MTT #92: The worst flu season in 15 years, a measles resurgence & Medicaid cuts

In this episode of Medicine: The Truth, co-hosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr dive into the latest developments in American healthcare, from a severe flu outbreak to deep Medicaid cuts that could change health coverage as we know it.

This year’s influenza season is the worst in 15 years, leading to more flu hospitalizations and deaths than COVID-19 for the first time since the pandemic began. Meanwhile, a measles outbreak in Texas is raising alarms, fueled by low vaccination rates and a surprising response from the new Health and Human Services Secretary, RFK Jr. On the policy front, federal funding cuts to Medicaid and the NIH are already affecting hospitals, academic research and public health agencies.

Here’s a snapshot of just some of the major topics covered in this episode:

• Flu cases surging as hospitalizations now outpace COVID.
• A measles outbreak in Texas affecting unvaccinated children.
• Massive Medicaid cuts to the tune of $880 billion.
• NIH funding slashed with research centers feeling the squeeze.
• FDA staff cuts are slowing drug approvals.
• CDC is struggling to track new infectious disease threats amid cuts.
• Congress debating whether AI should write prescriptions.
• GLP-1 drugs may curb drinking, too.
• Kids’ test scores are still down from the pandemic.

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.

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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 #92: The worst flu season in 15 years, a measles resurgence & Medicaid cuts appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.