We survey the extremely messy history that led to the passage of original Medicare, the role private insurers and other industry groups played in its creation, and some of its unintended consequences we live with to this day.

This episode was originally a patron exclusive. If you enjoy this episode consider supporting the show at patreon.com/deathpanelpod

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Death Panel

A Death Panel History of Medicare (Unlocked)

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A Death Panel History of Medicare

Epidemiologist Abby Cartus joins us to discuss why nothing is being done about fall school reopenings and the increasing prevalence of pediatric covid hospitalizations. We also take the opportunity to check in on our rogue's gallery of cloyingly positive pandemic influencers, like Emily Oster and Monica Gandhi.

As always, support Death Panel at www.patreon.com/deathpanelpod

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Death Panel Episode 275 What Does Public Health Really Mean? w/ Abby Cartus (08/19/21)

What Does Public Health Really Mean? w/ Abby Cartus (08/19/21)

Subscribe on Patreon and hear this week's full patron exclusive episode here: www.patreon.com/posts/55253198

We discuss reporting from over the weekend that Abbott Laboratories, makers of a widely used covid test, systematically destroyed hundreds of thousands of tests; new details on the prevalence of consulting groups in the White House and in state public health responses; and how to make it look like you're responding to a pandemic when you're going about business as usual.

Runtime 1:22:55, 23 August 2021

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Death Panel Episode 277 Teaser - Crisis PR (08/23/21)

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Teaser - Crisis PR (08/23/21)

We discuss what it means that so many of the soon-to-expire pandemic social supports were given arbitrary end dates not tied to the actual end of the public health emergency. Then we take a moment to unravel Glenn Greenwald's unusual new take, "The Bizarre Refusal to Apply Cost-Benefit Analysis to COVID Debates."

As always, support Death Panel at www.patreon.com/deathpanelpod

Read Phil's essay on the first topic, "The Waning of Pandemic Time" here: https://medium.com/3streams/the-waning-of-pandemic-time-41d56947392b

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Death Panel Episode 278 Leviathan (08/26/21)

Leviathan (08/26/21)

Subscribe on Patreon and hear this week's full patron exclusive episode here: www.patreon.com/posts/55537032

We discuss the Supreme Court's move to strike down the eviction moratorium, the state of rent relief programs in Louisiana following Hurricane Ida, and read from the court's memorable, if bizarre, written decision.

Runtime 1:03:19, 30 August 2021

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Death Panel Episode 279 Teaser - Hurricane Scotus (08/30/21)

Teaser - Hurricane Scotus (08/30/21)

We discuss where are with the TRIPS waiver months after the Biden administration announced their purported support for it, and the difficulty of mobilizing pressure against hegemonic and unaccountable international organizations like the WTO.

As always, support Death Panel at www.patreon.com/deathpanelpod

Note: The piece we refer to as coming out in the New Inquiry today has been delayed to next week. We'll update the episode description with a link when it goes live, and post it in the Discord.

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Death Panel Episode 280 Keeping Up with the Pfizers (09/02/21)

Keeping Up with the Pfizers (09/02/21)

Subscribe on Patreon and hear this week's full patron exclusive episode here: www.patreon.com/posts/55839379

Beatrice speaks with Charlotte Shane about the Texas abortion ban and why a politics that stops at "access" and "choice" is insufficient to meet the needs of the moment.

Read Charlotte's piece "Stop Being Stupid About Abortion" here: https://www.gawker.com/politics/stop-being-stupid-about-abortion

Charlotte Shane is the author of Prostitute Laundry, and a co-founder of TigerBee Press. Follow her on twitter @CharoShane.

Runtime 1:02:55, 7 September 2021

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Death Panel Episode 281 Teaser - We're Talking About Abortion Wrong w/ Charlotte Shane (09/07/21)

Teaser - We're Talking About Abortion Wrong w/ Charlotte Shane (09/07/21)

We review the Biden administration's new "Path Out of the Pandemic" and new employer vaccine mandate, contrasted against the quiet end of pandemic unemployment assistance on Labor Day. Then, we discuss the rise of Kathryn Paige Harden and her new book, "The Genetic Lottery," in light of her recent New Yorker profile.

As always, support Death Panel at www.patreon.com/deathpanelpod

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Death Panel Episode 282 The Eugenic Lottery (09/10/21)

The Eugenic Lottery (09/10/21)

Subscribe on Patreon and hear this week's full patron exclusive episode here: www.patreon.com/posts/56123726

We discuss a new CDC report that complicates public insistence that dangers to the vaccinated are overblown. Then we discuss the eminently dismissible work of philosopher Peter Singer, 2021 winner of the $1 million Berggruen Prize, and his 2009 essay "Why We Must Ration Health Care."

Runtime 1:11:07, 14 September 2021

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Death Panel Episode 283 Teaser - The Many Saints of Austerity (09/14/21)

Teaser - The Many Saints of Austerity (09/14/21)

We discuss the ongoing fight over the drug pricing component of the reconciliation bill and critique a report from the Congressional Budget Office that makes some incredible claims about the bill's impact on the pharmaceutical industries.

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Death Panel Episode 284 Sacred and Profane (09/17/21)

Sacred and Profane (09/17/21)

Subscribe on Patreon and hear this week's full patron exclusive episode here: www.patreon.com/posts/56398292

We set out to discuss the deprioritization of long-term care in the reconciliation bill and a New York Times investigative report on rampant chemical sedation in nursing homes, and end up explaining the history of chemical incarceration and how nursing homes exist as part of the prison industrial complex.

Runtime 1:11:54, 21 September 2021

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Death Panel Episode 285 Teaser - A Spoonful of Thorazine (09/21/21)

Teaser - A Spoonful of Thorazine (09/21/21)

We discuss the Biden administration's Global COVID-19 Summit, the decision by the CDC and FDA this week to approve booster shots of the Pfizer vaccine, and where things stand with the TRIPS waiver.

As always, support Death Panel at www.patreon.com/deathpanelpod

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Death Panel Episode 286 Operation Enduring Virus (09/24/21)

Operation Enduring Virus (09/24/21)

Subscribe on Patreon and hear this week's full patron exclusive episode here: www.patreon.com/posts/56682062

We discuss the increasing politicization of monoclonal antibody treatments for covid-19, why they're so absent from the national debate over covid response, treatment, and IP, and the Biden administration's recent decision to adjust the quantities it ships to states.

Runtime 1:08:58, 28 September 2021

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Death Panel Episode 287 Teaser - Monoclonal Antipathies (09/28/21)

Teaser - Monoclonal Antipathies (09/28/21)

Sophie Lewis joins us on the occasion of the paperback edition of their book Full Surrogacy Now: Feminism Against Family to discuss the politics of pregnancy as labor, the political naturalization of the family structure, and what we mean when we say "utopia."

Buy Sophie's book here: https://www.versobooks.com/books/3756-full-surrogacy-now

As always, support Death Panel at www.patreon.com/deathpanelpod

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Death Panel Episode 288 Repro Utopia w/ Sophie Lewis

Repro Utopia w/ Sophie Lewis (10/01/21)

Subscribe on Patreon and hear this week's full patron exclusive episode here: www.patreon.com/posts/57010611

Libby Watson joins us to sort out last week's reconciliation bill mess, the unceremonious termination of pandemic COBRA benefits, and the ongoing pundit obsession with Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema.

Subscribe to Libby's newsletter Sick Note at sicknote.co

Runtime 1:13:47, 5 October 2021

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Death Panel Episode 289 Teaser - The Entitlement Society w/ Libby Watson (10/05/21)

Teaser - The Entitlement Society w/ Libby Watson (10/05/21)

We set out to discuss the deprioritization of long-term care in the reconciliation bill and a New York Times investigative report on rampant chemical sedation in nursing homes, and end up explaining the history of chemical incarceration and how nursing homes exist as part of the prison industrial complex.

This episode was originally a patron exclusive. If you enjoy this episode consider supporting the show at patreon.com/deathpanelpod

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join our Discord here: discord.com/invite/3KjKbB2

Death Panel A Spoonful of Thorazine (Unlocked)

A Spoonful of Thorazine

Subscribe on Patreon and hear this week's full patron exclusive episode here: www.patreon.com/posts/57286198

We review Kathryn Paige Harden's new book "The Genetic Lottery: Why DNA Matters for Social Equality." Does this pop psychologist succeed in creating a framework for "anti-eugenics," or are these old just ideas in a new skin?

Runtime 1:23:24, 12 October 2021

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Death Panel Episode 290 Teaser - Kathryn Paige Harden and the Spectre of Eugenics (10/12/21)

Teaser - Kathryn Paige Harden and the Spectre of Eugenics (10/12/21)

We discuss the supply chain crisis as a global labor issue and a result of the administration's covid policies. Then we consider an overwhelmingly myopic piece of health policy analysis from Vox, titled "Can the US cut drug prices without sacrificing new cures?"

As always, support Death Panel at www.patreon.com/deathpanelpod

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Death Panel Episode 291 Scarcity and the Stenographer (10/15/21)

Scarcity and the Stenographer (10/15/21)

Subscribe on Patreon and hear this week's full patron exclusive episode here: www.patreon.com/posts/57567504

We discuss the New York Times' recent claim—citing Abby!—that Emily Oster has been "vindicated" when it comes to covid and kids. Then we take a look at the novel policy solution no one asked for: the "opioid vaccine."

Runtime 1:19:15, 19 October 2021

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Death Panel Episode 292 Teaser - No Going Back w/ Abby Cartus (10/19/21)

Teaser - No Going Back w/ Abby Cartus (10/19/21)

We discuss the Biden administration's newly narrowed ambitions for its Build Back Better bill, including the assertion that negotiations over the healthcare provisions are now "holding it up," and the surprising possibility that Democrats might, finally, do something about privatized Medicare plans. Then we look at J.G. Allen's proclamation this week that schools should end mask mandates as soon as the vaccine is approved for children.

As always, support Death Panel at www.patreon.com/deathpanelpod

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Death Panel Episode 293 A Nightmare on Medicare Advantage (10/22/21)

A Nightmare on Medicare Advantage (10/22/21)

Subscribe on Patreon and hear this week's full patron exclusive episode here: www.patreon.com/posts/57856991

In this very special episode, we look at how it became that 42% of Medicare plans in the US are administered through the privatized, "Medicare Advantage" option. We talk about why that sucks and what we can do about it.

This is (loosely) the third part of a slowly unfolding series of historical deep dives on how the US healthcare system was so horribly designed. While this is a standalone episode, you can find the two earlier discussions at patreon.com/deathpanelpod

Runtime 1:16:11, 26 October 2021

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Death Panel Episode 294 Teaser - How Medicare Was Privatized (10/26/21)

Teaser - How Medicare Was Privatized (10/26/21)

We celebrate Halloween the Death Panel way: with two chilling tales of empire and capital, as read by the one and only Phil Rocco.

As always, support Death Panel at www.patreon.com/deathpanelpod

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A Death Panel Halloween (10/28/21)

Subscribe on Patreon and hear this week's full patron-exclusive episode here: www.patreon.com/posts/58173782

Frank Pasquale joins us to discuss the rise of cost-benefit analysis as an influential force in American policy, the many problems with it, and what should be done about it. We also discuss his introduction to the Law and Political Economy Project's symposium on cost benefit analysis.

Frank Pasquale (@FrankPasquale) is a Professor of Law at Brooklyn Law School, and author of New Laws of Robotics (2020) and The Black Box Society (2015). Read the LPE symposium here: https://lpeproject.org/symposia/cost-benefit-analysis/

Runtime 1:07:59, 2 November 2021

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Death Panel Episode 295 Teaser - Against Cost-Benefit Analysis w/ Frank Pasquale (11/02/21)

Teaser - Against Cost-Benefit Analysis w/ Frank Pasquale (11/02/21)

We review Kathryn Paige Harden's new book "The Genetic Lottery: Why DNA Matters for Social Equality." Does this pop psychologist succeed in creating a framework for "anti-eugenics," or are these old just ideas in a new skin?

This episode was originally a patron exclusive. If you enjoy this episode consider supporting the show at patreon.com/deathpanelpod

new Death Panel merch here (patrons get a discount code): www.deathpanel.net/merch

join our Discord here: discord.com/invite/3KjKbB2

Kathryn Paige Harden and the Spectre of Eugenics (Unlocked)

Extra-long teaser today! Subscribe on Patreon and hear this week's full patron-exclusive episode here: www.patreon.com/posts/58474936

Abby Cartus stops by for a long discussion on the implications of SB 8, the Texas anti-abortion bill, two months into enactment. We dig into the oral arguments heard last week at the Supreme Court and one study that shows the law already reduced abortions by 49.8%, and wonder just what, exactly, it would take to get anyone to do anything about it.

Runtime 1:36:22, 9 November 2021

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Death Panel Episode 296 Teaser - Whole Woman's Health v. Jackson w/ Abby Cartus (11/09/21)

Teaser - Whole Woman's Health v. Jackson w/ Abby Cartus (11/09/21)

We discuss the media's fixation on the need to set covid "offramps" and sketch a trajectory for how the talking point has become increasingly pervasive.

As always, support Death Panel at www.patreon.com/deathpanelpod

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Death Panel Episode 297 Beyond Offramps (11/12/21)

Beyond Offramps (11/12/21)

Subscribe on Patreon and hear this week's full patron-exclusive episode here: www.patreon.com/posts/58747021

Beatrice speaks with Da'Shaun L. Harrison about their book Belly of the Beast: The Politics of Anti-Fatness as Anti-Blackness and the joined histories of eugenics and racial capitalism.

Runtime 1:04:15, 16 November 2021

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Death Panel Episode 298 Teaser - Belly of the Beast w/ Da'Shaun L. Harrison (11/16/21)

Teaser - Belly of the Beast w/ Da'Shaun L. Harrison (11/16/21)

We speak with Abdullah Shihipar about the state of the pandemic as cases rise once again, the recent CDC study showing 140,000 children have lost a parent or caregiver to the pandemic, and how to resist the omnipresent social pressure to give up and accept covid.

Abdullah Shihipar is a contributing writer for Business Insider and leads Narrative Projects and Policy Impact initiatives at the People, Place & Health Collective (PPHC) at the Brown University School of Public Health.

Read Abdullah's piece on covid, kids, and their caregivers here: https://www.businessinsider.com/children-kids-lost-parents-covid-19-biden-mental-health-2021-11

As always, support Death Panel at www.patreon.com/deathpanelpod

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Death Panel Episode 299 Covidposting w/ Abdullah Shihipar (11/19/21)

Covidposting w/ Abdullah Shihipar (11/19/21)

Subscribe on Patreon and hear this week's full patron-exclusive episode here: www.patreon.com/posts/59025004

We discuss what was cut—and what remains—in the Democrats' big social spending bill, and the high profile role Panel villain the CBO played in the debate surrounding it in recent weeks. Then, we look at the CDC's new approval of booster shots for all adults and discuss what impact it might have on cases going into the winter.

Runtime 1:26:27, 23 November 2021

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Death Panel Episode 300 Teaser - The Asterisk Society (11/23/21)

Teaser - The Asterisk Society (11/23/21)

Beatrice speaks with Da'Shaun L. Harrison about their book Belly of the Beast: The Politics of Anti-Fatness as Anti-Blackness and the joined histories of eugenics and racial capitalism.

This episode was originally a patron exclusive. If you enjoy this episode consider supporting the show at patreon.com/deathpanelpod

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join our Discord here: discord.com/invite/3KjKbB2

Belly of the Beast w/ Da'Shaun L. Harrison (Unlocked)

Politics, culture, and public policy from the left. Stay alive another week.

w/ Beatrice Adler-Bolton, Artie Vierkant, and Phil Rocco. 

https://www.patreon.com/deathpanelpod

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