Politics Information
Patents Protect Patients. They Don't Impede Access to COVID-19 Vaccines
The World Trade Organization is considering a petition from several dozen countries to nullify intellectual property protections on Covid-19 vaccines. Supporters -- which now includes the United States -- claim the move will expand global access to vaccines.
Raise the Corporate Tax Rate? Economic Obtuseness in High Places
Having proposed trillions of dollars of additional federal spending, President Joe Biden and allies have launched a belated and somewhat desperate search for additional tax revenues. The economic reality is that there simply isn’t enough wealth available in the private sector to fund the explosion in government spending. The danger is that changes in the tax code may do more damage than good.
Protect the Bayh-Dole Act for Our Health and Wealth
In the waning days of the Trump administration, the Commerce Department proposed a rule to strengthen the Bayh-Dole Act of 1980. If the Biden administration approves the rule -- with a few semantic changes -- Americans will continue to enjoy the fruits of university research. If it doesn't, we could lose the public-private sector alliances that turbo-charge American innovation.
God, Joe Biden, and the National Day of Prayer
President Joe Biden’s omission of the word God from his National Day of Prayer proclamation last week has evoked a firestorm of protest. Christian Broadcasting Network commentator David Brody, evangelist Franklin Graham, Catholic League president Bill Donohue, Fox News, and other politically conservative media outlets all criticized Biden’s failure to mention God.
Don't Repeat Europe's Vaccine Catastrophe
For many Americans, the calamitously slow vaccine roll-out in countries like Germany, France, and Italy comes as a surprise. After all, in the early days of the pandemic, Europe's response to the crisis seemed highly competent, especially compared to the United States.
Democrats Have a "Pack the Court, Pack the Congress" Strategy for Control of our Country And Our Lives
The political diversity of America is at serious risk as progressive forces seek to turn our nation into a one-party state -- not unlike the Communist Party that savaged Russia and its dominions in the last century. The agenda is as plain as day: pack the Supreme Court with liberal justices and grant statehood to the District of Columbia, giving the Democratic Party two new Senators.
Throwing Away Drug Patents Won't Cure Anything
In March, the World Trade Organization considered a petition from South Africa and India that, if adopted, would allow countries to ignore intellectual property protections on all things Covid-19.
The End of Covid-19 Could Start in the Hair Salon
President Biden has floated an ambitious goal -- vaccinate enough Americans to achieve some sense of normalcy by July 4.
The Need for Reconciliation is a Sign of a Bad Bill
"Budget Reconciliation" may be the most popular phrase on Capitol Hill right now. This special legislative process allows certain bills to be passed in the Senate with a simple majority so long as they impact the budget.
Foreign Drug Pricing Puts America's Most Vulnerable Patients Last
It's no coincidence that American companies led the charge to develop Covid-19 vaccines. Numerous policies -- from strong patent protections to a welcoming immigration system -- help ensure that the world's smartest scientists can pursue cutting-edge research here.
Preserve Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance
Congress is contemplating its next move on health care.
For Seniors' Sake, Protect the Innovation that Brought Us Covid Vaccines
The breakneck pace of Covid-19 vaccine development will go down in history books as one of the great triumphs of modern medicine.
Court Packing 2.0: Why the Supreme Court Should Not Be Changed
Six months ago, the idea of expanding the size of the U.S. Supreme Court was side-stepped by presidential candidate Joe Biden, and the issue seemed to wane. But now, “court packing” has surfaced once again—and in two forms. The first is an executive order from President Biden creating a commission to study possible reforms of the Supreme Court. The second is legislation proposed by progressive Democrats to increase the court’s size by four new justices.
Outside the Lines: American Corporations and Society
During a heated 1990 U.S. Senate race in North Carolina between the Republican incumbent Jesse Helms and Democratic challenger Harvey Gantt, basketball superstar and North Carolina native Michael Jordan was asked to endorse Gantt’s candidacy.
Protecting the Innovation that Protects Global Health
The most far-reaching healthcare policy decision of 2021 won't be made in Congress or the White House. It will be made at the World Trade Organization, which is considering a petition to waive all patent rights on Covid-19 vaccines.
What Are Your Solutions for America?
How do we solve the mass shootings? Do we take away all the guns? Or, do we require that every American carry a gun and be prepared to shoot back? Do we eliminate the assault rifles? Or, do we have more security guards at malls, grocery stores and work places carry assault rifles? We have a crisis in America with gun violence and mass shootings. What will Joe Biden and Congress do about this problem? Will they even attempt a solution? Mr. President and members of Congress, we need a solution.
Power, Parler, and the Problem of Big Tech
Over the course of 2020, the previously minor social media application Parler rose to national prominence. The site served as a smaller, right-leaning mirror to Twitter, attracting an audience that included (among others) both U.S. senators and QAnon conspiracy theorists. Where Twitter forbade referring to a transgender person by biological sex, Parler reportedly banned users for mocking Republican congressman Devin Nunes. By the end of the year, the app had hit nearly three million daily users.
Private Deborah Sampson, 'The Female Soldier'
There are those who would say that Private Deborah Sampson deserved the Medal of Honor, but she didn’t sign up for that; she joined the Army to fight for her country and wound up making history. Private Sampson was America’s first woman combat soldier. She served, disguised as a man by the name of Robert Shurtleff, under the command of General George Washington in the Continental Army during the American Revolution.
Small Changes to 340B Can Make a Big Difference for Struggling Patients
The Covid-19 pandemic has made the issue of healthcare access more urgent than ever. Yet, at a time of deep divisions in Washington, chances for major reform are slim.
Price Controls Happen — NOT!
The end of the pandemic is in sight, thanks in large part to the heroic efforts of the biopharmaceutical industry. American companies developed not one, but three vaccines in under a year, and roughly 3 million people are receiving those shots every day.
Mask Wearing in America
Every time I go to the grocery, a restaurant, church, or work I have to put on a mask. Not long ago, if we wore a mask into a bank or convenience store, the attendants would be alarmed and call 911. Today if we don’t wear one, we are in trouble and not welcomed.
Preventing the Next Public Health Crisis Can Define Biden's Legacy
The Biden administration's plan to defeat the coronavirus is underway -- and notably includes intentions to "build better preparedness for future threats." This detailed guidance could not have come at a better time. While we are making progress against the current pandemic, we remain in the midst of a worsening health crisis posed by antibiotic resistance.
Bioethics in a Brave New World
In the late 1980s, as a pre-med major at the University of Pittsburgh, I pulled many all-nighters at Scaife Hall at Pitt’s School of Medicine. My friend Dirk and I knew the only way we would ever make breakfast at the cafeterias at the Towers or Lothrop dorm-halls was by staying up all night studying and then sauntering in zombie-like at 6:00 a.m. for eggs and pancakes. Otherwise, the typical early morning fare for me and my buddies was “O Fries” from the iconic Original Hot Dog Shop, washed down with cheap beer around 2:00 a.m.
From the Dawn of the American Twilight
Fifty years ago this spring, my wife and I, both Air Force intelligence officers, returned to Udorn Air Base, Thailand from an “in-country rest & recuperation” trip to Chaing Mai. That night I worked the mid-shift in the intel shop at headquarters 7/13th Air Force. It fell to me to prepare and deliver the morning intelligence briefing to the major general who thought he ran air operations in Northern Laos; a delusion since that war was run by the U.S. Department of State and the CIA with Air Force support.
Violence In America, Don't Be Surprised
The most recent attack at the United States Capitol will most likely insure a permanent fence and additional security. The attack which resulted in the loss of life for a long serving Capitol police officer and the attacker is another senseless violent act.
A Trump Administration Rule "protects" Insurers, Not Persons Living with HIV
Only hours before Donald Trump left the White House, the outgoing administration proposed a sweeping change to Medicare that could limit millions of Americans' access to lifesaving treatments, especially antiretroviral medications used to treat persons living with HIV.
The Assault on Winston Churchill
During his long life, Winston Churchill suffered several indignities. He was dismissed from his position as the head of the Royal Navy in 1915 because of the disastrous defeat Anglo-French forces endured at Gallipoli during World War I. His decision as the chancellor of the exchequer to return Britain to the gold standard in 1925 was a financial catastrophe. During the 1930s, Churchill’s so-called “Wilderness Years,” his party denied him a leadership position. His greatest ignominy was being ousted as prime minister in a July 1945 election after Britain’s triumph in World War II.
Vaccination is the Ticket to Getting the U.S. Back On Track
The end of the pandemic in the U.S. is in sight. The Covid-19 vaccines currently available in the United States have proven to be outstandingly effective at protecting recipients from coronavirus and they are also safe.
America is Ready For a Resurrection
The followers of Jesus believed in his resurrection because they saw him alive after he was dead. They had a powerful testimony of firsthand evidence seen with their own eyes.
A Bad Means to a Bad End
What happens in a world where medical innovations like the vaccines that are defeating the coronavirus are no longer possible? That could be the result of a ham-handed effort to make America an "also-ran" country in the global pharmaceutical business.
People with Disabilities Could Soon Face Healthcare Discrimination
Patients with disabilities are 11 times more likely to die from Covid-19 than their able-bodied peers. That's a sobering statistic. And it's why public health officials have prioritized these vulnerable patients for vaccinations.
Stop Businesses From Exploiting This Health Program for the Poor
Over the decades, Congress has created a number of programs intended to help the poor, the sick, the downtrodden. As a result, certain businesses and industries find ways to exploit these efforts and profit in ways lawmakers never foresaw or intended.
Trump's Last-Minute Medicare Rule Deserves a Swift Reversal
On Donald Trump's last full day in office, his administration announced a policy change that would make it easier for insurers to deny medicine to vulnerable Medicare beneficiaries. Those most affected will include people with mental health disorders.
Don't Put Community Cancer Care Centers Out of Business
Ruth is a 67-year-old woman living with metastatic lung cancer. She receives care at a treatment center near her home in rural southern Illinois. There are larger hospitals over an hour away in St. Louis, but she doesn't have the time or financial resources to travel there as often as she would need to.
Biden Must Restore Seniors' Access to Essential Medicines
On January 19, Medicare officials announced a new payment model that could wreak havoc on the chronically ill.
America’s Minimum Wage Crisis
One problem with all Americans making a minimum of $15 an hour is that some business owners don’t make $15 an hour.
Questions about Covid-19 vaccines? We have answers.
Many Americans have questions about Covid-19 vaccines – and rightfully so. There’s lots of information out there, and researchers are learning new details about the virus daily.
The 340B Prescription-Drug Swindle Has Gone on Long Enough
In a recent hearing, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra revealed just how unfit he is to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.
A Simple Fix for Biden to Help to Make Drugs More Affordable
Americans have problems affording many drugs at pharmacies and doctors' offices. About half of those who are sick have trouble paying for their medications, according to a recent poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Is President Biden the "Sinner-In-Chief" for Promoting Easier Access to Abortions?
Archbishop Joseph Naumann, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, has taken President Biden to task for touting his faith while at the same time promoting abortions.
