Cardiologist and author Eric Topol talks about his book Deep Medicine with EconTalk host Russ Roberts. Topol argues that doctors spend too little face-to-face time with patients, and the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning is a chance to emphasize the human side of medicine and to expand the power of human connection in healing. Topol surveys the current landscape of the application of technology to health care showing where its promise has been overstated and where it is having the most impact. The conversation includes a discussion of the placebo effect and the importance of the human touch in medicine.

As a former public trustee for Social Security and Medicare, Charles Blahous writes frequently about those programs and their long-term viability — or lack thereof. A recent article at the website economics.21 merits attention. In it Blahous, senior research strategist at the Mercatus Center and a visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution, offers his top four lessons from the latest annual report issued this spring by the Social Security trustees.

On Wednesday, June 12, 2019, the House Ways and Means Committee held a hearing with the intent to give Republicans and Democrats the chance to discuss other proposals to expand universal health care.

Sen. Sanders claimed on CNN Thursday that “a lot of people in the country would be delighted to pay more in taxes” to get Medicare for All.