The Present Illness

In this fever dream of an episode, Arghavan and Alyssa perform a thorough examination on America's latest government shutdown drama and the wildly contagious misinformation about immigrant healthcare that's spreading faster than a hospital norovirus. They'll decode EMTALA (that's Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act), dissect proposed Medicaid cuts that would make even the Grim Reaper wince, and explore how the Affordable Care Act's subsidies are hanging on by a thread thinner than hospital coffee.The doctors also share field notes from their recent infiltration of the American Academy of Pediatrics meeting, where they witnessed pediatricians demonstrating superhuman resilience while being chronically underappreciated (seriously, these folks deserve capes). And because even physicians need a good dose of serotonin sometimes, they wrap up with a prescription for finding moments of joy in a healthcare system that often feels like it's coding.Side effects may include: sudden clarity, unexpected laughter, and an irresistible urge to fact-check your uncle's Facebook posts about immigration.Sources:KFF "1.4 million lawfully present immigrants are expected to lose health coverage due to the 2025 tax and budget law"KFF "ACA marketplace premium payments would more than double on average next year if enhanced premium tax credits expire"JAMA Network Open "Patterns in patient encounters and emergency department capacity in California, 2011-2021"AP "Looming health insurance spikes for millions are at the heart of the government shutdown"CBS "The facts behind the government shutdown debate over health care and immigrants in the US legally"NBC "GOP misleads with claim that Democrats shut down to give health care to 'illegal immigrants'"National Immigration Law Center "Fact checking immigrants, health care, and the 2025 tax and budget law"Thanks for listening to The Present Illness with Drs. Arghavan Salles and Alyssa Burgart! Follow us on the socials! Instagram @arghavansallesmd and @burgartbioethix Tiktok @arghavansallesmdphd and @burgartbioethix Read our hot takes at Arghavan’s Substack and Poppies & Propofol

The hosts tackle the contentious link between Tylenol use during pregnancy and autism, emphasizing the need for scientific rigor over sensational claims. They explore the risks of discouraging acetaminophen for expectant mothers, warning about the potential consequences. The conversation delves into the impact of misinformation in public health, including the influence of wellness influencers and fear-based messaging. With a humorous touch, they connect historical eugenics rhetoric to contemporary discussions around disability, urging for better access to care and research funding.