A Federal Covid Testing Plan Finally Ramps Up. Strings Are Attached. January 14, 2022 Perspective In this commentary for Barron’s, Cynthia Cox and Lindsey Dawson examine the cost and availability of at-home COVID-19 tests and how the new Biden administration policy requiring private insurances to cover their costs may work.
Biden vs Trump on Health With Swing Voters September 17, 2020 Perspective Drawing on newly released KFF/Cook Political Report polling in key Sun Belt states, Drew Altman discusses how the 2020 election is more about President Trump but issues do matter. He says that swing voters in Florida, Arizona and North Carolina prefer Joe Biden over President Trump on more issues including health care and the coronavirus, but President Trump has the edge on their top issue, the economy.
Drew Altman: Understanding the US Failure on Coronavirus September 14, 2020 Perspective For The BMJ, Drew Altman discusses two fundamental policy decisions made by the Trump administration that set the U.S. on the controversial and highly criticized course it has taken on COVID-19.
Drew Altman: Pharmacies, Not the Military, Will Handle COVID-19 Vaccinations August 31, 2020 Perspective President Trump has conjured up the image of a top general and the military delivering the coronavirus vaccine drawing on their vast logistical experience. In his latest Axios column, Drew Altman explains why vaccine realities will dictate that it’s much more likely to be at your local Walgreens or CVS pharmacy.
Drew Altman: The Pandemic is Boosting the Public’s View of Doctors August 3, 2020 Perspective In this Axios column, Drew Altman looks at how the heroic performance of the nation’s doctors on the frontlines of coronavirus care and effective communication by many physician scientists on television, is shifting the public’s views, with twice as many Americans now saying doctors put people ahead of profits than they did in earlier KFF polling.
Most Americans are Practicing Social Distancing April 13, 2020 Perspective Drew Altman analyzes data showing surprising numbers of Americans of all ages are sheltering in place and reporting social distancing, and discusses the implications in an Axios column.
The Public Wants the Federal Government, Not States, in Charge On Coronavirus April 7, 2020 Perspective In Drew Altman’s Axios column, he analyzes new polling showing that rather than serving as backup to the states, the public wants the federal government to lead the nation’s coronavirus response.
The Front-line Workers Most at Risk from Coronavirus June 22, 2020 Perspective As state and local governments ease social distancing orders, many employers and workers face decisions about a physical return to the workplace. Drew Altman’s latest Axios column analyzes the numbers and finds that, “An estimated 25-30 million people are caught in the middle of the coronavirus economy — they’re unable to work from home but also face a high risk of severe infection.”
Black Americans Are More Skeptical of a Coronavirus Vaccine October 14, 2020 Perspective Drew Altman discusses how systemic racism has led to striking levels of reluctance to get a COVID-19 vaccine among Black Americans, including those at highest risk, and the challenge it presents for ending the pandemic.
Drugs Aren’t the Reason the U.S. Spends So Much on Health Care September 30, 2020 Perspective Drew Altman’s column in Axios: the U.S. now spends twice per capita what other wealthy countries do on health care. But while drug costs get all the time in public debate, it’s hospital and outpatient spending that mostly explains the difference. And that will be impossible to take on without real pain and political risk, he says.
