I am going to make a bold statement that always seems to draw criticism whenever I have mentioned it: hunger is no longer a problem in the United States. Hunger, when it exists, is merely a symptom of other problems. Today hunger and malnutrition are symptoms of child neglect, drug abuse, dementia, disability and mental illness. In fact, obesity is a bigger problem among the poor than hunger.
Category: Health Economics & Costs
Wednesday Links
- At least 14 of today’s billionaires got their start by working at a fast-food restaurant.
- A review of 27 studies finds that even two drinks before bed disrupts REM sleep.
- So far in 2025, the economy has added an average of about 74,000 private-sector jobs a month. Roughly 64,000 of those jobs were in health services. (WSJ)
- Roland Fryer: We already know how to make schools effective. We’re just not doing it. (WSJ)
- Are we already in a recession?
Tuesday Links
- A new explanation for the Black/White wealth gap: public housing.
- Democrats should shut down the government: Matt Yglesias at Bloomberg and Ezra Klein in the New York Times.
- HHS to expand access to catastrophic plans in the exchanges. ($9,200 deductibles)
- Over the past twenty years, US real GDP grew at a 2.0% annual rate. In the twenty prior years, – real GDP grew at a 3.2% annual rate. The difference: the growth of government.
Government Is the Reason Health Care is So Political
Health care has become politicized, with one side believing in wildly different things than the other. Health secretary RFK Jr. is a vaccine skeptic, for example. He is reportedly testing President Trump’s patience with his antiestablishment agenda. On the far left of the voter distribution, many people passionately believe medical care should be free at the point of service, paid for with progressive taxation. Purportedly, when having to reach for one’s wallet after receiving medical care is bad for your health.