Author Archives: waterlooatx

A primer on the cost of prescription drugs

For thirteen years I worked as a medical director, chief medical officer and executive VP for medical affairs in the health insurance industry.  One of my responsibilities in those roles was to manage the cost of prescription drugs for health plan members.  I oversaw prescription drug formulary development and implementation, determined benefits for covered drugs, and forContinue reading “A primer on the cost of prescription drugs”

Pandemic update 2: It is time for Public Health Officials to take charge

I wrote this essay one day after the unbelievable assault on the US Capitol.  The news for almost 48 hours was completely focused on this event.  In the meantime, each day saw a new record for deaths caused by Covid-19 in the United States.  4,051 Americans died from Covid-19 infection on January 7. Not only is the pandemicContinue reading “Pandemic update 2: It is time for Public Health Officials to take charge”

Term limits for politicians – get involved in the primary election process

As 2020 has finally come to an end, certainly everyone must be frustrated with our federal elected representatives.  After Congress finally passed a bill in late December to provide relief for the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and to fund the federal government for the 2021 fiscal year, President Trump refused to sign the billContinue reading “Term limits for politicians – get involved in the primary election process”

Pandemic update: What do we do now?

When Austin Mayor Steve Adler cancelled the South by Southwest Conference and Festivals on March 6, 2020, I was surprised.  Honestly, I am not sure that I could have made that decision at that time.  It was one of the first major events in the world to be cancelled or postponed.  It wasn’t until three weeks later thatContinue reading “Pandemic update: What do we do now?”

How to Operate a profitable Austin Convention Center (hint: you can’t)

7.8.2025 You may have noticed that Comic Con Austin is at the Cedar Park HEB Center this year. Or maybe you didn’t. You may also not have noticed that the Austin Convention Center is closed for a $1.6 billion renovation that is expected to take at least 4 years. Will anybody actually notice that itContinue reading “How to Operate a profitable Austin Convention Center (hint: you can’t)”

Crime in Downtown Austin – APD CrimeViewer

Crime in Downtown Austin – APD CrimeViewer The Austin Police Department has an application on-line called CrimeViewer where you can review crimes reported in Austin.  You can review at the city level, by Council District, by APD district, by zip code and by several other filters.  Crimes are segregated into two FBI reporting categories, Part 1 CrimesContinue reading “Crime in Downtown Austin – APD CrimeViewer”

Money and Politics

Money and Politics – Political Campaigns Now that the 2020 election is over, it is a good time to think about solutions to the broken system that we have for electing our public servants.  I think everyone of any political persuasion would agree that the main problem with politics today is the influence of money.    ThereContinue reading “Money and Politics”

The Affordable Care Act – should we keep it?

The short answer is yes – while imperfect, the Affordable Care Act has done what it was intended to do – provide healthcare insurance coverage to millions of people.  And if there was something better, it would have been proposed by someone by now. On November 10, 2020 the Supreme Court heard arguments from the solicitorsContinue reading “The Affordable Care Act – should we keep it?”