Investigative health care reporter Katie Thomas discusses the booming trend of 'tongue-tie releases' on babies, driven by profit and often causing harm. The podcast explores the controversy, lack of strong medical evidence, and unethical practices in the healthcare system surrounding this procedure.
Dentists profit from unnecessary tongue-tie procedures, potentially harming patients.
Lack of reliable information leads to unnecessary surgeries with harmful outcomes.
Deep dives
Unnecessary medical procedures harming patients
A Times investigation revealed that doctors are increasingly performing unnecessary medical procedures that generate significant profits while often causing harm to patients.
Background of the investigation and the story of a family caught in the middle
The investigation was prompted by a tip from a mother in Boise, Idaho, whose baby had undergone multiple tongue tie procedures that did not alleviate breastfeeding difficulties. The mother's experience raised questions about the necessity and potential harm of these procedures.
Driving factors behind unnecessary medical procedures
The investigation uncovered three major driving factors: financial incentives for doctors, influence from medical device companies, and a lack of reliable medical information to guide doctors' practices.
Prevalence and risks of unnecessary surgeries
The investigation found a significant increase in unnecessary surgeries, particularly in areas such as tongue tie releases, bariatric surgery, hernia surgery, and vascular surgery. These procedures often lack sufficient evidence of their benefits and can lead to harmful outcomes for patients.
A Times investigation has found that dentists and lactation consultants around the country are pushing “tongue-tie releases” on new mothers struggling to breastfeed, generating huge profits while often harming patients.
Katie Thomas, an investigative health care reporter at The Times, discusses the forces driving this emerging trend in American health care and the story of one family in the middle of it.
Guest: Katie Thomas, an investigative health care reporter at The New York Times.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
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