142 - Why RFK Jr. Dismantled the Vaccine Committee & What Happens Next

Jun 17, 2025

01:21:03

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In this episode, Vic and Marcus discuss their recent selection committee experience, shifting political dynamics affecting tech companies like Uber and Tesla, and the implications of increasing political polarization on consumer behavior. They analyze the economic outlook, including job reports and inflation, and the potential impact on interest rates. The conversation shifts into venture news with funding rounds for health tech and wearable startups, including Guide Health, Somnia, and Eli Health. They break down major healthcare policy updates, such as Marty Makary’s FDA reforms and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s abrupt reorganization of the vaccine advisory committee. The episode wraps up with insights on AI innovation, including Google's AI missteps, Oracle's push into healthcare cloud services, the future of nuclear energy, and Meta's strategic investment in Scale AI.

5:00 - Hiring Slowed in May, With 139,000 New Jobs WSJ

7:09 - Muted May Inflation Defies Tariff Fears WSJ

9:29 - Bonds Rally, Stocks Slip After Inflation Data WSJ

10:28 - Ryght AI raises seed to shrink clinical trial timelines Axios

11:36 - Autonomize AI gets $28M for health agents Axios

12:53 - Emory Healthcare invests $10M in Guidehealth as it ramps up value-based care collaboration Fierce Healthcare

13:31 - Somnee raises $10M for smart sleep wearable Axios

15:21 - Eli Health raises $12M for hormone tracking Axios

16:43 - Priorities for a New FDA JAMA

20:00 - RFK Jr.: HHS Moves to Restore Public Trust in Vaccines WSJ-Op

25:33 - RFK Jr. names 8 new members to CDC's vaccine advisory committee after purging entire panel Fierce Healthcare

32:10 - Hospitals rail against 'inadequate' pay bump, mandatory TEAM participation in IPPS comments Fierce Healthcare