Robert Greenwald is calling for Senator John McCain to release his health records claiming that only partial records have been released to only a select few. He and Brave New Films have released a video that features images of Sen. McCain and doctors discussing his history of cancer (which can be seen below), and he has also been encouraging people to write to Jim Lehrer asking him to question the senator about his health during tonight’s debate (which seems as if it will definitely take place tonight). “John McCain’s health records must be released” Do you see the call for the release of all of Sen. McCain’s health history important to the election and to the country, or do you see it as a prejudice against cancer... [Read more]

Journalist F. Brinley Bruton writes about her experiences being treated for a urinary tract infection in London two weeks ago and compares it to her experience being treated for the same condition in New York City 10 years ago. Her article can be found here. She feels that she was treated better in New York City, but her bills were astronomical in comparison to her bills for her London treatment. Her point can probably be summed up with her asking, “Would the elderly woman in my ward in London who repeatedly pleaded “Can someone help me please?” after being left on her dirty bedpan for almost an hour, recommend a version of the National Health Service to Americans? Cost vs. quality….the major dilemma. Your thoughts on her accounts?... [Read more]

I happened across the season premier of ABC’s show, Boston Legal, last night. The case which the episode revolved around was a case against against a tobacco company. The story is not new, but the arguments used against the tobacco company included, among other things, the improper marketing to children and the questionable outlawing of all flavored cigarettes except menthol which are popular among African-Americans. It sounded very similar to previous posts that Jen and I have made that can be found here and here. You can check out the episode online on the Boston Legal area of the ABC.com Web site. [Read more]

We post about the pros and cons of health insurance, and a bit about what the presidential candidates plan to do about it, but we have yet to (at least that I can recall) post the “real, everyday joe” perspective. Well, wait no longer because I have re-posted a blog post below from a friend of mine who is very thoughtful about just these kinds of issues. He (and I ) would be interested to hear your thoughts. Originally written September 8, 2008 No Group Coverage? Well You’re Just SOL! In the last five years, I’ve had the following conversation more times than I can count on two hands… Other Person: “How’s business going?” Me: “Oh, pretty good. I’m really busy, and I really love my job.” Other... [Read more]

The New York Times Health section has a new columnist that wants to discuss the fact that many Americans are losing faith in their doctors. And get this, the columnist is…a doctor. Dr. Pauline Chen, a liver transplant and cancer surgeon, has seen first-hand the growing struggle to find open communication and trust on both sides of the doctor-patient relationship, and she’s ready to talk about it. Dr. Chen says, “We all want the same thing: the best care possible, but we have lost the ability to converse thoughtfully with one another. My hope is that we can revive that conversation.” Dr. Chen’s debut column, “Healing the Doctor-Patient Divide” admits that there is a divide and calls for an open dialogue... [Read more]