- How big a problem are counterfeit drugs?
- Republicans don’t like Biden’s new budget.
- Biden gaffes: “We added more to the national debt than any president in American history.” And “Send me to Congress.”
- Spain, Portugal, Belgium, and the Netherlands allow doctors to commit [euthanasia], so have become as permissive as realistically possible.
Category: Health Economics & Costs
Monday Links
- Doctors are charging for email exchanges: $39 per consult.
- What Republicans should have shown as a response to the SOTU speech. HT: Tyler
- “Our legal system is really built for married couples.”
- Palm oil is in bread, instant noodles, Girl Scout cookies, lipstick, Nutella and ice cream, and almost everything else. So, what’s wrong with that? (NYT)
Who Wants to Live Forever? (Money Probably Helps)
Weight loss drugs are all the rage these days. They were originally developed for severe diabetes that does not respond to older therapies. Then it was discovered that they also cause effortless weight loss as a beneficial byproduct. The data is not yet conclusive but by aiding in weight loss they may also increase longevity by reducing weight-related heart disease. They are pricy. The holy grail for drug makers and obese people alike is to get enough evidence of health benefits to force health insurers to pay for them.
Saturday Links
- The world is making better progress at reducing poverty than previously thought.
- David Henderson: “If new drugs can make it in America, they are developed. If they can’t, they aren’t.”
- Study: early risers are happier and healthier.
- Over half of recent college graduates are underemployed.
- Are you better Off? Most Americans are consuming more today (in real terms ) than they consumed in 2019 – before the pandemic.