Code WACK!

How did a hardworking, highly talented performance artist end up declaring medical bankruptcy at age 23? Does the desire for dignity, independence and healthcare security mean Americans must give up …

Why are incarcerated people experiencing devastating coronavirus outbreaks? What special vulnerabilities do they face that increase their susceptibility to the virus?  Host Brenda Gazzar and Dr. Nina…

Today we’re celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a racial equity champion, with a look at how stigmatized communities such as HIV-positive, transgender and incarcerated people are far…

How can a father cope with the senseless death of a beloved son following a missed $20 premium payment? What devastating consequences can result when a patient's health insurance changes without warn…

How can we overcome vaccine hesitancy among Americans? What role does distrust of the medical establishment play in the decision to be vaccinated? Why do some communities have serious concerns around…

Why is it that an advanced nation like the U.S. has experienced over 2 million COVID-19 infections?  How have factors like the lack of a coordinated federal response and an inadequate health insuranc…

Why did a man in his 20s die from a totally treatable disease?  How do social determinants affect patients’ ability to get to doctors appointments or buy prescribed medicines? Host Brenda Gazzar and …

What was it like growing up Black in America during the Civil Rights struggles of the 1960's? What was the experience of systemic racism faced by students of color - especially Black women - in medic…

What are the prospects for single payer in California? What role might the Healthy California for All Commission play in the future of the state's healthcare system? What about Gov. Gavin Newsom and …

What are the prospects for Medicare for All under President-elect Joe Biden's tenure given his stated opposition to it? What steps can we expect the federal government to take to address healthcare i…

How likely is it that the U.S. Supreme Court would rule the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional? What does “unconstitutional” actually mean in this context? Scott Nelson, a public interest attorn…

The Affordable Care Act is before the Supreme Court again. What's the latest case about? Why are California and Texas suing over the landmark legislation? What impact might the court's decision have …

What recourse do performers and media professionals have in the face of rising health insurance premiums? Is the entertainment industry bouncing back from the pandemic? Ayesha Orange, professional da…

Changes to SAG-AFTRA’s benefit plans concern working-age performers and retirees alike. What happens when an artist can't get enough work to qualify for benefits - like, during a pandemic? And what a…

How does having to work to qualify for employer-sponsored health insurance affect Americans with chronic illness? Does managing health insurance get any easier after retirement? (Hint - not necessari…

Did you hear about the upcoming changes to SAG-AFTRA’s employee-benefit plans? How are union health plans coping with America’s out-of-control healthcare costs? Are retiree health benefits guaranteed…

Is healthcare inequality more evident to America’s mayors than to our federal representatives?  How differently might the pandemic have played out if Medicare for All had already been in place? Did t…

Why have two California mayors joined forces to launch Mayors for Medicare for All? How are American cities "laboratories for democracy?" How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected local communities? Lib…

What healthcare policies are necessary to expand access to care to low-income people? How will these policies benefit every person in our country? What happens to the billions of dollars undocumented…

What happens when immigrant workers become ill? Hear the story of how Guillermo, an undocumented construction worker in his late fifties, was exposed to coronavirus on the job and lost his life. How …