Steve Morgan
@steveubc.bsky.social
Economist, professor of health care policy, and advocate for universal access to medicines in Canada and around the world. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ally. #pharmacare he/him
Why peer review takes me so long:
Started reviewing a paper citing works I hadn't read. Had to read them to inform my review. Learned of tangential works relevant to my teaching. Had to read them and revise my lectures. Had to get coffee. Finally got back to the peer review.
Started reviewing a paper citing works I hadn't read. Had to read them to inform my review. Learned of tangential works relevant to my teaching. Had to read them and revise my lectures. Had to get coffee. Finally got back to the peer review.
August 1, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Why peer review takes me so long:
Started reviewing a paper citing works I hadn't read. Had to read them to inform my review. Learned of tangential works relevant to my teaching. Had to read them and revise my lectures. Had to get coffee. Finally got back to the peer review.
Started reviewing a paper citing works I hadn't read. Had to read them to inform my review. Learned of tangential works relevant to my teaching. Had to read them and revise my lectures. Had to get coffee. Finally got back to the peer review.
Reposted by Steve Morgan
Viewpoint: To effectively reduce drug costs, the US needs its own price negotiation framework rather than relying on international benchmarks, as proposed by the Trump administration.
ja.ma/4o0PF66
ja.ma/4o0PF66
July 28, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Viewpoint: To effectively reduce drug costs, the US needs its own price negotiation framework rather than relying on international benchmarks, as proposed by the Trump administration.
ja.ma/4o0PF66
ja.ma/4o0PF66
💯 Changing payments without changing critical institutions related to delivery, governance, and accountability will not produce long-desired improvements in primary health care. Providers and some patients will be happier but the system will remain a fragmented and underperforming one.
We need to talk about the (wishful?) thinking driving Cdn health policy:
That changing how & how much we pay MDs will fix the primary care crisis.
New “blended” pymt models, 1st seen in BC, are making this claim.
@ruthlavergne.bsky.social @lindsayhedden.bsky.social
www.cfp.ca/content/71/6...
🧵
That changing how & how much we pay MDs will fix the primary care crisis.
New “blended” pymt models, 1st seen in BC, are making this claim.
@ruthlavergne.bsky.social @lindsayhedden.bsky.social
www.cfp.ca/content/71/6...
🧵
Will blended family physician payment models revive primary care in Canada?
Family physicians provide care at most medical visits in Canada.[1][1] However, the rates of burnout among family physicians (FPs) are high[2][2]-[4][3] and recent surveys suggest as many as 6.5 milli...
www.cfp.ca
June 20, 2025 at 3:49 PM
💯 Changing payments without changing critical institutions related to delivery, governance, and accountability will not produce long-desired improvements in primary health care. Providers and some patients will be happier but the system will remain a fragmented and underperforming one.
Canadian “Medicare” is a public good that provides essential services while also creating jobs, economic growth, and competitive advantages for Canada’s economy. Letter reminding our governments of this, signed by 200+ colleagues and me: centreforfuturework.ca/2025/06/17/t...
The Economic Benefits of Canada’s Public Health Care System - Centre for Future Work
Open letter from economists, health policy experts, and experts in related disciplines
centreforfuturework.ca
June 17, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Canadian “Medicare” is a public good that provides essential services while also creating jobs, economic growth, and competitive advantages for Canada’s economy. Letter reminding our governments of this, signed by 200+ colleagues and me: centreforfuturework.ca/2025/06/17/t...
The 2025 Speech from the Throne mentions #pharmacare once, and only in a promise to keep what is already in place--which is next to nothing. I think the prospect of a meaningful program in the 2020s is dead. Feels like 2006.
May 27, 2025 at 8:34 PM
The 2025 Speech from the Throne mentions #pharmacare once, and only in a promise to keep what is already in place--which is next to nothing. I think the prospect of a meaningful program in the 2020s is dead. Feels like 2006.
A lot of national pride tonight.
April 17, 2025 at 3:08 AM
A lot of national pride tonight.
A great 10-second summary of the stupidity of the Trump/Musk tariffs.
Markets are crashing because President Trump has issued punishing sanctions against the American people.
April 5, 2025 at 4:12 PM
A great 10-second summary of the stupidity of the Trump/Musk tariffs.
Economic historians are going to look back at this era and wonder what the $%@% people were thinking! This isn't Liberation Day in the USA. It's Liquidation Day!
April 3, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Economic historians are going to look back at this era and wonder what the $%@% people were thinking! This isn't Liberation Day in the USA. It's Liquidation Day!
Reposted by Steve Morgan
This is, in large part, pandemic revenge.
As far as these oligarchs are concerned, all science does is tell them stuff they cannot do.
They can't keep spewing carbon.
They can't keep businesses open as usual when millions are dying.
They have concluded that research is the enemy of profit.
As far as these oligarchs are concerned, all science does is tell them stuff they cannot do.
They can't keep spewing carbon.
They can't keep businesses open as usual when millions are dying.
They have concluded that research is the enemy of profit.
Absolute BLOODBATH at HHS/NIH/CDC this morning. Generation of scientists, health care officials being wiped out
t.co/LeABrGqDei
t.co/LeABrGqDei
April 2, 2025 at 2:29 AM
This is, in large part, pandemic revenge.
As far as these oligarchs are concerned, all science does is tell them stuff they cannot do.
They can't keep spewing carbon.
They can't keep businesses open as usual when millions are dying.
They have concluded that research is the enemy of profit.
As far as these oligarchs are concerned, all science does is tell them stuff they cannot do.
They can't keep spewing carbon.
They can't keep businesses open as usual when millions are dying.
They have concluded that research is the enemy of profit.
“Just as strong banking regulations guard against economic catastrophe, comprehensive oversight of our digital landscape is essential to protecting democracy, public safety and national security,” write @petermacleod.bsky.social and @taylorowen.bsky.social
In a changed world, Canada faces an information war. There is an answer
To fight misinformation, we need to re-establish a critical cabinet portfolio for the digital age.
www.thestar.com
March 26, 2025 at 6:54 PM
“Just as strong banking regulations guard against economic catastrophe, comprehensive oversight of our digital landscape is essential to protecting democracy, public safety and national security,” write @petermacleod.bsky.social and @taylorowen.bsky.social
Reposted by Steve Morgan
It's 5 yrs today since lockdown started in England, but "We must never have lockdown again" is the wrong lesson.
Lockdowns are terrible but so are deadly pandemics.
Our choices 5 years ago were limited - we can & must do better in the future.
Do read my post.
open.substack.com/pub/christin...
Lockdowns are terrible but so are deadly pandemics.
Our choices 5 years ago were limited - we can & must do better in the future.
Do read my post.
open.substack.com/pub/christin...
We are learning the wrong lessons from lockdown
And unless we learn the right ones, we risk making the same mistakes in a new pandemic
open.substack.com
March 23, 2025 at 1:41 PM
It's 5 yrs today since lockdown started in England, but "We must never have lockdown again" is the wrong lesson.
Lockdowns are terrible but so are deadly pandemics.
Our choices 5 years ago were limited - we can & must do better in the future.
Do read my post.
open.substack.com/pub/christin...
Lockdowns are terrible but so are deadly pandemics.
Our choices 5 years ago were limited - we can & must do better in the future.
Do read my post.
open.substack.com/pub/christin...
Hundreds of unsold Teslas being stored in a rented parking lot outside of Vancouver — a scene playing out across the globe. But, sure, buying shares in the company is a GREAT idea right about now!!!
March 22, 2025 at 5:27 AM
Hundreds of unsold Teslas being stored in a rented parking lot outside of Vancouver — a scene playing out across the globe. But, sure, buying shares in the company is a GREAT idea right about now!!!
Reposted by Steve Morgan
Danielle Smith & LaGrange say if there was anything amiss about health procurement, it was all internal to Alberta Health Services.
Here's a long look at the UCP government's many interventions into contracting at AHS:
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Here's a long look at the UCP government's many interventions into contracting at AHS:
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
ANALYSIS | How province kept rein on health contracting, despite what Danielle Smith says | CBC News
CBC News has obtained documents that lay out extensive government influence over AHS contracts with private surgery clinics and more.
www.cbc.ca
March 18, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Danielle Smith & LaGrange say if there was anything amiss about health procurement, it was all internal to Alberta Health Services.
Here's a long look at the UCP government's many interventions into contracting at AHS:
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Here's a long look at the UCP government's many interventions into contracting at AHS:
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
From the US: maybe not such a good idea having secretive, for-profit financial intermediaries influencing what insurers pay, how pharmacies are reimbursed, and which medications people can access.
What Pharmacy Benefit Managers Do, and How They Contribute to Drug Spending
Policymakers at the federal and state level have considered a number of reforms, many of which have bipartisan support, to regulate pharmacy benefit managers.
www.commonwealthfund.org
March 18, 2025 at 5:37 PM
From the US: maybe not such a good idea having secretive, for-profit financial intermediaries influencing what insurers pay, how pharmacies are reimbursed, and which medications people can access.
“Canadians are entitled to a comprehensive health-care plan that prioritises access, equity, and sustainability for all.“ www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Health in Canada: a pivotal political moment
As Justin Trudeau steps down after a decade as leader of Canada's ruling Liberal Party,
Canadians face a pivotal moment. Although attention is focused on trade tariffs and
souring relations with the U...
www.thelancet.com
March 15, 2025 at 2:35 PM
“Canadians are entitled to a comprehensive health-care plan that prioritises access, equity, and sustainability for all.“ www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
More of this please!!!
Elon Musk said #Canada is not a real country. We say X is not a real social media platform any more.
You can follow the @cmadocs.bsky.social here, on other platforms and, best of all, through our own website - www.cma.ca/latest-stori....
#ElbowsUp 🟥🍁🟥
You can follow the @cmadocs.bsky.social here, on other platforms and, best of all, through our own website - www.cma.ca/latest-stori....
#ElbowsUp 🟥🍁🟥
March 15, 2025 at 1:06 AM
More of this please!!!
This got me.
I love this country.
I love its hope, its compassion, and its humility—that we know we are not perfect and that we believe we can and must always strive to be better. youtu.be/vhiKlhTmwDU?...
I love this country.
I love its hope, its compassion, and its humility—that we know we are not perfect and that we believe we can and must always strive to be better. youtu.be/vhiKlhTmwDU?...
Dear Canada
YouTube video by Hockey Films by Tim Thompson
youtu.be
March 13, 2025 at 2:21 PM
This got me.
I love this country.
I love its hope, its compassion, and its humility—that we know we are not perfect and that we believe we can and must always strive to be better. youtu.be/vhiKlhTmwDU?...
I love this country.
I love its hope, its compassion, and its humility—that we know we are not perfect and that we believe we can and must always strive to be better. youtu.be/vhiKlhTmwDU?...
Now is the time for a united and hopeful Canada, not a divided and hateful one. Be strong and resolute without becoming that which we are defending ourselves against.
March 11, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Now is the time for a united and hopeful Canada, not a divided and hateful one. Be strong and resolute without becoming that which we are defending ourselves against.
Two posts about the authoritarian attack on American universities out today. The first is an excellent review of why any how this happens. 1/2: "Autocracies require ideological control and a single narrative about what is happening within the country." @chrischirp.bsky.social
Censor, purge, defund: how Trump is following the authoritarian playbook on science and universities
I have mapped 35 of the Trump administration's attacks on science and universities to the authoritarian playbook - and consider what it means for attacks still to come
christinapagel.substack.com
March 10, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Two posts about the authoritarian attack on American universities out today. The first is an excellent review of why any how this happens. 1/2: "Autocracies require ideological control and a single narrative about what is happening within the country." @chrischirp.bsky.social
If you run into an American travelling abroad -- even right next door, here in Canada -- treat them with kindness. It is highly unlikely they voted for Trump. And nobody voted for Musk.
March 10, 2025 at 1:31 AM
If you run into an American travelling abroad -- even right next door, here in Canada -- treat them with kindness. It is highly unlikely they voted for Trump. And nobody voted for Musk.
Reposted by Steve Morgan
In 1890, the Tariff Act came into place in the United States. It placed tariffs on imports of up to 50%.
While touted as a way to build American industry, there was also the hope it would force an annexation of Canada. It backfired.
Let's learn more.
🧵1/10
While touted as a way to build American industry, there was also the hope it would force an annexation of Canada. It backfired.
Let's learn more.
🧵1/10
March 4, 2025 at 4:53 PM
In 1890, the Tariff Act came into place in the United States. It placed tariffs on imports of up to 50%.
While touted as a way to build American industry, there was also the hope it would force an annexation of Canada. It backfired.
Let's learn more.
🧵1/10
While touted as a way to build American industry, there was also the hope it would force an annexation of Canada. It backfired.
Let's learn more.
🧵1/10
Can Canadian institutions please get the hell off of X now?!?!?
March 4, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Can Canadian institutions please get the hell off of X now?!?!?
There is not a lot of good news out there but I think this is good news. Vancouver Coastal has the lowest levels of COVID in wastewater since the beginning of the pandemic -- especially for February (latest data). I'm glad they keep measuring this and I hope this trend holds.
March 3, 2025 at 3:59 PM
There is not a lot of good news out there but I think this is good news. Vancouver Coastal has the lowest levels of COVID in wastewater since the beginning of the pandemic -- especially for February (latest data). I'm glad they keep measuring this and I hope this trend holds.