Health Wanted

Health Insurance

Health Wanted

Show Notes

Health insurance: seems like a straightforward concept. Every month you put money into an account so that, when you need to pay health care costs, that account will cover it. If you’re laughing at the idea of using THAT description for THIS country, that’s probably because it’s a ridiculous oversimplification to the point that it’s closer to a lie. This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow gives you an abridged explanation of health insurance in the U.S. She also talks to Rachel Nuzum of The Commonwealth Fund about what we could do to fix our health insurance system. Plus: can COVID vaccines impact the menstrual cycle? Does taking melatonin lead to heart failure? Will drinking instant coffee cause you to go blind? What’s going on with measles elimination in the country? And the Sick of the Week. For a full rundown on all the information shared in today's episode, take a look at the show notes. Have a question for Laurel? Send it to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at 404-888-3630! For more, visit wabe.org/healthwanted See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More from Health Wanted

Oct 16, 2026

Is it possible to do a DNA test on cremains? Do things like drug testing strips from Amazon actually work? Our Sick of the Week on how clean our water is and what measures, if any, should we be taking to make sure the water we drink is safe. Have a question for Laurel? Click here, email it to [email protected], or leave a voicemail at 404-888-3630! For more, visit healthwanted.org See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 16, 2026

We talk with Dr. Lauren Christiansen-Lindquist about the data needed to reduce stillbirth rates and maternal health advocate Debbie Haine Vijayvergiya about the experience of losing her daughter Autumn and her work towards changing policy for stillbirth research. Have a question for Laurel? Click here, email it to [email protected], or leave a voicemail at 404-888-3630! For more, visit healthwanted.org See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 16, 2026

When you’re expecting, you might hear all about the ways your body will change, the size of your baby compared to various fruits, the weird cravings people had, or even the old wives' tales to induce labor. But there’s one topic that’s often hushed until after it's happened. This week on Health Wanted, we’re talking about stillbirth: a pregnancy outcome that’s seldom discussed.

Oct 9, 2026

I’m of the opinion that a trip to the pharmacy should be fun. A time to check out the press on nail selection, use the over zealous automated cuff to check your blood pressure, buy discounted halloween candy. NOT a time to go bankrupt while using the insurance you pay hundreds of dollars a month for. This week on Health Wanted, we’re talking about drugs! (not that kind of drugs). Prescription drugs, and how the prices are too dang high! We also talk with Professor Courtney Yarbough about how we got to this point, and how complicated it would be to get out of it. Plus: Are advanced maternal ages contributing to mental health issues? Does the hygiene hypothesis have anything to do with vaccines? Do you need to be worried about plague in Siberia? And a double dose of TOTAL RECALL including our Sick of the Week. For a full rundown on all the information shared in today's episode, take a look at the show notes. Have a question for Laurel? Click here, email it to [email protected], or leave a voicemail at 404-888-3630! For more, visit healthwanted.org See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 2, 2026

This episode includes an update from Dr. Nowinski sharing new research about the prevalence of CTE published after the episode first went live in February. Let’s be honest, Americans love to watch a contact sport. We cheer at hockey fights, make highlight reels of the most brutal football tackles, yell, “kill him!” When our favorite wrestlers get their opponent in a headlock. We know massive hits can take a toll on the old noggin', but as it turns out, it might just be the lesser hits that happen over and over and over again that are causing more damage to the most people. This week on the show, we’re talking to former college football player and WWE wrestler, Dr. Chris Nowinski, about chronic traumatic encephalopathy. For a full rundown on all the information shared in today's episode, take a look at the show notes. Have a question for Laurel? Click here, email it to [email protected], or leave a voicemail at 404-888-3630! For more, visit healthwanted.org See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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