Jess McAllen
@jessmcallen.bsky.social
Staff writer & fact checker at @thebaffler.com
Reporting on healthcare, especially mental health, chronic illness, and care inequalities
I'm from New Zealand but am in New York.
Reporting on healthcare, especially mental health, chronic illness, and care inequalities
I'm from New Zealand but am in New York.
i bought a spinach type smoothie coz i was feeling soo tired and when i went to put it on the table i totally missed so i think we all (me, the floor) learned a lesson about pushing thru surgery fatigue
November 23, 2025 at 3:27 AM
i bought a spinach type smoothie coz i was feeling soo tired and when i went to put it on the table i totally missed so i think we all (me, the floor) learned a lesson about pushing thru surgery fatigue
evidence-based as a concept has been well and truly bungled, it was a nice idea though
CDC has overhauled its website to assert that “the claim ‘vaccines do not cause autism’ is not an evidence-based claim”
November 20, 2025 at 3:00 AM
evidence-based as a concept has been well and truly bungled, it was a nice idea though
One day I'd like to live in a little cottage in a sea town and have a cat and a garden and my health
November 19, 2025 at 8:03 PM
One day I'd like to live in a little cottage in a sea town and have a cat and a garden and my health
"What does it mean to love someone who has, or has had, a parasitic worm in their brain?"
People often ask me when I'm going to write a book.
For years, the answer I have given is: "When I find a story consequential enough and gripping enough that it warrants a book-length treatment."
Well.
hellgatenyc.com/the-only-oli...
For years, the answer I have given is: "When I find a story consequential enough and gripping enough that it warrants a book-length treatment."
Well.
hellgatenyc.com/the-only-oli...
The Only Olivia Nuzzi-RFK Jr. Take You Need to Read
Your group chat isn’t talking about this part of it—but they should be.
hellgatenyc.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:34 AM
"What does it mean to love someone who has, or has had, a parasitic worm in their brain?"
I've been watching midsomer murders and so far they have interesting food and lots of murdered
November 19, 2025 at 2:48 AM
I've been watching midsomer murders and so far they have interesting food and lots of murdered
ten days post surgery for advanced endometriosis and I decided it was a good time to re-read what I wrote about my recent experience being diagnosed in 2023 + how US Healthcare motivates surgeons double as influencers
thebaffler.com/salvos/endo-...
thebaffler.com/salvos/endo-...
Endo Days | Jess McAllen
Celebrity endometriosis surgeons have flourished by offering supposed cures in an environment of misinformation and false promises.
thebaffler.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:49 AM
ten days post surgery for advanced endometriosis and I decided it was a good time to re-read what I wrote about my recent experience being diagnosed in 2023 + how US Healthcare motivates surgeons double as influencers
thebaffler.com/salvos/endo-...
thebaffler.com/salvos/endo-...
does march still count as summer in New Zealand? I am of the opinion of YES but others (such as Google) say no
November 17, 2025 at 2:49 AM
does march still count as summer in New Zealand? I am of the opinion of YES but others (such as Google) say no
my friend sent me four long messages on instagram about her endometriosis and instagram offered to summarize them with AI?? I fear we are reaching the end point!
November 14, 2025 at 4:00 AM
my friend sent me four long messages on instagram about her endometriosis and instagram offered to summarize them with AI?? I fear we are reaching the end point!
I went for a little walk to get a matcha and now my belly button incision is paying for it but hopefully it's matcha do about nothing
November 13, 2025 at 10:30 PM
I went for a little walk to get a matcha and now my belly button incision is paying for it but hopefully it's matcha do about nothing
Reposted by Jess McAllen
an excellent essay about the affiliate system in NYC public hospitals, mainly how contracting with private, often-university affiliated hospitals made organizing near impossible while simultaneously running up costs and cratering the quality of care.
thebaffler.com/latest/in-po...
thebaffler.com/latest/in-po...
In Poor Health | Jess McAllen
Affiliation in New York City hospitals was meant to improve care—and lower costs. But that hasn’t quite worked out.
thebaffler.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:52 PM
an excellent essay about the affiliate system in NYC public hospitals, mainly how contracting with private, often-university affiliated hospitals made organizing near impossible while simultaneously running up costs and cratering the quality of care.
thebaffler.com/latest/in-po...
thebaffler.com/latest/in-po...
Reposted by Jess McAllen
Reposted by Jess McAllen
Last few spaces on my small museums & mental health w'shop this Sat 8 Nov
I'll teach you neuroscience of how Tetris,Lego & arranging collections like this👇 help our brains deal with stress & lift mood;we'll make small museums together.
Also:30% off my Etsy:
workshops.emmamitchell.uk/courses/copy...
I'll teach you neuroscience of how Tetris,Lego & arranging collections like this👇 help our brains deal with stress & lift mood;we'll make small museums together.
Also:30% off my Etsy:
workshops.emmamitchell.uk/courses/copy...
November 3, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Last few spaces on my small museums & mental health w'shop this Sat 8 Nov
I'll teach you neuroscience of how Tetris,Lego & arranging collections like this👇 help our brains deal with stress & lift mood;we'll make small museums together.
Also:30% off my Etsy:
workshops.emmamitchell.uk/courses/copy...
I'll teach you neuroscience of how Tetris,Lego & arranging collections like this👇 help our brains deal with stress & lift mood;we'll make small museums together.
Also:30% off my Etsy:
workshops.emmamitchell.uk/courses/copy...
Reposted by Jess McAllen
In 1961, Ray Trussell was appointed as New York City’s hospital commissioner. You might not know his name, but you should—as @jessmcallen.bsky.social reports, he fundamentally transformed how the city’s hospital system works.
In Poor Health | Jess McAllen
Affiliation in New York City hospitals was meant to improve care—and lower costs. But that hasn’t quite worked out.
thebaffler.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:22 PM
In 1961, Ray Trussell was appointed as New York City’s hospital commissioner. You might not know his name, but you should—as @jessmcallen.bsky.social reports, he fundamentally transformed how the city’s hospital system works.
I wrote about something thebaffler.com/latest/in-po...
In Poor Health | Jess McAllen
Affiliation in New York City hospitals was meant to improve care—and lower costs. But that hasn’t quite worked out.
thebaffler.com
October 31, 2025 at 5:49 PM
I wrote about something thebaffler.com/latest/in-po...
Reposted by Jess McAllen
Affiliation contracts were intended to improve care—and lower costs—at New York City’s public “safety-net” hospitals by pairing them up with private nonprofit institutions. But as @jessmcallen.bsky.social reports, it hasn’t panned out that way.
In Poor Health | Jess McAllen
Affiliation in New York City hospitals was meant to improve care—and lower costs. But that hasn’t quite worked out.
thebaffler.com
October 31, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Affiliation contracts were intended to improve care—and lower costs—at New York City’s public “safety-net” hospitals by pairing them up with private nonprofit institutions. But as @jessmcallen.bsky.social reports, it hasn’t panned out that way.
i'm a big believer in never let them know ur next step but i'm also a believer in always let them know ur next step which really is the never let them know ur next step of letting them know your next step
October 31, 2025 at 2:24 AM
i'm a big believer in never let them know ur next step but i'm also a believer in always let them know ur next step which really is the never let them know ur next step of letting them know your next step
Reposted by Jess McAllen
I am interested in starting to hear from care workers on SNAP about your concerns. I'm @motherjones.com's disability reporter. Please be in touch. My email is jmetraux@motherjones.com and my Signal is juliametraux.49. Reposts are appreciated.
October 27, 2025 at 9:01 PM
I am interested in starting to hear from care workers on SNAP about your concerns. I'm @motherjones.com's disability reporter. Please be in touch. My email is jmetraux@motherjones.com and my Signal is juliametraux.49. Reposts are appreciated.
I know I say this a lot but even w good insurance in the US chronic illness is soooo expensive
October 24, 2025 at 9:57 PM
I know I say this a lot but even w good insurance in the US chronic illness is soooo expensive
If I had a dollar for every time i knock over a mug of water foolishly placed on my bed right before I go to sleep I would have about $20
October 21, 2025 at 4:37 AM
If I had a dollar for every time i knock over a mug of water foolishly placed on my bed right before I go to sleep I would have about $20
hello, I am looking for anyone who has had a ridiculous insurance denial recently, can be anonymous but must be in the US. Pls reply here or email jessm@thebaffler.com x
October 20, 2025 at 9:29 PM
hello, I am looking for anyone who has had a ridiculous insurance denial recently, can be anonymous but must be in the US. Pls reply here or email jessm@thebaffler.com x
obsessed w the image help
He runs a roving gang that stages hate crimes, and you do not have to hand it to him, but I agree with Curtis Sliwa on one thing: The way to get rid of rats is well cared-for cat colonies. I lived in a LES building behind a restaurant with one and there were no rats. Never mayor, but maybe Cat Czar.
Curtis Sliwa's Feral Cat Vigilantes Will Clean Up This Dirty Town
To solve the city's rat problem, we need roving feline justice squads.
hellgatenyc.com
October 17, 2025 at 2:02 AM
obsessed w the image help
Reposted by Jess McAllen
i see mike king and "i am hope" is in the news again recently. just resharing this amazing piece @jessmcallen.bsky.social wrote for webworm last year: www.webworm.co/rockstar/
The Making of a Mental Health Rockstar
Does Mike King’s popularity come with a big dose of impunity?
www.webworm.co
October 16, 2025 at 3:51 AM
i see mike king and "i am hope" is in the news again recently. just resharing this amazing piece @jessmcallen.bsky.social wrote for webworm last year: www.webworm.co/rockstar/
I've used public transport in ways u can't even imagine
October 16, 2025 at 2:58 AM
I've used public transport in ways u can't even imagine
Do u know if u fill a rice cooker with water and rosemary it makes the house smell so nice
October 13, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Do u know if u fill a rice cooker with water and rosemary it makes the house smell so nice