Hey there— our next story is gonna take a little more time to cook, but it is going to be SO worth it.
It involves John Green, author of The Fault in Our Stars — and yes, we've got an interview with him — and a global fight against multi-drug resistant tuberculosis.
... which turns out to be directly related to fights over the prices of drugs like insulin and humira in this country.
Meanwhile, let me recommend a story from ProPublica that's related to a story we did here a few months ago.
You might remember our recent episode about United HealthGroup, and how it's become a behemoth in recent years. That story started with a complaint from a doc in New York.
... who had a lot more tips than I could run down — or fit in one episode — and they weren't all just about United.
ProPublica's Cezary Podkul took the time to verify a big one: About zillions of dollars in fees that docs are paying — dollars that ultimately come out of our pockets — just to get paid.
Oh, and: If you aren't getting our First Aid Kit newsletter, this is a great time to sign up. We've started a series about how to fight with insurance that, unfortunately, a lot of us are gonna need at some point.
We'll be back in a few weeks, with John Green, TB, and the fight over drug prices.
Send your stories and questions. Or call 724 ARM-N-LEG.
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We’re digging into “facility fees.” We need your help.
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Son of Medicare: Attack of the Machines
The Medicare Episode
Wait, is insulin cheaper now?
Self defense 101: Keeping your cool while you fight
One last tip before 2024
When hospitals sue patients (part 2)
When hospitals sue patients (part 1)
To get health insurance, this couple made a movie
“Your Money or Your Life”: Dr. Luke Messac’s book on the history of medical debt
Paging Dr. Glaucomflecken: Presenting “The Nocturnists - Conversations: Will & Kristin Flanary (The Glaucomfleckens)”
John Green vs. Johnson & Johnson (part 2)
John Green vs. Johnson & Johnson (part 1)
How to Get a Surprise Bill on Your Way to the Hospital
Wait, what’s a PBM (and how do they work)?
Credit Card, Please
A ‘payday loan’ from a health care behemoth
Mental health ‘ghost networks’ — and a ghost-buster
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