Care Talk with Laura Packard: American Health Care Explained

Your doctor said yes - but insurance said no. Why?On this Care Talk, Emma Freer and Hannah Garden-Monheit from the American Economic Liberties Project, authors of the new report “Ban Prior Authorization: Ending Big Medicine’s Strategy to Boost Profits by Denying Medically Necessary Care" join host Laura Packard.We break down how prior authorization went from a narrow cost tool to a “corporate care veto” — where Big Medicine insurance conglomerates require approval, then have their own affiliates (including AI companies they own) deny the care. We cover what it means for patients facing delays, denials, and surprise bills, why doctors are burning out, and why 71% of voters — Democrats and Republicans — support banning it.Also Louise Norris of healthinsurance.org and Diane Archer of Just Care answer your health insurance questions on the Affordable Care Act, Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance and more.Questions include what to do if you lose your health insurance before employer insurance kicks in, is Medicare only available for people over 65, is appealing a prior authorization denial worth the effort, and what happens if you're on Medicare and retire abroad.READ THE REPORT: Ban Prior Authorization — American Economic Liberties Project: https://www.economicliberties.us/our-work/ban-prior-auth/ABOUT THE GUESTS:Emma Freer and Hannah Garden-Monheit are researchers/authors at the American Economic Liberties Project. Their August 6, 2026 brief proposes banning prior authorization where insurers have a financial conflict of interest.LINKS & RESOURCES:• Full Report (PDF): https://www.economicliberties.us/our-work/ban-prior-auth/• Free or Low Cost Health Care Resources: https://healthcarevoices.org/caretalkSUBSCRIBE to Care Talk for weekly health care policy breakdowns.#PriorAuthorization #CareTalk #HealthCare—Laura Packard is a stage 4 cancer survivor, health care advocate, and host of Care Talk. Founder of Health Care Voices and Voices of Health Care Action.

What's actually safe to eat right now? And what happens when we gut the public health agencies whose job is to catch food borne parasites before they reach your plate? Dr. Janet Krommes of Doctors for America explains two outbreaks hitting America's food supply now - the cyclospora outbreak linked to lettuce, and the salmonella outbreak tied to jalapeños - and the bigger story behind them in this #CareTalk episode with show host, cancer survivor, and health care advocate Laura Packard from Health Care Voices.Plus Diane Archer from Just Care answers your American health insurance and health care questions on Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, private insurance and more.This episode has more about prior authorization, and how insurers deny your needed care.New episodes of Care Talk every Tuesday, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Text or call in your health insurance and health care questions in to (202) 838-6837 to get answers in future shows!Free or Low Cost Health Care Resources on our show page: https://healthcarevoices.org/caretalk

While public health faces enormous cuts, the global wellness economy reached a record 6 trillion dollars, and is projected to climb to nearly ten trillion by 2029. That’s serious money. But wellness culture has a dark side - and it's costing people their health, their money, and sometimes their lives. Jen Bordenick of Unbiased Science breaks down the grifters, gurus, and fake "cures" flooding the wellness industry. We're talking about how misinformation spreads, who's profiting off it, and how to spot a scam before it costs you in this #CareTalk episode with show host, cancer survivor, and health care advocate Laura Packard from Health Care Voices.Plus Louise Norris from healthinsurance.org and Diane Archer from Just Care answer your American health insurance and health care questions on Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, private insurance and more.This episode has more about the Trump administration ending Medicare Part D drug premium subsidies, changes to the Affordable Care Act marketplace open enrollment schedule later this year for 2027 coverage, and what to do if you're overwhelmed with a confusing mountain of insurance bills from a hospitalization. New episodes of Care Talk every Tuesday, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Text or call in your health insurance and health care questions in to (202) 838-6837 to get answers in future shows!Free or Low Cost Health Care Resources on our show page: https://healthcarevoices.org/caretalk