Category: Policy

Street medicine: a lifeline for Florida’s homeless amidst new public sleeping ban

Despite the evening hour, the sun beats down on our group as we gather to orient new participants to the street run. It’s a typical Spring day in Florida, with temperatures already in the upper 80s. We stand in a circle on a downtown sidewalk in …

Private equity’s takeover of health care: a patient’s nightmare

As private equity (PE) plays a larger role in health care, we likely have a patient-centric image of who these individuals are and what these institutions do. But what does health care look like to PE, and what does health care do from their perch? Whi…

Prescribing data and efficiency: Harnessing technology to alleviate the physician shortage in the U.S.

Amidst the pressing challenges confronting the health care landscape in the United States, the physician shortage stands out as a critical issue demanding innovative solutions. The Association of American Medical College’s latest report projects …

It’s time to pass federally mandated paid parental leave

“You’ve got some guts starting your residency pregnant!” I was that intern. It was June 2011. A few months earlier, on Match Day—the day when the National Residency Matching Program releases results to applicants seeking residency in …

The truth behind the U.S. doctor shortage: Intentional or not?

My friend and colleague, Alex Berezow, wrote a piece titled “Is the U.S. doctor shortage intentional?” The writers at ACSH share their work before publication to get feedback, and in the case of Alex’s latest, we disagreed. While much…

How ultra-processed foods are devastating public health

As the world emerges from COVID-19, we must remember there is a silent yet devastating health crisis: our diets. In this era, convenience reigns supreme, with ultra-processed foods infiltrating everyone’s lives, leading to surges in preventable d…

How hospitals’ requirements lead to staffing shortages

Most hospitals are now also requiring fingerprinting and immunizations, with some demanding double PPDs. Extra COVID boosters and proof of previous immunization for MMR, Hepatitis B, and Varicella are now required. They require current titers. COVID ca…

Toxic energy: Confronting the carcinogenic risks of fossil fuels

The evidence is clear: Proximity to fossil fuel infrastructure poses a significant cancer risk to millions of Americans. Studies consistently link exposure to pollutants like benzene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and particulate matter from…

Medicare’s 14-day rule is hurting cancer patients

It is no secret that we are making great strides in reducing the mortality of lung cancer. From improving screening rates which have reduced the chances of dying from lung cancer due to earlier detection, increased adoption of minimally invasive surgic…

Interdisciplinary care teams play a pivotal role in mitigating the clinician shortage

The evolving health care landscape presents a growing demand for skilled providers. To meet this challenge, health care leaders must prioritize innovation and explore solutions that leverage existing resources to deliver the high-quality care that pati…