The Radio National Hour Medical specialists accused of behaving like 'cartels' with fee schedule
Feb 5, 2026
Brendan Murphy, former Chief Medical Officer and health policy expert, breaks down rising specialist gap payments. Kimberley Grimer, lived-experience advocate with Chronic Pain Australia, shares how fees force families to delay care. Rose Gottemmola, former New START negotiator and security academic, explains the treaty's role in limiting nuclear arsenals. Short, sharp conversations on costs, transparency, policy levers and global arms control.
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New START Cut Nuclear Risk Decades-Long
- New START's limits reduced deployed US and Russian warheads from thousands to 1,550 each, markedly lowering nuclear risk over decades.
- Rose Gottemmola warns the treaty's lapse raises danger but urges measured response, not panic.
Russia Suspended Implementation Over Ukraine
- Rose Gottemmola says Russia suspended implementation after linking the treaty to U.S. and NATO support for Ukraine.
- She argues Russia ceased inspections and data exchange as leverage, prompting U.S. violation claims.
China's Build-Up Calls For Parallel Talks
- China is building its nuclear forces quickly from a smaller base, prompting U.S. concern but not parity with U.S./Russia yet.
- Gottemmola suggests parallel talks: bilateral Russia–U.S. limits while engaging China separately to manage risk.