Fight Back
“Fight Back” is produced by the non-profit organization Healthcare Consumer Rights Foundation. Each episode takes a look at a pressing current medical issue, often including the story of someone who has been negatively affected by that issue, such as insurance claims denied, not getting the referral to a specialist or medical procedure one needs, an unexpected “out of network” bill, dealing with heart disease, COVID, mental illness, and more. Then we interview a relevant expert who can provide the insights and resources to help solve these kinds of problems while navigating our complex healthcare system.(The information provided on this podcast is for general information only, and is no substitute for obtaining legal advice from a qualified attorney. Consumers who need legal advice about health care access or insurance should consult a qualified attorney who can provide advice tailored to their particular situations. The views expressed by individuals in these podcasts are their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of the Healthcare Consumer Rights Foundation or the views any other organization or agency with which such individuals are affiliated.)
Episodes
122 episodes
Covid-19 Vaccine Developments: Could One Be Right for You?
Today on FightBack! we discuss the latest information about the COVID 19 vaccine, and the new delivery systems that are being developed. We talk about this development and how the lessons learned with the COVID-19 pandemic are helping scientist...
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34:58
Minicast: Could Chiropractic Care Be Right for You?
In this Fight Back Minicast, we talk about chiropractic care. Chiropractic is a healthcare discipline emphasizing the body’s inherent recuperative power to heal without using drugs or surgery. The chiropractic practice focuses on the r...
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9:56
Library Release: How to Budget Your Medical Expenses
In this Fight Back Library release, Dr. Ted Mazer joins us to discuss how you can fit your medical expenses into your budget. We discuss the importance of shopping for medical procedures, ways to avoid surprise billing, understanding h...
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42:50
The Pandemic is Gone: How Does the Healthcare System Recover?
In early April 2023, President Biden signed a bipartisan congressional resolution to end the federal government’s emergency response to the COVID pandemic. What does that mean for America? How does that affect access to healthcare? Will new vac...
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42:29
Minicast: Planning for an Emergency Medical Situation
Listen in to this minicast as “Fight Back” covers the critically important topic of advanced healthcare directives, a legal document that addresses such end-of-life issues as “do not resuscitate” orders, treatment options, healthcare proxies, a...
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9:04
America's Fentanyl Crisis: What Parents Need to Know
On today’s new Fight Back episode, our hosts discuss the illegal Fentanyl drug crisis with California Assemblyman Joe Patterson and community advocate Laura Didier, who lost her son to illicit Fentanyl. With fentanyl deaths surging by ...
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41:16
Library Release: Could Chiropractic Care Help Your Health?
In this Library Release of Fight Back, we talk extensively about chiropractic care. Chiropractic is a healthcare discipline that emphasizes the body’s inherent recuperative power to heal itself without using drugs or surgery. The chiro...
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37:04
Mincast: What to Ask your Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist
In this Fight Back Minicast, Dr. Ted Mazer discusses various ear, nose, and throat conditions and disorders. We get to hear about general care for your ears, learn some basic information about sleep apnea, and the questions you need to...
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9:26
Telemedicine - How to Make It Work For You!
On this Library Release of Fight Back, we talk with special guest Dr. Alan Sanders, a specialist in infectious diseases. Dr. Sanders previously served as Chief of Medicine at St Peter’s Hospital in Albany, NY, and currently is the Chie...
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43:25
Minicast: Why Long Term Care Insurance?
In this Fight Back minicast, we jump into the complex world of long-term care insurance and what that really means. Our special guest is Bonnie Burns, who has more than 40 years of experience in long-term care insurance and works to im...
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9:12
Library Release: Can a Health Advocate Help You Get Better Care?
In this Fight Back library release, we meet Linda Garvin, a Health Advocate. Linda graduated from the University of Massachusetts, earning her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Adult Nurse Practitioner training with honors. She ha...
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38:30
Minicast: PTSD - How Can We Save Those At Risk?
In this Fight Back minicast, we welcomes our special guest, Dr. Jeff Poizner. Dr. Poizner is a Staff Psychologist at VA San Diego Healthcare System and specializes in providing evidence-based treatments via Telemental Health platforms ...
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10:03
Library Release: Ear, Nose and Throat
In this Fight Back Library Release, our special guest, Dr. Ted Mazer discusses various ear, nose, and throat conditions and disorders. From ringing in the ears, the causes and treatment for hearing loss, to the loss of smell, we will c...
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39:53
Minicast: Healthcare for Dummies
In this FightBack! minicast, we discuss alternative health systems: different ways to deliver healthcare to patients, and how states, nonprofit organizations, and even companies—like Whole Foods—have implemented unique concepts to enable better...
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12:04
Library Release: Opening Day! Keeping our Young (and Older) Athletes Healthy On and Off the Field
In this FightBack Library Release, Adriana Contreras joins us to discuss the health and safety of student-athletes in high school and collegiate sports. Adriana is a voluntary Assistant Coach on the swim team at the University of Nevad...
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44:21
Minicast: Pharmacy 101
In today's Fight Back! minicast we get a quick Pharmacy 101 with special guest Debby Johnson, a third-generation pharmacist and former President of the California Pharmacist Association. We'll take a quick look into several topics related to th...
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7:51
Library Release: Price Transparency
Healthcare consumers often do not know the actual cost of health services. Whether it is a bed in a hospital, a prescription drug, or a procedure like an MRI, the price is usually buried beneath government regulations, insurance forms, and conf...
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29:44
Minicast: Covid Vaccine - Is It Safe?
In this Minicast release, Fight Back revisits a conversation we had during the early days of the COVID-19 vaccine. We talked about how the vaccine was developed, how the clinical trial process works, and how herd immunity and vaccines ...
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7:28
Library Release: Lost Insurance? You DO have Options!
Health insurance is critical for individuals and families. In this Library Release of FightBack, we talk about when you suddenly lose your health insurance: how it can feel overwhelming and difficult to determine where to start and wha...
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33:41
Minicast: Part 2 - Autism Awareness
In part two of our Minicast on Autism, we talk with special guest Kristin Jacobson. Kristin is the Founder and Executive Director of the Autism Deserves Equal Coverage Foundation, which advocates for health policy and legal enforcement for auti...
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8:50
Library Release: Quit Smoking? Advice for you or a Loved One!
In this special Fight Back Library release, we welcome our special guest, Erica Costa, to discuss how to quit smoking. Erica is the Director of Advocacy for tobacco control in California for the American Lung Association. In her w...
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36:02
Minicast: Part 1 - Autism Awareness
In this FightBack! Minicast, we discuss autism. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates autism’s prevalence as 1 in 59 children in the United States—1 in 37 boys and 1 in 151 girls. A lifelong condition, autism spectrum disorde...
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12:06
Library Release: Health Equity - Does Your Race Influence the Healthcare You Receive?
In this Fight Back Library Release, we discuss the important topic of health equity. Health equity means that everyone has a fair and equal opportunity to be as healthy as possible. Many factors impact a person’s health, including pove...
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41:21
Minicast: Natural Options for Helping Chronic Conditions
In this Minincast Release of Fight Back, we welcome our special guest, Dr. Cari Spencer. Dr. Cari is a California-licensed naturopathic doctor and physical therapist. Dr. Cari believes in getting to the cause of the problem, personaliz...
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9:13