Just before the Thanksgiving holiday, Don Berwick, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced his resignation. Consequently, President Obama has nominated Berwick’s top deputy, Marilyn Tavenner, as Berwick’s successor. Tavenner has an extensive health background as a nurse, a healthcare official at both the state and federal level and a … Continue reading
The recent NATO air strike, which killed 24 and injured 13 Pakistani border troops, is the most recent breakdown in the crucial relationship between the U.S. and Pakistan. Although this year has seen many flashpoints between the two nations, whether it be the C.I.A contract employee who killed two Pakistanis, the killing of Osama Bin … Continue reading
History is still being made in the British Isles. In Wiltshire, a small county in the South-Eastern Britain, is in the midst of a landmark case pertaining to a patients ‘right to die.’ Tony Nicklinson, 57, suffered from a stroke in 2005 which left him paralyzed from the neck down, also called “locked in syndrome.” … Continue reading
The World Health Organization released their annual data book on health-related data of its 193 Member States. Data includes topics ranging from Health Expenditures and health workforce, infrastructure and essential medicines. Below, I created a quick visual that gives a small preview of the new report with key and interesting information pertaining to certain countries. … Continue reading
The Arab Spring has created a tumultuous regional environment, leading many to point to an Israel that is becoming increasingly isolated from the international community. Recent examples of Israel’s isolation include the Palestinian’s bid for statehood at the United Nations, French President Nicolas Sarkozy calling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “liar,” Defense Secretary Leon … Continue reading
The Obama administration has decided to invest $433 million in Siga Technologies’ new ST-246 smallpox vaccine. On the surface, this appears to be a worthwhile investment since smallpox is a terrible and contagious disease. But a more in-depth look by the Los Angeles Times has revealed a likely ulterior motive that has little to do … Continue reading
The House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Health recommended by voice vote today to pass the Fiscal Responsibility and Retirement Security Act of 2011, which would repeal the CLASS Act, the long-term care program created by PPACA. Democrats on the panel resisted, refusing to give up a part of the healthcare law that would open … Continue reading
Announced Monday, the Obama administration is planning to spend $1 billion to hire, train and deploy healthcare workers. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, created as part of the Affordable Care Act, will administer and oversee the program, called the Health Care Innovation Challenge. The $1 billion in funds will be awarded as grants to … Continue reading
I recently came across an article in Bloomberg Businessweek (week of Nov. 7, 2011) entitled “The Underground Solution.” Natural gas might indeed be the underground solution, but I remain convinced that the all the solutions we need, and should be focusing on developing, remain abundant, obvious, and safely above ground. Supposing that the transition to … Continue reading
On November 8,2011, Attorney General Eric Holder testified before the Senate Judiciary regarding Operation Fast and Furious. Holder described the ATF’s efforts to combat the flow of illegal guns into Mexico as “flawed” and said it “should never have happened.” The botched operation carried out by the ATF could be “felt for years to come … Continue reading
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