banner
minalrpphd.bsky.social
Minal R. Patel, PhD, MPH
@minalrpphd.bsky.social
50 followers 82 following 6 posts
Professor at the University of Michigan | Expert in how healthcare costs and unmet needs affect people with chronic illness | Making healthcare less confusing, less expensive, and more helpful to people’s lives | https://minalrpatel.com/
minalrpatel.com
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
minalrpphd.bsky.social
Minal R. Patel, PhD, MPH @minalrpphd.bsky.social · Aug 6
Gov. Whitmer just erased $144M in medical debt for 200K+ Michigan families 👏
That’s huge—but it’s not a fix.

In my @freep.com op-ed, I explain how Michigan can prevent medical debt—not just forgive it:

www.freep.com/story/opinio...
Forgiving medical debt is crucial, but it won't fix our health care system | Opinion
Debt relief is a compassionate bandage, but without structural reform, the wound keeps reopening.
www.freep.com
2
minalrpphd.bsky.social
Minal R. Patel, PhD, MPH @minalrpphd.bsky.social · Jun 23
Nearly 1 million Michiganders carry medical debt—that's more than double the populations of Grand Rapids, Lansing & Ann Arbor combined. 80% of medical bills contain errors, but we have a solution hiding in plain sight- CHWs. My latest in
@bridgemi.com www.bridgemi.com/guest-commen...
Opinion | Michigan has tools to ease medical debt. Does it have the will? | Bridge Michigan
Medical debt is a public health issue, and Michigan should enlist Community Health Workers to help residents navigate a system designed to confuse.
www.bridgemi.com
1 1
minalrpphd.bsky.social
Minal R. Patel, PhD, MPH @minalrpphd.bsky.social · Jun 6
4/ Prevention matters for the long haul, but people need affordable care today.
Worth reading Levitt's full analysis: jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
#HealthcareAffordability #HealthPolicy @kffhealthnews.org
Make American Health Care Affordable Again
This JAMA Forum discusses the cost of health care in the US for individuals covered by commercial insurance and for those covered by Medicare and Medicaid.
jamanetwork.com
2 3
minalrpphd.bsky.social
Minal R. Patel, PhD, MPH @minalrpphd.bsky.social · Jun 6
3/ And it's about to get worse.
With ACA credits expiring, 20M+ face $705 average premium hikes.

Meanwhile, potential Medicaid cuts could shift costs to states and patients.
1 2
minalrpphd.bsky.social
Minal R. Patel, PhD, MPH @minalrpphd.bsky.social · Jun 6
2/ Key stats that should alarm everyone:
• US healthcare: $13K+ per person (2x other countries)
• 45% worry about affording care DESPITE having insurance
• $220+ billion in medical debt nationwide
1 2
minalrpphd.bsky.social
Minal R. Patel, PhD, MPH @minalrpphd.bsky.social · Jun 6
1/ 🚨 While we focus on "Make America Healthy Again," @larrylevitt.bsky.social argues we need "Make American Health Care Affordable Again"
Thread on why this matters RIGHT NOW 🧵
1 3 6