A frequent assertion by the commercial health insurance industry, echoed by mainstream media and many candidates, is the need for greater 'choice' of private health insurance. However, experience demonstrates that 'choice' remains with insurers, who arbitrarily drop unprofitable plans, medicines, doctors and hospitals, too often leaving the insured high and dry. Insurers can and do choose to cover the healthy, more profitable clients, and drop the sick. Insurance science proves that a single large risk pool insurance like traditional Medicare is much more actuarially sound and financially sustainable than multiple administratively complex small risk pool commercial insurers.

Truthseekers - Health Justice    A series of podcasts that challenge the false corporate narrative and address the flawed concepts and corporate power structure underlying the failed U.S. health insurance model; unfortunately, often resulting in the sacrifice of human and environmental health to the corporate bottom line. These podcasts are produced by Michele Swenson, Denver Open Media member and HCACF board member.

Dismantling Lies of the Health Insurance Industry

Medicare Advantage: Trojan Horse for Privatization of Medicare

Michele Swenson interviews HCACF board member Robert Messman.  They explore the differences between Medicare, Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans. 

False Promise of Employer Health Coverage

This podcast examines the false narrative surrounding employer-provided health coverage, a large source of income for the commercial health insurance industry, even as this form of private health insurance is propped up by the political class who are recipients of large contributions from health insurance industry.

North Denver: Human & Environmental Sacrifice Zone

North Denver Zip Code 80216 was named the most toxic Zip Code in 2017.  Community members express their concerns about living at ground zero in what the EPA formerly named an Environmental Justice Community - predominantly minority, "suffering an undue burden of environmental pollution." The health effects of exposure to contaminants are discussed. 

False 'Choice' of Private Health Insurance

The first minute of this Podcast consists of statements by candidates and reporters who echo insurance industry talking points. The notion that the insured have private insurance 'choice' is contradicted by the more frequent 'choice' by insurers to arbitrarily drop unprofitable plans, medicines, doctors and hospitals, often leaving the insured responsible for large medical bills. Dr. Vincent Markovchick, former director of Denver Health Emergency Services, provides commentary.

Corrupting Influence of Corporate Money on Elections, Politicians & Policy-Making

Corporate money exerts an inordinate influence on U.S. elections, even as it drives a false corporate health reform narrative parroted by mainstream media and candidates.

The Need for a #PeoplesStimulus

More than four decades of neoliberal economic policy has transferred wealth upward and flattened workers' wages. In the current economic/pandemic crisis, the bulk of bailouts are again going to Wall Street & corporations. There is a need to realign U.S. moral, social and economic priorities to be responsive to the people. COVID-19 pandemic magnifies the need for a minimum floor of protections for people.

Named the most toxic zip code in 2017, 80216 encompasses North Denver communities impacted by 2 highways, a largely unremediated Superfund Site, and City & CDOT plans to lower and triple the footprint of Interstate 70 through these communities. Community members discuss the multi-generational health impacts of contamination on their families and neighborhoods.

The differences between socialism and socialized medicine, as well as the discrepancies between social insurance versus private insurance, are points that are often confused or falsely explained.

"Moment of Truth"  Truthseekers Podcast  - Michele Swenson is producing a series of podcasts that challenge the false corporate narrative and address the flawed concepts and corporate power structure underlying the failed U.S. health insurance; unfortunately, often resulting in the sacrifice of human and environmental health to the corporate bottom line.

False Promise of Employer Health Coverage, a Truthseekers Podcast  This podcast examines the false narrative surrounding employer-provided health coverage, a large source of income for the commercial health insurance industry, even as this form of private health insurance is propped up by the political class who are recipients of large contributions from health insurance industry. Produced by Michele Swenson, member of Denver Open Media and an HCACF board member.   

Medicare Advantage: Trojan Horse for Privatization of Medicare, a Truthseekers Podcast.  Michele Swenson interviews HCACF board member Robert Messman.  They explore the differences between Medicare, Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans.   Produced by Michele Swenson, Denver Open Media member and an HCACF board member. 

Dismantling Lies of the Health Insurance Industry a Truthseekers Podcast, produced by Michele Swenson, Denver Open Media member and an HCACF board member. 

HCACF Board members Michele Swenson and Tom Gottlieb wrote a letter to the House Ways and Means committee in response to the recent Hearing on Pathways to Universal Health Coverage. 

Private health insurers seek to defund and privatize traditional Medicare by supplanting it with the much less efficient, more costly, Medicare Advantage Plans that are paid tens of billions of dollars in extra subsidies annually. This piece by American Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), representative of private insurers, thanks 368 Congress members for their “strong bipartisan” advocacy for enrollment of those over 65 in Medicare Advantage Plans. Even Congress members who ostensibly support “Medicare-for-All,” have endorsed AHIP’s letter effectively promoting privatization of Medicare. Most of Colorado’s delegation, Democrats & Republicans, have signed. Check to see if your representatives signed - let them know that privatizing Medicare by replacing it with Medicare Advantage is the wrong way to go.

February 7, 2019