Relevant and even prescient commentary on news, politics and the economy.

The federal government and the future of US medical training

Residency is a mandatory step to achieving medical licensure in the US. Most residency programs are managed by hospitals, although my medical school is one of the ca. 10% that manages its own residency programs. The federal government, primarily through Medicare and Medicaid, is the largest source of funding for Graduate Medical Education (GME), which […]

Whacking Medicaid Healthcare

Detailed information commentary by the “Center for Children and Families.” Whacking Healthcare for tax breaks. Somewhat edited. Probably needs more . . . Detailed . . . “Medicaid Work Reporting Requirements: More than Meets the Eye,” Center For Children and Families Republicans from President Trump on down are trying to hide the ball on how much they […]

23andMe files for bankruptcy

I got my genome sequenced several years ago by Veritas Genetics. They were running a special for whole genome sequencing at 30-50x coverage for $200, and for an extra $100, I got my variant call file. For a molecular geneticist, this was a dream come true! Now, anytime I see a variant reported as linked […]

Gaza Cancer Hospital Deliberately Blown Up

It appears Trump will get his Mediterranean vacation site where only the rich can be. Israel blows up Gaza’s only specialized cancer hospital in massive blast. Israel-Palestine conflict News, Al Jazeera Israel has blown up Gaza’s only specialized cancer treatment hospital, as well as an adjacent medical school, drawing condemnation for again targeting a medical […]

Healthcare and Reliable High-Speed Internet are Necessities

A federal broadband official departed the US government with a warning that a Trump administration plan will strand rural Americans with worse Internet access in order to help Elon Musk secure public money for Starlink. Evan Feinman . . . In “an email to his former colleagues while on his way out the door Sunday […]

The next health fad: beef tallow

RFK Jr is touting the health benefits of beef tallow. Many people believe French fries cooked in beef tallow taste better, but healthier? Where did this idea come from? “Kennedy’s belief that using tallow could help “Make America Healthy Again” echoes a claim that has spread on social media about seed oils. Many believe because […]

How One Company Lost Out to the PBMs

Walgreens does not set drug prices; the Insurance companies do. And there is the issue. Insurance company’s contract the PBMs to negotiate with the pharmacy chains such as Walgreens or CVS. They establish the pricing contract on covered drugs and what portion those pharmacies get reimbursed in return servicing their customers. Walgreens felt it did […]

Why does the GOP hate mRNA vaccines?

“The mRNA technology faces growing doubts among Republicans, including people around President Donald Trump. “Legislation aimed to ban or limit mRNA vaccines was introduced this year by GOP lawmakers in at least seven states. In some cases, the measures would hit doctors who give the injections with criminal penalties, fines, and possible revocation of their […]

Microplastics and the Impact on Healthcare

Environment, Energy, & Related News from the Week ending March 15th, R.J. Sigmund. Two interesting articles on microplastics in healthcare and the environment. – Microplastics contribute to evolution of antimicrobial resistance, study finds, University of Minnesota A new study by researchers at Boston University indicates microplastics in the environment might facilitate antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The Applied and […]

Funding bill skips measure to avert physician pay cuts

It would not surprise me if the Republican controlled Senate found a way to get doctors and increase in Medicare payments. But then again, one way to kill Medicare is not to fund doctor Medicare payments to avoid the cuts. Medicare and Social Security reductions? Angry Bear, Dan Crawford. “Funding bill skips measure to avert […]