Author's posts
Colin Powell’s Death From Covid-19 Highlights The Need For Boosters And Mitigation To Protect At-Risk Groups
Colin Powell’s death highlights the risks that Covid-19 present to vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and immunocompromised, even if vaccinated. It should serve as a reminder that those at risk ought to get a Covid-19 booster shot as soon as possible.
Allen West’s Twitter Tirade Epitomizes The Anti-Science Battle Being Waged During The Covid-19 Pandemic
West isn’t an innocent bystander. He’s actively undermining public health by asserting that the “government is running propaganda commercials of people who lost loved ones to COVID saying they wish they had taken the shot. This level of manipulative de…
Experts Say Worst Of Covid-19 Is Behind Us, But They’ve Been Wrong Before: Cautious Messaging Is Warranted
As the Delta variant wave of Covid-19 begins to recede in the U.S., experts are proclaiming the worst is behind us. Well, maybe. Let’s hope. But, the experts have been wrong before, many times, as have our political leaders. It’s time we reassess messa…
Medicare Reverses Course On Decision To Universally Cover Breakthrough Medical Devices For 4 Years
In January the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized a rule on coverage of breakthrough medical devices that would allow for coverage for four years. Last month, CMS reversed course, by proposing to rescind the rule due primarily t…
Latest FDA-Approved Preventive Treatment For Migraine, Qulipta, Enters A Highly Competitive Market
On September 28th, the FDA approved a once-daily oral medicine, Qulipta (atogepant), for preventive treatment of episodic migraine in adults. It is the second FDA-approved, oral anti-CGRP drug for preventing migraine. The first was Nurtec ODT (rimegepa…
Public Health Is An Afterthought In Biden Administration’s $65 Billion Pandemic Preparedness Initiative
The White House is proposing a $65 billion pandemic preparedness initiative. What’s missing are essential public health components, like plans on how to equitably distribute medical technologies, as well as ways to improve outreach and information camp…
Prospects Diminish For Comprehensive Drug Pricing Reform In The Wake Of Internal Clash Among Democrats
As Democratic leaders try to establish a politically feasible path forward for the budget reconciliation bill, they appear to be caving in to the demands of a small, but influential group of House and Senate centrists who have voiced objections to comp…
Biden Administration’s Prescription Drug Pricing Plan Promotes Incremental Change, Not Overhaul Of System
On Thursday, September 9th, the White House released a long-awaited plan to reduce prescription drug prices and out-of-pocket costs for patients. The plan is more conspicuous for what it doesn’t tackle, or leaves unsaid, than what it addresses (mostly)…
In Parts Of The U.S., Delta Covid-19 Surge Is Forcing Hospitals To Ration ICU Beds
Hospital decision-makers and doctors will be placed in the uncomfortable role of being the ones rationing care, effectively granting death sentences to some. Not every Covid-19 patient can be helped, and this will also include non-Covid-19 patients as …
Democrats’ Plans To Introduce Prescription Drug Pricing Reform Face Obstacles
Democrats eager to introduce changes to prescription drug pricing face obstacles that may dim prospects of reform. These run the gamut from limitations on what the executive branch can do, to a razor-thin majority in Congress, to doubts expressed by ke…
