Jim Cottrill
@jimcottrill.bsky.social
Professor, Department of Political Science, Winona State University. All opinions expressed here are solely my own.
Every bit of this. @healthpartnersmn.bsky.social is doing the same thing to me, to the tune of over $3000, for 2 routine office visits and vaccinations. I moved in May, set up care at a new clinic in Aug, but my Oct appointments are viewed as out-of-network.
wapo.st/43zSeUe
wapo.st/43zSeUe
A doctor directed her to a clinic for a tick bite. Her insurer refused to pay.
The case of one Maine woman shows how prior authorization rules can block coverage for even simple, medically necessary care.
wapo.st
November 16, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Every bit of this. @healthpartnersmn.bsky.social is doing the same thing to me, to the tune of over $3000, for 2 routine office visits and vaccinations. I moved in May, set up care at a new clinic in Aug, but my Oct appointments are viewed as out-of-network.
wapo.st/43zSeUe
wapo.st/43zSeUe
If we are going to start renaming Departments, may I suggest naming RFK's HHS the Department of Snake Oil?
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/04/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/04/u...
Trump to Sign Order Renaming the Defense Department as the Department of War
www.nytimes.com
September 5, 2025 at 4:37 AM
If we are going to start renaming Departments, may I suggest naming RFK's HHS the Department of Snake Oil?
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/04/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/04/u...
Trump Claims the Power to Summarily Kill Suspected Drug Smugglers
www.nytimes.com
September 5, 2025 at 4:02 AM
It's like each new day brings a new opportunity to flamboyantly display how evil they are. Coming just 10 days after the grotesquery of the hot dog eating contest, America seems determined to show the world how disgusting it is right now.
www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...
www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...
The Trump Administration Is About to Incinerate 500 Tons of Emergency Food
Federal workers warned for months that the high-energy biscuits would go to waste.
www.theatlantic.com
July 15, 2025 at 4:23 PM
It's like each new day brings a new opportunity to flamboyantly display how evil they are. Coming just 10 days after the grotesquery of the hot dog eating contest, America seems determined to show the world how disgusting it is right now.
www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...
www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...
The perspectives of doctors & hospital administrators seem to be in perfect alignment about the harm this bill is going to inflict on patients. And the increased costs associated with denial of care are just stupid, as well as evil.
www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...
www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...
The Reality My Medicaid Patients Face
With work requirements in place, many will be removed from Medicaid even though they should qualify.
www.theatlantic.com
July 6, 2025 at 12:52 PM
The perspectives of doctors & hospital administrators seem to be in perfect alignment about the harm this bill is going to inflict on patients. And the increased costs associated with denial of care are just stupid, as well as evil.
www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...
www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...
Nothing says "Master Negotiator" quite like telling your negotiating partners they "don't know what the f**k they're doing." Is this is what they call "enlisting cooperation" through mutual goodwill? (And, God help us, is this only month 5 of this term?!).
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/06...
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/06...
Live Updates: Trump Lashes Out at Israel and Iran as Fragile Truce Is Tested
www.nytimes.com
June 24, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Nothing says "Master Negotiator" quite like telling your negotiating partners they "don't know what the f**k they're doing." Is this is what they call "enlisting cooperation" through mutual goodwill? (And, God help us, is this only month 5 of this term?!).
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/06...
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/06...
I wonder if Pete Hegseth's wife was disappointed to find out they planned this attack without looping her in first.
June 22, 2025 at 2:21 PM
I wonder if Pete Hegseth's wife was disappointed to find out they planned this attack without looping her in first.
Reposted by Jim Cottrill
Whether it's Joe Biden's son's business partner writing "the big guy" in an email when Biden was ex-vice president or Donald Trump selling crypto, NFTs, bibles, gold sneakers, watches, and cell phone plans while he is the current president, both sides have monetized executive branch positions.
June 20, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Whether it's Joe Biden's son's business partner writing "the big guy" in an email when Biden was ex-vice president or Donald Trump selling crypto, NFTs, bibles, gold sneakers, watches, and cell phone plans while he is the current president, both sides have monetized executive branch positions.
It's kind of amazing that masked, unidentified, warrantless ICE agents have been able to detain so many dangerous "gang members & criminals" without a single one of them getting shot. You'd think vicious, violent criminals might be more hostile to masked dudes rolling up on them. Makes you wonder.
June 20, 2025 at 1:04 PM
It's kind of amazing that masked, unidentified, warrantless ICE agents have been able to detain so many dangerous "gang members & criminals" without a single one of them getting shot. You'd think vicious, violent criminals might be more hostile to masked dudes rolling up on them. Makes you wonder.
The fact that the president, because of the cult-like fervor of his political support, seems immune to any accountability for breaking the law on a daily basis still astonishes me, even after a decade of watching him get away with it. Is this the new normal?
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/17/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/17/o...
Opinion | Could the Third Time Be the Charm on Impeachment and Removal?
www.nytimes.com
June 18, 2025 at 12:10 PM
The fact that the president, because of the cult-like fervor of his political support, seems immune to any accountability for breaking the law on a daily basis still astonishes me, even after a decade of watching him get away with it. Is this the new normal?
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/17/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/17/o...
"The difference is that only one party is led by someone who uses his megaphone to routinely normalize and absolve acts of political violence. There is overwhelming evidence of this asymmetric rhetoric between those in party leadership."
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
In Minnesota, America’s Luck Ran Out
The United States is a fraying society, torn apart by polarization, intense disagreement, and ratcheting extremism.
www.theatlantic.com
June 15, 2025 at 2:18 PM
"The difference is that only one party is led by someone who uses his megaphone to routinely normalize and absolve acts of political violence. There is overwhelming evidence of this asymmetric rhetoric between those in party leadership."
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
Another in a long line of FAFO polices that people are determined to learn about the hard way. The problem, as usual, is that the full effects will probably only be noticed about a month or two into a Dem legislative majority & they will get blamed by RW media.
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
The GOP’s New Medicaid Denialism
Unable to defend their health-care cuts on the merits, congressional Republicans have pivoted to magical thinking.
www.theatlantic.com
June 4, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Another in a long line of FAFO polices that people are determined to learn about the hard way. The problem, as usual, is that the full effects will probably only be noticed about a month or two into a Dem legislative majority & they will get blamed by RW media.
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
"Paleontologists speculate that the man's last words were 'But I didn't vote for this!'"
May 31, 2025 at 11:30 AM
"Paleontologists speculate that the man's last words were 'But I didn't vote for this!'"
Since there seems to be significant attention being paid to "cover ups" of Biden's health (even though a casual observer could see he was old, frail, & not well), maybe we ought to push harder for transparency about the sitting president's health?
www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...
www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...
The Conversations Trump’s Doctors Should Be Having With Him
An elderly president’s physicians should press him to think through hard questions about his health.
www.theatlantic.com
May 29, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Since there seems to be significant attention being paid to "cover ups" of Biden's health (even though a casual observer could see he was old, frail, & not well), maybe we ought to push harder for transparency about the sitting president's health?
www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...
www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...
I just don't understand the logic of denying a privately-funded shelter a permit to run year-round, especially when you just made sleeping outdoors illegal. It costs way more to jail people (in so many ways). www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
Brainerd says no to homeless shelter operating in summer, leaving its guests few options
For more than three years, the Bridge on 7th has provided a warm place to sleep for adults experiencing homelessness in Brainerd, with few restrictions on who can stay. City officials denied its reque...
www.mprnews.org
May 27, 2025 at 12:17 PM
I just don't understand the logic of denying a privately-funded shelter a permit to run year-round, especially when you just made sleeping outdoors illegal. It costs way more to jail people (in so many ways). www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
This is a succinct & accurate characterization of the entire administration's approach to governing (& what their base craves) -- cosplaying.
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
Trump’s Cosplay Cabinet
The president’s appointees often appear to be acting out a made-for-television version of their jobs rather than actually doing them.
www.theatlantic.com
April 26, 2025 at 12:46 PM
This is a succinct & accurate characterization of the entire administration's approach to governing (& what their base craves) -- cosplaying.
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
Uh, isn't this the same administration that excused Musk's Nazi salute because he is on the spectrum? (Though I suppose the "never pay taxes" part is likely true in his case).
April 18, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Uh, isn't this the same administration that excused Musk's Nazi salute because he is on the spectrum? (Though I suppose the "never pay taxes" part is likely true in his case).
Maybe a silly question, but if there are 195 countries in the world, how can this be true: "Last year . . . the United States ran bilateral trade surpluses with 116 countries globally. It ran bilateral trade deficits with 114 countries."
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/09/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/09/b...
Trump’s Tariff Goal Is to Eliminate Trade Deficits. Economists Have Doubts. (Gift Article)
Behind Trump’s new tariffs is a goal that is as ambitious as it is unrealistic: eliminating the bilateral trade deficit with every U.S. trading partner.
www.nytimes.com
April 9, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Maybe a silly question, but if there are 195 countries in the world, how can this be true: "Last year . . . the United States ran bilateral trade surpluses with 116 countries globally. It ran bilateral trade deficits with 114 countries."
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/09/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/09/b...
Looks like Mel Brooks just released some additional verses for "Springtime for Hitler."
April 7, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Looks like Mel Brooks just released some additional verses for "Springtime for Hitler."
This entire administration desperately needs a truth-teller of the Joel Cairo variety.
youtu.be/IvVuNkE-LMw?...
youtu.be/IvVuNkE-LMw?...
you imbecile you bloated idiot you stupid fathead you
YouTube video by xsim57
youtu.be
March 26, 2025 at 5:31 PM
This entire administration desperately needs a truth-teller of the Joel Cairo variety.
youtu.be/IvVuNkE-LMw?...
youtu.be/IvVuNkE-LMw?...
The state of "elite" political discourse in the US . . . .
Jeffrey Goldberg: "Why are you using an unsecure chat group to discuss top secret military operations?"
POTUS: "LOL, The Atlantic is a liberal rag."
It's like arguing with the dumbest member of your HS graduating class on Facebook.
Jeffrey Goldberg: "Why are you using an unsecure chat group to discuss top secret military operations?"
POTUS: "LOL, The Atlantic is a liberal rag."
It's like arguing with the dumbest member of your HS graduating class on Facebook.
March 25, 2025 at 12:06 PM
The state of "elite" political discourse in the US . . . .
Jeffrey Goldberg: "Why are you using an unsecure chat group to discuss top secret military operations?"
POTUS: "LOL, The Atlantic is a liberal rag."
It's like arguing with the dumbest member of your HS graduating class on Facebook.
Jeffrey Goldberg: "Why are you using an unsecure chat group to discuss top secret military operations?"
POTUS: "LOL, The Atlantic is a liberal rag."
It's like arguing with the dumbest member of your HS graduating class on Facebook.
Sorting hat says "Slytherin."
March 19, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Sorting hat says "Slytherin."
So, this is a real thing. The ridiculous fragility of people who really believe those who disagree with them are "deranged" is astounding. I'd laugh if this wasn't a pretext for legally declaring opponents "insane."
March 17, 2025 at 11:31 AM
So, this is a real thing. The ridiculous fragility of people who really believe those who disagree with them are "deranged" is astounding. I'd laugh if this wasn't a pretext for legally declaring opponents "insane."
Among the many, many differences between Mark Kelly and Elon Musk: Only one of them holds an elected position. Should be easy to get rid of the unelected one if the fickle mood of Il Douche changes. Maybe Tesla stock will get low enough for Musk to say something to annoy Boss Baby?
Only in America could a Ketamine-infused South African oligarch call a navy captain, astronaut and sitting US senator "a traitor" for supporting our allies and standing up to Russia...
March 11, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Among the many, many differences between Mark Kelly and Elon Musk: Only one of them holds an elected position. Should be easy to get rid of the unelected one if the fickle mood of Il Douche changes. Maybe Tesla stock will get low enough for Musk to say something to annoy Boss Baby?
Smells like mean spirit.
March 10, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Smells like mean spirit.