speech on healthcare

5 powerful speeches that changed medicine for the better

The right talks at the right time by the right people. Did you hear them? And did you really listen?

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This post is sponsored by MedCity ENGAGE.

Healthcare today is about new ideas, new players, new approaches and new tech. But in the past few years only a handful of visionaries have delivered to clearly outline where all this “new” is going.

These five talks truly changed the way I think about healthcare. The speeches are about more than the words. They were said at the right time and by the right people. I bet you heard some of them.

Behavioral Health, Interoperability and eConsent: Meeting the Demands of CMS Final Rule Compliance

In a webinar on April 16 at 1pm ET, Aneesh Chopra will moderate a discussion with executives from DocuSign, Velatura, and behavioral health providers on eConsent, health information exchange and compliance with the CMS Final Rule on interoperability.

Think back on all the healthcare speeches you’ve heard. Which ones have stuck with you?

No. 1: Reed Tuckson, Digital Health Summit 2013

Dr. Reed Tuckson’s talk is less about what he said than how he taught everyone in that room to think about healthcare innovation.

A Deep-dive Into Specialty Pharma

A specialty drug is a class of prescription medications used to treat complex, chronic or rare medical conditions. Although this classification was originally intended to define the treatment of rare, also termed “orphan” diseases, affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the US, more recently, specialty drugs have emerged as the cornerstone of treatment for chronic and complex diseases such as cancer, autoimmune conditions, diabetes, hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS.

After hearing him I was left with this point of view: a world of sensors and healthcare mobile apps won’t help much unless incentives change, we address our cubicle culture, and we change what American’s eat or, in many cases, have no choice but to eat.

No. 2: Dr. Victor Montori, 2013 MedCity ENGAGE

Dr. Victor Montori was pro-patient before pro-patient was cool. Montori’s ENGAGE talk was both blunt – “there’s a lot of research but most of it doesn’t matter” – and tangible: follow his outline of how to empower patients by giving them a card and letting them choose medicines based on the side effects they’ll accept.

(I am not the only one who liked Montori’s talk: Legendary health journo Dan Munro put the talk on his Forbes list of “ Top Ten Healthcare Quotes of 2013 .”)

No. 3: Sally Okun, TEDMED 2013

Consider this: Sally Okun was the first nurse ever to speak at TEDMED . Then consider what she said in her talk: “We silence the words and stories of those at the center of healthcare… ”

She meant patients. But I think, and Okun confirmed it for me soon after her speech , that it was appropriate for a nurse to urge healthcare to listen and speak to patients on their terms.

No. 4: Jeff Rohrs, Cleveland Clinic Patient Experience Summit 2014

Jeff Rohrs, an executive from ExactTarget, reminded me of how much healthcare can learn from outsiders. He walked in untethered to healthcare’s dogma and passionately talked about marketing techniques from other sectors and how they can help change medicine.

Rohrs’ talk is not online ( I’ve included his presentation deck and much of his talk is based off his book, Audience) . While he’s given similar talks , Rohrs doesn’t address healthcare in those speeches. That connection was what made the Patient Experience presentation so great.

No. 5: Dr. Eric Topol, 2011 mHealth Summit

This was Dr. Eric Topol’s coming-out party – his kairos , if you will. The Creative Destruction of Medicine officially hit the shelves that day , and so much of the vision he delivered that day is part of the common discourse for innovators. It’s also fascinating to listen to this and hear what’s changed in his discussions today.

The talk is almost five years old, but that is so long ago in Innovation Years I feel like it’s in a time capsule.

Topol’s first question to the audience: “How many of you are on Twitter?”

A bonus: I know when the next great healthcare talk will happen.

Healthcare’s next transformative talk happens at the 2015 version of MedCity ENGAGE on July 14-15 in Bethesda .

Buy your tickets and be part of the event.

Humana’s Dr. Roy Beveridge and patient-turned-entrepreneur Kezia Fitzgerald are among those to share their vision on the future of patient engagement.

Join us at ENGAGE to be part of the next agenda-setting discussion.

Chris Seper

Chris Seper runs MedCityNews.com and contributes regularly to the site. He is the vice president of healthcare for Breaking Media, MedCity's corporate owners. Reach him at [email protected] .

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Watch CBS News

Transcript: Obama's Health Care Speech

September 9, 2009 / 8:14 PM EDT / CBS

Below is the full transcript as delivered of President Obama's address to a joint session of Congress on Sept. 9, 2009, as released by the White House. You can watch the whole video here.

When I spoke here last winter, this nation was facing the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We were losing an average of 700,000 jobs per month. Credit was frozen. And our financial system was on the verge of collapse.

As any American who is still looking for work or a way to pay their bills will tell you, we are by no means out of the woods. A full and vibrant recovery is still many months away. And I will not let up until those Americans who seek jobs can find them -- (applause) -- until those businesses that seek capital and credit can thrive; until all responsible homeowners can stay in their homes. That is our ultimate goal. But thanks to the bold and decisive action we've taken since January, I can stand here with confidence and say that we have pulled this economy back from the brink. (Applause.)

I want to thank the members of this body for your efforts and your support in these last several months, and especially those who've taken the difficult votes that have put us on a path to recovery. I also want to thank the American people for their patience and resolve during this trying time for our nation.

CBSNews.com Special Report: Health Care

But we did not come here just to clean up crises. We came here to build a future. (Applause.) So tonight, I return to speak to all of you about an issue that is central to that future -- and that is the issue of health care.

I am not the first President to take up this cause, but I am determined to be the last. (Applause.) It has now been nearly a century since Theodore Roosevelt first called for health care reform. And ever since, nearly every President and Congress, whether Democrat or Republican, has attempted to meet this challenge in some way. A bill for comprehensive health reform was first introduced by John Dingell Sr. in 1943. Sixty-five years later, his son continues to introduce that same bill at the beginning of each session. (Applause.)

Our collective failure to meet this challenge -- year after year, decade after decade -- has led us to the breaking point. Everyone understands the extraordinary hardships that are placed on the uninsured, who live every day just one accident or illness away from bankruptcy. These are not primarily people on welfare. These are middle-class Americans. Some can't get insurance on the job. Others are self-employed, and can't afford it, since buying insurance on your own costs you three times as much as the coverage you get from your employer. Many other Americans who are willing and able to pay are still denied insurance due to previous illnesses or conditions that insurance companies decide are too risky or too expensive to cover.

We are the only democracy -- the only advanced democracy on Earth -- the only wealthy nation -- that allows such hardship for millions of its people. There are now more than 30 million American citizens who cannot get coverage. In just a two-year period, one in every three Americans goes without health care coverage at some point. And every day, 14,000 Americans lose their coverage. In other words, it can happen to anyone.

But the problem that plagues the health care system is not just a problem for the uninsured. Those who do have insurance have never had less security and stability than they do today. More and more Americans worry that if you move, lose your job, or change your job, you'll lose your health insurance too. More and more Americans pay their premiums, only to discover that their insurance company has dropped their coverage when they get sick, or won't pay the full cost of care. It happens every day.

One man from Illinois lost his coverage in the middle of chemotherapy because his insurer found that he hadn't reported gallstones that he didn't even know about. They delayed his treatment, and he died because of it. Another woman from Texas was about to get a double mastectomy when her insurance company canceled her policy because she forgot to declare a case of acne. By the time she had her insurance reinstated, her breast cancer had more than doubled in size. That is heart-breaking, it is wrong, and no one should be treated that way in the United States of America. (Applause.)

Then there's the problem of rising cost. We spend one and a half times more per person on health care than any other country, but we aren't any healthier for it. This is one of the reasons that insurance premiums have gone up three times faster than wages. It's why so many employers -- especially small businesses -- are forcing their employees to pay more for insurance, or are dropping their coverage entirely. It's why so many aspiring entrepreneurs cannot afford to open a business in the first place, and why American businesses that compete internationally -- like our automakers -- are at a huge disadvantage. And it's why those of us with health insurance are also paying a hidden and growing tax for those without it -- about $1,000 per year that pays for somebody else's emergency room and charitable care.

Full CBSNews.com coverage of the president's speech on health care:

Obama Tells Congress to Stop Bickering Full Video Full Transcript Speech Highlights GOP Response: "It's Time to Start Over" Marc Ambinder: Will Obama's Sales Job Work? Mark Knoller: Obama Willing to Compromise - Up to a Point Was Obama Clear on the Public Option? Ted Kennedy's Letter to Obama Rep. Wilson Apologizes for Obama Speech Outburst Analysis: The Road Ahead for Health Care

Finally, our health care system is placing an unsustainable burden on taxpayers. When health care costs grow at the rate they have, it puts greater pressure on programs like Medicare and Medicaid. If we do nothing to slow these skyrocketing costs, we will eventually be spending more on Medicare and Medicaid than every other government program combined. Put simply, our health care problem is our deficit problem. Nothing else even comes close. Nothing else. (Applause.)

Now, these are the facts. Nobody disputes them. We know we must reform this system. The question is how.

There are those on the left who believe that the only way to fix the system is through a single-payer system like Canada's -- (applause) -- where we would severely restrict the private insurance market and have the government provide coverage for everybody. On the right, there are those who argue that we should end employer-based systems and leave individuals to buy health insurance on their own.

I've said -- I have to say that there are arguments to be made for both these approaches. But either one would represent a radical shift that would disrupt the health care most people currently have. Since health care represents one-sixth of our economy, I believe it makes more sense to build on what works and fix what doesn't, rather than try to build an entirely new system from scratch. (Applause.) And that is precisely what those of you in Congress have tried to do over the past several months.

During that time, we've seen Washington at its best and at its worst.

We've seen many in this chamber work tirelessly for the better part of this year to offer thoughtful ideas about how to achieve reform. Of the five committees asked to develop bills, four have completed their work, and the Senate Finance Committee announced today that it will move forward next week. That has never happened before. Our overall efforts have been supported by an unprecedented coalition of doctors and nurses; hospitals, seniors' groups, and even drug companies -- many of whom opposed reform in the past. And there is agreement in this chamber on about 80 percent of what needs to be done, putting us closer to the goal of reform than we have ever been.

But what we've also seen in these last months is the same partisan spectacle that only hardens the disdain many Americans have towards their own government. Instead of honest debate, we've seen scare tactics. Some have dug into unyielding ideological camps that offer no hope of compromise. Too many have used this as an opportunity to score short-term political points, even if it robs the country of our opportunity to solve a long-term challenge. And out of this blizzard of charges and counter-charges, confusion has reigned.

Well, the time for bickering is over. The time for games has passed. (Applause.) Now is the season for action. Now is when we must bring the best ideas of both parties together, and show the American people that we can still do what we were sent here to do. Now is the time to deliver on health care. Now is the time to deliver on health care.

The plan I'm announcing tonight would meet three basic goals. It will provide more security and stability to those who have health insurance. It will provide insurance for those who don't. And it will slow the growth of health care costs for our families, our businesses, and our government. (Applause.) It's a plan that asks everyone to take responsibility for meeting this challenge -- not just government, not just insurance companies, but everybody including employers and individuals. And it's a plan that incorporates ideas from senators and congressmen, from Democrats and Republicans -- and yes, from some of my opponents in both the primary and general election.

Here are the details that every American needs to know about this plan. First, if you are among the hundreds of millions of Americans who already have health insurance through your job, or Medicare, or Medicaid, or the VA, nothing in this plan will require you or your employer to change the coverage or the doctor you have. (Applause.) Let me repeat this: Nothing in our plan requires you to change what you have.

What this plan will do is make the insurance you have work better for you. Under this plan, it will be against the law for insurance companies to deny you coverage because of a preexisting condition. (Applause.) As soon as I sign this bill, it will be against the law for insurance companies to drop your coverage when you get sick or water it down when you need it the most. (Applause.) They will no longer be able to place some arbitrary cap on the amount of coverage you can receive in a given year or in a lifetime. (Applause.) We will place a limit on how much you can be charged for out-of-pocket expenses, because in the United States of America, no one should go broke because they get sick. (Applause.) And insurance companies will be required to cover, with no extra charge, routine checkups and preventive care, like mammograms and colonoscopies -- (applause) -- because there's no reason we shouldn't be catching diseases like breast cancer and colon cancer before they get worse. That makes sense, it saves money, and it saves lives. (Applause.)

Now, that's what Americans who have health insurance can expect from this plan -- more security and more stability.

Now, if you're one of the tens of millions of Americans who don't currently have health insurance, the second part of this plan will finally offer you quality, affordable choices. (Applause.) If you lose your job or you change your job, you'll be able to get coverage. If you strike out on your own and start a small business, you'll be able to get coverage. We'll do this by creating a new insurance exchange -- a marketplace where individuals and small businesses will be able to shop for health insurance at competitive prices. Insurance companies will have an incentive to participate in this exchange because it lets them compete for millions of new customers. As one big group, these customers will have greater leverage to bargain with the insurance companies for better prices and quality coverage. This is how large companies and government employees get affordable insurance. It's how everyone in this Congress gets affordable insurance. And it's time to give every American the same opportunity that we give ourselves. (Applause.)

Now, for those individuals and small businesses who still can't afford the lower-priced insurance available in the exchange, we'll provide tax credits, the size of which will be based on your need. And all insurance companies that want access to this new marketplace will have to abide by the consumer protections I already mentioned. This exchange will take effect in four years, which will give us time to do it right. In the meantime, for those Americans who can't get insurance today because they have preexisting medical conditions, we will immediately offer low-cost coverage that will protect you against financial ruin if you become seriously ill. (Applause.) This was a good idea when Senator John McCain proposed it in the campaign, it's a good idea now, and we should all embrace it. (Applause.)

Now, even if we provide these affordable options, there may be those -- especially the young and the healthy -- who still want to take the risk and go without coverage. There may still be companies that refuse to do right by their workers by giving them coverage. The problem is, such irresponsible behavior costs all the rest of us money. If there are affordable options and people still don't sign up for health insurance, it means we pay for these people's expensive emergency room visits. If some businesses don't provide workers health care, it forces the rest of us to pick up the tab when their workers get sick, and gives those businesses an unfair advantage over their competitors. And unless everybody does their part, many of the insurance reforms we seek -- especially requiring insurance companies to cover preexisting conditions -- just can't be achieved. And that's why under my plan, individuals will be required to carry basic health insurance -- just as most states require you to carry auto insurance. (Applause.) Likewise -- likewise, businesses will be required to either offer their workers health care, or chip in to help cover the cost of their workers. There will be a hardship waiver for those individuals who still can't afford coverage, and 95 percent of all small businesses, because of their size and narrow profit margin, would be exempt from these requirements. (Applause.) But we can't have large businesses and individuals who can afford coverage game the system by avoiding responsibility to themselves or their employees. Improving our health care system only works if everybody does their part.

And while there remain some significant details to be ironed out, I believe -- (laughter) -- I believe a broad consensus exists for the aspects of the plan I just outlined: consumer protections for those with insurance, an exchange that allows individuals and small businesses to purchase affordable coverage, and a requirement that people who can afford insurance get insurance.

And I have no doubt that these reforms would greatly benefit Americans from all walks of life, as well as the economy as a whole. Still, given all the misinformation that's been spread over the past few months, I realize -- (applause) -- I realize that many Americans have grown nervous about reform. So tonight I want to address some of the key controversies that are still out there.

Some of people's concerns have grown out of bogus claims spread by those whose only agenda is to kill reform at any cost. The best example is the claim made not just by radio and cable talk show hosts, but by prominent politicians, that we plan to set up panels of bureaucrats with the power to kill off senior citizens. Now, such a charge would be laughable if it weren't so cynical and irresponsible. It is a lie, plain and simple. (Applause.)

There are also those who claim that our reform efforts would insure illegal immigrants. This, too, is false. The reforms -- the reforms I'm proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally.

AUDIENCE MEMBER: You lie! (Boos.)

THE PRESIDENT: It's not true. And one more misunderstanding I want to clear up -- under our plan, no federal dollars will be used to fund abortions, and federal conscience laws will remain in place. (Applause.)

Now, my health care proposal has also been attacked by some who oppose reform as a "government takeover" of the entire health care system. As proof, critics point to a provision in our plan that allows the uninsured and small businesses to choose a publicly sponsored insurance option, administered by the government just like Medicaid or Medicare. (Applause.)

So let me set the record straight here. My guiding principle is, and always has been, that consumers do better when there is choice and competition. That's how the market works. (Applause.) Unfortunately, in 34 states, 75 percent of the insurance market is controlled by five or fewer companies. In Alabama, almost 90 percent is controlled by just one company. And without competition, the price of insurance goes up and quality goes down. And it makes it easier for insurance companies to treat their customers badly -- by cherry-picking the healthiest individuals and trying to drop the sickest, by overcharging small businesses who have no leverage, and by jacking up rates.

Insurance executives don't do this because they're bad people; they do it because it's profitable. As one former insurance executive testified before Congress, insurance companies are not only encouraged to find reasons to drop the seriously ill, they are rewarded for it. All of this is in service of meeting what this former executive called "Wall Street's relentless profit expectations."

Now, I have no interest in putting insurance companies out of business. They provide a legitimate service, and employ a lot of our friends and neighbors. I just want to hold them accountable. (Applause.) And the insurance reforms that I've already mentioned would do just that. But an additional step we can take to keep insurance companies honest is by making a not-for-profit public option available in the insurance exchange. (Applause.) Now, let me be clear. Let me be clear. It would only be an option for those who don't have insurance. No one would be forced to choose it, and it would not impact those of you who already have insurance. In fact, based on Congressional Budget Office estimates, we believe that less than 5 percent of Americans would sign up.

Despite all this, the insurance companies and their allies don't like this idea. They argue that these private companies can't fairly compete with the government. And they'd be right if taxpayers were subsidizing this public insurance option. But they won't be. I've insisted that like any private insurance company, the public insurance option would have to be self-sufficient and rely on the premiums it collects. But by avoiding some of the overhead that gets eaten up at private companies by profits and excessive administrative costs and executive salaries, it could provide a good deal for consumers, and would also keep pressure on private insurers to keep their policies affordable and treat their customers better, the same way public colleges and universities provide additional choice and competition to students without in any way inhibiting a vibrant system of private colleges and universities. (Applause.)

Now, it is -- it's worth noting that a strong majority of Americans still favor a public insurance option of the sort I've proposed tonight. But its impact shouldn't be exaggerated -- by the left or the right or the media. It is only one part of my plan, and shouldn't be used as a handy excuse for the usual Washington ideological battles. To my progressive friends, I would remind you that for decades, the driving idea behind reform has been to end insurance company abuses and make coverage available for those without it. (Applause.) The public option -- the public option is only a means to that end -- and we should remain open to other ideas that accomplish our ultimate goal. And to my Republican friends, I say that rather than making wild claims about a government takeover of health care, we should work together to address any legitimate concerns you may have. (Applause.)

For example -- for example, some have suggested that the public option go into effect only in those markets where insurance companies are not providing affordable policies. Others have proposed a co-op or another non-profit entity to administer the plan. These are all constructive ideas worth exploring. But I will not back down on the basic principle that if Americans can't find affordable coverage, we will provide you with a choice. (Applause.) And I will make sure that no government bureaucrat or insurance company bureaucrat gets between you and the care that you need. (Applause.)

Finally, let me discuss an issue that is a great concern to me, to members of this chamber, and to the public -- and that's how we pay for this plan.

And here's what you need to know. First, I will not sign a plan that adds one dime to our deficits -- either now or in the future. (Applause.) I will not sign it if it adds one dime to the deficit, now or in the future, period. And to prove that I'm serious, there will be a provision in this plan that requires us to come forward with more spending cuts if the savings we promised don't materialize. (Applause.) Now, part of the reason I faced a trillion-dollar deficit when I walked in the door of the White House is because too many initiatives over the last decade were not paid for -- from the Iraq war to tax breaks for the wealthy. (Applause.) I will not make that same mistake with health care.

Second, we've estimated that most of this plan can be paid for by finding savings within the existing health care system, a system that is currently full of waste and abuse. Right now, too much of the hard-earned savings and tax dollars we spend on health care don't make us any healthier. That's not my judgment -- it's the judgment of medical professionals across this country. And this is also true when it comes to Medicare and Medicaid.

In fact, I want to speak directly to seniors for a moment, because Medicare is another issue that's been subjected to demagoguery and distortion during the course of this debate.

More than four decades ago, this nation stood up for the principle that after a lifetime of hard work, our seniors should not be left to struggle with a pile of medical bills in their later years. That's how Medicare was born. And it remains a sacred trust that must be passed down from one generation to the next. (Applause.) And that is why not a dollar of the Medicare trust fund will be used to pay for this plan. (Applause.)

The only thing this plan would eliminate is the hundreds of billions of dollars in waste and fraud, as well as unwarranted subsidies in Medicare that go to insurance companies -- subsidies that do everything to pad their profits but don't improve the care of seniors. And we will also create an independent commission of doctors and medical experts charged with identifying more waste in the years ahead. (Applause.)

Now, these steps will ensure that you -- America's seniors -- get the benefits you've been promised. They will ensure that Medicare is there for future generations. And we can use some of the savings to fill the gap in coverage that forces too many seniors to pay thousands of dollars a year out of their own pockets for prescription drugs. (Applause.) That's what this plan will do for you. So don't pay attention to those scary stories about how your benefits will be cut, especially since some of the same folks who are spreading these tall tales have fought against Medicare in the past and just this year supported a budget that would essentially have turned Medicare into a privatized voucher program. That will not happen on my watch. I will protect Medicare. (Applause.)

Now, because Medicare is such a big part of the health care system, making the program more efficient can help usher in changes in the way we deliver health care that can reduce costs for everybody. We have long known that some places -- like the Intermountain Healthcare in Utah or the Geisinger Health System in rural Pennsylvania -- offer high-quality care at costs below average. So the commission can help encourage the adoption of these common-sense best practices by doctors and medical professionals throughout the system -- everything from reducing hospital infection rates to encouraging better coordination between teams of doctors.

Reducing the waste and inefficiency in Medicare and Medicaid will pay for most of this plan. (Applause.) Now, much of the rest would be paid for with revenues from the very same drug and insurance companies that stand to benefit from tens of millions of new customers. And this reform will charge insurance companies a fee for their most expensive policies, which will encourage them to provide greater value for the money -- an idea which has the support of Democratic and Republican experts. And according to these same experts, this modest change could help hold down the cost of health care for all of us in the long run.

Now, finally, many in this chamber -- particularly on the Republican side of the aisle -- have long insisted that reforming our medical malpractice laws can help bring down the cost of health care. (Applause.) Now -- there you go. There you go. Now, I don't believe malpractice reform is a silver bullet, but I've talked to enough doctors to know that defensive medicine may be contributing to unnecessary costs. (Applause.) So I'm proposing that we move forward on a range of ideas about how to put patient safety first and let doctors focus on practicing medicine. (Applause.) I know that the Bush administration considered authorizing demonstration projects in individual states to test these ideas. I think it's a good idea, and I'm directing my Secretary of Health and Human Services to move forward on this initiative today. (Applause.)

Now, add it all up, and the plan I'm proposing will cost around $900 billion over 10 years -- less than we have spent on the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and less than the tax cuts for the wealthiest few Americans that Congress passed at the beginning of the previous administration. (Applause.) Now, most of these costs will be paid for with money already being spent -- but spent badly -- in the existing health care system. The plan will not add to our deficit. The middle class will realize greater security, not higher taxes. And if we are able to slow the growth of health care costs by just one-tenth of 1 percent each year -- one-tenth of 1 percent -- it will actually reduce the deficit by $4 trillion over the long term.

Now, this is the plan I'm proposing. It's a plan that incorporates ideas from many of the people in this room tonight -- Democrats and Republicans. And I will continue to seek common ground in the weeks ahead. If you come to me with a serious set of proposals, I will be there to listen. My door is always open.

But know this: I will not waste time with those who have made the calculation that it's better politics to kill this plan than to improve it. (Applause.) I won't stand by while the special interests use the same old tactics to keep things exactly the way they are. If you misrepresent what's in this plan, we will call you out. (Applause.) And I will not -- and I will not accept the status quo as a solution. Not this time. Not now.

Everyone in this room knows what will happen if we do nothing. Our deficit will grow. More families will go bankrupt. More businesses will close. More Americans will lose their coverage when they are sick and need it the most. And more will die as a result. We know these things to be true.

That is why we cannot fail. Because there are too many Americans counting on us to succeed -- the ones who suffer silently, and the ones who shared their stories with us at town halls, in e-mails, and in letters.

I received one of those letters a few days ago. It was from our beloved friend and colleague, Ted Kennedy. He had written it back in May, shortly after he was told that his illness was terminal. He asked that it be delivered upon his death.

In it, he spoke about what a happy time his last months were, thanks to the love and support of family and friends, his wife, Vicki, his amazing children, who are all here tonight. And he expressed confidence that this would be the year that health care reform -- "that great unfinished business of our society," he called it -- would finally pass. He repeated the truth that health care is decisive for our future prosperity, but he also reminded me that "it concerns more than material things." "What we face," he wrote, "is above all a moral issue; at stake are not just the details of policy, but fundamental principles of social justice and the character of our country."

I've thought about that phrase quite a bit in recent days -- the character of our country. One of the unique and wonderful things about America has always been our self-reliance, our rugged individualism, our fierce defense of freedom and our healthy skepticism of government. And figuring out the appropriate size and role of government has always been a source of rigorous and, yes, sometimes angry debate. That's our history.

For some of Ted Kennedy's critics, his brand of liberalism represented an affront to American liberty. In their minds, his passion for universal health care was nothing more than a passion for big government.

But those of us who knew Teddy and worked with him here -- people of both parties -- know that what drove him was something more. His friend Orrin Hatch -- he knows that. They worked together to provide children with health insurance. His friend John McCain knows that. They worked together on a Patient's Bill of Rights. His friend Chuck Grassley knows that. They worked together to provide health care to children with disabilities.

On issues like these, Ted Kennedy's passion was born not of some rigid ideology, but of his own experience. It was the experience of having two children stricken with cancer. He never forgot the sheer terror and helplessness that any parent feels when a child is badly sick. And he was able to imagine what it must be like for those without insurance, what it would be like to have to say to a wife or a child or an aging parent, there is something that could make you better, but I just can't afford it.

That large-heartedness -- that concern and regard for the plight of others -- is not a partisan feeling. It's not a Republican or a Democratic feeling. It, too, is part of the American character -- our ability to stand in other people's shoes; a recognition that we are all in this together, and when fortune turns against one of us, others are there to lend a helping hand; a belief that in this country, hard work and responsibility should be rewarded by some measure of security and fair play; and an acknowledgment that sometimes government has to step in to help deliver on that promise.

This has always been the history of our progress. In 1935, when over half of our seniors could not support themselves and millions had seen their savings wiped away, there were those who argued that Social Security would lead to socialism, but the men and women of Congress stood fast, and we are all the better for it. In 1965, when some argued that Medicare represented a government takeover of health care, members of Congress -- Democrats and Republicans -- did not back down. They joined together so that all of us could enter our golden years with some basic peace of mind.

You see, our predecessors understood that government could not, and should not, solve every problem. They understood that there are instances when the gains in security from government action are not worth the added constraints on our freedom. But they also understood that the danger of too much government is matched by the perils of too little; that without the leavening hand of wise policy, markets can crash, monopolies can stifle competition, the vulnerable can be exploited. And they knew that when any government measure, no matter how carefully crafted or beneficial, is subject to scorn; when any efforts to help people in need are attacked as un-American; when facts and reason are thrown overboard and only timidity passes for wisdom, and we can no longer even engage in a civil conversation with each other over the things that truly matter -- that at that point we don't merely lose our capacity to solve big challenges. We lose something essential about ourselves.

That was true then. It remains true today. I understand how difficult this health care debate has been. I know that many in this country are deeply skeptical that government is looking out for them. I understand that the politically safe move would be to kick the can further down the road -- to defer reform one more year, or one more election, or one more term.

But that is not what the moment calls for. That's not what we came here to do. We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it. I still believe we can act even when it's hard. (Applause.) I still believe -- I still believe that we can act when it's hard. I still believe we can replace acrimony with civility, and gridlock with progress. I still believe we can do great things, and that here and now we will meet history's test.

Because that's who we are. That is our calling. That is our character. Thank you, God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America. (Applause.)

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Keynote speech to the world health summit 2021 – 24 october 2021, unicef executive director henrietta fore.

Excellencies, colleagues, friends … it is a pleasure to be with you here today for the World Health Summit.  

I am honoured and inspired by the spirit of collaboration among experts in science, politics, business, government and civil society represented at this Summit.   

On behalf of UNICEF, I am grateful for the opportunity to speak with you now at this critical moment in the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic – a pandemic which continues to impact so many aspects of our lives.   COVID-19 has hobbled economies, strained societies and undermined the prospects of the next generation. While children are not at greatest direct risk from the virus itself, they continue to suffer disproportionately from its socioeconomic consequences. Almost two years into the pandemic, a generation of children are enduring prolonged school closures and ongoing disruptions to health, protection and education services.  

That is why today I am here to discuss the health threats facing the 2.2 billion children around the world who UNICEF serves, and the opportunity we have to protect them.  

Driven by new variants of concern, the virus continues to spread. While successful vaccination campaigns in the wealthy world have driven down rates of hospitalization and death, millions in low income countries await their first dose, and fragile health systems – on which children rely – are in jeopardy.  

Yet the gap between those who have been offered vaccination against COVID-19 and those who have not is widening. While some countries have protected most of their populations, in others, less than 3 per cent of the population have had their first dose. Those going without vaccines include doctors, midwives, nurses, community health workers, teachers and social workers – the very people that children, mothers and families rely upon for the most essential services.  

This is unacceptable. As a community of global health leaders, we have a choice. We can choose to act to reach more people with vaccines. This will keep people safe AND help to sustain critical services and systems for children.  

Today, almost 7 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, less than a year since the first vaccine was approved. And we are now on track to produce enough vaccines to protect the majority of people around the world before the end of next year.  

But will we protect everyone?   

Will we send lifesaving, health-system-saving COVID-19 vaccines to the world’s doctors, nurses, and most at-risk populations?  

Will donors continue to fund ACT-A and COVAX sufficiently to procure and successfully deploy the tests, treatments and vaccines needed to end the pandemic? Or will the costs of in-country delivery fall on struggling economies so that they are forced to cut other lifesaving health programmes such as routine childhood vaccinations? 

Will we stand by as the lowest-income countries, with the most fragile health systems, carry on unprotected – risking high death rates due to shortages of tests, treatments and vaccines? Or will we invest so that community health systems everywhere can withstand further waves of the virus, and bounce back from future shocks?  

Will we allow new variants of the virus to flourish in countries with low vaccination rates? Or, will we reap the benefits of global cooperation to defeat this global problem, together?   

The world has learned that financing for prevention, preparedness and response is insufficient and not adequately coordinated. And that is a vital lesson.  

But even more fundamentally, we have learned that the underlying strength of the health sector in general is a critical factor in a country’s ability to weather a storm like COVID-19.  

After all, what good are vaccines if there is no functioning public health system to deliver them?  

How do we hope to contain outbreaks if there are not enough trained and paid healthcare workers?  

This pandemic has been crippling for high income countries where average spending on healthcare per capita exceeds $5,000. So, it is hardly surprising that it is causing critical strain in lower-income countries where the average per capita expenditure on healthcare each year is less than $100.  

The past 22 months have shown us that even as we battle immediate threats such as a pandemic, we must also ensure continuous access to essential health services. If we do not, there will be an indirect increase in morbidity and mortality.  

As COVID-19 took hold of the world, healthcare workers serving pregnant mothers, babies and children faced unthinkable choices. As COVID patients gasped for breath, desperate for oxygen, mothers and babies needed it too. As wards filled up with virus victims, staff were not free to help the very young. As health budgets were stretched to the breaking point, routine healthcare began to go by the wayside.   

These are some of the reasons why more than twice as many women and children have lost their lives for every COVID-19 death in many low and middle-income countries. Estimates from the Lancet suggest up to nearly 114,000 additional women and children died during this period.  

I greatly fear that the pandemic’s impact on children’s health is only starting to be seen.  

While the pandemic has underscored that vaccination is one of the most cost-effective public health interventions, we have already seen backsliding in routine immunization. In 2020, over 23 million children missed out on essential vaccines – an increase of nearly 4 million from 2019, with decades of progress tragically eroded.  

Of these 23 million, 17 million of them did not receive any vaccines at all. These are the so-called zero-dose children, most of whom live in communities with multiple deprivations.       

Here are some of the most urgent choices we could make to address these problems: 

Governments can share COVID-19 doses with COVAX as a matter of absolute urgency and resist the temptation to stockpile supplies more than necessary.  

Governments can also honour their commitments to equitable access and make space for COVAX and other parts of ACT-A at the front of the supply queue for tests, treatments, and vaccines as they roll off production lines.  

Manufacturers can be more transparent about their production schedules and make greater efforts to facilitate and accelerate equitable access to products. This will help to ensure that COVAX and ACT-A get supplies faster. 

Governments, development banks, business and philanthropy can target strategic, sustainable investments in building robust and resilient primary healthcare services – embedded in each and every community.  

We can and we must choose a path ahead that is equitable, sustainable and rooted in the principle that every human being, young and old, rich and poor, has the right to good health.  

And there is good reason to believe that now is the time to set ourselves upon that path.  

A look back at history shows us that global threats and crises that challenge multiple interests and equities have a way of pulling together diverse partners to solve shared problems. Indeed, it is out of some of the most tragic crises that the world has found some of the best solutions.  

I believe now is such a time. We have a historic opportunity to both end the COVID-19 pandemic and set out on the road towards eradicating preventable diseases, ending avoidable maternal, newborn and child deaths, and building a strong foundation for community health that will serve this generation and the next.  

We can and we must seize this moment together.  

Thank you.  

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UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.

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Presidential Speeches

March 15, 2010: speech on health care reform, about this speech.

Barack Obama

March 15, 2010

Remarks by the president on healthcare reform in Strongville, Ohio.

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THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, Ohio!  (Applause.)  It is good to be here in the Buckeye State.  Congratulations on winning the Big Ten Championship.  (Laughter.)  I'm filling out my brackets now.  (Laughter.)  And it’s even better to be out of Washington for a little while.

AUDIENCE:  O-H-I-O.

THE PRESIDENT:  Yes, that kid Turner looks pretty good.  You guys are doing all right.

It is wonderful to be here --

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  I love you!

THE PRESIDENT:  I love you back.  I do.  (Applause.)

Couple of people I just want to make sure I give special mention to.  First of all, you already saw him, Governor Ted Strickland in the house.  (Applause.)  Ted is fighting every day to bring jobs and economic development to Ohio.

So is your terrific United States Senator Sherrod Brown.  Love Sherrod Brown.  (Applause.)  Your own congressman, who is tireless on behalf of working people, Dennis Kucinich.  (Applause.)

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Vote yes!

THE PRESIDENT:  Did you hear that, Dennis?  Go ahead, say that again.

THE PRESIDENT:  A couple members of Congress are here:  U.S. Representative Betty Sutton.  (Applause.)  U.S. Representative Marcia Fudge.  (Applause.)  U.S. Representative Tim Ryan.  (Applause.)  U.S. Representative Charlie Wilson.  (Applause.)

I want to thank Mayor Tom Perciak here in Strongsville.  Please, Mr. Mayor, you’re on.  (Applause.)  That's a good bunch of folks we got here in Ohio, working hard.  Which is why I'm glad to be back -- and let’s face it, it’s nice to be out of Washington once in a while.  (Laughter.)

I want to thank Connie -- I want to thank Connie, who introduced me.  I want to thank her and her family for being here on behalf of her sister, Natoma.  I don't know if everybody understood that Natoma is in the hospital right now, so Connie was filling in.  It’s not easy to share such a personal story, when your sister who you love so much is sick.  And so I appreciate Connie being willing to do so here today, and -- (applause) -- and I want everybody to understand that Connie and her sister are the reason that I’m here today.  (Applause.)

See, Connie felt it was important that her sister’s story be told.  But I want to just repeat what happened here.  Last month, I got a letter from Connie’s sister, Natoma.  She’s self-employed, she’s trying to make ends meet, and for years she’s done the responsible thing, just like most of you have.  She bought insurance -- she didn’t have a big employer who provided her insurance, so she bought her health insurance through the individual market.

And it was important for her to have insurance because 16 years ago, she was diagnosed with a treatable form of cancer.  And even though she had been cancer-free for more than a decade, the insurance companies kept on jacking up her rates, year after year.  So she increased her out-of-pocket expenses.  She raised her deductible.  She did everything she could to maintain her health insurance that would be there just in case she got sick, because she figured, I didn’t want to be -- she didn’t want to be in a position where, if she did get sick, somebody else would have to pick up the tab; that she’d have to go to the emergency room; that the cost would be shifted onto folks through their higher insurance premiums or hospitals charging higher rates.  So she tried to do the right thing.

And she upped her deductible last year to the minimum [sic], the highest possible deductible.  But despite that, Natoma’s insurance company raised her premiums by more than 25 percent.  And over the past year, she paid more than $6,000 in monthly premiums.

AUDIENCE:  Boo!

THE PRESIDENT:  She paid more than $4,000 in out-of-pocket medical costs, for co-pays and medical care and prescriptions.  So all together, this woman paid $10,000 -- one year.  But because she never hit her deductible, her insurance company only spent $900 on her care.  So the insurance company is making -- getting $10,000; paying out $900.  Now, what comes in the mail at the end of last year?

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  A bill!

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  A rate hike!

THE PRESIDENT:  It’s a letter telling Natoma that her premiums would go up again by more than 40 percent.

THE PRESIDENT:  So here’s what happens.  She just couldn’t afford it.  She didn’t have the money.  She realized that if she paid those health insurance premiums that had been jacked up by 40 percent, she couldn’t make her mortgage.  And despite her desire to keep her coverage, despite her fears that she would get sick and lose the home that her parents built -- she finally surrendered, she finally gave up her health insurance.  She stopped paying it -- she couldn’t make ends meet.

So January was her last month of being insured.  Like so many responsible Americans -- folks who work hard every day, who try to do the right thing -- she was forced to hang her fortunes on chance.  To take a chance, that’s all she could do.  She hoped against hope that she would stay healthy.  She feared terribly that she might not stay healthy.

That was the letter that I read to the insurance companies, including the person responsible for raising her rates.  Now, I understand Natoma was pretty surprised when she found out that I had read it to these CEOs.  But I thought it was important for them to understand the human dimensions of this problem.  Her rates have been hiked more than 40 percent.

And this was less than two weeks ago.  Unfortunately, Natoma’s worst fears were realized.  And just last week, she was working on a nearby farm, walking outside -- apparently, chasing after a cow -- (laughter) -- when she collapsed.  And she was rushed to the hospital.  She was very sick.  She needed two blood transfusions.  Doctors performed a battery of tests.  And on Saturday, Natoma was diagnosed with leukemia.

Now, the reason Natoma is not here today is that she’s lying on a hospital bed, suddenly faced with this emergency -- suddenly faced with the fight of her life.  She expects to face more than a month of aggressive chemotherapy.  She is racked with worry not only about her illness but about the costs of the tests and the treatment that she’s surely going to need to beat it.

So you want to know why I’m here, Ohio?  I’m here because of Natoma.  (Applause.)   I’m here because of the countless others who have been forced to face the most terrifying challenges in their lives with the added burden of medical bills they can’t pay.  I don't think that’s right.  (Applause.)   Neither do you.  That’s why we need health insurance right now.  Health insurance reform right now.  (Applause.)

AUDIENCE:  Obama!  Obama!  Obama!  Obama!

THE PRESIDENT:  I’m here because of my own mother’s story.  She died of cancer, and in the last six months of her life, she was on the phone in her hospital room arguing with insurance companies instead of focusing on getting well and spending time with her family.

I’m here because of the millions who are denied coverage because of preexisting conditions or dropped from coverage when they get sick.  (Applause.)

I’m here because of the small businesses who are forced to choose between health care and hiring.  (Applause.)

I’m here because of the seniors unable to afford the prescriptions that they need.  (Applause.)

I’m here because of the folks seeing their premiums go up 20 and 30 and 40 and 50 and 60 percent in a year.  (Applause.)

Ohio, I am here because that is not the America I believe in and that’s not the America that you believe in.

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  What’s your plan?

THE PRESIDENT:  So when you hear people say “start over” --

AUDIENCE:  No!!

THE PRESIDENT:  -- I want you to think about Natoma.  When you hear people saying that this isn’t the “right time,” you think about what she’s going through.  When you hear people talk about, well, what does this mean for the Democrats?  What does this mean for the Republicans?  I don’t know how the polls are doing.  When you hear people more worried about the politics of it than what’s right and what’s wrong, I want you to think about Natoma and the millions of people all across this country who are looking for some help, and looking for some relief.  That’s why we need health insurance reform right now.  (Applause.)

Part of what makes this issue difficult is most of us do have health insurance, we still do.  And so -- and so we kind of feel like, well, I don’t know, it’s kind of working for me; I’m not worrying too much.  But what we have to understand is that what’s happened to Natoma, there but for the grace of God go any one of us.  (Applause.)  Anybody here, if you lost your job right now and after the COBRA ran out --

(Audience member faints.)

THE PRESIDENT:  It looks like we’ve got somebody who might’ve fainted down there, so if we’ve got a medic.  No, no, no.  Hold on.  I’m talking about there’s somebody who might’ve fainted right down here, so if we can get a medic just back here.  They’re probably okay.  Just give her or him some space.

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Hope you have insurance.  (Laughter.)

THE PRESIDENT:  So let’s just think about -- think about if you lost your job right now.  How many people here might have had a preexisting condition that would mean it’d be very hard to get health insurance on the individual market?  Think about if you wanted to change jobs.  Think about if you wanted to start your own business but you suddenly had to give up your health insurance on your job.  Think about what happens if a child of yours, heaven forbid, got diagnosed with something that made it hard for them to insure. For so many people, it may not be a problem right now but it’s going to be a problem later, at any point.  And even if you’ve got good health insurance, what’s happening to your premiums?  What’s happening to your co-payments?  What’s happening to your deductible?  They’re all going up.  That’s money straight out of your pocket. So the bottom line is this:  The status quo on health care is simply unsustainable.  (Applause.)  We can’t have -- we can’t have a system that works better for the insurance companies than it does for the American people.  (Applause.) And we know what will happen if we fail to act.  We know that our government will be plunged deeper into debt.  We know that millions more people will lose their coverage.  We know that rising costs will saddle millions more families with unaffordable expenses.  And a lot of small businesses are just going to drop their coverage altogether.  That’s already what’s been happening. A study came out just yesterday -- this is a nonpartisan study -- it’s found that without reform, premiums could more than double for individuals and families over the next decade.  Family policies could go to an average of $25,000 or more.  Can you afford that? AUDIENCE:  No! THE PRESIDENT:  You think your employer can afford that? AUDIENCE:  No! THE PRESIDENT:  Your employer can’t sustain that.  So what’s going to happen is, they’re basically -- more and more of them are just going to say, you know what?  You’re on your own on this. We have debated this issue now for more than a year.  Every proposal has been put on the table.  Every argument has been made.  I know a lot of people view this as a partisan issue, but, look, the fact is both parties have a lot of areas where we agree -- it’s just politics are getting in the way of actually getting it done.  (Applause.)

Somebody asked what’s our plan.  Let me describe exactly what we’re doing, because we’ve ended up with a proposal that incorporates the best ideas from Democrats and Republicans, even though Republicans don’t give us any credit.  (Laughter.)  That’s all right.

You know, if you think about the debate around health care reform, there were some who wanted to scrap the system of private insurance and replace it with government-run care.  And, look, that works in a number of places, but I did not see that being practical to help right away for people who really need it.

And on the other end of the spectrum, and this is what a lot of the Republicans are saying right now, there are those who simply believe that the answer is to unleash the insurance industry, to deregulate them further, provide them less oversight and fewer rules.

THE PRESIDENT:  This is called the fox-guarding-the-henhouse approach to health insurance reform.  (Laughter.)  So what it would do is it would give insurance companies more leeway to raise premiums, more leeway to deny care.  It would segment the market further.  It would be good if you were rich and healthy.  You’d save money.  But if you’re an ordinary person, if you get older, if you get a little sicker, you’d be paying more.

Now, I don’t believe we should give the government or insurance companies more control over health care in America.  I believe it’s time to give you, the American people, more control over your own health insurance.  (Applause.)

And that’s what our proposal does.  Our proposal builds on the current system where most Americans get their health insurance from their employer.  So if you like your plan, you can keep your plan.  If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor.  I don't want to interfere with people’s relationships between them and their doctors.

Essentially, here’s what my proposal would change:  three things about the current health care system, but three important things.

Number one, it would end the worst practices of the insurance companies.  (Applause.)  All right?  This is like a patient’s bill of rights on steroids.  (Laughter.)  Within the first year of signing health care reform, thousands of uninsured Americans with preexisting conditions will be able to purchase health insurance for the first time in their lives or the first time since they got sick.  (Applause.)  This year, insurance companies will be banned forever from denying coverage to children with preexisting conditions.  So parents can have a little bit of security.  (Applause.)  This year, under this legislation, insurance companies will be banned from dropping your coverage when you get sick.  Those practices would end.  (Applause.)

With this reform package, all new insurance plans would be required to offer free preventive care to their customers starting this year -- so free check-ups to catch preventable diseases on the front end.  That’s a smart thing to do.  (Applause.)  Starting this year, if you buy a new plan, there won’t be lifetime or restrictive annual limits on the amount of care you receive from your insurance companies, so you won’t be surprised by the fine print that says suddenly they’ve stopped paying and you now suddenly are $50,000 or $100,000 or $200,000 out of pocket.  That won’t -- that will not happen if this becomes law this year.  (Applause.) I see -- I see some young people in the audience.  (Applause.)  If you’re an uninsured young adult, you will be able to stay on your parents’ policy until you’re 26 years old under this law.  (Applause.)  So number one -- number one is insurance reform.  The second thing that this plan would change about the current system is this:  For the first time, uninsured individuals, small businesses, they’d have the same kind of choice of private health insurance that members of Congress get for themselves.  (Applause.)  Understand if this reform becomes law, members of Congress, they’ll be getting their insurance from the same place that the uninsured get theirs, because if it’s good enough for the American people, it’s good enough for the people who send us to Washington.  (Applause.) So basically what would happen is, we’d set up a pool of people; millions of people across the country would all buy into these pools that give them more negotiating power.  If you work for a big company, you’ve got a better insurance deal because you’ve got more bargaining power as a whole.  We want you to have all the bargaining power that the federal employees have, that big companies have, so you’ll be able to buy in or a small business will be able to buy into this pool.  And that will lower rates, it’s estimated, by up to 14 to 20 percent over what you’re currently getting.  That’s money out of pocket. And what my proposal says is if you still can’t afford the insurance in this new marketplace, then we’re going to offer you tax credits to do so.  And that will add up to the largest middle-class tax cut for health care in history.  That’s what we’re going to do.  (Applause.) Now, when I was talking about this at that health care summit, some of you saw it -- I sat there for about seven hours; I know you guys watched the whole thing.  (Laughter.)  But some of these folks said, well, we just -- that’s a nice idea but we just can’t afford to do that.  Look, I want everybody to understand -- the wealthiest among us can already buy the best insurance there is.  The least well among us, the poorest among us, they get their health care through Medicaid.  So it’s the middle class, it’s working people that are getting squeezed, and that’s who we have to help, and we can afford to do it.  (Applause.)

Now, it is true that providing these tax credits to middle class families and small businesses, that’s going to cost some money.  It’s going to cost about $100 billion per year.  But most of this comes from the nearly $2.5 trillion a year that Americans already spend on health care.  It’s just right now, a lot of that money is being spent badly.

So with this plan, we’re going to make sure the dollars we make -- the dollars that we spend on health care are going to make insurance more affordable and more secure.  And we’re going to eliminate wasteful taxpayer subsidies that currently go to insurance company.  Insurance companies are making billions of dollars on subsidies from you, the taxpayer.  And if we take those subsidies away, we can use them to help folks like Natoma get health insurance so she doesn’t lose her house.  (Applause.)

And, yes, we will set a new fee on insurance companies because they stand to gain millions more customers who are buying insurance.  There’s nothing wrong with them giving something back.  But here’s the bottom line:  Our proposal is paid for -- which, by the way, is more than can be said for our colleagues on the other side of the aisle when they passed that big prescription drug plan that cost about as much as my health care plan and they didn’t pay for any of it and it went straight to the deficit.  And now they’re up there on their high horse talking about, well, we don’t want to expand the deficit.  This plan doesn’t expand the deficit.  Their plan expanded the deficit.  That’s why we pay for what we do.  That’s the responsible thing to do.  (Applause.) Now, so let me talk about the third thing, which is my proposal would bring down the cost of health care for families, for businesses, and for the federal government.  So Americans buying comparable coverage to what they have today -- I already said this -- would see premiums fall by 14 to 20 percent -- that’s not my numbers, that’s what the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office says -- for Americans who get their insurance through the workplace.  How many people are getting insurance through their jobs right now?  Raise your hands.  All right.  Well, a lot of those folks, your employer it’s estimated would see premiums fall by as much as 3,000 percent [sic], which means they could give you a raise.  (Applause.) We have incorporated most of the serious ideas from across the political spectrum about how to contain the rising costs of health care.  We go after waste and abuse in the system, especially in Medicare.  Our cost-cutting measures would reduce most people’s premiums and bring down our deficit by up to a  trillion dollars over the next two decades.  Those aren’t my numbers.  Those are the numbers determined by the Congressional Budget Office.  They’re the referee.  That’s what they say, not what I say.

Now, the opponents of reform, they’ve tried to make a lot of different arguments to stop these changes.  You remember.  First, they said, well, there’s a government takeover of health care.  Well, that wasn’t true.  Well, that wasn’t true.  Then they said, well, what about death panels?  Well, that turned out -- that didn’t turn out to be true.

You know, the most insidious argument they’re making is the idea that somehow this would hurt Medicare.  I know we’ve got some seniors here with us today -- I couldn’t tell; you guys look great.  (Laughter.)  I wouldn’t have guessed.  But want to tell you directly:  This proposal adds almost a decade of solvency to Medicare.  (Applause.)  This proposal would close the gap in prescription drug coverage, called the doughnut hole -- you know something about that -- that sticks seniors with thousands of dollars in drug costs.  This proposal will over time help to reduce the costs of Medicare that you pay every month.  This proposal would make preventive care free so you don’t have to pay out-of-pocket for tests to keep you healthy.  (Applause.)

So yes, we’re going after the waste, the fraud, the abuse in Medicare.  We are eliminating some of the insurance subsidies that should be going to your care.  That’s because these dollars should be spent on care for seniors, not on the care and feeding of the insurance companies through sweetheart deals.  And every senior should know there is no cutting of your guaranteed Medicare benefits.  Period.  No “ifs,” “ands,” or “buts.”  (Applause.)  This proposal makes Medicare stronger, it makes the coverage better, and it makes the finances more secure.  And anybody who says otherwise is either misinformed -- or they’re trying to misinform you.  Don’t let them hoodwink you.  They’re trying to hoodwink you.  (Laughter.)

So, look, Ohio, that’s the proposal.  And I believe Congress owes the American people a final up or down vote.  (Applause.)  We need an up or down vote.  It’s time to vote.  And now as we get closer to the vote, there is a lot of hand-wringing going on.  We hear a lot of people in Washington talking about politics, talking about what this means in November, talking about the poll numbers for Democrats and Republicans. AUDIENCE MEMBER:  We need courage! THE PRESIDENT:  We need courage.  (Applause.)  Did you hear what somebody just said?  (Applause.)  That’s what we need.  That’s why I came here today.  We need courage.  (Applause.) We need courage.  You know, in the end, this debate is about far more than politics.  It comes down to what kind of country do we want to be.  It’s about the millions of lives that would be touched and, in some cases, saved, by making health insurance more secure and more affordable.  (Applause.)  It’s about a woman who’s lying in a hospital bed who just wants to be able to pay for the care she needs.  And the truth is, what’s at stake in this debate, it’s not just our ability to solve this problem; it’s about our ability to solve any problem.

I was talking to Dennis Kucinich on the way over here about this.  I said, you know what?  It’s been such a long time since we made government on the side of ordinary working folks -- (applause) -- where we did something for them that relieved some of their struggles; that made folks who work hard every day and are doing the right thing and who are looking out for the families and contributing to their communities, that just gave them a little bit of a better chance to live out their American Dream. The American people want to know if it’s still possible for Washington to look out for these interests, for their future.  So what they’re looking for is some courage.  They’re waiting for us to act.  They’re waiting for us to lead.  They don’t want us putting our finger out to the wind.  They don’t want us reading polls.  They want us to look and see what is the best thing for America, and then do what’s right.  (Applause.)  And as long as I hold this office, I intend to provide that leadership.  And I know these members of Congress are going to provide that leadership.  I don’t know about the politics, but I know what’s the right thing to do.  And so I’m calling on Congress to pass these reforms -- and I’m going to sign them into law.  I want some courage.  I want us to do the right thing, Ohio.  And with your help, we’re going to make it happen.

God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.  (Applause.)

More Barack Obama speeches

Sounds impossible, right?

The purpose of the TED conference stage is to allow expression of ideas that sound impossible in the beginning, but nonetheless, these ideas and opinions soon become our reality.

Each of the following TED talks questions the way we treat patients today, and uses real-world data and examples to prove us why it won’t be possible tomorrow.

ONCE ANTIBIOTICS STOP BEING EFFECTIVE, HOW WILL OUR FUTURE LOOK LIKE?

Back in the days before antibiotics, the method of treatment was diametrically opposite to the methods we use today. Outcomes were uncertain, and people died due to infections caused by trivial accidents, such as scratches or falls.

Since 1945, when Alexander Fleming was awarded the Nobel prize for PENICILLIN, the world was a better, safer place. Antibiotics became the pillar of modern medicine, and integral part of most medical procedures, from a simple tooth inflammation to installing any implants into human body.

Maryn Mckenna , journalist and expert in public healthcare, in her TED speech from 2015 says that irresponsible usage of antibiotics will quickly return us to the same place we were when we used antibiotic for the first time – the edge of the precipice.

Today, ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE kills 700 000 people every year. According to research, by 2050, that number will grow to 10 million deaths every year, unless we make some significant changes.

What can we possibly do, if we tako into consideration that, without antibiotics healthcare, as we know it today, couldn’t be possible?

MEET E-PATIENT DAVE

It’s clear to us all that the least used resource in the entirety of the healthcare is actually the most important resource of them all – PATIENT. Now, if it is indeed clear to us all, why wouldn’t we do something to change it?

Luckily, each day there are more and more people trying to make it possible for patients to take the place in healthcare that is rightfully theirs. Usually they are patients who experienced the cruel boundaries and rigid walls of the healthcare system.

One of these patients is Dave DeBronkart. He is the creator of the e-Patient Dave website , which is the most visited patient empowerment website. Besides that, he is also a speaker and consultant on the most important healthcare projects, such as the U.K. personalized healthcare plan for 2020 .

In his humorous and foremost inspirational speech on the TED conference in 2011, „e-patient Dave“ speaks about his journey from „ you only have few weeks until you die“ to the point when we was completely cured.

He is an advocate for a model of healthcare where patients are owners of their health data, and they have free access to medical resources they need in order to actively participate in their own treatment.

CARING ABOUT HEALTH SHOULD BE A TEAM SPORT

If you think that it is impossible to explain problems in healthcare in 15 minutes, then you are in the same situation I was, when I watched Eric Dishman’s TED speech for the first time.

This ingenious man, in just 15 minutes, explains the fundamental issues of healthcare, and proposes clear concepts which will ensure resolving them in the future.

His suggests „PERSONALIZED HEALTHCARE SYSTEM“ , which consists of 3 pillars:

• Healthcare Anywhere – the primary place to care about our health is in our homes, not hospitals.
• Care Networking – One on one relationship between a doctor and a patient is a thing of past. The future of healthcare are intelligent multidisciplinary teams.
• Care Customization – there is no such thing as a „common man“. Individual patient isn’t the same thing as the population that is studied.

Each of these pillars are the exact opposite of currently established principles in healthcare. Eric’s “PERSONAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEM” proposes a change of the location where care is provided, and how it’s provided.

Indeed, healthcare will change one day. It’s just a matter of time and sacrifices we’ll have to make in order to achieve it.

Doctoral paternalism (philosophy of preserving control over medical knowledge) is an expression that we can hear every day more and more, among ordinary people and patients. We are glad to see that for the well-being of the community, each day more modern doctors, like Eric Topol, are willing to acknowledge this issue and face it.

The times when patients and ordinary people played an inferior role in healthcare is now a matter of past. Making health information more accessible to a wider range of people, through connecting biggest informational centers (Google) with leading hospitals (Mayo Clinic) , is already showing effects. Examples are:

• Jack Andraka , Australian teenager without any medical education, invented a revolutionary test for diagnosing pancreatic cancer by using only Google search engine and information from relevant medical websites.
• Kim Goodsell, marathon runner without any previous experience in medicine, discovered that she had complex coronary problems, which she diagnosed by herself.
• Joe Landolina, as a 17 year old boy, invented Vetigel – gel that stops bleedin g, using nothing but resources available on the internet.

Examples of positive and negative usage of internet are everywhere around us. If we spend our time on discussing if patients should use internet for medical education, we will get overwhelmed by our mutual problem.

Regardless if that problem is someone’s disease or a global problem such as antibiotics resistance , the only way we can effectively change things is by working together and respect each other. DOCTORS and PATIENTS, MEDICINE and TECHNOLOGY.

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• The Critical Role of Health Care Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic - 08/10/2020

Speech | Virtual

Event Title The Critical Role of Health Care Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic August 10, 2020

(Remarks as prepared for delivery)

I’m pleased to have the opportunity today to speak with you about COVID-19, the FDA’s role in responding to this public health emergency, and the continuing challenges the agency and the medical profession face as it continues to evolve.

I’d like to begin by thanking Dr. Susan Bailey and the American Medical Association for hosting and moderating this event today, as well as the Reagan Udall Foundation for their continuing support of the FDA.   

And I’d like to thank all of the physicians and health care professionals on this call today for your hard work, thoughtfulness, and commitment during this challenging time.  Among the heroes who have emerged from this crisis are the health care professionals who have risked their own health to serve their patients.  The nation is indebted to you.   

As we move forward, we know that the pandemic continues to evolve and the health care community must continue to deliver high-quality care to all patients. 

Fortunately, we’ve made significant progress in our understanding of this disease, our ability to combat it, and our efforts to help patients suffering with it. 

As health care professionals and scientists, we understand there are no easy answers.  We still have much more to learn about this disease, with many unanswered questions.  And we need to not only treat patients with the disease, but also to prevent the spread of the disease as we seek effective therapeutics and safe and effective vaccines.

Today, I want to talk to you about some of these challenges and about the nature and importance of science and data as we search for answers. 

I also want to speak with you in your role as doctors and other health professionals, who are dealing with very practical questions involving patients – an experience I understand and empathize with from my own practice as an oncologist. 

Most importantly, I want to reassure you that the decisions that FDA will have to make in the coming months, with regard to new tests for COVID-19, new therapeutics, and new vaccines, will be based on good science and sound data.

Because of the speed with which we need to make decisions, there has been discussion about whether FDA will compromise any of our scientific principles in reviewing data and making decisions about new products.  Let me assure you that we will not cut corners. 

All of our decisions will continue to be based on good science and the same careful, deliberative processes which we have always used when reviewing medical products.

It is important that you as medical practitioners not only understand this commitment, but also that you reassure your patients. 

We have seen surveys reporting that significant percentages of the public would be reluctant to take a vaccine once available.  We hope that you will urge your patients to take an approved vaccine so that we can seek to establish widespread immunity.

We can emerge from this emergency only by working together.      

We know that the overwhelming quantities of COVID-19 information and data that seem continually to be expanding can place a significant burden on you as clinicians seeking to respond to patient questions and, when appropriate, modify treatment recommendations.

Indeed, COVID-19 is affecting the practice of medicine in many ways, and the FDA has an important role to play in supporting providers and patients through this evolution.    Although it seems as if we’ve been engaged in the battle against COVID-19 for a very long time, in the broader context of disease and science, it’s actually been a relatively short period.

Consider that as recently as this January – just eight months ago – few people, other than a limited group of health care professionals and infectious disease experts, had even heard of the novel coronavirus.

It’s easy for me to recall just how recently SARS-CoV-2 appeared on our national radar.  That’s because the first reports of the outbreak began just a few weeks after I was sworn in as FDA commissioner. I’d like to share with you my own experiences and what I have learned in the past six months.

From the very beginning, this has been a perplexing and challenging medical mystery, presenting far more questions than answers. Even for those who have followed this public health crisis from its earliest days, little information or understanding of the disease was available. 

We didn’t know, for instance, basic things, such as how aggressive, virulent, or contagious the virus was.

That’s not a comfortable position for health professionals who like to be well informed, particularly when we work at agencies charged with protecting the American public. 

I learned quickly that despite the relative lack of knowledge, we at the FDA had to make decisions about relative benefits and risks with the data we had.

The FDA regulates the safety, effectiveness and quality of all medical products – drugs, vaccines, and medical devices.  We also regulate food safety, which of course also is critical during a crisis like this. 

There is always a steep learning curve in the response to a public health emergency, particularly when it involves a new disease. But this learning curve has been especially steep for all of us. 

I am trained, as many of you are, as a scientist.  And when this pandemic emerged, I conveyed to the leadership and staff at the FDA that even in the face of the public response to this emergency, we at the FDA needed to apply scientific rigor to any decisions being made, no matter how quickly they needed to be made,

It was reassuring to me that the FDA leadership and staff agreed whole-heartedly with this approach.  This is how the FDA has always functioned in its role as a federal agency that makes regulatory decisions based on scientific rigor.  

We at the FDA, and you as health care professionals have had to respond to challenges like these in real time. 

For this pandemic, in particular, for the FDA this has meant supporting the development of safe and effective medical countermeasures.

These actions also included ensuring that our front-line health care workers had and will continue to have the necessary protective equipment.

Since the beginning of this pandemic, FDA scientists have been immersed in providing essential regulatory advice, guidance, and technical assistance needed to advance the development of tests, therapies, and vaccines.

And it’s meant that we have been vigilant in seeking to prevent the sale of fraudulent products that could harm the public.  

To be successful in each of these efforts, we’ve been working hard to strengthen the scientific response.  We’ve done this by supporting collaborative efforts, creating open communication channels, and building public-private partnerships.

For example, the FDA has created resources like reference-grade sequence data for SARS-CoV-2 to support research and reference panels for COVID-19 diagnostic tests to support continued developments in testing.

The agency has supported the National Institutes of Health’s public-private partnership for therapeutic and vaccine development.

The FDA has also partnered with a number of external partners to gather real world evidence to help inform our understanding of the natural history of COVID-19, drug utilization and performance of COVID-19 diagnostics and therapeutics.

I’m pleased that so many of you -- and the professional organizations you are part of -- have been involved in some of these collaborative efforts. 

It’s essential that we bring forward the best ideas and innovations to support the development of new and effective treatments.  Working together has been an instrumental part in our ability to come so far, so fast.  

Our approach is consistent with and, indeed, goes to the core of the FDA’s mission; we constantly gather new information and evidence about the disease to inform our actions. 

As we learn, we discover more answers.  But that, in and of itself, is not enough.  We must continue to be vigilant and aggressive, constantly reviewing and evaluating the data as they emerge.    

The principle underlying this -- that our decisions must not only be informed by the most rigorous data and best science, but also that the evidence on which we base our continuing review is regularly refreshed and expanded through new experiences and opportunities -- is a basic approach of science. 

It’s certainly a  personal principle that has been a priority for me throughout my career as a physician and researcher.

We are learning more every day.  For example, as doctors have treated more cases of COVID, it has become clear that it is not just a respiratory ailment but can affect many organ systems, including the kidneys and heart, and can also cause vascular complications.

And although initially, many of us believed children were not significantly affected by the COVID-19 virus, subsequent reports from across the United States and Europe showed that some young COVID patients were found to have Pediatric Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome or PMIS. 

These cases exhibited clinical features similar to Kawasaki Disease, a rare inflammatory disease primarily affecting young children, which causes blood vessels to become inflamed or swollen throughout the body.

Similarly, some dermatologists revealed that some of their patients who were later diagnosed with COVID-19 had symptoms that could be due to vasculitis, including frostbite like pain, small itchy eczema-like lesions on their extremities. and reddened patches of skin.

We are all concerned about the reports of rising case counts in different locations across the U.S., particularly in the Sunbelt states. 

We have also learned that common sense public health measures such as the wearing of masks, social distancing, hand-washing, protection of the vulnerable, and avoidance of large indoor gatherings particularly in bars, do help stop the spread and mitigate community outbreaks.  This is our country’s path forward.

The emerging data also continue to confirm the disproportionate impact of the disease on different communities, based on age, ethnicity, and race. 

The Coronavirus Task Force, of which I am a member, continues to carefully analyze and monitor the prevalence of the virus throughout the U.S., using the best available science to track, predict and mitigate the curve of the outbreak. We are closely watching the entire country and working to determine the reason behind any new outbreaks or the spread of the disease.

At the FDA, our work goes beyond analyzing the numbers.  Our responsibilities involve a range of efforts relating to the diagnosis, response, and treatment of COVID-19 and supporting solutions to bring an end to this crisis. 

This includes facilitating the development of tests, both diagnostic and serologic, supporting the advance of treatments and vaccines for the disease, and working to ensure that health care workers and others have the personal protective equipment and other necessary medical products needed to combat it.

Since day one of this emergency, our focus in addressing these challenges has been to meet the need for speed. 

To facilitate the development of new treatments and effective tests, and to make sure we have adequate supplies of essential medical equipment such as ventilators, we’ve redoubled our efforts to employ regulatory flexibility and streamlined processes where needed and appropriate, without compromising science.

The goal has been to use every available tool in our arsenal to move new treatments to patients as quickly as possible while helping ensure safety and efficacy. 

We’re moving equally fast in our efforts to help support the development of COVID-19 vaccines. 

As this audience is well aware, preventive vaccines for infectious disease are foundational to modern public health.

The FDA is committed to ensuring that potential vaccines for COVID-19 are safe and effective.

In June, the agency issued a guidance outlining key recommendations for vaccine development.

In particular, the agency emphasized the importance of recruiting diverse populations, especially those patients who have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic.

The FDA also recommended in the guidance that sponsors use an endpoint estimate of at least 50%, which could have an important impact on individual and public health, while vaccines with lower efficacy might not.

Several COVID-19 vaccine candidates have recently initiated large-scale clinical trials. While I cannot predict when the results from these studies will be ready, I can promise that when the data are available, the FDA will review them using its established, rigorous, and deliberative scientific review process.

We all understand that only by engaging in an open review process and relying on good science and sound data can the public have confidence in the integrity of our decisions.

One important tool we have used during public health emergencies to support the scientific investigation, is to employ our authority for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). 

An EUA allows the use of unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to diagnose, treat, or prevent serious or life-threatening diseases or conditions when certain criteria are met, including that there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives. 

These EUA decisions have been an important part of FDA’s efforts to shape an effective and timely response.

Though EUA decisions are based on emerging scientific evidence, we are continually evaluating and reevaluating that evidence in order to ensure that the known and potential benefits of products outweigh the known and potential risks.

Since the earliest days of the pandemic, we’ve issued EUAs for tests, ventilators, and drug treatments. The FDA has granted more than 190 EUAs for COVID-19 tests and has reviewed more than 200 clinical trials for potential therapies.

Nevertheless, we understand that the pace of FDA announcements and decisions can cause confusion for the public and providers.

For instance, some of you may be wondering whether an EUA changes the approach being used to develop drugs and vaccines.  What should doctors tell their patients about what’s going on?  What drugs are under development?  Which are the safest or most effective?  

This is a good opportunity to reiterate that although EUAs may be made on this emergency basis, they are guided by science and by continuous review of the most recent up-to-date evidence available.  

Even after an EUA is issued, we regularly review that decision based on emerging information. We make any necessary changes as appropriate. This dynamic process is continually being informed by new data and evidence, and it always seeks to balance the risks with the benefits of every COVID-19 treatment.

Take testing, for example.  Since day one, tests have played a key role in the ability to understand and manage this disease.  Good, accurate, and reliable tests can help reveal who has the disease or, by virtue of the antibodies in someone’s system, who has been infected with the virus.

We’ve worked with hundreds of test developers, many of whom have submitted emergency use authorization requests to the FDA for tests that detect the virus or antibodies to it.

In light of the circumstances, FDA’s goal has always been to provide the necessary regulatory flexibility to support developers and to provide what patients and the public need as quickly as possible without compromising safety or scientific review.

Early on in this pandemic, the FDA posted a policy that explained that under certain circumstances, FDA did not intend to object to the use of tests that were developed and validated by laboratories prior to authorization of an EUA request.  There was a national demand for such tests and we felt it was an appropriate decision to exercise regulatory flexibility concerning the use of these validated tests.

It was soon evident that some of the self-validated tests were not reliable and FDA moved quickly to update the policy in response to the available information.     

Today, we have nearly 200 reliable, authorized tests.  And we continue to monitor the performance of these tests and encourage the development of new and better tests that will enable us to understand this disease and help patients and the medical community address the challenges. 

As we have done since the beginning of the pandemic, we will continue to balance the pressing need for access to diagnostic and antibody tests with our helping to ensure that available tests are accurate and reliable. 

This same approach applies to potential treatments for COVID-19.  We work closely with partners throughout the government, academia, and drug and vaccine developers to explore, expedite, and facilitate the development of products, and provide guidance and technical assistance to drug manufacturers to expedite clinical trials.  

Our Coronavirus Treatment Acceleration Program, or CTAP, which we launched in March, has helped to focus the scientific and technical expertise of the agency’s staff to review potential products according to their scientific merit.

By providing enhanced regulatory support, the FDA has been able to support the initiation of more than 200 trials for COVID-19 therapies over the past few months.

This work is essential to returning us to some semblance of normalcy.  After all, we need treatments and cures.

But there’s a corresponding aspect of the FDA’s work that is also essential. 

This role is to support you, as physicians and medical providers to help answer your patients’ questions. Certainly, explaining the process, as complicated as it is, is an important piece of the response.

To understand this, it may be instructive to look at some actions we’ve taken with several drugs, each of which were granted an EUA, and that received significant public attention.

Back in March, the FDA granted an EUA to allow the drugs chloroquine phosphate and hydroxychloroquine sulfate to be used to treat certain hospitalized COVID-19 patients when a clinical trial was unavailable, or when participation in a clinical trial was not feasible.  Early but limited research indicated that the drugs, which are approved to treat malaria and have a well-understood safety profile, might be effective in treating COVID.

After the EUA was issued, FDA continued to monitor the emerging clinical evidence on the use of these drugs in COVID-19 patients.

Based on null results from randomized controlled trials and further analysis of clinical pharmacology information, the FDA determined that chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are unlikely to be effective in treating COVID-19 in the patient population covered by the EUA and no longer met the legal criteria for emergency use.  As a result, we revoked the EUA in June.

Separately, the FDA issued an EUA for the antiviral drug remdesivir in May.

A randomized trial led by the National Institutes of Health found that remdesivir helped to reduce the length of hospitalization for COVID-19 patients. Additional trials have been completed or are planned to help us understand the appropriate role for remdesivir in this COVID crisis.

Because of the nature of the pandemic, there may be confusion or a lack of understanding about the actions we have taken on therapeutics. 

We rely on you in the medical community to answer patients’ inevitable questions about treatments and vaccine development. It is our responsibility at the FDA to provide you with the information you need for your patients.

The fundamental message that we need to communicate is that the FDA’s decisions are based on science, that decisions sometimes change based on our careful review of the most recent evidence, and that we are committed to ensuring that the drugs we approve are safe and effective based on reliable data.   

Physicians and other health care professionals have other important roles and responsibilities. One they share with the FDA is to help ensure that the public gets the products they are being promised and to be aware of and avoid scams being perpetrated on them.

The FDA regularly warns consumers to be cautious of websites and stores selling products with unproven claims to prevent, treat, diagnose or cure COVID-19 or unauthorized test kits. The FDA has not evaluated these fraudulent products for safety and effectiveness, and these products might actually be dangerous to patients. 

To help tackle the issue of health fraud during the pandemic, the FDA launched Operation Quack Hack, which monitors online marketplaces for fraudulent products and identifies misinformation about COVID-19.

The agency has identified more than 700 fraudulent and unproven medical products related to COVID-19 and has collaborated with the Federal Trade Commission to issue warning letters to firms marketing products with misleading claims, and sent more than 150 reports to online marketplaces, and more than 250 abuse complaints to domain registrars to date.

We make most of this information available on our website and encourage doctors to become familiar with this resource and share this information with their patients.

Physicians have an important role in this area because of your ability to identify and track patients who take illegitimate or black-market drugs.

There is currently no cure for the coronavirus, and it is important for doctors to help inform patients about dangerous products and unscrupulous marketers who may be selling products with false or misleading claims.

Eight months into the pandemic, we have made important progress. Yet with cases continuing to rise, it is evident that further action is needed for our country to chart a course for recovery.

The FDA is launching the COVID-19 Pandemic Recovery and Preparedness Plan (PREPP) to help apply best practices and lessons learned from the emergency response to date. Our goal is to make needed adjustments to support the ongoing COVID-19 response, while also strengthening our resilience and improving our capacity to respond to public health emergencies in the future.

As doctors, we ensure that our treatment plans for our patients are adjusted according to the latest evidence.

I believe this same principle applies to the FDA, which as a science-based agency, is committed to continuous improvement by examining the data and modernizing our approaches when needed.

As we identify lessons and make subsequent changes, we are committed to proactively communicating any forthcoming regulatory changes to doctors and other health professionals.

Though we don’t have all the answers, we do know is that the COVID-19 virus will be with us for the foreseeable future.  We are still far from understanding every aspect of this disease.

But the FDA will continue to operate with patient safety and scientific integrity as our North Star. It is this approach that continues to guide the development of new technologies and necessary regulations for safeguarding public health for the present and future. 

Our goal is to provide you with the information and understanding you need to ensure that patients receive the support, attention and treatment they deserve.  We look forward to working with you to achieve that goal.

My Speech Class

Public Speaking Tips & Speech Topics

258 Speech Topics on Health [Persuasive, Informative, Argumentative]

Jim Peterson has over 20 years experience on speech writing. He wrote over 300 free speech topic ideas and how-to guides for any kind of public speaking and speech writing assignments at My Speech Class.

Here is our collection of persuasive and informative speech topics on health and fitness. Interesting issues and themes on topics from ionizing radiation of cell phones to food additives or infant nutrition. And yes, they are just to spice up your own thoughts!

In this article:

Informative

Argumentative.

• Wearing pajamas in bed is good for your health.
• Diet beverages are often not diet at all and regular not quite regular.
• Going barefoot in the summer time – yep, wearing no shoes – is healthy for your feet.
• Take a test to see if you are at risk for any dangerous disease or virus.
• Why you should not work too hard when you’re diabetic.
• Why breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
• Fast food restaurants should offer healthier options.
• Do you think schools should teach sex education?
• People who live in big cities will die sooner.
• Too much salt is bad for your health.
• The amount of meat consumed should be reduced.
• People should care more about sleep.
• Rape and sexual assault prevention and awareness should be taught in schools.
• How drinking too much soda causes health problems.
• How junk food is unhealthy for our bodies.
• Why you should take a vacation every year.
• Is toothpaste bad for health?
• Do you think there is too much sugar in our diets?
• Drug advertisements should be prohibited.
• Euthanasia could decrease suicide rates.
• We should use electroconvulsive therapy more.
• How to overcome stress.
• Stop putting steroids in animal food.
• Why you should become an organ donor.
• Why we should use homeopathic treatments.
• Why vaccines are beneficial.
• The dangers of sleepwalking.
• Are vaporizers bad for your health?
• Are e-cigs better than cigarettes?
• Diet pills are bad for your health.
• The importance of world Red Cross day.
• Why you should be a blood donor.
• People need to drink more water.
• Healthy eating tips.
• Everyone should be taught CPR.
• The danger of secondhand smoke.
• Why exercise is good for you.
• Why obesity is a big problem.
• The importance of making healthy food cheaper.
• Is gluten really bad for us?
• The dangerous effects of drugs.
• Should doctors be paid less?
• Why you should not wear high heels.
• Why you should not go to tanning beds.
• The cost of prescription drugs is too high.
• Smoking is bad for your health.
• Why you should take care of your teeth.
• Increase funding for medical research.
• Make more healthy choices.
• Why you should laugh every day.
• Wearing bike helmets should be encouraged.
• Cherish your friends.
• Alcoholics Anonymous deserves our support.
• Socialized medicine saves lives.
• Birth control pills should be more available.
• We need more resources to prevent infectious diseases.
• Eat more dark chocolate.
• Positive thinking will benefit your health.
• Stomach stapling should be reserved for extreme situations.
• Chewing tobacco is dangerous.
• Seat belt laws help save lives.
• Food additives are dangerous.
• Breastfeeding should be encouraged.
• Binge drinking awareness should be increased.
• Teen pregnancy prevention should be increased.
• Teen suicide awareness should be increased.
• Fire safety awareness should be increased.
• Organ donation should be encouraged.
• Eat less meat and you will Iive longer.
• Your body may actually speak louder than your words.
• Indoor air pollution is responsible for many diseases.
• A traditional health insurance plan where you choose the doctors is the best.
• Traditional medicine and healing practices have been used for thousands of years with great contributions.
• United Nations organization is responsible to reduce newborn mortality and maternal mortality in the upcoming ten years.
• Everyone should have access to safe blood products originated from a quality assurance system.
• Cook your poultry or risk a campylobacter bacterial infection …
• Cell phones are safe for health.
• Proper condoms reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections spread primarily through person to person contacts.
• We must prevent that the financial crisis evaluates into a physical and mental wellness crisis.
• Most food additives are safe.
• Exposure to ionizing radiation can pose a substantial physical shape risk for vulnerable people.
• Adequate infant nutrition is essential for wellbeing the rest of a person’s life.
• Mitigating possible pandemic influenza effects should be a public priority.
• 80 percent of men suffer from prostate cancer but are completely ignorant about it.
• Abortion will endanger the health of a pregnant woman.
• Alcoholics Anonymous programs for alcoholics work.
• Balanced nutrition can prevent a heart attack.
• Condoms give women the power to protect themselves.
• Diabetes risk factors and complications must be highlighted better.
• Eating foods that contain bacterium Clostridium botulinum will cause foodborne, infant and wound botulism.
• Everyone must have easy access to healthcare services.
• Fat fast food loaded with sugar, salt and calories contributes to child obesity.
• Food should not be used for fuel.
• Hair loss in humans can be reversible through good nutrition.
• High blood pressure does put you at greater risk of having a stroke.
• Irradiated meat is not safe to eat.
• Not enough is done to prevent obesity in children.
• Patients with anorexia nervosa should be required to get palliative care.
• People with autism are not mad!
• Poor air quality is a real threat to our health.
• Soft drugs are not soft at all.
• Support the United Nations Children’s Fund initiatives like the nutrition goals!
• Teenagers are using too many risky methods to lose weight.
• The media coverage of the swine flu epidemic is over dramatized.
• The Munchausen’s syndrome needs to be dealt with better.
• There should be one uniform national healthcare system for all.
• Travel health needs to be given more importance.
• We are not drinking enough water.
• We only need one food safety agency.
• You will be fitter if you just cycled to work.

Here are some ideas for informative speech topics on physical and mental wellness – from health supplements to fitness tests and from spinning to back pain exercises.

You can use this list of speech topics in two ways:

• Take the public speaking topics as they are, and research all ins and outs.
• Associate and invent your mapping scheme.
• The role of the Center for Disease Control.
• The health problems of children born drug addicted.
• Eat healthy to live healthily.
• How does a headache happen?
• The effect of radiation.
• What are the effects of self-harm?
• Obesity facts and figures.
• The benefits of magnesium.
• Anxiety and its effects.
• The importance of sleep.
• How to avoid pesticides in vegetables.
• How to prevent elder abuse.
• How to avoid toxic chemicals in food.
• Autism and its effects.
• The different types of birth control.
• The benefits of stem cell research.
• The benefits of mindfulness.
• How to cure and prevent hangovers.
• Strategies for healthy eating.
• The benefits of being a vegetarian.
• What is spinocerebellar degeneration?
• How to reduce asthma attacks.
• The health benefits of ginger.
• The Alice in Wonderland syndrome.
• Why we should wash our hands.
• The health benefits of friendship.
• The importance of eye donation.
• Why Americans are so obese.
• The importance of childhood cancer awareness.
• The reason humans itch.
• The benefits of tea.
• The best natural medicines.
• How drinking too much can affect your health.
• How to stop the obesity epidemic.
• How to manage mental illness.
• How to prevent teen pregnancy.
• How to stop memory loss.
• The best health care plans.
• Xenophobia as a global situation.
• The best and worst abdominal exercises in a gym.
• Advantages and disadvantages of aqua aerobics for your muscles.
• How to determine your body fat percentage in three steps, and when are you in
• The effects of dietary health supplements on the long run are not certain.
• Increasing weight leads to increasing condition and risks.
• Why performance-enhancing substances such as steroids are banned in sports.
• Natural bodybuilding supplements and their benefits for normal athletes.
• Different types of Calisthenics exercises on music beats.
• Why do people apply to life extension nutrition – there is no life elixir or cocktail?
• Disadvantages of raw food diets – the flip-side topics to talk about are the
• Different methods of strength training programs for revalidating patients. Ideas for informative speech topics on fitness:
• Choosing a gym in your town, what to think of, get them a generic checklist.
• Workout myths and lies.
• The history of the Pilates system that was very popular in the nineties.
• Time-saving fitness training tips for busy persons.
• Ways to prepare for the types of physical tests, e.g. the Bruce, Beep.
• Designating a personal trainer helps you to keep on coming to the athletic club.
• Cardiovascular exercises that really work.
• Top stretching and warm up tips.
• Big three men’s salubriousness issues.
• How to get rid of blubbering cellulite adipose tissue on your waist.
• Comfortable workout clothing and activewear for women.
• What is spinning?
• Tips to stay motivated to go to the gym two or three times a week.
• Benefits of yoga workout routines.
• Back pain exercises to stretch and strengthen your back and supporting muscles.
• Different low-carb diets.
• Top five sunburn blocking tips, and do share your own wisdom, and empiricism
• Travel tips for a healthy vacation.
• How our immune system works to keep you physically strong and capable.
• Yoga diet and yogic meditation techniques.
• Strange Allergies and their symptoms and effects.
• Multiple Sclerosis symptoms, causes, treatment and life expectancy.
• Asthma solutions and natural remedies.
• Dental care how to prevent tooth decay.
• Stress management – reduce, prevent and cope with stress.
• Yoga tips for beginners and starters – ideal to demonstrate some postures.
• Why taking a vacation is good for your health.
• The effects of eating disorders.
• What is Down syndrome?
• Animal to human transplants could save lives.
• The body’s coping mechanisms when in a state of shock.
• Managing and controlling type 2 diabetes.
• How our culture affects organ donation.
• Simple AIDS prevention tips.
• How celiac disease affects our world.
• The benefits of walking without shoes.
• How smoking is harmful to your health.
• The benefits of being an organ donor.
• The dangers of texting while driving.
• The importance of vitamins and minerals.
• The nutritional value of pickles.
• The importance of wearing your seatbelt.
• The effects of caffeine on the body.
• The history of Psychology.
• Exercise combats health problems.
• High-risk pregnancy complications.
• What is narcissistic personality disorder?
• The effects of fast food on the body.
• How Monsanto affects our food.
• How the American diet has changed.
• The health benefits of dark chocolate.
• Plastic surgery is bad for your skin.
• The importance of anxiety and depression awareness.
• The benefits of regular exercise.
• How the circulatory system works.
• How to have a healthy pregnancy.
• How to get a really good sleep.
• Why the brain is so important.
• The effects of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
• Calcium is important
• Eating disorders in modern times.
• Herbal remedies that work for common diseases.
• Junk food and its relation to obesity.
• Obesity is the next health risk for the western world.
• Smoking bans and restrictions don’t work.
• Stretching exercises at the start of your day prevent injuries.
• The influenza vaccination effectiveness is poor.
• The losing battle with alcohol abuse.
• The necessity of mandatory HIV/AIDS testing
• The need for mandatory drug testing in our society.
• Why health care policies are important.
• A vegetarian diet is as healthy as a diet containing meat.
• Smoking a pipe is more harmful than smoking cigarettes.
• Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) should be medicated.
• Stretching before and after exercise is overrated.
• Everyone should have free access to health care.
• Knowing your ancestry is important for health.
• Does access to condoms prevent teen pregnancy?
• Eating meat and dairy is bad for your body.
• Drug addiction is a disease not a choice.
• Health risks of smoking are exaggerated.
• Veganism is an unhealthy way to raise kids.
• The need for teen depression prevention.
• The Paleo diet can ruin your health.
• Is laughter good for you?
• All farmers should go organic.
• The health benefits of marijuana.
• Bread is bad for your health.
• The dangers of herbal remedies.
• The health benefits of avocados.
• Running is unhealthy.
• Alcoholics do not want help.
• Flu shots are necessary.
• Low carbohydrate diets are more effective than low fat diets.
• Smokers should be treated like drug addicts.
• The healthcare industry earns millions due to the cures they hide.
• Vegetarianism is another word for unhealthy dieting.
• Working night-shifts costs you ten years of your life.

More Speech Topics and Examples

207 Value Speech Topics – Get The Facts

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• Speech Topics For Kids

Speech on Health

Most of us have heard the age-old proverb ‘health is wealth’, but has anyone ever wondered why health is considered wealth? This speech will help students give an effective short speech on health. It will include all the important aspects necessary to cover in a speech about health.

Table of Contents

What is health, how should one take care of their health, precautions to be taken during the pandemic.

• FAQs on Speech on Health

When we say the word ‘health’, what do we mean by it? As per the WHO (World Health Organisation), health is referred to the state of full mental, social and physical well-being and not just the absence of mental or physical weakness or illness. When a person doesn’t have any physical ailments and isn’t mentally disturbed, then they can be said to be in their best health. People usually try to stay healthy but, due to the recent pandemic, it’s becoming difficult to maintain one’s health.

The spread of the corona virus over the past two years has made it difficult for everyone to maintain their health. Though this is the case, one should try to follow some simple ways that will help them keep their bodies and minds healthy. Let’s look at some ways that anyone can follow:

• Try including some physical exercises/yoga in your routine. They not only prove to be beneficial for the body but also for the mind. For the past two years, offices, as well as schools and colleges, have been functioning online. As a result, many students and young people have developed backaches and posture problems. Adding at least half an hour of yoga/exercise to your daily routine will help you overcome these problems.
• In today’s world, everybody is engrossed in their mobiles or laptops, and there’s very little time they spend without it. Sometimes, it is necessary to take a break from all these electronic and smart devices. This will help us maintain proper physical and mental health.
• A good night’s sleep is an easy and effortless way to maintain your health. Your body works to repair all the cells and make sure that your body functions properly the next day in the time that you rest. A minimum of 8 hours of sleep is necessary for any adult being.
• Try to avoid processed or fried foods and make sure that your plates include enough vegetables and fruits. A healthy platter does wonders for one’s health.
• If you are feeling disturbed or upset about something, talk to your near and dear ones; you can also consult a specialist if you need. Just like physical health, mental health is also something that is to be considered important. When we fall ill, we have medicines; similarly, if someone is feeling mentally unwell, they should consult a specialist.

With the COVID19 pandemic going on for the past two years, one should take the following precautions to avoid getting affected by the virus. Here are some simple steps one can follow:

• Always put on a mask whenever you step out of your houses. This is applicable to people of all ages.
• Everyone should avoid going to crowded places as there is a high risk of getting affected.
• If you feel you are affected by the virus, seclude yourself from the rest of your family members and keep in touch with your doctors so that everything is monitored and you stay out of danger.
• Try to eat healthy food and fruits that’ll help you develop immunity.

Frequently Asked Questions on Speech on Health

What is health.

As per the WHO (World Health Organisation), health is referred to the state of full mental, social and physical well being and not just the absence of mental or physical weakness or illness.

What should one do if they feel they are affected by the virus?

If one gets affected by the virus, it’s advised to isolate oneself from the rest of the family members and be in constant contact with doctors.

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367 Medical Persuasive Speech Topics & Informative Ideas

18 January 2024

last updated

Medical persuasive speech topics offer a compelling combination of science, ethics, policy, and human interest. These topics often challenge students to form opinions on complex health-related issues, like vaccine mandates, stem cell research, mental health stigma, or universal healthcare. Through persuasiveness, one can advocate for policy changes or raise awareness about less-discussed conditions. The objective is to encourage critical thinking and to inspire action in the audience. Moreover, speakers must balance factual information with an emotive appeal to create compelling arguments. Some themes can range from discussing the pros and cons of genetic engineering to the importance of healthy eating or the ethical implications of euthanasia, among others. As a result, medical persuasive speech topics require not only the knowledge of medicine but also the social, cultural, and personal aspects that are intertwined.

Best Medical Persuasive Speech Topics

• Revolutionizing Patient Care Through Telemedicine
• Ethical Implications of Genetic Engineering
• Importance of Mental Health Awareness in Schools
• Childhood Obesity: Prevention Strategies
• Antibiotic Resistance: A Looming Global Crisis
• Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Vaccination: An Essential Tool against Pandemics
• Legalization and Medical Use of Cannabis
• Holistic Approach: Integrating Traditional and Modern Medicine
• Dangers of Prolonged Screen Time on Eyesight
• Stress Management: Key to a Healthy Lifestyle
• Modern Medical Technology: Blessing or Curse?
• Role of Nutrition in Preventing Chronic Diseases
• Promoting Physical Activity in Youth: A Societal Necessity
• Advancements in Prosthetics and their Impact on Patients’ Lives
• Artificial Intelligence: The Future of Healthcare
• Decoding the Complexities of the Human Genome
• Pioneering Stem Cell Research: Pros and Cons
• Mitigating the Impact of Air Pollution on Respiratory Health
• Substance Abuse: Identifying the Underlying Causes
• Dementia: Innovations in Early Detection and Care
• Unpacking the Stigma Around HIV/AIDS
• Eating Disorders: Causes, Effects, and Treatment
• Palliative Care: Enhancing Quality of Life for the Terminally Ill

Easy Medical Persuasive Speech Topics

• Breakthroughs in Cancer Research: Hopes and Challenges
• Understanding the Social Determinants of Health
• Animal Testing: Necessary Evil or Unethical Practice?
• Innovations in Surgical Robotics: Risks and Rewards
• Addressing the Mental Health Crisis Among Adolescents
• Dealing With Diabetes: Lifestyle Changes and Medical Interventions
• Tackling the Rise in Cardiovascular Diseases
• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Prevention and Intervention Strategies
• Roles of Microbiota in Human Health
• Eliminating Health Disparities in Low-Income Communities
• Brain-Computer Interfaces: Ethical and Practical Implications
• Unraveling the Mysteries of Alzheimer’s Disease
• Plastic Surgery: Vanity or Necessity?
• Realities of Living With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Navigating the Controversies Around Vaccination
• Treating Depression With Psychedelic Drugs: Potential and Pitfalls
• Advances in Neonatal Care: Saving Premature Babies
• Transgender Healthcare: Rights and Responsibilities
• Invasive Species: Threat to Human Health?
• Discerning the Truth About Dietary Supplements
• Implications of Regenerative Medicine: Healing or Overstepping?
• Universal Healthcare: A Right or Privilege?
• Exploring the Power of Placebos in Medicine

Interesting Medical Persuasive Speech Topics

• Nanotechnology: A New Era in Medicine
• Understanding and Addressing Health Literacy
• Repercussions of Climate Change on Mental Health
• Patient Privacy in the Age of Electronic Health Records
• Balancing Public Health and Personal Freedom in Pandemic Response
• Mitigating Medical Errors: A Silent Epidemic
• Lyme Disease: Unraveling Complexities and Controversies
• Spreading Awareness About Rare Genetic Disorders
• Reducing Maternal Mortality Rates: Global Health Initiative
• Geriatric Care: Meeting the Needs of an Aging Population
• Medical Malpractice: An Unseen Crisis
• Therapeutic Potential of Stem Cells in Neurological Disorders
• Shaping Attitudes Toward People With Disabilities
• The Power of Music Therapy in Mental Health
• Impact of Climate Change on Disease Spread
• Managing Chronic Pain Without Over-Reliance on Opioids
• Bioethics: Debate on Assisted Suicide
• Consequences of Sleep Deprivation on Brain Function
• Prenatal Screening: Ethical Dilemmas
• Organ Transplantation: Ethical Dilemmas and Policies
• Consequences of Poor Dental Hygiene on Overall Health

Medical Persuasive Essay Topics

• Human Enhancement: Bioethical Considerations
• Benefits and Risks of Hormone Replacement Therapy
• Addressing Stigma and Discrimination in Mental Health Care
• Combatting the Global Rise of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
• Potential Health Implications of 5G Technology
• Discussing the Realities of Living With Bipolar Disorder
• Revitalizing Rural Healthcare: Addressing Disparities and Challenges
• Augmented Reality and Its Potential in Surgical Training
• The Global Impact of Tuberculosis and Strategies for Its Eradication
• Understanding the Role of Epigenetics in Disease
• Dissecting the Link Between Gut Health and Mental Well-Being
• Impacts of Domestic Violence on Mental Health
• ADHD in Adults: Myths and Realities
• Addressing Health Concerns in LGBTQ+ Community
• Orthorexia: The Dark Side of Healthy Eating
• Bioprinting Organs: A Step Towards the Future or a Leap Too Far?
• Gene Therapy: Promises, Successes, and Challenges
• Achieving Health Equity: A Long Road Ahead
• Exploration of Medical Uses for Psychedelics
• The Role of Pharmacogenomics in Personalized Medicine
• Effect of Chronic Stress on Physical Health
• Understanding the Genetic Basis of Autism

Medical Persuasive Speech Topics

• The Impact of Poverty on Children’s Health
• Burnout in Healthcare Professionals: Causes and Solutions
• Emerging Trends in Cosmetic Dermatology
• Advances and Ethics in Neonatal Intensive Care
• Modernizing Traditional Medicine: A Cultural Challenge
• Unpacking the Psychological Impact of Chronic Pain
• The Role of Exercise in Mental Health
• Biomedical Engineering: Shaping the Future of Healthcare
• Understanding the Psychological Impact of Infertility
• Tackling the Global Obesity Epidemic: Policies and Interventions
• Exploring the Impact of Virtual Reality on Physical Therapy
• Unlocking the Potential of Immunotherapy in Cancer Treatment
• Addressing Eating Disorders Among Athletes
• Ethical Considerations in Genomic Data Privacy
• Overcoming Stigma Associated with Substance Abuse Treatment
• Acupuncture and Its Role in Pain Management
• The Neuroscience of Addiction: Understanding the Complexity
• Depression in the Elderly: An Overlooked Crisis
• Leukemia: Current Research and Future Directions
• Rehabilitation Robotics: Hope for Individuals With Mobility Impairments
• Understanding and Preventing Medical Burnout
• Evaluating the Impact of Video Games on Cognitive Health
• Revolutionizing Wound Healing With Bioactive Bandages

Science Persuasive Speech Topics

• Advancements in Genetic Engineering: Implications for Future Generations
• Nanotechnology: Revolutionizing Medicine and Healthcare
• Climate Change: The Urgency of Reducing Carbon Emissions
• Ethical Considerations in Animal Experimentation
• Technological Innovations for Renewable Energy Sources
• Human Cloning: Boundaries in Science and Morality
• Mars Colonization: Possibilities and Challenges
• Importance of STEM Education for the Youth
• Addressing Food Scarcity With GMOs: Safe or Risky?
• Quantum Computing: Transforming the Digital World
• Telemedicine: The Future of Healthcare Services
• Integrating Artificial Intelligence in Everyday Life: Pros and Cons
• Mandatory Vaccinations: Rights vs. Public Health
• Space Exploration: Allocating Resources for Knowledge or Extravagance?
• Coral Reefs Degradation: Implications and Recovery Strategies
• Developing Biodegradable Plastics: An Environmental Necessity
• Protecting Biodiversity: Responsibilities of Modern Societies
• Ocean Acidification: A Silent Threat to Marine Life
• Benefits and Risks of Nuclear Energy: A Balanced View
• Roles of Epidemiology in Shaping Public Health Policies
• Debating the Potential of Immortality Through Science

Health Persuasive Speech Topics

• Necessity of Mandatory Vaccinations for Public Health
• Universal Healthcare: An Essential Human Right
• Proper Nutrition: Cornerstone of Healthy Living
• Legalization of Medical Marijuana: Benefits and Drawbacks
• Telemedicine: The Future of Patient Care
• Prenatal Care’s Impacts on Infant Health
• Combating the Obesity Epidemic With Effective Policies
• Preventive Measures Should Be Prioritized Over Treatment
• Increasing Funding for Cancer Research and Development
• Rehabilitation Services: Underrated Component of Healthcare
• Advanced Directives: Encourage End-of-Life Planning
• Palliative Care: The Necessity for Better Quality of Life
• Regulation of Prescription Drug Prices
• Mental Health Parity in Insurance Coverage
• Emergency Rooms: Overuse and Misuse
• Importance of Regular Dental Checkups
• Home Healthcare: A Cost-Effective Solution
• Roles of Exercise in Preventing Chronic Diseases
• Government’s Roles in Combating Drug Addiction
• Alcohol Awareness: Promote Responsible Drinking
• Mandatory Sex Education in Schools: A Must for Adolescent Health

Fitness Persuasive Speech Topics

• Embracing a Plant-based Diet for Optimal Health
• Proving the Importance of Sleep in Fitness Progression
• Highlighting the Role of Hydration in Physical Performance
• Yoga: A Comprehensive Approach to Mental and Physical Health
• Promoting Regular Exercise as a Method to Enhance Cognitive Function
• Unveiling the Myth of Quick Weight Loss Solutions
• Understanding the Connection Between Fitness and Lifespan
• Benefits of Outdoors Activities for Mental Health
• Decoding the Impact of Stress on Physical Fitness
• Pilates: An Effective Workout for Core Strength
• Dietary Supplements: Help or Hindrance in Fitness?
• Unraveling the Truth Behind Fad Diets
• Barriers to Exercise: Overcoming Laziness and Procrastination
• High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and Its Benefits
• Balance of Cardio and Strength Training for Optimal Fitness
• Debunking Stereotypes Around Women in Weightlifting
• Regular Physical Activity: A Proven Method to Reduce Anxiety
• Functional Training: Preparing the Body for Real-Life Activities
• Advantages of Group Workouts for Motivation and Accountability
• Importance of Stretching: An Undervalued Aspect of Fitness
• Roles of Mental Fortitude in Achieving Fitness Goals

Nursing Persuasive Speech Topics

• The Significance of Ethical Decision-Making in Nursing Practice
• Enhancing Patient Safety Through Effective Communication in Healthcare
• Implementing Evidence-Based Practice to Improve Patient Outcomes
• Promoting Cultural Sensitivity in Nursing Care Delivery
• Advantages of Advanced Technology in Modern Nursing
• Reducing Medication Errors Through Enhanced Healthcare Processes
• Addressing the Nursing Workforce Shortage: Recruitment and Retention Strategies
• Integrating Mental Health Services Into Primary Care Nursing Practice
• Enhancing Patient Satisfaction through Compassionate and Person-Centered Care
• The Impact of Nurse Staffing Ratios on Quality of Care
• Embracing Diversity in the Nursing Profession for Inclusive Healthcare
• Promoting Self-Care and Resilience Among Nursing Professionals
• The Role of Nurses in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Initiatives
• Effective Pain Management Strategies in Nursing Practice
• Promoting Collaboration and Interprofessional Communication in Healthcare Settings
• Implementing Patient-Centered Care Approaches in Nursing Practice
• Addressing Burnout and Work-Related Stress Among Nursing Staff
• The Role of Nurses in End-of-Life and Palliative Care Support
• Advocating for Appropriate Nurse-Patient Ratios in Healthcare Settings
• Benefits of Integrating Complementary Therapies Into Holistic Nursing Care
• Empowering Nurses as Patient Advocates for Improved Health Outcomes
• Enhancing Ethical Conduct in Nursing Research and Scholarly Activities
• Promoting Health Equity in Nursing Care Delivery

Healthcare Persuasive Speech Topics in Medical Studies

• Right to Die: Exploring Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide
• Importance of Blood Donation in Saving Lives
• Medical Privacy: Ensuring Confidentiality of Patient Information
• Elderly Care: Dignified Aging With Quality Services
• Mobile Health Applications: Revolutionizing Personal Care
• Childhood Immunizations: Averting Preventable Diseases
• PTSD Management: Overlooked Necessity for Veterans
• Improving Accessibility of Women’s Healthcare Services
• Understanding Depression: Break Stigma and Foster Support
• Autism Spectrum Disorders: Investing in Research and Support
• Tackling Sleep Disorders for Improved Productivity
• Addressing Health Disparities in Minority Populations
• Regular Eye Examinations: Prevent Vision Loss
• Fighting the Silent Killer: Prioritize Hypertension Management
• Artificial Intelligence: Transform Healthcare Delivery
• Conquering the Opioid Crisis: Strategies and Solutions
• Lifestyle Diseases: Effect of Modern Living on Health
• Driving Progress in Alzheimer’s Disease Research
• Support Smoking Cessation: Lower Healthcare Costs
• Dementia Care: Address the Needs of Aging Populations
• Fostering Innovation in Personalized Medicine

Medical Informative Speech Topics

• Nanotechnology and Its Applications in Healthcare
• The Impact of Telemedicine on Patient Care
• Emerging Technologies in Surgical Procedures
• Genetic Testing and Personalized Medicine
• Exploring the Potential of Stem Cell Therapy
• The Importance of Electronic Health Records in Healthcare
• Innovative Approaches to Mental Health Treatment
• Advancements in Robotic Surgery Techniques
• Understanding Immunotherapy in Cancer Treatment
• The Future of Wearable Medical Devices
• Precision Medicine in Cardiovascular Health
• Exploring the Benefits of Virtual Reality in Rehabilitation
• Gene Editing and Its Ethical Implications
• The Rise of Digital Health Platforms
• Innovative Solutions for Chronic Disease Management
• Advancements in Non-Invasive Diagnostics
• Integrating Artificial Intelligence Into Medical Imaging
• Bioengineering’s Potential in Organ Transplantation
• Exploring the Gut Microbiome’s Influence on Health
• Robotics’ Use in Physical Therapy

Nursing Informative Speech Topics

• The Impact of Electronic Health Records on Patient Care
• Integrating Technology in Nursing Education: Advantages and Challenges
• Enhancing Communication in Healthcare Through Telehealth Solutions
• Utilizing Data Analytics to Improve Healthcare Outcomes
• Implementing Barcoding Systems for Medication Safety
• Exploring the Benefits of Mobile Health Applications for Patient Engagement
• Optimizing Workflow Efficiency With Electronic Documentation Systems
• Leveraging Big Data for Population Health Management
• Enhancing Care Coordination Through Health Information Technology
• Exploring the Potential of Blockchain Technology in Nursing and Healthcare
• The Use of Social Media in Nursing Practice and Patient Education
• Enhancing Medication Administration Through Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE)
• Ethical Implications of Privacy and Security in Nursing Informatics
• Exploring the Role of Telemedicine in Rural Healthcare Delivery
• Implementing Remote Monitoring Systems for Chronic Disease Management
• Enhancing Patient Safety With Automated Medication Dispensing Systems
• The Integration of Genetics and Genomics in Nursing Informatics
• Exploring the Role of Informatics in Nursing Leadership and Management
• Utilizing Artificial Intelligence in Nursing Practice and Decision-Making
• The Use of Wearable Technology for Remote Patient Monitoring

Medical Innovations Informative Speech Topics

• Artificial Intelligence in Disease Diagnosis
• Nanotechnology and Targeted Drug Delivery
• Robotic-Assisted Surgery in Modern Medicine
• Virtual Reality Applications in Pain Management
• Genetic Engineering for Disease Prevention
• 3D Printing of Organs and Tissues
• Telemedicine and Remote Patient Monitoring
• Wearable Technology for Health Tracking
• Advanced Prosthetics and Bionic Limbs
• Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine
• Personalized Medicine and Genetic Testing
• Bioprinting for Customized Medical Implants
• Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation for Mental Health
• Precision Medicine in Cancer Treatment
• Wireless Implantable Devices for Medical Monitoring
• Smart Pills and Drug Delivery Systems
• Immunotherapy for Treating Autoimmune Disorders
• Artificial Organs and Transplants
• Augmented Reality in Medical Education
• Robotic Exoskeletons for Rehabilitation
• Bioinformatics and Big Data in Healthcare

Health Education Informative Speech Topics

• The Significance of Vaccinations in Preventing Infectious Diseases
• The Influence of Regular Exercise on Physical and Mental Well-Being
• Understanding the Role of Nutrition in Enhancing Overall Health
• Managing Stress for a Healthier Lifestyle
• Exploring the Advantages of Meditation for Mental Clarity
• Recognizing the Indications of Mental Health Disorders
• Effective Approaches for Maintaining a Healthy Weight
• Promoting Safe and Responsible Sexual Health Practices
• The Importance of Routine Health Checkups for Early Detection
• Understanding and Coping With Chronic Illnesses
• Examining the Connection Between Diet and Heart Health
• Preventing and Managing Diabetes Through Lifestyle Modifications
• Eliminating the Stigma Around Mental Health Challenges
• Cultivating Healthy Sleep Habits for Optimal Wellness
• The Role of Physical Activity in Preventing Osteoporosis
• Understanding and Addressing Food Allergies
• The Impact of Technology on Mental Well-Being
• Exploring Various Modalities of Complementary Medicine
• The Benefits of Regular Dental Care for Overall Well-Being
• Recognizing and Overcoming Substance Abuse Issues
• Promoting Healthy Aging and Prolonged Lifespan
• Investigating the Relationship Between Gut Health and Well-Being

Medical History Informative Speech Topics

• Revolutionary Breakthroughs in Medical Imaging Techniques
• Ancient Medicinal Practices: Unearthing Secrets of Traditional Healing
• Pioneering Women in Medicine: Shattering Glass Ceilings and Saving Lives
• The Evolution of Surgical Techniques: From Ancient Tools to Robotic Precision
• Groundbreaking Discoveries in Neurology: Decoding Complexities of the Human Brain
• Unforgettable Epidemics: Lessons From History to Combat Modern Health Crises
• Trailblazers in Vaccinology: Transforming Landscape of Preventive Medicine
• Fascinating Story of Penicillin: A Miracle Drug That Changed the World
• From Bloodletting to Transfusions: Tracing History of Blood Medicine
• Fight Against Polio: Overcoming Challenges to Achieve Global Eradication
• Impacts of Florence Nightingale: Visionary in Nursing and Healthcare Reform
• Unconventional Medical Treatments: Examining Historical Curiosities and Controversies
• Birth of Modern Anesthesia: Transforming Experience of Surgery
• Great Plague of London: Uncovering Grim Realities of Devastating Epidemic
• Story of X-Rays: From Mysterious Rays to Essential Diagnostic Tools
• Medical Advances in War: How Military Conflicts Have Driven Innovations
• History of Psychiatry: Tracing Evolution of Mental Health Treatment
• War on Cancer: Milestones in Oncology and Strategies for Prevention
• Curious Case of Phineas Gage: Insights Into Brain Function and Personality
• Origins of Medical Ethics: Ethical Dilemmas in Practice of Medicine
• Breakthroughs in Organ Transplantation: Saving Lives and Prolonging Hope
• Cholera: Waterborne Killer That Shaped Public Health Policies

Alternative Medicine Informative Speech Topics

• The Healing Power of Herbal Remedies
• Mind-Body Connection in Holistic Healing
• Acupuncture: Ancient Techniques for Modern Wellness
• Exploring the Benefits of Ayurvedic Medicine
• Naturopathy: A Holistic Approach to Health
• Chiropractic Care: Aligning Your Body and Mind
• Traditional Chinese Medicine: Balancing Yin and Yang
• Energy Healing: Harnessing Inner Strength
• Homeopathy: Unlocking Natural Healing Potential
• Aromatherapy: The Scented Path to Well-Being
• Reflexology: Stimulating Balance Through Foot Massage
• The Art of Reiki: Channeling Universal Life Force
• Crystal Healing: Harnessing Gemstone Energies
• Holistic Nutrition: Nourishing Your Body for Optimal Health
• Shamanic Healing: Connecting With Nature’s Wisdom
• Hypnotherapy: Tapping Into Subconscious Potential
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Speech on Health and Fitness for Students and Children

Speech on health and fitness.

Hello everyone. I am here to present a speech on health and fitness. The very known two terms to us are the word ‘health’ and ‘fitness’. Many times we tell or use these words whenever we say phrases like ‘health is wealth’ and ‘fitness is the key’. What does the word health really mean? It implies the idea of ‘being well’. A healthy and fit person is the one when he/she can function well physically as well as mentally. Proper health and fitness do not depend on our own but also on our physical environment and the quality of food intake.

Source: pixabay.com

Health and fitness is the most important aspect of our life.  There is nothing more important than health for any human being.  When we are healthy and fit we are able to enjoy our life well. We can talk to our near and dear one, we can laugh, smile, travel, enjoy food, and sleep well.

But when our health and fitness is not up to the mark, we are unable to do anything properly and stay behind. We cannot enjoy eating, watching sports or movies.  Our mood always remains negative and we are unable to talk nicely with our near and dear or even sleep properly.

Our health and fitness are more valued than our wealth.  In fact, our elders were always been focused on the health and fitness part. They treasure it like wealth. To maintain good health and fitness at its best all the time, we need to take care of hygiene and sanitation around us.

We must eat a healthy and complete diet.  We must eat vegetables, milk, egg, etc. Everyone should make a diet chart and ensure that we take a sufficient amount of carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, and vitamins.  Apart from eating we must maintain cleanliness in our room, house and nearby surroundings.

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Roots Affecting Health and Fitness

Well, there are many factors that are responsible for the staggering health and fitness graph. But the major reason is the personal habit and living style of people. A human body requires 20 gm fat per day. The consumption of just a regular pizza adds 10 grams of fat to the human body; a whopper burger blesses you with 13 gm fat and 100 gm French fries promote 15 gm fat to your body.

All the junk foods are destroying people’s health and fitness these days. Due to the fast-paced life, people are concerned about filling their stomachs rather than considering what they are eating and its effect on their health and body.

Health and Fitness tips

As we know that health and fitness play an important role in our overall wellbeing so we should try for a good balance between mind, body, and soul. I have some suggested activities to maintain proper health and fitness. One can start playing games and sports. An active body can metabolize well and so keep us in good shape.

Yoga has got a lot of health and fitness benefits such as flexibility, burn calories, increase blood flow, boosts immunity. Proper food selection leads to eating healthy. The intake of vitamins found in vegetables and fruits, proteins found in whole grains and lean meat keeps us healthy. Eat foods that have less oil are good to control cholesterol levels.

Avoid smoking and drinking as they affect our sleep which is important for the body to remain healthy and in good shape. Exercising improves the general health of the body. One must take at least thirty minutes a day to do some exercises or walk.

As told by Dalai Lama “Happiness is the highest form of health”. Happiness will come only when we will be healthy and fit. But today we live in a world where we value things more than people, work more than family, food more than health and status more than life.

We rush after money and social status and we forget about our health. What’s the value of life if we don’t live healthy and fit. This absurd attitude has ruined our lives and it will continue to do so unless we open up our eyes and see the reality.

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Speech on Health

Health is something you experience every day. It’s how you feel when you wake up, eat your meals, or play a game.

Good health helps you do things you love with ease. If you’re not healthy, even simple tasks can feel tough.

1-minute Speech on Health

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Health is like a treasure. It’s the most important thing we have. Just like a tree needs water and sunlight to grow, our bodies need good food and exercise to stay strong and healthy. Without health, we cannot enjoy life, play games, or do well in school.

Let’s talk about food first. Eating healthy is like putting the right fuel in a car. Our bodies need fruits, vegetables, proteins, and grains to run properly. We should avoid junk food, sugary drinks, and too many sweets. They can make us feel tired and sick.

Now, let’s talk about exercise. Our bodies are like machines. If we don’t use them, they get rusty. Exercise makes our bodies strong and helps us feel good. We should play games, run, jump, and dance every day.

Sleep is also important for our health. It is like charging a battery. Our bodies need rest to heal and grow. We should sleep for at least 8 hours every night.

Finally, we must remember to keep our minds healthy too. Just like a garden, our minds need care. We should read books, learn new things, and spend time with friends and family. This helps us feel happy and relaxed.

In conclusion, health is our greatest treasure. We must take care of it by eating right, exercising, sleeping well, and keeping our minds happy. If we do these things, we can live a long and happy life. Thank you.

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2-minute Speech on Health

Today, we’re going to talk about health. Health is not just about not being sick. It’s about feeling good, both in our bodies and our minds. It’s about being strong and active, being able to play, work, and learn without feeling tired or unwell.

The first thing to understand about health is the food we eat. Eating the right food is like putting the right fuel in a car. Our bodies need different types of food to work well. We need fruits and vegetables for vitamins and minerals. We need grains for energy. We need protein from meat, beans, or nuts to build muscles. And don’t forget water! Our bodies need a lot of water to stay hydrated. Remember, a healthy meal is a colorful meal.

Exercise is the second part of staying healthy. Just like a car needs to be driven regularly, our bodies need exercise to stay in good shape. Running, jumping, swimming, playing a sport, or even just walking to school or the store are all good ways to exercise. When we exercise, our bodies become stronger and more flexible. We also feel happier and more energetic. So, let’s move and play every day!

Next, let’s talk about rest. Our bodies need to rest to stay healthy. This means getting a good night’s sleep every day. When we sleep, our bodies repair themselves and get ready for the next day. So, make sure you’re getting enough sleep. If you’re feeling tired during the day, it might be because you’re not getting enough sleep at night.

Hygiene is another important part of health. This means keeping our bodies clean. We need to wash our hands before we eat and after we use the bathroom. We need to brush our teeth twice a day to keep our mouths clean. And we need to take a bath or shower regularly to keep our bodies clean. When we keep our bodies clean, we’re less likely to get sick.

Lastly, we need to take care of our minds as well as our bodies. This means doing things we enjoy, spending time with friends and family, and taking time to relax. It also means asking for help when we’re feeling sad or worried. Just like our bodies, our minds need to be taken care of to stay healthy.

In conclusion, health is about eating right, getting exercise, resting, staying clean, and taking care of our minds. When we do all these things, we’re taking care of our health. And when we’re healthy, we’re ready to learn, play, work, and enjoy life. So, let’s take care of our health, because health is wealth.

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Kamala Harris calls Trump ‘architect of healthcare crisis’ in Arizona abortion speech – as it happened

This live blog is now closed

• 5d ago Summary
• 5d ago Kamala Harris on Arizona's abortion ban: 'Donald Trump did this'
• 5d ago Kamala Harris: 'Trump wants to take America back to the 1800s'
• 5d ago Kamala Harris condemns abortion ban in Arizona speech
• 5d ago Trump: I would 'absolutely' testify at New York criminal trial
• 5d ago Mike Johnson promotes legislation to 'require proof of citizenship to vote'
• 5d ago Donald Trump and Mike Johnson’s press conference at Mar-a-Lago has begun
• 5d ago Donald Trump and Mike Johnson to hold 'election integrity' press conference
• 5d ago Fisa bill's House passage proves a crucial victory for Mike Johnson
• 5d ago Conservatives strike deal with Johnson to get Fisa bill passed
• 5d ago Two-year reauthorization of Fisa passes in House, 273-147
• 5d ago Fisa reauthorization passes in House
• 5d ago House votes on Fisa reauthorization
• 5d ago Sterilization rates rise following overturning of Roe v Wade - study
• 5d ago DNC covered Biden legal bills - report
• 5d ago Arizona congressman on abortion ban: 'It is a dark day in Arizona'
• 5d ago Kamala Harris expected to blame Trump for US abortion rights crisis on Arizona visit

Kamala Harris: 'Trump wants to take America back to the 1800s'

Vice -president Kamala Harris is strongly condemning Arizona’s near-total abortion ban and tying the policy and other state bans directly to Donald Trump:

Donald Trump is the architect of this healthcare crisis, and that is not a fact that he hides. Just this week, he said he was ‘proudly’ responsible for overturning Roe.

Harris summarized Trump’s remarks from minutes earlier in Mar-a-Lago: “Trump just said the collection of state bans is working the way it’s supposed to.” On Trump’s backtracking of support of a federal abortion ban, Harris said, “Enough with the gaslighting.”

A second Trump term, she said, would mean “more bans, more suffering and less freedom. He basically wants to take America back to the 1800s,” she continued. “But we are not going to let that happen.”

That’s all the live coverage for today, thanks for following along. Some highlights and links from the day:

House lawmakers voted to reauthorize section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (Fisa), including a key measure that allows for warrantless surveillance of Americans .

The reauthorization of Fisa was considered a win for the embattled House speaker, Mike Johnson.

New research showed that rates of people seeking permanent contraception – such as tubal ligation or vasectomies – jumped after the supreme court overturned Roe v Wade.

Donald Trump and Mike Johnson held a joint press conference promoting legislation to “require proof of citizenship to vote” despite federal law already prohibiting non-citizen voting and a lack of evidence of migrants casting ballots.

Trump said he would “ absolutely ” testify at his upcoming New York criminal trial.

Trump took credit for eroding abortion rights , saying, “We broke Roe v Wade … and we gave it back to the states.”

Kamala Harris condemned Arizona’s abortion ban at a rally in Tucson, saying Trump “wants to take America back to the 1800s” and blaming the former president for state bans across the US.

Kamala Harris on Arizona's abortion ban: 'Donald Trump did this'

Speaking about abortion rights at a campaign rally in Tucson, vice -president Kamala Harris said “momentum is on our side”, citing voters’ support for reproductive rights in ballot measures across the US:

From Kansas to California to Kentucky, in Michigan, Montana, Vermont, and Ohio, the people of America have voted for freedom and not just by a little, but often by overwhelming margins, proving also that this is not just a partisan issue, proving that the voice of the people has been heard.

Harris was speaking days after Arizona’s supreme court ruled that a near-total abortion ban law dating back to 1864 could go into effect. Of that law, she said:

Women here live under one of the most extreme abortion bans in our nation. No exception for rape or incest, prison time for doctors and nurses and abortion made illegal before most women even know they’re pregnant. The overturning of Roe was without any question a seismic event, and this ban here in Arizona is one of the biggest aftershocks yet … this law was passed in the 1800s before Arizona was even a state, before women could even vote. What has happened here in Arizona is a new inflection point … overturning Roe was just the opening act of a larger strategy to take women’s rights and freedoms … we all must understand who is to blame. Former president Donald Trump did this.”

Kamala Harris condemns abortion ban in Arizona speech

Vice president Kamala Harris is now speaking in Tucson, Arizona to condemn the 1800s-era ban supported by the state supreme court this week:

The Arizona Supreme Court ruled an extreme abortion ban from the 1800s with no exceptions for health, rape, or incest will go into effect. Trump is responsible for this. I’m in Tucson to discuss the fight ahead for our reproductive freedom. Tune in. https://t.co/ocUnZWa18Z — Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) April 12, 2024

Trump: I would 'absolutely' testify at New York criminal trial

Donald Trump told reporters at Mar-a-Lago he would “absolutely” testify at his New York criminal trial, which is set to start next week. It is not, however, clear if he will actually do so.

NEW: Trump vows to testify at his New York criminal trial that starts next week -- "Yeah I would testify absolutely" -- though whether he will actually testify remains to be seen given his track record of self-incrimination — Hugo Lowell (@hugolowell) April 12, 2024

Asked if it was “risky” for him to testify, the former president responded, “I tell the truth.” Trump’s testimony has previously hurt him in court, and he was ordered by a jury earlier this year to pay millions to E Jean Carroll for defamation.

Trump shared familiar grievances about his various criminal ongoing criminal trials before his “election integrity” press conference with House speaker Mike Johnson came to an end.

Donald Trump, speaking at Mar-a-Lago, was asked why voters should trust he will not sign a federal abortion ban, when he had previously indicated support. He responded:

We don’t need it any longer, because we broke Roe v Wade … and we gave it back to the states.

He claimed he does not support the unpopular Arizona state supreme court ruling this week supporting a near total abortion-ban dating back to 1864. When asked whether he is “pro-life” or “pro-choice”, he gave a meandering, unclear response.

Mike Johnson promotes legislation to 'require proof of citizenship to vote'

House speaker Mike Johnson says Republicans are introducing legislation to “require proof of citizenship to vote” despite the fact that it is already illegal for non-citizens to vote and there is no evidence of widespread migrant voting (or even many specific examples of this happening).

Johnson hasn’t shared a ton of details about the mechanics of the legislation, but claimed that if “hundreds of thousands” of migrants cast votes, it could impact the result of the elections. Research has repeatedly shown that the systems in place have not allowed non-citizens to register or cast ballots.

Donald Trump and Mike Johnson’s press conference at Mar-a-Lago has begun

The former president has started his presser with his signature xenophobic rhetoric on immigration, which has become increasingly dehumanizing and viscous on the campaign trail. He has frequently called migrants “animals” and has said they are “ poisoning the blood ” of the US, echoing Nazi speech and the racist, far-right Great Replacement Theory suggesting the left is promoting migration to replace white people.

Trump’s introductory remarks included misinformation tying migrants to crime.

As we await the joint press conference of Donald Trump and House speaker Mike Johnson at Mar-a-Lago, here’s a refresher on some of the misleading and false information they have been promoting about non-citizens and voting:

The two have said they are pushing legislation to ban non-citizens from voting – despite the fact that it is already illegal under federal law for people without US citizenship to cast a ballot.

Trump has spread racist conspiracy theories on the campaign trail – claiming without evidence that migrants will try to illegally vote and steal the election for him, saying, “They can’t speak a word of English for the most part, but they’re signing them up.”

As the Guardian’s democracy reporter Rachel Leingang reported : “There is no evidence of widespread non-citizen voting, nor are there even many examples of individual instances of the practice, despite strenuous efforts in some states to find these cases.”

A study by the Brennan Center of the 2016 election found just 0.0001% of votes across 42 jurisdictions, with 23.5m votes, were suspected to be non-citizens voting, 30 incidents in total.

The press conference is scheduled for 4.30pm local time. For more background, check out Leingang’s coverage from earlier this week:

Donald Trump and Mike Johnson to hold 'election integrity' press conference

Donald Trump is set to meet House Republican speaker Mike Johnson in Mar-a-Lago on Friday where the two will hold a press conference on “election integrity ”.

Earlier on Friday, Johnson told reporters, “I don’t ever comment on my private conversations with President Trump, but I’m looking forward to going to Florida and spend some time with him.”

Meanwhile, a senior Trump adviser told CNN that the two will “draw attention to” state proposals and lawsuits that would allow non-citizens to vote.

Johnson’s meeting with Trump comes after the Republican speaker secured a crucial win in the House earlier on Friday after the Republican-led chamber voted to pass Fisa reauthorization. The legislation, which allows for warrantless surveillance of Americans by intelligence officials, is supported by Johnson but heavily opposed by hard-right Republicans and Democrats alike.

The Wyoming Republican representative Harriet Hageman has also released a video address following the House’s passage of Fisa’s reauthorization.

In her address, Hageman, who voted no, said:

I was a no vote for the reason that the amendment that would have required the intelligence agencies to obtain a warrant to search the records of American citizens was not adopted. I truly believe that as members of Congress, it is our responsibility to ensure that all of these agencies are following the constitution and the protecting the civil liberties of American citizens yet that’s not what happened today.

I voted NO on FISA 702 reauthorization today. It is a violation of the Fourth Amendment to our Constitution for the government to conduct warrantless searches of American citizens. pic.twitter.com/UoUP0hSso3 — Rep. Harriet Hageman (@RepHageman) April 12, 2024

The Colorado Republican representative Lauren Boebert has released a video address following the House’s passage of Fisa’s reauthorization.

In her address, Boebert said:

… 86 Republicans betrayed you, the American people, today, saying the federal government does not need a warrant to start a query or illegally spy on you or tap your phones or whatever they want to do.

Boebert went on to point to the Florida Republican representative Anna Paulina Luna, who objected to the legislation’s passage and requested a vote to reconsider the legislation. As a result, the bill will not be able to head to the Senate until the House votes on the motion.

That bill cannot be sent to the Senate until we take another vote on the warrant amendment for Fisa on Monday. That means we need you, the American people, putting pressure on these 86 Republicans who sold you out today,” said Boebert.

The Uniparty just voted to allow the Deep State to violate your Fourth Amendment rights and spy on millions of Americans for two more years. @RepLuna just forced an additional procedural vote to stop them. GET. A. WARRANT. #FISA pic.twitter.com/JoWrYm2CQA — Rep. Lauren Boebert (@RepBoebert) April 12, 2024

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Shifting the healthcare ai discourse: embracing intelligence assistance.

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CEO of Bamboo Health . Bringing innovation and growth to the forefront of healthcare with past leadership roles at Lumeris and CVS Health.

In the ever-evolving healthcare landscape, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) continues to spark enthusiasm with its potential to revolutionize patient care and streamline processes. From analyzing radiological images to mining electronic health records for diagnoses, AI promises a transformative shift toward enhanced efficiency and improved outcomes.

However, amid the buzz surrounding AI’s capabilities, it is crucial to consider its implications on human decision-making, especially within healthcare where outcomes are crucial to a patient’s overall physical and mental well-being.

Will AI replace clinicians and disrupt the traditional healthcare model as many fear ? Will the technology produce unreliable information that can lead to reputational, compliance and operational risks for healthcare organizations, not to mention patient harm? Or will AI instead empower healthcare professionals to prioritize empathetic patient care while leveraging AI-supported insights?

From AI To IA

In an organization where we navigate hundreds of millions of pivotal moments in an individual’s care journey annually, I advocate for a paradigm shift toward intelligence assistance (IA) as opposed to autonomous AI. This concept emphasizes augmenting human decision-making rather than replacing it, promising not only to reshape healthcare but various industries across the board.

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Further, IA promotes taking action. While AI today presents a variety of options, it often stops short of helping facilitate the next step. On the other hand, IA combines the knowledge of artificial intelligence with human-informed decision-making, guiding users to the best possible plan and empowering them to execute the plan effectively.

The necessity for IA in healthcare is evident, as the broad use of AI requires organizations to build “information skepticism” into the culture to mitigate overreliance on the sometimes untrustworthy results surfaced by AI. Moreover, the medical field has and always will require a human touch and a provider’s learned expertise. This is particularly important in scenarios such as managing mental health or substance use disorders in emergency departments (ED). Often, ED clinicians lack the necessary niche expertise and resources to provide specialized support in these cases.

Here, IA serves as a formidable ally, aiding care teams in assessing patients comprehensively and considering various crucial factors—such as insurance coverage, clinical expertise, transportation accessibility and cultural sensitivity—when recommending the next course of action. In turn, these care teams can carry out the plan more confidently and efficiently. This collaborative approach has the potential to revolutionize the healthcare system, particularly in providing whole-person care tailored to individual needs.

The Difference Between AI And IA

What distinguishes IA is its fundamental approach, prioritizing the synergy between human understanding and machine intelligence. This collaboration offers several advantages:

• Decision Support: IA serves as an advanced advisory tool, ensuring decisions are informed by the latest data, thus enhancing their accuracy and relevance.

• Collaboration Versus Replacement: IA aims not to replace human roles but to foster a synergistic partnership that leads to unprecedented outcomes.

• Enhancing Expertise: IA amplifies human capabilities across various domains, enriching rather than diminishing expertise.

• Prompt Problem Solving: In our fast-paced world, IA facilitates swift problem-solving by merging rapid data analysis with human insight.

• Informed Action: IA encourages users to take immediate and effective action as they’re equipped with the proper knowledge to move forward more confidently.

Ensuring A Successful Transition

The journey toward harnessing the full potential of IA begins with acknowledging the pitfalls and challenges of AI itself. Crucially, the technology is far from infallible. A 2024 study found that the most advanced large language models were able to identify and correct their own mistakes only 53% of the time.

With that in mind, the process of implementing IA should begin with identifying which roles and responsibilities might be augmented by AI and which might potentially be replaced by AI. Some nonclinical healthcare roles that can benefit from the use of IA include software engineers (whose work can be accelerated using AI tools) or the authors of internal documents (who can use generative AI to create first drafts for careful human review).

Intelligence assistance can also make use of AI to provide data literacy at the point of care—natural language summaries of critical data that are fine-tuned for the end user’s specific credential level to be meaningful for the work they do. For instance, deploying IA to assist in identifying patients with complex conditions such as substance use disorders or chronic diseases can significantly help improve care coordination and outcomes.

Bear in mind, though, that most roles within healthcare will never be fully replaced by AI. One cautionary example is the National Eating Disorder Association’s decision last year to shut down a chatbot intended to replace volunteers who operated a hotline for people with eating disorders. The chatbot had been giving callers information that was “harmful and unrelated to the program,” NEDA said . Using an IA approach in such an instance, hotline volunteers could have moderated the AI-produced insights while providing a much-needed human touch for the callers.

As healthcare organizations navigate the complexities of integrating IA, it’s important to recognize that this is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Tailoring IA strategies to address specific organizational challenges and patient needs is key to realizing its benefits. Fostering a culture of information skepticism that can safely build the use of AI into the care process while maintaining the all-important human touch is crucial. By doing so, healthcare organizations can create a more humane, efficient and effective healthcare delivery system that leverages the best of both human and artificial intelligence.

Final Thoughts

The shift from AI to IA signifies an acknowledgment that optimal solutions emerge from the fusion of human and machine intelligence. In healthcare and beyond, this transition promises faster, more accurate and more empathetic responses to human needs. Ultimately, intelligence assistance represents not just technological progress but a stride toward a more collaborative, informed and efficient future that never loses the human touch in healthcare and beyond.

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Usc says it is canceling its valedictorian speech because of safety concerns.

Updated April 16, 2024 at 2:12 PM ET

The University of Southern California will no longer have its valedictorian speak at its commencement ceremony because of safety concerns, the school said Monday .

Asna Tabassum was selected as this year's valedictorian. But student groups called for the decision to be reconsidered due to Tabassum's social media content on the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Tabassum's Instagram page links to a slideshow that says "learn about what's happening in Palestine, and how to help," and criticizes Zionism as "a racist settler-colonial ideology that advocates for a jewish ethnostate built on palestinian land." The slideshow calls for a "one-state solution" that "would mean palestinian liberation, and the complete abolishment of the state of israel."

Tabassum's social media activity has drawn criticism, with student groups, such as the organization Trojans for Israel , calling the content "antisemitic bigotry." Other social media users, however, denounced USC's decision and said Tabassum should be able to speak freely.

USC Provost Andrew Guzman, who picks the valedictorian, said the matter "has grown to include many voices outside" the campus community, and poses a security threat to next month's event, which is anticipated to have 65,000 guests.

"After careful consideration, we have decided that our student valedictorian will not deliver a speech at commencement," Guzman said. "While this is disappointing, tradition must give way to safety."

Tabassum, who is South Asian-American and Muslim, said in a statement that as a result of the backlash, she has faced "a campaign of racist hatred because of my uncompromising belief in human rights for all."

Tabassum said she questions safety concerns being the university's reason for canceling her speech. She said she was denied a request for the school's threat assessment. Additionally, during a meeting with university leaders, she said she was told the school would not be increasing its security presence, despite having the resources to do so, because that's not what USC wants to "present as an image."

"I am not surprised by those who attempt to propagate hatred," said Tabassum, who studies biomedical engineering and resistance to genocide. "I am surprised that my own university—my home for four years—has abandoned me."

"USC supports free speech and dissent, so long as it doesn't disturb university activities," Guzman said.

He added that USC's 300-employee Department of Public Safety will be "fully deployed" at commencement, along with officers from the Los Angeles Police Department.

Guzman said that the school is "resolute in our commitment to maintain and prioritize the existing safety and well-being of our USC community during the coming weeks."

Guzman picked this year's valedictorian from a pool of about 100 eligible applicants and examined several factors, excluding social media presence, he said.

This story has been updated to include examples of Tabassum's online statements about the situation in the Middle East.

Copyright 2024 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

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California University Cancels Muslim Valedictorian's Speech, Citing Safety Concerns

California University Cancels Muslim Valedictorian's Speech, Citing Safety Concerns

FILE PHOTO: A plaque is pictured at University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 13, 2019. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/File Photo

By Steve Gorman, Julia Harte and Kanishka Singh

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -The University of Southern California, citing safety concerns and passions around the latest Middle East conflict, has canceled its valedictorian speech from a Muslim student who said she was being silenced by anti-Palestinian hatred for her views on human rights.

USC Provost Andrew Guzman said in a statement on Monday that the decision to scrub the traditional valedictorian address at next month's graduation had "nothing to do with freedom of speech" and was simply aimed at protecting campus security.

The valedictorian, biomedical engineering major Asna Tabassum, in her own statement challenged the university's rationale, questioning "whether USC's decision to revoke my invitation to speak is made solely on the basis of safety."

War in Israel and Gaza

Guzman's statement did not refer to Tabassum by name, or specify what about her speech, background or political views had raised concerns. Nor did it detail any particular threats.

The provost referred more broadly to how "discussion relating to the selection of our valedictorian had taken on an alarming tenor" in recent days.

"The intensity of feelings, fueled by both social media and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, has grown to include many voices outside of USC and has escalated to the point of creating substantial risks relating to security and disruption at commencement," he wrote.

As a consequence, "we have decided that our student valedictorian will not deliver a speech at commencement," Guzman wrote, adding, "tradition must give way to safety." The Los Angeles Times reported the decision was a first for USC.

Public safety officials and civil rights advocates have reported a rise in hate crimes against Muslims, Jews, Arabs and Palestinians in the United States, along with heightened tensions on college campuses related to the Israel-Gaza war, since the conflict erupted on Oct. 7.

According to Tabassum, who described herself as a "first-generation South Asian-American Muslim," USC officials refused in an April 14 meeting with her to share details of the university's security assessment.

USC, renowned for an intercollegiate athletic program whose football and other teams are known as the Trojans, did not respond to Reuters' request for further comment.

'CAVING TO FEAR'

Tabassum said she also was told USC possessed the ability "to take appropriate safety measures for my valedictory speech" but opted not to because a tougher security posture was "not what the university wants to 'present as an image.'"

Instead, Tabassum said USC was "caving to fear and rewarding hatred," which she said was being directed by "anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian voices" targeting her "because of my uncompromising belief in human rights for all."

Neither Tabassum nor USC made explicit mention of the Israel-Gaza war.

Trojans for Israel, a USC-based group, and We Are Tov (Hebrew for "good"), a group advocating support for Israel and Jews in collegiate life, had called for Tabassum's removal as commencement speaker earlier this month, saying she had espoused antisemitic views in the past.

Local media reported both groups had mounted opposition to Tabassum based on her social media profile, including an Instagram account with a link directing users to a slideshow about "what's happening in Palestine and how to help." It advocated for "one Palestinian state" and "the complete abolishment of the state of Israel."

Tabassum told an NBC News affiliate that she posted the link five years earlier and did not author the slideshow.

In her statement, Tabassum said her undergraduate minor studies in genocide resistance had shown her the danger of allowing "cries for equality and human dignity" to be deliberately conflated with "expressions of hatred."

"Due to widespread fear, I was hoping to use my commencement speech to inspire my classmates with a message of hope," she wrote.

Sonya Meyerson-Knox, spokesperson for the Jewish anti-Zionist group Jewish Voice for Peace, said the USC episode was part of a larger pattern on U.S. college campuses of students being censured as anti-Jewish for criticizing Israel's government or for expressing support for Palestinian rights.

"Holding the government of Israel accountable for committing grave human rights violations and war crimes and possible genocide has nothing to do with antisemitism," she said.

Other Jewish groups have countered that anti-Zionist rhetoric - sometimes marked by calls for Israel's destruction or right to exist - frequently feeds overt forms of anti-Jewish hatred.

Tabassum was chosen valedictorian from nearly 100 applicants - submitted from among the more than 200 graduating seniors - who qualified for the honor based on their grade-point-averages, according to USC.

The university had not asked for an advanced copy of Tabassum's address before withdrawing her invitation to speak, and she had not even begun working on her speech, said Hussam Ayloush, executive director of the Council on American Islamic Relations, an advocacy group that circulated her statement.

The council launched an online campaign calling for USC to reinstate Tabassum's invitation to speak.

The May 10 commencement exercises, honoring this year's class of 19,000-plus graduates, is expected to draw 65,000 people to the downtown Los Angeles campus of USC, long regarded as one of California's most prestigious private universities.

(Reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles, Julia Harte in New York and Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Christopher Cushing)

Copyright 2024 Thomson Reuters .

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Tags: Judaism , United States , Islam , Middle East , education , California

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FACT SHEET: Biden- ⁠ Harris Administration Takes Critical Action to Protect Communities from PFAS Pollution in Drinking   Water

EPA Announces First-Ever National Standard to Address PFAS in Drinking Water, Delivers an Additional $1 Billion through President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda to Combat PFAS Pollution

President Biden believes every community has the right to clean, safe drinking water, free of pollutants that harm people’s health and wellbeing. That is why the President launched a comprehensive action plan and provided billions in funding to protect communities from toxic “forever chemicals” that are linked to a range of severe health problems, including cancers, liver and heart damage, and developmental impacts in children. Found in drinking water, soil, air, and our food supply, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) persist in the environment for long periods of time, posing a serious health threat across rural, suburban, and urban areas.

Today the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the first-ever national legally enforceable drinking water standard for PFAS , which will protect 100 million people from PFAS exposure , prevent tens of thousands of serious illnesses, and save lives. This action complements the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to combatting PFAS pollution and delivering clean water.

President Biden has secured historic levels of funding to meet this new standard. Today, the Biden-Harris Administration is also announcing an additional $1 billion through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to help every state and territory fund PFAS detection and treatment systems to meet the new standard . This funding is part of the $9 billion in dedicated funding through the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address PFAS and other emerging contaminants in drinking water – the largest-ever investment in tackling PFAS pollution. An additional $12 billion in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law supports general drinking water investments, including PFAS treatment. The investments are part of the  Justice40 Initiative , which aims to ensure that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities.

These actions will help tackle PFAS pollution that has devastated communities like Oakdale, outside of St. Paul, Minnesota, where decades of PFAS-containing waste dumped by a chemical plant has contaminated the community’s drinking water. In this area, cancer was found to be a far more likely cause of death in children than in neighboring areas. The funding announced today will build on funding from the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that is already helping communities address PFAS contamination, including a $33 million award for Tucson, Arizona to treat its PFAS-contaminated drinking water wells.

This funding also builds on President Biden’s action plan  to address PFAS pollution , safeguard public health, and advance environmental justice – all while advancing the Biden Cancer Moonshot goal of cutting the cancer death rate by at least half by 2047 and preventing cancer before it starts by protecting communities from known risks associated with PFAS exposure.

As the first-ever Safe Drinking Water Act standard for PFAS – and the first for any new contaminants since 1996 – this rule sets health safeguards and will require public water systems to monitor and reduce the levels of PFAS in our nation’s drinking water, and notify the public of any exceedances of those levels. The rule sets drinking water limits for five individual PFAS, including the most frequently found PFOA and PFOS. Because PFAS can often be found together in mixtures, EPA is also setting a limit for any combination of four PFAS, including GenX Chemicals. This standard will reduce PFAS exposure in our drinking water to the lowest levels that are feasible for effective nationwide implementation.

Today’s announcements advance President Biden’s broader commitment to deliver clean water for every American. The President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests over $50 billion to upgrade water infrastructure – the largest investment in clean water in American history. This includes a historic $15 billion to replace toxic lead pipes and protect children from brain damage, as part of President Biden’s goal of replacing every lead pipe in the country within a decade.

Recent Federal Actions to Protect Communities from PFAS

Under President Biden’s leadership, nearly two dozen federal agencies and offices have made systematic and substantive progress to safeguard public health and protect the environment from PFAS in drinking water and beyond. This work is coordinated by the White House Council on Environmental Quality, which leads the Interagency Policy Committee on PFAS. Other new actions the Biden-Harris Administration has advanced to combat PFAS pollution over the past year include:

Protecting Firefighters from PFAS : The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to protecting firefighters from the harmful effects of PFAS contained in fire suppressing agents and firefighter gear. The Department of Defense is offering PFAS blood tests to military firefighters. The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s U.S. Fire Administration is working to reduce PFAS exposure and promoting access to early cancer screenings and participation in the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer led by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health as part of President Biden’s mission to end cancer as we know it.

Reducing PFAS in Fire Suppressants: The Department of Defense (DoD) qualified three fluorine-free foams to replace fluorinated Aqueous Film Forming Foam for shore-based firefighting activities at military installations, which the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has authorized for civilian airports. The FAA is assisting airports to transition to these new foams , and funding foam testing systems for airports that prevent environmental discharge. These changes will reduce the release of PFAS in the environment and protect the health of firefighters and local communities.

Supporting Healthcare Providers: The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released the PFAS: Information for Clinicians resource guide. This information gives clinicians up-to-date resources and information they need to help patients with questions and concerns about PFAS exposure and health effects.

Phasing Out PFAS in Food Packaging: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the completion of the voluntary market phase-out of PFAS used on paper and paperboard food packaging, eliminating the primary source of dietary exposure to PFAS . FDA can now also test for 30 PFAS in a variety of foods to further protect people from dietary PFAS exposure.

Testing for and Cleaning Up PFAS Pollution: EPA continues to take key actions to address PFAS . For example, EPA is gathering data on 29 PFAS in the nation’s drinking water systems has collaborated with DoD to develop a method to test for 40 PFAS in various media including biosolids, groundwater, and fish tissue. EPA also updated its interim PFAS disposal and destruction guidance and has released a new method to test for 30 volatile fluorine-containing compounds in air including potential products of incomplete combustion of PFAS. DoD recently identified 40 installations where interim cleanup actions to prevent further PFAS migration are underway or will start in FY2024. These actions will address PFAS in groundwater to protect public health and the environment.  

Reducing PFAS in Federal Procurement: EPA and the U.S. General Services Administration announced this week that custodial contracts for federal buildings will now only use cleaning products certified to ecolabels such as EPA’s Safer Choice and certain Green Seal standards, thereby avoiding products that contain intentionally added PFAS. This shift will protect the environment, federal custodial workers, other federal employees, and those visiting government buildings.

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