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Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Bernie Sanders Introduces Bill Backing RFK Jr., Elon Musk Priority
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Senator Bernie Sanders is leading a new bill to address a key priority of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who serves as President Donald Trump's Health and Human Services Secretary. Why It Matters Sanders, a Vermont independent, alongside Senator Angus King, a Maine independent, introduced the "End Prescription Drug Ads Now Act," which, if passed, would ban prescription drug advertising on TV, radio, print and digital platforms as well as social media. Critics say these ads contribute to the high price of healthcare while doing little to improve care in the United States, though proponents say the advertisements can improve patients' knowledge of healthcare. Most wealthy countries, with the U.S. and New Zealand being two notable exceptions, ban pharmaceutical drug advertisements. The bill also represents an issue where Sanders, viewed as perhaps the most progressive senator, has found common ground with Kennedy inside the Trump administration, though the secretary has not commented on this bill specifically. What to Know Sanders and King announced the legislation on Thursday, highlighting that the pharmaceutical industry spent more than $5 billion on TV ads in 2024 and that many of these drugs cost more in the U.S. than in other countries that do not allow drug companies to run ads on TV. "The American people are sick and tired of greedy pharmaceutical companies spending billions of dollars on absurd TV commercials pushing their outrageously expensive prescription drugs," Sanders said, describing the fact that the U.S. stands mostly alone in allowing pharmaceutical ads as an "international embarrassment." vSenator Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent, questions U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during a committee hearing on May 14, 2025 in Washington, D.C. vSenator Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent, questions U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during a committee hearing on May 14, 2025 in Washington, director of communications Anna Bahr confirmed to Newsweek his office has reached out to Republicans to join the bill. Bahr pointed to lobbying from the pharmaceutical and health insurance industries as to why the U.S. has not joined other countries in bannign the ads. "Over the past 25 years, the drug companies have spent $8.5 billion on lobbying. Today, they have some 1,800 well-paid lobbyists in Washington, D.C. – including former leaders of the Republican and Democratic parties," she said in a statement to Newsweek. "Unbelievably, that is more than three lobbyists for every member of Congress. During that same period, they have provided over $700 million in campaign contributions. And they are equal opportunity contributors. They contribute heavily to both Republican and Democratic candidates." Secretary Kennedy—as well as Elon Musk, who previously served in Trump's administration—have expressed support for ending pharmaceutical advertising. "Let's get President Trump back in the White House and me to DC so we can ban pharmaceutical advertising," Kennedy wrote in a post to X (formerly Twitter) on November 3, 2024. During his own presidential campaign, Kennedy said he would have issued an executive order ending the advertisements on his first day in office. Newsweek reached out to DHS for comment via the department's press contact form. Caleb Alexander, professor of epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, told Newsweek that while a potential ban's impact on drug prices remains uunclear, there would be benefits to ending these advertisements. Pharmaceutical advertisements can drive up "inappropriate demand" for prescription drugs in settings where they may not be needed, he said. "In terms of the potential benefits of banning [direct-to-consumer advertisements], the most immediate and likely is that it would temper demand for products in settings where they may not be needed," Alexander said. The U.S. has "evolved to believe" the benefits of the ads, such as empowering patients to identify health concerns, outweigh the risks, though much of the research on the topic indicates that the benefits may not be worth the drawbacks, he said. What People Are Saying Alexander told Newsweek: "Direct to consumer advertising has been a lightning rod for controversy, and it remains a curious and unique feature of the U.S. marketplace. While a ban on direct advertising may be welcomed by many, it's not going to fundamentally transform the marketplace for prescription drugs in the United States, simply because DTCA is highly concentrated among a small number of products. It may be a reasonable political and public health target, but I think that if you just look at the way the dollars flow, there's vastly more money spent on marketing drugs to prescribers." Senator Angus King wrote in a statement: "The widespread use of direct-to-consumer advertising by pharmaceutical companies drives up costs and doesn't necessarily make patients healthier. The End Prescription Drug Ads Now Act would prohibit direct-to-consumer advertising of pharmaceutical drugs to protect people. This bill is a great step to ensure that patients are getting the best information possible and from the right source: their providers and not biased advertisements." Elon Musk wrote to X in November 2024: "No advertising for pharma." What Happens Next It's unclear whether a majority of senators are also in support of the bill. So far, Democratic Senators Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Peter Welch of Vermont, Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Dick Durbin of Illinois have co-sponsored the bill, according to Sanders' office.
Newsweek
7 hours ago
- Newsweek
Man Sees Doctor Over 'Silly Little Symptom' on Arm—Then Comes Diagnosis
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A woman has revealed how what seemed like a "silly little symptom" turned out to be the earliest sign of a degenerative condition that would derail her husband's life. Prior to April 2023, Andres Albaladejo served as a school resource officer and did many handyman jobs in his spare time. He was constantly busy and helping others. So, when he noticed an unusual twitching in his left arm, he didn't think much of it as it seemed so minor. His wife of more than 13 years, Carmen Iris Albaladejo, told Newsweek that they thought it could just be a pinched nerve or a pulled muscle. They considered seeing a chiropractor, and "at worst" he might need surgery. "Looking back now, we realize how far from the truth that was. What we thought might be the worst-case scenario was only the beginning of something far more serious," Carmen, 39, of Tampa, Florida said. Andres Albaladejo and his wife Carmen Albaladejo with their daughter. Andres Albaladejo and his wife Carmen Albaladejo with their daughter. @calbaladej0 / TikTok The spasms in his left arm lasted for around a month, and shortly after, Andres, now 41, began noticing weakness in the same arm; he started to lose his grip when holding items, but there wasn't any pain. He was also experiencing high blood pressure, leading Carmen to fear that he was suffering a stroke. Andres went through several tests and scans in the months that followed, including MRIs and electromyography tests to measure electrical activity in the nerves and muscles. As those scans didn't reveal anything out of the ordinary, doctors ordered a blood test for neurofilament light chain levels, which are often elevated in cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Those results came back showing high markers, leading to growing suspicions of ALS. Andres was subsequently referred to the ALS Center at the University of South Florida where further scans and strength testing confirmed those fears. "To me, the diagnosis felt like it came through a process of elimination," said Carmen. "One by one, they ruled out other conditions, and as more tests came back negative and no other explanations were offered, the reality of the diagnosis began to settle in. But even then, we struggled to accept it." The couple were in denial for a long time and struggled to cope with the uncertainty of what lay ahead. ALS, also known as motor neuron disease and Lou Gehrig's disease, is a neurodegenerative condition which affects how nerve cells communicate with muscles. Over time, it leads to muscle weakness and can eventually cause atrophy. The early symptoms include muscle weakness, cramps, twitching, stiff muscles, speech challenges, trouble swallowing, and drooling. This can make everyday tasks increasingly difficult, and even walking or breathing become challenging. ALS is considered a rare condition, with around 5,000 people in the U.S. diagnosed each year. Unfortunately, there is no known cure at present. Dr. Mary Ann Picone, Medical Director at Holy Name Medical Center's MS Center, explained to Newsweek that diagnosing ALS can take a while because the early signs "could mimic myasthenia gravis, multiple sclerosis or Lyme disease." Initial symptoms, such as muscle weakness or stumbling, can be misunderstood as clumsiness at first. "The disease is fatal, but life expectancy can vary from individual to individual. Most patient's life expectancy is about 2–5 years but about 10 percent of people can live over 10 years," Picone said. Patients who are diagnosed at an early age may also have a longer life expectancy, Picone notes. Andres was just 39 years old when he received his diagnosis in October 2023, a day which Carmen says changed their lives forever. "Hearing the diagnosis was devastating, we were in complete shock. Sitting in that doctor's office, the weight of it all hit us at once. We broke down in tears. It was one of the hardest moments of our lives, filled with fear, sorrow, and so many unanswered questions," Carmen told Newsweek. Andres Albaladejo pictured in hospital during his appointments following his ALS diagnosis. Andres Albaladejo pictured in hospital during his appointments following his ALS diagnosis. @calbaladej0 / TikTok Andres's condition has worsened significantly and he's now completely wheelchair bound. He's lost almost all use of his hands, the majority of his leg function and his speech is beginning to fade. Carmen has become his full-time carer to help him eat, bathe and go to the bathroom. It's been heartbreaking to see her high school sweetheart deteriorate so rapidly and lose the life he once had. "To see someone go from being completely independent to nearly fully dependent in under two years is truly heartbreaking," Carmen said. "He still has so much to give, so much love, wisdom, humor, and strength. And watching him come to terms with this reality is one of the hardest parts." Being a caregiver is a challenge that Carmen never imagined she'd take on, but she's determined to show strength and support for her husband. Her in-laws have also relocated to Florida to help, which she's incredibly grateful for. Throughout this journey, the couple's 11-year-old daughter has also shown great resilience and compassion. She will do anything to be close to her dad, and she's embracing this new reality. In May, Carmen started documenting her husband's journey on social media (@calbaladej0 on TikTok) as she felt it was important to raise awareness for the brave fighters who battle the condition. A video showing how the twitch in his arm turned out to be a lifechanging condition has gone viral with over 3.1 million views and 61,000 likes at the time of writing. ALS can be isolating, but Carmen wants her husband and other ALS warriors to know they're not alone. "My husband is heartbroken. He feels the weight of his life being taken from him piece by piece, long before he was ready to let go," Carmen said. She continued: "There is a strength within me that I never knew existed, one that has revealed itself through the pain and countless challenges we've had to face. I've been tested in ways I could never have imagined, and yet, I continue to rise each day with love." Is there a health issue that's worrying you? Let us know via health@ We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
Newsweek
7 hours ago
- Newsweek
Internet Stunned As Before and After X-Rays of Back Surgery Go Viral
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A man has gone viral after posting dramatic before-and-after X-rays of his spine following surgery to correct severe scoliosis. The Reddit user, who goes by u/Sure_Pangolin_9421, titled his post: "After a 6-hour surgery on March 11, I'm cured of scoliosis!" The powerful transformation struck a chord online, amassing over 21,000 upvotes. The Redditor underwent what is known as spinal fusion—a technique used to permanently join two or more vertebrae in the spine. To understand more about the condition, Newsweek spoke with Dr. Nikita Kanani, a U.K.-based general practitioner. She said: "Scoliosis is a condition where the spine curves sideways, often forming an 'S' or 'C' shape. "In most cases, the cause is unknown—this is called idiopathic scoliosis. But it can also result from congenital conditions, neurological or muscular disorders like cerebral palsy, or injury. Hormonal changes, growth spurts, and genetics may also contribute, especially during adolescence." Who Is Affected by Scoliosis? Nearly 7 million people in the U.S. are living with scoliosis, making it the most common spinal condition among school-aged children, according to the National Scoliosis Foundation. The Reddit user recalled the impact of the condition on his younger years, commenting: "I got called the sideways hunchback of Notre Dame in high school. It was very painful." Kanani, the chief strategy and innovation officer at Aneira Health, a digital healthcare provider focused on women's health noted that scoliosis can affect anyone. But it typically emerges during puberty and is more frequently diagnosed in girls. "Girls are also more likely to require treatment, even though most cases are mild. Adults may develop scoliosis too—usually due to age-related degeneration in the spine," she said. How Does Scoliosis Affect Daily Life? "For some people, scoliosis causes little disruption," said Kanani. "But for others, it can result in pain, reduced mobility, fatigue, and lower self-esteem—especially during adolescence. In more severe cases, it can even impair heart or lung function. The emotional toll is significant, and that's why care should be holistic—not just focused on the curvature, but on the whole person." Post-surgery, the man reported a remarkable recovery. "I feel great," he told fellow Redditors. "I'm in no pain at all aside from the occasional shoulder ache. It's amazing how fast the body heals from something so drastic." He added: "I have very good mobility, for which I'm very grateful." Reddit Reacts Three x-rays showing a scoliosis without (left) and with implant (right). Three x-rays showing a scoliosis without (left) and with implant (right). oceandigital/iStock / Getty Images Plus Support and admiration poured in from fellow users. One wrote: "So happy for you, I've dealt with this for years—biggest advice is always stretch, it really helps." Another commented: "Awesome. Very brave to go through. Glad you're doing well." A third added: "Congrats, very happy for you. I've seen the surgery on YouTube—it looks painful. But I bet it's a thousand times better than the alternative." Newsweek reached out to u/Sure_Pangolin_9421 for comment. We could not verify the details of the case.
