Episodes

Thursday Jan 15, 2026
Helpful, but Should be Unnecessary
Thursday Jan 15, 2026
Thursday Jan 15, 2026
This is episode 131, “Helpful, but Should be Unnecessary.”
In this episode, host Joe Sparks explains how the new Virginia Medigap Birthday Rule law helps people who have Medigap plans, also known as Medicare Supplement plans. He also discusses why the benefits provided by this law would be even better with Medicare for All.
Do not miss this episode as host Joe Sparks explains the benefits of this new law and how it could reduce your Medigap premiums in Virginia.
As I said in this podcast episode, there are several other states that have similar programs. The specific details vary by state, so make sure to check the particulars for your state. Here is the list of states with similar programs: California, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Utah, Oregon, and Wyoming.

Monday Dec 15, 2025
End the Tweaking
Monday Dec 15, 2025
Monday Dec 15, 2025
This is episode 130, “End the Tweaking.”
Do not miss this episode as host Joe Sparks explains why tweaks to the current U.S. healthcare system won’t work and that Medicare for All will stop the tweaking.

Saturday Nov 15, 2025
WISeR Isn’t
Saturday Nov 15, 2025
Saturday Nov 15, 2025
This is episode 129, “WISeR Isn’t.”
Do not miss this episode as host Joe Sparks explains why Medicare’s WISeR program isn’t wise.

Wednesday Oct 15, 2025
How Medicare for All Could Change Your Life
Wednesday Oct 15, 2025
Wednesday Oct 15, 2025
This is episode 128, “How Medicare for All Could Change Your Life.”
Do not miss this episode as host Joe Sparks explains how Medicare for All could change your life.
Here is the link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jL337TuRDOI

Monday Sep 15, 2025
Where to Get Reliable Medical Information
Monday Sep 15, 2025
Monday Sep 15, 2025
This is episode 127, “Where to Get Reliable Medical Information.”
Do not miss this episode as host Joe Sparks list some websites to get reliable health information now that the CDC is unreliable.
Below are the websites mentioned in this podcast.
Brown University’s School of Public Health Pandemic Center
The Cleveland Clinic’s Health Library
Johns Hopkins School of Public Health
University of Minnesota Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP)

Friday Aug 15, 2025
Medicare Stealth Cuts
Friday Aug 15, 2025
Friday Aug 15, 2025
This is episode 126, “Medicare Stealth Cuts.”
Do not miss this episode as host Joe Sparks describes how Donald Trump and the GOP are making Stealth Cuts to Medicare even though Trump said he would not cut Medicare.

Tuesday Jul 15, 2025
A Horrible Distraction
Tuesday Jul 15, 2025
Tuesday Jul 15, 2025
This is episode 125, “A Horrible Distraction.”
Do not miss this episode as host Joe Sparks describes how the Big Beautiful Bill will cause millions to lose healthcare and distract us from solving the healthcare crisis in the United States.

Sunday Jun 15, 2025
Bad Healthcare News
Sunday Jun 15, 2025
Sunday Jun 15, 2025
This is episode 124, “Bad Healthcare News.”
Do not miss this episode as host Joe Sparks describes how proposed Medicaid cuts in the misnamed Big Beautiful Bill will cause millions to lose health care.

Thursday May 15, 2025
Millions More Without Care
Thursday May 15, 2025
Thursday May 15, 2025
This is episode 123, “Millions More Without Care.”
Do not miss this episode as host Joe Sparks explains that the arguments over Medicaid cuts ignores people who are uninsured and underinsured.

Tuesday Apr 15, 2025
Bearing the Cost of Irresponsible Healthcare Decisions
Tuesday Apr 15, 2025
Tuesday Apr 15, 2025
This is episode 122, "Bearing the Cost of Irresponsible Healthcare Decisions."
Do not miss this episode as host Joe Sparks explains that Medicare for All would reduce bad healthcare decisions by ending the denial of care by health insurance companies.

