Progressive Voices

This time on Code WACK!

Got health insurance, but still can’t get the care you need? This week, Brenda continues her conversation with Miranda Yaver, PhD, Assistant Professor of Health Policy and Management at the University of Pittsburgh and author of Coverage Denied: How Health Insurers Drive Inequality in the United States.

Yaver calls the maze of denials, delays, paperwork, prior authorizations, and appeals “rationing by inconvenience.” She explains how those barriers can wear patients down, strain physicians and hospitals, and make access to care depend partly on how much time, money, and energy someone has to keep fighting.

They also talk about insurers’ growing use of AI, why appealing a denial is often worth it, and why Yaver says a simpler single-payer system would be easier for patients and providers to navigate.

This is the second 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: http://heal-ca.org/donate

'BradCast' 8/18/2026: Is the Zombie Myth that Repubs are Better than Dems on the Economy Finally Dead? by Progressive Voices

Green News Report 8/18/2026 by Progressive Voices

Is the West Running Out of Water? Las Vegas, Trump & a Congress in Hiding

Lake Powell is approaching record-low territory, the Colorado River crisis is intensifying—and the American West is running out of time. When will our leaders finally treat this like the emergency it is?

Karel examines a frightening New York Times report about the future of Lake Powell and what it could mean for Las Vegas, Lake Mead and millions of people across the West. Could Southern Nevada eventually enforce its annual residential water-use cap? What would a limit of roughly 460 gallons per household per day actually mean for Las Vegas residents?

Then, Karel turns to Washington: Donald Trump’s conduct, questions about his mental fitness, rising prices and the possibility of another unwinnable, open-ended conflict. Are Americans truly stuck waiting for the midterm elections—or does Congress have the power and responsibility to intervene now?

History may not judge congressional Republicans kindly. And one question demands an answer: Where the hell is Mitch McConnell?

Plus, Karel discusses The End of Oak Street—and why its real horror has nothing to do with dinosaurs.

Read the New York Times report:

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/17/climate/lake-powell-record-low-colorado.html

Support The Karel Cast:

https://patreon.com/reallykarel

Watch, like and subscribe:

https://youtube.com/reallykarel

The Karel Cast streams live Monday through Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Pacific and is available through Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Spreaker, TikTok and Instagram.

Karel is a history-making broadcaster and entertainer based in Las Vegas with his service dog, Ember.

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https://youtube.com/live/k7piy4SjPdg

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET. 

Brad is first joined by Alex Lawson, Executive Director of 'Social Security Works.'

The pair discusses the Trump administration's cut to Medicare Part D plans, status updates on the state of Social Security, and internal ideological struggles within the Democratic party.

Then, Brad is joined by Tara Devlin, host of the 'TARABUSTER' podcast.

She and Brad breakdown the departure of Karoline Leavitt as Trump's Press Secretary, the dangerous conditions for sailors aboard the U.S.S. Lincoln, mismanagement of the Iran war, and Trump's indifference to the economic suffering of the American people.

Brad is on the National Journal's panel of political insiders, is an American political analyst for The Times of India TV, and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. Brad also writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.'

You can read his new Substack called, 'The Bannon Ballot Blast,' at www.bradbannon.substack.com.

His handle on BlueSky is @bradbannon.bsky.social.

'BradCast' 8/17/2026: Trump Dismisses Deteriorating Conditions Aboard USS Lincoln Amid Record-Long Deployment by Progressive Voices

Why Americans Defend the Indefensible: Trump, Billionaires & Corporate Power

Why do so many Americans defend corporations, billionaires and political leaders whose actions may work against their own interests?

After discussing how corporate power is damaging everyday life in America, Karel was stunned to see viewers rush to defend the corporations. California remains deeply divided over taxing billionaires. Donald Trump repeatedly crosses boundaries that once seemed politically disqualifying—yet his supporters continue to defend him.

Have we reached a point where no action is beyond defense? And why do people increasingly attack proposed solutions, the people offering them and even their motivations?

Karel also examines America’s literacy crisis. According to the 2023 PIAAC assessment, approximately 56% of U.S. adults ages 16–65 scored at Level 2 or below, while 28% scored in the lowest category. These proficiency levels do not translate directly into school-grade reading levels, but the results still raise serious questions about education, critical thinking, media literacy and political decision-making.

Are powerful interests manipulating an uninformed public—or have Americans become willing participants in their own exploitation?

Support The Karel Cast:

https://patreon.com/reallykarel

Watch, like and subscribe:

https://youtube.com/reallykarel

The Karel Cast streams live Monday through Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Pacific and is available on Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Spreaker, TikTok and Instagram.

Karel is a history-making broadcaster and entertainer based in Las Vegas alongside his service dog, Ember.

#TheKarelCast, #Karel, #DefendingTheIndefensible, #DonaldTrump, #TrumpNews, #TrumpSupporters, #CorporateAmerica, #CorporateGreed, #Billionaires, #TaxTheRich, #WealthInequality, #AmericanPolitics, #USPolitics, #PoliticalCommentary, #PoliticalPodcast, #ProgressivePolitics, #CurrentEvents, #BreakingPolitics, #MediaLiteracy, #AdultLiteracy, #EducationCrisis, #CriticalThinking, #EconomicInequality, #CorporatePower, #Democracy, #AmericanSociety, #PoliticalAnalysis, #SocialCommentary, #LasVegas, #ReallyKarel

https://youtube.com/live/BAkDhg_xY6Y

'BradCast' 8/13/2026: We're Paying an Unspeakable Price for the Cost of DOGE by Progressive Voices

Green News Report 8/13/2026 by Progressive Voices

LGBTQ Rights Worldwide: UN Honors Advocates as Senegal Arrests 72 Men | This Gay Week

LGBTQ rights are making headlines worldwide. Scott Jacobsen of The Good Men Project joins Karel live from Ukraine for a new edition of “This Gay Week,” examining major stories affecting LGBTQ+ people and communities around the globe.

In this episode:

The United Nations honors five people for their extraordinary service.

Senegal arrests 72 men accused under laws targeting same-sex activity.

Long Beach, California, moves ahead with plans for a new Pride-themed float.

Karel and Scott examine more LGBTQ news, human-rights developments and stories from around the world.

Join the conversation in the comments: Where are LGBTQ rights advancing—and where are they most at risk?

Support The Karel Cast at https://patreon.com/reallykarel.

Watch live Monday through Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Pacific. Please like, subscribe and turn on notifications at https://youtube.com/reallykarel.

The Karel Cast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Spreaker, TikTok and Instagram.

Karel is a history-making broadcaster and entertainer based in Las Vegas, alongside his beloved service dog, Ember.

#ThisGayWeek, #LGBTQ, #LGBTQNews, #LGBTQRights, #GayNews, #QueerNews, #HumanRights, #UnitedNations, #UN, #Senegal, #SenegalNews, #Africa, #Ukraine, #UkraineNews, #LongBeach, #LongBeachCA, #CaliforniaNews, #Pride, #PrideNews, #GlobalNews, #WorldNews, #ScottJacobsen, #TheGoodMenProject, #Karel, #TheKarelCast, #ReallyKarel, #GayRights, #Equality, #CivilRights, #LGBTQCommunity

https://youtube.com/live/6yNi6L2kCxU