Fran Smith
@fransmith.bsky.social
Writer, editor, communications consultant, tap dancing wannabe. Obsessed with news, politics & health. Author, “Changing the Way we Die”
@aoc.bsky.social egg-freezing posts got me wondering: why do we treat fertility care as a lifestyle choice, - not a medical issue that insurance should cover? @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/ins...
The Health Divide: AOC’s fertility posts raise a question — who else gets the chance?
Fertility treatments remain out of reach for millions of Americans, particularly Black and Hispanic women.
centerforhealthjournalism.org
August 31, 2026 at 7:26 PM
@aoc.bsky.social egg-freezing posts got me wondering: why do we treat fertility care as a lifestyle choice, - not a medical issue that insurance should cover? @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/ins...
Reposted by Fran Smith
Now that's a fucking headline. www.newsweek.com/mitch-mcconn...
Mitch McConnell is getting more paid time off than women who give birth
Senator Mitch McConnell has continued to receive his full salary while being absent from the Senate for medical reasons.
www.newsweek.com
August 19, 2026 at 5:25 PM
Now that's a fucking headline. www.newsweek.com/mitch-mcconn...
The Presidential Fitness Test returns to school this year, even as school budget cuts and $$$$ youth sports make it harder for kids to be active. My latest for @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social. Thanks to Hannah Thompson @npi.ucanr.edu & Chad Killian. centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/ins...
The Health Divide: We’re testing kids’ fitness after taking away chances to be active
With PE cuts and shrinking recess in many schools, why are we now testing kids on skills we never really taught them?
centerforhealthjournalism.org
August 18, 2026 at 8:59 PM
The Presidential Fitness Test returns to school this year, even as school budget cuts and $$$$ youth sports make it harder for kids to be active. My latest for @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social. Thanks to Hannah Thompson @npi.ucanr.edu & Chad Killian. centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/ins...
As Medicare starts covering GLP-1s for weight loss, state Medicaid programs pull back. How do economics, stigma and bias influence who “deserves” treatment for obesity and who gets shut out? @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/ins...
The Health Divide: This breakthrough obesity drug is creating a big new health disparity
What happens when an expensive drug that works well for a condition affecting millions of people remains out of reach to many of those who would benefit?
centerforhealthjournalism.org
July 20, 2026 at 9:19 PM
As Medicare starts covering GLP-1s for weight loss, state Medicaid programs pull back. How do economics, stigma and bias influence who “deserves” treatment for obesity and who gets shut out? @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/ins...
Reposted by Fran Smith
The Health Divide: Menopause is having a moment, but not all women are benefiting equally, by @fransmith.bsky.social centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/ins... via @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social
The Health Divide: Menopause is having a moment, but not all women are benefiting equally
centerforhealthjournalism.org
June 8, 2026 at 2:29 PM
The Health Divide: Menopause is having a moment, but not all women are benefiting equally, by @fransmith.bsky.social centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/ins... via @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social
I’m old enough to have written about AIDS at the beginning. That HIV is raging despite scientific advances in treatment and prevention is an indictment of our systems of care. Hats off to those working to turn the tide. @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/rep...
The Health Divide: Will pharmacies finally get HIV prevention to the people who need it most?
“There’s a complete mismatch between where we see PrEP clinics, and where we see HIV,” said Natalie Crawford, a researcher at Emory who is leading an initiative to support and train pharmacies in HIV ...
centerforhealthjournalism.org
May 27, 2026 at 9:35 PM
I’m old enough to have written about AIDS at the beginning. That HIV is raging despite scientific advances in treatment and prevention is an indictment of our systems of care. Hats off to those working to turn the tide. @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/rep...
Reposted by Fran Smith
I enjoyed chatting with @fransmith.bsky.social of USC's Center for Health Journalism about my book Coverage Denied: How Health Insurers Drive Inequality in the United States. And if our Q&A left you wanting to learn more: www.amazon.com/Coverage-Den...
centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/ins...
centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/ins...
Q&A: Health insurers deny care across the board, with few able to fight back
Insurance denials hit many Americans, but marginalized and sicker patients suffer most because appeals are complex, delaying care and widening health inequities.
centerforhealthjournalism.org
May 11, 2026 at 6:23 PM
I enjoyed chatting with @fransmith.bsky.social of USC's Center for Health Journalism about my book Coverage Denied: How Health Insurers Drive Inequality in the United States. And if our Q&A left you wanting to learn more: www.amazon.com/Coverage-Den...
centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/ins...
centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/ins...
A huge uncontrolled experiment on low-income people @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/ins...
The Health Divide: Will SNAP junk food bans make people healthier — or hungrier?
States are restricting SNAP purchases in a largely uncontrolled policy experiment backed by little evidence.
centerforhealthjournalism.org
April 13, 2026 at 6:51 PM
A huge uncontrolled experiment on low-income people @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/ins...
Reposted by Fran Smith
If celebs need Go Fund Me drives to help their family after suffering catastrophic health crises, imagine what the average American must endure?
We don't need to live like this...
people.com/eric-dane-go...
We don't need to live like this...
people.com/eric-dane-go...
Eric Dane’s Friends Launch GoFundMe to Support His 2 Daughters After Late Actor’s Tragic Death at 53
Eric Dane died at age 53, nearly one year after publicly announcing his ALS diagnosis. His friends launched a GoFundMe in the wake of his death to support his two daughters with ex Rebecca Gayheart.
people.com
February 21, 2026 at 6:50 AM
If celebs need Go Fund Me drives to help their family after suffering catastrophic health crises, imagine what the average American must endure?
We don't need to live like this...
people.com/eric-dane-go...
We don't need to live like this...
people.com/eric-dane-go...
No doubt Susan Collins is concerned. …⤵️
February 7, 2026 at 7:16 PM
No doubt Susan Collins is concerned. …⤵️
Reposted by Fran Smith
February 2025: Susan Collins votes to confirm RFK Jr. as Secretary of HHS.
February 2026: Maine has its first case of measles in 7 years.
wgme.com/news/local/m...
February 2026: Maine has its first case of measles in 7 years.
wgme.com/news/local/m...
Maine records first confirmed case of measles since 2019
Maine’s first measles case since 2019 has been confirmed by the Maine CDC as two new outbreaks have been reported nationwide this year.
wgme.com
February 7, 2026 at 3:24 AM
February 2025: Susan Collins votes to confirm RFK Jr. as Secretary of HHS.
February 2026: Maine has its first case of measles in 7 years.
wgme.com/news/local/m...
February 2026: Maine has its first case of measles in 7 years.
wgme.com/news/local/m...
When you have to be rich to become a doctor, patients pay a price. My latest for @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/ins...
The Health Divide: The cost of a medical education is changing who can afford to become a doctor
There’s growing evidence that medicine risks losing talent from poor and working-class, Black and Latino communities. Ultimately, patient care will suffer as a result.
centerforhealthjournalism.org
February 6, 2026 at 7:33 PM
When you have to be rich to become a doctor, patients pay a price. My latest for @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/ins...
Big Tech is projected to invest $500 billion this year on AI infrastructure. What could go wrong? @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social @ericnost.bsky.social centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/ins...
The Health Divide: The AI data center boom will harm the health of communities that can least afford it
As the data center building spree continues and the federal government rolls back environmental and health protections, the health toll will be heaviest in marginalized communities.
centerforhealthjournalism.org
January 21, 2026 at 4:34 PM
Big Tech is projected to invest $500 billion this year on AI infrastructure. What could go wrong? @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social @ericnost.bsky.social centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/ins...
On the same week as a report that health care costs have risen three times faster than wages in recent decades, comes this…. What are we doing? jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Poverty, Food Insecurity, and Housing Instability Among US Health Care Workers
This study examines rates of poverty, food insecurity, and housing instability among US health care workers.
jamanetwork.com
January 7, 2026 at 1:12 PM
On the same week as a report that health care costs have risen three times faster than wages in recent decades, comes this…. What are we doing? jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Reposted by Fran Smith
It was a pleasure to speak with @fransmith.bsky.social about our recent @jamahealthforum.com study. centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/ins...
The Health Divide: Q&A — Why are doctors getting paid less to see patients of color?
Physicians receive lower payments for taking care of Black and Hispanic patients than white patients, according to a new study. Dr. Aaron Schwartz, the study’s lead, explains what may be driving the d...
centerforhealthjournalism.org
December 15, 2025 at 7:51 PM
It was a pleasure to speak with @fransmith.bsky.social about our recent @jamahealthforum.com study. centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/ins...
Let them eat… nothing?? centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/ins... @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social @centeronbudget.bsky.social
The Health Divide: The outlook for families who rely on SNAP is quickly getting worse
The massive changes to SNAP will hit low-income people hard for years to come.
centerforhealthjournalism.org
October 27, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Let them eat… nothing?? centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/ins... @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social @centeronbudget.bsky.social
Reposted by Fran Smith
The Trump administration has promoted the anti-vax, anti-science movement which has now produced an epidemic www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Hundreds of U.S. students quarantined amid measles outbreaks
At least 270 unvaccinated kids are staying home from school as measles continues to spread nationwide. "Expect more," one expert said.
www.nbcnews.com
October 12, 2025 at 11:13 AM
The Trump administration has promoted the anti-vax, anti-science movement which has now produced an epidemic www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
When nutrition for kids becomes a target in the war on inclusion. centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/ins... @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social
The Health Divide: If MAHA wants kids to eat healthier, why cut the school food programs that support that?
As SNAP budget cuts and expanded work requirements kick in, millions of children may lose access to free school meals.
centerforhealthjournalism.org
September 30, 2025 at 5:09 PM
When nutrition for kids becomes a target in the war on inclusion. centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/ins... @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social
While we retreat on climate policy… @astokespop.bsky.social @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/ins...
The Health Divide: The devastating toll of wildfires on health is far greater than we think
More frequent, intense and destructive fires fueled by climate change cause far more death and illness than official tallies capture.
centerforhealthjournalism.org
September 22, 2025 at 12:05 PM
While we retreat on climate policy… @astokespop.bsky.social @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/ins...
Had a great conversation with @sho-walter.bsky.social about her eye-opening new book, Rehab: An American Scandal. Highly recommend for anyone who cares about addiction. centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/ins...
The Health Divide: Q&A: Why does rehab keep failing those who need it most?
In her new book, journalist Shoshana Walter revelas how many programs exploit patients, bar mothers, underuse buprenorphine, and worsen racial and gender disparities.
centerforhealthjournalism.org
September 12, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Had a great conversation with @sho-walter.bsky.social about her eye-opening new book, Rehab: An American Scandal. Highly recommend for anyone who cares about addiction. centerforhealthjournalism.org/our-work/ins...