Healthcare
Graham Slams Bill Gates’ Defense of WHO Funding For Ignoring ‘Evidence Of China Bias’
Senator Lindsey Graham slammed Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates Wednesday for condemning President Donald Trump’s move to halt U.S. funding of the World Health Organization saying it “ignores overwhelming evidence of China bias and incompetence.”
“I have a lot of respect for Bill Gates and his work in the public health arena. The Gates Foundation, under Bill and Melinda’s leadership, has a reputation for investing in programs which are well-run and produce results.” Graham said, “However, Bill Gates’ decision to defend the performance of the WHO during the coronavirus crisis and current WHO leadership ignores overwhelming evidence of China bias and incompetence.”
Halting funding for the World Health Organization during a world health crisis is as dangerous as it sounds. Their work is slowing the spread of COVID-19 and if that work is stopped no other organization can replace them. The world needs @WHO now more than ever.
— Bill Gates (@BillGates) April 15, 2020
Gates took to Twitter Wednesday calling the President’s decision “as dangerous as it sounds.” Further, he defended the WHO saying “Their work is slowing the spread of COVID-19 and if that work is stopped no other organization can replace them. The world needs @WHO now more than ever.”
Gates, through his foundation, has donated millions of dollars to support the WHO’s efforts in mitigating the spread of COVID-19.
Although Graham took issue with Gates’ statement, he said that “If someone like Bill Gates were in charge of the WHO, I would gladly support increased funding.” However, Graham said he’s “lost all confidence in the current WHO leadership and capabilities.”
Graham said the President’s decision was the “right move” until the WHO changes leadership.
Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, a longtime supporter of the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, is now acknowledging the unintended consequences of the healthcare legislation, particularly its impact on industry consolidation and rising healthcare prices.
Warren, who has been a vocal proponent of Obamacare, has recently had what the Wall Street Journal reported as an “epiphany” regarding the consequences of the healthcare law. In a letter addressed to the Health and Human Services Department inspector general, Warren, along with Senator Mike Braun of Indiana, expressed concerns about vertically-integrated healthcare companies potentially increasing prescription drug costs and evading federal regulations.
According to reports from Fox News, the bipartisan letter highlighted issues with the nation’s largest health insurers allegedly bypassing Obamacare’s medical loss ratio (MLR). According to Warren, these insurers, through vertical integration, have manipulated the system, leading to “sky-high prescription drug costs and excessive corporate profits.”
The senators detailed how conglomerates, like UnitedHealth Group, with ownership across various healthcare sectors, could inflate medical payments to pharmacies and, by realizing those payments on the pharmacy side, appear to comply with MLR requirements while retaining more profits.
Moreover, despite the Democrats’ argument that the MLR would benefit patients, it has incentivized insurers to merge with or acquire pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), retail and specialty pharmacies, and healthcare providers. This, in turn, has made healthcare spending less transparent, as insurers can allegedly shift profits to their affiliates by increasing reimbursements.
Warren, who has consistently voted against Obamacare repeal efforts, notably advocated for a “Medicare for All” proposal during her 2020 presidential campaign. Despite her prior support for the healthcare law, Warren’s recent concerns about its unintended consequences have raised questions about the long-term effects of Obamacare and its impact on the healthcare industry.
-
Nation7 days agoGroup backed by the Islamic Republic of Iran hacked into PA Water Facility
-
Media6 days agoRobert De Niro anti-Trump speech mysteriously replaced in teleprompter at Awards Show
-
Nation7 days agoElizabeth Warren Acknowledges Unintended Consequences of Obamacare
-
education7 days agoCalls for Hofstra University President’s Resignation Over Statements on Israel-Hamas Conflict
