Information technology
Blame technology, not longer life spans, for health spending increases | The New York TimesAmerican life spans are rising, and as they are, health care spending is, too. But longevity is not contributing to the spending increase as much as you might think. The real culprit of increased spending? Technology. Every year you age, health care technology changes — usually for the better, but always at higher cost.
Pharmaceuticals
Johnson & Johnson posts rise in revenue and profit, issues cautious forecast | The Wall Street JournalJohnson & Johnson posted revenue and profit increases for the fourth quarter, but the healthcare company's forecast for this year fell below Wall Street estimates.
A year of arm-twisting: How the drug industry flexed its lobbying muscle in 2016 | STAT
In his harsh comments about the drug industry at a press conference earlier this month, President Trump declared that “pharma has a lot of lobbies and a lot of lobbyists and a lot of power.” But how much exactly? STAT analyzed lobbying disclosure filings updated this week to build an in-depth portrait of how the drug industry wielded its influence on the federal government in 2016.
Are new drugs for Hepatitis C safe? A report raises concerns | The New York Times
Drugs approved in recent years that can cure hepatitis C may have severe side effects, including liver failure, a new report suggests.
Safety, quality and clinical practice
Legalizing aid in dying doesn't mean patients have access to it | NPRIn the seven months since California's aid-in-dying law took effect, Dr. Lonny Shavelson has helped nearly two dozen terminally ill people end their lives with lethal drugs — but only, he says, because too few others would. Across California, and in the five other states where medical aid-in-dying is now allowed, access is not guaranteed, advocates say.
