. Cryptocurrency is highly speculative, involves a high degree of risk, and has the potential for loss of the entire amount of an investment. Cryptocurrency holdings are not protected by the FDIC or SIPC. APY as of 1/2/25, offered by Public Investing, member FINRA/SIPC. Rate subject to change. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's Headlines: Meta announced it's ending its fact-checking program, replacing it with community notes and undoing limits on political content in feeds. Meanwhile, Dana White, UFC president and Trump ally, joined Meta's board. Judge Aileen Cannon temporarily blocked Special Counsel Jack Smith's report on Trump's classified documents and election interference cases, pending appeal. Trump criticized former President Carter during his press conference and hinted at military action to control the Panama Canal and Greenland. Donald Trump Jr. visited Greenland as a private citizen but received no official meetings, while Greenland reaffirmed it's not for sale. Minneapolis and the DOJ reached a consent decree to implement mandatory police reforms after George Floyd's killing. A new study found fewer than 0.1% of teens receive gender-affirming care, despite 3% identifying as transgender in a recent CDC survey. The Biden administration announced plans to remove medical debt from credit reports and eliminate $15 billion in medical debt, expected to improve credit scores for over 15 million Americans. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: NBC News: Meta is ending its fact-checking program in favor of a 'community notes' system similar to X's WA Post: UFC's Dana White joins Meta board MSNBC: Judge Aileen Cannon temporarily blocks the release of Jack Smith's final report AP News: Takeaways from Trump's Mar-a-Lago press conference AP News: Donald Trump Jr. arrives in Greenland with a message from his dad: 'We're going to treat you well' WA Post: Years after Floyd's death, Minneapolis and DOJ agree to police changes NPR: Few transgender minors receive gender-affirming care medicines, study finds Whitehouse: FACT SHEET: Vice President Harris Announces Final Rule Removing Medical Debt from All Credit Reports | The White House  Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Biden White House has eked out a new initiative on medical debt before President-elect Donald Trump takes over. The rule says unpaid medical bills can't be included in consumers' credit reports. But it may not be around for long. We’ll hear more. And, we’ll add context to President Biden’s ban on offshore oil and gas, and hear a dispatch from the world's largest consumer technology show.

The Biden White House has eked out a new initiative on medical debt before President-elect Donald Trump takes over. The rule says unpaid medical bills can't be included in consumers' credit reports. But it may not be around for long. We’ll hear more. And, we’ll add context to President Biden’s ban on offshore oil and gas, and hear a dispatch from the world's largest consumer technology show.

A new rule finalized by the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau would remove close to $50 billion in medical debt from millions of Americans' medical bills. CFPB director Rohit Chopra explains. And, Minneapolis signed off on a federal agreement to reform the city's police department following the 2020 murder of George Floyd. Rachel Marshall of the John Jay College of Criminal Justice talks about what's in the plan. Then, journalist Jesse Holland joins us to talk about "Captain America: The Shield of Sam Wilson," his new book about the state of the Black superhero universe.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The murder of United HealthCare CEO Brian Thompson has set off shockwaves across America. This week we look at the story's online impact, people mythologizing the alleged killer, its intersection with conspirituality, and the healthcare system in America writ large. Show Notes Jen Gunter on insurance denial for her premature babies' oxygen needs  Exclusive: Luigi's Manifesto - Ken Klippenstein  Savings: Quarter of Americans Have Few, One in 10 Have None | Statista  The Burden of Medical Debt in the United States View of U.S. Healthcare Quality Declines to 24-Year Low MDVIP/Ipsos poll shows Americans are struggling with the healthcare system UnitedHealthcare CEO gunned down in Manhattan sold company stocks just before DOJ probe made public | The Independent  Conservatives Face Backlash From Followers Over UnitedHealthcare Murder - Newsweek  Before fatal subway chokehold, Jordan Neely was on NYC's list of homeless individuals with dire needs | CNN  Kaiser Study on Health Insurance Satisfaction NIH Debunks Myth that 60% of Bankruptcies are Medical in Nature Luigi Mangione's Anger Wasn't Neatly Ideological  Gallup Poll on Health Care Satisfaction Ipsos Poll on Health Care Satisfaction Mental Illness is 13.5 times More Likely In Lone Wolf Shooters  Narcissism, Fame Seeking and Mass Shootings Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Earlier this month, Brian Thompson, CEO of the health insurance company United Healthcare, was murdered in New York City. In the media, there was an outpouring of support for Thompson's family. On social media, there was an outpouring of support for the shooter. Today, guest host Morgan Lavoie talks to award-winning writer Jia Tolentino about how such starkly different reactions took root, what Thompson's death means to America, and whether the health insurance system can change. Read Jia's amazing piece here: https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/what-the-murder-of-the-unitedhealthcare-ceo-brian-thompson-means-to-america Find more of Jia's work here: https://jia.blog/ Resources on navigating medical debt: How to Appeal an Insurance Claim Denial: https://individual.carefirst.com/individuals-families/health-insurance-basics/health-insurance-costs/steps-to-appeal-claim-denial.page How Nicole Negotiated Her Medical Debt: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-nicole-negotiated-medical-debt-listen-and-learn/id1559564016?i=1000677593491 How to Get Your Medical Debt Canceled: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/money-rehab-with-nicole-lapin/id1559564016?i=1000641402548 411 on Hospital Bills and Medical Debt: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/money-rehab-with-nicole-lapin/id1559564016?i=1000541579268

Last year, Nicole had a medical scare... which only got scarier when the bills started rolling in. Today, Nicole shares how she negotiated her medical bills and takes you behind the scenes of a real conversation she had with a medical provider.