In exciting news for breast cancer patients, the FDA recently approved Perjeta, a new treatment for metastatic breast cancer that delays progression of the disease by six months. But can we afford to offer this drug to every woman who could potentially benefit?… (Read more and view comments at Forbes)
Should Little Caesars Be Forced to Tell Consumers How Many Calories Are in a Large Pizza?
As a fan of free markets, I recognize that sometimes intelligent government regulations (not always an oxymoron!) can improve markets by requiring companies to provide consumers with information that will help them make better choices. Informed consumers, after all, are a central ingredient of a successful free market. That’s why even most libertarians support regulations that ban fraudulent advertising… (Read more and view comments at Forbes)
I Guess It Is Official – I Really AM a Business School Professor
Here is a funny link, funny in my mind, to a profile listing me as one of the world’s top business school professors. And I don’t even think the blogger putting the post together was being ironic. Anyway, some of the content in the post is actually true. Except the part about hospital cafeteria conversations. That was just a joke!
The Moral and Financial Case for Federalizing Medicaid
Millions of U.S. citizens are too poor to buy health insurance but not poor enough to qualify for Medicaid. And this “not poor enough” problem varies, state by state, depending on the generosity of local governments. In some states, a person’s income can sit below the poverty level, and that person still won’t qualify for Medicaid… (Read more and view comments at Forbes)
Discussing Critical Decisions with Tavis Smiley
I recently had the pleasure of discussing my book with Tavis Smiley on his wonderful PBS television show. As you will see, we had some fun back and forth, while still covering some pretty fundamental ground about how to help patients participate more actively in their medical decisions.
3 Tips to Get to Know Your Doctor
Here is a USA Weekend piece on the type of advice I give in Critical Decisions – how to make stronger connections with your doctor.
Violation of Rights or Saving a Life?
A NY woman is suing her doctor for testing her for HIV without her consent, then telling her the result (which was positive). I recently participated in a HuffPost Live discussion on this doctor’s actions. Watch it here.
So Many Medicare Plans That People Want to Stay Put!
Republicans and Democrats agree that Medicare is in trouble – that if its costs keep rising faster than inflation, we will face insurmountable federal budget deficits. They also agree that the problem can be fixed. But that is where their agreement comes to an end, and where the Democrats hold a psychological advantage over Republicans… (Read more and view comments at Forbes)
Are Numbers a Barrier to Good Doctor-Patient Communication?
Helping patients understand their treatment choices is often no simple matter. In order for good communication to take place, doctors and patients must talk with each other in a language both parties can understand. Here is a piece in which I discuss an earnestly communicative hematologist describing the risks and benefits of treating leukemia to his patient.
Is Sex Reassignment Surgery a Basic Human Right?
I expect most of us agree that an incarcerated felon experiencing a heart attack should receive medical treatment, even if that treatment comes at taxpayers’ expense. The same probably goes for more preventive measures—blood pressure pills, cancer screening tests and the like. While serving out the sentence for their crimes, prisoners should not be forced to suffer from treatable and preventable illnesses without receiving appropriate… (Read more and view comments at Forbes)