Dan Gorenstein
@dgorenstein.bsky.social
Founder & Executive Editor @Tradeoffs. Former health care reporter @Marketplace Philly. tradeoffs.org Tips: dgorenstein@tradeoffs.org
At @tradeoffs.org, we’re committed to cutting through the noise with clear, evidence-based reporting on America’s complex health care system. Now, we’ve made it even easier to find the stories that matter. Check out our new website and explore key topics like the cost of care & health law.
@melanie-evans.bsky.social explains how RFK Jr. could push his vaccine cynicism through an obscure CDC committee. Helpful context as Senate Finance holds HHS confirmation hearing.
Melanie Evans@melanie-evans.bsky.social · 2y agoRFK Jr. has long criticized an influential committee of scientists who advise federal policymakers on who should get vaccines. I’ve got an article today for @tradeoffs.org that profiles the committee’s wide reach. tradeoffs.org/2025/01/28/a...
I started Tradeoffs to help people have smarter health policy discussions. With policy changes potentially ahead, that mission is more crucial than ever. So is your support. Join the 70 new donors this year and help us meet our fundraising goal today! tradeoffs.org/donate/
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When you donate to Tradeoffs, you do more than just support rigorous independent journalism. You also help us raise the level of health care debate, pushing us toward a smarter, more evidence-based he...
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So psyched to share Melanie Evan’s 1st story as a @tradeoffs.bsky.social reporter! Her topic: one of Trump’s most lasting health policy moves: public pricing. tradeoffs.org/2024/12/19/t...
Trump Forced Hospitals and Insurers to Reveal Their Prices. What Happened?
A mandate to make health care prices public was one of President Trump’s signature health policies in his first term. But forcing hospitals to publish prices hasn’t yet helped patients shop around for...
tradeoffs.org
“Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a Stanford physician and economist, is considering a plan to link a university’s likelihood of receiving research grants to some ranking or measure of academic freedom on campus, people familiar with his thinking said.”
Jonathan Rockoff@jonathanrockoff.bsky.social · 2y agoTrump’s choice to run NIH would link a university’s likelihood of receiving research grants to a ranking or measure of academic freedom on campus
Are you looking to follow really cool people and read some awesome research? I thought so. Give this starter pack a go! go.bsky.app/6S4Q9Mn
Your support goes a long way to keeping @tradeoffs.bsky.social going strong! Thanks in advance!
Tradeoffs@tradeoffs.org · 2y agoIn the months and years ahead, rigorous nonpartisan news will be critical. This #GivingTuesday, support Tradeoffs in delivering clear, evidence-based health policy journalism that cuts through the noise.
One way the incoming Trump administration can affect health policy is by not defending existing laws and regulations against lawsuits. www.kff.org/medicare/iss...
New: Officials will issue proposed rules today to cover weight-loss drugs like Ozempic for millions of patients on Medicare and Medicaid. But. It’s up to Trump’s admin whether to finalize the rules. And RFK Jr. is no fan of Ozempic. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2024/...
Medicare proposes covering weight-loss drugs, teeing up clash with RFK Jr.
The proposal would expand coverage of anti-obesity drugs to 7.5 million people covered by Medicare and Medicaid, the Biden administration said.
washingtonpost.com
The power of a platform.
Dan Diamond@ddiamond.bsky.social · 2y agoBreaking: Florida's top health official calls for an end to fluoride in state's drinking water. Joseph Ladapo, Florida's surgeon general who has been bidding for a spot in Trump admin, cites controversial studies about the risk of fluoride to developing brains. w @fenitn.bsky.social
@dariustahir.bsky.social lays out the many potential conflicts of interest Oz would face running CMS.
Darius Tahir@dariustahir.bsky.social · 2y agoMillions in investments in UnitedHealth, drug companies, Amazon -- even cattle: Dr. Oz has made money off of the health and food systems. If he recuses in his job leading Medicare, he could "spend his time in the rocking chair." My latest for KFF Health News: kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Q: Where might you and others on the left have some common ground with RFK, Jr.? “I make a pretty sharp distinction between his medical ideas, which I think are really unsound and dangerous, and his critique of the food system.” www.politico.com/news/magazin...
Michael Pollan Is Not Endorsing RFK Jr.
A Q&A with the food reform advocate about the common ground he has with RFK Jr. — and why he does not want him to be HHS secretary.
politico.com
Helpful read from @kff.org “While there are limits, federal officials have significant authority to influence and alter vaccine policy, which could affect vaccine availability, views about vaccines, and vaccine use in the U.S.” www.kff.org/policy-watch...
How HHS, FDA, and CDC Can Influence U.S. Vaccine Policy | KFF
This policy brief highlights areas in which HHS, FDA, and CDC have authority to shape U.S. vaccine policy with a specific focus on vaccine approvals and recommendations for the public. Ultimately, whi...
kff.org
The first question I got after RFK Jr.’s nomination: how much power would he have? So @ryan-levi.bsky.social and I dialed up former Obama HHS Sec. Sebelius for her take. tradeoffs.org/2024/11/21/r...
What Could RFK Jr. Do As Head of HHS? We Asked Someone Who’s Done the Job
Former HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius shares what the country’s top health official can and can't do, and what she wants senators to know ahead of RFK’s confirmation hearings.
tradeoffs.org
RFK Jr. wants to reduce the American Medical Association's role in determining what Medicare pays for medical services. For those who follow billing codes and the RUC, big scoop from @rachelcohrs.bsky.social: www.statnews.com/2024/11/20/r...
RFK Jr. is exploring a plan to upend Medicare’s physician payments system
The idea would reduce the role played by the American Medical Association in determining how much doctors get paid
statnews.com
#Medicaid “is going to be where the action is.” GOP eyes seismic changes to the program that enrolls 70+ million people. @sarahkliff & @noahweiland with a strong state-of-play story. www.nytimes.com/2024/11/20/h...
Medicaid May Face Big Cuts and Work Requirements
Republicans in Congress are eyeing cuts to Medicaid, which could threaten health coverage for tens of millions of poor Americans.
nytimes.com
Guessing this chart - or one like it - gets a lot of play during Senate confirmation hearings for RFK.
Dylan Scott@dylanlscott.bsky.social · 2y agoAmerica, before and after vaccines www.vox.com/future-perfe...
Former CMS chief (a Republican) told me you need to have HHS Sec. and head of CMS to get along. What does a Kennedy/Oz marriage look like?
How much power does HHS Sec actually have? Interviewing former federal health official for upcoming @tradeoffs.bsky.social episode. What questions do you have? Thanks!
“It took the FDA 15 years to define peanut butter.” Good primer on the influence and limits of the HHS Sec. www.wsj.com/health/healt...
How Radical Can RFK Jr. Be as America’s Top Health Official?
The authority of an HHS secretary is broad, ranging from drug approvals to Medicare.
wsj.com
Four years ago, his call to end covid lockdowns made him a public health pariah. The NIH director dismissed his ideas as “fringe.” Now JAY BHATTACHARYA, an author of the Great Barrington Declaration, is poised for power in Trump’s Washington — perhaps as NIH director himself. Our look at his rise.
Jay Bhattacharya, an NIH critic, emerges as a top candidate to lead the agency
The Stanford physician was excoriated by NIH’s director in 2020 for his “fringe” ideas on covid. Four years later, he’s poised for power in Trump’s Washington.
washingtonpost.com
Late Friday news drop: Telehealth prescribing flexibilities for controlled substances extended for another year by DEA and HHS — leaving long-awaited permanent rule making to the next administration www.statnews.com/2024/11/15/t...
Stalemate breaks on telehealth prescriptions of stimulants and addiction treatment
The DEA grants a one-year extension on telehealth prescription of addiction medications, kicking resolution on a fraught issue to the second Trump administration.
statnews.com
Excellent thread as we ponder all the potential damage that could be done by the incoming administration. Most of that is focused nationally, but the international repercussions will also be awful.
Craig Spencer MD MPH@craigspencer.bsky.social · 2y ago10 years ago today I walked out of the hospital after surviving Ebola. Back then I begged the world to strengthen our response to that crisis and prepare for others. I’ve been reflecting on what we’ve learned over the last decade. And the role of the U.S. in global health🧵
Smart take the public health risks that come with undermining vaccines.
Lisa Jarvis@lisamjarvis.bsky.social · 2y agoWriting about RFK Jr means an inbox filled w/ "what we have now isn't working" & "he's right about chronic disease" emails. My latest @opinion.bsky.social on that line of thinking (& the obvious disaster it would be to allow a notorious anti-vaxxer, & misinformation peddler to lead HHS): (gift link)
Hey #healthpolicy crew! Looking into RFK Jr.’s beliefs on chronic conditions. Hoping to interview a few chronic condition experts on best evidence to treat cc. All suggestions welcome. RT’s (or what they’re called here appreciated)
Great starter pack for folks looking to dig into health policy.
Cynthia Cox@cynthiaccox.bsky.social · 2y agoBy the way, I made this starter pack of some of my colleagues who do health policy related research at KFF and other think tanks & research organizations. If you’d like to be added let me know! go.bsky.app/4qmDL5f