Protecting gender-affirming care and those who deliver it; hospital financing in black and white; fighting the resurgence of polio

Opinion and perspective essays curated by First Opinion editor Patrick Skerrett ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 

Sponsored by        If you want — or need — to know more about blockchain and health care, look no further than STAT's latest report, "Health care's big bet on blockchain." Gender-affirming care should be embraced, not met with vitriol and bomb threats By Carole Allen JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images Gender-affirming care is a thoughtful approach to individuals whose gender identity doesn't correspond to the sex assigned them at birth. Read More Hospital financing in black and white By Gracie Himmelstein and Joniqua Ceasar and Kathryn E.W. Himmelstein Adobe Hospitals caring for large shares of Black patients were paid $283 less for each day of a hospital stay compared to other hospitals. Read More Sponsor content by Phlow National Essential Medicine Shortage Awareness Day: A Movement to Fix a Public Health Crisis America's medicine cabinet is dangerously empty. But not for long. Medical professionals, healthcare providers, government officials, and the general public are being asked to join in observing National Essential Medicine Shortage Awareness Day by visiting www.stoptheshortages.com to encourage open dialogue and spark bold action everywhere. Together, we can create a future where every American has access to the essential medicines they deserve. Listen: Polio is back in the U.S. Two physicians offer ways to fight its spread By Patrick Skerrett A case of polio in the U.S. has public health officials on high alert. Two physicians explain how it emerged and how to prevent its spread. Read More FDA and USDA need to get on board with the CDC about reducing antibiotic use in raising animals for food By Steven Roach Scott Olson/Getty Images The CDC is clear about the need to reduce antibiotic use in raising farm animals for food. The USDA and FDA need to follow its lead. Read More Termination is the safest course for some high-risk pregnancies. Dobbs decision threatens that care By Jammie Law and Michael Pillinger and Julie Nusbaum Eric Gay/AP The Supreme Court has put abortion out of reach for many people, intimidates others into inaction, and jeopardizes maternal health. Read More Market share isn't the only metric for biosimilars' success By Jeff Baldetti BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/GettyImages Market share is a good metric for the success of a biosimilar class. Lower average sales prices across a therapeutic category is another one. Read More Public health agencies: learn from NASA about regaining the public's trust By Judy Monroe NASA via AP After the Challenger disaster, NASA labored to regain the public's trust. The CDC and other public health agencies now need to do the same. Read More Surgery needs a new pay model, free from incentives to do more procedures By Simone Betchen Adobe Relative value units have incentivized physicians — and the hospitals that employ them — to perform more procedures and surgeries. Read More Preventive services can improve Americans' health, but they are now on trial By Anand Parekh Adobe A Texas judge's ruling could keep millions of Americans from getting the preventive services covered by the Affordable Care Act. Read More Sunday, September 25, 2022       1 Exchange Pl, Suite 201, Boston, MA 02109 ©2022, All Rights Reserved. I no longer wish to receive STAT emails Update Email Preferences | Contact Us | View In Browser