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

Primary care physicians and unions

One of the phenomena that have led to increased income inequality and the hollowing out of the middle class in America is the decline of unions. Recently, it appears that some workers are trying to claw back some of that lost economic ground. Now I don’t count PCPs as middle class or working class. Yes, […]

RFK Jr and the food-as-medicine trope

RFK Jr and the food-as-medicine trope Anti-vaxxer and brain-worm afflicted RFK Jr has announced, among his priorities, to use federal money to get people to eat better. From The Palm Beach Post: “The former independent presidential candidate is a big fan of Trump but not so much about the president-elect’s fast-food diet. “During an interview […]

A Nation, a State, and Healthcare Failed a Young Woman

I am dusting off an old commentary (A Woman’s Right to Safe Healthcare Outcomes) from 2019 after reading about a young woman who died after visiting three different emergency rooms. Everyone delayed. Everyone thought of their liability. And every one watched her slowly die as they made their decision. Healthcare for women and maternal mortality is an […]

An Indirect Cost of Manufacturing in Mexico vs the United States

“proposed tariffs on Mexican exports, particularly in the automotive sector, have prompted Mexico to consider reciprocal measures. Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard indicated that Mexico might impose its own tariffs on U.S. imports if such U.S. tariffs are enacted, emphasizing the potential economic repercussions for both nations.” Mexican president might be changing view on US as […]

Diversity in healthcare delivery

Years ago, we had an MD/PhD student in our program who had Eilers-Danlos syndrome, a connective tissue disorder that causes joint laxity and frequent painful joint dislocations. After over a decade of being misdiagnosed, her correct diagnosis was made by a physical therapist, not a physician. I noted in a previous post that I’ve been […]

Heathcare Insurance Companies Abandoning Medicare Advantage

There are changes coming to the Medicare market place and Medicare Advantage. “Market exits by Humana, Aetna, and UnitedHealthcare will collectively affect nearly 70% of those 1.8 million individuals.” The remainder of the 1.8 million will be looking at new plans with the same insurance provider. The market consisting of people exiting their old Medicare […]

Access to medical care: right or privilege?

America is the only industrialized nation where you can go bankrupt because of medical care. The ACA helped mitigate that risk for tens of millions, but the Trump Administration is promising to abolish the ACA. For those with some form of health insurance (private insurance, the ACA, Medicare), there’s still the challenge of (a) finding […]