Ben Howell
@howellben.bsky.social
General Internist, Addiction Medicine specialist - faculty SEICHE Center for Health & Justice; Yale Program in Addiction Medicine, Yale School of Medicine. Fan of decarceration & harm reduction & New Haven
https://medicine.yale.edu/profile/benjamin-howell/
https://medicine.yale.edu/profile/benjamin-howell/
Reposted by Ben Howell
This Thanksgiving, countless families will sit down for dinner without their loved ones, as nearly 2 million people are confined behind bars, far away from home.
The harms of mass incarceration are felt by us all.
The harms of mass incarceration are felt by us all.
November 26, 2025 at 3:06 PM
This Thanksgiving, countless families will sit down for dinner without their loved ones, as nearly 2 million people are confined behind bars, far away from home.
The harms of mass incarceration are felt by us all.
The harms of mass incarceration are felt by us all.
Reposted by Ben Howell
"Alberta’s Compassionate Intervention Act — which will allow for the involuntary admission of people who use substances, even when they have[..]capacity to make decisions about their care — lacks sufficient evidence of effectiveness + poses substantial ethical concerns"
www.cmaj.ca/content/197/...
www.cmaj.ca/content/197/...
Involuntary treatment for substance use: application of Kass’ ethical framework to Alberta’s Compassionate Intervention Act
Key points
In Canada, more than 50 000 opioid-related deaths have occurred since September 2024, mostly in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario, where governments are all in various stages of develo...
www.cmaj.ca
November 25, 2025 at 9:40 PM
"Alberta’s Compassionate Intervention Act — which will allow for the involuntary admission of people who use substances, even when they have[..]capacity to make decisions about their care — lacks sufficient evidence of effectiveness + poses substantial ethical concerns"
www.cmaj.ca/content/197/...
www.cmaj.ca/content/197/...
Reposted by Ben Howell
After Biden commuted the sentences of 37 men on federal death row last year, the Trump administration is retaliating by sending them to the supermax. Prisoners are locked in cells smaller than a parking space 22-24 hours a day.
One prisoner told me he fears he won't make it out alive.
My latest:
One prisoner told me he fears he won't make it out alive.
My latest:
Death Row Prisoners Granted Clemency by Biden Brace for "Living Hell" Under Trump - Bolts
Trump officials are retaliating by imposing the harshest conditions in the entire federal prison system, including near total isolation.
boltsmag.org
November 25, 2025 at 4:36 PM
After Biden commuted the sentences of 37 men on federal death row last year, the Trump administration is retaliating by sending them to the supermax. Prisoners are locked in cells smaller than a parking space 22-24 hours a day.
One prisoner told me he fears he won't make it out alive.
My latest:
One prisoner told me he fears he won't make it out alive.
My latest:
Reposted by Ben Howell
As the article highlights, this will hit rural regions the hardest. Red states & red regions of blue states.
Immigrants make up a significant proportion of all the country's doctors. New policies are making it harder and less appealing for foreign-born physicians to come to the U.S. n.pr/4pt2A0r
'Nobody wants to come': What if the U.S. can no longer attract immigrant physicians?
Immigrants make up a significant proportion of all the country's doctors. New policies are making it harder and less appealing for foreign-born physicians to come to the U.S.
n.pr
November 24, 2025 at 11:57 AM
As the article highlights, this will hit rural regions the hardest. Red states & red regions of blue states.
Reposted by Ben Howell
Immigrants make up a significant proportion of all the country's doctors. New policies are making it harder and less appealing for foreign-born physicians to come to the U.S. n.pr/4pt2A0r
'Nobody wants to come': What if the U.S. can no longer attract immigrant physicians?
Immigrants make up a significant proportion of all the country's doctors. New policies are making it harder and less appealing for foreign-born physicians to come to the U.S.
n.pr
November 24, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Immigrants make up a significant proportion of all the country's doctors. New policies are making it harder and less appealing for foreign-born physicians to come to the U.S. n.pr/4pt2A0r
Reposted by Ben Howell
“Making incarcerated people pay for communication has a regressive effect on their well-being, on their improvement in prison, and after they are released,” says Wanda Betram, a spokesperson for the Prison Policy Initiative.
Priced Out of Phone Calls Home
The FCC blocked Biden-era limits on the exorbitant rates and fees charged by prison telecom companies, leaving incarcerated people and their families to fight for state-level reforms.
boltsmag.org
November 22, 2025 at 3:30 PM
“Making incarcerated people pay for communication has a regressive effect on their well-being, on their improvement in prison, and after they are released,” says Wanda Betram, a spokesperson for the Prison Policy Initiative.
Reposted by Ben Howell
But the mingled, mingling threads of life are woven by warp and woof
November 21, 2025 at 11:47 PM
But the mingled, mingling threads of life are woven by warp and woof
Reposted by Ben Howell
NEW: Federal prison workers are jumping ship & heading to ICE for better pay + bonuses. Already BOP lost >1400 people this year, reversing all of 2024’s staffing gains. It’s an unintended consequence of Trump’s push for mass deportations
My 1st for @propublica.org
www.propublica.org/article/ice-...
My 1st for @propublica.org
www.propublica.org/article/ice-...
As Federal Prisons Run Low on Food and Toilet Paper, Corrections Officers Leave in Droves for ICE
Many of the problems the agency is facing now are not new, but staff and prisoners fear an exodus of officers could make life behind bars even worse.
www.propublica.org
November 21, 2025 at 6:38 PM
NEW: Federal prison workers are jumping ship & heading to ICE for better pay + bonuses. Already BOP lost >1400 people this year, reversing all of 2024’s staffing gains. It’s an unintended consequence of Trump’s push for mass deportations
My 1st for @propublica.org
www.propublica.org/article/ice-...
My 1st for @propublica.org
www.propublica.org/article/ice-...
Reposted by Ben Howell
This week was terrible: RFK Jr. put autism/vaccines at center of CDC website; ACIP is about to tank the birth dose of HBV vaccine; loans for public health/nursing degrees just got cut. I cannot express the white hot hatred I have for these people. Get on the phone. Call your representatives.
November 21, 2025 at 10:47 AM
This week was terrible: RFK Jr. put autism/vaccines at center of CDC website; ACIP is about to tank the birth dose of HBV vaccine; loans for public health/nursing degrees just got cut. I cannot express the white hot hatred I have for these people. Get on the phone. Call your representatives.
Reposted by Ben Howell
RFK Jr’s personal life has been in the spotlight this week. (And, look, I’m a human and a journalist — I get it.)
But what I think deserves more scrutiny: his role as a Cabinet secretary overseeing America’s public health system — with vast authority to affect our daily lives.
But what I think deserves more scrutiny: his role as a Cabinet secretary overseeing America’s public health system — with vast authority to affect our daily lives.
November 20, 2025 at 4:36 AM
RFK Jr’s personal life has been in the spotlight this week. (And, look, I’m a human and a journalist — I get it.)
But what I think deserves more scrutiny: his role as a Cabinet secretary overseeing America’s public health system — with vast authority to affect our daily lives.
But what I think deserves more scrutiny: his role as a Cabinet secretary overseeing America’s public health system — with vast authority to affect our daily lives.
Reposted by Ben Howell
The CDC website has been lobotomized. Where it once presented the decades of evidence debunking the false claims of a link between vaccines and autism, that has now been replaced with junk science.
November 20, 2025 at 6:23 PM
The CDC website has been lobotomized. Where it once presented the decades of evidence debunking the false claims of a link between vaccines and autism, that has now been replaced with junk science.
Reposted by Ben Howell
ICYMI: Check out Senator Looney’s interview on WNHH! With Republicans gutting the ACA and jacking up health care costs for thousands of CT families, Senator Looney explains why CT needs to look at a public option.
Looney Pushes Public Option www.newhavenindependent.org/2025/11/18/l...
Looney Pushes Public Option www.newhavenindependent.org/2025/11/18/l...
Looney Pushes Public Option - New Haven Independent
New Haven State Sen. Martin Looney isn't waiting until up to 50,000 people in Connecticut see their health insurance bills skyrocket at year's end.
www.newhavenindependent.org
November 19, 2025 at 3:12 PM
ICYMI: Check out Senator Looney’s interview on WNHH! With Republicans gutting the ACA and jacking up health care costs for thousands of CT families, Senator Looney explains why CT needs to look at a public option.
Looney Pushes Public Option www.newhavenindependent.org/2025/11/18/l...
Looney Pushes Public Option www.newhavenindependent.org/2025/11/18/l...
Reposted by Ben Howell
There are 4 articles on front of NYT on meetings between Trump & Mohammed bin Salman: none of them mention hotel Saudi is gifting Trump in exchange for US military support that they reported on in 1 (completely isolated) article 4 days ago.
100s of articles normalizing Trump >> 1 isolated article.
100s of articles normalizing Trump >> 1 isolated article.
November 19, 2025 at 3:13 PM
There are 4 articles on front of NYT on meetings between Trump & Mohammed bin Salman: none of them mention hotel Saudi is gifting Trump in exchange for US military support that they reported on in 1 (completely isolated) article 4 days ago.
100s of articles normalizing Trump >> 1 isolated article.
100s of articles normalizing Trump >> 1 isolated article.
Reposted by Ben Howell
Going to The Game? #Harvard and #Yale are rivals on the field but off the field, we’re working together with alumni from other schools around the country to defend academic freedom against the Trump administration’s authoritarianism. Come join us. yaledailynews.com/blog/2025/11...
Yale, Harvard alumni hosting tailgate for academic freedom at The Game
Alumni groups Stand Up for Yale and Crimson Courage will host a joint tailgate to gather signatures for a letter they plan to send to their universities’ presidents about protecting academic freedom.
yaledailynews.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Going to The Game? #Harvard and #Yale are rivals on the field but off the field, we’re working together with alumni from other schools around the country to defend academic freedom against the Trump administration’s authoritarianism. Come join us. yaledailynews.com/blog/2025/11...
Reposted by Ben Howell
Then they sat in the shade of a large tree and ate their chocolate ice cream cones together.
November 16, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Then they sat in the shade of a large tree and ate their chocolate ice cream cones together.
Reposted by Ben Howell
The emerging mission in the Caribbean looks less like enhanced interdiction and far more like the early shaping operations for regime-change in Venezuela. Just say no. ICYMI @markhertling.bsky.social: www.thebulwark.com/p/no-venezue...
No, Venezuela Is Not a ‘Small Latin American Country’
And talk of a quick invasion and easy ‘regime change’ is dangerously misleading.
www.thebulwark.com
November 15, 2025 at 11:01 AM
The emerging mission in the Caribbean looks less like enhanced interdiction and far more like the early shaping operations for regime-change in Venezuela. Just say no. ICYMI @markhertling.bsky.social: www.thebulwark.com/p/no-venezue...
Reposted by Ben Howell
This is designed to tank public health & primary care by excluding public health professions, advanced nursing practice, physical & occupational therapy from loans that can cover the cost of education. This is going to make an existing workforce crisis worse.
aspph.org/department-o...
aspph.org/department-o...
Department of Education Proposal Excludes Public Health Degrees from “Professional Degree” Definition
Discover the new results and implications of Dept of Ed consensus regarding professional degree programs and public health education.
aspph.org
November 14, 2025 at 11:23 AM
This is designed to tank public health & primary care by excluding public health professions, advanced nursing practice, physical & occupational therapy from loans that can cover the cost of education. This is going to make an existing workforce crisis worse.
aspph.org/department-o...
aspph.org/department-o...
US citizens often have stories of visits a country w universal health care and get free-at-point-of-service care & now the US is straight up ableist restricting visas for people w non-transmissible chronic diseases due to fear of incurring healthcare costs. 🤦♂️ www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
U.S. visas can be denied for obesity, cancer and diabetes, Rubio says
The Trump administration has directed visa officers to consider obesity and other chronic health conditions when deciding whether to grant visas to immigrants.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 13, 2025 at 10:54 AM
US citizens often have stories of visits a country w universal health care and get free-at-point-of-service care & now the US is straight up ableist restricting visas for people w non-transmissible chronic diseases due to fear of incurring healthcare costs. 🤦♂️ www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Reposted by Ben Howell
Again, maybe what the takeaway we should have from political reporter after political reporter not just getting chummy w ppl like Trump or Epstein (or RFK Jr 👀) but actively running interference for them—either in their coverage or privately—is that its an industry full of ppl that are Bad Actually™️
Fall 2017: Then-NYT reporter literally warning Epstein that someone is "digging around again."
![From:
Thomas Jr., Landon
Sent:
9/27/2017 2:47:47 PM
To:
Subject:
Got another call from Connelly..
Importance:
High
Jeffrey Epstein [jeevacation@gmail.com]
He is digging around again -- not clear if its another book/or expanded paperback version. Was asking me all sorts of questions about why you hired Ken Starr. I told him I had no idea - I think he is doing some Trump-related digging too.
Anyway, for what its worth...
Landon Thomas, Jr.
Financial Reporter
New York Times
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/t/landon_ir thomas/index.h
tml](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:36eqtmzysqf7wsslczw4uxcd/bafkreia6463yzmb2suqn5rbfslvtta667av3ryynaetbsl7x6tniezyawu@jpeg)
November 12, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Again, maybe what the takeaway we should have from political reporter after political reporter not just getting chummy w ppl like Trump or Epstein (or RFK Jr 👀) but actively running interference for them—either in their coverage or privately—is that its an industry full of ppl that are Bad Actually™️
Reposted by Ben Howell
Tylenol and now Advil, too?
FFS, are people just supposed to suffer?
MAGA Answer: Yes.
FFS, are people just supposed to suffer?
MAGA Answer: Yes.
JD Vance calls ibuprofen "useless medication" and implies it's not "necessary, safe and effective."
November 12, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Tylenol and now Advil, too?
FFS, are people just supposed to suffer?
MAGA Answer: Yes.
FFS, are people just supposed to suffer?
MAGA Answer: Yes.
Reposted by Ben Howell
This is why Dems should run on creating mechanisms of accountability especially on corruption.
The Epstein story gets a something that is tearing at the heart of the electorate: elite impunity. The idea that wealthy and powerful people can do terrible things *at scale* and face no consequences for them. Whatever political party actually stops it could rule the country for a generation.
November 12, 2025 at 10:25 PM
This is why Dems should run on creating mechanisms of accountability especially on corruption.
What a crazy thing to say and clearly shows that this *checks notes* father of three kids has never done any sick child care.
JD Vance calls ibuprofen "useless medication" and implies it's not "necessary, safe and effective."
November 12, 2025 at 11:02 PM
What a crazy thing to say and clearly shows that this *checks notes* father of three kids has never done any sick child care.
NSAIDs are like legit an amazing medication. What a bonkers thing to say about especially from someone who saw first hand the ravages of opioid overprescribing.
November 12, 2025 at 10:58 PM
NSAIDs are like legit an amazing medication. What a bonkers thing to say about especially from someone who saw first hand the ravages of opioid overprescribing.
Reposted by Ben Howell
“In Texas, CDC funds to stem a measles outbreak weren’t available until after the crisis had subsided and two children had died. A project to protect Alabamans from raw sewage and hookworm was abandoned…Time-dependent surveys on HIV and maternal mortality were halted…”
Wielding Obscure Budget Tools, Trump’s ‘Reaper’ Vought Sows Turmoil in Public Health - KFF Health News
Through shrouded bureaucratic maneuvers, White House budget director Russell Vought and DOGE have quietly upended outbreak response, HIV treatment, and dementia care in communities across America.
kffhealthnews.org
November 12, 2025 at 1:13 AM
“In Texas, CDC funds to stem a measles outbreak weren’t available until after the crisis had subsided and two children had died. A project to protect Alabamans from raw sewage and hookworm was abandoned…Time-dependent surveys on HIV and maternal mortality were halted…”