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December 5, 2025 51 mins

Health insurance: seems like a straightforward concept. Every month you put money into an account so that, when you need to pay health care costs, that account will cover it. If you’re laughing at the idea of using THAT description for THIS country, that’s probably because it’s a ridiculous oversimplification to the point that it’s closer to a lie. 

This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow gives you an abridged explanation of health insurance in the U.S. She also talks to Rachel Nuzum of The Commonwealth Fund about what we could do to fix our health insurance system.

Plus: can COVID vaccines impact the menstrual cycle? Does taking melatonin lead to heart failure? Will drinking instant coffee cause you to go blind? What’s going on with measles elimination in the country? And the Sick of the Week.

For a full rundown on all the information shared in today's episode, take a look at the show notes.

Have a question for Laurel? Send it to healthwanted@wabe.org or leave a voicemail at 404-888-3630!

For more, visit wabe.org/healthwanted

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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