EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. H. Steven Moffic first reported this story during the most recent episode of Talk Ten Tuesdays.
April 20 was the 81st anniversary of the day when the famous African-American jazz singer Billie Holiday, recorded a searing version of the song “Strange Fruit.” What was the titular strange fruit? Black bodies hanging from poplar trees, lynched.
This year, April 20 was a leading day of concern for the belatedly recognized and disproportionate deaths of black Americans from the coronavirus. Billie Holiday, if she was still alive, surely would not be surprised. She’d seen progress in reducing racism, but not nearly enough.
You may recall that most people said in the early days of the pandemic that the virus doesn’t recognize race or skin color. A virus is not alive, and doesn’t have eyes. But it does recognize vulnerability. It can tell when lungs are already vulnerable due to a higher rate of cardio-respiratory disease, which is disproportionately prevalent in black people. It can tell that it is easier to infect people living in poor, crowded buildings, or incarcerated. It can tell that 80 percent of the black women who are obese are more at risk, as it takes longer to shed the virus after being infected when that is the case. It can tell that it can multiply exponentially when getting care is delayed due to practical obstacles and mistrust of the medical system.
In modern times, racism had been considered for a DSM classification, but it didn’t make it. Maybe this time calls for another try. At least in ICD-10, it is indirectly reflected in the Z code of Z60: Problems related to social environment.
If you live in the Baltimore area or ever go there, there is a statue of Billie Holiday. It has a renovated pedestal with two panels. One of them was inspired by the song “Strange Fruit,” and depicts a lynching. The other was inspired by the song “God Bless the Child (That Has Its Own),” and depicts a child with an umbilical cord still attached
No wonder that Billie Holiday’s favorite song was God Bless the Child. It starts with:
“Them that’s got shall get,
Them that’s not shall lose
So the bible says
And it still is news…”
It ends with:
“Every child’s got to have his own, yeah”
Today and toward the future, in the spirit of cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy, let’s positively reframe that ending to:
God bless the society that cares for all.
EDITOR’S NOTE Day 3 of the federal shutdown continues. This article by Mark Spivey is part of a special section today published by RACmonitor and
As expected, the federal shutdown began early Wednesday morning. What’s unknown is how long it will continue. Neither congressional Republicans nor Democrats appear to be
Please log in to your account to comment on this article.
Uncover essential coding insights with nationally recognized coding authority Kay Piper, RHIA, CDIP, CCS. Through ICD10monitor’s interactive, on‑demand webcast series, Kay walks you through the AHA’s 2026 ICD‑10‑CM/PCS Quarterly Coding Clinics, translating each update into practical, easy‑to‑apply guidance designed to sharpen precision, ensure compliance, and strengthen day‑to‑day decision‑making. Available shortly after each official release.
Uncover critical guidance on the ICD-10-CM/PCS code updates. Kay Piper reviews and explains ICD-10-CM/PCS coding guidelines in the AHA’s fourth quarter 2026 ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding Clinic in an easy to access on-demand webcast.
Uncover critical guidance on the ICD-10-CM/PCS code updates. Kay Piper reviews and explains ICD-10-CM/PCS coding guidelines in the AHA’s third quarter 2026 ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding Clinic in an easy to access on-demand webcast.
Uncover critical guidance on the ICD-10-CM/PCS code updates. Kay Piper reviews and explains ICD-10-CM/PCS coding guidelines in the AHA’s second quarter 2026 ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding Clinic in an easy to access on-demand webcast.
Federal auditors are intensifying their focus on inpatient psychiatric facilities, using advanced data analytics to spotlight outliers and pursue high‑dollar repayments. In this high‑impact webcast, Michael Calahan, PA, MBA, Compliance Officer and V.P., Hospital & Physician Compliance, breaks down what regulators are really targeting in IPF-PPS admissions, documentation, treatment and discharge planning. Attendees will learn practical steps to tighten processes, avoid common audit triggers and protect reimbursement and reduce the risk of multimillion-dollar repayment demands.
In this timely session, Stacey Shillito, CDIP, CPMA, CCS, CCS-P, CPEDC, COPC, breaks down the complexities of Medical Decision Making (MDM) documentation so providers can confidently capture the true complexity of their care. Attendees will learn practical, efficient strategies to ensure documentation aligns with current E/M guidelines, supports accurate coding, and reduces audit risk, all without adding to charting time.
Join Ronald Hirsch, MD, FACP, CHCQM for The PEPPER Returns – Risk and Opportunity at Your Fingertips, a practical webcast that demystifies the PEPPER and shows you how to turn complex claims data into actionable insights. Dr. Hirsch will explain how to interpret key measures, identify compliance risks, uncover missed revenue opportunities, and understand new updates in the PEPPER, all to help your organization stay ahead of audits and use this powerful data proactively.
Stay ahead of the 2026-2027 audit surge with “Top 10 Audit Targets for 2026-2027 for Hospitals & Physicians: Protect Your Revenue,” a high-impact webcast led by Michael Calahan, PA, MBA. This concise session gives hospitals and physicians clear insight into the most likely federal audit targets, such as E/M services, split/shared and critical care, observation and admissions, device credits, and Two-Midnight Rule changes, and shows how to tighten documentation, coding, and internal processes to reduce denials, recoupments, and penalties. Attendees walk away with practical best practices to protect revenue, strengthen compliance, and better prepare their teams for inevitable audits.
Happy National Doctor’s Day! Learn how to get a complimentary webcast on ‘Decoding Social Admissions’ as a token of our heartfelt appreciation! Click here to learn more →
BLOOM INTO SAVINGS! Get 25% OFF during our spring sale through March 27. Use code SPRING26 at checkout to claim this offer.
CYBER WEEK IS HERE! Don’t miss your chance to get 20% off now until Dec. 1 with code CYBER25
CYBER WEEK IS HERE! Don’t miss your chance to get 20% off now until Dec. 2 with code CYBER24
