As a church-going scientist-turned-writer, I was on the fence about the recent nomination of geneticist Francis Collins to lead the National Institutes of Health. There's …
Category: Health Policy
Genetics testing: The wild wild west?
I'm fascinated by genetics testing. At one point I considered coughing up the money to get a roadmap of my own genetic makeup, but in …
Stem cell guidelines under fire
Stanford's Irving Weissman, MD, questions who's really in charge of our national embryonic stem cell research policy.
Stanford's Irving Weissman, MD, questions who's really in charge of our national embryonic stem cell research policy.
Sober up
Has Douglas Elmemdorf, CBO director, put a nail into the coffin on the notion that the Congress could possibly have a legislative reform package ready …
From academic to advisor
Keith Humphreys, PhD, professor of psychiatry and behavioral science, is embarking on a new role this week - that of Senior Policy Advisor at the …
Gloomy forecast for health-care reform
When I asked Stanford health-care economist Victor Fuchs back in 2005 what it would take to significantly reform the U.S. health-care system, he said nothing …
Victor Fuchs on federal health insurance
Victor Fuchs, PhD, one of the nation's foremost health economists, says a government-run plan will not solve the huge financial issues that plague health-care in …
Beyond compare
The concept behind comparative effectiveness research seems simple enough. Researchers would compare two or more strategies for treating a specific illness and then determine which …
Stimulating science
Federal stimulus funds are beginning to be distributed, and among the initial awards from the National Institutes of Health are 18 projects at Stanford, ranging …
The high-cost capital: Key to health reform?
There's been so much talk lately about health care reform and runaway costs, but nothing really quite gets to the heart of it as much …
New kid on the health-reporting block
Kaiser Health News, a news service from Kaiser Family Foundation, launched today, and Bob Laszewski at Health Care Policy and Marketplace Review is an early …
Little love for single-payer
Some health care activists are frustrated that a single-payer system isn't being seriously considered by those tackling health care reform in Washington. An interesting article …
A focus on women's health
The first hour of yesterday's Forum (on KQED-FM) was dedicated to women's health and the NIH's attempts to establish research priorities in this area. That …
Fuchs: just say no to more government insurance
Well-known health economist Victor Fuchs, PhD, has been keeping a close eye on national healthcare reform efforts, and he has some concerns about the recent …
Mad dash for research dollars
Researchers at Stanford and across the country are rushing to file their proposals for the NIH's Challenge Grant Program. The $200-million program, established as part …
Three cheers for a Plan B decision
Three years ago, I had the chance to interview Susan Wood, former director of the FDA Office of Women's Health, about that agency's controversial decision …