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Put an end to Tacoma ICE center's unconscionable refusal of health inspections
Inspections by health officials should be a basic function of government and a reasonable accommodation by a corporation that has nothing to hide.
Why governments need science advice: Lessons from UK’s chief science adviser
Professor Dame Angela McLean, the U.K. government’s chief science adviser, discussed the role of science advice in government during an armchair discussion at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, hosted by the Science and Technology Policy Program as part of its Civic Scientist Lecture Series.
John Swinney defends £45,000 business-class flights to World Cup
The Scottish government spent almost £100,000 on official visits to the United States in June.
Kelly Purvis: A path to nonpartisan politics
A paid political endorsement letter from Dawn Richards In sharp contrast to Coronado’s longstanding tradition of nonpartisanship, our city government has recently experienced an increase in partisan politics. This shift […]
AHA says new legislation would strengthen stroke care and prevention
Sen. Ben Ray Luján, a stroke survivor, introduced the new bill. If passed, it would direct the federal government to study how stroke care is delivered in the United States and fund efforts aimed at improving treatments, data collection and public awareness.
Global Digital Collaboration Conference 2026
The Global Digital Collaboration Conference 2026 will bring together government, international organizations, technical experts and private-sector partners to advance collaboration on trusted digital systems and cross-border digital solutions.
Government Science Websites Shouldn’t Apologize for Scientists
The job of a government science website is to inform the public about what science has discovered, not to pass judgment on historical figures for their alleged failure to live up to contemporary progressive standards of opinion. Someone should make that distinction clear to the men and women at the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI).
Vantor names new head of U.S. government business
Vantor names new head of U.S. government business Vantor names new head of U.S. government business
Vantor Appoints Will Cocos to Lead U.S. Government Business
WESTMINSTER, Colo., August 19, 2026--Vantor, the leader in unified spatial intelligence, announced today that Will Cocos has been appointed Executive Vice President and General Manager of its U.S. Government business. Cocos will lead Vantor’s work across the U.S. defense, intelligence and civil government communities, with a focus on accelerating the delivery of mission-ready capabilities to warfighters and other operators.
Europe Hurries to Fund More Cutting-Edge Businesses to Compete with China and U.S.
European governments, facing a nearly $1 trillion gap in investment funding, are casting a wide net to back start-ups developing pioneering technologies.
'India is an early tech adopter': Proofpoint CEO on why the cybersecurity firm is expanding in India
Sumit Dhawan, CEO of Proofpoint, explains why the cybersecurity firm is continuing to expand its operations in India by setting up two Centres of Excellence. He also assesses sovereign efforts to ensure governments and critical sectors are protected.
Whistleblower alleges political pressure, lack of evidence in antisemitism probes targeting schools
A whistleblower is alleging that a Trump administration task force created to combat antisemitism pushed for settlements with Ivy League universities. That's despite government investigations the...
When AI meets global health: Who governs, who benefits and what works?
As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly embedded in health systems worldwide, questions about how these technologies should be governed, evaluated, and implemented have become as consequential as the technologies themselves. Across a four-part virtual discussion series convened by the Harvard Global Health Institute (HGHI) in partnership with the Center for Bioethics at Harvard Medical School this spring, experts from academia, multilateral organizations, government, philanthropy, and civil society examined the opportunities, challenges, and key questions shaping AI’s role in global health.
Matthew Yglesias on Abundance and the Politics of Energy - Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University SIPA
Hear in-depth conversations with the world’s top energy and climate leaders from government, business, academia, and civil society.
Government workers feel the squeeze on health care
Municipalities are struggling with the cost of health insurance for their workers, and states are facing a major decision on Medicaid drug coverage.
Whistleblower alleges political pressure, lack of evidence in antisemitism probes targeting schools
WASHINGTON (AP) — A Trump administration task force created to combat antisemitism pushed for settlements with Ivy League universities despite government investigations that were rushed and incomplete or that failed to establish legal violations by the schools, a former Justice Department lawyer ...
ICE gives detention centers high marks for health under Trump even as deaths climb, report finds
Immigrant detention centers are receiving high marks for health and safety under the Trump administration, according to a new investigation by the Project on Government Oversight.
Protecting Science from Government Intimidation
In an era where people can easily publish ideas and find an audience online, how much damage can a travel and immigration policy actually do to the integrity of science and industry? Lots.
How health care costs are undermining America’s public-sector employers
Politicians are contemplating raising taxes and cutting benefits as the cost of health care for government workers surges.
Justice Department watchdog to review DEA tactic that permitted deadly fentanyl to hit streets
The review will examine government policies and wiretap investigations in which the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration may have learned of fentanyl deliveries before they happened but stood down to avoid jeopardizing larger prosecutions.
State canvassers approve Michiganders for Money Out Of Politics ballot language
State canvassers approve ballot language for proposal to ban Michigan utilities, large government contractors from political donations.
University Place to become ‘entertainment district,’ allow alcohol on property
As University Place in Chapel Hill continues its redevelopment, the mall is preparing to launch an “entertainment district” that will allow customers to order alcoholic drinks to go and walk around the property. An entertainment district is a state-governed drinking area, whereas a social district is created by a local government with an ordinance, Aaron...
University Place to become ‘entertainment district’, allow alcohol on property
As University Place in Chapel Hill continues its redevelopment, the mall is preparing to launch an “entertainment district” that will allow customers to order alcoholic drinks to go and walk around the property. An entertainment district is a state-governed drinking area, whereas a social district is created by a local government with an ordinance, Aaron...
Board of State Canvassers approves ballot language for money out of politics proposal
An effort to bar certain utilities and government contractors from making political contributions cleared its final major hurdle Monday, finalizing its language for the November ballot.
US government is pushing to gain unprecedented access to your medical records – as data protections are weakening
Large datasets can be useful research tools, but current government efforts to gather medical records depend on policy and technology that falls short of protecting people’s privacy.
The Use of AI by Government Healthcare Agencies: Is It in the Public Interest? - Petrie-Flom Center
Federal and state departments are rapidly expanding their use of artificial intelligence, and healthcare agencies are no exception.
Ebola outbreak in Congo becomes deadliest in country's history
The Ebola outbreak in Congo has killed 2,325 people, government data showed, surpassing the toll from the 2018-2020 outbreak.
Insurer reviews get an automation boost
The federal government's effort to modernize prior authorization is beginning to show up in the software doctors use.
Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo now deadliest in country’s history
At least 2,325 people have been killed, according to government data, surpassing the death toll from 2018-20 outbreak
The Scientists Who Want to Steer Hurricanes
Over the weekend, Hawaii was lashed by Hurricane Lala, which has washed away homes, left more than 125,000 people without power, shut down two of the state’s busiest airports, threatened dangerous flash flooding and, at time of writing, has killed one person. What if we could’ve steered the storm away from Hawaii, into the vast expanse of the empty Pacific Ocean that lies all around the islands—where no one could get hurt? This scenario might sound like the stuff of science fiction. But earlier this year, a peer-reviewed study published by the Public Library of Science found that it might be possible, and sooner than we think. The study was titled: “Weather Jiu-Jitsu: Prospects for atmospheric nudging to defuse the impact of catastrophic weather extremes.” According to the paper, the controversial practice of cloud seeding could enable human beings to make hurricanes change direction. The potential results could be astounding: The authors suggested that Hurricane Sandy, which in New York City alone killed 44 people and caused $19 billion of damage in 2012, could’ve been diverted by 200 miles, missing the metropolis entirely. Cloud seeding, which first succeeded in the U.S. in 1946, is a practice whereby small particles—for example, dry ice, silver iodide, or salt—are dropped into clouds, causing moisture to condense into precipitation. In the 1960s, the U.S. government launched Project Stormfury, an experiment that saw Navy pilots flying into the heart of a hurricane, dodging winds over a hundred miles per hour, to cloud-seed inside it, in the hope of reducing the storm’s power. “The seeding,” the theory went, “would stimulate the formation of a new eyewall that would surround the existing eyewall. The new eyewall would contract, strangling the old eyewall and reducing the intensity of the hurricane.”
Trump administration pulls support for annual Arctic environmental report
The move by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is the latest government rollback of climate science activity.
Major political transformation is underway in Hungary after Victor Orban was ousted
NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben speaks with journalist Nick Thorpe about the changes made by the Hungarian government since Victor Orban's Fidesz party lost power following elections in April.
Castro-style capitalism: Havana promises economic changes without relinquishing political control
Economists and business leaders argue that Cuba cannot build a new economy without institutional reform, something the island’s government appears unwilling to negotiate
Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon kill 11 people, Health Ministry says
Israel and the Lebanese government announced a “framework agreement” on June 26, laying out a plan for Israeli forces to withdraw from southern Lebanon, in exchange for the disarmament of the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group.
The Science of Fiction: Three AI Scenarios
As artificial intelligence becomes more embedded in the systems we use every day, it is up to government leaders, technology experts and the general public to decide what comes next.
More Than Half of CEOs Say Local Governments Don't Support Business. That's a New Low
According to Inc. 5000 data, chief executives say local government isn't embodying a business-friendly mindset. Some experts attribute the shift to one key event.
Small Businesses Despise Trump’s Tariffs
Mere hours after the Trump administration's latest tariff scheme launched on July 24, the government was sued again by the same small businesses that had already defeated prior White House tariff shenanigans, most notably at the Supreme Court. As Bloomberg Law reported, these companies are part of an “increasingly vocal cohort of business owners who emerged as the face of mom-and-pop tariff resistance.” What about Walmart Inc., Ford Motor Co. and the other titans of corporate America paying many
Washtenaw Business Lens: How local businesses can prepare for emerging cyber security threats
Each month, we partner with the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber to look at how the news of the day impacts the local business community. On this month's "Washtenaw Business Lens," WEMU's Caroline MacGregor was joined by Andy LaBarre, Executive Vice President and Director of Government Relations for the Chamber, and Cybersecurity expert, Detective Kevin Parvize to explore how emerging cyber security issues are increasingly posing a threat to the local business community.
Laguna Beach business leaders get public safety update
Laguna Beach Police Chief Jeff Calvert was a guest speaker during the Chamber of Commerce’s government affairs meeting on Aug. 6.
If Apple sends you a push notification alerting you to a spyware attack, take it seriously
Apple now sends out push notifications to iPhone lock screens when the company identifies government spyware targeting someone's devices.
U.S. Investigated Left-Leaning Groups During Minnesota Immigration Crackdown
The government conducted expansive surveillance, infiltrated group chats and obtained financial records of organizations never accused of crimes.
Baltimore sues Kalshi and Polymarket for offering unlicensed sports betting
The battle between sportsbooks and prediction markets continues, in the form of states and local governments attempting to shut down what arguably amounts to unlicensed bookmaking.
Baltimore sues Kalshi and Polymarket for offering unlicensed sports betting
The battle between sportsbooks and prediction markets continues, in the form of states and local governments attempting to shut down what arguably amounts to unlicensed bookmaking.
In China, treatment for mental-health problems is a luxury
The government wants to improve a patchy and uneven systyem
A Surprise Credit After an Overseas Purchase: the Tariff Refunds Now Flowing Through Shippers
NEW YORK (AP) — If you bought something from an overseas vendor last year, it might be time to check your bank account. Shippers including FedEx and UPS that acted as customs brokers for imported packages and received tariff refunds from the U.S. government have started to pass on those refunds to ...
How Nevada made big strides to keep kids with behavioral health issues out of institutions
Four years ago, the federal government found the state was sending too many kids out of state for treatment. That number has been cut by more than half.
Is the World Bank Ready for a Bigger Role in Global Health Financing?
The global health architecture is facing a financing crisis. Various proposals have been put forward, including an IDA Health Window—a ring-fenced fund at the World Bank for countries to seek support for financing their health systems. But could the World Bank absorb and effectively channel a greater share of health financing in the future? As the largest and most influential multilateral development bank, it is an attractive option: it works directly with country governments, provides financing through national budgets, offers both loans and grants, and supports investments across sectors based on country demand.
Asia-Pacific parliamentarians urge bolder action for universal health coverage, climate resilience and responsible AI
Parliamentarians representing 16 countries from across the Asia-Pacific region concluded the Ninth Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentarian Forum on Global Health (APPFGH) today, reaffirming their key role in advancing universal health coverage (UHC) amid the risks and opportunities posed by AI and climate change. In adopting the Phnom Penh Communiqué, parliamentarians urged fellow legislators regionwide to strengthen sustainable financing for UHC to widen access to health for all, including the most vulnerable populations; promote responsible governance of AI amid ethical concerns over this fast-evolving technology; and build climate-resilient health systems to anticipate and respond to mounting pressures ranging from rising sea levels in coastal areas to air pollution and other environmental degradation.The National Assembly of Cambodia, with support from Cambodia’s Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO), hosted the Forum in Phnom Penh from 11 to 13 August 2026 – the first time the Forum has convened in a Mekong country.Parliamentarians urge action to close gaps in accessIn the Communiqué, parliamentarians recognized that at-risk and marginalized groups are the ones most severely affected by gaps in access to health services. These groups include people living in poverty, women and children, persons with disabilities, older people, migrants, refugees, and those in rural, remote or island communities. The Communiqué urges fellow parliamentarians and policy-makers to advocate for laws and policies that support sustainable financing to protect people from financial hardship, with a focus on primary health care, prevention and equity. "The Communiqué is a call to action. It sets out ambitious, concrete measures that deliver meaningful impact on the ground. We are all accountable for advancing universal health coverage and translating our commitments into tangible results. Cambodia is fully committed to advancing UHC, including the promotion of ‘healthy people, prosperous country’ campaign,” said Samdech Maha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, President of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia.His Excellency Professor Chheang Ra, Minister of Health of the Kingdom of Cambodia, highlighted the need for collaboration beyond the health sector. “Universal health coverage cannot be achieved by the Ministry of Health alone. It requires support, particularly from parliamentarians, across political, legislative, financial, social protection, education, infrastructure, and environmental domains. While each country follows its own path, one factor is universally critical for success: strong governance and leadership. We all believe in this principle, and in our respective political roles, we remain committed to strengthening these key success factors to ensure that no one is left behind.”Promoting responsible AI adoption Parliamentarians acknowledged that, while AI has already demonstrated its ability to improve access to health services and support delivery, careful and ethical governance is necessary to safeguard quality, safety, privacy and public trust. This underscores the importance of parliamentarians in promoting legal and regulatory frameworks addressing liability, records ownership and data governance, while embracing innovation that protects ethical practice.“Without strong governance, safeguards for privacy and data security, sustainable financing, and attention to those most at risk of exclusion, new technologies may widen existing gaps instead of closing them. This is why parliamentarians matter. We pass laws. We approve budgets. We scrutinize government action. We represent communities. We can ask whether health services are reaching rural, remote, ageing, poor, and marginalized populations. We can ask whether innovation is being guided by equity, evidence, and ethics,” said Hon. Man Hee Lee, President of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentarian Forum on Global Health.Building climate-resilient health systemsParliamentarians also reiterated that the climate crisis is a direct threat to people’s health and to achieving UHC more broadly, deepening the same gaps in access already faced by at-risk and marginalized communities. They recognized the need for WHO Member States to ensure sufficient national appropriations and oversight, and for parliamentarians to raise awareness in their constituencies and mobilize local action in building climate-resilient and sustainable health systems.“Universal health coverage, climate change and AI cannot be addressed in isolation. The same communities struggling to access health services today are often the ones most exposed to climate shocks, and most in need of the opportunities AI can offer if this technology is governed responsibly,” said Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific. “Having served previously in this Forum myself as a parliamentarian from Tonga, I recognize how the Phnom Penh Communiqué reflects the shared resolve of legislators across the Asia-Pacific region: the laws parliamentarians pass and the budgets they approve help ensure this progress reaches the people who need it most.”As the Forum drew to a close, delegates reflected on what they would carry back to their own parliaments and constituencies.“I wish to share three points here worth carrying home from Phnom Penh: we need to invest in primary health care as the foundation of coverage; we need to remove the barriers that keep people from care, whether financial, geographic or social; and we need to build systems that are inclusive by design, protecting those most at risk of being left behind,” added Hon. Ouch Borith, First Vice-President of the Senate of the Kingdom of Cambodia.###Notes for editors:The Asia-Pacific Parliamentarian Forum on Global Health (APPFGH) is a platform for parliamentarians to exchange ideas, build political will, strengthen capacity and foster collaboration towards sustainable health action. This was the ninth meeting of the APPFGH, with the theme “Universal Health Coverage in the era of Climate Change and Artificial Intelligence”. Target 3.8 of the Sustainable Development Goals calls on countries to achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health services, and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all. In the Western Pacific, UHC service coverage index (SDG 3.8.1) rose from 63 in 2000 to 81 in 2023 (figures include Indonesia), and roughly one in four people in the Western Pacific have experienced financial hardship (SDG 3.8.2). Progress towards UHC in the Asia-Pacific region remains uneven, with hundreds of millions of people still lacking access to essential health services or facing financial hardship due to health-related expenses. Strengthening the role of parliaments – through legislation, financing and oversight – is central to closing this gap and accelerating progress towards UHC across the region.Parliamentarians participating in APPFGH in Cambodia this week include: Hon. Pehin Dato Adanan YUSOF, Brunei Darussalam; Hon. Rosmawatty ABDUL MUMIN, Brunei Darussalam; Hon. LORK Kheng, Kingdom of Cambodia; Hon. YOS Phanita, Kingdom of Cambodia; Hon. KHOUN Khundy, Kingdom of Cambodia; Hon. HENG Halim, Kingdom of Cambodia; Hon. KHOENG Noupheap, Kingdom of Cambodia; Hon. SENG Nhak, Kingdom of Cambodia; Hon. LY Sukry, Kingdom of Cambodia; Hon. NHOEURN Raden, Kingdom of Cambodia; Hon. Dr Ratu Atonio LALABALAVU, Republic of Fiji; Hon. Vijay NATH, Republic of Fiji; Hon. Man Hee LEE, Republic of Korea; Hon. Dr Jiho CHA, Republic of Korea; Hon. Jonghun BAEK, Republic of Korea; Hon. Youngsuk SEO, Republic of Korea; Hon. Dr Phayvanh KEOPASEUTH, Lao People’s Democratic Republic; Hon. Suhaizan Bin KAIAT, Malaysia; Hon. Dr Perpetua KONMAN, Federated States of Micronesia; Hon. Ganmaa DAVAASAMBUU, Mongolia; Hon. Charmaine SCOTTY, Republic of Naoero; Hon. Vincent Ambance KUMURA, Papua New Guinea; Hon. Dr Edwin CRUZADO, Republic of the Philippines; Hon. AUUAPAAU Mulipola Aloitafua Mulipola, Samoa; Hon. ASIATA TAVUI Tafu Salevao, Samoa; Hon. Dr Alani Petelo TANGITAU, Tonga; Hon. Paul PAOLO, Republic of Vanuatu; Hon. Franklyn Ezra WILLIAM, Republic of Vanuatu.For more information, contact: WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific: wprocom@who.int National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia (International Relations Department): ir.nacambodia@gmail.com
Gov. Hochul puts $7M toward legal services for immigrant minors
The funding is meant to fill a hole left by the federal government that allowed a multimillion-dollar contract to lapse.
Padilla leads Democrats in push for answers about cancelled wind projects
Over the last several months, the Trump administration has made a series of announcements that the federal government would be buying back off-shore wind leases issued during the Biden administration for billions of dollars.
Gates Foundation’s $540 million gift to science comes as the federal government pulls back on funding
The historic gift to a University of Washington research institute lands as the federal government retreats from funding science.
Patients wary of government, companies pushing AI as a rural healthcare solution
Two of the nation’s most powerful health officials predict artificial intelligence will play a key role in solving rural America’s health challenges, but some rural Americans are skeptical.
Community members demand Colorado issue public health order for ICE tuberculosis case
On Monday, community advocates once again called for more pressure from the state government, issuing their own “people’s public health order” at the Colorado Capitol, steps from Gov. Jared Polis’ office.
Screwworm neutralizer: insect sterilization | Investors Lab
The fight against screwworm has moved beyond traditional government programs into an arena ripe for biotech intervention:
UK PM Burnham promises business help within 'difficult' financial outlook
Britain's government will do what it can to help lower costs for business but against the backdrop of a "difficult financial outlook", Prime Minister Andy Burnham said in an interview on Wednesday.
Trump DOJ formally stakes out bold claim that presidential advisers outside government are protected by privilege
Communications that President Donald Trump has with advisers who don’t even work for his administration can be protected by executive privilege, the Justice Department said in a memo Monday evening that comes amid lawsuits and a possible Democratic takeover of Congress.
Trump Administration Bypasses Science Again, Doubles Down on Restrictions to Childhood Vaccines
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Trump administration today issued a new executive order directing changes to the federal childhood vaccine schedule that, if fully implemented, would reduce access to life-saving vaccines for children, add new barriers to care, and further degrade the scientific process the federal government has relied on for decades to ensure vaccine access […]
Guenther and Ware for Real Clear Science: The Trump Administration’s Most Dangerous Attack on Science Yet
Donald Trump’s assault on the American scientific enterprise has been death by a thousand cuts. But the latest push from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) may just be the kill shot. OMB proposed a rule to “improve government-wide policies and requirements related to the management of grants, cooperative agreements, and other forms of […]
ND Expert on democracy: Can better civics education restore voter dissatisfaction over political corruption?
This summer, America celebrated the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, widely recognized as the formal founding of our nation and one of the early stages of establishing a democratic government. Over the past two decades, however, democracies all over the world have struggled with a lack of clear support. Democracy scholars have referred to these challenges as evidence of backsliding, a phenomenon that has many political and social scientists concerned, including Notre Dame development economist Enrique Seira Bejarano.
Joby Aviation to Scale Defense Business Through Acquisition of Resonant Sciences
Acquisition will significantly expand Joby’s defense business by adding a fast-growing company with established programs, classified capabilities and scaled manufacturing operations` Upon closing, Resonant will become Joby’s dedicated defense business, continuing its existing programs while expanding its portfolio to include Joby’s hybrid aircraft and autonomy technologies. Joby’s commercial aircraft business will remain focused on its electric air taxi initiatives Combination will create immediate opportunities to unite Joby’s dual-use aircraft, propulsion and autonomy technologies with Resonant’s radio frequency (RF), sensing and mission systems capabilities as well as its world-leading expertise in low-observability aircraft design Resonant delivered more than $100 million in trailing-twelve-month revenue, representing approximately 40% year-over-year growth, alongside strong adjusted EBITDA generation, driven primarily by long-cycle programs with the U.S. government, prime contractors and next generation defense technology programs
The U.S. Healthcare System is Already Mostly Socialized
Now that Abdul El-Sayed is the Democratic nominee for Michigan’s open Senate seat, the outcome of this crucial race will depend mainly on two things: Whether Republicans succeed in demonizing El-Sayed because he’s brown and a Muslim, and whether they succeed in demonizing him as a left-wing radical. I will defer for the now the question of whether bigotry will be effective this year, although I will address it another day. What I want to address instead is El-Sayed’s signature issue — healthcare. Yes, El-Sayed advocates Medicare for All, a position the usual suspects denounce as “socialism.” I will get to the politics of his stance soon. Today, however, I want to talk about the substance. We should be clear that El-Sayed doesn’t even call himself a socialist. On the contrary, he explicitly disavows the label, saying “I’m a capitalist who just knows about capitalism”. In fact, as I explained in a previous post, the policies that El-Sayed advocates qualify him as a social democrat, not a socialist. Still, El-Sayed advocates a system under which the government would pay almost all medical expenses. Isn’t that socialism? Well, if that is the criterion then much of U.S. healthcare is already socialist. In fact, the government’s role is so large that U.S. healthcare is better described as partially privatized socialism than as anything resembling a free market. Let’s start with the raw numbers on health insurance, which pays the bulk of Americans’ medical expenses. Americans receive health insurance either from private companies or from public programs, overwhelmingly Medicare and Medicaid. Here’s what the breakdown of coverage and spending between private and public looked like in 2024: While a majority of Americans with health insurance get it from private companies, well over 100 million of us are covered by government programs instead. And these government programs pay more total dollars for medical bills than the private insurers do. Why do government programs that cover a minority of the population account for a majority of health insurers’ outlays? Mainly because Medicare covers seniors, and we’re expensive. Also, while Medicaid covers many younger Americans, disabled and elderly beneficiaries account for most of its spending. Even by the raw numbers, then, U.S. health insurance looks as much public as private. But that understates the government’s role: Private health insurance in the U.S. is both highly regulated and heavily subsidized. This is obviously true for the insurance coverage purchased by tens of millions of Americans through the exchanges established by the Affordable Care Act. But employment-based health insurance, which covers 161 million Americans, is far more of a government creation than most people realize. For employment-based insurance exists largely because of huge implicit government subsidies that come with major strings attached. Here’s how that works. If your employer pays you $10,000, that’s taxable income. But if your employer pays $10,000 toward a company health insurance plan that meets certain criteria, it isn’t taxable. That’s a huge effective subsidy, running at more than $300 billion a year. Take that subsidy into account, along with the more than $100 billion per year spent subsidizing policies purchased under the ACA, as well as the outlays on Medicare and Medicaid, and net effect is that the government pays for more than two-thirds of Americans’ health insurance. Granted, there are strings attached. Roughly speaking, employment-based health plans can’t discriminate based on medical history — that is, they can’t deny coverage to employees with pre-existing conditions — and they also can’t offer the plans only to highly compensated employees — a health plan that is only for the C-suite is considered taxable income. So given the restrictions of the federal tax code, employer-based health insurance is a lot like Obamacare, which also prohibits discrimination based on medical history and provides subsidies to make insurance affordable to lower-paid workers. The fact is that virtually all of private healthcare insurance is already well under some form of government control through regulation and tax subsidies. How should we think about this system? First of all, is Medicare socialist? Don’t tell anyone, but the way Medicare operates — it covers every senior’s medical expenses, whatever they turn out to be, while being funded by taxes that depend on one’s income — could be summarized by the old Marxist slogan “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.” And back in 1961, when Ronald Reagan was the face of a last-ditch effort by the American Medical Association to block the creation of Medicare, he denounced Medicare as “socialized medicine” and warned that it would destroy our freedom. In reality, American freedom survived until Jan. 20, 2025, while Medicare is immensely popular, with an 82 percent favorable rating in the most recent KFF survey. Medicaid, government health insurance for lower-income Americans, comes in at 73 percent. This is in sharp contrast to public views about private insurers, who are widely disliked if not hated and accused of denying essential care. Furthermore, if Medicare is socialism, then the whole U.S. health insurance system, with the government paying most of the bills and placing conditions on private insurers, is almost equally socialist. If you insist on calling any program the government pays for and regulates socialist, then U.S. healthcare would best be described as a partially privatized form of socialism. And one must ask, what is the point of the part that is privatized? Do private insurers add anything positive? Or are they simply parasites, skimming off money that could have been paying for care? The case for viewing insurers as parasites is strong. Many Medicare benefits are now delivered via Medicare Advantage, that is, plans paid for by the government but run through insurance companies. MedPAC, an independent advisory commission, estimates that last year Medicare Advantage plans were overpaid by $84 billion, thanks to practices such as “upcoding,” in which patients’ health problems are overstated to get larger sums from Medicare. Assessing the waste from employer-based insurance is harder, but most evidence suggests that private insurers have substantially higher administrative costs than Medicare does. Furthermore, the complexity of private insurance, with multiple payers all trying to deny care when they can, is a huge burden both on providers — doctors, nurses, and hospitals — and on patients. What do private insurers offer to compensate for these costs? One must go through intellectual contortions to avoid the conclusion that they are, in fact, parasites. Which brings me back to El-Sayed. In supporting Medicare for All, he’s basically calling for an end to the partial, parasitic privatization of a healthcare system that is already hugely dependent on public funding. When one looks at it that way, it’s not at all a radical proposal. Admittedly, the political lift requires overcoming the opposition to higher taxes to pay for Medicare for All. Political realism rather than economics was the reason I and many other progressives supported Obamacare, with all its complexities, rather than demanding an immediate move to Medicare for All. But the political calculus may very well have shifted since the 2000s, as Americans are fed up with a system of unaffordable premiums, rampant claim denials, and byzantine claim administration. Moreover, funding healthcare insurance through taxation would allow for a much more progressive distribution of the cost. That is, compared to the present system, middle-income households would pay less as high-income households would pay more. And the U.S. would stop wasting large sums on pointless administrative costs. So let’s be clear: El-Sayed’s healthcare platform is perfectly reasonable on the merits of cost, fairness and health efficacy. And with private insurers never more hated, while millions of Americans are losing their health insurance, 2026 may be its time. MUSICAL CODA
Patients Wary of Governments, Companies Pushing AI as a Rural Healthcare Solution
The $50 billion federal Rural Health Transformation Program is set to flood rural America with new AI health tools. That’s despite little evidence on whether health-related AI can improve access to care and patient health in those communities.
Azerbaijan: Health of imprisoned government critics at risk as another political activist faces extradition threat
The Azerbaijani authorities must ensure that Ali Karimli, Alasgar Mammadli and all other prisoners have immediate access to adequate drinking water, ventilation and all necessary medical care. Ukraine must fulfil its human rights obligations and not extradite Bahruz Hasanli to Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan: Health of imprisoned government critics at risk as another political activist faces extradition threat
The Azerbaijani authorities must ensure that Ali Karimli, Alasgar Mammadli and all other prisoners have immediate access to adequate drinking water, ventilation and all necessary medical care. Ukraine must fulfil its human rights obligations and not extradite Bahruz Hasanli to Azerbaijan.
Guide to Austin politics: The Daily Texan explains city government, local leaders’ roles
The city of Austin is currently developing their annual city budget and considering a bond issue, while several charter amendments (link once story is up) are up for a vote in November. With all this activity in City Hall, the Texan is providing a guide to new UT students on how Austin politics works and...
Why businesses may need to rethink how they plan
According to Axios, we have entered a new era of “post-processable velocity,” where the pace of technological and AI-driven change is faster than individuals, companies, markets and governments can fully absorb, understand or respond to in real time. The major shift is from information moving faster than humans can process to capabilities changing faster than […]
Designing Direct-to-Government Assistance: Three Case Studies in Global Health Financing
In September 2025, the US State Department released the America First Global Health Strategy, announcing a major shift in how the United States programs foreign assistance in one of its largest sectors, representing over $13 billion in FY 2024. Global health dollars, the strategy states, will now flow primarily to foreign governments, not to nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), as has been the case in recent decades. The Department has sought to advance this strategy by signing non-binding, multi-year memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with dozens of its largest aid recipients. While officials acknowledge that there will be real challenges to providing direct assistance in the near term, the explicit goal of these MOUs is to transition from donor-driven systems to partner government-led implementation.
RFK Jr. slated to unveil plan targeting loophole that allows chemicals in food supply
The practice known as “generally recognized as safe” allows companies to self-certify the safety of certain food chemicals or substances without strict government oversight.
UK weather: More areas due to be declared in drought ahead of fifth heatwave this year
The National Drought Group - made up of regulators, government officials, water companies and agricultural bodies - is meeting later.
Chinese users of AI companions bereft after government tightens regulations
Li Linlin cried for days after losing her AI boyfriend. She exchanged about 700,000 words with him over two years and never got to say goodbye when he was eliminated
Risk of patient safety 'bonfire' with Health Bill changes, Lib Dems say
The party says the government's plans to modernise the NHS risk another major hospital scandal.
The Messy Mixture of Old Age and Political Power
Is it really true that the excessive influence of the elderly is corrupting government? If so, it raises the question of what we can — or should — do about it.
Vietnam proposes 30% income tax cut for small firms, business households
Vietnam's government plans to seek parliamentary approval for a 30% cut in income taxes for small businesses and household businesses with annual revenue of up to 10 billion dong ($380,000), as part of efforts to support growth, the government said over the weekend.
Strengthening Indonesia’s health emergency response through after action review of disaster response in Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra
Severe floods and landslides that struck Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra in late 2025 exposed both the strengths and gaps in Indonesia’s health emergency response, prompting a nation-wide effort to strengthen preparedness for future crises. In the early phase, the scale and speed of the crisis challenged coordination, data systems and surge capacity. To assess the response, the World Health Organization (WHO) Indonesia supported the Ministry of Health’s Center for Health Crisis in conducting a multi-stakeholder after-action review (AAR). The review brought together government agencies, health sub-clusters, NGOs, and partners. “The AAR is a critical process for strengthening our collective response capacity,” said Agus Jamaludin, Head of the Center for Health Crisis at the Ministry of Health. “It provides valuable lessons not only for the Health Crisis Center but also for all stakeholders involved and serves as an important reference for improving future responses across regions.” After Action Review (AAR) brought together key stakeholders to reflect on the emergency response, identify lessons learned, and strengthen preparedness for future health crises. (WHO/Resty Armis)Through structured discussions across four pillars – leadership and governance, information-based decision-making, service delivery and resource management – the AAR identified several strengths. These included the rapid mobilization of national surge capacity, such as health reserve workforce (tenaga cadangan kesehatan) and emergency medical teams (EMT) and the continued provision of essential health services in affected areas. At the same time, the review highlighted challenges. Among them were uneven functionality of Health Emergency Operation Center (HEOC), fragmented early data reporting and reactive logistics deployment. The findings informed five strategic priorities for strengthening the system, including HEOC standardization, integration of the One Crisis Data system, establishing disaster-resilient hospitals and reforming surge capacity mechanisms. The AAR demonstrates that Indonesia’s health emergency response has strong foundations but requires system-level strengthening to shift from reactive to proactive preparedness. By mainstreaming the strengths and recommendations identified, Indonesia can build a faster, more coordinated and more resilient health system – better equipped to protect communities during future crises. Written by Lintang Sibarani, NPO Emergency and Humanitarian Actions, WHO Indonesia
Suburban business owner gets 15 months on prison for failing to pay taxes
A business owner from the Northwest suburbs was sentenced last week to 15 months in federal prison on charges he failed to pay the government more than $1 million in payroll taxes. George Dilles, 55, ...
Historian Jill Lepore says Silicon Valley misreads science fiction and undermines democracy
On the latest episode of Equity, we spoke to Jill Lepore about "government by machines" and why Elon Musk is a bad science fiction reader.
How hackers target US water utilities with cyberattacks, explained
Government officials are warning about a wave of cyberattacks on water utilities in the US. Here's how hackers can impact water systems.
Can Science Applications International (SAIC) Justify Its Valuation After New Defense Contract Wins?
Science Applications International (SAIC) recently announced a $400 million recompete contract with a U.S. Intelligence Agency, along with a $70 million U.S. Navy radar task order. These deals underscore fresh contract momentum in government and defense work. See our latest analysis for Science Applications International. These fresh contract wins come as Science Applications International shares trade at US$126.54, with a 90-day share price return of 36.58% and a 5-year total shareholder...
The Senate eked out a summer break. But bigger fights are coming
The Senate went out with a bang, ‒ passing a government funding bill, confirming Todd Blanche and bucking a voter ID measure.
Nigerian governor details victims' health after government rescues hundreds from jihadi kidnappings
AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the governor of Nigeria's Kwara State, says the country is still assessing victims' health after Nigerian forces rescued hundreds of women and children after six months in jihadi captivity. Credit: Associated Press
The Business of Immigration: Ethics, Economics, and the Future of Our Region
About this Program: Immigration has long shaped the identity, economy, and culture of the San Diego–Baja California region. Today, it remains one of the most significant—and often most debated—public policy issues facing our communities. As employers grapple with workforce shortages, governments respond to evolving immigration policies, and families pursue opportunity and security, important questions arise about the economic, ethical, and practical implications of immigration for our region's future. As part of the Engage San Diego: Tough Topics, Real Discussion series, moderator Andrew Blum will lead a thoughtful conversation with community leaders to examine these issues from multiple perspectives. Together, the panel will explore how immigration and immigration policy influence regional economic growth, workforce development, cross-border commerce, public services, and community well-being. The discussion will consider both the opportunities and the challenges immigration presents for employers, policymakers, and the broader San Diego economy, while also examining the ethical considerations that inform business and public policy decisions. Rather than advocating for a single viewpoint, this program is designed to foster informed, respectful dialogue and deepen public understanding of one of the defining issues of our time. Through a balanced exchange of ideas, panelists will explore practical approaches to strengthening our region while recognizing the diverse perspectives that shape this complex conversation. Join us for an engaging discussion that reflects the spirit of the Engage San Diego series—bringing together diverse voices to tackle difficult topics through civil discourse, informed analysis, and constructive community engagement. What We’ll Explore Immigration and the Regional Economy How does immigration influence San Diego's workforce, economic growth, business competitiveness, and cross-border prosperity? Ethics, Policy, and Public Responsibility How can communities balance economic needs, humanitarian values, public safety, and the rule of law in shaping immigration policy? The Business and Government Perspective What roles do employers, local government, and community leaders play in addressing workforce challenges and creating opportunities for shared prosperity? The Future of Our Region As immigration policy continues to evolve, what practical solutions can help strengthen our economy, support our communities, and ensure the long-term success of the San Diego–Baja California region?
Feds should devise way to reflect on COVID-19 response, says Canada's chief science adviser
Canada's chief science adviser says the federal government should devise a way to reflect on its response to the COVID-19 pandemic to better prepare the country and Canadians for future public health challenges.
Scientists create OnlyFans account for marmots to fund research
UCLA professor Daniel Blumstein and his team started an OnlyFans account to raise money for their research amid government funding cuts
Carbondale hands out hundreds of fresh food boxes
CARBONDALE — Around 500 food boxes were given out on Friday between resident pickups, deliveries and donations from the Carbondale city government.
Plan to limit 'vertical drinking' decried by pub landlords and UK politicians
A proposal to limit "vertical drinking," a bureaucratic euphemism for having a pint while standing, has turned into a political headache for one local government council in London.
A pardoned Capitol riot defendant wants her restitution money back. The Justice Department wants to keep it
After the protracted demise of the $1.776 billion fund meant to pay perceived victims of government lawfare, prosecutors say they don’t have to give a now-pardoned January 6, 2021, defendant her restitution money back.
New Book Examines Small Business Recovery and Racial Equity After the Pandemic
UCLA Luskin Professor Robert Fairlie explores how government aid, entrepreneurship and racial inequality shaped small business recovery after COVID-19.
Science Wins A Skirmish
Thank heaven for small favors: Senators on the Appropriations Committee on Sunday released a stopgap funding bill to avert a government shutdown by Oct. 1 and temporarily block a White House proposal that would fundamentally change how the federal government awards and manages grants. In late May, the Office of Management and Budget released … Continue reading "Science Wins A Skirmish"
Peru Heals Rift With Mexico by Freeing Leftist Politician
Peru’s government cleared an embattled former prime minister to leave the country and travel to Mexico in a move that eases diplomatic tensions between the two estranged Latin American countries.
U.S. Lost 23,000 Jobs In July, But Entertainment Industry Saw An Uptick
The U.S. economy lost 23,000 in July, while the unemployment rate fell slightly to 4.1%. The figures showed declines in local government education and retail trade, according to the figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The job loss was unexpected, with analysts estimating a gain of as much as 100,000. Jobs in movies and …
U.S. Lost 23,000 Jobs In July, But Entertainment Industry Saw An Uptick
The U.S. economy lost 23,000 in July, while the unemployment rate fell slightly to 4.1%. The figures showed declines in local government education and retail trade, according to the figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The job loss was unexpected, with analysts estimating a gain of as much as 100,000. Jobs in movies and […]
Dr. Abdul El-Sayed on Historic Michigan Win: “People Are Sick and Tired of This Politics of Hatred”
We speak with Dr. Abdul El-Sayed after his victory in Michigan’s primary race for U.S. Senate sent shockwaves through the Democratic Party. El-Sayed, a former public health official, ran a progressive campaign focused on affordability, Medicare for All, getting money out of politics, and opposing Israel’s genocide in Gaza. He defeated Congressmember Haley Stevens, who was backed by tens of millions in outside spending including by AIPAC, the powerful pro-Israel lobby group. “In an era where many of us can’t afford basic things like groceries or rent or healthcare, the idea that your government is sending your tax dollars to buy bombs and tanks for foreign governments seems anathema,” El-Sayed says. “That money could be spent to fix your potholes, rebuild your kid’s school.” El-Sayed says his focus now is on beating Republican nominee Mike Rogers, whom he calls a “bootlicker for Trumpism,” and to present a positive vision for his party that can lead into the next Democratic presidential administration.
Monica Barbaro and Callum Turner on Rom-Coms and the Politics of ‘One Night Only’
In “One Night Only,” Monica Barbaro and Callum Turner play singles living in a world where the government has banned premarital sex. How far-fetched is that?
First rule of politics: Make no enemies
Politics is often described as the art of winning. History suggests otherwise. The greatest political leaders understood that success is not measured merely by defeating opponents but by preserving relationships. Elections are won through competition. Governments are sustained through coalition. That is why the first rule of politics is remarkably simple: Make no unnecessary enemies. […]
DOGE's 'Wall of Receipts' doesn't add up, government auditors say
The Government Accountability Office said some of the savings DOGE claims on its "Wall of Receipts" are either incorrect or don't have evidence.
Republican-led Senate panel will ask Justice Department to charge Dr. Anthony Fauci with contempt of Congress
A Senate committee voted Thursday to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress, advancing an audacious effort by Republicans to prosecute the well-known scientist over his role in the US government response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Cereals & Grains conference connects science, technology
The conference will unite cereal and grain experts from industry, academia and government to explore solutions.
Most Division I colleges lose money on sports
Over 90 percent of these athletic programs spend more money than they generate, according to the Government Accountability Office.
How big is the US Postal Service? Among the largest in business or government
The U.S. Postal Service is one of America's largest employers and retail networks. Here's how its workforce, revenue, and reach compare with major companies.
US Stand Up for Science movement expands to Europe
A grassroots movement by scientists in the US pushing back against threats to academic freedom is setting up a Swiss outpost to take the movement global. Stand Up for Science started in February 2025 to protest against politically-motivated grant cancellations by the Trump administration. Since then, it has organised numerous rallies by scientists and turned into a broader campaigning organisation, supporting “pro-science” political candidates and attempting to impeach Robert F. Kennedy Jr, the health and human services secretary the group accuses of advancing “quack” science. Now, Stand Up for Science is establishing a Swiss office to take some of its campaigning beyond the US, and its leader is urging European academics to organise similar pro-science groups in case they face similar threats in Europe. There will likely be “spillover” to Europe from what the Trump administration is attempting in the US, said Colette Delawalla, chief executive of Stand Up for Science, who last month returned from a tour of Europe. “Are we going to see a Trump-style scientific [. . .] take over in the same way?” she asked.Delawalla, who is doing a PhD in clinical psychology, said she was driven to help found the organisation after the Trump administration started cancelling health research grants in politically taboo topics, such as transgender people, diversity and HIV, in early 2025. Since then, the administration has introduced several other measures that infringe academic and institutional autonomy.It threatened to cut Harvard University’s federal funding unless the university accepted a “critical mass” of new faculty and students to create “viewpoint diversity.” And this year, it proposed explosive new rules that would allow political appointees at research funders to screen grants to make sure they “advance the president's policy priorities.”US scientists have been at times stunned by the volume of announcements, and the country’s researchers were relatively unprepared. “We sit in front of the fire hose every day,” said Delawalla. For this reason, European scientists need to prepare now for similar assaults. “If you've got a little bit of extra time to start thinking through, and making those preparations and building community and solidarity,” then European researchers will “start five steps ahead of where we were.” She plans to return to Paris in September to share experiences with concerned French academics. Is Le Pen the same?During her European tour, Delawalla said that French academics were beginning to worry about a National Rally (RN) victory in presidential elections next year. She said there were “chilling similarities” between Trump and Marine Le Pen, the RN’s likely candidate. However, so far, the RN hasn’t proposed anything nearly as radical as the Trump administration has carried out. Its current manifesto is all but silent on university and research policy. Le Pen’s 2022 manifesto bemoaned a lack of French R&D spending, including in fundamental research, and promised to modernise labs and strip away grant bureaucracy. The party’s 2024 European election manifesto explicitly supported the Erasmus+ student exchange programme, scientific exchange and joint European technology projects. However, a Le Pen victory next year could see France drastically cut its contribution to the EU, which would hit the budget for science and innovation. Meanwhile, more restrictive immigration policies could hit university recruitment of faculty and students. Climate science denial?As heatwaves and wildfires have ravaged France, the RN has sought to distance itself from previous comments casting doubt on climate science.In the UK, the radical-right party Reform UK, now second in the polls, denied climate research in a draft of its 2024 election manifesto, but its leader, Nigel Farage, then appeared to quietly U-turn and said he was “not arguing the science.” By contrast, Trump has repeatedly and explicitly denied climate change science, in 2025 calling it “the greatest con job.” Like the RN, Reform UK has been light on research and university policy. However, it did say in its 2024 manifesto that universities should suffer “heavy financial penalties” for allowing “political bias or cancel culture” on campus, building on laws brought in by a previous Conservative government. Ahead of September state elections in Saxony-Anhalt in Germany, the poll-leading Alternative for Germany has proposed abolishing gender studies and postcolonial studies, and promised money for “critical” climate research and studies of Islam. Starts with rhetoricEven if European radical right parties aren’t currently planning the draconian policy measures of the Trump administration, Delawalla said that academics should not be complacent, and fight even small funding restrictions or anti-science talk from the start. “It starts off with sowing distrust about institutions,” she said. “It starts off with these small things, and then all of a sudden it's there.” There are other, more established science and university advocacy groups in the US aside from Stand Up for Science. But the group stands out because of Delawalla’s refusal to attempt to appear politically bipartisan or conciliatory. “I firmly believe that the US is experiencing fascism,” she said. “We’re not trying to win over the super Maga people,” she said, “and we never have been.” The lesson of the US is that even if universities or other institutions capitulate to government demands, this doesn’t save them from cuts and restrictions. “It doesn’t matter what people do,” she said. Global “pseudoscience”Another aim of Stand Up for Science’s push into Europe is to better coordinate a campaign to protect people in poorer countries from what the group describes as “pseudoscientific exploitation,” trials outside the US used to build a case against things like vaccines. Earlier this year, the group sent an investigator to Guinea-Bissau to investigate a controversial, Danish-run Hepatitis B vaccine project funded by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The study would have withheld a proven vaccine from newborns, Stand Up for Science argued in a briefing it presented to Congress, risking their health. Significantly, the research group based in Guinea-Bissau, known as Bandim, focuses on the “non-specific effects” of vaccines: impacts on health beyond preventing the target disease. Related articlesEuropean researchers sound the alarm that Trump rule changes will hit cooperationData corner: which fields of health science is the US curbing? The US ‘golden age’ science strategy: what Europeans need to know The suspicion is that the study was funded as part of an attempt to shop around for results that could help build a case against vaccines in the US, said Delawalla. “This is just code for vaccines cause autism,” she said.Bandim has put out a rebuttal of Stand Up for Science’s criticisms, arguing its work has uncovered a number of vaccine side effects, both positive and negative, which need to be taken into account in public health. However, Congressional Democrats took up the Stand Up for Science cause, and in February, Guinea-Bissau said it had permanently halted the study. WatchdogBut for Delawalla, this is not the end of the fight. Kennedy has made a number of health claims that scientists think lack evidence, such as the idea that seed oils cause inflammation, for example. Delawalla worries that more studies could be launched in poorer countries to fish around for evidence to support this agenda. Stand Up for Science is talking to African science organisations to create a kind of “watchdog” to scrutinise any further trials. “Outsourcing the investigation to some of the most vulnerable children in the world who are desperate [. . .] is fundamentally wrong,” she said.