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Joshua Budhu

@jbudhu.bsky.social

77 followers 40 following 17 posts

Neuro-Oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Health Disparities Researcher

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Joshua Budhu @jbudhu.bsky.social · Jun 21

Father’s Day marked 17 years since my brother died—sedated, shackled, and alone in a hospital bed.
His death wasn’t inevitable. It was systemic.
I share his story, and what it taught me about health, justice, and memory.
Thank you @nejm.org
www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....

My Brother’s Keeper | NEJM

Intubated, chemically sedated, and immobilized, Ravi developed a massive pulmonary embolism and died handcuffed to a hospital bed. He’d been caught in a system that worked against him at every turn.

Joshua Budhu @jbudhu.bsky.social · 21h

Financial toxicity screening helps identify patients in need—but most still struggle to get help.

In our new study, 81% of patients screening positive didn’t receive an intervention, underscoring the need for stronger infrastructure & policy reform.

ascopubs.org/doi/full/10....

Reposted by Joshua Budhu

OncoDaily @oncodaily.bsky.social · 1d

Challenges in Delivering Financial Assistance After Positive Financial Toxicity Screens - Fumiko Ladd Chino

@fumikochino.bsky.social @chaewonhwangmd.bsky.social @jbudhu.bsky.social @bthomphd.bsky.social

oncodaily.com/voices/fumik...

#OncoDaily #Oncology #Cancer #Health #Medicine #MedOnc #MedNews

Fumiko Ladd Chino: Challenges in Delivering Financial Assistance After Positive Financial Toxicity Screens - OncoDaily

Fumiko Ladd Chino: Challenges in Delivering Financial Assistance After Positive Financial Toxicity Screens / Amy Caramore, Amy L. Tin, Andrew J. Vickers,

Joshua Budhu @jbudhu.bsky.social · 4d

Our @nejm.org perspective is now available - in it, we argue for the need for state flexibility in Emergency Medicaid. It's only a tiny percentage of overall Medicaid spending, is cost-effective, and helps sustain our safety net hospitals.

www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....

Emergency Medicaid at Risk — Preserving State Authority and Access to Care | NEJM

States that use federal dollars to provide health care to unauthorized immigrants, beyond narrowly defined emergency services, will now face enforcement actions and potential recoupment of funds.

Reposted by Joshua Budhu

Joshua Budhu @jbudhu.bsky.social · 8d

Emergency Medicaid accounts for <1% of Medicaid spending — yet saves lives & money.
Restricting it ignores evidence, burdens states, and harms communities.

Our latest via @nejm.org
Emergency Medicaid at Risk - Preserving State Authority and Access to Care

www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....

🧵1/6

Emergency Medicaid at Risk — Preserving State Authority and Access to Care | NEJM

States that use federal dollars to provide health care to unauthorized immigrants, beyond narrowly defined emergency services, will now face enforcement actions and potential recoupment of funds.

Joshua Budhu @jbudhu.bsky.social · 8d

@commonwealthfund.org @nejm.org @wschpero.bsky.social @larryau.bsky.social @mskcancercenter.bsky.social

Joshua Budhu @jbudhu.bsky.social · 8d

6/6 🧵 We argue that states should have the flexibility to determine what works best for their populations.
A one-size-fits-all federal approach undermines effective, evidence-based care for immigrant communities — and burdens the hospitals that care for them.

Joshua Budhu @jbudhu.bsky.social · 8d

5/6🧵Unauthorized immigrants contribute billions to the U.S. health system — more than they receive in care.
In 2017 alone, net contributions totaled:
$20.8B to Medicare

$21.3B to Medicaid

$14.7B to private insurance

They are net funders, not burdens.

Joshua Budhu @jbudhu.bsky.social · 8d

4/6 🧵
Emergency Medicaid spending is tiny:
💰 FY2023 = $3.8B, just 0.44% of total Medicaid ($860B). Even at its pandemic peak, it stayed below 1%. Yet it supports hospitals serving millions with no other coverage options.

Joshua Budhu @jbudhu.bsky.social · 8d

3/6 🧵
Emergency Medicaid was designed to reimburse hospitals for federally required emergency care — but some states have expanded coverage to include essential services like dialysis. This flexibility That flexibility has saved lives and reduced costs

Joshua Budhu @jbudhu.bsky.social · 8d

2/6 🧵
In May 2025, CMS issued new guidance warning states that use federal dollars for care to unauthorized immigrants beyond emergencies could face audits and fund recoupment.

This marks a major shift from decades of state flexibility under Emergency Medicaid.

Joshua Budhu @jbudhu.bsky.social · 8d

Emergency Medicaid accounts for <1% of Medicaid spending — yet saves lives & money.
Restricting it ignores evidence, burdens states, and harms communities.

Our latest via @nejm.org
Emergency Medicaid at Risk - Preserving State Authority and Access to Care

www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....

🧵1/6

Emergency Medicaid at Risk — Preserving State Authority and Access to Care | NEJM

States that use federal dollars to provide health care to unauthorized immigrants, beyond narrowly defined emergency services, will now face enforcement actions and potential recoupment of funds.

Reposted by Joshua Budhu

William Schpero @wschpero.bsky.social · 8d

For decades, the narrowly defined Emergency Medicaid (EM) program has reimbursed hospitals for emergency care provided to uninsured, low-income immigrants.

In @nejm.org, we write in defense of state flexibilities in EM, which seem at risk: www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....

cc @chpc-cornell.bsky.social

Emergency Medicaid at Risk — Preserving State Authority and Access to Care | NEJM

States that use federal dollars to provide health care to unauthorized immigrants, beyond narrowly defined emergency services, will now face enforcement actions and potential recoupment of funds.

Reposted by Joshua Budhu

Larry Au @larryau.bsky.social · 10d

Our new NEJM commentary argues on the need to preserve state autonomy for Emergency Medicaid, and the critical role EM plays in supporting undocumented immigrants and safety net hospitals

www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....

Emergency Medicaid at Risk — Preserving State Authority and Access to Care | NEJM

States that use federal dollars to provide health care to unauthorized immigrants, beyond narrowly defined emergency services, will now face enforcement actions and potential recoupment of funds.

Reposted by Joshua Budhu

Diana Cejas, MD, MPH @dianacejasmd.bsky.social · 28d

Honored to share that I am a American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) Inspire Award Recipient!

Congratulations to this incredible group of physicians!

www.amwa-doc.org/news/announc...

Announcement of the 2025 AMWA Inspire Awardees with photos of each recipient. One of the awardees, Diana Cejas, MD, MPH, wears a bright yellow dress and white floral earrings in her photo.

Reposted by Joshua Budhu

Joshua Budhu @jbudhu.bsky.social · Sep 10

Disparities in neurology are not random. They stem from upstream determinants (classism, poverty, environment) & downstream barriers (access, treatment gaps).

Our @natrevneurol.nature.com review maps these drivers & highlights interventions to advance equity.

rdcu.be/eFqGX

Health disparities in neurology

Nature Reviews Neurology - This Review considers the aetiology of health disparities in neurology at an individual, interpersonal, community and societal level, and suggests practical interventions...

Joshua Budhu @jbudhu.bsky.social · Sep 10

Disparities in neurology are not random. They stem from upstream determinants (classism, poverty, environment) & downstream barriers (access, treatment gaps).

Our @natrevneurol.nature.com review maps these drivers & highlights interventions to advance equity.

rdcu.be/eFqGX

Health disparities in neurology

Nature Reviews Neurology - This Review considers the aetiology of health disparities in neurology at an individual, interpersonal, community and societal level, and suggests practical interventions...

Joshua Budhu @jbudhu.bsky.social · Sep 9

Nearly 1 in 3 neurologists in the US trained abroad. Immigrant neurologists fill critical gaps in underserved communities but face visa barriers & uncertainty. Supporting them is essential for equitable neurologic care. My latest in @greenjournal.bsky.social

www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/...

From Many Nations, One Mission—The Importance of Immigrant Neurologists in US Health Care | Neurology

www.neurology.org

Reposted by Joshua Budhu

Joshua Budhu @jbudhu.bsky.social · Aug 31

Immigrant neurologists face uncertainty about visas, careers, and families. They care for some of our most vulnerable patients. Supporting them is both a moral obligation and essential to the future of our field. My viewpoint in @greenjournal.bsky.social

www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/...

From Many Nations, One Mission—The Importance of Immigrant Neurologists in US Health Care | Neurology

www.neurology.org

Joshua Budhu @jbudhu.bsky.social · Aug 31

Immigrant neurologists face uncertainty about visas, careers, and families. They care for some of our most vulnerable patients. Supporting them is both a moral obligation and essential to the future of our field. My viewpoint in @greenjournal.bsky.social

www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/...

From Many Nations, One Mission—The Importance of Immigrant Neurologists in US Health Care | Neurology

www.neurology.org

Reposted by Joshua Budhu

Joshua Budhu @jbudhu.bsky.social · Jun 21

Father’s Day marked 17 years since my brother died—sedated, shackled, and alone in a hospital bed.
His death wasn’t inevitable. It was systemic.
I share his story, and what it taught me about health, justice, and memory.
Thank you @nejm.org
www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....

My Brother’s Keeper | NEJM

Intubated, chemically sedated, and immobilized, Ravi developed a massive pulmonary embolism and died handcuffed to a hospital bed. He’d been caught in a system that worked against him at every turn.

Joshua Budhu @jbudhu.bsky.social · Jun 21

Father’s Day marked 17 years since my brother died—sedated, shackled, and alone in a hospital bed.
His death wasn’t inevitable. It was systemic.
I share his story, and what it taught me about health, justice, and memory.
Thank you @nejm.org
www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....

My Brother’s Keeper | NEJM

Intubated, chemically sedated, and immobilized, Ravi developed a massive pulmonary embolism and died handcuffed to a hospital bed. He’d been caught in a system that worked against him at every turn.

Joshua Budhu @jbudhu.bsky.social · Jun 18

A bit late in sharing, but proud of this piece published in
@pedneurojournal.bsky.social. As DEI efforts face backlash, we argue why neurologists must stay committed to equity for the health of our profession and our patients.

www.pedneur.com/article/S088...

@dianacejasmd.bsky.social

Renewing the Commitment to Diversity in Neurology: Resisting the Backlash

The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected underprivileged and marginalized groups in the United States.1 Although while this disparate impact was unsurprising to health disparities researchers...

www.pedneur.com

Reposted by Joshua Budhu

Nuclear Medicine and Neurooncology (NMN) @nmnsymposium.bsky.social · May 3

Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) 2009-2025: Broad Scope and Implementation - A Progress Report.
academic.oup.com/neuro-oncolo...

Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) 2009-2025: Broad Scope and Implementation - A Progress Report

Abstract. Since its first activities in 2008 and 2009, the Response Assessment in NeuroOncology (RANO) group has given guidance on response assessment, tri

academic.oup.com

Joshua Budhu @jbudhu.bsky.social · Apr 6

So excited for #AANAM 2025! Join us for a session on Neurologic Consultations in Cancer Patients on Sunday, 4/6/25 at 3:30pm!

Joshua Budhu @jbudhu.bsky.social · Dec 10

So excited to see this come out! In this article, we go over how drugs are approved, financial toxicity and the impact on our patients, and the financial implications of vorasidenib

Financial challenges of being on long-term, high-cost medications

academic.oup.com/nop/advance-...

Financial challenges of being on long-term, high-cost medications

Abstract. The isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) inhibitor, vorasidenib, may offer a promising new treatment option for patients with IDH-mutant gliomas. Howev

academic.oup.com