The ‘Freedom’ to Refuse Health Insurance

The ‘Freedom’ to Refuse Health Insurance

As the writer Anatole France once said, “The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges.” The right to refuse to have health insurance — something Republican leaders tout as a fundamental freedom — is a lot...
A Perfect and Hot Storm

A Perfect and Hot Storm

I was driving toward my home in the foothills of the Shenandoah mountains when the wind really started to worry me. It was blowing debris horizontally across Interstate 66 with gusts that were flying at over 80 miles an hour. Then lightning began forking all around....
Why Women Love John Roberts

Why Women Love John Roberts

The unprecedented attack on women’s health hit a roadblock on June 27, when the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate, effectively upholding the entire law. It was a big win for women. In upholding Obama’s...

Fed Up With Obamacare?

People all across America are angry about Obamacare. But the future of our health care is now up to politicians – not judges. It’s not enough to talk about what we don’t like. It’s time to talk about what we do want. Here’s a quiz. Fill...
Health Care Access Shouldn’t Require Good Luck

Health Care Access Shouldn’t Require Good Luck

I may have lupus, but I’m lucky. When I was 13 and growing up in Augusta, Georgia, I began to experience the same symptoms of the chronic inflammatory disease that my mother was diagnosed with in her early 30s. A group of capable doctors identified the problems...
Corporations Score another Supreme Court Victory

Corporations Score another Supreme Court Victory

As a physician, I find it very odd that the debate over the Affordable Care Act has focused on the effect the law will have on the presidential election rather than the impact it will have on patients, health professionals, and health outcomes. The Supreme Court case...