Rick
@rickv43.bsky.social
Good public policy enthusiast | Healthcare advocate
Reposted by Rick
Just an absolutely gutting essay by Tatiana Schlossberg, a writer, mother of two young children, and cousin of RFK Jr who is dying of leukemia.
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
November 22, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Just an absolutely gutting essay by Tatiana Schlossberg, a writer, mother of two young children, and cousin of RFK Jr who is dying of leukemia.
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
Reposted by Rick
Federal requirements limit how long and how far Medicare Advantage members have to travel to see doctors. But when doctors and hospitals leave the plans, Medicare officials rarely check if enough remain.
@susanjaffe reports ⤵️ kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
@susanjaffe reports ⤵️ kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Complaints About Gaps in Medicare Advantage Networks Are Common. Federal Enforcement Is Rare. - KFF Health News
Health systems drop out of Medicare Advantage plans all the time. Yet government documents obtained by KFF Health News show that federal regulators rarely warn plans that their networks of health prov...
kffhealthnews.org
November 20, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Federal requirements limit how long and how far Medicare Advantage members have to travel to see doctors. But when doctors and hospitals leave the plans, Medicare officials rarely check if enough remain.
@susanjaffe reports ⤵️ kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
@susanjaffe reports ⤵️ kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Reposted by Rick
The CDC website is peddling false information about autism.
👉 Do not trust CDC for vaccine info or guidance
👉 Look to professional orgs or Public Health Canada (NACI) for unbiased, evidence-based guidance
Gift link:
wapo.st/4idz3Wn
👉 Do not trust CDC for vaccine info or guidance
👉 Look to professional orgs or Public Health Canada (NACI) for unbiased, evidence-based guidance
Gift link:
wapo.st/4idz3Wn
CDC in turmoil after agency backpedals on debunking vaccines-autism link
The CDC’s website now says health authorities ignored evidence of a potential connection between vaccines and autism, despite dozens of studies showing no link.
wapo.st
November 20, 2025 at 2:13 PM
The CDC website is peddling false information about autism.
👉 Do not trust CDC for vaccine info or guidance
👉 Look to professional orgs or Public Health Canada (NACI) for unbiased, evidence-based guidance
Gift link:
wapo.st/4idz3Wn
👉 Do not trust CDC for vaccine info or guidance
👉 Look to professional orgs or Public Health Canada (NACI) for unbiased, evidence-based guidance
Gift link:
wapo.st/4idz3Wn
Reposted by Rick
Reposted by Rick
More than 73,000 people were in Clinical Trials Affected by Research Grant Terminations at the National Institutes of Health jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Clinical Trials Affected by Research Grant Terminations at the National Institutes of Health
This cross-sectional study summarizes the number of trials with terminated grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and calculates the proportion of affected trials among those with previou...
jamanetwork.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:00 PM
More than 73,000 people were in Clinical Trials Affected by Research Grant Terminations at the National Institutes of Health jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Reposted by Rick
It’s useful for people of my generation to be reminded that this wasn’t that long ago. Ruby Bridges isn’t just still alive—she’s only 71, not ancient!
65 years ago on Nov. 14, little Ruby Bridges was escorted into an all-white elementary school in New Orleans. Norman Rockwell, renowned for blissful depictions of Americana, did this remarkable painting for Look magazine. Printed as a double page, over-size spread, it's his masterpiece.
November 15, 2025 at 3:32 PM
It’s useful for people of my generation to be reminded that this wasn’t that long ago. Ruby Bridges isn’t just still alive—she’s only 71, not ancient!
Reposted by Rick
my takeaway from this letter is that glenn youngkin, rector sheridan and their flunkies on the board are deeply dishonest people who are engaged, with the trump administration, in a mob-style shakedown against the university of virginia
Former UVA president Jim Ryan, who resigned over the summer due to pressure from the Trump Administration, just shared this 12-page letter with the Faculty Senate, detailing his experience with the Board of Visitors and DOJ.
It's a surreal--and troubling--read.
drive.google.com/file/d/1Is6x...
It's a surreal--and troubling--read.
drive.google.com/file/d/1Is6x...
November 14, 2025 at 2:47 PM
my takeaway from this letter is that glenn youngkin, rector sheridan and their flunkies on the board are deeply dishonest people who are engaged, with the trump administration, in a mob-style shakedown against the university of virginia
Reposted by Rick
Having worked with thousands of public servants this year, I can *confidently* say these folks are THE BEST we have in America. Trump and his administration betrayed them.
I had the opportunity to review the work experience and skills of numerous people who were laid off or fired from public health jobs by Donald Trump.
I want every taxpayer to know that the US has lost an immeasurable number of the smartest, most experienced, and hardworking people on the planet.
I want every taxpayer to know that the US has lost an immeasurable number of the smartest, most experienced, and hardworking people on the planet.
November 12, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Having worked with thousands of public servants this year, I can *confidently* say these folks are THE BEST we have in America. Trump and his administration betrayed them.
Turns our the inadequate rural hospital fund meant to mitigate the loss of funding from the Medicaid cuts is even more inadequate
talkingpointsmemo.com/news/rural-h...
talkingpointsmemo.com/news/rural-h...
Only a Fraction of Republicans’ Much-Touted $50 Billion Rural Health Fund Can Help Struggling Hospitals Pay Their Bills
As President Donald Trump’s deadline for a massive budget bill drew near...
talkingpointsmemo.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Turns our the inadequate rural hospital fund meant to mitigate the loss of funding from the Medicaid cuts is even more inadequate
talkingpointsmemo.com/news/rural-h...
talkingpointsmemo.com/news/rural-h...
Reposted by Rick
Public health depends on citizens accepting scientifically-grounded guidance. When official institutions produce politically-determined science and independent verification infrastructure is eliminated, the capacity for evidence-based health policy collapses, writes Renée DiResta.
How Political Power is Capturing Knowledge Systems and Manufacturing Structural Ignorance | TechPolicy.Press
We're witnessing the simultaneous capture of knowledge-producing institutions and the elimination of independent verification mechanisms, writes Renée DiResta.
buff.ly
November 11, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Public health depends on citizens accepting scientifically-grounded guidance. When official institutions produce politically-determined science and independent verification infrastructure is eliminated, the capacity for evidence-based health policy collapses, writes Renée DiResta.
Reposted by Rick
seems to me that those democrats inclined not to fight perceive themselves as living through a somewhat ordinary cycle of presidential overreach and backlash and not something much more significant and dangerous
November 10, 2025 at 12:50 PM
seems to me that those democrats inclined not to fight perceive themselves as living through a somewhat ordinary cycle of presidential overreach and backlash and not something much more significant and dangerous
Reposted by Rick
Great article from @radiofreetom.bsky.social at the @theatlantic.com describing how deep resentment in Americans is fueling the democracy’s collapse: apple.news/AiDE-5b3sTNS...
The article ignores that this resentment isn’t totally unfounded. Our democracy has long been teetering just above broken.
The article ignores that this resentment isn’t totally unfounded. Our democracy has long been teetering just above broken.
A Confederacy of Toddlers — The Atlantic
The Trump administration is a regime of troubled children.
apple.news
November 9, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Great article from @radiofreetom.bsky.social at the @theatlantic.com describing how deep resentment in Americans is fueling the democracy’s collapse: apple.news/AiDE-5b3sTNS...
The article ignores that this resentment isn’t totally unfounded. Our democracy has long been teetering just above broken.
The article ignores that this resentment isn’t totally unfounded. Our democracy has long been teetering just above broken.
Reposted by Rick
You have to read between the lines here to imagine what President Trump is proposing. But, it sounds like it may be a plan for health accounts that could be used for insurance that doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, which could create a death spiral in ACA plans that do.
November 8, 2025 at 6:14 PM
You have to read between the lines here to imagine what President Trump is proposing. But, it sounds like it may be a plan for health accounts that could be used for insurance that doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, which could create a death spiral in ACA plans that do.
Sounds pretty nice. Maybe the US should do something like this 🤔
Australia has so much electricity from solar power that it is going to start offering free electricity to everyone for at least three hours during the day as the wholesale price of power goes negative
electrek.co/2025/11/04/a...
electrek.co/2025/11/04/a...
Australia has so much solar that it's offering everyone free electricity
Australia's extensive solar power penetration makes so much energy that the government wants to offer free electricity at peak hours.
electrek.co
November 7, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Sounds pretty nice. Maybe the US should do something like this 🤔
mRNA is clearly an exciting area of research. HHS / NIH's antipathy towards it is a real setback for our country
The @ufl.edu, co-authors of the @nature.com paper, took out a full page ad in @nytimes.com today about this discovery "a defining moment in cancer research."
November 7, 2025 at 4:13 PM
mRNA is clearly an exciting area of research. HHS / NIH's antipathy towards it is a real setback for our country
Reposted by Rick
October 30, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Reposted by Rick
NEW: The entire staff supporting ACIP was laid off, and most working groups haven't met in months.
That means the US may not make routine vaccine recommendations for more than half of children in 2026, and it could halt new vaccines in the pipeline. My latest:
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
That means the US may not make routine vaccine recommendations for more than half of children in 2026, and it could halt new vaccines in the pipeline. My latest:
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Threat to US vaccines as CDC staff supporting key advisory panel laid off
Critics say scientists ‘held hostage’ by RFK Jr as changes mean vaccine development and guidance in peril
www.theguardian.com
October 27, 2025 at 2:20 PM
NEW: The entire staff supporting ACIP was laid off, and most working groups haven't met in months.
That means the US may not make routine vaccine recommendations for more than half of children in 2026, and it could halt new vaccines in the pipeline. My latest:
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
That means the US may not make routine vaccine recommendations for more than half of children in 2026, and it could halt new vaccines in the pipeline. My latest:
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Good explanation from John Oliver about why Medicare Advantage is not a good deal for seniors of this country and is a great deal for profit driven private insurers
There's a difference between Medicare FFS and Medicare Advantage. People in my division lovingly call it "Commercial Medicare." @lastweektonight.com gives a great intro to what MA is. #geronsky #CMS #Medicare
Medicare Advantage: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)
YouTube video by LastWeekTonight
www.youtube.com
October 27, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Good explanation from John Oliver about why Medicare Advantage is not a good deal for seniors of this country and is a great deal for profit driven private insurers
Reposted by Rick
The debate over extending the ACA’s enhanced premium tax credits is at the center of the congressional shutdown.
KFF’s @cynthiaccox.bsky.social breaks down what is at stake and what each side is saying.
KFF’s @cynthiaccox.bsky.social breaks down what is at stake and what each side is saying.
October 24, 2025 at 5:19 PM
The debate over extending the ACA’s enhanced premium tax credits is at the center of the congressional shutdown.
KFF’s @cynthiaccox.bsky.social breaks down what is at stake and what each side is saying.
KFF’s @cynthiaccox.bsky.social breaks down what is at stake and what each side is saying.
Reposted by Rick
From a new @thelancet.com article today entitled "Health care in the USA: money has become the mission" www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
October 21, 2025 at 10:49 PM
From a new @thelancet.com article today entitled "Health care in the USA: money has become the mission" www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Not good!
Wow. Harvard nuking its PhD programs
- Science PhD admissions reduced by more than 75%
- Arts & Humanities reduced by about 60%
- Social Sciences by 50–70%
- History by 60%
- Biology by 75%
- The German department will lose all PhD seats
- Sociology from six PhD students to zero
- Science PhD admissions reduced by more than 75%
- Arts & Humanities reduced by about 60%
- Social Sciences by 50–70%
- History by 60%
- Biology by 75%
- The German department will lose all PhD seats
- Sociology from six PhD students to zero
Harvard FAS Cuts Ph.D. Seats By More Than Half Across Next Two Admissions Cycles | News | The Harvard Crimson
The Faculty of Arts and Sciences slashed the number of Ph.D. student admissions slots for the Science division by more than 75 percent and for the Arts & Humanities division by about 60 percent for th...
www.thecrimson.com
October 21, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Not good!
Reposted by Rick
COVID19 mRNA vaccines may improve response to some cancer treatments.
It’s a shame that the Trump administration cut funding for mRNA vaccine research and that RFK Jr. and his minions keep lying about them.
It’s a shame that the Trump administration cut funding for mRNA vaccine research and that RFK Jr. and his minions keep lying about them.
mRNA covid vaccines spark immune response that may aid cancer survival
An analysis of patient records suggests that mRNA covid-19 vaccines boost the immune response to cancerous tumours when given soon after people start a type of immunotherapy, extending their lives
www.newscientist.com
October 19, 2025 at 7:43 PM
COVID19 mRNA vaccines may improve response to some cancer treatments.
It’s a shame that the Trump administration cut funding for mRNA vaccine research and that RFK Jr. and his minions keep lying about them.
It’s a shame that the Trump administration cut funding for mRNA vaccine research and that RFK Jr. and his minions keep lying about them.
Reposted by Rick
Medicare is indefinitely pausing physician payments due to the government shutdown, citing telehealth policies that have to be renewed. www.cms.gov/medicare/pay...
All Fee-For-Service Providers | CMS
A List of All Fee-For-Service Providers
www.cms.gov
October 15, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Medicare is indefinitely pausing physician payments due to the government shutdown, citing telehealth policies that have to be renewed. www.cms.gov/medicare/pay...
Continued assault on maintaining an effective public health infrastructure in this country
BREAKING: Friday night massacre underway at CDC. Doznes of "disease detectives," high-level scientists, entire Washington staff and editors of the MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report) have all been RIFed and received the following notice:
October 11, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Continued assault on maintaining an effective public health infrastructure in this country