Trump Election Creates Unpredictable Environment For Healthcare
Trump Election Creates Unpredictable Environment For Healthcare
In the uncertain times that lie ahead, seismic regulatory changes flavored with reactionary populist notes frame the environment awaiting the healthcare community.
It’s difficult to figure how and when a Trump presidency will affect healthcare nation. At this early stage, speculation is the only prism available and Trump’s policy detail is vague at best.
The Affordable Care Act
The fate of the Affordable Care Act is as good a place to start as any. Trump has been promising to scrap the ACA and replace it with something better since early in his first term. His latest pronouncement down the stretch in ’24 is that he and his team have “the concepts of a plan” gathered and will put it all together soon. For the time being, Obamacare could benefit from repeated stays of execution. The ACA has gained enough traction during the past eight years to make it tougher to kill than it was a decade ago.
Medicaid & Medicare
Trump has promised to protect Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security, again without explaining how. Politically, these programs would be difficult to gut, but Medicaid and Medicare are arcane enough programs to subtly snip at some point, should it become politically expedient. During his first [Read More]
IN OUR VIEW: HIV And COVID: A Tale Of Two Crises
By PAUL NATINSKY
A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of watching my 14-year-old daughter compete in a soccer exhibition before college coaches and scores of weary, but supportive parents. New teams and new parents crowded the hallways and sidelines of the indoor venue waiting for their turns. There was not one masked face in the place.
The next day, I enjoyed the sublime tones of my 18-year-old oboist daughter performing on the tightly packed stage at Orchestra Hall in Midtown Detroit with close to 100 fellow musicians and the customary crowd of assembled parents, some with grandparents in tow. Admission required a current vaccine card and a mask.
I would venture that many parents have encountered such wild juxtapositions of COVID policy during the past few months. That it makes absolutely no sense as a disease containment strategy should not come as a surprise. And it has little to do with the politicization of the current pandemic.
Take, for example, the initial response to AIDS/HIV as it boomed into the national consciousness in the 1980s. In the early days of that virus it was thought to be a death sentence. There was no vaccine (even still) and early treatments like AZT were thought by some to be [Read More]
IN OUR VIEW: HIV And COVID: A Tale Of Two Crises
A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of watching my 14-year-old daughter compete in a soccer exhibition before college coaches and scores of weary, but supportive parents. New teams and new parents crowded the hallways and sidelines of the indoor venue waiting for their turns. There was not one masked face in the place.
The next day, I enjoyed the sublime tones of my 18-year-old oboist daughter performing on the tightly packed stage at Orchestra Hall in Midtown Detroit with close to 100 fellow musicians and the customary crowd of assembled parents, some with grandparents in tow. Admission required a current vaccine card and a mask.
I would venture that many parents have encountered such wild juxtapositions of COVID policy during the past few months. That it makes absolutely no sense as a disease containment strategy should not come as a surprise. And it has little to do with the politicization of the current pandemic.
Take, for example, the initial response to AIDS/HIV as it boomed into the national consciousness in the 1980s. In the early days of that virus it was thought to be a death sentence. There was no vaccine (even still) and early treatments like AZT were thought by some to be nearly as [Read More]
IN OUR VIEW: We’re All COVID Long Haulers (and maybe that’s okay)
By PAUL NATINSKY
Not long ago, it seemed the solution to the COVID-19 pandemic was simple in concept, but daunting in execution. Wear masks, socially distance and wait for a vaccine that could be years away.
Now, with very effective vaccines widely available, we struggle with variants from across the globe that are more contagious than the original bug. We see unanticipated complications in young people, and we see long-lasting aftereffects among adults who have survived the virus’ initial ravages—the long haulers.
As this pandemic’s onion-like nature leaves increasing layers of questions in place of solid core answers, one thing is clear. Our lives have forever changed.
Much like universal precautions in the wake of the AIDS/HIV threat of the 1980s and ‘90s, and the unceasing travel and security precautions in place since the terrorist attacks of 2001, it appears that COVID-19 will have lasting effects on how we congregate, eat, greet, travel and socialize.
Likely gone forever are the handshake, the casual greeting hug-and-kiss, the incredible energy of the large close crowds at ballgames, concerts, weddings and other celebrations.
Likely here to stay are social distancing, ubiquitous hand sanitizer, tests and temperature checks, plexiglass everywhere.
We’ll get used to it. Many of us already have. We’ll vaccinate, separate and hibernate when [Read More]