In the Limelight, For Better or For Worse, Something’s Changed -Something’s Rearranged & Just Wondering Why

Heraclitus of Ephesus (c. 535 BC – 475 BC) was a Greek philosopher, who like his predecessors, sought to understand the universe. Heraclitus is sometimes referred to as the “Riddler” because his philosophies were stated in a paradoxical form. He rejected the views other philosophers especially those who saw harmony in the universe. Heraclitus instead focused on change to help explain the world.

You may be familiar with Heraclitus’ writing and not even know it!  Have you have heard the quote “No man ever steps in the same river twice”?  This comes from Heraclitus’ writings. Or perhaps the Heraclitus’ quote “The only constant in life is change.”  His words are certainly true today!

This week was marked by important changes on the economic front. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today that the Consumer Price Index (CPI), a key measure of inflation, increased 8.6% in May as compared to one-year ago. The increase exceeded economists’ expectations and is largest increase since December 1981. Housing costs, food and gas were the largest contributors to May’s inflation hike. The core CPI, which excludes food and energy prices, rose 6% in May, also above expectations. Even without today’s report, U.S. consumers know that prices are continuing to rise every time they put gas in their cars or checkout at the grocery store.

The economy was not the only major story in the news this week. Check out In the Limelight, for some of the latest healthcare stories in the news. Next, explore For Better or For Worse, with articles on the good and not so good sides of healthcare. Do not miss Something’s Changed, Something’s Rearranged, looking at the current state of key healthcare issues and what may come next. Last, but not least, check out Just Wondering Why and my personal favorite, Why can’t you remember being born, learning to walk, or saying your first words?

I hope you enjoy the following:

1. In the Limelight

• Federal Trade Commission (FTC): FTC Launches Inquiry Into Prescription Drug Middlemen Industry Agency to Scrutinize the Impact of Vertically Integrated Pharmacy Benefit Managers on the Access and Affordability of Medicine

• Fierce Healthcare: Teladoc hit with lawsuit alleging it misled investors after ‘significant losses’

• HealthDay: Weight-Loss Surgery May Greatly Lower Odds for Many Cancers

• U.S. News & World Report: 4 in 10 U.S. Adults Who Need Mental Health Care Can’t Get It: Survey

2. For Better or For Worse

• Axios: Apple launches “Safety Check” feature for users facing domestic violence

• Kaiser Health News: She’s 31, Has Stage 4 Kidney Cancer — And Talked Openly About It in a Job Interview

• Health Affairs: The Role Of Clinical Waste In Excess US Health Spending

• Wall Street Journal: Startup Cerebral Soared on Easy Adderall Prescriptions. That Was Its Undoing. The online mental health company surged to a $4.8 billion valuation after it started dispensing ADHD medication, but staffers grew concerned that it was pushing the drugs too aggressively.

3. Somethings Changed, Something’s Rearranged

• Alaska Daily News –The Washington Post: How long COVID could change the way we think about disability

• NPR: The idea of working in the office, all day, every day? No thanks, say workers

• McKinsey & Company: Employers look to expand health benefits while managing medical costs

• Becker’s ASC Review: Private equity turns to physicians after courting ASCs for years

4. Just Wondering Why

• McGill University – Office for Science and Society: How do erasers work?

• The Conversation: Why can’t you remember being born, learning to walk, or saying your first words? What scientists know about ‘infantile amnesia’

• Smithsonian Magazine: What Really Happens When You Pop Champagne, According to Science

• JSTOR Daily: How We All Got in Debt

Enjoy your weekend!