The looming (further) dysfunction of U.S. health care; the country's tepid response to the "tripledemic" in kids; and more

Opinion and perspective essays curated by First Opinion editor Patrick Skerrett ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 

This week, First Opinion authors made the case for how Medicare's proposed cuts to payments for primary care physicians will boost visits to already overwhelmed emergency departments, showed how U.S. health care doesn't prioritize the health of children, and more. You can read all of the week's essays here. If you think health care is dysfunctional now, just wait until after January 1 By Greg Jasani Adobe Medicare's proposed cuts to physician pay will limit access to primary care and create a surge in visits to emergency departments. Read More Pediatricians and parents on the brink: This is their March 2020 By Sallie Permar and Robert J. Vinci CDC via AP The pediatric community stepped up when Covid-19 was ravaging adults. That hasn't been reciprocated as a tripledemic takes aim at children. Read More Artificial intelligence: crossing the border between health care and tech By Michael Elashoff Adobe Health AI sits between health care and tech. Like the border between two nations, there are significant differences on either side. Read More Sponsored Insight by STAT Events STAT Digital Event: The ASH Recap, Live! Register for our virtual recap of the biggest event in hematology research. On Dec. 15, STAT's Angus Chen and Damian Garde will host a discussion with hematology experts about the most impactful data and breakthroughs related to blood diseases, and what to expect from the field in the years ahead. Deferral of primary care signals a troubled future for Americans' health By Sanjula Jain Adobe Primary care visits are down 10.3% across U.S. cities relative to pre-pandemic levels. That means a health crisis is in the offing. Read More Victims of domestic abuse should get the same top-notch concussion care as athletes By Earl Smith Adobe Intimate partner violence should be considered a life-threatening issue, and those experiencing it should be screened for concussion. Read More STAT+: Another Theranos crime: Loss of trust in real-time diagnostics By Steve Brozak AP photos Theranos swindled investors with its promise of blood-based testing. Its real crime was destroying the credibility of real-time diagnostics. Read More STAT+: Carefully crafted digital approaches can improve youths' mental health care By Greg Yap and Derek Xiao Adobe When developing digital approaches to mental health care for youths, keep in mind that kids aren't just small adults. Read More Congress needs to update FDA's ability to regulate diagnostic tests, cosmetics By Scott Gottlieb and Mark B. McClellan ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images By passing proposed legislation, Congress would help the FDA gain better oversight of diagnostic tests and cosmetics. Read More Sunday, December 11, 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