Health Justice Monitor (HJM)

HJM is a progressive health policy blog. We bring you important policy news and our interpretation, all in pursuit of health justice.

[Health Justice Monitor (HJM) @HJMSinglePayer]

MAGA Mike Johnson Explores Medicare for All, says that universal public insurance works well in countries with robust market economies and even conservative governments.

https://t.co/a1kmnMZhro

[Health Justice Monitor (HJM) @HJMSinglePayer]

A bold solution for US health care financing, its 10 key advantages described. Read more here: https://t.co/ynblGgBZyn

[Health Justice Monitor (HJM) @HJMSinglePayer]

Medicare Advantage patients w/cancer have worse outcomes than those with Traditional Medicare: https://t.co/NakZYS7OSa

The takeaway? Controlling health care costs should not compromise patient well-being. Single payer saves $ and ⬆️ health.

More here: https://t.co/Pgr5pTZR1W

[Health Justice Monitor (HJM) @HJMSinglePayer]

A (belated) Halloween display from the HJM family

[Health Justice Monitor (HJM) @HJMSinglePayer]

Both the looming reversal of Roe v. Wade & the dysfunction of our health system – with extravagant costs & excess deaths – represents the ascendancy of a minority in the U.S.

Read more about how health reform may treat our democratic malaise: https://t.co/3rT1LaU8MK

[Health Justice Monitor (HJM) @HJMSinglePayer]

If only… Happy April Fool’s Day

Read more: https://t.co/VFZvJcaeKd

[Health Justice Monitor (HJM) @HJMSinglePayer]

Today the trade group America’s Health Insurance Plans announced that its members – scores of health insurers – voted to “disintermediate.” They will no longer play an intermediary role between insurance purchasers and healthcare providers.

[Health Justice Monitor (HJM) @HJMSinglePayer]

“We can now look forward to settling on the details of the successor financing system – efficient, equitable, and health-maximizing single payer.” -Jim Kahn

[Health Justice Monitor (HJM) @HJMSinglePayer]

As the COVID pandemic subsides, a tiny but vocal group of doctors is arguing to end precautions for kids.

The group's claims rely on dubious science and their effects will disproportionately impact communities of color.

Read more from @gregggonsalves: https://t.co/ves5HsSlb0

[Health Justice Monitor (HJM) @HJMSinglePayer]

Providing access to health care with no financial barriers is love - of fellow human beings.

Single payer saves $ by eliminating profits & admin waste. Thus, it's free, even w/added services like long-term care.

Ergo, single payer is free love.

Happy Valentine's Day from HJM!

[Health Justice Monitor (HJM) @HJMSinglePayer]

A @Health_Affairs blog argues that we need advocacy to achieve health justice. This includes #M4All.

"If we want health equity to be more than an aspiration... advocacy must be taught... as a core skillset for graduation from schools of public health."

https://t.co/yN3Yeqo9yH

[Health Justice Monitor (HJM) @HJMSinglePayer]

COVID-related work stressed have led to an exodus of health care workers.

@allisonkhoffman writes, "...If organizing efforts gain steam... the pandemic could produce a long-overdue power reshuffling toward low-wage health care workers."

Read more: https://t.co/MinzTUjVKO

[Health Justice Monitor (HJM) @HJMSinglePayer]

Medicare’s privatization is underway with Direct Contracting Entities - a subterfuge to place traditional Medicare enrollees into private-for-profit capitated health “entities”.

We must protect traditional Medicare.

Learn more: https://t.co/aNx3hJ4n9F & https://t.co/VMUKDxEaif

[Physicians for a National Health Program @PNHP]

Dr. Jim Kahn: “AB 1400, known as CalCare, is an excellent #SinglePayer bill, with leadership from @CalNurses. Passage of this version will be a huge step forward, if not quite the final step.”

https://t.co/mg8OJg85re via @HealthJustMon

[Health Justice Monitor (HJM) @HJMSinglePayer]

AB 1400 - California's Single Payer bill - passed out of committee and is headed to the Assembly floor for a vote.

This is a huge step towards creating a comprehensive, single payer system in the state.

Advocacy will be critical.

Learn more here: https://t.co/ut7uhCPSwA

[Health Justice Monitor (HJM) @HJMSinglePayer]

We need fewer investors and more primary care providers!

Read more from Jim Kahn here: https://t.co/85Dgs60g3V

[Health Justice Monitor (HJM) @HJMSinglePayer]

A new study of Medicare beneficiaries found that investor ownership was linked with more low-value.

"Low-value care” = medical services that shouldn’t be done because harms outweigh benefits.

Higher primary care physician presence was associated with LESS low-value care.

[Health Justice Monitor (HJM) @HJMSinglePayer]

Corporate profiteering is not the solution to the problem of access to primary care in America.

Rather, "It is anathema to delivering equitable high-quality health care." @eagankemp

Instead, we need to remove barriers to care thru #M4All.

Read more: https://t.co/Tn83aTUaIu

[Health Justice Monitor (HJM) @HJMSinglePayer]

Overall, single payer reduces costs for the vast majority of families, while providing guaranteed health care.

More from Jim Kahn and Don McCanne on the HJM blog: https://t.co/HuuHtwQIUG

[Health Justice Monitor (HJM) @HJMSinglePayer]

Last week saw the release of a tax plan to finance California’s single payer legislation, AB 1400.

It was immediately attacked as a tax increase of $12,250 per family.

But single payer would actually be cost-savings for typical families. Let's look at the math ⬇️

[Health Justice Monitor (HJM) @HJMSinglePayer]

And … the actual tax increase for a middle-class family would be way less than the $12,250 average. That’s because the tax plan relies on a very progressive income tax, $750 at $150,000 and really kicking in above $1 million in annual income.