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Episodes
This podcast explains why we need Medicare for All
Episodes

Jul 15, 2026
Jul 15, 2026
3 min
This is episode 137, "The Good and Bad $5,000 Limit and How It Relates to Medicare for All."
In this episode, host Joe Sparks discusses the legislative proposal that puts a $5,000 limit on out-of-pocket expenses for traditional Medicare.
Do not miss this episode as host Joe Sparks discusses the proposed $5,000 limit for traditional Medicare and why it is a tweak that won’t work.

Jun 15, 2026
Jun 15, 2026
6 min
This is episode 136, "Deprivatization."
In this episode, host Joe Sparks cites specific examples where Deprivatization—moving functions from private for-profit organizations to publicly funded government entities or to private non-profits funded by the government—has saved money and improved health outcomes for people.
Do not miss this episode as host Joe Sparks explains that deprivatization provides better and cheaper health care.

May 15, 2026
May 15, 2026
6 min
This is episode 135, "We Can’t Afford Not To Implement Medicare for All."
In this episode, host Joe Sparks discusses why you can make a compelling case for Medicare for All based on economics and why we can’t afford not to implement Medicare for All.
Do not miss this episode as host Joe Sparks discusses why Medicare for All is an economic necessity.

Apr 15, 2026
Apr 15, 2026
6 min
This is episode 134, "CAP's Flawed Analysis."
In this episode, host Joe Sparks discusses a recent Center for American Progress (CAP) report’s recommendations that purport to lower healthcare costs, but won’t.
Do not miss this episode as host Joe Sparks explains why CAP’s report recommendations will not lower costs.
Here is the link for CAP’s report: A Patients’ Bill of Rights To Lower Health Care Costs.

Mar 15, 2026
Mar 15, 2026
3 min
This is episode 133, "Cutting Back to Cover Healthcare Expenses."
In this episode, host Joe Sparks discusses a recent survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) that revealed that more than 82 million people are cutting back to cover healthcare expenses.
Do not miss this episode as host Joe Sparks examines how people are cutting back to cover healthcare expenses and that Medicare for All will eliminate this problem.
Here are the links referenced in this episode.
Gallup survey: One-Third of Americans Cut Back to Cover Healthcare Expenses
New York Times article: A Third of Americans Have Cut Spending or Borrowed Money for Health Care:
Washington Post article: One-third of Americans skip meals or other needs to afford health care
Here are the links for my previous episodes.
Episode 9: The Economics of Health Care, Part 2: The Solution – Medicare for All

Feb 15, 2026
Feb 15, 2026
4 min
This is episode 132, “The Top Economic Worry.”
In this episode, host Joe Sparks examines the new top economic concern in the U.S. according to a recent survey.
Do not miss this episode as host Joe Sparks examines the new top economic worry and how to fix the problem.

Jan 15, 2026
Jan 15, 2026
6 min
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.

Dec 15, 2025
Dec 15, 2025
3 min
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.

Nov 15, 2025
Nov 15, 2025
5 min
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.

Oct 15, 2025
Oct 15, 2025
4 min
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
