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Fran Smith

@fransmith.bsky.social
343 followers 192 following 135 posts

Writer, editor, communications consultant, tap dancing wannabe. Obsessed with news, politics & health. Author, “Changing the Way we Die”

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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 17h
Thank you for all you do.
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Aka The Gilded Age
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Totally trust him to self-regulate AI safety.
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Same shit went on when I was a student there 50+ years ago, minus the chat groups. Hats off to the brave student journalists shaming authorities to do their jobs. www.cornellsun.com/article/2026...
cornellsun.com
EDITORIAL | Cornell Won’t, We Will
The Editorial Board demands that Cornell stops protecting the alleged Chi Phi rapists through the University's opaque sexual assault policies.
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Where are the anti-genocide protests?
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Who’s the “we” who will refuse them? The Bezos-owned Post? Ellison’s CNN? Bari?
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
But….Hunter’s laptop!!
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Probably???
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
@aoc.bsky.social egg-freezing posts got me wondering: why do we treat fertility care as a lifestyle choice, - not a medical issue that insurance should cover? @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/ins...
centerforhealthjournalism.org
The Health Divide: AOC’s fertility posts raise a question — who else gets the chance?
Fertility treatments remain out of reach for millions of Americans, particularly Black and Hispanic women.
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
And got criticized by David Axelrod.. WTH?
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Reposted by Fran Smith
Miranda Yaver @mirandayaver.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Now that's a fucking headline. www.newsweek.com/mitch-mcconn...
newsweek.com
Mitch McConnell is getting more paid time off than women who give birth
Senator Mitch McConnell has continued to receive his full salary while being absent from the Senate for medical reasons.
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
The Presidential Fitness Test returns to school this year, even as school budget cuts and $$$$ youth sports make it harder for kids to be active. My latest for @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social. Thanks to Hannah Thompson @npi.ucanr.edu & Chad Killian. centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/ins...
centerforhealthjournalism.org
The Health Divide: We’re testing kids’ fitness after taking away chances to be active
With PE cuts and shrinking recess in many schools, why are we now testing kids on skills we never really taught them?
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Great interview on Fresh Air!
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
lnkd.in/p/ggi8p7Wc
lnkd.in
Research Interrupted: Canceled AHRQ Grants | AcademyHealth | Aaron E. Carroll | 10 comments
When the AHRQ cancellations started, no one was giving the public a clear picture of what was being lost. My team built one. This is research that makes care safer and more affordable. Americans dese...
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Serve some iceberg!
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
As Medicare starts covering GLP-1s for weight loss, state Medicaid programs pull back. How do economics, stigma and bias influence who “deserves” treatment for obesity and who gets shut out? @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/ins...
centerforhealthjournalism.org
The Health Divide: This breakthrough obesity drug is creating a big new health disparity
What happens when an expensive drug that works well for a condition affecting millions of people remains out of reach to many of those who would benefit?
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
A new version of thoughts and prayers.
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
news.gallup.com/poll/710942/...
news.gallup.com
U.S. Adults' Ability to Afford Healthcare at a Five-Year Low
Fewer than half (49%) of Americans can afford needed care and medications, a five-year low. Younger, older and adults with chronic conditions are hit hardest.
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
@uncobgyn.bsky.social
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Reposted by Fran Smith
André Picard @picardonhealth @picardonhealth.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
The Health Divide: Menopause is having a moment, but not all women are benefiting equally, by @fransmith.bsky.social centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/ins... via @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social
centerforhealthjournalism.org
The Health Divide: Menopause is having a moment, but not all women are benefiting equally
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Gonna guess that Mexico didn’t pay.
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
First they came for…
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Appalling. www.nytimes.com/2026/06/05/w...
nytimes.com
Police Remove Diabetes Experts From Conference for Distributing Critique of Trump Administration
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
I’m old enough to have written about AIDS at the beginning. That HIV is raging despite scientific advances in treatment and prevention is an indictment of our systems of care. Hats off to those working to turn the tide. @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/rep...
centerforhealthjournalism.org
The Health Divide: Will pharmacies finally get HIV prevention to the people who need it most?
“There’s a complete mismatch between where we see PrEP clinics, and where we see HIV,” said Natalie Crawford, a researcher at Emory who is leading an initiative to support and train pharmacies in HIV ...
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
Won’t
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Reposted by Fran Smith
Miranda Yaver @mirandayaver.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
I enjoyed chatting with @fransmith.bsky.social of USC's Center for Health Journalism about my book Coverage Denied: How Health Insurers Drive Inequality in the United States. And if our Q&A left you wanting to learn more: www.amazon.com/Coverage-Den... centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/ins...
centerforhealthjournalism.org
Q&A: Health insurers deny care across the board, with few able to fight back
Insurance denials hit many Americans, but marginalized and sicker patients suffer most because appeals are complex, delaying care and widening health inequities.
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Worth asking who is “us.”
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
Let them deliver cake!
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
A huge uncontrolled experiment on low-income people @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/ins...
centerforhealthjournalism.org
The Health Divide: Will SNAP junk food bans make people healthier — or hungrier?
States are restricting SNAP purchases in a largely uncontrolled policy experiment backed by little evidence.
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
Actually, Lauren Sanchez Besos
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 11/04/2026
or Biden’s fault.
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
#NY17 take note. Our Rep endorses Trump’s war and threats to annihilate a country.
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
But the 2nd Amendment….
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
#NY17 take note. But…
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
NYT Pitchbot, whom I love, will never top this.
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
I think it’s distracting from ICE actions, unfortunately.
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Good to see and not to deny the very good things happening… but — cold and snow and people hunkered down??
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Love your colors!
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Guess he read her book after he voted to confirm her.
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
www.mediamatters.org/donald-trump...
mediamatters.org
You can’t celebrate the First Amendment with Donald Trump
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
Voted for someone else’s partner to be whisked away.
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Reposted by Fran Smith
Wajahat Ali @wajali.bsky.social · 21/02/2026
If celebs need Go Fund Me drives to help their family after suffering catastrophic health crises, imagine what the average American must endure? We don't need to live like this... people.com/eric-dane-go...
people.com
Eric Dane’s Friends Launch GoFundMe to Support His 2 Daughters After Late Actor’s Tragic Death at 53
Eric Dane died at age 53, nearly one year after publicly announcing his ALS diagnosis. His friends launched a GoFundMe in the wake of his death to support his two daughters with ex Rebecca Gayheart.
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
Yes, and…. Obliterating the newsroom is the far greater sin. No kind of optics would have made it better.
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 07/02/2026
“Appears to”??
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 07/02/2026
No doubt Susan Collins is concerned. …⤵️
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Reposted by Fran Smith
TrumpsTaxes @trumpstaxes.com · 07/02/2026
February 2025: Susan Collins votes to confirm RFK Jr. as Secretary of HHS. February 2026: Maine has its first case of measles in 7 years. wgme.com/news/local/m...
wgme.com
Maine records first confirmed case of measles since 2019
Maine’s first measles case since 2019 has been confirmed by the Maine CDC as two new outbreaks have been reported nationwide this year.
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 07/02/2026
Totally agree. Shameful and cowardly censorship.
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
When you have to be rich to become a doctor, patients pay a price. My latest for @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/ins...
centerforhealthjournalism.org
The Health Divide: The cost of a medical education is changing who can afford to become a doctor
There’s growing evidence that medicine risks losing talent from poor and working-class, Black and Latino communities. Ultimately, patient care will suffer as a result.
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
It was a shameful display of cowardice.
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Fran Smith @fransmith.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
And the rest of the press corps let it pass…
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