MTT #93: Measles death toll rises, healthcare spending hits $5.2 trillion

In this episode of Medicine: The Truth, co-hosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr examine the alarming spread of measles across 25 U.S. states (with outbreaks in six). The disease, as of this episode’s publication, has already led to 700 cases and the confirmed deaths of two unvaccinated children.

Meanwhile, healthcare costs have ballooned to $5.2 trillion, federal funding cuts are hampering outbreak response (as well as important scientific research), and Medicaid expansion under the ACA is facing serious threats.

Dr. Pearl discusses the broader implications of these events along with a host of key topics covered in this episode:

• Measles cases top 700, with 60 hospitalizations and two pediatric deaths so far—making this the worst year for measles since 2019.
• RFK Jr. draws criticism for downplaying vaccine safety and promoting unproven treatments like cod liver oil and vitamin A.
• Federal healthcare spending rose 7.4% in 2024 to $5.2 trillion, with site-neutral payment reform under serious consideration.
• Massive HHS layoffs are threatening vaccine oversight, chronic disease research and global health initiatives like tuberculosis detection.
• Medicaid expansion under the ACA may be on the chopping block as Republicans look to trim $880 billion from federal spending.
• New leaders confirmed at the FDA and NIH, but Dr. Pearl questions whether they’ll have true autonomy under RFK’s restructuring plan.
• Academic research slows, with grant freezes, staff cuts and rescinded PhD offers throughout leading universities and academic medical centers.
• AI scribes reduce burnout, but cost savings remain elusive for providers and health systems.
• Tuberculosis remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease, and U.S. funding cuts may allow global cases to surge.
• GLP-1 warnings grow for women of childbearing age amid limited research and concerns about fetal risks.
• New study shows GenAI experienced ‘anxiety’ after reading traumatic stories—raising fresh questions about emotional modeling in virtual therapy tools.
• Opioid deaths fall to 82,000, down 25% in the past year, thanks to better treatment access, more naloxone and less fentanyl availability.
• Low back pain study finds invasive treatments are least ineffective with ibuprofen, NSAIDs and exercise still the best options.
• Allergy seasons are worsening, with climate change driving longer frost-free periods and increased pollen counts.

Tune in as Dr. Pearl and Jeremy Corr break down these pressing healthcare topics and explore what they mean for the future of American medicine.

* * *

Dr. Robert Pearl is the author of the new book “ChatGPT, MD: How AI-Empowered Patients & Doctors Can Take Back Control of American Medicine” about the impact of AI on the future of medicine. All profits from the book go to Doctors Without Borders.

Fixing Healthcare is a co-production of Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr. Subscribe to the show via Apple, Spotify, Stitcher or wherever you find podcasts. Join the conversation or suggest a guest by following the show on Twitter and LinkedIn

The post MTT #93: Measles death toll rises, healthcare spending hits $5.2 trillion appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.