Tag Archives: Healthcare

The Boston Globe has an article announcing the imminent approval of Casgevy, a CRISPR-based treatment for sickle cell disease that has already been approved in Britain.It is hard to overstate how transformative CRISPR has been for genetics research, and how promising it is for gene therapy. Sickle cell disease was always the low-hanging fruit, but there are plenty of other conditions that are being targeted for CRISPR therapy.To explain how Casgevy...

Healthcare in the United States of America has always been difficult and the costs are commercially driven with some give to what the market will bear. While not perfect, the ACA was a huge step forward in providing affordable healthcare. Unfortunately, Ted Kennedy died shortly afterwards. Senator Kennedy was also advocating for Long Term Care. There are better ways to pay for healthcare. Single Payer eliminates the different administrative...

In August 2020, I got my first jab of the Moderna COVID vaccine as part of their Phase III trial. One month later, I got the booster. 12 hrs after that, I had the classic symptoms–headache, fever, muscle and joint pain–indicating that I was in the vaccine arm of the trial and not the control. I went on to get a blood draw and have myself tested to confirm the inference. Since then, I’ve had three additional jabs, most recently about three weeks ago....

Briefly, every morning I get an array of emails in my In-Box offering up what they think can be interesting reads. I would definitely read Economist David Zetland student’s writings on water shortages in other countries. Most Interesting Read Economist David Zetland’s Students Studying the Impact of Water Shortage in Europe, The one-handed economist, The Hague. What something interesting to do? Write to David’s students on his site. David does...

With this particular American Hospital Association letter, I pulled out the particular points in which the AHA is pointing out and filing complaints. The balance of the letter can be found at the link above, in the title (below), or in the attached PDF file at the end of this post. Unfortunately, it is too long in making its legitimate points. Insurance typically have a delay in payment which is normal fact. Every plan has different rules for...

Industry has been talking about AI (Artificial Intelligence) for a while now. And of course, industry has been looking to reduce the amount of labor input with AI. Having used computerized systems such as MRPII, ERP, etc., I have always followed the wisdom of people such as Oliver Wight and George Plossl. The system is as accurate as the input to it. Which means, you have to check your work. A system can also be used to intentionally mislead in its...

I am late on the draw for this information on Medicare. Been busy with other issues. Had dinner last night at VA’ Bene, a restaurant in Chandler which is not too far from us. An older couple joined us afterwards as we were sipping some Chianti. The heat finally got to this couple and they are moving back to Oregon after living here for twenty years. Medicare Part D in 2024: A First Look at Prescription Drug Plan Availability, Premiums, and Cost...

It is hard to overstate the transformational public health benefits of anti-hypertensives and statins for blood pressure and serum cholesterol control. For a modest cost, these drugs not only mitigate human suffering but save billions, if not trillions, of dollars by avoiding costly surgical interventions.The repurposing of anti-diabetic drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide for weight loss in obese populations promises to be similarly...

When I start to get comments and questions from some of the more expert authorities on healthcare such as Merrill Gooz, Andrew Sprung, Steve Early (Suzanne Gordon), and Kip Sullivan; I start to feel pretty good about some of my commentaries or comments. This last go around on Gooz News in the comments section, we were talking about “Fee For Service” Medicare and “Medicare Advantage” plans. The one issue I am experiencing is a 67% increase in the...

I know Dean Moore from a German Company in upstate New York where we both worked. Great area to be. the Germans operated like they had a board up their backs. Working in Germany was fun and I got to explore on weekends on their dime. As it was, I left after three years. Dean followed a year or so later. Dean Moore is vice president of work/life at St. John’s, a full-service senior care provider with options that range from independent living to...