health take | New CDC Hire Called "Dangerous" & "Slick" + GOP Healthcare Plan Postponed
11.25.25
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POLLING
OLDER DRIVERS: Via news release from the University of Michigan, VERBATIM: “When today’s older adults learned to drive, they might have heard the Beatles’ ‘Drive My Car’ or Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Born to Run’ on their car radio’s Top 40 station.
Now, 84% of people age 65 and older drive at least once a week, and 62% drive most days, according to a new University of Michigan national poll. But less than half of these older drivers have made a plan for a time down the road, when changes in their health might make it less safe for them to drive.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3LSWo3E
CANCER: Via Gallup, VERBATIM: “The percentage of U.S. adults who report ever being diagnosed with cancer has now reached 9.7% in 2024-2025, a significant increase from the 7.0% Gallup recorded in 2008-2009. The share of adults with a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime registered just over 7% from 2010 to 2015, before starting to climb. It has increased at a greater pace over the past decade.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43QMi9y
OBESITY: Via HealthDay, VERBATIM: “A large majority of Americans now view obesity as a disease whose management, surgical or pharmaceutical, should be covered by insurance, according to a new poll. The online Harris poll was conducted in October among nearly 4,200 U.S. adults. The study was supported by the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), which represents the nation’s gastroenterological clinicians and surgeons, and funded by Novo Nordisk, maker of weight loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iuzSKE
MORE: Via news release from the American Gastroenterological Association, VERBATIM: “Two-thirds of Americans (66%) say they are familiar with weight loss trends (e.g., keto and intermittent fasting), and nearly 6 in 10 are familiar with new weight-loss medications and surgeries. Still, more than 4 in 5 (81%) cite barriers that make or would make it difficult or prevent them from accessing treatment if they need it. Top roadblocks cited include high out-of-pocket costs (50%) and a lack of insurance coverage for procedures or medications (40%), among other obstacles.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4p3wMQd
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MEDICAID SUPPORTS HEALTH CARE FOR ALL OF US: Medicaid keeps Minnesota’s hospitals strong and ensures communities across the state have access to care. Policymakers must protect Medicaid so every Minnesotan — regardless of income or health status — can get the care they need, when they need it. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3FtrCuH (SPONSORED: Minnesota Hospital Association)
CDC
NEW HIRE: Via The New York Times, VERBATIM: “Dr. Ralph Lee Abraham, who as Louisiana’s surgeon general ordered the state health department to stop promoting vaccinations and who has called Covid vaccines ‘dangerous,’ has been named the second in command at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Department of Health and Human Services did not announce the appointment, and many C.D.C. employees seemed unaware of it. But the C.D.C.’s internal database lists Dr. Abraham as the agency’s principal deputy director, with a start date of Nov. 23.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pAxVi4
REACTION: Via Inside Medicine, the Substack publication that first broke the story, VERBATIM: “One source, a national public health expert who previously served in government and is familiar with Dr. Abraham’s career, said that this would be ‘an irresponsible choice.’ He added that ‘he’s a dangerous guy because he’s very slick,’ referring both to his style and his experience as a US Congressman from 2015-2021.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48fuoyy
HEALTHCARE
PROPOSAL: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “The White House has postponed the rollout of a new GOP plan on Affordable Care Act subsidies amid pushback from Republicans in Congress. Why it matters: The issue could aggravate already frayed relationships with Hill conservatives who oppose an extension of enhanced tax credits that are due to expire at the end of the year. Driving the news: Some lawmakers were blindsided by reports of a plan to address spiking premiums in ACA markets and calls for a short-term renewal of the aid, MS NOW reported on Monday.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48xSeXA
WHAT IT WOULD COST: Via Fortune, VERBATIM: “The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB), the nonpartisan budget watchdog that regularly crunches numbers on policy impacts on the $38 trillion national debt, included $50 billion as one estimate in a series of projections published in early November. The $50 billion would cover the first two years of the extension, according to a CRFB statement issued to Fortune, although details continue to trickle in from various reports.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Kl5buu
MEANWHILE…: Via Reuters, VERBATIM: “Officials from several U.S. states say Americans relying on subsidies to afford Obamacare health insurance are holding off on enrolling as they face 2026 premium hikes that could more than double, with one state seeing enrollment drag by as much as 33%. Of more than a dozen states that directly sell to their residents plans established under the Affordable Care Act - often called Obamacare - seven including California and Maryland told Reuters sign-ups are lagging compared to a year ago.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3XUwVt2
AND…: Via Politico, VERBATIM: “Republicans across the country are in a bind of President Donald Trump’s making: After voting to end the 43-day federal shutdown, they have yet to articulate a plan to tackle the upcoming spike in health care premiums. That conundrum is coming into sharp relief in Georgia, a state with an especially high reliance on the Affordable Care Act, where Republicans have one of their best opportunities to pick up a Senate seat as they fight to maintain their grip on Congress.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rt1mV5
HEALTH IN THE COMMUNITY
VAPING: Via The 74, VERBATIM: “An in-depth investigation by The 74 reveals how nicotine-addicted teens, who often begin vaping under social pressure or, like Gutierrez, to cope with hardship, are routinely kicked out of school instead of receiving meaningful services that could steer them away from tobacco and help them break free of their vape pens. Candid interviews with a dozen high schoolers and recent graduates from across the country reveal how vaping has become ubiquitous in schools. The battery-powered nicotine sticks are more than an addiction: They define students’ social status, friend groups and coping strategies years before they’re 21 and legally old enough to buy them.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4adUmVG
BREASTFEEDING: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “The Indigenous Breastfeeding Coalition of Minnesota is a growing movement to support Indigenous people in their breastfeeding journey no matter what the prevailing trends may be in larger society. The group of educators like lactation consultants and doulas help promote the importance and normalization of milk medicine.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3K9YYle
SILVER SNEAKERS: Via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “This week, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota began telling customers that both the YMCA of the North and Life Time gyms would no longer be covered as of Jan. 1, 2026. For several years, those chains have been included under the SilverSneakers program, which covers the cost of gym membership for Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare recipients. According to YMCA leadership, this impacts around 7,800 seniors who use the locations in the Twin Cities metro.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3K9fqlM
ZAMBIA: Via Mayo Clinic, VERBATIM: “In Lusaka, Zambia, where clinical improvisation is often essential, Mayo Clinic anesthesiologist Kashmira Chawla, M.D., led a group of senior residents from Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education (MCSGME) on a collaborative expedition to improve airway management and perioperative care. Supported by a scholarship from the Mayo Clinic Global Health Program, Dr. Chawla and her trainees spent a month working with Zambian clinicians so they could both teach and perform a life-saving procedure called awake fiberoptic intubation.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48ADMOs
DESPITE THE CHALLENGES OF RURAL HEALTH CARE, ESSENTIA IS RECOGNIZED FOR PROVIDING TOP CLINICAL CARE: According to the latest report from Minnesota Community Measurement, a statewide resource on health care quality, costs and equity, Essentia ranked as a high performer with 19 of 20 clinical quality metrics scoring above statewide averages. According to Dr. Maria Beaver, chief quality and patient safety officer at Essentia: “This is a testament to the amazing care provided by all our clinical care teams and all our colleagues who support them.” LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4dCxy1D (SPONSORED: Essentia Health)
RESEARCH
PINE NEEDLES: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “PFAS, often called ‘forever chemicals,’ have turned up almost everywhere in Minnesota — in water, soil, fish and wildlife. Now, scientists want to know how much PFAS are in the air and how the chemicals are moving through the environment. They’re using a simple and natural tool: pine needles. It turns out that coniferous needles make surprisingly good natural air monitors. They have a waxy surface that contaminants easily stick to.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4iigZu8
FOOD MOODS: Via NPR, VERBATIM: “When you hear the phrase ‘happy foods,’ which dishes come to mind? Many people think of sugary desserts or fatty fast foods, says Felice Jacka with the Food and Mood Centre at Deakin University, in Geelong, Australia. After all, in the U.S., we celebrate with cake and ice cream. Parties often feature pizza. Our Thanksgiving feasts usually end in an array of pies and whipped cream. But the idea that these foods will make you happy comes directly from advertisers, Jacka says. ‘People are like walking wallets to food companies,’ and they sell you this myth that eating these foods will make you feel good.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4ipcIoT
CONSTIPATION: From Mass General Brigham via Science Daily, VERBATIM: “A massive long-term study shows that Mediterranean and plant-based diets can help prevent chronic constipation in aging adults. Surprisingly, the benefits weren’t explained by fiber alone. Western and inflammatory diets raised constipation risk, while low-carb diets showed minimal impact. The research underscores how diet quality influences gut health well beyond traditional advice.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rqJ5aU
FRESH15: The latest season of Fresh15 includes interviews with new Minnesota House members. So far, five new members have shared their goals, background and fun facts before they take office in a historic session this January.
Rep. Kari Rehrauer
Rep. Wayne Johnson
Rep. Julie Greene
Rep. Keith Allen
Rep. Peter Johnson
Follow on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.TheDailyAgenda.com/Podcasts. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Telecom Alliance)
TALKING HEALTH
THANKSGIVING: Via Mayo Clinic, VERBATIM: “As you gather around the table this Thanksgiving to share meals, stories and traditions, consider taking a moment to talk about something that could save lives: your family’s health history. Mayo Clinic experts are encouraging families to use the holiday to identify these risks and take proactive steps toward prevention.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4afQDHd
DONALD GLOVER: Via USA Today, VERBATIM: “Donald Glover is opening up about his recent medical issues. While performing at Camp Flog Gnaw music festival in Los Angeles on Nov. 22, the rapper and ‘Community’ star, 42, revealed he had to cancel the rest of his tour in 2024 because he suffered a stroke.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3XejNip
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
WHOOPING COUGH: Via ABC News, VERBATIM: “More than 25,000 cases of whooping cough have been recorded in the U.S. so far this year, updated federal data shows. This marks the second year in a row with higher than usual cases, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). At the same time this year, around 33,000 cases reported.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ofXUdu
BRAIN: From Radiological Society via Science Daily, VERBATM: “Researchers report that people who have more muscle and a lower visceral fat to muscle ratio tend to show signs of a younger biological brain age. This conclusion comes from a study that will be presented next week at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Visceral fat refers to the fat stored deep in the abdomen around key internal organs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3XkT9nZ
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