Wendell Potter

NEW: The first episode of the HEALTH CARE un-covered Show is here. Over the past few decades, health insurers have transformed into Wall Street–controlled, vertically integrated conglomerates embedded throughout American health care. Public frustration is growing — and Washington is starting to notice. Watch the full episode below: The Wall Street Chameleon: Big Insurance at an Inflection Point | EP 1 youtube.com/watch?v=P-wsqS…

Watch the full episode here: youtu.be/8kwH2NaQL1c?si…

On the latest episode of the HEALTH CARE un-covered Show, we’re joined by Dr. Wendy Dean (@WDeanMD), co-founder of Moral Injury of Healthcare; Dr. Seth Glickman, a former health system executive; and Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (@RepDelBene), to discuss prior authorization and the toll it takes on patients, providers – and now, taxpayers.

If this information caught your attention, there’s a lot more where that came from! At HEALTH CARE un-covered on Substack, we’re digging into the biggest issues in American health care every week. Subscribe to HEALTH CARE un-covered so you never miss a story, an investigation or what comes next. Subscribe for free: healthcareuncovered.substack.com

In most cases, Big Insurance companies generate more revenues AND are growing at a faster rate than most major U.S. companies. In the last decade: UnitedHealth Group (+185%) has grown faster than Walmart (+40%). Cigna (+625%) has grown faster than Disney (+80%). Humana (FY25 Rev: $129.7B) (+139%) has grown faster than Target (+42%) and PepsiCo (+49%).

On the new episode of the HEALTHCARE un-covered Show we analyzed the earnings reports of the 7 largest health insurers in America. What we found: • $1.7 trillion in revenue • $54 billion in profits • 10 million fewer people covered then in 2024 youtube.com/watch?v=yJYjdA…

Pollster Madeline Conway (@MadelineRConway) details new polling that shows health insurance reform ranks as the #1 affordability issue for many Americans. Which signals that voters are paying attention and the politics around health insurance may be shifting.

Health insurers didn’t just grow bigger — they expanded into the pharmacy supply chain. Today, the same corporations that sell insurance often control: • Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) • Specialty pharmacies • Clinics and physician practices

NEW: The first episode of the HEALTH CARE un-covered Show is here. Over the past few decades, health insurers have transformed into Wall Street–controlled, vertically integrated conglomerates embedded throughout American health care. Public frustration is growing — and Washington is starting to notice. Watch the full episode below: The Wall Street Chameleon: Big Insurance at an Inflection Point | EP 1 youtube.com/watch?v=P-wsqS…

For years, HEALTH CARE un-covered has pulled back the curtain on the Wall Street–driven forces reshaping American health care. Now, we’re bringing those investigations, conversations and behind-the-scenes insights to video and audio. (You can find it here: healthcareuncovered.substack.com) Next week, my colleague @joeyrettino and I are launching the very first episode of the HEALTH CARE un-covered Show. I hope you will watch it. Stay tuned for the premiere next week and if you haven’t already, share this with someone who deserves to know what’s really going on in American health care.

It’s time for a $2,000 out-of-pocket cap in health exchange plans, just like in Medicare Part D. This change wouldn’t cost a lot since the share of patients who would benefit is relatively small, but it would go a long way for the 5.6% of patients who pay more than $2,000/yr.

📊 The new report with Magnolia Market Access shows that since ARPA passed in 2021: - Enrollment in health exchange plans is up 79% - Avg. out-of-pocket pharmacy costs have gone from $412 → $560 - 5.6% of enrollees pay $2,000+/year for prescriptions

🚨 NEW: As Congress debates extending #ACA subsidies, they must address not just premiums, but how exchange plans have shifted costs to the sickest patients. Our new report found out-of-pocket drug costs are up 36% after #ARPA passed in 2021. Read: nopatientleftbehind.docsend.com/view/h7wvwnmsc…

🚨 1 out of 10 doctors in the U.S. are owned or have close contractual ties with UnitedHealth Group. 🚨 When a company owns your insurance plan, your doctor, and your specialist, that company is making $$$ every step of the way. RSVP now for CHD’s Webinar on Sept. 3 to learn how United has worked to control every part of your health care experience. RSVP ➡️ c4hd.org/Webinar

These are just a few highlights from the Sunlight Report, which lists out all of UnitedHealth Group’s ~2,700 entities. If you are someone who wants to fix the broken health care system, join the webinar on 9/3 to learn more: c4hd.org/Webinar

RSVP: Join The Center for Health & Democracy + @wendellpotter for a webinar to discuss The Sunlight Report, a first-ever look at UnitedHealth Group's strategy to dominate health care from cradle to grave. 🔗c4hd.org/Webinar Here's what we'll discuss...