(2019-11-13). Dr. Google? Healthcare venture collecting data on millions of patients raises privacy concerns — Boom Bust. rt.com 
Tech giant Google has partnered with hospital system Ascension to collect detailed personal health information from millions of Americans without their knowledge, in an initiative that has been named "Project Nightingale." | RT's Boom Bust talks to Dr John Dombrowski of the Washington Pain Center about the privacy concerns surrounding the partnership. | "This data has tremendous value, multi-million-dollars. Who is going to get the benefit of that?" he says, adding that "Information is power and that creates a lot of money." | Dombrowski suggests that maybe this information will be used for good, but "obvio…
(2019-11-13). Google wades into banking even as it faces new federal probe into shady medical data collection. rt.com 
Google wants you to trust it with your money, even as its latest privacy scandal, where millions of Americans' medical records were covertly slurped up to power a secret AI project, has triggered another federal investigation. | Google is rolling out a consumer finance division, currently codenamed Cache, in partnership with Citigroup and a Stanford University credit union, the Wall Street Journal revealed on Wednesday. The search behemoth will begin offering checking accounts to customers next year, muscling into yet another market, despite a mounting stack of federal investigations targeting potential antitr…
(2019-11-13). Montana's Radioactive Waste Legacy. counterpunch.org 
One label Montana's Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock won't have to worry about being stuck with is "environmentalist." His outdated support for coal in the face of a global warming crisis and his "leadership" on the massive and ongoing deforestation of public lands under the phony rubric of the Bush-era "Healthy Forests Initiative" are bad enough. More
(2019-11-13). Citing Medicare for All, National Nurses United endorses Sanders — again. peoplesworld.org 
OAKLAND, Calif. (PAI)—National Nurses United, the activist and progressive nurses' union that was the first to endorse Sen. Bernie Sanders's 2016 Democratic presidential run, will formally do so again, for the 2020 campaign, on Nov. 15. The union executive board voted for Sanders after inviting five Democratic presidential hopefuls for interviews, polling its 150,000-plus members, …
(2019-11-13). Updated: Israeli Missiles Kill Two Palestinian, Injure Several Others, In Gaza. imemc.org The Palestinian Health Ministry has reported that Israeli war jets fired, on Wednesday at dawn, several missiles into different parts of the Gaza Strip, killing two Palestinian and wounding several others. Twelve Palestinians have been killed by Israeli missiles since Tuesday. | Dr.
(2019-11-13). As Israel Pounds The Gaza Strip, Death Toll Reaches 26. telesurenglish.net Israel has been heavily bombing the besieged Gaza Strip Wednesday for the second day in the most violent onslaught in months. The death toll from the air campaign increased to 26 Palestinians, including three minors; while at least 70 others including 30 children were wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. | RELATED: | Israeli Soldier Who Killed Palestinian Teen Gets 1-Month Sentence | In the eastern part of the enclave, Ayyad, a 54-year-old farmer, and Amir, 8,…
(2019-11-13). Revealed: danger and squalor for cleaners who remove human waste by hand. un.org The plight of sanitation workers in the developing world should be addressed urgently, the UN said on Thursday, warning that their rights, health and dignity are at risk.
(2019-11-13). UN leads bid for cheaper insulin, expanding access for diabetics worldwide. un.org Overly expensive insulin could be a thing of the past — and life-changing news — for millions of diabetics under a plan launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday to diversify production globally, just ahead of World Diabetes Day.
(2019-11-13). 'Censorship science, pure and simple:' Physicians for Social Responsibility opposes EPA rule to undermine use of scientific studies in forming policies. nationofchange.org "The EPA is seeking to turn its back on studies that enable its core mission: to safeguard environmental health and protect American communities from harm."
(2019-11-13). Boris Johnson lays out his plan to wreck the NHS, in 40 seconds. thecanary.co Healthcare is the single biggest issue for voters this election, bar Brexit. In 40 seconds of footage that should end Boris Johnson's campaign, he seems to have forgotten that. Asked not once, but twice, if he will rule out selling off more of our NHS, he refuses to say yes. | The 40 seconds that should end Boris Johnson's campaign: | These are the most important 40 seconds of this entire General Election. Twice the BBC asked…
(2019-11-13). Headlines for November 13, 2019. democracynow.org Televised Impeachment Hearings Begin Today, Right-Wing Senator Declares Herself President of Bolivia, Turkish President Erdogan Visiting Trump at White House, Supreme Court Heard Oral Arguments over DACA Program, Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Case of Mexican Teen Killed by U.S. Border Agent, Supreme Court Clears Way for Sandy Hook Families to Sue Gun Manufacturer, Federal Court Rules Warrantless Searches of Phones at Airport Are Unconstitutional, HHS Probes Google's Program to Collect Healthcare Data of Americans, U.S. Government Detained Record Number of Migrant Children in 2019, SPLC: Stephen Miller Sought t…
(2019-11-13). The EPA's War on Science Continues. commondreams.org When you can't do good science, you can't base your public health regulations—your pesticide bans, your pollution controls, your clean water rules, and whatever else—on good science. (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
(2019-11-12). Google sucks up & analyzes healthcare data on millions of Americans in secret AI project… after voluntary opt-in flops. rt.com 
Google has teamed up with one of the largest health providers in the US to gather detailed medical records on millions of patients across the country without their knowledge, in a secret project the firm tried to keep under wraps. | Dubbed "Project Nightingale," the secretive program brought together Google and healthcare giant Ascension in an effort to collect medical records on patients across 21 states, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. The data sharing began last year, and has only accelerated in recent months. | At least 150 employees at Google's Cloud division now have access to the bulk…
(2019-11-12). 'Forgotten' pneumonia epidemic kills more children than any other disease. un.org Pneumonia, an entirely preventable disease, kills more children than any other illness in the world, one child every 39 seconds. But although that statistic is well known, funding to improve survival rates continues to come up short, the UN and partners warned on Tuesday, World Pneumonia Day.
(2019-11-12). Tuesday's Daily Brief: 'Forgotten' pneumonia epidemic, experts urge vigilance over Australia wildfires, Ebola vaccine breakthrough‚ÄØ. un.org A recap of Tuesday's top stories: Pneumonia number one killer of children; Australia's wildfires rage on; Ebola vaccine gets green light;‚ÄØnew child‚ÄØlabour‚ÄØand trafficking study;‚ÄØMalnutrition soars in Latin America and Caribbean; Intellectual Property chief encourages innovation.
(2019-11-12). Ecuador Ends Agreement to Receive Cuban Doctors. telesurenglish.net The Ecuadorean government announced Tuesday its decision to put an end to a bilateral cooperation agreement on health between the South American country and Cuba, which enabled the island's doctors to work in Ecuador. | RELATED: | Brazil Struggles To Replace Departed Cuban Doctors, Thousands of Lives at Risk | The announcement was made by Ecuadorean Interior Minister Maria Paula Romo who said the move means "there will be no renewal of agreements or new agreemen…
(2019-11-12). Israel Kills 10 Palestinians Including Top Commander in Gaza. telesurenglish.net At least 10 Palestinians have been killed since Tuesday morning in Israeli strikes on Gaza, including a top commander from the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad, according to the enclave's health ministry. | RELATED: | Palestinian Killed, Two Wounded in Israel strikes on Gaza | Palestinian health medicals also reported that more than 40 other people were wounded, saying most of the victims are civilians. | Israel's initial airstrike that was targetting leader Bahaa Abu al-At…
(2019-11-12). Headlines for November 12, 2019. democracynow.org Longtime Bolivian President Evo Morales Takes Asylum in Mexico, Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments on DACA Cases, Televised Impeachment Hearings to Start Tomorrow, Former MA Gov. Deval Patrick May Jump Into 2020 Race, NY Republican Congressman Peter King Retires, Donald Trump Jr. Heckled Off Stage by His Own Supporters, EPA to Restrict Scientific Research Used to Write Public Health Regulations, Israeli Military Kills Palestinian Commander in Targeted Assassination in Gaza, Afghan Government & Taliban Agree on Prisoner Exchange, Chilean Government Bows to Protests & Agrees to Rewrite Constitution, 260 Arrested in…
(2019-11-11). Monday's Daily Brief: Guterres on Bolivia and multilateralism, Syria and Iraq's displaced, forest initiative, the healing arts. un.org A recap of Monday's stories in brief: UN chief spotlights multilateralism at peace forum; Bolivian authorities must uphold safety of citizens; new programme to feed Kenya's children; experts concerned for detained in Syria and Iraq; UN forest management project fights climate crisis; and, from Warhol to the Wiggles — the role of art in keeping you healthy.
(2019-11-11). From Prince to Picasso, the arts can be just the tonic, new UN health agency study shows. un.org From before birth, to the end of life, taking to the dance floor or sketching a still life, can positively affect our health and even prove more cost-effective than conventional medical treatment, the World Health Organisation (WHO) found in a new study published on Monday.
(2019-11-11). Mitch McConnell Faces Threat From Populist Challenger Charles Booker in Kentucky Senate Race. theintercept.com Sen. Mitch McConnell faces a new 2020 threat, as Kentucky state Rep. Charles Booker announced the formation of an exploratory committee on Monday. McConnell, the Senate majority leader, is already being challenged by Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath, who ran and lost a winnable race for a Lexington-area House seat in 2018. | In the Democratic primary, Booker, who backs progressive policies like a Green New Deal, Medicare for All, and a living wage, plans to run as a contrast to McGrath, who is running more to the center or the center-right. | In a 2018 run for Congress, her opponent, Rep. Andy Barr, made devastat…
(2019-11-11). Sen. Elizabeth Warren on Environmental Justice, Shutting Down Pipelines, Capitalism & Billionaires. democracynow.org 
Six 2020 presidential candidates — Senators Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker, and Tom Steyer, Marianne Williamson, John Delaney and Joe Sestak — participated in the first-ever Presidential Forum on Environmental Justice in Orangeburg, South Carolina, on November 8. Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman and former EPA official Mustafa Santiago Ali co-moderated the event, which took place at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg. We air highlights of Warren speaking about the climate crisis, public health, shutting down pipelines, capitalism, the order of primary states and more.
(2019-11-08). Hundreds of thousands of civilians at risk in Syria amid ongoing violence in northeast and northwest. un.org Almost daily violence targeting built-up areas and health facilities in Syria continues to threaten the lives of civilians there, UN rights experts and humanitarians said on Friday.
(2019-11-07). Speaking at a K Street Lobby Powerhouse, Joe Biden Renewed His Medicare for All Feud With Elizabeth Warren. theintercept.com On Wednesday, former Vice President Joe Biden held a fundraiser at Sidley Austin, a notorious and influential K Street law firm.
(2019-11-05). How Peter Morley Turns Pain into Purpose Fighting for Health Care. progressive.org If the Trump Administration had its way, Americans would be completely unaware that the 2020 ACA enrollment period began on Friday, November 1. Enter Peter Morley.
(2019-11-05). Trump Wants to Allow Discrimination with Billions of Dollars of Federal Funding. aclu.org Last Friday, the Trump administration announced | an alarming new proposal that would strip away critical protections against discrimination | in grants funded by the Department of Health and Human Services. | Initially, we thought this proposal would serve to fulfill Trump's promise to give taxpayer-funded child welfare agencies a license to discriminate. This proposal does…
(2019-11-05). "Release My Mother": A Yale Student Fights to Halt Deportation of His Mother with Stage IV Cancer. democracynow.org 
Tania Romero, an undocumented mother from Honduras and survivor of stage IV cancer, is fighting to remain in the United States with her four children. Two months ago, Romero was imprisoned by Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the privately owned Irwin County Detention Center in Georgia, interrupting her life-saving medical treatments. In mid-August, Romero was pulled over for a minor traffic infraction and arrested for not having a driver's license. Tania Romero's attorney requested a stay of deportation on humanitarian grounds because of her fragile health, but it was denied in September. Her son, Cristian…
(2019-11-03). Warren's Medicare Head Tax Would Be About $9,500. peoplespolicyproject.org On Friday, I wrote a piece arguing that Elizabeth Warren's use of an employer head tax was not a good way to fund Medicare for All and that instead the more conventional choices of income and payroll taxes would be better. The reason they are better is because income and payroll taxes are based on how much income you receive while a head tax charges the same dollar amount for every worker regardless of their income, making it much more onerous on the lower and middle classes. | This point holds…
(2019-11-02). What Is a Middle Class Tax Hike? Am I Losing My Mind? peoplespolicyproject.org I have been swimming in the Medicare for All waters for over a decade now, going back to when I worked on the Ralph Nader presidential campaign that made Medicare for All its number one issue. And during this time, I developed a specific understanding of what we might call the M4A Financing Problem. | The Problem: | The M4A Financing Problem, in simple terms, is that even if you bring in existing federal spending on health care, existing state spending on health care, and a bunch of new rich-people taxes, you still fall short of financing the program. Thus to actually complete the financing, you have to u…
(2019-11-01). Warren's Perpetual Medicare Head Tax Is Unworkable and Bad. peoplespolicyproject.org 
Elizabeth Warren released her Medicare for All financing plan today. The main purpose of the proposal appears to be to find a plan that you can message as "not increasing middle class taxes," which is of course a nonsensical goal insofar, as Warren herself has said, what matters is middle class health care costs, not whether you categorize those costs as premiums, taxes, or out-of-pocket expenses. | Nonetheless, bowing to the stupid media discourse on this, Warren put forward a financing pro…
(2019-10-24). New Poll Finds Voters Strongly Oppose Employer Insurance. peoplespolicyproject.org Many centrist pundits have convinced themselves that Medicare for All (M4A) is unpopular because, when you include certain details about M4A in polling questions, support levels drop significantly. But in convincing themselves of this, centrist pundits seem remarkably incurious about whether this same thing occurs for employer-sponsored insurance (ESI) when you include certain details about it in polling questions. | Earlier this week, Emerson Polling helped answer this question when it aske…
(2019-10-16). The Urban Institute Report Did Not Score Medicare for All. peoplespolicyproject.org The Urban Institute and The Commonwealth Fund put out a report today that provided cost estimates for 8 different health care reforms. One of those eight reforms, which is called "Single Payer Enhanced," describes a comprehensive, no-cost-sharing, national health plan similar to Medicare for All (M4A). However, the Urban plan uses hospital reimbursement rates that are 15 percent higher than the rates in the M4A legislation, meaning that its cost estimates are much…
(2019-10-12). Turkey Attacks US Troops, Iran Tanker Bombed No One Cares, CIA "Whistleblower" & Terrorism Vaccine. thelastamericanvagabond.com Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (10/11/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …
(2019-10-08). The Benefits of Medical Marijuana for Mesothelioma Patients. thelastamericanvagabond.com When traditional medicines stop working, doctors can only do so much to treat their patients. Patients who become desperate often turn to other possible solutions for their treatment. This desperation is the case for most mesothelioma patients. Many of them report relief from taking medical marijuana. Despite the approval of the use of medical marijuana …
(2019-06-19). House Casts Historic Vote to Repeal Authorization for Endless War. peaceaction.org Washington, D.C. — June 19, 2019 — In response to the House of Representatives passing H.R. 2740 (Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Legislative Branch, Defense, State, Foreign Operations, and Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2020), which includes language to repeal the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) eight months after …