Christian Morales
@cmorales.xyz
I research social policy, economic security, health, and ethics. I'll probably talk your ear off about NYC politics but will mostly post about whatever I am currently reading or watching. Opinions expressed are my own.
Ok, real talk, Oscar the Grouch is relatively cheerful. Not someone that I would think needs to be stylized as “the Grouch”.
December 20, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Ok, real talk, Oscar the Grouch is relatively cheerful. Not someone that I would think needs to be stylized as “the Grouch”.
Reposted by Christian Morales
I do not regret to inform you that Mamdani has been burden-pilled
Zohran Mamdani explains that thousands and thousands of New Yorkers are already eligible for free and reduce public transportation, but because of the bureaucratic hurdles they never get enrolled in the program.
That's why he wants to just make the bus free.
That's why he wants to just make the bus free.
December 18, 2025 at 8:40 PM
I do not regret to inform you that Mamdani has been burden-pilled
I’m just going to leave this here… www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/...
Use Of Independent Medical Review: Almost One-Half Of Coverage Denials Overturned | Health Affairs Journal
Independent medical review is an important, underused source of data to illuminate the insurance coverage landscape. During the period 2019–23, almost one-half of health plan coverage denials that wer...
www.healthaffairs.org
December 13, 2025 at 4:43 PM
I’m just going to leave this here… www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/...
I’m listening to the roadrunner sounds on the Merlin app and I’m disappointed that this bird does not actually go “beep beep”
December 12, 2025 at 1:08 AM
I’m listening to the roadrunner sounds on the Merlin app and I’m disappointed that this bird does not actually go “beep beep”
What's the business justification for always changing user interfaces? Different does not always equal better, and I'm wondering why the iOS software updates keep coming even though they seem to make it harder to use the phone.
December 11, 2025 at 4:52 PM
What's the business justification for always changing user interfaces? Different does not always equal better, and I'm wondering why the iOS software updates keep coming even though they seem to make it harder to use the phone.
Reposted by Christian Morales
Premise: changing a department's official font is wasteful.
[ doublethink ]
Conclusion: we should change a department's official font.
[ doublethink ]
Conclusion: we should change a department's official font.
December 11, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Premise: changing a department's official font is wasteful.
[ doublethink ]
Conclusion: we should change a department's official font.
[ doublethink ]
Conclusion: we should change a department's official font.
I let myself get distracted while listening to a podcast when I heard something about antinomy being a national security concern and, for a split second, I thought that I might get treated to a discussion of Kant. Of course, I was categorically mistaken!!
December 11, 2025 at 12:42 AM
I let myself get distracted while listening to a podcast when I heard something about antinomy being a national security concern and, for a split second, I thought that I might get treated to a discussion of Kant. Of course, I was categorically mistaken!!
My most listened to artist this year was Bach and I think that is indicative of how unadventurous I’ve been when it comes to music this year. I’ve just been seeking out comfort listens.
December 3, 2025 at 11:35 PM
My most listened to artist this year was Bach and I think that is indicative of how unadventurous I’ve been when it comes to music this year. I’ve just been seeking out comfort listens.
Reposted by Christian Morales
Ghost rates in #healthcare payers' Transparency in Coverage (TiC) data can significantly increase the size of data files and make data cleaning far more difficult than necessary academic.oup.com/healthaffair... #healthpolicy #healthecon
High prevalence of ghost rates in transparency in coverage data
In 2019, an executive order1 required hospitals and insurers to release negotiated rates for services—hospitals in 20212 and insurers in 2022.3 In 2025, an
academic.oup.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Ghost rates in #healthcare payers' Transparency in Coverage (TiC) data can significantly increase the size of data files and make data cleaning far more difficult than necessary academic.oup.com/healthaffair... #healthpolicy #healthecon
Reposted by Christian Morales
You're not imagining it: NYC's Citi Bike system costs more to ride than any other major bike-share system in the United States, Canada or Europe — despite astronomical geographic and ridership growth raking in more and more money for Lyft, which operates the program.
Lyft Hoses Citi Bike Riders Compared to Bike-Share in Other Cities: Report - Streetsblog New York City
New York City's Citi Bike system costs more to ride than any other major bike-share system in the United States, Canada or Europe.
buff.ly
November 19, 2025 at 2:15 PM
You're not imagining it: NYC's Citi Bike system costs more to ride than any other major bike-share system in the United States, Canada or Europe — despite astronomical geographic and ridership growth raking in more and more money for Lyft, which operates the program.
Reposted by Christian Morales
In this blog, we explain why we need to have an Extreme Wealth Line, just like the Extreme Poverty Line. Also, having a line as a social indicator does not necessarily commit one to a limit on wealth possession via taxation only; it's a regulative ideal.
blogs.lse.ac.uk/inequalities...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/inequalities...
Let’s be clear – an Extreme Wealth Line is not a cap on wealth
An extreme wealth line (EWL) defines a level where the harms associated with extreme wealth become socially unacceptable. It is not the same as a cap on wealth
blogs.lse.ac.uk
November 19, 2025 at 11:58 AM
In this blog, we explain why we need to have an Extreme Wealth Line, just like the Extreme Poverty Line. Also, having a line as a social indicator does not necessarily commit one to a limit on wealth possession via taxation only; it's a regulative ideal.
blogs.lse.ac.uk/inequalities...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/inequalities...
What is the advantage of privatized insurance schemes? What value does the private sector add to financial products that don't really scream any need for innovation?
November 15, 2025 at 5:34 PM
What is the advantage of privatized insurance schemes? What value does the private sector add to financial products that don't really scream any need for innovation?
Reposted by Christian Morales
"He says plug-in solar systems do not produce as much energy as a full rooftop solar array.
But they cost much less, can be installed on balconies or in yards with little or no expertise, and can be easily taken down and reinstalled...So they’re ideal for renters or low-income households."
But they cost much less, can be installed on balconies or in yards with little or no expertise, and can be easily taken down and reinstalled...So they’re ideal for renters or low-income households."
On a scale of one to 10, how much do you want to add a small solar system to your apartment balcony? ☀️
The solar panels Germans are plugging into their walls » Yale Climate Connections
Plug-in solar technology is making it easier for renters and low-income households to harness the power of the sun – but it’s not yet legal across most of the U.S.
yaleclimateconnections.org
November 14, 2025 at 2:07 PM
"He says plug-in solar systems do not produce as much energy as a full rooftop solar array.
But they cost much less, can be installed on balconies or in yards with little or no expertise, and can be easily taken down and reinstalled...So they’re ideal for renters or low-income households."
But they cost much less, can be installed on balconies or in yards with little or no expertise, and can be easily taken down and reinstalled...So they’re ideal for renters or low-income households."
Reposted by Christian Morales
It’s a loss for our field. #Bioethics
The @ama-assn.org will cease publication of its ethics journal at the end of this year.
AMA ethics journal shutters after 26 years
The American Medical Association will cease publication of its ethics journal at the end of this year. The AMA Journal of Ethics, an open access, peer-reviewed journal was founded in 1999 und…
retractionwatch.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:22 AM
It’s a loss for our field. #Bioethics
Reposted by Christian Morales
“Human beings are social animals in a deep way. It is not just that we go in for friendship or prefer to live in swarms or packs. The space of linguistic consciousness — the space in which meanings and reasons exist — is a space that we occupy together.”
— Christine M. Korsgaard
— Christine M. Korsgaard
October 30, 2025 at 3:39 PM
“Human beings are social animals in a deep way. It is not just that we go in for friendship or prefer to live in swarms or packs. The space of linguistic consciousness — the space in which meanings and reasons exist — is a space that we occupy together.”
— Christine M. Korsgaard
— Christine M. Korsgaard
Reposted by Christian Morales
Share this @danpfeiffer.bsky.social piece with everyone you know. open.substack.com/pub/messageb...
Donald Trump Would Rather Starve Children than Lower Health Care Costs
A cruel and cynical strategy to try end the shutdown
open.substack.com
October 30, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Share this @danpfeiffer.bsky.social piece with everyone you know. open.substack.com/pub/messageb...
This month is weird because I can't tell whether I am waking up sweating in the middle of the night because I've been watching horror movies alone or because I still read news headlines.
October 30, 2025 at 10:46 AM
This month is weird because I can't tell whether I am waking up sweating in the middle of the night because I've been watching horror movies alone or because I still read news headlines.
Reposted by Christian Morales
It took over 4 years, but the paper is finally published. In this study, we developed novel methods drawn from #LegalEpidemiology to map addiction #stigma in California law.
This #interdisciplinary work was conceptually and methodologically difficult!⤵️
#PaperSky #EpiSky #AcademicSky
1/
This #interdisciplinary work was conceptually and methodologically difficult!⤵️
#PaperSky #EpiSky #AcademicSky
1/
Targeting Addiction Structural Stigma Embodied in Law (“TASSEL”): Findings from an intrastate legal mapping study
Stigma is a fundamental cause of disease that reflects and intensifies health inequalities. Laws are powerful mediators for stigma; to correct them, i…
www.sciencedirect.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:31 AM
It took over 4 years, but the paper is finally published. In this study, we developed novel methods drawn from #LegalEpidemiology to map addiction #stigma in California law.
This #interdisciplinary work was conceptually and methodologically difficult!⤵️
#PaperSky #EpiSky #AcademicSky
1/
This #interdisciplinary work was conceptually and methodologically difficult!⤵️
#PaperSky #EpiSky #AcademicSky
1/
TIL that the lights are still on at the CPSC despite the shutdown
Put on your favorite song and turn the speakers up.
It's Recall Thursday.
It's Recall Thursday.
October 23, 2025 at 1:24 PM
TIL that the lights are still on at the CPSC despite the shutdown
Oh, I have thought about this but can't say for sure. Probably Rawls, TOJ.
I was asked today what I would get sworn in on if I had to get sworn in and it would probably be a vinyl copy of The Replacements' LET IT BE
October 22, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Oh, I have thought about this but can't say for sure. Probably Rawls, TOJ.
Reposted by Christian Morales
i spent so long being mad at git that i forgot the real enemy was MS word track changes
October 13, 2025 at 5:18 AM
i spent so long being mad at git that i forgot the real enemy was MS word track changes
Reposted by Christian Morales
I’m getting a lot of questions about notices insurers are sending out to ACA/Obamacare enrollees about premiums for next year.
I’m curious to see a notice letter if you have one and want to share. My DMs are open.
@louisenorris.bsky.social @kgmom219.bsky.social
I’m curious to see a notice letter if you have one and want to share. My DMs are open.
@louisenorris.bsky.social @kgmom219.bsky.social
October 10, 2025 at 8:17 PM
I’m getting a lot of questions about notices insurers are sending out to ACA/Obamacare enrollees about premiums for next year.
I’m curious to see a notice letter if you have one and want to share. My DMs are open.
@louisenorris.bsky.social @kgmom219.bsky.social
I’m curious to see a notice letter if you have one and want to share. My DMs are open.
@louisenorris.bsky.social @kgmom219.bsky.social
Reposted by Christian Morales
Vaccine given during pregnancy could protect babies from an invisible killer | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...
Vaccine given during pregnancy could protect babies from an invisible killer
Shots target group B streptococcus, a little-known microbe that can cause stillbirths and life-threatening disease in infants
www.science.org
September 19, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Vaccine given during pregnancy could protect babies from an invisible killer | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Christian Morales
There's a increasingly wide gulf between what you might call "local abundance"—which largely consists of liberal and progressive activists and local electeds trying to do YIMBY-type things—and "DC abundance," which hosts conferences where Oren Cass is a speaker for some reason.
September 4, 2025 at 8:37 PM
There's a increasingly wide gulf between what you might call "local abundance"—which largely consists of liberal and progressive activists and local electeds trying to do YIMBY-type things—and "DC abundance," which hosts conferences where Oren Cass is a speaker for some reason.
Reposted by Christian Morales
definitely important to grapple with AI rights *in addition* to human and animal rights, not *instead* of them. as it happens, many AI rights researchers, including me, started out as human and/or animal rights researchers, and we now work on all of these issues at the same time :)
People grappling with AI rights are going to have their minds blown when they find out about humans and other animals.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Can AIs suffer? Big tech and users grapple with one of most unsettling questions of our times
As first AI-led rights advocacy group is founded, industry is divided on whether models are, or can be, sentient
www.theguardian.com
August 26, 2025 at 5:11 PM
definitely important to grapple with AI rights *in addition* to human and animal rights, not *instead* of them. as it happens, many AI rights researchers, including me, started out as human and/or animal rights researchers, and we now work on all of these issues at the same time :)