Drs Woolhandler Reports No Financial Conflicts of Interest

Drs. Woolhandler Reports No Financial Conflicts of Interest

Why was America So Vulnerable to COVID-19? n Deteriorating health status n Weakened public health capacity n A crumbling, racist social safety net n Wasteful, structurally-racist health system that prioritizes

Trump’s Weakening of Pandemic Response Capacity n 2017 Trump’s hiring freeze at CDC left 700 vacant n n n positions. 2018 - Abolished Global Health Security team of NSC. 1600 government scientists have left positions since January 2017. Many key science policy positions (e. g. OSHA Administrator) left vacant. 2020 Defunded WHO (global surveillance and risk mitigation) “I told them to do less testing” (Tulsa rally, June 20)

Defunding WHO = Crime Against Humanity

> 400, 000 kids in NYC Live in Poverty

Social Distancing in Homeless Shelters

Covid-19 and a Failing Health Care System

“The industry, according to our estimates, could have a net benefit” Dean Unger, VP, Moody’s, 5/11/2020

Health Insurers’ Stocks Near All Time Highs Wall Street Thinks Their Future is Rosy Health Insurers January 1, 20201 S&P 500

Covid-19 and The Healthcare Delivery System

“Elective surgeries are the cornerstone of our hospital system’s operating model – and the negative impact due to the cancellation of these procedures cannot be overstated. ” Statement released by Steward Healthcare, largest for-profit hospital chain, owned by Cerberus Capital (where Dan Quayle is Chairman of Global Investments) “Alex Hlumyk, of Hubbard, Ohio, a certified medical assistant, had been helping screen potential coronavirus patients before his Steward-owned physicians' practice furloughed him. ” NY Times 4/4/20

• Duke Medical Center: 957 beds, 1600 billing clerks

Legislative Steps on COVID -19 n n n n Free coronavirus tests Some insurers waive deductibles/copays for innetwork treatment Modest extra federal Medicaid $s to states Extra Medicare $s to hospitals, especially most profitable ones Mandated 2 wks sick pay – big employers exempt $600 boost to unemployment checks (expires 7/31) Bailout funds to corporations and small businesses $1200 stimulus checks (signed by Trump);