Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Viewpoints: What Is The Best Time To Get Your Flu Shot?; Cost Is The Most Pressing Health Care Issue Currently
Like many health care workers, I am required to receive my annual flu shot by the end of October. Every year, I wait until the last possible day to get vaccinated. (Jeremy Samuel Faust, 10/13)
Vice President Harris鈥檚 campaign recently released a lengthy critique of former President Trump鈥檚 health care plan. The document not only details Trump鈥檚 confusing 鈥渃oncept of a plan,鈥 but highlights an issue we as doctors know all too well: affordability. As physicians, we are witnessing firsthand how growing health care costs affect average Americans. (Nishant Uppal and Kedar Mate, 10/14)
Hospitals are heavily regulated, labyrinthine institutions that straddle the public and private sectors. In many cases, their pricing is subject to forces beyond their control. But absent (another) major reform to the US health-insurance system, more straightforward changes can still help rein in spending. (10/15)
Among my community, I鈥檓 not alone. A 2012 study found 50% of people with schizophrenia don鈥檛 take their prescribed medication, and it鈥檚 not just because of side effects. A 2020 research review found we disengage with treatment in part because we don鈥檛 trust health care. (Sally Littlefield, 10/15)
Much has been made of COVID鈥檚 consequences for overall health, productivity and the economy. But recent research suggests a compelling new basis for vaccine advocacy: COVID鈥檚 capacity to reduce intelligence. (Ian Ayres and Lisa Sanders, 10/14)