Joshua Budhu
@jbudhu.bsky.social
76 followers 37 following 15 posts
Neuro-Oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Health Disparities Researcher
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
Pinned
jbudhu.bsky.social
Father’s Day marked 17 years since my brother died—sedated, shackled, and alone in a hospital bed.
His death wasn’t inevitable. It was systemic.
I share his story, and what it taught me about health, justice, and memory.
Thank you @nejm.org
www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....
My Brother’s Keeper | NEJM
Intubated, chemically sedated, and immobilized, Ravi developed a massive pulmonary embolism and died handcuffed to a hospital bed. He’d been caught in a system that worked against him at every turn.
www.nejm.org
Reposted by Joshua Budhu
jbudhu.bsky.social
Emergency Medicaid accounts for <1% of Medicaid spending — yet saves lives & money.
Restricting it ignores evidence, burdens states, and harms communities.

Our latest via @nejm.org
Emergency Medicaid at Risk - Preserving State Authority and Access to Care

www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....

🧵1/6
Emergency Medicaid at Risk — Preserving State Authority and Access to Care | NEJM
States that use federal dollars to provide health care to unauthorized immigrants, beyond narrowly defined emergency services, will now face enforcement actions and potential recoupment of funds.
www.nejm.org
jbudhu.bsky.social
6/6 🧵 We argue that states should have the flexibility to determine what works best for their populations.
A one-size-fits-all federal approach undermines effective, evidence-based care for immigrant communities — and burdens the hospitals that care for them.
jbudhu.bsky.social
5/6🧵Unauthorized immigrants contribute billions to the U.S. health system — more than they receive in care.
In 2017 alone, net contributions totaled:
$20.8B to Medicare

$21.3B to Medicaid

$14.7B to private insurance

They are net funders, not burdens.
jbudhu.bsky.social
4/6 🧵
Emergency Medicaid spending is tiny:
💰 FY2023 = $3.8B, just 0.44% of total Medicaid ($860B). Even at its pandemic peak, it stayed below 1%. Yet it supports hospitals serving millions with no other coverage options.
jbudhu.bsky.social
3/6 🧵
Emergency Medicaid was designed to reimburse hospitals for federally required emergency care — but some states have expanded coverage to include essential services like dialysis. This flexibility That flexibility has saved lives and reduced costs
jbudhu.bsky.social
2/6 🧵
In May 2025, CMS issued new guidance warning states that use federal dollars for care to unauthorized immigrants beyond emergencies could face audits and fund recoupment.

This marks a major shift from decades of state flexibility under Emergency Medicaid.
jbudhu.bsky.social
Emergency Medicaid accounts for <1% of Medicaid spending — yet saves lives & money.
Restricting it ignores evidence, burdens states, and harms communities.

Our latest via @nejm.org
Emergency Medicaid at Risk - Preserving State Authority and Access to Care

www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....

🧵1/6
Emergency Medicaid at Risk — Preserving State Authority and Access to Care | NEJM
States that use federal dollars to provide health care to unauthorized immigrants, beyond narrowly defined emergency services, will now face enforcement actions and potential recoupment of funds.
www.nejm.org
Reposted by Joshua Budhu
dianacejasmd.bsky.social
Honored to share that I am a American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) Inspire Award Recipient!

Congratulations to this incredible group of physicians!

www.amwa-doc.org/news/announc...
Announcement of the 2025 AMWA Inspire Awardees with photos of each recipient. One of the awardees, Diana Cejas, MD, MPH, wears a bright yellow dress and white floral earrings in her photo.
Reposted by Joshua Budhu
jbudhu.bsky.social
Disparities in neurology are not random. They stem from upstream determinants (classism, poverty, environment) & downstream barriers (access, treatment gaps).

Our @natrevneurol.nature.com review maps these drivers & highlights interventions to advance equity.

rdcu.be/eFqGX
Health disparities in neurology
Nature Reviews Neurology - This Review considers the aetiology of health disparities in neurology at an individual, interpersonal, community and societal level, and suggests practical interventions...
rdcu.be
jbudhu.bsky.social
Disparities in neurology are not random. They stem from upstream determinants (classism, poverty, environment) & downstream barriers (access, treatment gaps).

Our @natrevneurol.nature.com review maps these drivers & highlights interventions to advance equity.

rdcu.be/eFqGX
Health disparities in neurology
Nature Reviews Neurology - This Review considers the aetiology of health disparities in neurology at an individual, interpersonal, community and societal level, and suggests practical interventions...
rdcu.be
jbudhu.bsky.social
Nearly 1 in 3 neurologists in the US trained abroad. Immigrant neurologists fill critical gaps in underserved communities but face visa barriers & uncertainty. Supporting them is essential for equitable neurologic care. My latest in @greenjournal.bsky.social

www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/...
From Many Nations, One Mission—The Importance of Immigrant Neurologists in US Health Care | Neurology
www.neurology.org
Reposted by Joshua Budhu
jbudhu.bsky.social
Immigrant neurologists face uncertainty about visas, careers, and families. They care for some of our most vulnerable patients. Supporting them is both a moral obligation and essential to the future of our field. My viewpoint in @greenjournal.bsky.social

www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/...
From Many Nations, One Mission—The Importance of Immigrant Neurologists in US Health Care | Neurology
www.neurology.org
jbudhu.bsky.social
Immigrant neurologists face uncertainty about visas, careers, and families. They care for some of our most vulnerable patients. Supporting them is both a moral obligation and essential to the future of our field. My viewpoint in @greenjournal.bsky.social

www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/...
From Many Nations, One Mission—The Importance of Immigrant Neurologists in US Health Care | Neurology
www.neurology.org
Reposted by Joshua Budhu
jbudhu.bsky.social
Father’s Day marked 17 years since my brother died—sedated, shackled, and alone in a hospital bed.
His death wasn’t inevitable. It was systemic.
I share his story, and what it taught me about health, justice, and memory.
Thank you @nejm.org
www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....
My Brother’s Keeper | NEJM
Intubated, chemically sedated, and immobilized, Ravi developed a massive pulmonary embolism and died handcuffed to a hospital bed. He’d been caught in a system that worked against him at every turn.
www.nejm.org
jbudhu.bsky.social
Father’s Day marked 17 years since my brother died—sedated, shackled, and alone in a hospital bed.
His death wasn’t inevitable. It was systemic.
I share his story, and what it taught me about health, justice, and memory.
Thank you @nejm.org
www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....
My Brother’s Keeper | NEJM
Intubated, chemically sedated, and immobilized, Ravi developed a massive pulmonary embolism and died handcuffed to a hospital bed. He’d been caught in a system that worked against him at every turn.
www.nejm.org
jbudhu.bsky.social
So excited for #AANAM 2025! Join us for a session on Neurologic Consultations in Cancer Patients on Sunday, 4/6/25 at 3:30pm!
jbudhu.bsky.social
So excited to see this come out! In this article, we go over how drugs are approved, financial toxicity and the impact on our patients, and the financial implications of vorasidenib

Financial challenges of being on long-term, high-cost medications

academic.oup.com/nop/advance-...
Financial challenges of being on long-term, high-cost medications
Abstract. The isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) inhibitor, vorasidenib, may offer a promising new treatment option for patients with IDH-mutant gliomas. Howev
academic.oup.com
jbudhu.bsky.social
Had such an amazing time at #SNO2024 @neuroonc.bsky.social
Wonderful to see updates in CNS tumor treatment, quality of life interventions, and colleagues from around the world!
Reposted by Joshua Budhu
neuroonc.bsky.social
Final sessions at #SNO2024! 🌟 to dive into neuro-oncology’s latest breakthroughs and future directions.
🗓️ Sunday, Nov 24
⏰ 10:15 AM - 11:30 AM

🧠 Emerging therapies in glioblastoma
🔬 Advances in immuno-oncology
💡 Collaborative approaches

Let’s finish strong and inspire the future of neuro-oncology!