Summary: The recent non-vote defeat of California’s single payer bill, AB 1400, generated much scrutiny, soul-searching, and opining. We offer a survey. Prescriptions range widely:

Summary: We desperately desire single payer in our lifetimes, with its moral clarity, equity, efficiency, and improved health. Yet some of us are older, and

Summary: National child health survey data reveal that underinsurance (lack of continuous and adequate insurance) rose from 31% in 2016 to 34% in 2019 —

Summary: Broad evidence documents an exodus of health care workers from various clinical settings due to COVID-related work stresses and frustration with employers’ responses. The

Summary: A health care journalist describes in detail his fight to get insulin after changing jobs. The story underscores the absurdity and dangers of our

Summary: Medicare’s privatization has two phases. Past: Medicare Advantage, an explicit option for enrollees to join private for-profit capitated health plans, with the promise of

Summary: Excitement in California, the most populous state in the US and very progressive: single payer legislation is forging ahead. AB 1400 passed out of

Summary: Conservative columnist Ross Douthat of the NY Times wrote this week about his shifting views on health insurance. He evolved from supporting a fully

Summary: A new study of all Medicare beneficiaries examined health system factors associated with “low-value care” – medical services that are contra-indicated (shouldn’t be done)

Summary: In the U.S. health care system, primary care is often overlooked by companies and investors in search of profit from more remunerative specialty care.

Summary: The Freedom to Vote Act now facing a filibuster defeat in the US Senate specifies rules to implement fair elections. It is a desperately

Dana Harbor, California, Jan. 11, 2022

By Don McCanne, M.D.

Sandy and I went down to Dana Harbor late this afternoon for our daily walk, my preferred