Troy Tassier
@troytassier.bsky.social
Public health, health equity, economic inequality, complex systems, social networks
Economist at Fordham
Author: The Rich Flee and the Poor Take the Bus: How Our Unequal Society Fails Us during Outbreaks (JHU Press)
Book webpage: troytassier.com
Economist at Fordham
Author: The Rich Flee and the Poor Take the Bus: How Our Unequal Society Fails Us during Outbreaks (JHU Press)
Book webpage: troytassier.com
Hopefully the tide has turned despite what happened last night.
BREAKING: Colorado voters approved a ballot measure that would raise state income taxes on higher-earning households to fund free meals for all public school students.
Follow AP for live updates.
Follow AP for live updates.
Live updates: US voters head to the polls in first general election since Trump's return to power
One year after Donald Trump retook the presidency, 2025 Election Day includes closely watched races for New York City mayor, New Jersey governor and California's Proposition 50.
bit.ly
November 11, 2025 at 1:38 AM
Hopefully the tide has turned despite what happened last night.
This whole story feels a bit like Trump is claiming “you said I started a fire but all I really did was drop a match near a bucket of gasoline.”
No one in the world, other than maybe the voices in Trump’s head, believes the capitol would have been stormed if not for Trump.
No one in the world, other than maybe the voices in Trump’s head, believes the capitol would have been stormed if not for Trump.
"It wouldn't have crossed anybody's mind at the BBC that they'd have to defend themselves against accusations of undermining the idea that he incited an insurrection."
November 10, 2025 at 11:18 PM
This whole story feels a bit like Trump is claiming “you said I started a fire but all I really did was drop a match near a bucket of gasoline.”
No one in the world, other than maybe the voices in Trump’s head, believes the capitol would have been stormed if not for Trump.
No one in the world, other than maybe the voices in Trump’s head, believes the capitol would have been stormed if not for Trump.
Yep.
When you’re the underdog you need to fight long enough and strong enough for the favorite to begin to doubt themselves and their strategy.
After Tuesday’s elections and the ACA premium notices going out, the GOP was doubting.
Then 8 democratic senators gave up.
When you’re the underdog you need to fight long enough and strong enough for the favorite to begin to doubt themselves and their strategy.
After Tuesday’s elections and the ACA premium notices going out, the GOP was doubting.
Then 8 democratic senators gave up.
In response to this claim that the "strategy didn't work."
The people were on our side. We were building momentum to help save our democracy. We could have won - the premium increase notices were just starting.
And giving in now will embolden him. Things will likely get worse.
The people were on our side. We were building momentum to help save our democracy. We could have won - the premium increase notices were just starting.
And giving in now will embolden him. Things will likely get worse.
November 10, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Yep.
When you’re the underdog you need to fight long enough and strong enough for the favorite to begin to doubt themselves and their strategy.
After Tuesday’s elections and the ACA premium notices going out, the GOP was doubting.
Then 8 democratic senators gave up.
When you’re the underdog you need to fight long enough and strong enough for the favorite to begin to doubt themselves and their strategy.
After Tuesday’s elections and the ACA premium notices going out, the GOP was doubting.
Then 8 democratic senators gave up.
Reposted by Troy Tassier
From $480/ month to over $1,900 and forced to drop vision and dental care.
Over $23,000/ year. That's more than half of the individual median income in the US.
Plus an additional $9,900 in out of pocket costs. Almost $33,000 per year in total.
That's what Dems were fighting against.
Over $23,000/ year. That's more than half of the individual median income in the US.
Plus an additional $9,900 in out of pocket costs. Almost $33,000 per year in total.
That's what Dems were fighting against.
November 10, 2025 at 2:10 PM
From $480/ month to over $1,900 and forced to drop vision and dental care.
Over $23,000/ year. That's more than half of the individual median income in the US.
Plus an additional $9,900 in out of pocket costs. Almost $33,000 per year in total.
That's what Dems were fighting against.
Over $23,000/ year. That's more than half of the individual median income in the US.
Plus an additional $9,900 in out of pocket costs. Almost $33,000 per year in total.
That's what Dems were fighting against.
W/ a deal nearly in hand, the Trump admin “ indicated to scotus on Monday it would continue to fight an order… to fully fund… SNAP.”
Despite the GOP lip service abt dems harming SNAP recipients, it’s what they wanted all along. Except for their paychecks & health ins, they want fed gov to disappear
Despite the GOP lip service abt dems harming SNAP recipients, it’s what they wanted all along. Except for their paychecks & health ins, they want fed gov to disappear
Trump administration cannot withhold full funding for food aid, US appeals court rules
A federal appeals court late on Sunday allowed a judge's order to stand that directs U.S. President Donald Trump's administration to fully fund this month's food aid benefits for 42 million low-income Americans during the ongoing U.S. government shutdown.
www.reuters.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:25 PM
W/ a deal nearly in hand, the Trump admin “ indicated to scotus on Monday it would continue to fight an order… to fully fund… SNAP.”
Despite the GOP lip service abt dems harming SNAP recipients, it’s what they wanted all along. Except for their paychecks & health ins, they want fed gov to disappear
Despite the GOP lip service abt dems harming SNAP recipients, it’s what they wanted all along. Except for their paychecks & health ins, they want fed gov to disappear
Despite an agreement on the shutdown, Trump continues to fight the release of SNAP funds.
The gop never blinked during the shutdown bc they hate programs like snap when gov is running.
The gop never blinked during the shutdown bc they hate programs like snap when gov is running.
thehill.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Despite an agreement on the shutdown, Trump continues to fight the release of SNAP funds.
The gop never blinked during the shutdown bc they hate programs like snap when gov is running.
The gop never blinked during the shutdown bc they hate programs like snap when gov is running.
Reposted by Troy Tassier
The next GOP lie will be, the ACA is a failure, and then they will act to repeal it.
Whatever faults the ACA has, it cut the uninsured rate in half. Prior to it being passed 1 in 6 people in the US were uninsured. 1 in 6!
Think about how barbaric that is in a country as wealthy as the US!
Whatever faults the ACA has, it cut the uninsured rate in half. Prior to it being passed 1 in 6 people in the US were uninsured. 1 in 6!
Think about how barbaric that is in a country as wealthy as the US!
November 10, 2025 at 3:29 AM
The next GOP lie will be, the ACA is a failure, and then they will act to repeal it.
Whatever faults the ACA has, it cut the uninsured rate in half. Prior to it being passed 1 in 6 people in the US were uninsured. 1 in 6!
Think about how barbaric that is in a country as wealthy as the US!
Whatever faults the ACA has, it cut the uninsured rate in half. Prior to it being passed 1 in 6 people in the US were uninsured. 1 in 6!
Think about how barbaric that is in a country as wealthy as the US!
Reposted by Troy Tassier
Almost 3/4 of people without health insurance have at least one full time worker in their home. The biggest reason these people don’t have health insurance is the cost. And that cost is going up dramatically for millions of hard working Americans who depend on the ACA.
November 10, 2025 at 3:37 AM
Almost 3/4 of people without health insurance have at least one full time worker in their home. The biggest reason these people don’t have health insurance is the cost. And that cost is going up dramatically for millions of hard working Americans who depend on the ACA.
Reposted by Troy Tassier
GOP called the projected effect of DOGE’s elimination of USAID and other foreign aid hyperbole.
600,000 dead, 400,000 of them kids.
Next up, watch them downplay the loss of the ACA subsidies and call the increase in numbers of uninsured and the subsequent morbidity and mortality exaggerated.
600,000 dead, 400,000 of them kids.
Next up, watch them downplay the loss of the ACA subsidies and call the increase in numbers of uninsured and the subsequent morbidity and mortality exaggerated.
November 10, 2025 at 4:26 AM
GOP called the projected effect of DOGE’s elimination of USAID and other foreign aid hyperbole.
600,000 dead, 400,000 of them kids.
Next up, watch them downplay the loss of the ACA subsidies and call the increase in numbers of uninsured and the subsequent morbidity and mortality exaggerated.
600,000 dead, 400,000 of them kids.
Next up, watch them downplay the loss of the ACA subsidies and call the increase in numbers of uninsured and the subsequent morbidity and mortality exaggerated.
Who is the GOP is hurting by refusing to extend the ACA tax credits?
"48% of adults under age 65 enrolled in individual market (direct purchase) coverage are either employed by a small business with fewer than 25 workers, self-employed entrepreneurs, or small business owners."
"48% of adults under age 65 enrolled in individual market (direct purchase) coverage are either employed by a small business with fewer than 25 workers, self-employed entrepreneurs, or small business owners."
About Half of Adults with ACA Marketplace Coverage are Small Business Owners, Employees, or Self-Employed | KFF
This analysis estimates that 48% of adults under age 65 with individual market coverage are either employed by a small business with fewer than 25 workers, self-employed entrepreneurs, or small busine...
www.kff.org
November 10, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Who is the GOP is hurting by refusing to extend the ACA tax credits?
"48% of adults under age 65 enrolled in individual market (direct purchase) coverage are either employed by a small business with fewer than 25 workers, self-employed entrepreneurs, or small business owners."
"48% of adults under age 65 enrolled in individual market (direct purchase) coverage are either employed by a small business with fewer than 25 workers, self-employed entrepreneurs, or small business owners."
From $480/ month to over $1,900 and forced to drop vision and dental care.
Over $23,000/ year. That's more than half of the individual median income in the US.
Plus an additional $9,900 in out of pocket costs. Almost $33,000 per year in total.
That's what Dems were fighting against.
Over $23,000/ year. That's more than half of the individual median income in the US.
Plus an additional $9,900 in out of pocket costs. Almost $33,000 per year in total.
That's what Dems were fighting against.
November 10, 2025 at 2:10 PM
From $480/ month to over $1,900 and forced to drop vision and dental care.
Over $23,000/ year. That's more than half of the individual median income in the US.
Plus an additional $9,900 in out of pocket costs. Almost $33,000 per year in total.
That's what Dems were fighting against.
Over $23,000/ year. That's more than half of the individual median income in the US.
Plus an additional $9,900 in out of pocket costs. Almost $33,000 per year in total.
That's what Dems were fighting against.
GOP called the projected effect of DOGE’s elimination of USAID and other foreign aid hyperbole.
600,000 dead, 400,000 of them kids.
Next up, watch them downplay the loss of the ACA subsidies and call the increase in numbers of uninsured and the subsequent morbidity and mortality exaggerated.
600,000 dead, 400,000 of them kids.
Next up, watch them downplay the loss of the ACA subsidies and call the increase in numbers of uninsured and the subsequent morbidity and mortality exaggerated.
November 10, 2025 at 4:26 AM
GOP called the projected effect of DOGE’s elimination of USAID and other foreign aid hyperbole.
600,000 dead, 400,000 of them kids.
Next up, watch them downplay the loss of the ACA subsidies and call the increase in numbers of uninsured and the subsequent morbidity and mortality exaggerated.
600,000 dead, 400,000 of them kids.
Next up, watch them downplay the loss of the ACA subsidies and call the increase in numbers of uninsured and the subsequent morbidity and mortality exaggerated.
Almost 3/4 of people without health insurance have at least one full time worker in their home. The biggest reason these people don’t have health insurance is the cost. And that cost is going up dramatically for millions of hard working Americans who depend on the ACA.
November 10, 2025 at 3:37 AM
Almost 3/4 of people without health insurance have at least one full time worker in their home. The biggest reason these people don’t have health insurance is the cost. And that cost is going up dramatically for millions of hard working Americans who depend on the ACA.
The next GOP lie will be, the ACA is a failure, and then they will act to repeal it.
Whatever faults the ACA has, it cut the uninsured rate in half. Prior to it being passed 1 in 6 people in the US were uninsured. 1 in 6!
Think about how barbaric that is in a country as wealthy as the US!
Whatever faults the ACA has, it cut the uninsured rate in half. Prior to it being passed 1 in 6 people in the US were uninsured. 1 in 6!
Think about how barbaric that is in a country as wealthy as the US!
November 10, 2025 at 3:29 AM
The next GOP lie will be, the ACA is a failure, and then they will act to repeal it.
Whatever faults the ACA has, it cut the uninsured rate in half. Prior to it being passed 1 in 6 people in the US were uninsured. 1 in 6!
Think about how barbaric that is in a country as wealthy as the US!
Whatever faults the ACA has, it cut the uninsured rate in half. Prior to it being passed 1 in 6 people in the US were uninsured. 1 in 6!
Think about how barbaric that is in a country as wealthy as the US!
If they end ACA subsidies millions will lose health ins & 1000s will die in US. GOP will claim that’s hyperbole. They said the same about ending USAID & 600k people including 400k kids are dead thanks to musk & Trump scuttling USAID and GOP not stopping them. Bernie is right, it’s not funny.
Bernie Sanders: "What this Senate is about to do is make a horrific situation even worse. So let's be clear what this vote is about. If this vote succeeds, over 20 million Americans are gonna see at least a doubling in their premiums in the ACA."
November 10, 2025 at 3:12 AM
If they end ACA subsidies millions will lose health ins & 1000s will die in US. GOP will claim that’s hyperbole. They said the same about ending USAID & 600k people including 400k kids are dead thanks to musk & Trump scuttling USAID and GOP not stopping them. Bernie is right, it’s not funny.
Trump makes it so easy to forget the last catastrophe he created. Remember USAID? “The Lancet estimated that [it] had saved 92 million lives over two decades.” It cost $24 per American per year. Its dismantling has already cost 400k kids their lives. And he thinks he deserves a peace prize.
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
www.newyorker.com
November 9, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Trump makes it so easy to forget the last catastrophe he created. Remember USAID? “The Lancet estimated that [it] had saved 92 million lives over two decades.” It cost $24 per American per year. Its dismantling has already cost 400k kids their lives. And he thinks he deserves a peace prize.
I don’t care whether Tesla gives Musk $1T or $100T. I do care that insanely rich people like Musk & Trump use their $$$ to accumulate power & use that power to kill kids. USAID may have had some flaws. But it was cheap($24/person) & effective. Its dismantling has already cost 600k lives-400k kids.
November 9, 2025 at 4:33 PM
I don’t care whether Tesla gives Musk $1T or $100T. I do care that insanely rich people like Musk & Trump use their $$$ to accumulate power & use that power to kill kids. USAID may have had some flaws. But it was cheap($24/person) & effective. Its dismantling has already cost 600k lives-400k kids.
Reposted by Troy Tassier
Musk “represents a worldview where innovation is treated as a substitute for ethics, and efficiency is mistaken for equity. My book argues the opposite—that public health isn’t just a technical problem to be optimized but a moral and political project that demands humility, collaboration, and care.”
Inside the book: author Tyler Evans
I’ve always been a bit of a book nerd.
open.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Musk “represents a worldview where innovation is treated as a substitute for ethics, and efficiency is mistaken for equity. My book argues the opposite—that public health isn’t just a technical problem to be optimized but a moral and political project that demands humility, collaboration, and care.”
Reposted by Troy Tassier
Yesterday Justice Coney Barrett asked how businesses would be refunded for the tariffs they have paid should the SCOTUS strike down the Trump tariffs. What about consumers? How will we get our money back? My guess, we won't. And those with the least will lose the most from yet another Trump policy.
The little gals and guys will lose again
Why consumers will lose even if the Supreme Court strikes down Trump's tariffs.
open.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Yesterday Justice Coney Barrett asked how businesses would be refunded for the tariffs they have paid should the SCOTUS strike down the Trump tariffs. What about consumers? How will we get our money back? My guess, we won't. And those with the least will lose the most from yet another Trump policy.
Hate to pile on when he just died, but hard to celebrate him too when he froze out a female colleague.
“What has become clear is that [Rosalind Franklin’s] contribution was critical and essential, and she is now widely regarded as an equal contributor to the discovery of the structure of DNA.”
“What has become clear is that [Rosalind Franklin’s] contribution was critical and essential, and she is now widely regarded as an equal contributor to the discovery of the structure of DNA.”
Nobel Prize winner James Watson died at 97 having made monumental contributions to science while also leaving a legacy tarnished by sexism, racism and the erasure of colleagues like Rosalind Franklin. His life illustrates both the best and worst of the scientific establishment.
James Watson exemplified the best and worst of science – from monumental discoveries to sexism and cutthroat competition
James Dewey Watson is best known for his Nobel Prize-winning discovery of the structure of DNA. Controversy around who should be credited highlights the challenges of scientific collaboration.
buff.ly
November 8, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Hate to pile on when he just died, but hard to celebrate him too when he froze out a female colleague.
“What has become clear is that [Rosalind Franklin’s] contribution was critical and essential, and she is now widely regarded as an equal contributor to the discovery of the structure of DNA.”
“What has become clear is that [Rosalind Franklin’s] contribution was critical and essential, and she is now widely regarded as an equal contributor to the discovery of the structure of DNA.”
Today in Manhattan.
November 7, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Today in Manhattan.
Flu shots! Get your flu shots!
(And Covid, shingles, rsv, etc too!)
(And Covid, shingles, rsv, etc too!)
It's time to get your flu shot!
Last flu season 280 kids died from influenza, 89% were unvaccinated.
Each year 100s of thousands are hospitalized & 10s of thousands die from influenza just in the US.
Don't wait, you're online already, schedule your free shot now!
Please share & spread the word.
Last flu season 280 kids died from influenza, 89% were unvaccinated.
Each year 100s of thousands are hospitalized & 10s of thousands die from influenza just in the US.
Don't wait, you're online already, schedule your free shot now!
Please share & spread the word.
It's time to get your flu shot!
Troy Tassier is a professor of economics at Fordham University and the author of The Rich Flee and the Poor Take the Bus: How Our Unequal Society Fails Us during Outbreaks.
open.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Flu shots! Get your flu shots!
(And Covid, shingles, rsv, etc too!)
(And Covid, shingles, rsv, etc too!)
It’s been a bad year for measles in the US bc of falling vaccination rates. Things are even worse in Canada. If NYC had the same rate of measles per capita as the province of Alberta, we’d have over 4,000 cases in just one city! Things are slipping out of control quickly.
Canada Is About to Lose Its Status as Having Eliminated Measles
www.nytimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:33 PM
It’s been a bad year for measles in the US bc of falling vaccination rates. Things are even worse in Canada. If NYC had the same rate of measles per capita as the province of Alberta, we’d have over 4,000 cases in just one city! Things are slipping out of control quickly.
While we're at it, this is a great piece from last spring arguing for more, not less, politics in public health:
November 6, 2025 at 4:14 PM
While we're at it, this is a great piece from last spring arguing for more, not less, politics in public health:
Reposted by Troy Tassier
It’s time for us to reconnect with the radical, system-changing spirit that was once at the heart of our field. #publichealth #episky #medsky #activism www.thenation.com/article/acti...
Public Health Was a Place for Warriors Once. It Needs to Be Again.
It's time for us to reconnect with the radical, system-changing spirit that was once at the heart of our field.
www.thenation.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:40 PM
It’s time for us to reconnect with the radical, system-changing spirit that was once at the heart of our field. #publichealth #episky #medsky #activism www.thenation.com/article/acti...