Nurse Talk

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.