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.
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 …