Scott Alexander and 1DaySooner outline potential positive health policy initiatives that could emerge under three key Trump administration health appointees: Jim O'Neill, Marty Makary, and Jay Bhattacharya. Longer summary

This post discusses potential health policy proposals under a hypothetical second Trump administration, focusing on three key appointees and their possible initiatives. The piece examines Jim O'Neill as Deputy Secretary of HHS, highlighting his potential work on organ donation compensation and longevity research; Marty Makary as FDA Commissioner, discussing FDA transparency and regulatory improvements; and Jay Bhattacharya as NIH Director, exploring research funding reforms and challenge trials. Written in collaboration with 1DaySooner, the post specifically focuses on optimistic scenarios that could emerge from these appointments. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander proposes a hypothetical low-cost psychiatric practice to combat medical cost disease, exploring its potential and the barriers to its implementation. Longer summary

Scott Alexander explores the idea of creating a low-cost psychiatric practice called 'Cheap-O Psychiatry' to combat cost disease in medicine. He outlines a model that would significantly reduce overhead costs through telemedicine, self-booking, and direct payment, potentially offering appointments for as low as $35. The post discusses why such practices aren't more common, speculating on factors like the shortage of doctor-entrepreneurs, the dominance of insurance in the mid-range market, and the exhausting nature of rapid patient turnover. Scott suggests that such a venture might need to be done as a political protest to demonstrate the potential for cost reduction in healthcare. Shorter summary