In a recent episode of Unfiltered, Dr. Jonathan Fisher and I discussed the idea of abundance and scarcity and medicine, debating which areas of American healthcare have “too much” and “not enough.” We asked readers of this newsletters and listeners of the podcast to...
Poll: Predicting the health of our nation in 2028
A recent article series looked back at the last five years of progress in U.S. healthcare (noting precious little had been made) and then looked ahead at the next five years (noting what improvements could be made if urgent action is taken). Last month’s survey asked...
Poll: What to do about obesity?
Last month, I published an article on Ozempic as a weight-loss drug. While medications like this have the potential to help our nation fight obesity, they carry a large price tag: upwards of $16,000 per year. With that in mind, I asked readers to weigh in with their...
Poll: Public healthcare in America?
Countries with world-leading medical outcomes provide universal coverage for all citizens through public hospitals and government-run clinics—at costs far less than in the United States. Although the doctors elsewhere provide excellent care, delays are common for...
Poll: Reading is fundamental
The June edition of Monthly Musings on American Healthcare kicked off with a series of articles and podcasts about current and upcoming books. So, I was curious to know know if readers of this newsletter make time for reading fiction and/or nonfiction. Here are the...
Poll: Medical ethics in the age of AI
A recent Pew Research survey found that Americans are worried about the ethical impact ChatGPT will have on medical practice. Last month’s reader survey asked for your thoughts on some of medicine’s biggest ethical questions. For each questions, participants had to...
POLL: Regulators, mount up
My April newsletter (see: Monthly Musings on American Healthcare) led with an article about the role of regulators in healthcare. The April reader survey asked you to weigh in on (a) the industries most in need of tighter regulations and (b) the sectors of healthcare...
Poll: Our government, your healthcare
Republican and Democratic leaders promised to leave Medicare alone as they debate the nation’s debt ceiling. But with 10,000 Americans retiring every day, Medicare costs are quickly outpacing the tax revenue needed to keep the program afloat. Last month’s survey asked...
Poll: You down with GPT?
ChatGPT, the artificial intelligence chatbot from OpenAI, is taking the digital world by storm. This month’s reader survey asks about your experiences with the app and your predictions for its future. My thoughts: Like most Americans, readers of this newsletter...
Poll results: Trying to control the ‘tripledemic’
During the holiday season, a trio of viral infections (influenza, Covid-19, RSV) began straining hospitals as cases spiked. With the elderly and young children at greatest risk, last month’s survey asked how can we protect them now that Americans have stopped masking?...









