Care Talk with Laura Packard: American Health Care Explained
American health care is broken. But that doesn't mean it needs to break you. With the help of some friends, we can make sense of it all and come out stronger. Join Laura Packard, cancer survivor and health care advocate, each week on Care Talk as she brings policy experts to answer your questions on Medicare, Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, private insurance, and more. We help patients and families navigate America's health insurance and health care systems, and explain topics in-depth from how to fight medical bills to lowering the cost of healthcare in America. New episodes every Tuesday...
How Wellness Influencers Scam Patients w/ Jen Bordenick, Unbiased Science
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 La...
Medicare and Medicaid Anniversary: Can We Protect Both Programs? w/ Margarida Jorge, Health Care for America Now
Medicare and Medicaid were created 61 years ago to protect Americans’ health and financial security. On their anniversary, we look at the future of both programs, and the growing attacks on Medicaid through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Margarida Jorge of Health Care for America Now discusses what the present and the future of Medicare and Medicaid looks like for patients, families, seniors, people with disabilities, and everyone who depends on affordable health care in this #CareTalk episode with show host, cancer survivor, and health care advocate Laura Packard from Health Care Voices.
Plus Louise Norris from he...
Big Medicine's Monopoly Problem: Corporate Consolidation Is Costing You Everything w/ Emma Freer, American Economic Liberties Project
Giant corporate conglomerates may control your health insurance, your hospital, your doctor's office, AND your pharmacy - and it's costing American families $37,824 a year in employer coverage alone. It's time to break up Big Medicine. Emma Freer of the American Economic Liberties Project unpacks the corporate consolidation crisis destroying American healthcare, and the growing bipartisan movement to fix it in this #CareTalk episode with show host, cancer survivor, and health care advocate Laura Packard from Health Care Voices.
Find out more about the Break Up Big Medicine coalition: https://www.breakupbigmedicine.com/
Plus Louise Norris...
Big Pharma Charges the World's Highest Prices - Here's the Public Fix w/ Alejandro Molina, Groundwork Collaborative
Big Pharma earns a 76% gross profit margin - and three corporate middlemen pocket 41 cents of every dollar Americans spend on prescriptions. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Alejandro Molina at Groundwork Collaborative breaks down their bold new plan, AmericaRx, that could change everything 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.
...Screwworm Crisis: What They're Not Telling You About Food Safety w/ Dr. Carrie McMahon, Unbiased Science
Is the screwworm outbreak actually a threat to your food? How have cuts to our nation’s food infrastructure made our food supply less safe and endangered our health? Dr. Carrie McMahon, a former FDA regulatory scientist with over two decades of experience, now a contributor to Unbiased Science, cuts through the noise and delivers unbiased, evidence-based answers 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 qu...
Medicaid Work Requirements: Will the Medical Frailty Exemption Protect You? w/ Nicole Jorwic, Caring Across Generations
New federal rules require some Medicaid recipients to prove they qualify for a "medical frailty" exemption - or lose their coverage. Here's what you need to know before it's too late. Nicole Jorwic at Caring Across Generations breaks down the new Medicaid work requirements that take effect next year - and the proposed new CMS rules that determine who qualifies as "medically frail" 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...
Hospital Mergers Are Making Your Healthcare Bills Explode w/ Natasha Murphy, Center for American Progress
Why is healthcare so expensive in America? Hospital mergers are driving up your health care bills - and the data proves it. Natasha Murphy at Center for American Progress breaks down how hospital consolidation hands Big Hospital the power to charge you whatever they want 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.
<...Big Pharma Sued to Block Lower Drug Prices? Here's Why They Lost w/ Merith Basey, Patients for Affordable Drugs
Big Pharma just took a massive loss at the Supreme Court - and it means lower drug prices for millions of Americans. Merith Basey at Patients for Affordable Drugs breaks down the Supreme Court's decision to reject pharmaceutical industry lawsuits challenging Medicare drug price negotiation under the Inflation Reduction Act 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...
RFK Jr.'s HHS Shakeup: Why Top Officials Keep Quitting w/ Kayla Hancock, Protect Our Care
The doors keep swinging at the Department of Health and Human Services. With multiple top health agencies now run by acting officials, who is actually steering America's public health? As the hantavirus cruise ship outbreak winds down, a new Ebola outbreak is rapidly spreading. What happens to patients when no one's in charge? Kayla Hancock at Protect Our Care does a deep dive into the leadership vacuum at HHS, and why it matters for your health in this #CareTalk episode with show host, cancer survivor, and health care advocate Laura Packard from Health Care Voices.
Plus Louise...
Hantavirus: Facts vs. Misinformation w/ Dr. Christina Madison, The Public Health Pharmacist
Hantavirus is dominating the news - but how much of what you're hearing is actually true? From the MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak to viral social media claims, misinformation is spreading almost as fast as the headlines. Dr. Christina Madison the Public Health Pharmacist cuts through the noise 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...
Prior Authorization: The Insurance Denial System Blocking Your Treatment w/ Miranda Yaver, PhD
Every year, tens of millions of Americans are denied the medical care they've already paid for - not by their doctors, but by their insurers. Miranda Yaver PhD, the author of the new book Coverage Denied, explains how insurers use "rationing by inconvenience", and what patients, advocates, and policymakers can do to fight back in this #CareTalk episode with show host, cancer survivor, and health care advocate Laura Packard from Health Care Voices.
Get the book: https://amzn.to/4uCmN6z
Plus Louise Norris from healthinsurance.org and Diane Archer from Just Care answer your...
The Fight to Lower Prescription Drug Prices in America w/ Vinny DeMarco, Maryland Health Care for All
How can Americans finally pay less for prescription drugs? Vinny DeMarco from Maryland Health Care for All breaks down what's actually being done to lower prescription drug costs in states like Maryland and Colorado, what still needs to happen, and how YOU can take action 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 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...
Patient Advocacy in Action: Talking to Your Legislators w/ Mollie Montague, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
Learn how to be a patient advocate in healthcare and take your fight straight to your legislators. Mollie Montague of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network breaks down exactly how everyday people can lobby their legislators for better health care 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...
Don't Get Billed: Avoiding Surprise Medical Costs & Medical Debt w/ Patricia Kelmar, PIRG
Every year, millions of Americans are blindsided by surprise medical bills and crushing debt - not because they did anything wrong, but because the system is designed to be confusing. Patricia Kelmar of PIRG explains your rights under the No Surprises Act, how surprise medical billing has changed, and what you can do about it 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 Rachel Madley from the Center for Health & Democracy answer your American health insurance and health care...
The Affordable Care Act Turns 16: What's at Stake in 2026 w/ Anne Shoup, Protect Our Care
Sixteen years ago, the Affordable Care Act transformed American health care. Anne Shoup of Protect Our Care breaks down the victories, and the relentless assault on Obamacare. What’s happening, who’s responsible, and what you can do to fight back in this #CareTalk episode with show host, cancer survivor, and health care advocate Laura Packard from Health Care Voices.
Plus Diane Archer of Just Care & Social Security Works and Louise Norris from healthinsurance.org answer your American health insurance and health care questions on Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, private insurance and more.
This...
The Problem With Casey Means' Surgeon General Pick w/ Kayla Hancock, Protect Our Care
Casey Means is a wellness influencer and close ally of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. She was nominated by President Trump for Surgeon General on RFK Jr.'s recommendation. Kayla Hancock of Protect Our Care digs deeper into Casey Means’ background, and why she is dangerously unqualified to be America’s top doctor in this #CareTalk episode with show host, cancer survivor, and health care advocate Laura Packard from Health Care Voices.
Plus Rachel Madley of Center for Health & Democracy and Louise Norris from healthinsurance.org answer your American health insurance and health care questions on Medicare, the Affo...
The Dismantling of Public Health in America w/ Dr. Stella Safo, Civic Health Alliance
Public health infrastructure represents the backbone of our nation's health security, yet decades of chronic underfunding have left the system fragile and increasingly vulnerable. Dr. Stella Safo of Civic Health Alliance discusses the current dismantling of public health institutions and what the healthcare sector can do to defend and strengthen these critical systems 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 answers your American health insurance and health care questions on Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, private insurance and...
Your Insurance Said No? Here's How to Win the Appeal w/ Neal Shah, Counterforce Health
Insurance denied your claim? You don't have to take no for an answer. Free AI tools help patients write professional appeal letters when their insurance company denies care. Whether you're fighting a prior authorization denial, a claim rejection, or being told a treatment isn't "medically necessary" – you can push back. Neal Shah from Counterforce Health talks about their free tools and resources to empower everyday people to challenge insurance denials 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 & Social Security Wo...
Why Your Prescriptions Cost So Much (PBMs Explained) w/ Dr. Jeoffry Gordon, Doctors for America
Pharmacy Benefit Managers, otherwise known as PBMs, are third-party middleman companies that manage prescription drug benefits for insurers, employers, and government programs. They have been blamed for the high cost of prescription meds in America. Dr. Jeoffry Gordon from Doctors for America explains what PBMs are and what they do, and talks about the newest regulations from Congress and how that could affect your drug prices 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 & Social Security Works and Louise Norris...
TrumpRx Exposed: What It Means for Your Prescriptions w/ Peter Maybarduk, Public Citizen
President Trump recently announced TrumpRx, a new direct-to-consumer website that he claims will lower prescription drug costs in the U.S. What is TrumpRx and how does it work? Will it help you access cheaper medicines, or not? Peter Maybarduk from Public Citizen talks about it 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 & Social Security Works and Louise Norris from healthinsurance.org answer your American health insurance and health care questions on Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, private...
RFK Jr's First Year: The Damage Report w/ Rebecca Parks, Protect Our Care
One year later, how has Health & Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. affected our public health? Rebecca Parks from Protect Our Care talks about it 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 & Social Security Works and Louise Norris from healthinsurance.org answer your American health insurance and health care questions on Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, private insurance and more.
This episode has an update on Affordable Care Act marketplace subsidies, what to do if...
Inside Trump’s Health Care Plan w/ Charles Gaba, ACASignups.net
After over a decade of promises, President Trump finally released a health care plan. What’s in it and how will it affect you? Charles Gaba from ACASignups.net talks about it 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 & Social Security Works and Louise Norris from healthinsurance.org answer your American health insurance and health care questions on Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, private insurance and more.
This episode has more on Medicare Advantage open enrollment, Af...
Examining the New Food Guidelines w/ Dr. Rebecca Fujimura, Doctors for America
New U.S. dietary guidelines released earlier this month emphasize "real food" with more protein, full-fat dairy, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats, while significantly reducing highly processed foods, added sugars, and refined carbs. Dr. Rebecca Fujimura of Doctors for America explores the new food pyramid, and what they got right and wrong 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 answers your American health insurance and health care questions on Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, private insurance and more.<...
What’s Going On With the Affordable Care Act? w/ Charles Gaba, ACASignups.net
The U.S. House just passed a bill extending Affordable Care Act tax credits for three years, making health insurance plans more affordable to middle class voters. But the Senate already voted down this bill last year. Charles Gaba from ACASignups.net explains what’s happening and how it will affect your health insurance cost 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, th...
War On Public Health in America? w/ Rebecca Parks, Protect Our Care
2025 was a year of unprecedented attacks on public health in America, from the appointment of antivax conspiracy theorist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to run the Department of Health & Human Services, to devastating cuts to funding and medical research. Diseases like measles and whooping cough are making a comeback, and Americans are unprotected. Rebecca Parks from Protect Our Care explains what’s happened to public health over the past year, the newly announced children’s vaccine schedule changes, and how it affects our health in this #CareTalk episode with show host, cancer survivor, and health care advocate Laura Packard from Heal...
What’s Going On With Congress & Our Health Care? w/ Margarida Jorge, Health Care for America Now
Congress has still not acted to lower health insurance costs for next year. Two competing bills failed in the Senate, and now it’s the U.S. House’s turn. Margarida Jorge from Health Care for America Now explains what’s happening in Congress and how it affects our health care 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, Medica...
Stop the Health Care Price Hike w/ Felicia Burnett, MomsRising
Prices for health insurance plans through the Affordable Care Act marketplace are dramatically increasing, because Congress hasn’t taken action. Felicia Burnett from MomsRising explains what’s happening and how you can take action to stop the health care price hikes in this #CareTalk episode with show host, cancer survivor, and health care advocate with show host & cancer survivor 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.
What's happening to the Affordable Care Act? w/ Charles Gaba, ACASignups.net
Premiums for Affordable Care Act plans are set to skyrocket next year, because Congress has failed to act. A new White House health care plan was rumored but not released yet. Charles Gaba from ACASignups.net explains what’s happening to the Affordable Care Act in this #CareTalk episode with show host, cancer survivor, and health care advocate with show host & cancer survivor 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, pr...
What Happens To Our Health Care Now? w/ Alex Lawson, Social Security Works
The government in America is back open, but our health insurance costs are still set to dramatically increase next year. Alex Lawson from Social Security Works explains why and what happens now in this #CareTalk episode with show host, cancer survivor, and health care advocate with show host & cancer survivor 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 on open enrollment...
Government Still Shut Down, Now What? w/ Margarida Jorge, Health Care for America Now
Over the weekend, 60 Senators voted to end the Federal Shutdown. What happens next? How might it impact healthcare? Margarida Jorge from Health Care for America Now is here to discuss in this #CareTalk episode with show host, cancer survivor, and health care advocate with show host & cancer survivor Laura Packard from Health Care Voices.
Plus Louise Norris from healthinsurance.org and Rachel Madley from Center for Health & Democracy answer your American health insurance and health care questions on Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, private insurance and more.
This episode includes more on Affordable Care...
Lower Drug Prices Now? w/ Vinny DeMarco, Maryland Health Care For All
Several states have set up prescription drug affordability boards to help lower drug prices. Colorado just became the first state to cap the price of a prescription drug, Enbrel. What happens next? Our guest Vinny DeMarco from Maryland Health Care For All is here to discuss in this #CareTalk episode with show host, cancer survivor, and health care advocate with show host & cancer survivor Laura Packard from Health Care Voices.
Plus Louise Norris from healthinsurance.org and Diane Archer of Just Care and Social Security Works answer your American health insurance and health care questions on Medicare...
The Government Shut Down. Now What? w/ Laura Rodriguez, Center for American Progress
Because there is no agreement on government funding, the American government has shut down. How will this affect our care? What happens next? Our guest Laura Rodriguez of Center for American Progress is here to discuss in this #CareTalk episode with show host, cancer survivor, and health care advocate with show host & cancer survivor Laura Packard from Health Care Voices.
Plus Louise Norris from healthinsurance.org and Diane Archer of Just Care and Social Security Works answer your American health insurance and health care questions on Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, private insurance and more.
<...Government Shutdown? w/ Anne Shoup, Protect Our Care
Is our government about to shut down? Why? What happens next? How is our health care at stake? Our guest Anne Shoup of Protect Our Care is here to discuss in this #CareTalk episode with show host, cancer survivor, and health care advocate with show host & cancer survivor Laura Packard from Health Care Voices.
Plus Louise Norris from healthinsurance.org and Diane Archer of Just Care and Social Security Works answer your American health insurance and health care questions on Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, private insurance and more.
This episode includes more about...
What’s Happening to Veterans’ Health Care? w/ Dr. Allison Gill, Daily Beans Podcast
What’s happening to veterans’ health care with changes at the VA under the new administration? Our guest Allison Gill of The Daily Beans Podcast Mueller She Wrote is a veteran and worked at the Department of Veterans Affairs for over a decade. In this #CareTalk episode Dr. Gill talks about how VA health care works, and changes that veterans should know about with show host, cancer survivor, and health care advocate with show host & cancer survivor Laura Packard from Health Care Voices.
Plus Louise Norris from healthinsurance.org and Diane Archer of Just Care answer your Amer...
Damaging Myths in Public Health? w/ Dr. Jessica Steier, Unbiased Science
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pledged to release the causes of autism this month. Our guest Jessica Steier DrPH of Unbiased Science just wrote a New York Times article about one of the most damaging myths in public health. She’s here to talk about how vaccines do not cause autism, and why this fake news keeps being spread.
Read the full essay with this guest link: https://nyti.ms/3UUNrIp
In this #CareTalk episode Dr. Steier, a public health scientist who specializes in science communication, talks about the sophisticated tactics being used to ma...
Make America Healthy? w/ Miranda Yaver, Defend Public Health
In May, the Trump administration and Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. released the first Make America Healthy Again report, “Make Our Children Healthy Again”, on chronic diseases and children. A new draft report on strategies to fight chronic illness in kids was leaked but not officially released yet. In this #CareTalk episode, health care expert Miranda Yaver PhD of Defend Public Health talks about the new draft MAHA report, and what it would take to truly make America healthy, with show host & cancer survivor Laura Packard from Health Care Voices.
Read the Defend Public Health report: https://www...
Addressing the root causes of illness in the US w/ Elizabeth Jacobs, Defend Public Health
A grassroots organization of health professionals called “Defend Public Health” has released a new report on the root causes of illness in the United States. In this #CareTalk episode, health care expert Elizabeth Jacobs of Defend Public Health talks about how to get beyond false, flawed and fundamentally incorrect interpretations of science, medicine, and disease outcomes to improve our health with evidence-based public health policies, with show host, cancer survivor, and health care advocate Laura Packard from Health Care Voices.
Read the Defend Public Health report: https://www.defendpublichealth.org/resource/improving-health-americans-together-evidence-based-framework-addressing-root-causes
New episodes of Care...
What Changes Are Coming To Our Health Care, & When? w/ Rachel Madley, Center for Health & Democracy
The Big Ugly Bill makes a lot of changes to America’s health care system over the next several years. In this #CareTalk episode, health care expert Rachel Madley of Center for Health & Democracy explains what changes are coming to your health care, and when those changes will happen with show host, cancer survivor, and health care advocate Laura Packard from Health Care Voices.
Read Rachel's detailed timeline on Substack: https://healthcareuncovered.substack.com/p/how-will-health-care-change-for-you
Also Diane Archer of Social Security Works & Just Care, and Louise Norris of healthinsurance.org answer your health insurance an...
Lessons from RomneyCare: Building a Health Safety Net? w/ Alex Sheff, Health Care for All Massachusetts
Massachusetts is the home of RomneyCare, which originally inspired the Affordable Care Act. In this #CareTalk episode, health care expert Alex Sheff of Health Care For All Massachusetts shares what we can learn about making health more affordable and available with show host, cancer survivor, and health care advocate Laura Packard from Health Care Voices.
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!
Your health insurance costs about to skyrocket? w/ Charles Gaba, ACASignups.net
Do you have health insurance through the Affordable Care Act? Your costs may be about to skyrocket. In this #CareTalk episode, health care expert Charles Gaba of ACASignups.net explains why you may be getting sticker shock for your health insurance policy in the next couple months, and what Congress could still do to help you with show host, cancer survivor, and health care advocate Laura Packard from Health Care Voices.
Plus Diane Archer of Social Security Works and Just Care answers your American health insurance and health care questions on Medicare.
This episode includes...
