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...
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...
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?...
The holiday season came and went. And while thoughts of good will were still dancing in our heads, I asked readers about their healthcare hopes for the future. Here are the results: My thoughts: I always learn so much from reader feedback. With the first question, it...
The midterm ballots had been cast but the results weren't yet conclusive (as of 11/15/2022 when our most recent poll went live). Amid the uncertainty, last month's survey sought opinions on healthcare policy. Did subscribers to my "Monthly Musings on American...
My latest guest on the Fixing Healthcare podcast was Dr. Zeke Emanuel. Years ago, Zeke wrote a controversial essay for The Atlantic titled “Why I Hope to Die at 75,” citing the physical and cognitive declines that occur as people age. Our recent conversation got me...
In a recent Forbes article series, I described three mega forces soon to hit American medicine (i.e., healthcare inflation, nurse shortage, physician burnout). Like the perfect storm, these forces have the combined potential to create unprecedented disaster. Last...
The congressional package contains significant federal investments in alternative energy and an expanded role for the federal government relative to both healthcare coverage and drug pricing. This survey asked for people's thoughts and deeds in relation to these...
Reproductive health is a hot-button issue once again following the Supreme Court’s ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade. Last month, I wanted to know where you stand on the personal, legal and societal questions surrounding abortion. Here are the results: My thoughts: An...
“What’s on your plate these days?” If you asked a physician this question, the most likely response would be: “What isn’t?” Doctors feel increasingly overwhelmed by an ever-growing task list that includes seeing more patients, filling out more EHR fields, and spending...