Center for Health & Democracy
@cforhd.bsky.social
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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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!
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!
December 16, 2025 at 10:04 PM
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!
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.
December 16, 2025 at 10:02 PM
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.
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/...
www.montrosepress.com/free_access/...
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
www.montrosepress.com
December 16, 2025 at 10:00 PM
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/...
www.montrosepress.com/free_access/...
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.
December 15, 2025 at 8:04 PM
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.
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.
December 11, 2025 at 6:00 PM
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.
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/2025/12/04/m...
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.
stateline.org
December 11, 2025 at 5:50 PM
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/2025/12/04/m...
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!
December 10, 2025 at 5:44 PM
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!
“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.”
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...
www.ntd.com/live-now-sen...
Senate HELP Committee Holds Hearing on Making Health Care Affordable Again
The Senate HELP Committee holds a hearing on making health care affordable again.
www.ntd.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:34 PM
“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.”
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...
www.ntd.com/live-now-sen...
Senate HELP Committee Holds Hearing on Making Health Care Affordable Again
The Senate HELP Committee holds a hearing on making health care affordable again.
www.ntd.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:33 PM
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...
www.ntd.com/live-now-sen...
@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/g/franklin-t...
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
franklinobserver.town.news
December 9, 2025 at 8:27 PM
@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/g/franklin-t...
@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...
Listen now on Apple Podcasts:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
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
podcasts.apple.com
December 8, 2025 at 6:29 PM
@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...
Listen now on Apple Podcasts:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
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/en/broadcast...
December 4, 2025 at 7:13 PM
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/en/broadcast...
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...
www.medicarerights.org/medicare-wat...
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...
www.medicarerights.org
December 2, 2025 at 6:38 PM
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...
www.medicarerights.org/medicare-wat...
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/2025/10/fewe...
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
homehealthcarenews.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:00 PM
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/2025/10/fewe...
"Insurance companies benefit from medical inflation. They just jack up their premiums enough to cover the additional cost and guarantee them a tidy profit." [email protected] w/ @moreperfectunion.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9ri...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9ri...
Your health insurance premiums are going up. Here’s who’s profiting.
YouTube video by More Perfect Union
www.youtube.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:25 PM
"Insurance companies benefit from medical inflation. They just jack up their premiums enough to cover the additional cost and guarantee them a tidy profit." [email protected] w/ @moreperfectunion.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9ri...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9ri...
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.
Today, I introduced EIGHT new bills to strengthen Medicare and crack down on the Medicare Advantage companies that are ripping seniors off.
November 20, 2025 at 8:15 PM
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.
Reposted by Center for Health & Democracy
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...
Learn more from Rachel Madley at the Center for Health & Democracy: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCdx...
Why Are Insurance Plans Delaying Your Care?
YouTube video by Health Care Voices
youtube.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:52 PM
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...
Learn more from Rachel Madley at the Center for Health & Democracy: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCdx...
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...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUhe...
Planet Seniors: Patients Over Profit
YouTube video by IndivisibleUlster - NY18 & 19
www.youtube.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:34 PM
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...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUhe...
“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...
“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...
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.
btlonline.org
November 12, 2025 at 5:19 PM
“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...
“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...
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/press-releas...
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,
familiesusa.org
November 10, 2025 at 6:03 PM
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/press-releas...
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...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/h...
‘A Big Positive’: How One Company Plans to Profit From Medicaid Cuts
www.nytimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:04 PM
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...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/h...
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...
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...
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
www.cnbc.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:30 PM
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...
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...
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...
October 30, 2025 at 3:10 PM
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...
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.
By paying a subsidiary that the insurance company owns, they are able to hide their profits as money spent on providing care.
“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...
“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...
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.
www.healthaffairs.org
October 24, 2025 at 4:49 PM
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.
By paying a subsidiary that the insurance company owns, they are able to hide their profits as money spent on providing care.
“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...
“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...
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.
www.healthaffairs.org
October 23, 2025 at 6:37 PM
“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...
“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...