The False Bird Flu Scare

May 18, 2006

The United States has fueled a worldwide overreaction to the threat of a bird flu pandemic, putting AIDS, malaria, malnutrition and other crucial global health programs at risk.

Unequipped to Cure

January 13, 2006

Vaccine production in the United States is in an alarming condition--with drug-makers wedded to outmoded techniques and government more focused on terror than pandemics.

New Medicare Benefit Helps Only Drug Companies

November 16, 2005

Why are so few elderly people signing up for the new Medicare drug benefit? It's cumbersome, costly and totally confusing.

Scare Scenario

October 24, 2005

It has all the makings of a horror flick, but panic over a possible bird flu pandemic is following a time-honored script: sensational media reports, profit-hungry drug manufacturers and politicians eager to capitalize on fears.

Darwin and God

October 4, 2005

Darwin's discoveries about evolution never argued against the existence of God. And the theory of "intelligent design" is a dangerous attempt to undermine science and justify a literal reading of the Bible.

Fear Itself

September 20, 2005

Some people are scaring themselves about the wrong things in ways that are doing terrorists' work for them. Here's one physician's prescription for bringing irrational fears under control.

Debating the Causes of Autism

August 3, 2005

Exchanges on mercury, autism and alternative medicine.

More on Mercury

June 3, 2005

Exchanges on mercury, ephedra and TTP.

Mercury in Vaccines, Obesity & the 'Statin Revolution'

April 1, 2005

Exchanges on health and the pharmacuetical industry.

The Free Market and Vaccines, Part 2

February 2, 2005

Flu Vaccines and the Free Market

November 15, 2004

The solution to vaccine shortages is more government involvement, not less.

Vaccine Poker

October 14, 2004

Treating Obesity, Meatless Treats, Etc.

September 22, 2004

"I don't automatically assume doctors are more qualified to spout truths then patients are."

Alternative Visions

August 12, 2004

I don't see how the waste and misuse and undercoverage of sick people can get any worse than what we have now.

The VA, Vanity and Duragesic

July 12, 2004

There is no doubt in my mind that the healthcare industry is a cash cow for private interests.

Single-Payer, Mad Cow and Uncompensated Care

May 20, 2004

a single-payer system would remove a lot of the factors that contribute the most to the enormous rise in healthcare costs.

Medicare, Mad Cow and Nardil

April 7, 2004

Medicine is supposed to be a passion, a calling.

More Mad Cow, Ambien & Universal Healthcare

March 2, 2004

Most people don't understand that the motive of private providers is purely profit, and when they do, they have little idea how to stop them.

Mad Cow, Internists & the Politics of Healthcare

January 21, 2004

We'd have far fewer problems with beef if we kept to the natural order of things.

Coverage for No One

December 24, 2003

Lying, Distortions and Profit

December 18, 2003

They've got us by the proverbial you-know-what.

Ranking Healthcare Systems

November 14, 2003

The Pathology of Lying

October 31, 2003

How about, "We're sorry, but we grossly underestimated what it would take to rebuild Iraq?"

Is Affordable Healthcare Possible?

October 6, 2003

Corporate self-interest is strongly entrenched.

Dean, Healthcare and Medical Marijuana

September 9, 2003

Dean's plan for universal health coverage isn't yet firm or grounded but he understands the problems.

The Perils of Privatized Healthcare

August 11, 2003

More of the Western HMOs are not-for-profit, and are motive-distinguishable from the for-profit HMOs---the anti-Robin Hoods of healthcare.

Medicare, Depression and Dermatology

July 10, 2003

The solution is to centralize healthcare under government control.

Smallpox, Smoking and Sympathetic Dystrophy

June 13, 2003

"Pharmaceutical advertising should be restricted, especially as it is the basis for an outrageous price-scale."

SARS, Sarin and WMDs

May 20, 2003

Fear and Its Discontents

May 1, 2003

Fear, Truth and SARS

April 30, 2003

The Asian longhorned beetle may ultimately be more of a threat to us here than SARS.

SARS, Coral Calcium and Mood Disorders

April 28, 2003

Dr. Marc answers questions on the politics of medicine, health-care and disease.

Subway Fears, Bioterrorism and Tetanus Shots

April 3, 2003

Read exchanges on medicine, illness, politics and fear.

Duct Tape, Terrorism and Common Sense

March 13, 2003

Real talk about duct tape, plastic sheeting and potassium idiode pills.

Allergies, Vaccinations and Non-profit HMOs

February 19, 2003

Ask Dr. Marc about the real potential risks of a bio-terrorist attack.

Among the Lotus-Eaters

January 30, 2003

HMOs, Antibiotics and the Philosophy of Caring

January 29, 2003

Dr. Marc answers his biweekly batch of questions on medicine, politics and profiteering.

Bill Frist, Bioterrorism and Visits to the Doctor

January 9, 2003

Dr. Marc answers his biweekly batch of questions on medicine, politics and profiteering.

Cell Phones, HMOs and Single-Payer

December 24, 2002

Dr. Marc answers his biweekly batch of questions on medicine, politics and profiteering.

The Hungry Physician

December 12, 2002

Microwaves, the 'Underinsured' & Drug Companies

December 10, 2002

Dr. Marc answers his biweekly batch of questions on medicine, politics and profiteering.

Smallpox Vaccines, Medical Ethics & Prozac Cartoon Characters

November 26, 2002

Dr. Marc answers questions on Prozac cartoon characters, HIV testing of rapists and what's different about obesity in rich and poor countries.

Ask Dr. Marc

November 11, 2002

Fighting the Drug (Ad) Wars

May 30, 2002

The Anthrax Fumble

February 28, 2002

A Detainee's Death

November 15, 2001

Profits of Fear

October 18, 2001

Needed: Rx for Drug Costs

June 28, 2001