Update, November 2025: Big news! First Aid Kit moved from Substack to our very own website. Subscribe here.
Hey there —
My name is Dan Weissmann, and I make a podcast called An Arm and a Leg — a show about why health care costs so freaking much and what we can maybe do about it.
Over the past seven years, the Arm and a Leg team and I have learned a lot about the absolute hell we’re up against here. And we’ve found some ways to fight back.
First Aid Kit is our weekly newsletter, summing up the most practical lessons we’ve learned about surviving America’s health care system — stuff that could save you money, stress, and maybe even your health.
You may not personally need all this information right now. I hope you’re safe and healthy, and have great health insurance (and everything else you need).
But you probably know someone who could benefit: Someone who is starting their first job. Or someone who got a surprise monster bill. Or maybe someone who is spending a lot of time on the phone with health insurance.
So, I hope you’ll share this around and subscribe on our website. And make sure to check your inbox for that welcome email. (And IMPORTANT! If First Aid Kit is going to your spam folder, make sure to whitelist us.)
Finally: This resource is free but not cheap. If you like what we’re doing, I hope you’ll donate to support the project. We’ll never charge for subscriptions, but making this newsletter and An Arm and a Leg is my actual full-time job.
Questions? Ideas? Tips? Contact us here.
Thanks so much for reading, I’m glad to have you along. Till next time, take care of yourself.
— Dan Weissmann
