(2021-07-20). Backstop Price Caps in Commercial Health Care Markets. jamanetwork.com To the Editor In their recent Viewpoint about regulation of health care prices, the authors claimed that instituting a price backstop for commercial insurance markets would limit the ability of consolidated health systems to exploit their growing market power. Although this approach has many virtues, as described, a flat backstop would serve as a blunt instrument for restraining prices.
(2021-07-20). Patients in Afghanistan Face Growing Obstacles to Care. jamanetwork.com Ongoing violence and instability coupled with worsening economic conditions exacerbated by COVD-19 are jeopardizing access to health care in Afghanistan, according to a survey conducted in February by Doctors Without Borders, or Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
(2021-07-20). Backstop Price Caps in Commercial Health Care Markets—Reply. jamanetwork.com In Reply Mr Lusk and Dr McDevitt argue that backstop price caps on the highest of health care prices would be "a blunt instrument for restraining prices." Their assessment is based on 2 misperceptions of the caps we discussed in our recent Viewpoint. First, the approach we outlined would not cut prices equally across the board for all services. On the contrary, backstop price caps are intended to be service specific, so that the amount trimmed depends on the amount by which the price for a specific service exceeds the cap. By design, backstop price caps would apply only to the highest prices within each service.
(2021-07-20). Economic Update: The Challenge of Progressive Unionism. roarmag.org On this week's show, Prof. Wolff discusses Wall Street money corrupting US elections and the facts of a declining US capitalism (wage stagnation driving inequality, rising health and education costs, falling real social security benefits, unequal wealth of people of color vs whites, gross worsening of US income and wealth inequalities). | On the second half of the show, Prof. Wolff is joined by David Van Deusen, President of Vermont state AFL-CIO, to talk about the victories of progressive unionism. | You can support this show on
(2021-07-20). Challenges of Accuracy in Germline Clinical Sequencing Data. jamanetwork.com This Genomics and Precision Health article explains how genetic testing has evolved from detection of prespecified and unknown variants to assessing entire genomes to establish diagnoses using high-throughput sequencing.
(2021-07-20). Medical Debt as a Social Determinant of Health. jamanetwork.com The profound influence of social determinants of health (the conditions in which people are born, learn, play, work, and age) has become widely recognized and accepted. Recent work on health-related social determinants and risk factors has focused mostly on factors such as poverty and income insecurity, housing and employment instability, and structural racism and other forms of discrimination. For example, important studies in this area have convincingly demonstrated enormous health and health care inequities for people in the lowest income brackets, for people experiencing homelessness and housing instability,…
(2021-07-20). Haiti's New Prime Minister Henry Appoints His Cabinet. telesurenglish.net On Monday, Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel Henry appointed members of his cabinet and retained Claude Joseph as Foreign Affairs Minister. | RELATED: | The cabinet has 18 ministries and retains important figures from the last government, including Justice Minister Rockefeller Vincent, Economy Minister Patrick Boisvert, and Health Minister Marie Roy. | The new Interior Minister will be Lizst Quitel, who was a member of the c…
(2021-07-20). FL Newspaper Tells DeSantis to Stop "Auditioning" for Fox News as COVID Spikes. truthout.org 
Hospitals throughout the state of Florida are seeing increases in COVID-19 numbers, so much so that some have reverted to implementing policies that limit visitors in order to curtail the possibility of spreading the virus. | Jackson Health System, a public hospital system in Miami-Dade County, which includes three separat…
(2021-07-20). New vaccine platform invented by Mayo enters COVID-19 clinical trial. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org A Mayo Clinic lab member is purifying an adenovirus vector for preclinical testing. A novel single-cycle adenovirus vaccine platform developed by Mayo Clinic will be used to target multiple infectious diseases and cancer indications, beginning with a phase 1 clinical study using the platform as a vaccine for COVID-19. Developed to enhance the expression of target antigens, the single-cycle adenovirus platform is under investigation for its ability to amplify immune responses. In contrast to replication-defective…
(2021-07-20). Strategies to Overcome the Market Dominance of Hospitals—Reply. jamanetwork.com In Reply We agree that differences in fee-for-service reimbursements have incentivized hospitals to grow lucrative service lines that cross-subsidize less lucrative services, such as general medicine, geriatrics, pediatrics, and behavioral health. This trend has become especially apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic, as we have previously discussed. We also agree with Dr Kornitzer's suggestion that value-based reimbursement models, if appropriately risk adjusted, may help encourage hospitals to compete on the basis of cost-effectiveness and quality of care rather than on the volume or relative value units of ser…
(2021-07-20). China hopes WHO can maintain scientific, serious nature of COVID-19 origin tracing: FM. ecns.cn China hopes that the World Health Organization (WHO) will adhere to the spirit of science, professionalism and objectivity, and work with the international community to maintain the scientific and serious nature of COVID-19 origin tracing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Monday.
(2021-07-20). Attorney Files Lawsuit Against CDC Based on "Sworn Declaration" from Whistleblower Claiming 45,000 Deaths Are Reported to VAERS — All Within 3 Days of COVID-19 Shots. globalresearch.ca
(2021-07-20). Six Months Of The Biden Administration. popularresistance.org The policies of the Biden administration have been driven by the interests of Wall Street and the super-rich. This is why, despite occasional criticisms of Trump's callous and anti-scientific response to the coronavirus pandemic, Biden has pursued the same policy of restoring corporate profit-making by forcing workers back to work and children back to school as quickly as possible, regardless of the dangers to their lives and health.
(2021-07-20). French president honors U.S. civil rights icon Jesse Jackson. peoplesworld.org 
French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday made American civil rights leader Jesse Jackson a commander of the Legion of Honor, France's highest award, for helping "change the destiny of the United States" and with it, the world. Jackson, 79, who had gallbladder surgery this year and is being treated for Parkinson's disease, had visible difficulty walking. The founder of the …
(2021-07-20). Medical Debt in the US, 2009-2020. jamanetwork.com This retrospective cohort analysis of credit reports for a nationally representative 10% panel of individuals estimates the amount of medical debt nationally and by geographic region and income group and its association with Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act.
(2021-07-20). Strategies to Overcome the Market Dominance of Hospitals. jamanetwork.com To the Editor In their recent Viewpoint, Dr Kocher and colleagues illuminated the concerning trend of hospital-dominated markets that has contributed to unsustainable growth in US health care costs. However, by focusing on managing vertical and horizontal consolidation, they addressed the symptom rather than the underlying disease. Through acquisition and organic growth, hospitals now employ more than one-third of physicians, driven largely by an economic model whereby the razor-thin profit margins of hospitals depend on highly reimbursed elective procedures to cross-subsidize essential but poorly reimbursed serv…
(2021-07-20). Patent Monopolies, Corruption, and the New Alzheimer's Drug. cepr.net It seems that no one in policy circles believes that people respond to incentives. How else can we explain this lengthy piece in the New York Times on the process by which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Aduhelm, a drug for treating Alzheimer's disease. The piece details how the clinical trials designed to …
(2021-07-20). New Zealand nurses' union cancels strike after pay offer. wsws.org Nurses and health sector workers are confronted with trade unions which have worked to limit and isolate strikes in order to reach sell-out deals with the Ardern government.
(2021-07-20). Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: On the verge of predicted surge with COVID-19 delta variant. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org The delta variant is being blamed for hot spots in the U.S. where cases of COVID-19 are on the rise. These hot spots account for most cases in the U.S. They are also the geographical areas that tend to have the lowest vaccination rates. "It's no surprise that the two go together," says Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group. "This (delta variant) is the bad actor that…
(2021-07-20). Corporate Capitalism Works … For Some. zcomm.org To win against the Covid-19 virus, the world needs a well-functioning public health system…
(2021-07-20). Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: The new work-life balancing act. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the way people work. As vaccination rates increase, some people are returning to the office. But many companies have opted to keep their employees working from home permanently. This change has positive and negative side effects, including the mental health aspects of working from home. "Any time there are changes, it can be challenging for people, particularly when you're not used to working from home," says Dr. Greg Couser, a…
(2021-07-20). Expert Alert: Mayo Clinic experts available to comment on Olympics. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic experts are available to offer comments throughout the Olympics on everything from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on training and competition to injuries that athletes may be dealing with. Here is a sampling: Chad Asplund, M.D.Dr. Asplund is a primary care sports medicine physician. He can discuss endurance sports, rhabdomyolysis, heat injury, sleep and athletic performance. Elijah Behr, M.D.Dr. Behr is a cardiologist at Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London…
(2021-07-20). Sinopharm Is Effective Against Delta Variant: Sri Lanka's Study. telesurenglish.net Scientists from the Sri Jayawardenapura University said that the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine is effective against the Delta variant initially identified in India. | RELATED: | Published by the health sciences server medRxiv, their study holds that people vaccinated with Sinopharm have a similar level of protection against infection with Delta and Beta variants. | The scientists administered the Chinese vaccine to 282 peop…
(2021-07-20). Mayo Clinic Q and A: COVID-19 vaccination and precautions. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I am due to get my second dose of COVID-19 vaccine in a few weeks. I understand this is an important step for me and my community, but I'm unsure what guidelines I should follow. Some of my friends are traveling, and they seem to have thrown all caution to the wind. What can I expect after being vaccinated for COVID-19, both physically and when in public? ANSWER: It is completely normal to have…
(2021-07-20). Sinopharm vaccine approved to treat children, teenagers. ecns.cn Sinopharm's COVID-19 vaccine has been approved for emergency use for young people ages 3 to 17, after early and midstage clinical trials showed it is safe and can elicit strong immune responses in the age group, the company said in a recent statement.
(2021-07-20). Zuma's trial sparks fears of renewed violence in South Africa. wsws.org Millions are angered over the ANC's mismanagement of the pandemic and vaccine rollout and an escalating economic crisis that has left many without jobs, income or financial support with nearly 20 percent experiencing weekly hunger.
(2021-07-20). Vaccine Passports Were Planned Even Before the Pandemic Began. globalresearch.ca
(2021-07-20). The Weekly Round-Up: Migrant Rights, Virginity Testing and Racism. ukhumanrightsblog.com 
In the news: Immigration and migrant rights have been at the forefront of the news this week. An investigation has revealed that many undocumented migrants in the UK are being denied access to a vaccine, even though NHS England policy states that ID is not required to register with a GP (needed to book a jab). The …
(2021-07-20). Climate Change Hits Around the World. sputniknews.com On this episode of Fault Lines, hosts Jamarl Thomas and Shane Stranahan discussed the effects of severe weather in Germany and other European countries, the divisiveness of the left, and the reality of the vaccine statistics in the United States.
(2021-07-20). Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London adds cardiology, gastroenterology, lung care. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org LONDON — Mayo Clinic Healthcare, an outpatient clinic that provides personalized health care ranging from preventive screenings and tailored wellness plans to second opinions for complex diagnoses, is adding several medical specialties including cardiology, gastroenterology and pulmonary medicine. Dr. G. Anton Decker, president of Mayo Clinic International The clinic, located at 15 Portland Place in the Harley Street Medical Area in London, also serves as a gateway to Mayo Clinic's roughly 4,000 physicians in the…
(2021-07-20). Sharing Mayo Clinic: Every day you don't lose, you are winning. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Jennifer Summers, who was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy, says that with her disease, she counts every day there isn't a loss as a good day. She credits her faith and her care team at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse with keeping her moving forward with a positive outlook. This article is written by Mayo Clinic Staff. Jennifer Summers, is an optimistic, articulate woman. The 35-year-old enjoys crafting, spending time with her close-knit…
(2021-07-20). Mayo Clinic Minute: Why bone marrow donor diversity is needed. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Bone marrow transplants are procedures that infuse healthy blood stem cells into your body to replace damaged or diseased bone marrow. Just like people in need of solid organ transplants, such as hearts or kidneys, people in need of a bone marrow transplant have to find a matching donor. Dr. Ernesto Ayala, a Mayo Clinic hematologist and oncologist, says bone marrow donations from people of all races and ethnicities are essential in order to help…
(2021-07-20). Physicians Have Duty to Confront Exploitative Industry That Employs Them. zcomm.org Ultimately, it is crucial for the care of patients and the movement toward health justice that physicians align as workers and witnesses…
(2021-07-20). Mayo Clinic Minute: Tips to pick healthier oils. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Your body needs some fat to function normally. However, not all fats are created equal, and it's wise to choose healthier options whenever possible. Angie Murad, a licensed dietitian and patient educator with the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, offers these tips for selecting cooking oils. Watch: The Mayo Clinic Minute youtu.be/LXCJR38di5E Journalists: Broadcast-quality video pkg (0: 59) is in the downloads at the end of…
(2021-07-19). Saturday 7/24: Pass M4A Now! San Francisco March & Rally for Medicare for All. indybay.org San Francisco: 1 Ferry Building at the Embarcadero Plaza…
(2021-07-19). New Lawpod UK episode: Vicarious trauma in the legal profession. ukhumanrightsblog.com 
The Covid pandemic has brought the mental health of those within the legal profession into sharp relief. For some people, the past 18 months will have been the first time they have discussed their mental health with clients, colleagues, and supervisors. To celebrate reaching 500,000 listens on the podcast, I wanted to do something a …
(2021-07-19). Selected Articles: Graphene Oxide: A Toxic Substance in the Vial of the COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine. globalresearch.ca 
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(2021-07-19). China calls on WHO to oppose politicization in further COVID origin study. ecns.cn China's Foreign Ministry on Monday called on the World Health Organization (WHO) to maintain its scientific and professional position in tracing the origins of COVID-19 and firmly oppose the politicization of the matter as it prepares for the second phase of study.
(2021-07-19). This time, it is the Students and the Unions that the Gov't Needs to Bail out for a Healthy Economy. juancole.com Southwest Harbor, Maine (Special to Informed Comment) — Digging our way back out of the pandemic recession will not be easy, but we have the advantage of knowing what worked and did not work in the 2008 crisis. Any policy choice today does not operate on a blank slate. No one knows this more than …
(2021-07-19). Americans Are Calling For Freedom In The US. popularresistance.org The hashtag #SOSUSA became one of Twitter's top political trends this weekend, as thousands of Americans posted calling for freedom in the United States and protesting poverty, police brutality, and a lack of free healthcare. | Many of…
(2021-07-19). Many health workers across Australia remain unvaccinated as coronavirus outbreak spirals out of control. wsws.org With a major COVID outbreak in Sydney and Melbourne, there are still tens of thousands of aged care workers who have not been vaccinated, as a result of government policies.
(2021-07-19). Headlines for July 19, 2021. democracynow.org COVID Cases on the Rise Among Olympic Athletes Days Ahead of Tokyo Opening Ceremony, Boris Johnson Self-Isolates as U.K. Reopens; Mass Protests in France over COVID Measures, Delta Variant Spreads Across Africa, Latin America, Where Vaccines Are Sorely Lacking, Young Children at Risk as U.S. Cases Surge in Areas with Low Vaccination Rates, DOJ Set to Challenge U.S. Judge Ruling Declaring DACA Unlawful, Israeli Spyware Company's Software Targeted Phones of Journalists and Politicians Around the World, Death Toll in Western Europe Flash Floods Nears 200; 70 Major Wildfires Rage in Western U.S., Colombian Police Say…
(2021-07-19). Chess calms nerves, improves mental health amidst COVID crisis. news.un.org Marking World Chess Day on Tuesday, the UN is celebrating the fact that while COVID-19 has forced most sports to scale down, this ancient game of intellect, not brute strength, has demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability throughout months of lockdown worldwide.
(2021-07-19). Chess calms nerves, improves mental health throughout pandemic. news.un.org Marking World Chess Day on Tuesday, the UN is celebrating the fact that while COVID-19 has forced most sports to scale down, this ancient game of intellect, not brute strength, has demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability throughout months of lockdown worldwide.
(2021-07-19). "Crime of the Century": How Big Pharma Fueled the Opioid Crisis That Killed 500,000 and Counting. democracynow.org 
As the U.S. continues to deal with the fallout from the devastating opioid epidemic that has killed over 500,000 people in the country since 1999, we speak with Academy Award-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney, whose latest documentary, "The Crime of the Century," looks at the pharmaceutical industry's methods in promoting and selling the powerful drugs. "I realized that the big problem here was that we had been seeing it as a crisis, like a natural disaster like a flood or a hurricane, rather than as a series of crimes," says Gibney. "You had these terrible incentives, where the incentive is not to cure the patient.
(2021-07-19). A simple rule change could trigger mass vaccine demand plus head off other insurrections. nationofchange.org What property-driven, rights-oriented society allows protesters to both spread disease AND violate sacred boundaries?>
(2021-07-19). The Drug Companies Are Killing People. popularresistance.org After the Biden administration indicated its support for this limited waiver, many other rich countries signed on as well. Germany, under longtime chancellor Angela Merkel, has been largely left alone to carry water for the pharmaceutical industry in opposing the vaccine waiver. | I had the chance to confront the industry arguments directly last week in a web panel sponsored by the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (link included when it becomes available). It's always educational to see these arguments up close and real people actually making them. | The first line of defense…
(2021-07-19). France Rises Up Against Macron's Vaccine Passports. globalresearch.ca
(2021-07-19). Sunrise Launches Green New Deal Jobs Website to Celebrate Future of Climate-Friendly Work. commondreams.org "It's bad information" about vaccines that is killing people, the president said.
(2021-07-19). Jean-Luc Mélenchon supports anti-vaccine protest called by French neofascists. wsws.org The call to let the virus spread unimpeded has won support not only among neo-fascist activists, but inside Jean-Luc Mélenchon's Unsubmissive France.