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Center for Health & Democracy

@cforhd.bsky.social
74 followers 81 following 198 posts

The Center for Health & Democracy (CHD), led by Wendell Potter, seeks to build power and consensus on the need to expand healthcare coverage to all Americans

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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
The Keep Medicare Costs Down Act (HR 6112) would require Big Insurance to charge the government as much — or less — for each beneficiary as we spend on Traditional Medicare. Passing this bill would reduce corporate handouts + invest in guaranteeing quality health care for everyone on Medicare!
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
Medicare Part B premiums will be more than $200 / month for the first time ever in 2026 — largely because Big Insurance is gaming the system with their Medicare Advantage plans. The more profit they extract from the Medicare trust fund, the more we have to charge seniors for Part B premiums.
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
When Big Insurance refuses to pay for the care that they previously approved, hospitals get bogged down with administration and patients suffer.
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
Yet another major hospital system is expected to go out of network with one of the largest Medicare Advantage insurers in the country. www.montrosepress.com/free_access/...
montrosepress.com
Hospital dropping Humana Medicare Advantage; offers patient resources
Montrose Regional Health (MRH) will end its contract with Humana Medicare Advantage plans effective Jan. 1, 2026. The change will make MRH an out-of-network provider for patients covered by Humana
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
Unlike Traditional Medicare, insurance corporations offering Medicare Advantage often delay and deny care that patients need. The Disclose Your Denials Act (HR 6111) would require these companies to include their denial rates in advertising, ensuring that enrollees know what they’re signing up for.
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
@ilhanmn.bsky.social @debbiedingell.house.gov and @repcasar.bsky.social for supporting this bill!
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
Thank you @pocan.house.gov @carson.house.gov @repcohen.bsky.social @delauro.house.gov @doggett.house.gov @jayapal.house.gov @khanna.house.gov @eleanornorton.bsky.social @ocasio-cortez.house.gov @schakowsky.house.gov @repmarktakano.bsky.social @thanedar.house.gov...
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
When a person enrolls in a Medicare Advantage plan, it’s nearly impossible to know if their doctor will be in-network. The Find My Doctor Act (HR 6115) requires CMS to fix that problem by creating a nationwide online directory, making it easier for seniors to keep their doctor.
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
As 2026 draws nearer, patients and providers brace for a big — and bad — change to Traditional Medicare. Prior authorization results in unnecessary delays and denials of care, and has no place in our cherished Medicare program. stateline.org/2025/12/04/m...
stateline.org
Medicare’s new AI experiment sparks alarm among doctors, lawmakers • Stateline
A Medicare pilot program will allow private companies to use artificial intelligence to review older Americans’ requests for certain medical care — and will reward the companies when they deny it.
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
@repmarktakano.bsky.social @thanedar.house.gov @repjuliejohnson.bsky.social @mcbride.house.gov @ilhanmn.bsky.social @debbiedingell.house.gov @repcasar.bsky.social
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
Thank you to the initial list of cosponsors for joining @pocan.house.gov on this bill! @carson.house.gov @repcohen.bsky.social @delauro.house.gov @doggett.house.gov @jayapal.house.gov @khanna.house.gov @eleanornorton.bsky.social @ocasio-cortez.house.gov @schakowsky.house.gov...
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
The Denials Don’t Pay Act would require HHS to cancel Medicare Advantage contracts with any insurance corporation that has over 25% of its prior authorization appeals reversed. This bill would make major changes in how for-profit insurers game the system at the expense of patients and consumers!
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
“We all pay a price when we restrict access to care for those who need it. When I talk about costs, I am not only referring to the dollars lost, but the impact on families, communities and society – those who become disabled or die prematurely because they couldn’t get routine care.”
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
Earlier this month, Dr. Claudia Fegan, National Coordinate with our allies @pnhp.bsky.social, testified before the Senate HELP Committee to highlight the impact of growing health care costs on working families. www.ntd.com/live-now-sen...
ntd.com
Senate HELP Committee Holds Hearing on Making Health Care Affordable Again
The Senate HELP Committee holds a hearing on making health care affordable again.
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
"As prescription drug prices in the United States continue to spiral out of control, forcing families to choose between the medication they need and putting food on the table, Big Insurance’s pharmacy benefit manager subsidiaries are profiting handsomely.”
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
@repauchincloss.bsky.social's ACA Copay Cost and Affordability for Patients Act "will provide life-saving financial relief to millions of families,” per @wendellpotter.bsky.social franklinobserver.town.news/g/franklin-t...
franklinobserver.town.news
Cong Auchincloss Offers Health Cost Measure | Franklin Observer
Would limit annual prescription drug cost-sharing for patients in health insurance plans through the ACA Marketplaces
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
@wendellpotter.bsky.social joined @jayapal.house.gov's Podcast ‘The Power You Have’ to talk about the ways Big Insurance is working to jack up costs and cut health care benefits, and how we can fight back! Listen now on Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com
Medicare For All (Part 1) — The Broken System with Wendell Potter | #12
Podcast Episode · The Power You Have with Pramila Jayapal · 12/05/2025 · 48m
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
Listen now to Part 2 of Dr. Madley's conversation about the lack of transparency in health care on Planet Seniors! Big Insurance must be held accountable for extracting profit at the expense of patients. radiokingston.org/en/broadcast...
radiokingston.org
Indivisible Ulster NY & The Center for Health and Democracy - Radio Kingston
In today's show, we have: Indivisible Ulster NY & The Center for Health and Democracy In the first part, I welcome back Carla Fjeld from Indivisible Ulster and Dr. Rachel Medley from the Center for H...
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
Real Medicare allows patients to go to virtually any doctor or hospital in the country. Medicare “Advantage” plans limit what doctors you can see — and unfortunately, figuring out which doctors are in-network is no simple task. www.medicarerights.org/medicare-wat...
medicarerights.org
Harm to Medicare Advantage Enrollees From Directory Errors and Inadequate Networks - Medicare Rights Center
Two important developments reveal continuing issues with provider directories and Medicare Advantage (MA) networks. Some Directory Information Now on Plan Finder Last month, we noted important changes...
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 24/11/2025
As Big Insurance works to squeeze as much profit as possible out of Medicare Advantage, fewer plans offer in-home services that are essential for recovering at home rather than in a skilled nursing facility. #CareCantWait! homehealthcarenews.com/2025/10/fewe...
homehealthcarenews.com
Fewer Medicare Advantage Plans Offer In-Home Supports
Despite increasing Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollment growth, the plans offering in-home support services decreased between 2024 and 2025. That was one
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
"Insurance companies benefit from medical inflation. They just jack up their premiums enough to cover the additional cost and guarantee them a tidy profit." ~@wendellpotter.bsky.social w/ @moreperfectunion.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9ri...
youtube.com
Your health insurance premiums are going up. Here’s who’s profiting.
YouTube video by More Perfect Union
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
Huge news in the fight against Big Insurance — @pocan.house.gov just introduced 8 bills to hold greedy corporations accountable for delays, denials and overpayments in Medicare Advantage! Stay tuned for more updates in the fight to #ReclaimMedicare.
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Reposted by Center for Health & Democracy
Health Care Voices @healthcarevoices.org · 18/11/2025
The increasing use of pre authorization in private health insurance plans, including Medicare Advantage, is a growing concern for patients.  Learn more from Rachel Madley at the Center for Health & Democracy: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCdx...
youtube.com
Why Are Insurance Plans Delaying Your Care?
YouTube video by Health Care Voices
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
Tune in 🔊 CHD’s Dr. Rachel Madley discusses the #PatientsOverProfits Act on Radio Kingston's Planet Seniors! This bill would break up big vertically integrated health care corporations and protect patients from corporate greed! www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUhe...
youtube.com
Planet Seniors: Patients Over Profit
YouTube video by IndivisibleUlster - NY18 & 19
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
“Federal Government Shutdown Exposes Crisis in Long Failing U.S. Healthcare System” w/ @wendellpotter.bsky.social “The people are going to be getting notices from their insurance companies if they get coverage in the ACA marketplaces. Big, big, big increases” btlonline.org/federal-gove...
btlonline.org
Federal Government Shutdown Exposes Crisis in Long Failing U.S. Healthcare System
Wendell Potter, a former health insurance industry executive turned whistleblower, who links the current federal government shutdown to America’s long failing healthcare system.
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 10/11/2025
A new poll from @familiesusa.bsky.social shows that health care affordability is the # 1 issue on voters' minds heading into 2026. Big Insurance is making a huge profit while working people struggle to get by. familiesusa.org/press-releas...
familiesusa.org
NEW POLL: Crushing Health Care Costs Top Priority for Voters - Families USA
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Families USA is releasing a new poll conducted by Hart Research Associates showing that lowering health care costs is the top priority for American voters across party lines,
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
Not only will work requirements result in millions of people losing their coverage due to faulty eligibility checks — it also creates a new opportunity for big corporations to profit from our health care system in new and unnecessary ways. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/h...
nytimes.com
‘A Big Positive’: How One Company Plans to Profit From Medicaid Cuts
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
For the first time in many years, Medicare Advantage enrollment is expected to decrease. While consumers may be increasingly aware of the drawbacks of these so-called Advantage plans, rising costs and worse benefits are also likely contributing to lower enrollment. www.cnbc.com/2025/09/29/c...
cnbc.com
Medicare Advantage enrollment expected to fall in 2026 as insurers cut back on unprofitable plans
CMS sees Medicare Advantage enrollment falling in 2026, as insurers facing lower profits cut back on unprofitable plans
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 30/10/2025
Check out CHD Director of Policy & Advocacy Dr. Rachel Madley on @codewack.bsky.social! If you’ve ever worried about losing coverage, struggled with medical costs, or want to understand how we can build a fairer system — this episode is for you. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c...
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
It might sound wonky, but when corporate insurers game the Medical Loss Ratio, the result is higher costs for consumers and bigger profits for CEOs and shareholders. By paying a subsidiary that the insurance company owns, they are able to hide their profits as money spent on providing care.
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
“How Insurers That Own Providers Can Game The Medical Loss Ratio Rules“ ~Health Affairs “The recently released Sunlight Report on UnitedHealth Group shows that it grew more than 10 times its size over the past decade.” www.healthaffairs.org/content/fore...
healthaffairs.org
How Insurers That Own Providers Can Game The Medical Loss Ratio Rules | Health Affairs Forefront
As states pursue policies to slow cost growth, they must apply greater scrutiny of vertical integration arrangements—especially around internal financial transactions between affiliated entities.
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
By passing the NO UPCODE Act, Congress can cut overpayments to Big Insurance by $124 billion every year, and reinvest that in expanding benefits and lowering costs for consumers. www.legalnewsline.com/legislation-...
legalnewsline.com
No UPCODE Act could be part of shutdown solution … and more
Days into the federal government shutdown, health care funding is perhaps the key issue in talks to end the partisan stalemate.
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
Dr. Oz has loved the for-profit, privately-run corporate Medicare Advantage plans. But even he knows that Big Insurance is gaming the system and overbilling U.S. taxpayers by $140 billion every year. www.healthcaredive.com/news/oz-medi...
healthcaredive.com
Oz reiterates need to improve Medicare Advantage payment accuracy
The CMS administrator’s comments at an industry event in D.C. on Wednesday reflect the difficult tightrope regulators in the Trump administration walk as they pursue MA reform.
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 20/10/2025
With enrollment season underway, hundreds of millions of Americans are about to see their premiums go up 📈 Tell us what you’re hearing at c4hd.org/ShareMyStory
Image that reads: “I’ve worked for the same company for 26 years. We’ve had the same health plan provider the entire time. We’ve already been notified we will be changing carriers due to the steep increases in premiums. While our company is switching to help, they’ve still indicated premiums will be going up. They’ve gone up every single one of my 26 years. I have chronic illness so my out of pocket costs are higher than my mortgage.”
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
“Racial minority enrollees in MA suffer from worse clinical outcomes and face barriers accessing best quality care. These disparities stem from factors such as restrictive networks and misaligned financial incentives that fundamentally oppose public health priorities.”
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
NEW from our allies @pnhp.bsky.social — “No Real Choices: How Medicare Advantage Fails Seniors of Color.” This new report looks at how for-profit Medicare Advantage plans result in worse health outcomes for communities of color. Read the report now ➡️ pnhp.org/EquityReport
pnhp.org
No Real Choices
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 13/10/2025
Join @ctcag.bsky.social for an electrifying movie about a group of young people who take on the broken health care system, followed by a discussion with national and state leaders in health insurance advocacy, including @wendellpotter.bsky.social! RSVP: actionnetwork.org/events/is-he...
actionnetwork.org
Is Health Insurance Making Us Sick? MIDAS Screening and Discission with Wendell Potter
When: Wednesday, October 15, 6 pm What: Film screening and Panel Discussion Where: CT Legislative Office Building Room 2E Why: Every day, health insurance companies make billions of dollars for exe...
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
At a moment when patients and consumers are facing 20% premium increases, more and more prior authorizations and denials, increasingly narrow networks, it's time for Congress to take action and clamp down on corporate greed in health care!
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
If you are someone who has been directly impacted by our broken, for-profit health care system, share your story with our team at c4hd.org/ShareMyStory — our advocacy team will get in touch to talk with you about your experiences!
c4hd.org
New/Mode | Make your voice impossible to ignore
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
Now, it's time for grassroots voices across the country to encourage elected officials from both parties to sign on as cosponsors and support the bill. Got to c4hd.org/CallCongress to use our easy-to-use call tool to call your representative and both of your senators today!
c4hd.org
New/Mode | Make your voice impossible to ignore
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
If your organization is interested in learning more and sponsoring the bill, please DM us!
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
CHD is proud to support this bill alongside @econliberties.bsky.social, @labor4singlepayer.bsky.social, @moveon.org, @pnhpnymetro.bsky.social, @publiccitizen.bsky.social, @socialsecurityworks.org, JustCare USA, Health Care for America NOW, and Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action.
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
In addition to Senators Merkley and Warren, and Representatives Hoyle, Ryan and Jayapal, the #PatientsOverProfits Act is cosponsored by @markey.senate.gov and @ocasio-cortez.house.gov
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
This bill will provide an urgently needed major fix to our for-profit health care system, and ensure providers can care for patients without the influence of greedy insurance corporations.
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
Now, it's time for Congress to take bipartisan action to protect patients from monopolization and profiteering in the health care system.
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
In our recent webinar, CHD's Director of Policy & Advocacy Dr. Rachel Madley walked through a patient's journey through the U.S. health care system, highlighting all of the ways in which corporations like UnitedHealth Group impact your health care from cradle to grave. c4hd.org/SunlightWebinar
c4hd.org
Sunlight Report on UnitedHealth Group Webinar
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
Just today, John Hopkins Medicine announced that they would not stay in network with UnitedHealth. When United owns 90,000 doctor offices, they have more leverage against hospital systems and provider networks that are not under their control. www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/ne...
cbsnews.com
Johns Hopkins says UnitedHealthcare negotiations are over without return to in-network coverage
Johns Hopkins Medicine and UnitedHealthcare have ended contract negotiations, leaving thousands of patients without in-network health insurance, according to a letter reviewed by our media partner, Th...
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
Not only does this vertical integration result in more profits for United, but it means more control over the health care system.
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
As shown in our Sunlight Report, the first-of-its-kind analysis of UnitedHealth Group's ~2,700 subsidiaries, Optum now owns or has close contractual ties with 1 in 10 doctors across the country. sunlightreportinsurance.com
sunlightreportinsurance.com
The Sunlight Report on UnitedHealth Group
The Sunlight Report on UnitedHealth Group is a first-of-its-kind look at the nearly 2,700 mergers, acquisitions and subsidiaries that make up UnitedHealth Group, the largest health care conglomerate i...
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Center for Health & Democracy @cforhd.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
When UnitedHealth's subsidiary Optum purchased the Corvallis Clinic in Oregon, they fired dozens of physicians, leaving thousands of patients without the ability to see a doctor.
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