Latest news with #Oz
Business Journals
14 hours ago
- Health
- Business Journals
Dr. Frist to Dr. Oz: Use Nashville's health care leaders as a resource
Nashville's health care leaders gathered July 22 to hear a discussion between Dr. Bill Frist and Dr. Mehmet Oz, the new Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services administrator. Here's what Frist said to Oz, and what Oz had to say about Medicaid cuts, improving the health care landscape and getting people back to work.
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Every Narcissist Has A 'Flying Monkey.' Here's What That Means.
Narcissists have an uncanny ability to get through to you, even when you've made an effort to create some distance between you and them. To sidestep any communication boundaries you've set, they'll often employ a third party ― a friend you have in common, your sibling or other parent if it's your mom or dad that you're dealing with, or a fellow coworker if your narc is in the workplace. Online ― in subreddits and Facebook groups where people detail their experiences with narcissists and emotional abusers ― this third party is sometimes called 'a flying monkey' or the narcissist's 'wingman.' If you're not one for pithy pop psychology terms, you could just call them an enabler. The flying monkey moniker is, of course, an allusion to the 'Wizard of Oz,' in which the wily Wicked Witch of the West enlists flying monkeys to do her dirty work: capturing Dorothy and her companions, terrorizing the land of the Winkies. (We won't classify the witch as a narcissist; who's to say if the DSM-5 psychiatric manual even exists in Oz?) A narcissist similarly uses their flying monkey to harass you emotionally, guilt trip you or plead their case, said Lauren Maher, a marriage and family therapist and the author of 'Mindfulness Workbook for Panic Attacks.' 'Consciously or unconsciously, the flying monkey upholds and advocates for the narcissist's reality,' Maher told HuffPost. 'They might covertly gather information, spread rumors, gaslight, bully, or minimize the reality of the person who is being abused by the narcissist. ' In Maher's practice, she's seen two types of people who are chosen as flying monkeys. The first consists of conflict-avoidant people-pleasers whose sympathies are easily manipulated by the narcissist. 'When they take the side of the narcissist, they may genuinely think they are advocating for the good,' she said. 'A common example seen in families is when a narcissistic parent portrays themselves as an eternal victim, but who in reality is quite emotionally abusive to one sibling behind closed doors.' When the emotionally abused sibling ― who's often the 'scapegoat' of the family ― finally sets boundaries with this parent, they may experience pushback from another sibling who tells them they are being selfish, uncaring, or 'tearing the family apart,' Maher said. The second type of flying monkey is a little less well-meaning ― more of a willing ally of the narcissist. 'I'm thinking of more cutthroat individuals who may have narcissistic traits themselves,' Maher said. 'An example of this would be someone who throws their colleague under the bus to protect the interests or public persona of a toxic boss, believing that this may ingratiate them to the boss and help them climb the ladder.' Clearly more nefarious than the first type, these flying monkeys might feel 'special' when they are chosen by the narcissist and may lack empathy for others, the therapist said. Regardless of what type you're dealing with, we've got advice on how to gently let your monkey know that what they're doing isn't going to fly with you. Take a pause when you come into contact with an enabler. Whether they're cognizant of it or not, flying monkeys are often sent to provoke a reaction ― usually guilt, shame, or some sort of defensiveness. Don't take the bait. 'Responding with emotion gives them power and reinforces the narcissist's control,' said Marie-Line Germain, a professor of HR and leadership and author of 'Narcissism at Work: Personality Disorders of Corporate Leaders'. 'Instead, try to remain calm and neutral,' she told HuffPost. 'In the moment, a simple response such as, 'Thanks, but I'm not discussing this' or 'My decision about this has been made and I'm not really looking for input' can be effective.' Know that this dynamic is so common, there's a psychological name for it: Triangulation. In conflict, people often use triangulation to bring another person into a relationship or conversation without directly confronting the person with whom they have an issue. That's what happens in these pesky flying monkey scenarios, said Ami B. Kaplan, a psychotherapist in New York and Florida who specializes in treating adult children of narcissists: The third party is sent in to stabilize the situation, which for the narcissist means bringing you back into the fold. 'This person ― the flying monkey ― is unfortunately 'triangulated' into communicating with the targeted person,' she said. 'For example, you see narcissist mothers sending their husbands to communicate with an estranged son, in the hopes that the father will get the son to re-engage with her.' The father might feel uneasy about his involvement, but a narcissist can be so difficult to deal with, many family members just go along with what they want to keep the peace, Kaplan said. Recognize that anything you tell the flying monkey will likely get back to the narcissist. This should go without saying: When dealing with an enabler, anything you say or do will in all likelihood be reported back to the narcissist as soon as you hop off the phone. 'Because nothing is confidential, keep your communication limited and refuse to discuss the conflict,' said Karyl McBride, a therapist and author of 'Will the Drama Ever End? Untangling and Healing from the Harmful Effects of Parental Narcissism.' This can be tricky and will almost undoubtedly require firm boundary setting, McBride said. 'Remember to make a boundary stick, you have to follow through and enforce it with things such as hanging up, walking away, refusing to engage,' she said. You have options when it comes to engaging with a flying monkey. The devastating part of all of this is that the enabler can be someone that you like, love or even get along with on a regular basis. But because they collude with your narcissist, you may need to reevaluate how you engage with them in your life, said Chelsey Brooke Cole, a psychotherapist and author of 'If Only I'd Known! How to Outsmart Narcissists, Set Guilt-Free Boundaries, and Create Unshakeable Self-Worth.' You have a few options in this situation, though, she said. First, you can try to agree to disagree with the flying monkey. 'Maybe you say something like, 'We're not going to see that situation in the same way. Moving forward in our relationship, let's just agree to not talk about that subject,'' Cole said. In plenty of situations, that might be the best option. For example, if this is someone you work with, they may continue believing your narcissistic boss is a great leader, even though you know they're a bit two-faced and not cut out for management. If you and your coworker can avoid sharing opinions about your boss, you should be able to maintain a good working relationship, Cole said. Alternatively, you can test the waters by asking if the flying monkey is open to having a conversation about your side of the story, she said. She used the example of a family friend who's constantly saying things like, 'You really should call your mother. She's not going to be around forever.' 'You might know that this is your mother's attempt to triangulate and guilt-trip you into calling her, when you've set very clear boundaries that you don't want to contact her,' she said. 'In that case, you can respond with something like, 'It sounds like you might've heard some things about my relationship with my mom that isn't the full story. Are you open to hearing why I've decided not to be in contact with her right now?'' It's also an option to set boundaries about what you are and aren't willing to talk about with an enabler. 'Using the above scenario with the family friend, you can say something like, 'I understand where you're coming from, however my mom and I's relationship is our own and I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't make those types of comments anymore.'' Cole said that in some cases, you may need to break off contact with the flying monkey for a spell, too. Lean into your support system. While you don't want to create a flying monkey situation of your own, there's absolutely nothing wrong with talking to someone you trust about how this is impacting you, Maher said, 'It's so important to lean on your own support network and to surround yourself with people who have shown themselves to be trustworthy and compassionate over time,' she said. Related... There Are 5 Types Of Narcissists. Any Of Them Sound Familiar? 6 Red Flag Phrases Narcissists Use To Manipulate You During An Argument I'm A Psychologist Who Specializes In Narcissists. Here's What We Need To Do To Stop Trump.
The Hill
2 days ago
- Health
- The Hill
Memo pushes back on bill's impact to rural hospitals
A new memo shared first with The Hill argues the law 'contains unprecedented levels of federal assistance to rural and other vulnerable hospitals' through its five-year, $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program. The administration notes that Medicaid has historically invested very little in rural hospitals. According to figures from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Medicaid spent just $19 billion on rural hospitals in 2024. The rural health fund will provide an additional $10 billion each year from 2026 through 2030. But it ends after 2030, with no phaseout period. The memo argues the fund is a 'flexible' source of investment because it's not tied directly to reimbursement for services. Indeed, as experts have noted, the fund will not make direct payments to rural hospitals. Instead, the money will go to states, which will need to first file detailed 'rural health transformation plans' and get approval from CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz. The law gives Oz broad discretion on what he can approve, and there is no specific requirement for states to direct funds to rural hospitals or CMS to approve only funding for rural districts. States also need to make funding decisions quickly, as the federal government can claw back unobligated money before the program ends. The new law cuts about $1 trillion from Medicaid, primarily through stringent work requirements as well as reductions to how states can fund their Medicaid programs through provider taxes and state-directed payments. Rural hospitals rely heavily on Medicaid funding because many of the patients they care for are low income. But the administration noted that rural hospitals only account for 7 percent of overall Medicaid spending. According to a KFF analysis, federal Medicaid spending in rural areas is estimated to decline by $155 billion over a decade because of the law.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Billy Idol Remembers Ozzy Osbourne: 'He Opened Musical Doorways for People Like Me'
Billy Idol is one of many in the music industry grieving Tuesday after the legendary Ozzy Osbourne died at age 76. In Idol's case, he credits Osbourne for 'showing us the way' to succeed as punk-rockers. Just last October, Idol helped celebrate Ozzy's induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist by performing 'No More Tears' at the ceremony, joined by his bandmate Steve Stevens, one-time Oz collaborators Zakk Wylde and Robert Trujillo, along with the Red Hot Chili Peppers' Chad Smith. During interviews at the time, Ozzy praised Idol and said he, too, should be inducted into the Cleveland shrine, and it was no coincidence that Billy found his name among this year's nominees, even if he didn't make the cut this time. Here, Idol remembers Osbourne for his indelible mark on music and the path he carved for those who came after him. I guess he went out his way. I'm still in a little bit of shock because just over two weeks ago, he was on that Back to the Beginning stage in Birmingham. I didn't expect this to happen, really. But I suppose that's the way it always is. More from The Hollywood Reporter 'Squid Game' Stars Byung Hun Lee and Yim Siwan to Make KCON L.A. 2025 Appearances Critic's Notebook: Ozzy Osbourne Created the Template for Reality TV Celebrity Reinvention, From Flavor Flav to Donald Trump Black Sabbath Mourn Death of Ozzy Osbourne: "Lost Our Brother" I've known him over the years for a long time now. I did the occasional promotion things with him, that kind of stuff. Then I was part of his solo induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame at the invitation of Sharon. It was an incredible night, a great experience. It really made me appreciate what the Hall of Fame was really all about. Because you hear all the negative things, I just saw the positive that evening. Being part of Ozzy's induction enabled me to do that. I'm sure his endorsement helped me get nominated this year. Somebody like that making a statement like that was just incredible. He's like David Bowie. Ozzy's always been here as an inspiration for those of us who love music, showing us the way to survive through it all. Incredible, really. It's hard to believe that both are dead now. Ozzy was just so alive, he had so much personality… being in the moment and enjoying it. His music was like that as well. My bandmate Billy Morrison is one of Ozzy's best friends. I've known Ozzy and Sharon a long time, doing various things with them over the years. Being British and in Los Angeles was a connection, too. He started his solo career at about the same time I started mine. Just the fact he found a way to survive, from Black Sabbath to a massively successful solo career. And then he brought it all back to the beginning with Black Sabbath making an album a few years ago. Just two weeks ago, he was on that stage having the time of his life. He really seemed to be enjoying himself. Ozzy loved things. He loved the Beatles, rock 'n' roll music and those close to him. It gave him a way to live. At one point, he didn't think he had any future. And it was like that for us in punk-rock, too. Rock 'n' roll gave us all a way forward, to go beyond them telling us there was nothing for us. And that was Ozzy. You hear a lot about his wild and crazy side, but he had a lot of love for things in his life…. his music and the people around him. Seeing him at the Hall of Fame induction, it was great to witness all the relationships he's had over the years, how everyone loved him. And he loved them back. He opened musical doorways for people like me at a time when we were very young and looking for inspiration. Black Sabbath and Ozzy were very instrumental in opening the doorway for punk-rock. In many ways, it was fueled by all the things we saw when we were younger, especially the Sabs and Ozzy. Best of The Hollywood Reporter From 'Party in the U.S.A.' to 'Born in the U.S.A.': 20 of America's Most Patriotic (and Un-Patriotic) Musical Offerings Most Anticipated Concert Tours of 2025: Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar & SZA, Sabrina Carpenter and More Hollywood's Most Notable Deaths of 2025 Solve the daily Crossword
Los Angeles Times
17-07-2025
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
Letters to the Editor: If we're expected to take Medicare fraud crimes seriously, Trump should be too
To the editor: Guest contributors Mehmet Oz and Kim Brandt are raising the flag regarding Medicare fraud ('Medicare fraud has gone global. It'll take a nationwide effort to stop it,' July 15). However, does Oz know President Trump has pardoned some of the biggest Medicare fraudsters? During Trump's first term, he granted clemency to at least 10 healthcare executives and doctors convicted of large-scale Medicare fraud schemes. In May 2025, Trump commuted the sentence of Lawrence Duran, who was convicted in 2011 for his role in a $205-million Medicare fraud scheme. Philip Esformes, a Florida healthcare executive convicted in 2019 of a $1.3-billion Medicare/Medicaid fraud scheme, would see his 20-year sentence end after just 4.5 years when Trump gave him a commutation in 2020. Salomon Melgen, a Florida eye doctor whose clinics defrauded Medicare of $42 million, was serving a 17-year sentence when Trump gave him a commutation. These are just a few of the people in the long list of healthcare fraudsters that Trump either pardoned or handed commutations to. So, Oz, I would suggest that you talk to the president about letting criminals who prey on the government programs that you are overseeing walk before taking any further steps in warning us about Medicare fraud. Pam Cwiklo, Camarillo .. To the editor: I applaud the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for creating the Fraud Defense Operations Center in an attempt to diminish the incredible amount of fraud perpetrated against Medicare and Medicaid. However, the Trump administration should not be taking credit for 'changing that' process to make Medicare less vulnerable. It was the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 passed by President Obama that amended the Social Security Act, under which Medicare and Medicaid exist, to move from a 'pay and chase' model to proactively preventing payments. The Center for Program Integrity at CMS has been preventing payments from occurring for almost 15 years now. It is disingenuous to claim that the Trump administration is just now starting this effort without acknowledging steps taken previously. John Winkelman, Rancho Mission Viejo
