Medicine: The Truth with Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr

On today’s episode of “Medicine: The Truth” (formerly “Coronavirus: The Truth”), hosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr tackle more of healthcare’s hottest issues and biggest problems.

Today’s show begins with the “end” of the Covid-19 pandemic. This month, the Biden administration signed a bipartisan congressional resolution to end the national emergency declaration that began in March 2020 under then-president Trump. Pearl points out that the official White House notice brought the pandemic to a rather anticlimactic conclusion. After more than 1,000 days of “emergency,” there were no fireworks, no parades, nothing to celebrate a moment for which our nation waited years.

Pearl and Corr then take a step-back look at our nation’s Covid-19 response, offering perspective by comparing it with other high-level government failures.

“When I think of conflicts that ended poorly for the U.S., like Vietnam or Iraq, the conclusions of those wars were treated similarly to how the end of the Covid-19 emergency declaration was handled,” observed Pearl who then asks his cohost, “Do you think the lack of enthusiasm shown by how the government managed the official conclusion to the pandemic reflected a sense of failure or just an acknowledgement that Americans put the pandemic in the rearview mirror months earlier?”

Tune in for the full conversation around Covid-19 and a host pressing healthcare topics. As always, Dr. Pearl and Jeremy eagerly follow the facts, uncover the truth, and help listeners understand how the world’s biggest healthcare stories affect us all. Click here for more info: https://www.fixinghealthcarepodcast.com/.

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Dr. Robert Pearl is the author of a book about medicine’s invisible yet highly influential physician culture. Check out “Uncaring: How Physician Culture Is Killing Doctors & Patients.” All profits from the book go to Doctors Without Borders.

Fixing Healthcare is a co-production of Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr. Subscribe to the show via Apple, Spotify, Stitcher or wherever you find podcasts. Join the conversation or suggest a guest by following the show on Twitter and LinkedIn.

The post MTT #72: The Covid-19 pandemic is over! Did anyone notice? appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

On today’s episode of “Medicine: The Truth” (formerly “Coronavirus: The Truth”), hosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr tackle more of healthcare’s hottest issues and biggest problems.

In this show, the hosts discuss the promise (and pitfalls) of generative AI and its future applications in medicine. Are patients ready to get their diagnoses and treatment plans from something (like ChatGPT) rather than someone (their doctor)?

The conversation then shifts to the monopolistic controls of drug makers and price-driving approaches that a longtime healthcare CEO and commentator Dr. Pearl says, “even I could never imagine.” Pearl describes a drug that generates $13 billion in revenue for a company that charges $200,000 per patient per year, 19-times more than it cost in 2007.

As always, Dr. Pearl and Jeremy eagerly follow the facts, uncover the truth, and help listeners understand how the world’s biggest healthcare stories affect us all. Click here for more info: https://www.fixinghealthcarepodcast.com/

* * *

Dr. Robert Pearl is the author of a book about medicine’s invisible yet highly influential physician culture. Check out “Uncaring: How Physician Culture Is Killing Doctors & Patients.” All profits from the book go to Doctors Without Borders.

Fixing Healthcare is a co-production of Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr. Subscribe to the show via Apple, Spotify, Stitcher or wherever you find podcasts. Join the conversation or suggest a guest by following the show on Twitter and LinkedIn.

The post MTT #71: Why is this drug 19-times more expensive than it was in 2007? appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

On today’s episode of “Medicine: The Truth” (formerly “Coronavirus: The Truth”), hosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr tackle healthcare’s hottest issues and biggest problems.

The show begins with a question: Why, according to the Commonwealth Fund, is American healthcare once again in last place, lagging its global peers? For the answer, Dr. Pearl borrows from the world of sports. Whether it’s “blocking and tackling” in football or “the plays you should make” in baseball, American healthcare falls short when it comes to the fundamentals: preventing disease, managing chronic illness, and keeping patients safe and out of the hospital.

In Covid-19 news, Dr. Pearl addresses the latest data out of China. While it has long been assumed the country uncounted its Covid-19 death toll (attributing less than 100,000 fatalities to the virus), analysis of year over year mortality rates indicates the true mortality total is between 1 and 1.5 million. This, despite nearly three years of lockdowns, resulting in major economic difficulties.

As always, Dr. Pearl and Jeremy eagerly follow the facts, uncover the truth, and help listeners understand how the world’s biggest healthcare stories affect us all. Click here for more info: https://www.fixinghealthcarepodcast.com/

* * *

Dr. Robert Pearl is the author of a book about medicine’s invisible yet highly influential physician culture. Check out “Uncaring: How Physician Culture Is Killing Doctors & Patients.” All profits from the book go to Doctors Without Borders.

Fixing Healthcare is a co-production of Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr. Subscribe to the show via Apple, Spotify, Stitcher or wherever you find podcasts. Join the conversation or suggest a guest by following the show on Twitter and LinkedIn.

The post MTT #70: Why does U.S. healthcare rank last among wealthy countries (again)? appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

For three years, all eyes (and ears) were turned toward the Covid-19 pandemic. And since early 2020, Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr have hosted the popular podcast “Coronavirus: The Truth.”

That show has cut through the fearmongering and misinformation circulated on social media to bring listeners the truth about the coronavirus—with informed commentary, helpful context and reporting from only the most credible sources. Over the past year, as other medical issues have rivaled this viral pandemic in threat and public interest, the duo have added broader healthcare topics to the show.

Today, “Coronavirus: The Truth” becomes “Medicine: The Truth.” Using the same format, the show will tackle healthcare’s hottest issues and biggest problems—including news and information about Covid-19 when relevant.

As always, Dr. Pearl and Jeremy will follow the facts, uncover the truth, and help listeners understand what’s holding back our nation’s health. Topics will feature the latest medical issues affecting patients and their physicians. The show will explore major public health problems, medical technologies, drug developments, and much more.

Listener note: If you’re currently subscribed to or following Coronavirus: The Truth on Apple, Spotify or any other podcast platform, you don’t have to change a thing. Just sit back and enjoy our new show Medicine: The Truth. If you’re new to the show, you can also hear it by following/subscribing to the Fixing Healthcare podcast.

Click here for more info: https://www.fixinghealthcarepodcast.com/

* * *

Dr. Robert Pearl is the author of a book about medicine’s invisible yet highly influential physician culture. Check out “Uncaring: How Physician Culture Is Killing Doctors & Patients.” All profits from the book go to Doctors Without Borders.

Fixing Healthcare is a co-production of Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr. Subscribe to the show via Apple, Spotify, Stitcher or wherever you find podcasts. Join the conversation or suggest a guest by following the show on Twitter and LinkedIn.

The post CTT #69: Welcome to our new show ‘Medicine: The Truth’ appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

In this episode of Coronavirus: The Truth, Jeremy Corr and Dr. Robert Pearl discuss the long list of viral enemies attacking Americans this winter. Chief among them: Covid-19, RSV and seasonal influenza, the latter of which has tallied 8.7 million cases and 78,000 hospitalizations so far (40 times higher than at this point last year).

How seriously should American take these viral threats as we approach the holiday gathering season? You’ll find this topic and all the other [time stamped] questions from today’s show  here:

[00:52] Each show begins with the most recent and relevant facts concerning the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on American life. What’s happening and what does it mean?

[02:45] Listener question: What’s the data on the new bivalent vaccine vs. the old one?

[07:48] How might researchers best communicate discrepancies in scientific data to patients? What should organizations like the CDC and WHO do?

[08:47] What’s new regarding the ‘tripledemic’ since the last episode?

[11:03] What’s happening with the flu?

[13:28] Why are Chinese citizens protesting “Zero-Covid” restrictions?

[16:28] What caused the near-global breakdown in public policy during Covid-19?

[18:53] Who are the people comprising the 300-350 deaths in the United States each day from Covid-19?

[22:50]: Kids and Covid-19: what’s new?

[25:03] What’s new in healthcare beyond Covid-19?

[26:44] How can patients help prevent the scourge of chronic disease in the United States?

[28:19] What has happened to cancer screening since the start of the pandemic?

This episode is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify and other podcast platforms.

If you have coronavirus questions for the hosts, please visit the contact page or send us a message on Twitter or LinkedIn.

*To ensure the credibility of this program, Coronavirus: The Truth refuses to accept sponsorship, outside funding sources or guests with any financial or personal conflicts of interest.

The post CTT #68: The worst flu season in over a decade? appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

In this episode of Coronavirus: The Truth, Jeremy Corr and Dr. Robert Pearl discuss the latest buzzword of the Covid-19 era: Triple-demic.

Earlier this month, the CDC alerted physicians about the triple threat of Covid, seasonal influenza and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), warning that the threat of multiple infections (and resulting respiratory disease) was greatest among young children and the elderly. Is the triple-demic a legitimate public health threat and what should listeners do about it?

You’ll find that topic and all the other [time stamped] questions from today’s show  here:

[00:52] Each show begins with the most recent and relevant facts concerning the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on American life. What’s happening and what does it mean?

[05:18] Listener question: “Is the price of Covid vaccines going up next year?”

[08:50] Why do government and insurers seem willing to pay for so many complex services and facilities to treat people once they have a heart attack, stroke or cancer, but reticent to make the investments needed to reduce the incidence of these frequently avoidable problems?

[09:44] There’s still a lot of debate about myocarditis after vaccination. Any new research?

[11:00] What is a “triple-demic” and should we be worried about it?

[13:18] If everyone wore masks and washed their hands this winter, we could avoid millions of infections and thousands of deaths. So, why are Americans less likely than others to do?

[14:38] Listener question: I was recently vaccinated with the old booster and I was wondering about the new bivalent one. Is there data that says I should take it?

[16:30] What’s the latest on Long COVID (since it was featured in last month’s episode)?

[17:47] What are the risks of Covid-19 relative to kids now?

[18:59] What’s new in healthcare beyond Covid-19?

[21:52] How much risk should patients/consumers be willing to accept vs. their social obligation to keep others safe?

[23:13] Are parents of children with diabetes still cutting corners with insulin due to high prices?

[26:05] How does racial bias play a role in the care doctors provide patients?

This episode is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify and other podcast platforms.

If you have coronavirus questions for the hosts, please visit the contact page or send us a message on Twitter or LinkedIn.

*To ensure the credibility of this program, Coronavirus: The Truth refuses to accept sponsorship, outside funding sources or guests with any financial or personal conflicts of interest.

The post CTT #67: Should Americans be worried about a ‘triple-demic’? appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

In this episode of Coronavirus: The Truth, Jeremy Corr and Dr. Robert Pearl discuss new research out of Scotland that finds as many as 40% of people experience lingering Covid-19 symptoms months after infection. Is this data reliable and, if so, what does it mean for the long-term treatment of this disease?

You’ll find that and all the other [time stamped] topics discussed during this show here:

[00:49] Each show begins with the most recent and relevant facts concerning the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on American life. What’s happening and what does it mean?

[03:23] Are employer and government vaccine mandates gone for good?

[04:48] Are other nations dropping Covid-19 restrictions, too?

[06:43] Are U.S. healthcare providers still under “one-size-fits-all” restrictions?

[08:58] Do Americans respect/heed CDC guidance?

[09:41] Is Paxlovid worth taking for people with Covid-19?

[11:54] What’s the latest on “Long Covid”?

[15:04] Does Covid-19 infection alter the timing of women’s periods?

[17:28] What’s the latest research on Covid-19 and kids?

[20:48] Beyond Covid: Are people more optimistic and fulfilled?

[22:00] Is polio making a worldwide comeback?

[24:56] What is the primary care shortage doing to America’s health?

[27:39] How bad is the medical debt problem in the United States?

[30:14] What does the Amazon acquisition of One Medical mean for medicine?

This episode is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify and other podcast platforms.

If you have coronavirus questions for the hosts, please visit the contact page or send us a message on Twitter or LinkedIn.

*To ensure the credibility of this program, Coronavirus: The Truth refuses to accept sponsorship, outside funding sources or guests with any financial or personal conflicts of interest.

The post CTT #66: What’s the latest on long Covid?   appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

In this episode of Coronavirus: The Truth, Jeremy Corr and Dr. Robert Pearl discuss the battle between the current Covid-19 vaccine manufacturers, the next generation of mRNA vaccines, and the latest on America’s monkey pox fears.

You’ll find these topics and others discussed during this show here:

This episode is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify and other podcast platforms.

If you have coronavirus questions for the hosts, please visit the contact page or send us a message on Twitter or LinkedIn.

*To ensure the credibility of this program, Coronavirus: The Truth refuses to accept sponsorship, outside funding sources or guests with any financial or personal conflicts of interest.

The post CTT #65: Why are Moderna and Pfizer going to war? appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

New data from the Annenberg Public Policy Center found that 4 in 10 Americans have returned to their normal, pre-pandemic lives. Over half of respondents say they rarely or never wear masks indoors while in public. This, despite 54% of Americans indicating they personally know someone who has died from Covid-19. A third say they know someone with “Long Covid.”

How will these perceptions – alongside the continued loosening of public safety restrictions – affect the future health of Americans? In this episode of Coronavirus: The Truth, Jeremy Corr and Dr. Robert Pearl examine both the science and public opinion of Covid-19. You’ll find this topic, and all the [time stamped] topics discussed during this show, here:

[00:50] Each show begins with the most recent and relevant facts concerning the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on American life. What’s happening and what does it mean?

[03:38] Listener question: “Is there is any explanation besides bad luck for both Dr. Fauci and President Biden getting ‘rebound COVID’ after taking Paxlovid?”

[05:31] Covid-19 is now an endemic virus: What does that mean and what happens now?

[08:21] What’s new with the monkey pox outbreak?

[12:55] What are the current treatments options for monkey pox?

[17:55] Is monkey pox a major concern for most Americans?

[18:59] How might we “break” of some of healthcare’s most illogical rules?

[24:45] Are Americans putting Covid-19 in the rearview?

[25:59] What’s up with CDC? Is the agency changing course?

[28:42] Kids and Covid-19: any news?

[30:38] What do we know about the Inflation Reduction Act’s impact on healthcare?

[33:09] And what about Amazon’s acquisition of One Medical?

This episode is available on Apple Podcasts, Google, Spotify and other podcast platforms.

If you have coronavirus questions for the hosts, please visit the contact page or send us a message on Twitter or LinkedIn.

*To ensure the credibility of this program, Coronavirus: The Truth refuses to accept sponsorship, outside funding sources or guests with any financial or personal conflicts of interest.

The post CTT #64: Are Americans putting Covid-19 behind them? appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

Dr. Anthony Fauci recently credited the antiviral drug Paxlovid with keeping him out of the hospital. That was after he tested positive a second time for Covid-19. Following a course of Paxlovid pills, Fauci appeared to experience a “rebound” case of Covid-19, stoking fears about the drug.

In this episode of Coronavirus: The Truth, Jeremy Corr and Dr. Robert Pearl examine whether Paxlovid treatment is worse than the disease. You’ll find that and all the [time stamped] topics discussed during this show here:

[01:01] Each show begins with the most recent and relevant facts concerning the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on American life. What’s happening and what does it mean?

[04:17] Listener question: “What are the facts about ‘rebound COVID’ after people take Paxlovid?”

[06:21] What should we expect from the updated mRNA vaccine coming this fall?

[08:47] How bad was care for patients who went to the hospital for surgery during the height of the pandemic?

[10:51] Are Americans “over” Covid-19, according to polls?

[12:55] What’s new with young kids and Covid?

*This section deals with non-Covid news and events in medicine*

[17:28] What do doctors fear most about the recent SCOTUS decision on abortion?

[26:39] How much does a pregnancy cost in medical bills?

[27:55] Among wealthy nations, the U.S. has had a terrible track record with maternal mortality. What surprising thing happened during the pandemic?

[29:40] The pandemic has made medicine worse in many ways for lower and middle-income families. Are there any national solutions on the table?

[31:40] What about the medical implications of the guns case SCOTUS ruled on recently? What about climate change? Domestic violence? What else is impacting medical care?

This episode is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify and other podcast platforms.

If you have coronavirus questions for the hosts, please visit the contact page or send us a message on Twitter or LinkedIn.

*To ensure the credibility of this program, Coronavirus: The Truth refuses to accept sponsorship, outside funding sources or guests with any financial or personal conflicts of interest.

The post CTT #63: What causes ‘Covid-19 rebound’ after Paxlovid? appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.