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
Pinned
Today, I introduced EIGHT new bills to strengthen Medicare and crack down on the Medicare Advantage companies that are ripping seniors off.
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.
@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...
By passing the NO UPCODE Act, Congress can cut overpayments to Big Insurance by $124 billion every year, and reinvest that in expanding benefits and lowering costs for consumers.
www.legalnewsline.com/legislation-...
www.legalnewsline.com/legislation-...
No UPCODE Act could be part of shutdown solution … and more
Days into the federal government shutdown, health care funding is perhaps the key issue in talks to end the partisan stalemate.
www.legalnewsline.com
October 22, 2025 at 3:15 PM
By passing the NO UPCODE Act, Congress can cut overpayments to Big Insurance by $124 billion every year, and reinvest that in expanding benefits and lowering costs for consumers.
www.legalnewsline.com/legislation-...
www.legalnewsline.com/legislation-...
Dr. Oz has loved the for-profit, privately-run corporate Medicare Advantage plans. But even he knows that Big Insurance is gaming the system and overbilling U.S. taxpayers by $140 billion every year.
www.healthcaredive.com/news/oz-medi...
www.healthcaredive.com/news/oz-medi...
Oz reiterates need to improve Medicare Advantage payment accuracy
The CMS administrator’s comments at an industry event in D.C. on Wednesday reflect the difficult tightrope regulators in the Trump administration walk as they pursue MA reform.
www.healthcaredive.com
October 21, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Dr. Oz has loved the for-profit, privately-run corporate Medicare Advantage plans. But even he knows that Big Insurance is gaming the system and overbilling U.S. taxpayers by $140 billion every year.
www.healthcaredive.com/news/oz-medi...
www.healthcaredive.com/news/oz-medi...
With enrollment season underway, hundreds of millions of Americans are about to see their premiums go up 📈
Tell us what you’re hearing at c4hd.org/ShareMyStory
Tell us what you’re hearing at c4hd.org/ShareMyStory
October 20, 2025 at 4:24 PM
With enrollment season underway, hundreds of millions of Americans are about to see their premiums go up 📈
Tell us what you’re hearing at c4hd.org/ShareMyStory
Tell us what you’re hearing at c4hd.org/ShareMyStory
“Racial minority enrollees in MA suffer from worse clinical outcomes and face barriers accessing best quality care. These disparities stem from factors such as restrictive networks and misaligned financial incentives that fundamentally oppose public health priorities.”
NEW from our allies @pnhp.bsky.social — “No Real Choices: How Medicare Advantage Fails Seniors of Color.”
This new report looks at how for-profit Medicare Advantage plans result in worse health outcomes for communities of color.
Read the report now ➡️ pnhp.org/EquityReport
This new report looks at how for-profit Medicare Advantage plans result in worse health outcomes for communities of color.
Read the report now ➡️ pnhp.org/EquityReport
No Real Choices
pnhp.org
October 15, 2025 at 3:28 PM
“Racial minority enrollees in MA suffer from worse clinical outcomes and face barriers accessing best quality care. These disparities stem from factors such as restrictive networks and misaligned financial incentives that fundamentally oppose public health priorities.”
NEW from our allies @pnhp.bsky.social — “No Real Choices: How Medicare Advantage Fails Seniors of Color.”
This new report looks at how for-profit Medicare Advantage plans result in worse health outcomes for communities of color.
Read the report now ➡️ pnhp.org/EquityReport
This new report looks at how for-profit Medicare Advantage plans result in worse health outcomes for communities of color.
Read the report now ➡️ pnhp.org/EquityReport
No Real Choices
pnhp.org
October 15, 2025 at 3:28 PM
NEW from our allies @pnhp.bsky.social — “No Real Choices: How Medicare Advantage Fails Seniors of Color.”
This new report looks at how for-profit Medicare Advantage plans result in worse health outcomes for communities of color.
Read the report now ➡️ pnhp.org/EquityReport
This new report looks at how for-profit Medicare Advantage plans result in worse health outcomes for communities of color.
Read the report now ➡️ pnhp.org/EquityReport
Join @ctcag.bsky.social for an electrifying movie about a group of young people who take on the broken health care system, followed by a discussion with national and state leaders in health insurance advocacy, including @wendellpotter.bsky.social!
RSVP: actionnetwork.org/events/is-he...
RSVP: actionnetwork.org/events/is-he...
Is Health Insurance Making Us Sick? MIDAS Screening and Discission with Wendell Potter
When: Wednesday, October 15, 6 pm What: Film screening and Panel Discussion Where: CT Legislative Office Building Room 2E Why: Every day, health insurance companies make billions of dollars for exe...
actionnetwork.org
October 13, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Join @ctcag.bsky.social for an electrifying movie about a group of young people who take on the broken health care system, followed by a discussion with national and state leaders in health insurance advocacy, including @wendellpotter.bsky.social!
RSVP: actionnetwork.org/events/is-he...
RSVP: actionnetwork.org/events/is-he...
Today, @merkley.senate.gov, @warren.senate.gov, @repvalhoyle.bsky.social, @pkryan.bsky.social and @jayapal.house.gov introduced The #PatientsOverProfits Act
Here's what you need to know: 🧵
www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-warr...
Here's what you need to know: 🧵
www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-warr...
Merkley, Warren, Hoyle, Ryan, Jayapal Introduce New Bill to Crack Down on Health Insurers Buying up Clinics Across the U.S. - Merkley
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Massachusetts’ U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren teamed up with U.S. Representatives Val Hoyle (OR-04), Pat Ryan (NY-18), and Pramila Jayapal (WA-...
www.merkley.senate.gov
September 17, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Today, @merkley.senate.gov, @warren.senate.gov, @repvalhoyle.bsky.social, @pkryan.bsky.social and @jayapal.house.gov introduced The #PatientsOverProfits Act
Here's what you need to know: 🧵
www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-warr...
Here's what you need to know: 🧵
www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-warr...
Last week, our team hosted a webinar featuring @wendellpotter.bsky.social and Rep @doggett.house.gov to discuss The Sunlight Report — the first-ever analysis of UnitedHealth Group's ~2,700 subsidiaries!
Watch the recording now at c4hd.org/SunlightWebinar and learn more about what we found!
Watch the recording now at c4hd.org/SunlightWebinar and learn more about what we found!
Sunlight Report on UnitedHealth Group Webinar
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
c4hd.org
September 9, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Last week, our team hosted a webinar featuring @wendellpotter.bsky.social and Rep @doggett.house.gov to discuss The Sunlight Report — the first-ever analysis of UnitedHealth Group's ~2,700 subsidiaries!
Watch the recording now at c4hd.org/SunlightWebinar and learn more about what we found!
Watch the recording now at c4hd.org/SunlightWebinar and learn more about what we found!
Tonight is the night! Join CHD President @wendellpotter.bsky.social and Rep. @doggett.house.gov for a webinar to discuss UnitedHealth Group’s strategy to dominate our health care system at the expense of patients and their families. You won’t want to miss this!
Sign up here: c4hd.org/Webinar
Sign up here: c4hd.org/Webinar
September 3, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Tonight is the night! Join CHD President @wendellpotter.bsky.social and Rep. @doggett.house.gov for a webinar to discuss UnitedHealth Group’s strategy to dominate our health care system at the expense of patients and their families. You won’t want to miss this!
Sign up here: c4hd.org/Webinar
Sign up here: c4hd.org/Webinar