Today is my birthday: I am 67. That means I am an old fart with all the rights and privileges bestowed. I get a pass for untrimmed nose hair, occasional…
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When I was 11, a sixth grader at Henry L. Barger Elementary in Chattanooga, Tennessee, my life changed. It was 1960. Jerry Myrick, my best buddy, asked me to play…
News about soaring drug prices rival health insurance premium increases for media attention to healthcare these days. Mylan Pharmaceuticals’ 461% price increase (2007-2014) for its EpiPens is the latest call-out…
Coverage of devastating flooding in Louisiana, the Olympics in Rio and the daily Trump-Clinton political jousting were last week’s news but a healthcare item grabbed front page headlines as well:…
Would you pay out-of-pocket for primary care services completely separate from insurance, specialists, hospitals and everything else? Would you pay $80 to $100 per month to have a one-on-one relationship…
Last week, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced higher penalties for avoidable readmissions to hospitals. The week prior, it announced it was doubling down on the mandated…
Last Wednesday, despite calls for delay from leading hospital trade groups and majorities in both Houses of Congress, CMS released its Five Star Ratings for 4589 hospitals. The new rating…
73 speeches and a week later, it’s time for the second act of the American political theatrical, the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia this week. Last week, little was said…
By Thursday of this week, at least 60 political stars and wannabees in the GOP will have had their day in the spotlight in Cleveland. Next week, the same will…
In the U.S. system of health, physicians are trained to be the patient’s advocate, voiding outside influences and financial considerations in assessing and treating their medical needs. That’s the basis…
