- Social:
journalist and author
Journalist and author of America's Bitter Pill: Money, Politics, Back-Room Deals, and the Fight to Fix Our Broken Healthcare System
PROFILE
Steven Brill
Guest
FROM Steven Brill
To the Point
Are we safer than we were before 9/11? In the 15 years since the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were attacked on September 11, the US has spent no less than a trillion dollars to shore up the security measures that failed that day and in the aftermath. New protections have also been implemented. Photo by redjar But, veteran investigative reporter Steven Brill says much of the money's been wasted — in part because we've been preparing for the last attack instead of getting ready to deal with the next one. His cover story in next month's Atlantic Magazine asks the question, "Are We Any Safer?"
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Johnson & Johnson Under Fire In 1994, Johnson & Johnson started selling an anti-psychotic drug called Risperdal. The FDA approved it for adults with schizophrenia, but it expressly forbade Johnson & Johnson from marketing Risperdal to treat children and the elderly—there were too many dangerous side effects. Nevertheless, for more than a decade, that’s exactly what Johnson & Johnson did . And despite government sanctions for its behavior, and thousands of lawsuits, the company made billions in profits. Photo by Housed
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
“Bitter Pill” Last year, journalist Steven Brill was putting the finishing touches on his big book on America’s healthcare system. He was intimately familiar with its massive problems, which can be boiled down to this: it is by far the most expensive health care system in the world, and yet Americans’ health isn’t improving. Brill was just about finished when he found himself strapped to a gurney, about to have open heart surgery. He joins Madeleine to discuss what he learned from that experience and how it dovetailed with his reporting, which is chronicled in his new book.
Recommended
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Gov. Jerry Brown: California and China will fight climate change together President Donald Trump reportedly wants the U.S. to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord, and he’s expected to announce a decision soon. California Governor Jerry Brown heads to China to strengthen climate and clean energy ties.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Why is Trump so behind on filling staff jobs, establishing concrete policies? Yesterday Donald Trump signed a “decision memo” to revamp the air traffic control system. But there was little legislative detail in the plan. There’s not much to other splashy announcements from the White House, including tax cuts and the arms deal with Saudi Arabia. And hundreds of positions are unfilled in federal agencies.
The Business
Industry insights and lessons learned from memorable guests We have interesting guests on The Business, and sometimes our conversations are too long to fit into one show. This week we give you stories that were too good to leave on the cutting room floor, including some sharp insights on making it in the industry from David Mandel, David Simon, Shawn Levy and Matt Reeves.
Design and Architecture
Securing Public Spaces, Super Wealthy Asians Vehicles are increasingly being used as weapons, as seen in the London Bridge attack over the weekend and in New York’s Times Square last month. The Compton-based company Calpipe is designing security bollards to help make public spaces safer. And novelist Kevin Kwan satirizes the “crazy rich” Asian jet set and their luxurious tastes in his latest book, “Rich People Problems.”