Summary: President Biden yesterday gave a critically important speech on the need to fight MAGA Republican efforts to destroy US democracy. Our health care system is
The McCanne Health Justice Monitor is produced by a team of health policy experts and single-payer champions. For more information, and a complete archive of entries, visit the HJM website. For an archive of Quote of the Day entries from Dr. Don McCanne, click here.
Falling U.S. Longevity Largely Due to Health Insurance Failings
Summary: In a sad echo of 2020, US longevity again fell in 2021 – from 77 to 76 years. Two proximate causes – COVID and chronic
Private Equity Hollowing Out Nursing Home Care
Summary: Private equity sees large financial returns in the nursing home business, and is willing to maximize that profit by cutting services at the expense of
The Financial Fallout of Chronic Illness
Summary: A new study finds that privately-insured individuals with chronic illness are far more likely to have medical debt that is delinquent or in collections, and
Taiwan: “Economic Dynamism” Paired with Single Payer
Summary: Recently House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi led a delegation to Taiwan, affirming US support for the country’s continued independence as China stridently pursues reunification.
Amazon Pursues Profitable Medical Care Role
Summary: Amazon just entered the medical provider business, buying a large medical firm. Their goal: to make money by finding insured, well-off, and inexpensive patients. It’s
Price Transparency (Alone) Is Not Enough
Summary: The New York Times recently posted a wonderfully produced video op-ed bemoaning hospitals’ failure to abide by federal price transparency rules. But price transparency is
Racism in the Inflation Reduction Act: No Medicaid Expansion
Summary: As noted in HJM yesterday, the IRA contains historic advances, including first-ever drug cost controls. Unfortunately, it also perpetuates historic injustices inflicted on people of
Medicare Drug Features in the Inflation Reduction Act: Hints of Single Payer
Summary: The Inflation Reduction Act, the scaled-down version of “Building Back Better” now headed for presidential signature, has large health insurance provisions. These include multiple first-ever
AMA President-Elect Must Engage with Single Payer
Summary: The newly elected president of the American Medical Association is an accomplished physician, both civilian and military, a philanthropic leader, and a gay parent. He
Social Democracy vs. No Democracy
Summary: Western Europe and other wealthy countries are thriving with social democracy. The US is struggling with social problems and threats to our democratic integrity. A
British Columbia Reaffirms Canadian Single Payer
Summary: Canada’s “Medicare” financing system is a leading example for the US of what single payer can accomplish. Yet there are recurring challenges to the law
