Unbiased Analysis of Today's Healthcare Issues
In India, low-caste and minority individuals often have difficultly ascending the social ladder. Discrimination against the low-caste individuals has been extensively documented. In order aid these disadvantaged groups, the Indian government has increased the quota for low-caste and minority physicians at state-run hospitals. The International Herald Tribune (“Doctor’s Strike…“) reports that “22.5 percent of jobs…
Can consumer-driven health care (CDHC) really work? According to the New York Times, many entrepreneurs believe it can. In “Attention Shoppers,” the newspaper details how Wal-Mart, CVS and other chain stores are opening walk-in health clinics. The clinics are staffed by Nurse Practitioners and operated independently of the chain store. The benefits of the walk-in…
The Independent of the UK reports (“Childbirth revolution“) that the British government is “planning a ‘strategic shift’ in childbirth policy away from hospital delivery and towards births in the home.” Instead of having doctors supervise the birth, midwives will deliver the child. On one hand, I commend the British government for this policy change. The…
I want to wish a Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers of the world. In particular, I would like to thank Bonnie Shafrin and Lillian Paley for all the love they have given me over the years.
Recently, we have seen a shift towards the left in Latin America. Socialistic presidents Evo Morales of Bolivia (who just nationalized Bolivia’s national gas industry) and Hugo Chavez of Venezuela both enjoy much popular support. Brazilian president Lula Da Silva has a background as a union leader and Nestor Kirchner of Argentina also rose to…
Recently, I wrote a post regarding the inefficiency of the Medical Malpractice system. Both Brennan, Sox and Burstin (1996) and Studdert, Mello and Brennan (2004) found that not only were there many frivolous suits brought to court, but even more prevalent was the phenomenon that individuals who suffered negligent care did not sue (only 3%…
Michael Jordan. Pele. Sandy Koufax. William Henderson. How do the greatest athletes in the world become so great? Do they have an innate ability or are they simply hard workers? Certainly, it is a combination of both. Nevertheless Anders Ericsson, a psychology professor at Florida State University, claims that talent is over-rated; hard work is…
You feel an uncomfortable pressure, squeezing the center of your chest. The pain spreads to your shoulders, your neck and then your arms. As you begin to perspire, you are suddenly overwhelmed with lightheadedness and nausea. You are having a heart attack and you need to find help soon. If you were living in San…
Earlier I posted that Mexico would pass a bill decriminalizing drug use. Late last night, howeer, President Vicente Fox decided not to approve the Mexican law which would have decriminalized minor drug use. The Chicago Tribune (“Mexico’s Fox retreats…“) implied that this reversal was due significant pressure exerted by the U.S. on Mr. Fox.
Less than two weeks ago, the New York Times (“Report Illumintes Wide Divide…“) reported that FDA has denied that there are any medicinal benefits to marijuana. The article continues stating: While it has always been the drug enforcement agency’s policy to enforce laws against marijuana, [DEA spokeswomen] Ms. Waite said, “now it’s clearly out there,…