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Forbes
11 hours ago
- Health
- Forbes
Trump Is Making Healthcare A Winning '80/20' Political Issue For GOP
Cell lines are prepared in the laboratory of Dr. John Tisdale, a Senior Investigator at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Laboratory, at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP) (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images President Trump has pledged to provide Americans with a vastly reformed healthcare system that's affordable, innovative and elevates patient care above anywhere else in the world. Despite the political shell games being played by liberal Democrats, the media and even some Republicans, much of President Trump's policy agenda has broad public support and is largely on track to succeed if enacted. For example, recent polling from McLaughlin & Associates shows well over 85% of likely voters favor his policy to bypass costly middlemen fees by allowing direct sales of medicines to patients. Across the board, his policies—from requiring foreign countries to pay their fair share for U.S. medical innovations, to securing unprecedented domestic drug manufacturing investments in the face of emerging threats from China, to ensuring Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) corporations can't pocket large drug discounts meant for patients—have approval ratings of 80% or more. Who would've thought Donald Trump could make healthcare an '80/20' political issue for conservatives? The bigger question, however, is whether congressional Republicans, long considered disadvantaged among voters on the issue, will embrace his agenda and help pass it. Make no mistake, the opportunity is directly in front of them. Most Americans would probably agree that no one would design a healthcare system that looks anything like the one we have. It's confusing, rife with red tape, waste, fraud and abuse, manipulated by corporate middlemen and is far too expensive for patients, employers and taxpayers to sustain. At the same time, however, the U.S. system develops, manufactures and delivers the most cutting-edge medical treatments in the world. It doesn't add up that America can be at the forefront of innovation and investment, while drowning in antiquated systems that bankrupt families and fleece taxpayers of billions of dollars. These are complicated problems that too often have led to overly complicated and often self-serving politically directed policies that have made problems far worse for patients and families. President Joe Biden's changes to Medicare—part of the Democrats' ridiculously named Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) spending bill—are a perfect recent example. In addition to raiding billions of dollars in so-called Medicare savings to fund unrelated subsidies for big insurers, electric vehicle buyers and other special interests, the IRA's drug-price control measures led to massive premium spikes, kicked countless seniors off their Part D drug plans and stifled needed R&D investments in new cures and cutting-edge medicines. To be fair, President Trump has also threatened the use of heavy-handed price controls on prescription drugs. However, his aggregate policy proposals, which call for greater accountability, competition and transparency in healthcare—along with the force of nature he brings to the negotiating process—are set to achieve even greater results, to the point of making such price controls unnecessary. We should assume he knows this because during his first four years in office increases in drug prices remained at historic lows. Only eight months into his second term, President Trump has already applied unprecedented pressure on foreign governments to pay their fair share for U.S. drug innovations, worked to expose and rein in costly insurer middlemen and helped secure a record $300 billion in new domestic pharmaceutical R&D manufacturing and workforce investments. In short, President Trump is proving to be the ultimate price control in healthcare. And he's doing it without actually implementing such unnecessary measures—and he shouldn't—thus avoiding the negative access and innovation-killing impacts they'd have on patients, families, innovators and workers. Additionally, there are several other Trump-aligned policies being considered to help move America forward. They include requiring other countries to set NATO-like investment thresholds to ensure the U.S. doesn't bear the world's costs for medical innovation, expediting FDA reviews for lower-cost prescription drug and leveraging AI to power accelerated innovation discoveries and root out waste fraud and abuse. Taken together, these '80/20' healthcare proposals and other free-market reforms serve as the foundation of the 'Most Favored Patient' project (I'm one of the principals) [ a Trump-aligned agenda made up of commonsense solutions and innovative policies to address the everyday healthcare problems and costs impacting nearly every family. Now, thanks to President Trump, Republicans in Congress have a unique opportunity and platform to turn an issue that has historically been viewed as a primary weakness into a winning agenda that appeals to all American patients, taxpayers and voters. Here's some advice: Don't hesitate.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Cardiologists says he wishes more people knew how to 'avoid open heart surgery': No chest cutting, bypass machine needed
Dr Dmitry Yaranov, a cardiologist known as 'Heart Transplant Doc' on Instagram, took to the platform on August 9 to share a post in which he said, 'Being a cardiologist for years, I wish more people knew they could avoid open-heart surgery.' In his post, the doctor explained how mitral and tricuspid valves are crucial in maintaining blood flow in the right direction. Also read | Minimally invasive cardiac surgery: Heart risks for your parents, benefits, lifestyle changes, recovery secrets The cardiologist explained how minimally invasive procedures like MitraClip and TriClip offer promising solutions for patients with leaky heart valves. (Representative image) He said, 'We used to crack open the chest to fix a leaky heart valve. Now? We clip it — through a vein. Let's talk mitral and tricuspid valves — the heart's inlet valves, constantly working to keep blood flowing in the right direction. But when they leak — called regurgitation — blood flows backward, and the heart starts to fail.' What are MitraClip and TriClip? When these valves leak, it can lead to serious complications, but fortunately, advancements in medical technology have introduced minimally invasive procedures to address these issues, Dr Yaranov highlighted. He said, 'Old-school fix? Open-heart surgery. Not everyone could handle it. Today? We've flipped the script. With devices like MitraClip (for mitral) and TriClip (for tricuspid), we can fix the valve without surgery.' MitraClip is a device used to treat mitral regurgitation, a condition where the mitral valve leaks, allowing blood to flow backward. The MitraClip is inserted through a vein in the leg and clips the valve's leaflets together to reduce leakage. TriClip, a similar device designed for the tricuspid valve, also clips the leaflets together to minimise regurgitation. The TriClip is specifically made for the tricuspid valve and has shown promising results in reducing symptoms and hospitalisations for heart failure. 'Small clip, big impact' Explaining these, Dr Yaranov said, 'Just a catheter through a vein in the leg. No chest cutting. No bypass machine. Just a tiny clip, placed right on the valve. It brings the leaflets together, reduces the leak, and the patient usually goes home the next day. Mitral regurgitation is the most common valve disease in the US. And tricuspid used to be ignored — but not anymore. We're now treating patients who were once told 'there's nothing we can do'. And they're walking out stronger — without ever seeing an OR (operating room). This isn't the future of valve care. It's happening now. Small clip. Big impact.' What is an open heart surgery? According to The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), open heart surgery is a procedure where surgeons operate on the heart after making a large incision in the chest to access the heart and surrounding structures. It's typically used to address severe heart conditions like coronary artery disease, faulty valves, or congenital defects. During the surgery, a heart-lung bypass machine often maintains circulation while the heart is stopped to allow for repair. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
16-07-2025
- Health
Taylor Swift's dad recovering from successful heart surgery, source claims
Scott Swift, the father of music superstar Taylor Swift, is reportedly recovering after undergoing heart surgery, a source close to the Swifts confirmed to ABC News. Scott Swift, 73, underwent a successful quintuple bypass surgery over one month ago, according to the source. A bypass surgery, also known as coronary artery bypass grafting, is done in order to improve the flow of blood to the heart, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. The procedure takes healthy blood vessels from one part of the body and connects them to the blood vessels around the blocked artery, according to the NHLBI. It is used to treat obstructive coronary heart disease. TMZ was the first to report the news of Scott Swift's surgery. Taylor Swift has not commented publicly on her dad's health. The music star's family members -- including her mom Andrea Swift and brother Austin Swift -- are well-known to her fans, as they are a frequent presence by her side. Scott Swift in particular was a familiar face at concerts around the world during his daughter's blockbuster Eras Tour last year. He has also joined Taylor Swift and her mom and brother at Kansas City Chiefs games to cheer on Taylor Swift's boyfriend, tight end Travis Kelce.
Health Line
02-07-2025
- Health
- Health Line
The Four Stages of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Key takeaways COPD is a progressive lung disease with mild symptoms in the early stages that gradually worsen. Early diagnosis and treatment can help preserve lung function. The GOLD system previously classified COPD from stages 1 to 4 based on lung capacity as measured by a spirometry test. New guidelines now combine spirometry results with symptom severity to assess risk and determine staging. Quitting smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke after receiving a diagnosis of COPD can improve your life expectancy and outlook. People with COPD often have trouble breathing, a persistent cough, and shortness of breath. COPD can be subdivided into stages or grades, depending on how far it has progressed. It is most common in smokers and people over the age of 40. Keep reading to learn about the four stages of COPD. We'll discuss the symptoms you can expect at each stage and potential treatment options. What is the GOLD system for categorizing COPD severity? The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) is a program started by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Countries around the world use its guidelines and recommendations for diagnosing and treating COPD. The GOLD system previously classified COPD from stages 1 to 4 solely based on your lung capacity measured by a spirometry test. But the newest GOLD guidelines combine your spirometry results with subjective measures of your symptom severity to determine your level of risk based on their ABCD rubric. A spirometer test involves exhaling into a machine called a spirometer. The machine measures how hard and quickly you can exhale. Your doctor examines two numbers in your results: your force vital capacity (FVC) and your force expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). Your FVC is the total amount of air you can breathe out and FEV1 is the amount you breathe out in one second. A ratio of your FEV1/FVC needs to be less than 0.7 for a diagnosis of COPD. Doctors grade your spirometry results from grade 1 (least severe) to grade 4 (most severe). In the old system, these grades correlate with stage 1 to stage 4 COPD. Doctors determine the severity of your symptoms using either the British Medical Research Council (mMRC) questionnaire or the COPD Assessment Test (CAT). Stage 1: Early Stage 1 COPD is considered mild. At this stage, you may not be aware that you have anything wrong with your lung function. A doctor assigns you with grade 1 COPD if your FEV1 is between 80 and 100% of your predicted value. Symptoms If you score grade 1 on your spirometry test, you may not have any noticeable symptoms. If you do have symptoms, you may develop a cough and increased mucus production. You may mistake the early stages of COPD for the flu. Treatment With stage 1 COPD, your doctor may recommend a bronchodilator medication to open up the airways in your lungs. These medications are usually taken through an inhaler or nebulizer. Your doctor may also recommend getting flu, COVID-19, and pneumonia vaccines to prevent illnesses that may worsen your respiratory symptoms. Changing lifestyle habits that led to the development of COPD can potentially help slow the progression of your COPD. Most people with COPD have a history of smoking. Quitting smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke are two of the most important things you can do to improve your outlook with COPD. Stage 2: Mild Your COPD is considered to be stage 2 when your FEV1 drops to 50 to 79% of your predicted value. Symptoms During stage 2, your symptoms worsen from stage 1. Your coughing and mucus production may become more severe, and you may experience shortness of breath when walking or exercising. Typically, it's in this stage that people realize that something is wrong and seek medical attention from a doctor. Treatment You may be given bronchodilator medication to increase airflow to your lungs. Your doctor may recommend pulmonary rehabilitation, a program designed to increase your awareness about your condition. It's usually offered as a group class where you learn how to manage your condition better. If you have a flare-up of symptoms, you may need to take steroids or oxygen. Stage 3: Severe By the time you reach stage 3, COPD is considered severe, and your forced expiratory volume is between 30 to 50 percent of your predicted value. You may have trouble catching your breath doing household chores and may not be able to leave your house. Symptoms By stage 3, you may get more frequent flare-ups, and your shortness of breath and coughing typically get worse. You will likely find you get tired easier than before. Other potential symptoms can include: Treatment The treatment options for stage 3 COPD are similar to stage 2. You're more likely to need oxygen therapy at this stage. Stage 4: Very severe Stage 4 is considered very severe. Your forced expiratory volume is less than 30% of your normal value, and your blood oxygen levels are also low. You're at risk of developing COPD complications like heart or lung failure. Symptoms By stage 4, you'll likely have frequent flare-ups that can be potentially fatal. You may have trouble breathing even when you're resting. Treatment Treatment options during stage 4 are similar to the previous stages. Your doctor may also recommend lung surgery to improve breathing. Surgical options include: lung transplant lung volume reduction surgery bullectomy Is there an end stage to COPD? A grade 4 score on your spirometry test is the highest grade you can receive. This category is also sometimes referred to as end stage COPD. For many people at this stage, quality of life is usually fairly low, and symptom flare-ups can be fatal. What is the life expectancy of someone with COPD? Having COPD lowers your life expectancy. However, the amount that it affects your life expectancy depends on many factors, such as how far your COPD has progressed and whether you quit smoking or change the other lifestyle habits that lead to COPD. An older 2009 study found that COPD led to a small reduction in life span for people who have never smoked, but a larger life span decrease for people who currently smoke or smoked in the past. According to the researchers, a 65-year-old man who smokes would lose 3.5 years from their life expectancy for smoking, plus the following values for having COPD: Stage 1: 0.3 years Stage 2: 2.2 years Stage 3 or 4: 5.8 years For former smokers, the reductions are: Stage 1: 1.4 years Stage 2, 3, or 4: 5.6 years For somebody who never smoked, the reductions are: Stage 2: 0.7 years Stage 3 or 4: 1.3 years In a 2017 study, researchers followed a group of long-term smokers with COPD for 5 years. They found that participants who had died before a 5-year follow-up had a longer average smoking time and a lower prevalence of quitting smoking. The researchers concluded that smoking time may be related to COPD mortality rate, and quitting smoking has the largest potential to influence COPD outlook. A 2020 study of 532 people with COPD at a hospital in Taiwan suggests that loss of life years can vary based on a person's GOLD stage: GOLD stage 1: no reduction GOLD stage 2: 6.2 years GOLD stage 3: 9.3 years GOLD stage 4: 9.4 years This study did not distinguish by smoking history. Can you prevent COPD from progressing? COPD can't be reversed, and it's currently not possible to stop the progression of your COPD completely. You can help slow the progression of COPD as much as possible by working with your doctor and following a proper treatment program. Living with COPD No matter how far your COPD has progressed, it's important to change the lifestyle habits that caused your COPD in the first place. The most important thing you can do is quit smoking. If you don't quit, you'll continue to damage your lungs, and your COPD will progress quicker than it would otherwise. Eating a nutrient-rich eating plan filled with plenty of vegetables, healthy fats, protein, and unprocessed foods may help you manage your symptoms and maintain a healthy weight. Eating foods that cause bloating, like apricots or peaches, may worsen breathing problems in some people. Regular exercise may help decrease symptoms of COPD by strengthening your respiratory muscles and improving your cardiovascular health. Your doctor may be able to suggest exercise that is safe for you.
Medscape
06-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Is Obesity Today's ‘Cancer'?
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) encompasses 21 institutes in acknowledgement of the seriousness of a host of conditions, including cancer, heart disease, infectious diseases, mental health disorders, diabetes, gastrointestinal diseases, kidney diseases, neurological diseases, and more. However, one disease is missing from the list, and it's the one that connects many of the others: obesity. everly Tchang, MD The first institute, the National Cancer Institute, was created in 1937 in recognition of the importance of fighting the second most common cause of mortality. The resulting decades of investment and research have resulted in a new understanding of the root causes of cancer, prevention and screening protocols, diagnostic tools and technologies, and advanced therapeutics that offer the best balance of benefits over risks. Together, these advancements have saved millions of lives. In just one example, overall breast cancer mortality has decreased by 58% from the 1970s to today. Similarly, the 1948 creation of the National Heart Institute, which grew into today's National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), facilitated astounding medical innovations, including angioplasty, bypass surgery, lipid-lowering medications, and anti-hypertensive medications. With measures directed at both optimizing prevention and treatment, the age-standardized death rate from cardiovascular disease, the nation's No. 1 killer, decreased by 67.5% between 1969 and 2013. So, is it time for a National Institute of Obesity? Historically, the impetus for establishing prior institutes was three-fold: the disease's prevalence, impact, and priority. The overall prevalence of obesity surpasses that of cancer and cardiovascular disease. In the United States, the lifetime risk of developing cancer is 38.9%, and the prevalence of cardiovascular disease is 9.9% in adults >20 years of age. The prevalence of obesity in adults is 40.3%. When expanded to include adults with overweight, the figure rises to a sobering 73.6%. This means almost 3 out of 4 adults — in your waiting room, shopping mall, park, voting district — potentially have metabolic disease. Obesity's impact can't be overstated. Medically, obesity has been identified as the root cause or contributor to over 20 diseases encompassing cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory, neurological, musculoskeletal, and infectious diseases. A recent study led by Johns Hopkins researchers found significant associations between obesity and 16 health conditions, with the risk of these conditions rising with the severity of obesity: hypertension, type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia/dyslipidemia, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, gout, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, biliary calculus, obstructive sleep apnea, asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and osteoarthritis. On a population level, the estimated cost of obesity, including indirect consequences such as disability or reduced work productivity, exceeded $1.4 trillion from 2014 to 2018, according to a 2020 Milken report. Prioritizing a person's health is not an individual vs public issue, and in fact, the two are intertwined. With over 200 million people in the United States having overweight or obesity, we have the critical mass to demand real change from our public health system. We deserve better research, transparency, and communication about the impact of environmental factors, whether they be nutrition or work-related stress or endocrine-disrupting chemicals; the genetics or biology that drives our environmental responses; and the interplay between them. Currently, obesity is treated like a stepchild. It is housed under the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, which runs the NIH Obesity Research Task Force. Separately, some institutes focus on isolated aspects of obesity as it relates to their primary goal (eg, obesity's impact on cardiovascular health in the NHLBI).
