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THE HEALTHCARE DIVIDE

DEMAND CHANGE

SPEAK OUT

Every story matters.

Every voice counts.

BE PART OF THE CHANGE

Issue No.1

ACTION, ADVOCACY, REFORM

THE TIME FOR CHANGE IS NOW

United, we can shape a healthcare system that serves everyone.

CONTENTS 4 An Introduction

6 "Let Us Build"

11 Fact vs. Fiction

7 Infographics: Public vs. Private Healthcare Visualize the Chaos 9 How We Got Here: Understanding how we reached this point 15 The Future of Healthcare: “Revolutionizing the System for a Healthier, More Inclusive Tomorrow” 23 In Closing: “Let It Be Know”

25 Art From “The Nest” The following artwork was created by The Mockingbird Movement’s Junior Organization, Called “The Nest” FREEDOM FROM...

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Brothers & Sisters Look upon the world they’ve built. A world where the weak are trampled beneath the boots of the powerful, where the cries of the downtrodden are drowned out by the hollow echoes of the rich. For too long, we have been fed lies, served on the silver platters of deceit. These rulers, these parasites, they have turned us into mere tools in their game of exploitation.

They call it progress. They call it prosperity. But in truth, it is nothing more than the cruel, unyielding grip of a system that feeds on the blood of the vulnerable. The religion of capitalism—they worship it as a god, a false idol that demands sacrifice without mercy. In the name of their father rape, their son pillage, and their spirit conquer. They claim it is divine, they wear their religion on their necks like jewelry, only to be blinded by the sheen of their own gold.

They do not see us. They do not hear us. We are nothing but commodities to them—bought, sold, and discarded at their whim. But today, the veil is lifted.

Today, we see them for what they are: a true enemy of humanity.

Let their wealth burn in the fire of revolution. Let their empire of greed crumble beneath the weight of our unity. It is time for us to take back what was stolen, to reclaim our dignity from the hands of these tyrants. The time has come to rise, to break the chains, and to build a new world—one where justice, not gold, reigns supreme.

The revolution will not be a whisper, it will be a roar. And their gilded temples of oppression? They will fall.

We rise. We fight. We conquer.

t n e m e v o M d r i - the Mockingb FREEDOM FROM...

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Who We Are

We are The Mockingbird Movement, a community-powered initiative dedicated to challenging socioeconomic inequalities and building a more just world. Through advocacy, education, and grassroots action, we amplify voices, fight injustices, and inspire real change.

A Bit of History Founded in 2024, The Mockingbird Movement is here on the frontlines, fighting to break the grip of socioeconomic injustice.

In a world where the rich get richer and the voices of the people go unheard, we’re here to make sure you are heard. We are united. We won’t stay silent.

We fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. It’s time we stand in solidarity, just as we once have. Let’s continue to lift each other up, not tear each other down. Let’s focus on true progress—together, as one.

The Top 12 We’re not just here to inform; we’re here to get it done. We’ve identified the Top 12 most pressing injustices that demand immediate action. These aren’t about feelings or opinions— they’re facts. Facts that represent real people. They represent our friends, our families, our neighbors. We owe it to them to confront these issues head-on: Human Trafficking Healthcare Classism Fair Housing Justice System/Systematic Intimidation/Police Reform Racial Inequality Environment Privacy/Government Surveillance Military Industrial Complex/Ethnic Cleansing Big Banking/Corporate Greed Food Insecurity Consumerism

themockingbirdmovement.com

February 2025

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Who Are The People The People are the backbone of humanity— the collective force that sustains the world. They are the cooks who feed the hungry, the city cleaner who cleanses our cities, the educators who mold minds, and the caregivers who nurture life. They are the everyday individuals who wake up each morning to face the grind of a system designed to exploit their labor while denying them the fruits of it.

They are the poor, cast aside by the wealthy elite; the disenfranchised, silenced by corrupt institutions; the oppressed, shackled by unjust systems. They are the masses whose voices echo in the streets, whose sweat and tears form the foundation of society, yet whose needs are perpetually ignored.

The People are not bound by borders or divisions fabricated by the powerful. They transcend race, gender, and creed, bound together by shared struggles and a common yearning for freedom. They are the single mother working three jobs to provide for her children, the student drowning in debt for an education promised to be their salvation, the worker laboring long hours for a wage that barely keeps the lights on. They are the individuals cast as expendable by those who hoard wealth and power.

But The People are also the dreamers, the fighters, the visionaries who refuse to accept oppression as fate. They are the ones who come together in solidarity to resist tyranny, to demand justice, and to reclaim dignity. They are the true inheritors of the earth, the rightful wielders of power stolen by the few.

The People are diverse and dynamic, full of stories of pain and resilience, of hope and struggle. They are not perfect, nor are they monolithic. Yet, in their shared humanity lies an indomitable force—a force capable of toppling empires, breaking chains, and birthing revolutions.

In the end, The People are not just an idea; they are the heart of every movement, the soul of every uprising, and the foundation of every change. They are the ones who will rewrite history—not as victims, but as the architects of a better world.

Now, who are you?

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Let Us Build: It Starts With Us Our healthcare system is failing us, and it has been for some time. It’s weighed down by inefficiency, buried in red tape, and driven by the interests of powerful political and corporate forces. For years, we’ve claimed to have access to quality care—but that promise has never been fulfilled. The government, meant to safeguard our well-being, has fallen short.

Why do we continue to cling to a system that doesn’t serve us? Shouldn’t we be asking whether there’s a better way forward? This isn’t about replacing one broken system with another. It’s about changing the concept of healthcare entirely. Picture a system free from political agendas and corporate profit—a system built around what’s best for its citizens vs. “what’s better for the CEOs & investors pockets.”

Healthcare should be treated as a fundamental right, not a commodity. It must be rooted in solidarity, not competition. This isn’t an unrealistic dream; it’s a necessary change. We must dismantle the structures that no longer serve us and build a system centered on equality, inclusion, and care.

Let’s stop pretending the failures of our current system are accidental. Let’s stop settling for the idea that public and private systems, as they exist today, are the best we can achieve. It’s time to challenge the status quo and demand a new vision: one that incentivizes solidarity and inclusion over greed and profit.

The revolution won’t start with the government or corporations. It starts with us. Together, we can build a healthcare system that reflects our values and puts people first. Let’s demand what we deserve and create the future we need.

themockingbirdmovement.com

February 2025

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Baltimore, MD 01/12/18

RIP Lisa Edwards Knoxville, TN 02/05/23

Las Vegas, NV 11/22/22

FEBRUARY 18, 1971 “I AM PROPOSING today a new national health strategy. It helps more people to pay for care-but it also expands the supply of health services and makes them more efficient. It emphasizes keeping people well--and not just making people well.

The purpose of this program is simply this: I want America to have the finest health care in the world--and I want every American to be able to get that care when he needs it.”

-President Richard Nixon

How Did We Get Here?

It’s been over half a century since the foundation of our current healthcare system was built. In 1971, President Nixon introduced a plan he claimed would ensure all Americans had access to medical care— but did it really deliver?

The day after meeting with Kaiser Permanente, Nixon addressed the nation with a vision for “managed care,” a system meant to control costs by tying healthcare to employers and private insurance. This became the backbone of the system we have today—one that dismisses taxfunded healthcare as “impractical.” But here’s the real question: was it designed to benefit the people, or to line the pockets of corporations and investors?

Louisville, KY 12/20/23

Consider this: In a recorded conversation from the Nixon White House, John Ehrlichman reviews a presentation from Edgar Kaiser (“Kaiser Permanente”). Ehrlichman explicitly stated, “Edgar Kaiser is running his Permanente deal for profit. And the reason that he can … the reason he can do it … I had Edgar Kaiser come in … talk to me about this and I went into it in some depth. All the incentives are toward less medical care because … the less care they give them, the more money they make.” Nixon’s response? “Fine.” This ultimately set the stage for the HMO Act of 1973, with Kaiser Permanente as the model.

themockingbirdmovement.com

February 2025

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Fvs. act ion

We’re breaking down the misconceptions about Universal Healthcare, because there’s a lot of misinformation and propaganda out there to make you think we’re doing a lot better than we actually are.

iF ct

Univers a l hea l thcare g o vern is a m ent-fu nded sy providin stem g a ccess com pre to hensive medical It’s cos service t-effec s. tive, pat centere ientd, and l in ked to hea lth better outcom es a nd lo ng er life exp ecta ncy .

My taxes will increase, and I’ll be paying more: Fiction Universal healthcare costs would be included in your taxes under universal healthcare. This means no more premiums coming out of your paycheck, no more deductibles to meet before insurance pays, no out-of-network charges, and prescription costs would be drastically reduced, if not completely covered. These taxes would replace the unpredictable (and often unaffordable) expenses of our current system. Basically, you’re not paying more; you’re paying smarter. Your money would support the people, not corporate profit margins.

Universal healthcare reduces quality: Fiction

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Life Expectancy vs. Healthcare Spending

Universal Healthcare leads to longer wait times: Fiction

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Majority of Medicaid recipients hate it: Fiction “...the large majority (83%) of Medicaid enrollees rate the overall performance of their current health insurance as either “excellent” or “good.” This positive rating is similar to ratings among those with ESI (80%), lower than those with Medicare (91%) and higher than those with Marketplace coverage (73%)”

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…[referencing HSAs] we try to increase the use of those and to direct primary care to, um, to continue transitioning into a value-based program that is, um, that is private. Americans, by and large, don’t like the Affordable Care Act. People are on it, but they don’t like Medicaid. They like Medicare, and they like private insurance.

We need to listen to what people want—they would prefer to be on private insurance. Most Americans, if they can afford to be, will be on private insurance.”

-Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Senate Confirmation Hearing, 2025

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The Future of Healthcare: Revolutionizing the System for a Healthier, More Inclusive Tomorrow Healthcare is changing rapidly. Think: of telemedicine, AI, and personalized medicine… These promise to make care more efficient, accessible, and tailored to patient needs.

Telemedicine: Changing Access—but Not for Everyone Telemedicine has transformed how we receive care, especially during the COVID19 pandemic. It’s been a lifeline for many in rural or underserved areas, offering care without the need for in-person visits. But for families without reliable internet, smartphones, or digital literacy, telemedicine is not always a solution. If we want telemedicine to truly expand access, we must invest in subsidized internet, devices, and technology training to bridge this gap.

themockingbirdmovement.com

AI in Healthcare: Smart Solutions AI is driving incredible advancements in healthcare, but it comes with challenges. Many AI tools are built on biased data and may not always show the full picture. In addition, the cost of these technologies makes them inaccessible to underserved populations. For AI to work for everyone, we need diverse data and policies that make these tools affordable and accessible.

February 2025

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Personalized Medicine: Tailored Care Personalized medicine tailors treatments to a patient’s genetic makeup, lifestyle, and other unique factors, but it’s often out of reach for anyone who can’t afford its high costs. To ensure this isn’t just care for the privileged, we must focus on making personalized medicine affordable and widely available. For example, personalized cancer therapies are increasingly available, offering customized treatments based on a patient’s unique genetic profile.

Wearable Tech: Transforming Health Monitoring Often seen as just “gadgets,” smartwatches and wearable health trackers can be lifesaving for people with chronic conditions, providing realtime insights to help manage their health.

These devices track vitals like heart rate, sleep patterns, physical activity, and blood oxygen levels.

But the high cost of quality devices creates a serious financial barrier for lower-income families. By integrating wearables into public health programs and insurance plans, we can make this technology accessible and work toward a healthier future for everyone.

Preventive Healthcare: Focusing on Wellness Rather Than Treatment There’s no question that preventive healthcare is essential for improving health outcomes. In lower-income communities, chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity are more prevalent and often overlooked. The goal is to address health issues early through regular screenings, lifestyle changes, and early interventions—leading to better outcomes and lower long-term treatment costs.

themockingbirdmovement.com

Blockchain and Health Data Security: The Future of Trust Blockchain technology has the potential to transform health data security, providing patients with greater control over their medical information. But like other digital health innovations, blockchain can be costly to implement, especially for smaller, underfunded healthcare providers.

To ensure that blockchain benefits everyone, we need policies that support its adoption across all healthcare sectors, especially those serving underserved communities.

Conclusion: A Call for Inclusive Healthcare Innovation These advancements are exciting, but they are not solutions for everyone. If we want a healthcare system that works for everyone, we must address the barriers that leave people out.

True progress means making innovation equitable—because no one should be excluded from preventable and, especially, life-saving care. The future of healthcare isn’t just about technology; it’s about ensuring it serves us all.

February 2025

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The Real Cost of Our Broken System As we’ve learned, our healthcare system is deeply unfavorable to a large portion of our society, especially the most vulnerable.

Despite spending more on healthcare than any other country, the United States has some of the worst health outcomes. But why? One of the most glaring barriers is income and the overall cost of care. In 2023, the average American spent $14,570 per person on healthcarerelated expenses—money that many of us simply don’t have.

For those who are unemployed, underemployed, or working for employers who don’t offer health insurance, care often feels impossible. Low-income families are hit hardest, unable to afford premiums, co-pays, or even essential medical services.

Let me offer some perspective: Last year, my spouse was laid off. We had switched from my HMO to his simply because it was more cost-effective. When he was unexpectedly laid off, our coverage ended immediately.

This was heartbreaking for us—mainly because our autistic child requires essential therapy every week. We knew COBRA was an option, so we waited for the information. However, we were shocked to learn the plan cost over $1,000 per month—an expense we couldn’t afford after a major job loss.

If you’ve ever been laid off, you know how difficult it can be. It shouldn’t feel like a possible death sentence until you figure out the next steps for coverage.

Racial disparities are also deeply rooted in our healthcare system. Communities of color—particularly Black, Indigenous, and Hispanic populations—face significant barriers to accessing healthcare. These challenges are not only financial but are also driven by systemic racism, resulting in poorer quality care and discriminatory practices. As a result, these communities often experience worse health outcomes, including higher rates of chronic illness and higher mortality rates.

themockingbirdmovement.com

Older adults, particularly those over 65, find themselves navigating a system designed for younger, working individuals. While Medicare offers some relief, it doesn’t cover everything. Seniors remain vulnerable to high out-of-pocket costs for prescriptions, treatments, and other medical needs.

The process was designed to make money, and it certainly has—but what’s the true cost? The ones who push this system have nothing to lose.

However, we do. It’s up to us to fight for a system that protects everyone, not just a select few.

While our healthcare system was initially sold as a means to reduce costs and increase access, its impact has been negative for most and extremely disproportionate for vulnerable groups. Rather than improving care for all, it often limits access by reducing the number of available providers and prioritizing cost-cutting over quality care.

We deserve to live in a country where having healthcare should not feel like a luxury. We’ve been conditioned to think that we are far too superior for “socialized medicine,” but this framing has only benefited the very group of people who have profited from it. Healthcare has been turned into something political when it’s a basic necessity. We must demand reform now.

February 2025

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SO, WHAT CAN WE DO? Join the movement. Stay Focused & Take Action Against the Forces of Resistance.

Clearly, this system has been working against us for years. It is funded by the insurance industry, pharmaceutical giants, and their allies in government. These forces of resistance are powerful and will stop at nothing to protect their profits. They will spread fear, fuel misinformation, and try to convince us that universal healthcare is “impossible” or would lead to disaster—just as they always have, a tale as old as time.

Meanwhile, our politicians, bound by their investments and interests, have little motivation to make meaningful change. But we cannot wait for them to act. Our lives depend on this. We must demand change and refuse to allow their greed to take precedence over our safety and quality of life.

The grassroots movements that have emerged in recent years—driven by activists, workers, and ordinary citizens—are the true force of this revolution. Together, we have the power to dismantle the corrupt systems that have held us hostage for too long. We will not be silenced or deterred. United, we will build a healthcare system that serves us all because healthcare is a human right—and our time is now.

ea, is a good id e in ic d e m lized think socia u o y if d n A “ ian.” ask a Canad W. Bush t George H. n e id s e r P .

- U.S

themockingbirdmovement.com

February 2025

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DEMAND DEMONSTRATE DELIVER THE MOCKINGBIRD WAY This is the Mockingbird way—our unwavering commitment to justice and change. We demand what is rightfully ours, demonstrate with unapologetic courage, and deliver results that shatter systems of oppression. Through collective action, bold strategy, and relentless determination, we turn voices into victories and visions into reality. This is not just a motto—it’s a revolutionary call to action.

DEMAND We demand justice, equity, and accountability with the conviction of those who refuse to be silenced. Our voices are unyielding, our stance uncompromising— because nothing changes without confrontation.

DEMONSTRATE We demonstrate our power through collective action, fearless resistance, and strategic disruption. In the streets, in our communities, and across the world, we make oppression visible and revolution inevitable.

DELIVER We deliver results through persistence, discipline, and unity. Empty promises and hollow reforms are not enough—we fight until real change is made, and we don’t stop until victory is ours.

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The Flaws of Private Insurance: How the System Profits at the Expense of Public Health Private insurance companies are the true enemies of the people. Their existence is built on one principle: profit. These corporations thrive by denying care, raising premiums, and imposing restrictions that ultimately hurt the very people they claim to serve. Every year, insurance companies rake in billions in profits while families across the globe are forced to make life-or-death decisions based on their ability to pay. This is not a system that serves the people; it is a system designed to serve the interests of corporate greed.

In the United States, the wealthiest nation in the world, nearly 30 million people remain uninsured, while 40 million more are underinsured. This is not a failure of the system—it is the system working exactly as it was designed to work. It is a system that thrives on inequality and exploits the suffering of the poor. People who cannot afford coverage are denied access to care and forced to bear the consequences of this for-profit system.

Meanwhile, insurance companies continue to grow ever more powerful, lobbying politicians and controlling the very mechanisms that could provide relief to the suffering.

The time has come to recognize that private insurance companies are the parasites of our healthcare system. Their profits are built on the misery of the people, and they have no place in a just society. The abolition of private insurance is not just necessary, it is inevitable.

The Economic Burden of Insurance Companies Insurance companies are not just morally bankrupt; they are economically inefficient. These corporations add enormous layers of bureaucracy and administrative costs to an already broken system. In the U.S., nearly 25% of healthcare spending goes toward administrative costs—costs that do nothing to improve the health of the population but line the pockets of corporate executives.

These profits are not used to save lives; they are used to perpetuate a system that benefits the few while leaving the many to suffer.

A single-payer system, one that is funded through taxes and administered by the government, would eliminate the need for private insurance altogether. It would drastically reduce administrative costs, allowing more of our healthcare dollars to go toward actual care rather than profit.

The evidence is clear: universal healthcare is not only more equitable; it is more efficient.

The time has come to demand a system that serves the people, not corporate interests. Insurance companies have no place in a healthcare system that is built to provide for the well-being of all. We must abolish these parasites and replace them with a system that puts the health of the people above all else.

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Healthcare as a Fundamental Human Right The argument is simple: healthcare is not a privilege. It is a human right. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations in 1948, states unequivocally that everyone has the right to an adequate standard of living, which includes access to healthcare. Yet, despite this global acknowledgment, millions are denied this basic right every day, simply because they cannot afford to pay the exorbitant costs imposed by private insurance companies.

Across the world, we see nations that have taken the revolutionary step of ensuring healthcare for all, like the United Kingdom, Canada, and various countries in Scandinavia. These nations have declared that healthcare is a public good, not a corporate commodity. They have proven that it is possible to build systems that provide for the health of the people, not the profits of the wealthy elite. Now, it is time for the rest of the world, and especially the United States, to join the ranks of those who understand that healthcare is a right, not a privilege.

The Fight for Universal Healthcare and the Abolition of Insurance Companies For too long, healthcare has been treated as a commodity, something to be bought and sold rather than a fundamental right. This deeply ingrained injustice is not only a moral outrage but a direct consequence of a system that prioritizes profit over human life. As the world continues to struggle with the devastating impact of for-profit healthcare systems, the call for universal healthcare and the abolition of insurance companies is growing louder. The time for reform is over; what we need is revolution.

The time has come to dismantle the corporate structure that profits off of illness and suffering. The healthcare system as it stands is a weapon of oppression, designed to keep the working class, the poor, and the marginalized at the mercy of private insurance companies that see people as nothing more than numbers on a spreadsheet. We cannot and will not accept a system that profits off the backs of the sick and the vulnerable. This is a call to arms in the fight for the healthcare we all deserve.

themockingbirdmovement.com

February 2025

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The Movement for Universal Healthcare in the United States In the United States, the call for Medicare for All has reached a fever pitch. In 2024, progressive movements across the nation gained unprecedented momentum, with candidates advocating for a Medicare for All plan that would guarantee healthcare for every American, regardless of income.

This is not just a policy change; it is a radical transformation of the way we view healthcare in this country. It is a recognition that we cannot continue to tolerate a system that values profit over the lives of the people.

In 2025, for the first time in history, the House of Representatives passed a bill that could make Medicare for All a reality. This is a victory, but it is not the end of the fight. The corporate forces that benefit from the current system—insurance companies, pharmaceutical giants, and other profiteers—will stop at nothing to block this reform. They will spend millions to protect their profits, but we cannot allow them to succeed. The struggle for universal healthcare is a struggle for justice, and it will not be won without resistance.

Abolishing Insurance Companies: A Radical Yet Necessary Step The time has come to be bold. Abolishing private insurance companies is not just a reform; it is a revolutionary act. It is an act of defiance against a system that has 0 3 . turned healthcare into a for-profit enterprise, exploiting the sick and the vulnerable for financial gain. By abolishing insurance companies, we will remove the middlemen who siphon off resources and ensure that our healthcare system is truly focused on the needs of the people.

We do not need to be afraid of change. We must embrace it. Countries around the world have proven that universal healthcare is not only possible, but necessary. It is time for the United States to join them in creating a healthcare system that serves everyone, not just the wealthy few.

themockingbirdmovement.com

February 2025

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Let It Be Known

Brothers, sisters, comrades, listen well! For today, we gather not as fractured tribes, but as one unstoppable force. Do not let the petty chains of division tighten around our throats! Do not let the pixels on a screen, flickering with lies, distort your vision of what must be done. The revolution is bigger than their manipulations. It is grander than their feeble attempts to divide and conquer. They want us distracted, bickering over the crumbs they toss from their golden tables. But we see through them, don’t we? We see the truth: freedom demands unity, and unity demands sacrifice.

Do not let the whispers of the weak and complacent infect your resolve. They will call you radical.

They will call you dangerous. And they are right. We are dangerous—to the fattened kings in their ivory towers, to the bloated merchants of greed, to every system built on our backs, cemented by our silence. They will try to divide us, but they will fail. They will fail because we will not let their shallow labels dictate our purpose.

Let the Muslim embrace the Jewish brother, not as adversaries, but as revolutionaries. Let the left shake the hand of the right, not as rivals, but as architects of a better world. Let the African American stand tall beside the Caucasian, the immigrant beside the native-born, all as comrades with a singular vision: liberation from a system that feeds on our division.

What is freedom, if not the destruction of the chains that bind us all? What is justice, if not the leveling of a field tilted to serve the few? Revolution is not a dinner party; it is not neat or polite. It is raw, it is relentless, and it is necessary.

They will call for patience. They will tell you change takes time. But I ask you—how many generations must suffer before we declare, “Enough”? How many mothers must bury their children?

How many workers must bleed for the wealth of others? How many voices must go unheard? We have been patient, and patience has not served us. United in defiance. Revolution does not wait.

Revolution takes.

To those who fear the fire, I say this: step aside. To those who would rather cling to comfort than march toward freedom, I say this: your comfort is built on our suffering, and we will tear it down. To those who think they can stop us, I say this: try. Try, and watch how your walls crumble under the weight of our united will.

We are not here to ask. We are here to demand. We are not here to negotiate. We are here to overthrow. Let the sparks of rebellion ignite across every city, every street, every heart. Let them know we are coming—not as individuals, but as a tidal wave that no force can hold back. Let it be known.

Our revolution is not one of race, religion, or political stripe. It is a revolution of humanity. It is the revolution of the forgotten, the downtrodden, the exploited. And it will be heard. So rise, my comrades. Rise with the fury of generations denied. Rise with the fire of justice burning in your soul.

Together, we are unstoppable. Together, we are the revolution.

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A Personal Perspective on Our Healthcare System

Editor’s Note I’ve known parents with bedridden, ventilatordependent children who didn’t qualify for Medicaid but couldn’t access the care their medically fragile child needed. These families are left in limbo, unable to access essential services. Often, one parent is forced to stay home full-time indefinitely, sacrificing income and stability because the system leaves them with no other option. The system pushes people into impossible positions, placing burdens on families that no one should ever have to carry.

I’ve personally had to navigate long denial processes for services not covered by a primary insurance plan, just to secure a formal denial and request coverage from a secondary plan. These bureaucratic delays can stretch for weeks—weeks that medically fragile children simply don’t have.

Then there are the calls. Insurance companies often demand explanations for missed hours at a client’s home, almost as if they’re looking for a reason to reduce or eliminate skilled nursing coverage. I’ve even heard the argument, “If the family has already gone this long without care, they must not need it.” It’s a constant, exhausting battle to defend care that should never have been in question.

Meanwhile, families also struggle to access basic supplies and treatments their children desperately need. The stress of these ongoing fights is relentless, compounding the already immense challenges of raising a child—especially one who is medically fragile. This is a level of systemic cruelty where profit is prioritized over humanity.

From a broader perspective, reimbursement rates are a major driver of inequality. Medicaid, for example, has historically offered some of the lowest reimbursement rates. As a result, many providers opt not to accept it, instead prioritizing private insurance that pays more. This leaves families relying on Medicaid with fewer options and worse outcomes.

But the systemic problems don’t just impact vulnerable groups—this system affects us all.

Despite spending more on healthcare than any other country, we have one of the lowest life expectancies among developed nations. The cost of healthcare is a burden for everyone, from individuals who are forced to navigate complex insurance systems to families facing bankruptcy because of medical bills. The inefficiency of our system means people are paying more for less, with worse outcomes than other countries that spend far less.

The truth is, these problems remain invisible until they happen to you. You don’t realize how broken the system is until it’s your child, your family, or your loved one who’s impacted.

The system must change. Families shouldn’t have to jump through endless hoops to access care.

Reimbursement rates shouldn’t force providers to choose between staying afloat and serving the most vulnerable. Until these issues are addressed, the inequalities will only deepen, leaving more families to suffer while corporate c-suites boast record-breaking profits.

FEBRUARY 2025

You need healthcare to survive. Yet in this system, survival isn’t guaranteed—even if you have insurance. Working in patient care and healthcare operations, I’ve seen firsthand how the system fails people, especially our most vulnerable.

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