Plain English with Derek Thompson

The Trump-Musk Doctrine: F-ck Around and Find Out

173 snips
Feb 18, 2025
In this discussion, Michael Geruso, an economics professor specializing in healthcare policy, and Tim Layton, a healthcare economics expert from UVA, delve into the chaos of recent federal government changes, highlighting Musk's controversial tactics. They unpack the inefficiencies in healthcare spending, particularly within Medicare Advantage, and the staggering amounts lost to waste and fraud. The guests emphasize the dire need for a reconstruction of federal aid programs, particularly in health care, while critically assessing the ethical implications of current practices.
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ANECDOTE

DOGE's Ineptitude

  • DOGE's reckless cuts affected essential staff at the National Nuclear Security Administration and the Pantex plant.
  • Buyouts offered to Veterans Affairs staff, including doctors and nurses, were rescinded days later.
ANECDOTE

Data Collection and Public Health Cuts

  • DOGE's cuts at the Department of Education harmed the Institute for Education Science, impacting crucial data collection programs.
  • Similar cuts at the FDA, CDC, and NIH threaten food and medical device testing, epidemic prevention, and biotech funding.
ANECDOTE

USAID Decimation

  • DOGE severely impacted USAID, placing most employees on leave and reducing staff from 10,000 to 600.
  • These cuts jeopardize life-saving programs like PEPFAR, impacting global health initiatives.
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