The Shkreli Awards, an annual event hosted by the Lown Institute, have become a biting critique of the American healthcare system. Named after the infamous “pharma bro” Martin shkreli, these awards spotlight the most egregious examples of profiteering and dysfunction in healthcare.This year’s ceremony, the eighth edition, continued to shine a light on the systemic issues plaguing the industry, from needless chemotherapy to Medicare abuse and private equity profiteering.
The Origins of the Shkreli Awards
Table of Contents
- The 2024 shkreli Awards: Exposing the Dark Side of Healthcare
- The Ethics of Profit in Healthcare: A Deep Dive into Controversial Practices
- The High Cost of High Doses: How Profit-Driven Practices Impact Patient Health
- The Shkreli Awards 2023: Exposing the Dark Side of Healthcare
- How UnitedHealth’s Aggressive Tactics Are Reshaping Healthcare—and Leaving Patients Behind
- An Arm and a Leg Kicks Off 2025 with Exciting Updates and New partnerships
- An Arm and a leg Kicks Off 2025 with exciting Updates and New Partnerships
The awards are named after Martin Shkreli, the former pharmaceutical executive who became a symbol of corporate greed in 2015. Shkreli infamously raised the price of Daraprim, a lifesaving drug for toxoplasmosis, from $13.50 to $750 per pill. His actions sparked outrage and cemented his reputation as the face of pharmaceutical exploitation. The Lown Institute, an independent healthcare think tank, adopted his name for these awards to highlight similar instances of greed and dysfunction in the healthcare system.
A Spotlight on Healthcare’s Worst Offenders
This year’s Shkreli Awards, judged by a panel of 20 experts including physicians, professors, and activists, revealed a healthcare system in dire need of reform. As Dr. Vikas Saini,president of the Lown Institute,noted during the ceremony,”Showing all these stories together paints a picture of a health care system in desperate need of change. Not just as the stories are shocking,but because frequently enough what they’re depicting,like Martin Shkreli’s infamous price hike,is perfectly legal.”
The awards highlighted ten shocking cases, including:
- Unnecessary Chemotherapy: Patients subjected to aggressive treatments with little to no medical benefit.
- Medicare Abuse: Exploitation of the system for financial gain.
- Private Equity Profiteering: Firms prioritizing profits over patient care.
A call for Change
The Shkreli Awards are more than just a critique; they are a call to action. By exposing these stories, the Lown Institute aims to spark conversations about systemic reform. As Saini emphasized, the goal is to push for a healthcare system that prioritizes care over profit.
Key Highlights from the 2024 Shkreli Awards
Below is a summary of the most notable “winners” from this year’s ceremony:
| Category | Description |
|—————————-|———————————————————————————|
| Unnecessary Chemotherapy | Patients subjected to aggressive treatments with little to no medical benefit. |
| Medicare abuse | Exploitation of the system for financial gain. |
| Private Equity Profiteering| firms prioritizing profits over patient care. |
Why These Awards Matter
The Shkreli Awards serve as a stark reminder of the flaws in the American healthcare system. they highlight not only the greed and dysfunction but also the legal loopholes that allow such practices to thrive.As the Lown Institute continues to advocate for a just and caring healthcare system, these awards play a crucial role in raising awareness and driving change.
For more details on this year’s winners,visit the Lown Institute’s official press release.
The 2024 shkreli Awards: Exposing the Dark Side of Healthcare
The 2024 Shkreli Awards, named after the infamous pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli, have once again brought to light some of the most shocking and egregious stories in healthcare. Hosted by Vikas Saini, president of the lown Institute, the awards ceremony recognized investigative journalism that exposed systemic failures and ethical breaches in the healthcare industry. The event, held virtually on January 7, 2024, was anything but ordinary.“It’s a bobblehead: White guy in a black suit — Clark Kent without the glasses — and it’s in a display box that says 2024 Shkreli Award,” said Dan Weissmann, host of the podcast An Arm and a Leg, which focuses on the high costs of healthcare and potential solutions.“someday, I hope the reporting we do here earns us one of these.”
The Shkreli Awards are not your typical accolades. Instead of celebrating achievements, they spotlight the worst practices in healthcare, from unethical business dealings to systemic failures. This year’s ceremony was no exception,with stories that were as disturbing as they were enlightening.
The Countdown Begins: A Grisly Tale of Exploitation
The awards kicked off with a chilling story that could easily be mistaken for a Halloween horror tale.“Number ten. Texas Medical School allegedly neglects to notify next of kin before selling body parts of the deceased,” announced Vikas Saini during the ceremony.
an inquiry by NBC News revealed that the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth had been acquiring unclaimed bodies from the county coroner, dissecting them, and selling the parts to major corporations like Medtronic and Johnson & Johnson — all without obtaining consent from the deceased’s families.
“The center’s business supplied the body parts to major for-profit ventures,” Saini explained. “The investigation found repeated failures at the center and at the county level to contact family members who were, actually, relatively easy to identify and reach.”
One notably heartbreaking case involved Carl Honey, a homeless veteran entitled to a military burial. Instead, his remains were sold piece by piece.
“A Swedish medical device maker paid $341 for Honey’s right leg. A Pittsburgh medical education company spent $900 for his torso,and the U.S. Army paid $210 for bones from his skull,” Saini recounted. “It just sounds so macabre. It’s more like a Halloween story.”
When confronted with the findings, the university shut down the program and fired those responsible. Though, as Saini reflected, this was likely not an isolated incident but a symptom of a broader issue.
“They set a tone at the top,” Saini said, suggesting that such practices are often driven by systemic pressures within healthcare institutions.
A Spotlight on Systemic failures
The Shkreli Awards serve as a stark reminder of the ethical challenges plaguing the healthcare industry. While the stories are often shocking, they also highlight the critical role of investigative journalism in holding institutions accountable.
“This is An Arm and a Leg. A show about why healthcare costs so freaking much, and what we can maybe do about it,” Weissmann said. “I’m a reporter, and I like a challenge. So the job we’ve chosen on this show is to take one of the most enraging, terrifying, depressing parts of American life, and bring you something entertaining, empowering, and useful.”
The awards ceremony, though held on Zoom, was presented with the flair of a customary awards show, complete with a countdown and dramatic reveals. But behind the theatrics lies a serious mission: to shed light on the darker corners of healthcare and inspire change.
Key Takeaways from the 2024 Shkreli Awards
| Award | Story | Impact |
|————————–|—————————————————————————|—————————————————————————-|
| Number 10 | Texas Medical School sells body parts without consent | Program shut down; administrators fired |
| Carl Honey Case | homeless veteran’s remains sold to corporations | Highlighted systemic failures in handling unclaimed bodies |
| Investigative Role | NBC news exposes unethical practices | Sparked public outrage and institutional accountability |
Why This Matters
The 2024 Shkreli Awards underscore the importance of transparency and accountability in healthcare. Stories like the one involving the University of north Texas Health Science center reveal how profit-driven practices can overshadow ethical considerations,frequently enough at the expense of vulnerable individuals.
As Dan Weissmann aptly put it, “The job we’ve chosen on this show is to take one of the most enraging, terrifying, depressing parts of American life, and bring you something entertaining, empowering, and useful.”
Join the Conversation
What do you think about the issues raised by the Shkreli Awards? Share your thoughts and help us continue the conversation about ethical healthcare practices. For more insights, tune into An Arm and a Leg and explore the full investigation by NBC News.
Let’s work together to ensure that healthcare remains a right, not a privilege.
The Ethics of Profit in Healthcare: A Deep Dive into Controversial Practices
In the high-stakes world of healthcare, the pressure to “make the numbers” often overshadows ethical considerations. this tension was starkly highlighted during a recent awards ceremony, where shocking practices in the medical industry were brought to light. From the commodification of human body parts to the questionable rise of infant tongue-tie procedures, the event revealed a troubling trend: the prioritization of profit over patient care.
The Widget Factory Mentality
The ceremony opened with a sobering critique of the healthcare system’s profit-driven mindset. “You know, it’s like the widget factory,” one speaker remarked, drawing a parallel between healthcare and manufacturing. “How many cars did tesla ship? With that mentality, you set the tone.”
This tone, as the speaker explained, often leads to ethical lapses. “Once you set the tone, you can’t keep track of what everybody’s doing. And the people probably thought they were doing the right thing. They’re trying to bring in some revenue.”
One particularly egregious example involved a state medical school selling body parts without consent. “If your job is to bring in revenue, help make the numbers, then why would you bother trying to contact next of kin and get consent before selling off somebody’s body parts?” asked Dan, a commentator at the event.
this theme of prioritizing profit over ethics ran through the entire ceremony, underscoring a systemic issue in healthcare.
The Rise of Tongue-Tie Procedures
Another controversial topic highlighted was the surge in infant tongue-tie procedures. “Number nine, out of the mouths of babes, a taste for tongue-tie cutting intensifies,” announced Vikas Saini during the awards ceremony.
Tongue-tie, or ankyloglossia, occurs when the tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth is too thick or short.While the condition can sometimes cause breastfeeding difficulties, the procedure to correct it has exploded in popularity, often without sufficient evidence of its effectiveness.
“Despite a lack of evidence showing effectiveness,baby tongue-tie cutting procedures are being touted as a cure for everything from breastfeeding difficulties to sleep apnea,scoliosis,and even constipation,” Saini noted.
The New York Times reported that some doctors perform this procedure up to 100 times a week, charging $900 per session. Dentists, too, have jumped on the bandwagon, encouraged by medical-device companies like Biolase.
At an event billed as “Tequila and Tongue Ties,” representatives from Biolase trained pediatric dentists on the procedure before indulging in tequila shots and margaritas. The event, humorously advertised as a “nacho average dental meeting,” raised serious questions about the commercialization of medical practices.
A Legacy of Ethical Medicine
The ceremony also paid tribute to Dr. Bernard Lown, founder of the Lown Cardiovascular Research Foundation and a pioneer in non-invasive heart disease management. Lown’s philosophy,”We do as much as possible for the patient and as little as possible to the patient,” stood in stark contrast to the profit-driven practices being criticized.Vikas Saini, who was mentored by Lown, reflected on the deeper implications of these controversies. “Dr. Lown’s motto was we do as much as possible for the patient and as little as possible to the patient,” Saini recalled.
Saini acknowledged the desire of doctors and researchers to innovate but lamented how this drive is often co-opted by the medical industry’s need to “make the numbers.” “In our system, that desire gets wrapped up in the medical industry’s need to find new products to sell — like procedures,” he said.
Key Takeaways
| Issue | Details |
|——————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Profit-Driven Healthcare | prioritizing revenue over ethical considerations, such as selling body parts without consent. |
| Tongue-Tie procedures | A surge in infant tongue-tie surgeries, often without sufficient evidence of effectiveness.|
| Commercialization | Medical-device companies promoting procedures through events like “Tequila and Tongue Ties.” |
| Ethical Legacy | Dr. Bernard Lown’s philosophy of minimizing harm and prioritizing patient care. |
A Call for Reflection
The awards ceremony served as a wake-up call, urging the healthcare industry to reflect on its priorities. As saini poignantly noted, the stories shared “stirred some deep reflection” about the origins of the Lown Institute and the values it stands for.
In a system increasingly driven by profit, the challenge is to balance innovation with ethical responsibility. As healthcare professionals, policymakers, and patients, we must ask ourselves: Are we doing as much as possible for the patient, or are we simply trying to make the numbers?
What are your thoughts on the commercialization of healthcare? Share your insights in the comments below or join the conversation on Twitter.
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This article is based on information from the original source. For further reading, explore the New York times report on tongue-tie procedures and the Lown Institute’s mission to promote ethical healthcare practices.
The High Cost of High Doses: How Profit-Driven Practices Impact Patient Health
In the world of pharmaceuticals, the line between patient care and profit margins can sometimes blur. A recent investigation by KFF Health News sheds light on how Amgen, a major drug manufacturer, is prioritizing profits over patient well-being with its lung cancer drug, Lumakras. Despite evidence showing that a lower dose of the drug is equally effective with fewer side effects,the company continues to market the higher dose,raking in an additional $180,000 per patient annually.
The Lumakras Dilemma: higher Dose, Higher Profits
Lumakras, approved by the FDA in 2021 under an accelerated approval pathway, was initially prescribed at a daily dose of 960 milligrams.However, during clinical trials, Amgen also tested a lower dose of 240 milligrams, which proved to be nearly as effective while significantly reducing adverse effects such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and mouth sores.
one patient shared their harrowing experience with KFF Health News: “After two months on that drug,I had lost 15 pounds,had sores in my mouth and down my throat,stomach stuff. It was horrible.” For patients like this, the lower dose could be a game-changer. Yet, Amgen continues to push the higher dose, which not only maximizes profits but also exposes patients to unnecessary risks.
The FDA’s Role in the Controversy
At a recent awards ceremony, Vikas Saini, a prominent voice in healthcare reform, criticized the FDA approval process for its lack of complete evaluation. “There’s no way of holistically looking at how much does this cost? What are the side effects? What are the trade-offs? And what’s the strength of the evidence?” Saini remarked. He emphasized the need for a more rigorous system that goes beyond simply granting approval and leaving the rest to market forces.
While the FDA has requested additional studies from Amgen before granting final approval, the drug remains on the market with the higher dose labeled as the FDA-approved standard. This raises questions about whether the current regulatory framework adequately protects patients or inadvertently prioritizes corporate interests.
A Broader Pattern: Procedures and Products in Search of Markets
The Lumakras controversy is not an isolated incident. It reflects a broader trend in healthcare where procedures and products are often marketed aggressively, sometimes without sufficient evidence of their benefits.
take, such as, the rise of tongue-tie cutting, a procedure that has gained popularity despite limited scientific backing. as Saini noted, “This idea that the manufacturers train people in the technique, that’s not confined to this. This goes on all over the place.” Events like “tequila and tongue ties” highlight how medical practices can sometimes resemble marketing campaigns, blurring the lines between patient care and profit-driven strategies.
The Cost of Profit-Driven Healthcare
The consequences of these practices are far-reaching. Patients endure unnecessary suffering, healthcare costs skyrocket, and trust in the medical system erodes. As Saini aptly put it, “We need different mechanisms and methods than just saying, ‘Hey, you’re approved. You can charge a thousand bucks and we’ll figure it out later.’”
Key Takeaways
| Issue | Details |
|——————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Drug in Question | Lumakras,a lung cancer drug by Amgen |
| higher Dose | 960 mg daily,FDA-approved,more side effects |
| Lower Dose | 240 mg daily,equally effective,fewer side effects |
| Profit Impact | $180,000 extra per patient annually with higher dose |
| FDA Concerns | Approval process lacks comprehensive evaluation of costs and side effects |
A Call for Change
The Lumakras story underscores the urgent need for reforms in the FDA approval process and greater transparency in pharmaceutical practices.Patients deserve treatments that prioritize their health over corporate profits. As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the current system is failing those it is indeed meant to serve.
For more insights into the intersection of healthcare and profit,explore KFF Health News and stay informed about the latest developments in medical ethics and policy.
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What are your thoughts on the balance between profit and patient care in healthcare? Share your opinions in the comments below.
The Shkreli Awards 2023: Exposing the Dark Side of Healthcare
The 2023 Shkreli Awards have once again spotlighted the most egregious examples of greed, negligence, and outright fraud in the healthcare industry. Named after the infamous Martin Shkreli,these awards “honor” individuals and organizations whose actions have harmed patients and exploited the system. This year’s winners include a $2 billion Medicare catheter scam, a $97,000 air-ambulance denial, and private equity-driven hospital failures that left patients dying in hallways.
The $2 Billion Medicare Catheter Scandal
In 2023, Medicare billing for urinary catheters surged by an astonishing 800%, with up to 450,000 beneficiaries billed for these devices. Just seven suppliers were responsible for $2 billion in suspicious charges, representing a fifth of all Medicare spending on medical supplies for the year.
One of the most notorious suppliers, Pretty in Pink Boutique, billed Medicare for over $250 million. Though, investigations by The New York Times revealed that the company had no medical business at its listed address, and its phone number connected to a random auto body shop.
“The dollar flows through healthcare are so massive. Multiple trillions of dollars. A billion here, a billion there, it’s not even real money yet,” said Vikas Saini, a commentator at the awards ceremony.
Denied Care and Financial Exploitation
The Shkreli Awards also highlighted the human cost of healthcare failures. One insurance company denied a claim for an air-ambulance ride for a baby, leaving the family with a $97,000 bill. This story,reported by KFF Health News in collaboration with NPR,underscores the financial burdens families face in emergencies.
Private equity’s influence on healthcare was another recurring theme. One hospital, accused of denying care to cancer patients and demanding upfront payment, faced scrutiny after NBC News revealed its charity care policy had been altered in 2023 to exclude cancer treatment.
The Tragic Collapse of Steward Healthcare
The most heartbreaking story of the year involved Steward Healthcare, a chain of hospitals that went bankrupt under the leadership of CEO Ralph de la Torre. The Boston Globe published a devastating report titled, “They died in hallways. In line. Alone. Their deaths are the human cost of Steward’s financial neglect.”
de la Torre, who reportedly made $250 million in the four years leading up to the bankruptcy, was awarded the top “dishonor” at the Shkreli awards. The ceremony featured a photo of an empty chair with his name card in a Congressional hearing room, symbolizing his absence and accountability.
Key Takeaways from the 2023 Shkreli Awards
| Category | Winner | details |
|—————————-|————————————-|—————————————————————————–|
| Medicare Fraud | Pretty in Pink Boutique | Billed Medicare $250 million for catheters; no medical business found. |
| Insurance Denial | Unnamed Insurance Company | Denied $97,000 air-ambulance claim for a baby. |
| Private equity exploitation| Steward Healthcare | Bankrupt hospital chain; patients died due to financial neglect. |
| Charity Care Exclusion | Unnamed Hospital | Altered policy to exclude cancer treatment from charity care. |
What Does It All Mean?
The 2023 Shkreli Awards reveal a healthcare system riddled with exploitation and neglect. From fraudulent billing practices to the devastating impact of private equity,these stories highlight the urgent need for reform. As Vikas Saini aptly put it, “The dollar flows through healthcare are so massive… a billion here, a billion there, it’s not even real money yet.”
For more in-depth reporting on these issues, visit KFF Health News and The Boston Globe.—
This article is based on information from the Shkreli Awards 2023 and associated reporting by the New York Times, KFF Health News, NPR, NBC News, and The Boston Globe.
How UnitedHealth’s Aggressive Tactics Are Reshaping Healthcare—and Leaving Patients Behind
UnitedHealth Group, the nation’s largest health insurer and a dominant force in the healthcare industry, is under scrutiny for its aggressive business practices. A recent investigation by STAT News reveals how the company’s strategies, including manipulating medical coding to maximize profits, have raised ethical and legal concerns—while leaving patients to bear the brunt of the fallout.
The Rise of a Healthcare Giant
What began as a small Minnesota health insurer has grown into the fourth-largest business in the U.S. by revenue, controlling nearly 90,000 physicians—more than three times the number employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).UnitedHealth Group operates not only the country’s largest insurance company, UnitedHealthcare, but also a sprawling network of healthcare businesses, including its dominant role in Medicare Advantage, the privatized version of Medicare.
According to STAT News, UnitedHealth’s influence extends far beyond insurance. If you’re enrolled in a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan, your in-network doctor is highly likely employed by UnitedHealth Group. This vertical integration has raised concerns about conflicts of interest and the company’s ability to exert undue pressure on healthcare providers.
Pressure on Doctors: Less Time, More Codes
Doctors interviewed by STAT reported feeling pressured to spend less time with patients and to use aggressive medical-coding tactics. These tactics involve exaggerating patients’ health conditions to make them appear sicker than they are. Why? As Medicare Advantage plans receive bonus payments for insuring less healthy patients.
As Vikas Saini, a prominent healthcare advocate, explained during an awards ceremony:
“According to STAT, this tactic may have allowed the company to take tens of billions of dollars in additional payments from us, the taxpayers, over the past decade.”
UnitedHealth now faces a federal lawsuit and an ongoing antitrust investigation for these practices. The company denies any wrongdoing, but the allegations highlight a troubling trend in the healthcare industry: prioritizing profits over patient care.
The Logic of Profit Maximization
The pressure to maximize shareholder returns is a driving force behind UnitedHealth’s strategies. As Saini noted, this logic is pervasive in the healthcare system:
“If he were working for United, he might pursue the same kinds of strategies. That’s how you hit your numbers, keep shareholders happy. It’s the logic of so much of our healthcare system.”
This mindset echoes the actions of Martin Shkreli, the infamous pharmaceutical executive who dramatically raised the price of a life-saving drug. Shkreli spent seven years in prison—not for price gouging, but for securities fraud.As saini pointed out:
“People say he went to jail and they link it to the pharma pricing thing, but he didn’t go to jail for that. He went to jail for this other thing, securities fraud. So it may be, raising the price that much was perfectly legal, and then that puts a different spin on his justification, which is he felt it was his duty to his shareholders to maximize what he could make.”
the Consequences for Patients
As healthcare giants like UnitedHealth grow larger, the competition intensifies. Other players in the industry are forced to adopt similar tactics to stay competitive, leading to a cycle of consolidation and profit-driven decision-making. Saini warns:
“Now, maybe someday, you know, we’ll have three behemoths duking it out. But again, the people left holding the bag in all these healthcare Godzilla-versus-King-Kong fights are patients.”
Patients are caught in the crossfire, facing higher costs, reduced access to care, and a system that prioritizes financial performance over their well-being.
Key Takeaways
| Key Issue | Details |
|————————————|—————————————————————————–|
| Aggressive Medical Coding | Doctors pressured to exaggerate patient conditions for higher reimbursements. |
| Medicare Advantage Bonuses | UnitedHealth allegedly received tens of billions in extra taxpayer funds. |
| Legal Challenges | Federal lawsuit and antitrust investigation underway. |
| Impact on Patients | reduced care quality,higher costs,and systemic prioritization of profits. |
What’s Next?
The ongoing investigations into UnitedHealth’s practices could have far-reaching implications for the healthcare industry.Will regulators step in to curb the power of corporate behemoths? Or will the cycle of consolidation and profit-driven decision-making continue unchecked?
As patients and taxpayers, it’s crucial to stay informed and demand accountability from the companies that shape our healthcare system.
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For more in-depth reporting on this topic, visit STAT News.The Health Care Crisis: A Flare Shot into the Night Sky
In the ongoing battle between corporate giants and the communities they serve,the casualties are often the most vulnerable: smaller hospitals,rural hospitals,and,as Vikas Saini puts it,“most of us,really.” The metaphor is stark but apt. “When Godzilla and King kong fight,they stomp on everybody,” says Dan,capturing the collateral damage of a system in turmoil.
The recent shooting of Brian Thompson, CEO of United’s insurance division, has only amplified the urgency of this crisis. “I’d characterize my mood, or my reaction in response to that shooting, to be one of alarm and urgency,” Saini reflects. For years, the Shkreli Awards have highlighted the greed and inequities in health care, but Saini sees this tragedy as a flare shot into the night sky—a desperate signal that the system is broken.
The Crisis in Numbers
Saini, a prominent voice in health care reform, questions the metrics driving the industry. “If we’re going to treat health care as a commodity and rely on the magic of the marketplace to solve all these problems, what’s the product off the assembly line?” he asks. “If the product is health care activity, health care procedures, then we have the system we have.But what if the product were health? What if the product were wellness?”
The current system, Saini argues, doesn’t measure for health or wellness. Instead, it prioritizes speed and volume over meaningful patient outcomes. He recalls the wisdom of his mentor, bernard Lown, who famously said, “In most other businesses, you get more efficient by doing everything faster. In health care, at least in the doctor-patient relationship, you get more efficient by doing everything slower.”
This philosophy underscores the importance of building relationships with patients. Saini illustrates this with a simple example: “If I know someone for 10 years and they come in Friday at 4:30 with a headache, I have one response. If I’ve never met this person in my life and they come in Friday at 4:30 with a headache, I’m more likely to send them for a CT scan or see a neurologist.”
A Call for Bold Leadership
In contrast to the Shkreli Awards, which spotlight greed, the Lown Institute honors those who embody the values of Bernard Lown.The Bernard Lown Award for Social Responsibility recognizes young clinicians under 45 who demonstrate “bold leadership” in humanitarian work and justice. Nominations for the 2025 award are open until january 31,offering a chance to celebrate those who are redefining health care’s purpose.
A System at a Crossroads
The urgency of this crisis is undeniable. As Saini puts it, “We’ve got big problems. If nothing else, it’s a flare being shot up to say there is a crisis, and to call it anything less than a crisis is not real.” The question now is whether the system will continue to prioritize profit over people or shift toward a model that values health and wellness.
| Key Points | Details |
|—————–|————-|
| Crisis in Health Care | Smaller and rural hospitals are disproportionately affected by corporate battles. |
| brian Thompson Shooting | A tragic event highlighting simmering resentments in the industry. |
| Shkreli Awards | Annual awards exposing greed and inequities in health care. |
| Bernard Lown Award | Honors young clinicians for humanitarian work and justice.Nominations due by January 31, 2025. |
| Health vs. Profit | Saini advocates for a shift from measuring health care activity to measuring health and wellness. |
As the year-end fundraising deadline approached,the Lown Institute faced its own challenge: raising $30,000 to unlock matching funds. Did they make it? The answer remains a cliffhanger, but the stakes are clear. The fight for a more equitable health care system is far from over, and every contribution—whether financial or ideological—matters.
The flare has been shot. The question is, who will answer the call?
An Arm and a Leg Kicks Off 2025 with Exciting Updates and New partnerships
the award-winning podcast An Arm and a Leg, produced in partnership with KFF Health News, is starting 2025 with a bang, thanks to the unwavering support of its listeners. Host Dan Weissmann recently announced a series of exciting updates, including the return of the Frist Aid Kit newsletter and a groundbreaking collaboration with KUOW, Seattle’s NPR news station.
A Strong Start to 2025
Thanks to the generosity of its audience, An Arm and a Leg is entering the new year in a position of strength. Weissmann expressed his gratitude, saying, “Because of your generosity and commitment, we’re starting out 2025 super-strong.” This support has enabled the show to expand its offerings and reach new audiences.
One of the most anticipated updates is the return of the First Aid Kit newsletter, which will now be published weekly starting in February. Weissmann shared his excitement, stating, “I’m super-excited.” The newsletter will provide listeners with valuable insights, tips, and updates related to the show’s focus on healthcare costs and policy.
A New Partnership with KUOW
In a significant move to broaden its reach, An Arm and a Leg has partnered with KUOW, Seattle’s NPR news station. This collaboration aims to introduce the podcast to a wider audience through the NPR network. While there are no immediate plans for a broadcast version, the partnership has already shown promising results.
“In just the first few days, we are seeing lots of new folks listening to An Arm and a Leg — and we’re literally just getting started,” Weissmann noted.he extended a warm welcome to new listeners, saying, “If you’re one of the folks who’s discovered this show with help from KUOW and the NPR network, welcome aboard! I’m so glad you’re here.”
A Look Back at Six Years of Impact
As its inception, An Arm and a Leg has published over a hundred episodes, each tackling critical issues related to healthcare costs and policy in America. Weissmann encouraged listeners to explore the show’s extensive archive,saying,“Feel free to dig around in the hundred-and-some episodes we’ve published in the last six years.I think they’re all pretty good.”
The podcast is produced in collaboration with KFF Health News, a national newsroom dedicated to in-depth journalism on health issues. The show also benefits from the support of the Institute for Nonprofit News (INN), which serves as its fiscal sponsor, enabling tax-exempt donations.
Meet the Team Behind the Show
The latest episode of An Arm and a Leg was produced by Dan Weissmann, with assistance from Emily Pisacreta and Claire Davenport. Ellen Weiss handled the editing,while Adam Raymonda served as the audio wizard. The show’s music is composed by Dave Weiner and Blue Dot Sessions.Bea Bosco, the consulting director of operations, and Lynne Johnson, the operations manager, play crucial roles in keeping the show running smoothly. Zach Dyer,senior audio producer at KFF Health News,acts as the editorial liaison to the podcast.
How You Can Support the Show
An arm and a Leg relies on the financial support of its listeners to continue producing high-quality content. Weissmann expressed his gratitude to those who have contributed, saying, “thank you to everybody who supports this show financially.”
Listeners can join the community of supporters at any time by visiting arm and a leg show, dot com, slash: support.
Key Updates at a Glance
| Update | Details |
|———————————|—————————————————————————–|
| First Aid Kit Newsletter | Returns weekly starting February 2025. |
| Partnership with KUOW | Collaboration with Seattle’s NPR station to expand podcast reach.|
| Six Years of Episodes | over 100 episodes available for listeners to explore. |
| Fiscal Sponsor | Institute for Nonprofit News (INN) enables tax-exempt donations. |
| Support the Show | Contribute at arm and a leg show, dot com, slash: support. |
As An Arm and a Leg continues to grow, its mission remains clear: to shed light on the complexities of healthcare costs and policy in America. With new partnerships, a revamped newsletter, and the unwavering support of its listeners, the show is poised to make an even greater impact in 2025.“Catch you soon,” Weissmann signed off. “Till then, take care of yourself.”
An Arm and a leg Kicks Off 2025 with exciting Updates and New Partnerships
The award-winning podcast An Arm and a Leg, produced in partnership with KFF Health News, is starting 2025 with a bang, thanks to the unwavering support of its listeners. Host dan Weissmann recently announced a series of exciting updates, including the return of the First Aid Kit newsletter and a groundbreaking collaboration with KUOW, Seattle’s NPR news station.
A Strong Start to 2025
Thanks to the generosity of its audience, An Arm and a Leg is entering the new year in a position of strength. Weissmann expressed his gratitude, saying, “Because of your generosity and commitment, we’re starting out 2025 super-strong.” This support has enabled the show to expand its offerings and reach new audiences.
One of the most anticipated updates is the return of the First Aid kit newsletter, which will now be published weekly starting in February. Weissmann shared his excitement, stating, “I’m super-excited.” The newsletter will provide listeners with valuable insights, tips, and updates related to the show’s focus on healthcare costs and policy.
A New Partnership with KUOW
in a significant move to broaden its reach, An Arm and a Leg has partnered with KUOW, Seattle’s NPR news station. This collaboration aims to introduce the podcast to a wider audience thru the NPR network. While there are no immediate plans for a broadcast version, the partnership has already shown promising results.
“In just the first few days,we are seeing lots of new folks listening to An Arm and a Leg — and we’re literally just getting started,” Weissmann noted. he extended a warm welcome to new listeners, saying, “If you’re one of the folks who’s discovered this show with help from KUOW and the NPR network, welcome aboard! I’m so glad you’re here.”
A Look Back at Six Years of impact
as its inception, An Arm and a Leg has published over a hundred episodes, each tackling critical issues related to healthcare costs and policy in America. Weissmann encouraged listeners to explore the show’s extensive archive, saying, “Feel free to dig around in the hundred-and-some episodes we’ve published in the last six years. I think they’re all pretty good.”
The podcast is produced in collaboration with KFF Health News, a national newsroom dedicated to in-depth journalism on health issues. The show also benefits from the support of the Institute for Nonprofit news (INN),which serves as its fiscal sponsor,enabling tax-exempt donations.
Meet the Team Behind the Show
The latest episode of An Arm and a Leg was produced by Dan Weissmann, with assistance from Emily Pisacreta and Claire Davenport. Ellen Weiss handled the editing, while Adam Raymonda served as the audio wizard. The show’s music is composed by Dave Weiner and Blue Dot Sessions. Bea Bosco, the consulting director of operations, and Lynne Johnson, the operations manager, play crucial roles in keeping the show running smoothly. Zach Dyer, senior audio producer at KFF Health News, acts as the editorial liaison to the podcast.
How You Can Support the Show
An Arm and a Leg relies on the financial support of its listeners to continue producing high-quality content. Weissmann expressed his gratitude to those who have contributed, saying, “Thank you to everybody who supports this show financially.”
Listeners can join the community of supporters at any time by visiting armandalegshow.com/support.
Key Updates at a Glance
| Update | Details |
|---|---|
| First Aid Kit Newsletter | Returns weekly starting February 2025. |
| partnership with KUOW | Collaboration with Seattle’s NPR station to expand podcast reach. |
| six Years of Episodes | Over 100 episodes available for listeners to explore. |
| Fiscal Sponsor | Institute for Nonprofit News (INN) enables tax-exempt donations. |
| Support the Show | Contribute at armandalegshow.com/support. |
As An Arm and a Leg continues to grow, its mission remains clear: to shed light on the complexities of healthcare costs and policy in America. With new partnerships, a revamped newsletter, and the unwavering support of its listeners, the show is poised to make an even greater impact in 2025. “Catch you soon,” Weissmann signed off.“Till then, take care of yourself.”
