Author Archives: Laura Newman

Three Years Before COVID, Women’s Voices Worth Reading

Let’s hope 2018 is the year when more women’s voices are heard and women lead. Toward that end, here’s a starter list of women who write about health and medicine and share my interest in framing our world in terms … Continue reading

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Lay Off the Ageism
About Sen. John McCain

Guest Post by Thomas Goldsmith All you amateur MDs and gerontologists, _lay off_ Sen. John McCain. Yes, he appeared confused in questioning Comey. But you have no idea from watching TV whether he is “senile,” has a neurocognitive disorder, has … Continue reading

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About Sen. John McCain

He Changed His Mind: Reflections
On Decline and the End of Life

Guest Post By Richard Krawiec Three weeks ago Monday I got a call saying my sister had found my 92-year-old father, who had been living on his own, on the bathroom floor, where he’d lain for 12 hours after suffering … Continue reading

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Commercial Physician Review Sites Tend to Miss the Mark

Are you hoping that you’ll find a new doctor by looking at online physician review sites? About 60% of people look there, but a new study suggests these sites offer little. Many physicians are not rated at all. For those … Continue reading

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Healthcare Price Transparency: A Look at Aetna’s Web-Based Tool

  Illustration source: Vermont Health Connect, Vermont.gov Would you look at comparative price information for procedures like an MRI, sleep study, or colonoscopy before you selected where to have a procedure done? Would you like to have fewer surprises on … Continue reading

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Answer Paul Ryan’s Quick Phone Survey on Whether You Back ACA/Obamacare

You have a chance to weigh in on whether or not you back Obamacare today. Paul Ryan has a phone survey for you. It takes a short time, with a support/no support answer. These calls are logged in so they … Continue reading

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Seven Days in November:
Healthcare and the Road Ahead

As if an acrimonious campaign and stunning election were not enough, the past seven days have been rife with anxiety and fear that the Republic is crumbling. In healthcare, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Medicare, Medicaid–and you name it–many federal entitlements– … Continue reading

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Healthcare and the Road Ahead

PatientPOV to Look at Dollars
And Value in Healthcare

Today, I am announcing that PatientPOV will make a concerted effort to take up economic issues and value in healthcare because changes are afoot. Everyone from health policy wonks, elected officials, and health insurers are pressing for getting value for … Continue reading

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Moving the Goal Posts to Catch the Ball and Other Hazards of A Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treatment Trial

When it comes to offering patients high-quality care for a poorly understood disease, solid, well-funded research, medical education, and respect go a long way. In a masterful report today in STAT, Julie Rehmeyer sets the record straight on chronic fatigue syndrome … Continue reading

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Appendicitis in America: Time for Practice Change?

Chances are good that most readers have had personal experience with appendicitis. Appendectomy is the top inpatient surgery for kids and it far outpaces all other pediatric surgeries. Also, appendicitis is the most frequent reason adults make it to the … Continue reading

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