Health Care WTF?

There have been many critiques of the U.S. response to the pandemic. Most show that we aren't doing very well. We are currently number one in the world for number of new cases and deaths reported in the last 24 hours (WHO Coronavirus Disease Dashboard, https://covid19.who.int/table) and it doesn't look like things will get better anytime soon.  In this episode, Kristine and Radhika explore whether we could do better under a single-payer, universal, not-for-profit health care system. With a system like this, we could have a more coordinated approach and everyone's health care would be covered. There would be no reason for people not to get tested or seek care. There are 2 bills in congress right now that could give the American people this level of care under the Health Care Emergency Guarantee Act. Kristine and Radhika tell you about Push to Pass: The Health Care Emergency Guarantee Act campaign that's launching on Monday, November 30th at 6:30 pm (MT/UTC-7) on Zoom. This campaign educates and encourages everyone to contact their legislator to support and pass these bills. To register for this Zoom event, visit the Colorado Foundation for Universal Health Care website at https://couniversalhealth.org/latest-news/events/.

Co-host Radhika Nath speaks from firsthand experience about COVID-19 testing and how well it's working to slow the spread of the virus. And, hear why Dr. Kristine says that, right now, wearing a mask is one of the best things we can do to protect ourselves and our vulnerable friends and family from infection. This is real, everyone! Let's all do what we can to conquer the coronavirus!

Kristine and Radhika welcome guest Madhavi Patt, MD to the podcast. Dr. Patt, a Johns Hopkins trained, board-certified internist with more than 17 years of clinical practice experience in adult medicine and preventive care, joins Kristine and Radhika to talk about burnout in the medical profession. Together they will explore answers to these questions. What causes provider burnout? What makes our healthcare providers so susceptible? How does it impact the overall quality of our healthcare? And, what can be done to alleviate it?

Public Health is an integral part of our health care system. While a doctor takes care of people when they are sick, it's the Public Health Department that works to prevent people from getting sick or injured in the first place. Public Health does this by working to prevent the spread of infectious disease, encouraging healthy habits, and setting safety standards for the workplace, among other programs. In this episode, Kristine and Radhika will delve into what a good public health system looks like and why this matters to everyone's health. 

In this episode Kristine and Radhika discuss how systemic racism in our nation's insurance driven, for profit health care system results in poorer health outcomes, lower life expectancy and reduced quality of life for people of color. Reforming our health care system could be the first domino to fall in toppling the racism inherent in other systems as well. Dr. Kristine Hembre (co-chair of El Paso County for Universal Health Care and Life Coach at Med Pro Coaching.com) became interested in Universal Health Care in 2015 after retiring from private practice medical care in Colorado Springs. Kristine’s involvement in the medical care infra-structure and payment system, allows her to speak with honesty and insight. Her stories and grasp of the present health care environment help inform others to make better choices. Radhika Nath (policy expert and a disability rights advocate) has a doctorate in public administration and policy. She has worked in the healthcare sector at the state level and in national and international settings. Her political engagement includes a run for office, serving as the Bernie2020 campaign’s state co-chair, and becoming a member-elect of the Democratic National Committee. She believes in healthcare as a human right and is actively engaged in making that a reality.

Healthcare WTF? co-hosts Dr. Kristine Hembre and Radhika Nath examine and critique three very different COVID-19 related healthcare relief bills working their way through Congress. In this episode they will delve into the facts about The Health Care Emergency Guarantee Act (S.B. 3790 Sanders/Jayapal), Medicare Crisis Program Act (H.R. 6674 Jayapal/Kennedy), and The Worker Health Coverage Protection Act (H.R. 6514 Scott/Dingle). Dr. Kristine Hembre (co-chair of El Paso County for Universal Health Care and Life Coach at Med Pro Coaching.com) became interested in Universal Health Care in 2015 after retiring from private practice medical care in Colorado Springs. Kristine’s involvement in the medical care infra-structure and payment system, allows her to speak with honesty and insight. Her stories and grasp of the present health care environment help inform others to make better choices. Radhika Nath (policy expert and a disability rights advocate) has a doctorate in public administration and policy. She has worked in the healthcare sector at the state level and in national and international settings. Her political engagement includes a run for office, serving as the Bernie2020 campaign’s state co-chair, and becoming a member-elect of the Democratic National Committee. She believes in healthcare as a human right and is actively engaged in making that a reality.