Ask Nurses and Doctors: August Health Activist Notes

The Final Sprint; Covid Increases; Sept 18 Activist Call; Harris-Trump health care differences

We all know about the Covid increase, availability of the new vaccine, and the fact that both political parties are totally focused on the election. Regarding the election, please see my just published comparison of Harris vs Trump on health care. The differences are stark.

Our next seasoned – young activist zoom will feature Bob Creamer and Zeke Tayler – September 18 8-9 pm. Registration Required. Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYodemqpj0tE9cYne6pMeYUWRJ1BC9ZaltH

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

I’ve had one patient hospitalized with Covid in the last week. I’ve started bringing up the updated vaccine to my patients and it is going to be a long slog. For myself, I am hoping to go to my birthplace Italy right at election time and thus will wait till the beginning of October. And sadly  neither professional societies (though 2 physicians were recently disciplinedfor peddling misinformation) nor academic medicine (Stanford is hosting an anti-Covid science symposium!) are interested in either Covid or preventing the next pandemic. Also  the political parties are not interested (Monkey pox in the Congo has afflicted tens of thousands and killed more than a thousand) . In a bid to pander to Republicans against science, Mark Zuckerberg expressed regrets over cracking down on Covid misinformation. Despite these professional, political, and corporate challenges, local elections still matter and recently at a hospital board election in Sarasota Florida all anti-Covid science candidates lost.

The next administration will need to address the fact that “some of America’s largest hospital systems saw their financials soar in the first half of 2024. And yet, more than 700 facilities across the country still are at risk of closing.”  One of many flashpoints of debate between the Republican and Democratic positions is in general the role of government in health care. The Republican position reflected in the Project 2025 document is “More privatization! Less regulation! Tax-free savings accounts!” and decreasing Medicaid access.  In contrast, the Democratic party continues to advocate for government involvement via traditional (government funded, privately delivered) Medicare and Medicaid. If Harris wins, parts of the Democratic party will advocate for  a “public option” (“encourage Americans to buy into a revamped Medicare program that would give people the choice of public or private coverage”).

Today, many health care issues can only be addressed at a state level – notably lack of abortion and Medicaid access via expansion. Lack of both of these result in unacceptably high maternal mortality in states such as Arkansas. The role of private equity in health care is also coming under increased state level scrutiny as little is happening at the national level. California is once again probably going to lead the way.

Do not resuscitate orders are not routinely carried out with often tragic consequences.

All practicing health care professionals know that no housing = no health. That is why this article documenting a dramatic positive impact on homelessness is potentially important.

For me, the 800 lb. gorilla is climate change (The Lancet calls it the  Countdown on Health and Climate change) with itsample documented impact on health. The question is can health professionals encourage the Harris campaign to both appeal to climate voters and make the case for the impact of climate change on our health and pocketbook.

So AND is in full campaign mode in the home stretch of the election season. AND is working with health professionals and campaign managers in several states on the Congressional level – helping with LTEs, op-eds, press conference – whatever the campaign wants. In addition, hopefully articles such as this or

Improving Health Care in the United States: A Manual of Practical Actions for Activists

can be springboards for your own efforts. We are happy to consult with you in any way you might like. Feel free to reach to us at or to me directly.  Now is the time for our last sprint.

Norbert Goldfield, M.D.