Holly Olson, BCPA
@hollyolsonbcpa.bsky.social
I help people get the healthcare they need and deserve. I became a Board Certified Patient Advocate after seeing people struggle trying to navigate the US healthcare system.
Family, dogs, writing, beekeeping, books, National Parks & Alzheimer's awarness
Family, dogs, writing, beekeeping, books, National Parks & Alzheimer's awarness
Reposted by Holly Olson, BCPA
The key takeaway for policymakers is how narrow the window for action will be before a bird flu outbreak spirals out of control. Once cases rise beyond roughly two to 10, the disease is likely to spread beyond primary and secondary contacts.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
H5N1: Indian scientists predict how bird flu could spread to humans
Scientists have warned H5N1 bird flu could make a dangerous leap to humans, triggering a global health crisis.
www.bbc.com
December 24, 2025 at 4:14 AM
The key takeaway for policymakers is how narrow the window for action will be before a bird flu outbreak spirals out of control. Once cases rise beyond roughly two to 10, the disease is likely to spread beyond primary and secondary contacts.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Holly Olson, BCPA
Without a fix from Congress, costs for many people who buy health care on the Affordable Care Act marketplace have gone up. Here's what's to know about cheaper choices — and pitfalls to be aware of.
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
Shopping for pricy ACA health plans? Some cheaper options come with trade-offs
Without a fix from Congress, costs for many people who buy health care on the Affordable Care Act marketplace have gone up. Here's what's to know about cheaper choices — and pitfalls to be aware of.
www.npr.org
December 22, 2025 at 4:07 AM
Without a fix from Congress, costs for many people who buy health care on the Affordable Care Act marketplace have gone up. Here's what's to know about cheaper choices — and pitfalls to be aware of.
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
Reposted by Holly Olson, BCPA
"Babies in the randomized, controlled trial will or will not receive the vaccine at birth...
"It is a breach of scientific ethics to withhold an intervention that has been proven safe and effective."
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
"It is a breach of scientific ethics to withhold an intervention that has been proven safe and effective."
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
US plan for $1.6m hepatitis B vaccine study in Africa called ‘highly unethical’
Experts decry ‘neocolonialist’ Guinea-Bissau study after Trump administration changed advice for US babies
www.theguardian.com
December 21, 2025 at 9:27 PM
"Babies in the randomized, controlled trial will or will not receive the vaccine at birth...
"It is a breach of scientific ethics to withhold an intervention that has been proven safe and effective."
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
"It is a breach of scientific ethics to withhold an intervention that has been proven safe and effective."
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by Holly Olson, BCPA
Reposted by Holly Olson, BCPA
"Think not of the books you've bought as a "to be read" pile. Instead, think of your bookcase as a wine cellar. You collect books to be read at the right time, the right place, and the right mood."
- Luc van Donkersgoed
- Luc van Donkersgoed
December 18, 2025 at 5:42 PM
"Think not of the books you've bought as a "to be read" pile. Instead, think of your bookcase as a wine cellar. You collect books to be read at the right time, the right place, and the right mood."
- Luc van Donkersgoed
- Luc van Donkersgoed
Get your flu vaccine if you have already.
December 20, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Get your flu vaccine if you have already.
Reposted by Holly Olson, BCPA
This about sums it up, folks.
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
December 19, 2025 at 12:35 AM
This about sums it up, folks.
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Reposted by Holly Olson, BCPA
I'm told that HHS has just terminated all funding agreements with the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Here's a letter HHS sent canceling one of the grants, relating to work on birth defects. Canceled because the project "emphasizes equity, diversity, and inclusion as key foundational components"
Here's a letter HHS sent canceling one of the grants, relating to work on birth defects. Canceled because the project "emphasizes equity, diversity, and inclusion as key foundational components"
December 17, 2025 at 6:00 PM
I'm told that HHS has just terminated all funding agreements with the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Here's a letter HHS sent canceling one of the grants, relating to work on birth defects. Canceled because the project "emphasizes equity, diversity, and inclusion as key foundational components"
Here's a letter HHS sent canceling one of the grants, relating to work on birth defects. Canceled because the project "emphasizes equity, diversity, and inclusion as key foundational components"
Reposted by Holly Olson, BCPA
This is a great read.
3 killers really may be 1 disease. Read how in new SciAm issue: www.scientificamerican.com/article/hear... 🧪 #medsky
Heart and Kidney Diseases, plus Type 2 Diabetes, May Be One New Syndrome Treatable with New Drugs
These three disorders could really be “CKM syndrome,” which can be treated with drugs like Ozempic
www.scientificamerican.com
December 17, 2025 at 2:14 PM
This is a great read.
Reposted by Holly Olson, BCPA
New JAMA study of 20,000 pregnancies shows that COVID vaccination before or during pregnancy:
⬇️ reduced severe maternal COVID infections (62% less hospitalizations, 90% less ICU care needed)
⬇️ reduced risk of preterm birth.
buff.ly/OuyTY4q
⬇️ reduced severe maternal COVID infections (62% less hospitalizations, 90% less ICU care needed)
⬇️ reduced risk of preterm birth.
buff.ly/OuyTY4q
December 17, 2025 at 12:18 AM
New JAMA study of 20,000 pregnancies shows that COVID vaccination before or during pregnancy:
⬇️ reduced severe maternal COVID infections (62% less hospitalizations, 90% less ICU care needed)
⬇️ reduced risk of preterm birth.
buff.ly/OuyTY4q
⬇️ reduced severe maternal COVID infections (62% less hospitalizations, 90% less ICU care needed)
⬇️ reduced risk of preterm birth.
buff.ly/OuyTY4q
Reposted by Holly Olson, BCPA
It still makes me incredibly angry that RFK Jr & Drs Makary & Bhattacharya did an online media event on X telling pregnant women that vaccination would no longer be recommended
Vaccinated women were 62% less likely to be hospitalized than unvaccinated women & 90% less likely to need critical care👇
Vaccinated women were 62% less likely to be hospitalized than unvaccinated women & 90% less likely to need critical care👇
The study confirms the safety and benefits of COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant women at a time when federal officials are publicly raising doubts about the safety of immunizations. www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/pre...
Pregnant women vaccinated against COVID-19 less likely to be hospitalized or deliver prematurely, new data show
www.cidrap.umn.edu
December 16, 2025 at 12:46 AM
It still makes me incredibly angry that RFK Jr & Drs Makary & Bhattacharya did an online media event on X telling pregnant women that vaccination would no longer be recommended
Vaccinated women were 62% less likely to be hospitalized than unvaccinated women & 90% less likely to need critical care👇
Vaccinated women were 62% less likely to be hospitalized than unvaccinated women & 90% less likely to need critical care👇
Reposted by Holly Olson, BCPA
The RFK, jr effect.
December 13, 2025 at 9:40 PM
The RFK, jr effect.
Reposted by Holly Olson, BCPA
In this video & column, led by the one & only @angierasmussen.bsky.social (one of the bravest, most inspirational people I’ve had the good fortune to work with), we explain why we—a group of public health researchers, epidemiologists, clinicians, virologists, lawyers & more—are fighting against MAHA
Proud to be part of @saveamericamvmt.bsky.social & grateful to my amazing, courageous colleagues for speaking up on behalf of vaccines and public health. Trump/MAHA efforts to overhaul the childhood vaccine schedule endangers our families & our health.
rasmussenretorts.substack.com/p/save-ameri...
rasmussenretorts.substack.com/p/save-ameri...
December 10, 2025 at 7:25 PM
In this video & column, led by the one & only @angierasmussen.bsky.social (one of the bravest, most inspirational people I’ve had the good fortune to work with), we explain why we—a group of public health researchers, epidemiologists, clinicians, virologists, lawyers & more—are fighting against MAHA
Reposted by Holly Olson, BCPA
When I post about RFK Jr. undermining vaccines, I’m noticing more and more comments saying things like “I am glad my state is part of a coalition that is not listening to him”.
That’s great, but I ask you to bear in mind the following:
1. Pathogens don’t care about lines on a map
That’s great, but I ask you to bear in mind the following:
1. Pathogens don’t care about lines on a map
December 10, 2025 at 12:29 AM
When I post about RFK Jr. undermining vaccines, I’m noticing more and more comments saying things like “I am glad my state is part of a coalition that is not listening to him”.
That’s great, but I ask you to bear in mind the following:
1. Pathogens don’t care about lines on a map
That’s great, but I ask you to bear in mind the following:
1. Pathogens don’t care about lines on a map
Reposted by Holly Olson, BCPA
“Leading medical societies and many state health officials say Kennedy is trying to dismantle a vaccine program that prevents disease and saves lives based on his beliefs rather than scientific evidence.”
Exclusive: US FDA launches fresh safety scrutiny of approved RSV therapies for infants reut.rs/48JXrL2
Exclusive: US FDA launches fresh safety scrutiny of approved RSV therapies for infants
U.S. health regulators informed senior executives at Merck, Sanofi and AstraZeneca last week that their approved protective RSV treatments for infants would be subject to fresh safety scrutiny following concerns raised by vaccine skeptics, multiple sources familiar with the situation told Reuters.
reut.rs
December 9, 2025 at 4:08 PM
“Leading medical societies and many state health officials say Kennedy is trying to dismantle a vaccine program that prevents disease and saves lives based on his beliefs rather than scientific evidence.”
Reposted by Holly Olson, BCPA
RFK Jr keeps telling us that his MAHA movement will be good for kids’ health, but the actions of the MAGA/MAHA administration are consistently putting child health at risk
the EPA just approved two new PFAs for pesticide use
Mothers in New Hampshire who were downstream of sites contaminated with “forever chemicals” experienced triple the rate of infant deaths and had more premature births or babies with low birth weights, according to a new study.
December 9, 2025 at 4:40 PM
RFK Jr keeps telling us that his MAHA movement will be good for kids’ health, but the actions of the MAGA/MAHA administration are consistently putting child health at risk
Reposted by Holly Olson, BCPA
concerning that ohio’s government doesn’t appear to have the ability to handle something as basic as timely, safe removal of HPAI bird carcasses from schoolgrounds. where kids will do kid things. like mess with them
"The Ohio Department of Agriculture says two of the 72 black vulture carcasses cleaned up from a Clermont County elementary school’s campus tested presumptive positive for bird flu."
Bird flu found in 2 dead vultures at Cincinnati-area school
Ohio Department of Agriculture confirms bird flu in dead vultures found at Clermont County school. Ohio wildlife officials initially refused to help.
www.wishtv.com
December 9, 2025 at 4:48 PM
concerning that ohio’s government doesn’t appear to have the ability to handle something as basic as timely, safe removal of HPAI bird carcasses from schoolgrounds. where kids will do kid things. like mess with them
Reposted by Holly Olson, BCPA
I was going to just share an excerpt of this great @donmoyn.bsky.social piece, but there are too many excerpts worth sharing. Just read the whole thing. If you care about governance, democracy, and the rule of law, these issues are crucial. open.substack.com/pub/donmoyni...
At will? Whose will?
Removing independent agency heads is part of a broader assault on a nonpartisan government
open.substack.com
December 9, 2025 at 12:43 PM
I was going to just share an excerpt of this great @donmoyn.bsky.social piece, but there are too many excerpts worth sharing. Just read the whole thing. If you care about governance, democracy, and the rule of law, these issues are crucial. open.substack.com/pub/donmoyni...
Reposted by Holly Olson, BCPA
This plan doesn't extend the expiring enhanced Marketplace credits at all & instead contributes $ to HSAs for enrollees who may not even have HSAs & can't use that $ for premiums. By appropriating cost-sharing reductions, it further lowers underlying credit amounts & raises premium costs even more.
Thune says Republicans will hold a vote on the Cassidy-Crapo health care plan Thursday as a counterproposal to Dems three-year extension of ACA tax credits
December 9, 2025 at 7:53 PM
This plan doesn't extend the expiring enhanced Marketplace credits at all & instead contributes $ to HSAs for enrollees who may not even have HSAs & can't use that $ for premiums. By appropriating cost-sharing reductions, it further lowers underlying credit amounts & raises premium costs even more.
Reposted by Holly Olson, BCPA
Vitamin K Shot Given at Birth Prevents Lethal Brain Bleeds, but More Parents Are Opting Out | Scientific American www.scientificamerican.com/article/vita...
A Vitamin Shot Given at Birth Prevents Lethal Brain Bleeds, but More Parents Are Opting Out
Vitamin K injections have prevented deadly brain bleeds in infants for more than 60 years. New research shows refusal rates have recently jumped nearly 80 percent
www.scientificamerican.com
December 8, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Vitamin K Shot Given at Birth Prevents Lethal Brain Bleeds, but More Parents Are Opting Out | Scientific American www.scientificamerican.com/article/vita...
Reposted by Holly Olson, BCPA
I was pleased to again partner with virologist @jimalwine.bsky.social on this piece about the continued, insidious assault on public health by RFK Jr.
We are truly on a bullet train back to the dark ages; prisoners to Kennedy’s bizarre whims.
He is contemptible.
We are truly on a bullet train back to the dark ages; prisoners to Kennedy’s bizarre whims.
He is contemptible.
RFK Jr.’s Deepening Threat to Public Health
The current HHS Secretary is the most dangerous in U.S. history.
progressive.org
December 9, 2025 at 9:32 PM
I was pleased to again partner with virologist @jimalwine.bsky.social on this piece about the continued, insidious assault on public health by RFK Jr.
We are truly on a bullet train back to the dark ages; prisoners to Kennedy’s bizarre whims.
He is contemptible.
We are truly on a bullet train back to the dark ages; prisoners to Kennedy’s bizarre whims.
He is contemptible.
Heather Cox Richardson quoting Justice Jackson
“[H]aving a president come in and fire all the scientists, and the doctors, and the economists and the PhDs, and replacing them with loyalists and people who don’t know anything is actually not in the best interest of the citizens of the United States,”
“[H]aving a president come in and fire all the scientists, and the doctors, and the economists and the PhDs, and replacing them with loyalists and people who don’t know anything is actually not in the best interest of the citizens of the United States,”
December 9, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Heather Cox Richardson quoting Justice Jackson
“[H]aving a president come in and fire all the scientists, and the doctors, and the economists and the PhDs, and replacing them with loyalists and people who don’t know anything is actually not in the best interest of the citizens of the United States,”
“[H]aving a president come in and fire all the scientists, and the doctors, and the economists and the PhDs, and replacing them with loyalists and people who don’t know anything is actually not in the best interest of the citizens of the United States,”