Articles Archives

A woman with short, light brown hair and glasses smiling confidently while standing in front of a modern staircase. She is wearing a white blouse, a black cardigan, and a statement necklace, with her arms crossed. The staircase features metal railings and circular wall lights along its curved design, with warm wooden accents visible on the side. The setting suggests a professional or academic environment.

Coronavirus Conversations: Alison Buttenheim

by Ryan Levi March 12, 2020December 11, 2024

Even public health experts are struggling to make the right decisions on whether to cancel plans in the midst of the coronavirus.

Three people sitting in a panel discussion at the front of a conference room with "Penn LDI" banners.

Insurance

Medicarried Away? (LIVE)

by Ryan Levi and Andrew Parrella March 4, 2020January 6, 2025

A look at a universal coverage plan that is very different from the Medicare for All we’ve been hearing about.

Two teal N95 masks and a beige elastic bandage with metal clips on a red background.

Cost of Care

In Short Supply

by Ryan Levi and Victoria Stern February 19, 2020July 3, 2025

Shortages of basic medical supplies have become a familiar pattern for hospitals around the U.S. What causes them? And how can we prevent them?

Roll of "I Voted" stickers with American flag design.

Insurance

Primary Concerns

by Ryan Levi and Victoria Stern February 5, 2020December 20, 2024

We look at the polls and talk to voters to break down how and why health care is shaping the 2020 election.

Prescription bottles, pills, and inhalers on a tiled surface.

Cost of Care

The Price of Innovation

by Ryan Levi and Victoria Stern January 22, 2020December 20, 2024

Is it possible to lower drug prices without losing out on breakthrough treatments in the future?

A hand holding a blue pen points at a document with bar and line charts.

Health Technology

The Sidebar: Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT)

by Dan Gorenstein January 8, 2020December 20, 2024

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are often viewed as the “gold standard” of health care research. How do they work and what are their tradeoffs?

A person with short hair sits on a brown sofa, wearing a light gray sweater.

Mental Health

Leap of Faith

by Ryan Levi and Victoria Stern January 2, 2020December 20, 2024

As the opioid crisis continues to ravage the country, some states are turning to controversial laws that force people into treatment.

Medical items on a wooden table, including a blood pressure cuff, scattered pink pills, inhalers, and prescription bottles.

Insurance

The Good Stuff

by Dan Gorenstein and Ryan Levi December 11, 2019December 20, 2024

Two friends—a doctor and an economist—have spent more than 20 years trying to redesign insurance around one simple but elusive goal: make the good stuff more accessible than the bad stuff.

A close-up of a pre-packaged meal labeled "Winter Squash Hash" from Community Servings, a food service focused on dietary needs. The container has three compartments, with visible green beans in one section. The packaging label indicates dietary suitability for diabetic, cardiac, mild, and soft diets, with restrictions such as "No Fish," "No Red Meat," "Low Lactose," and "No Nuts." Surrounding the meal are additional food items, including a yogurt container, a bag of frozen peas, Cheerios, and plastic-wrapped produce, all arranged on a granite countertop.

Health Equity

Feeding the Sick

by Ryan Levi and Victoria Stern November 27, 2019December 20, 2024

We know good nutrition is tied to good health. But is there evidence that food should be prescribed and paid for like medicine?