Rick Weinmeyer
@rickweinmeyer.bsky.social
Assistant Professor - Loyola University Chicago Law • PhD - Northwestern, JD - Minnesota • I study public health law, public health ethics & health policy • A blend of serious and humor • Like, super gay 🏳️🌈
What was air travel like in the 1950s?
Wild guess: Sex stereotypes, vicious sexual harassment, and cigarettes.
Wild guess: Sex stereotypes, vicious sexual harassment, and cigarettes.
Sean Duffy Longs for the ‘Golden Age’ of Air Travel. What Was That Like?
www.nytimes.com
November 28, 2025 at 12:23 AM
What was air travel like in the 1950s?
Wild guess: Sex stereotypes, vicious sexual harassment, and cigarettes.
Wild guess: Sex stereotypes, vicious sexual harassment, and cigarettes.
It is time to recognize one of America's most hallowed and cherished annual traditions: Toyotathon.
November 26, 2025 at 9:39 PM
It is time to recognize one of America's most hallowed and cherished annual traditions: Toyotathon.
A puzzling decision given that President Trump's mentor was Roy Cohn, a man who died from complications related to AIDS.
1/ ⚠️ Breaking: At CDC, we've been told the US Government will not officially commemorate World AIDS Day this year. No explanation given.
November 25, 2025 at 6:42 PM
A puzzling decision given that President Trump's mentor was Roy Cohn, a man who died from complications related to AIDS.
Reposted by Rick Weinmeyer
I wrote for @lpeblog.bsky.social about @alybatt.bsky.social's new book—which, I argue, shows how the critique of political economy can allow us to clearly name the social cause of climate catastrophe: capital. lpeproject.org/blog/when-na...
When Nature is Worthless
Under capitalism, the social domination of nature occurs through and is mediated by the commodity form. Certain portions of non-human nature can be valued, but only when they are transformed into…
lpeproject.org
November 18, 2025 at 11:51 AM
I wrote for @lpeblog.bsky.social about @alybatt.bsky.social's new book—which, I argue, shows how the critique of political economy can allow us to clearly name the social cause of climate catastrophe: capital. lpeproject.org/blog/when-na...
This administration just wants us to celebrate Thanksgiving in the most traditional ways possible: children ravaged by diphtheria, widespread hunger, and my personal favorite: I shall be crushed by stones as punishment for witchcraft.
November 25, 2025 at 6:25 PM
This administration just wants us to celebrate Thanksgiving in the most traditional ways possible: children ravaged by diphtheria, widespread hunger, and my personal favorite: I shall be crushed by stones as punishment for witchcraft.
Reposted by Rick Weinmeyer
A Louisiana health official who ordered his health department to stop promoting mass vaccinations this past winter during a surge in influenza cases has been tapped to serve as the new number two leader at the CDC.
New leader tapped for CDC had stopped pushing vaccines amid flu surge
Ralph Abraham, a Louisiana health official who stopped promoting mass vaccination vaccines, has been appointed as the CDC's principal deputy director
www.washingtonpost.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:15 PM
A Louisiana health official who ordered his health department to stop promoting mass vaccinations this past winter during a surge in influenza cases has been tapped to serve as the new number two leader at the CDC.
Reposted by Rick Weinmeyer
Interested in the ethics of using AI in health insurance coverage decisions? Join @umnconsortium.bsky.social to learn more.
December 10, Noon–1:30pm
Featured speakers include:
@danielschwarcz.bsky.social, @jennoliva.bsky.social, and Isaac Kohane
🔗z.umn.edu/AIHealth
December 10, Noon–1:30pm
Featured speakers include:
@danielschwarcz.bsky.social, @jennoliva.bsky.social, and Isaac Kohane
🔗z.umn.edu/AIHealth
November 24, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Interested in the ethics of using AI in health insurance coverage decisions? Join @umnconsortium.bsky.social to learn more.
December 10, Noon–1:30pm
Featured speakers include:
@danielschwarcz.bsky.social, @jennoliva.bsky.social, and Isaac Kohane
🔗z.umn.edu/AIHealth
December 10, Noon–1:30pm
Featured speakers include:
@danielschwarcz.bsky.social, @jennoliva.bsky.social, and Isaac Kohane
🔗z.umn.edu/AIHealth
Really looking forward to Jim Comey’s 3-part memoir about this event, entitled “Vengeance, Dismissed.”
November 24, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Really looking forward to Jim Comey’s 3-part memoir about this event, entitled “Vengeance, Dismissed.”
My favorite law professor @jillhasday.bsky.social on one of my favorite podcasts! Fabulous!
You can get Prof. Jill Hasday's book WE THE MEN: How Forgetting Women's Struggles for Equality Perpetuates Inequality from our friends at bookshop dot org here:
bookshop.org/p/books/we-t...
@jillhasday.bsky.social @profmmurray.bsky.social @leahlitman.bsky.social @kateshaw.bsky.social
bookshop.org/p/books/we-t...
@jillhasday.bsky.social @profmmurray.bsky.social @leahlitman.bsky.social @kateshaw.bsky.social
We the Men: How Forgetting Women's Struggles for Equality Perpetuates Inequality
How Forgetting Women's Struggles for Equality Perpetuates Inequality
bookshop.org
November 24, 2025 at 2:00 PM
My favorite law professor @jillhasday.bsky.social on one of my favorite podcasts! Fabulous!
Latest story/investigation: "Can you believe how insane RFK, Jr. is and how he is a charlatan, a narcissist, and an unfathomable danger to public health and medicine?!?!"
Me [not reading the story]: "Yup."
Me [not reading the story]: "Yup."
November 24, 2025 at 5:35 AM
Latest story/investigation: "Can you believe how insane RFK, Jr. is and how he is a charlatan, a narcissist, and an unfathomable danger to public health and medicine?!?!"
Me [not reading the story]: "Yup."
Me [not reading the story]: "Yup."
What a sad but touching essay. And what an indictment of her horrible cousin, RFK, Jr.
Finally, an observation I'm onboard with:
"I have never encountered a group of people who are more competent, more full of grace and empathy, more willing to serve others than nurses. Nurses should take over."
Finally, an observation I'm onboard with:
"I have never encountered a group of people who are more competent, more full of grace and empathy, more willing to serve others than nurses. Nurses should take over."
A Battle with My Blood
When I was diagnosed with leukemia, my first thought was that this couldn’t be happening to me, to my family.
www.newyorker.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:45 AM
What a sad but touching essay. And what an indictment of her horrible cousin, RFK, Jr.
Finally, an observation I'm onboard with:
"I have never encountered a group of people who are more competent, more full of grace and empathy, more willing to serve others than nurses. Nurses should take over."
Finally, an observation I'm onboard with:
"I have never encountered a group of people who are more competent, more full of grace and empathy, more willing to serve others than nurses. Nurses should take over."
I'm looking for water that's medium thick.
The Trump administration this week moved to weaken the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act, among other deregulatory moves. If the proposals are finalized and upheld in court, they could reshape U.S. environmental policy for years to come, environmental lawyers and activists said.
In One Week, Trump Moves to Reshape U.S. Environmental Policy
The Trump administration this week moved to weaken the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act, two bedrock laws, among other deregulatory moves.
nyti.ms
November 22, 2025 at 10:55 PM
I'm looking for water that's medium thick.
"Racist has racist past."
Twenty people allege he has a racist past. He denies it. Who’s telling the truth about Farage’s schooldays?
Reform UK’s leader refuses to answer questions about his abusive behaviour, claiming there’s ‘no evidence’. We talk to victims and witnesses
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:51 PM
"Racist has racist past."
"Sean Duffy Wants You to Stop Wearing PJs on the Plane"
November 22, 2025 at 7:54 PM
"Sean Duffy Wants You to Stop Wearing PJs on the Plane"
When I think there's too much to worry about, there are always prion diseases.
"Experts say that without anyone looking for these deviations from normal . . . cases could easily go unnoticed, & it will be too late to implement public health measures that could mitigate some of these consequences."
"Experts say that without anyone looking for these deviations from normal . . . cases could easily go unnoticed, & it will be too late to implement public health measures that could mitigate some of these consequences."
While no one was watching: Tenuous status of CDC prion unit, risk of CWD to people worry scientists
www.cidrap.umn.edu
November 22, 2025 at 4:44 AM
When I think there's too much to worry about, there are always prion diseases.
"Experts say that without anyone looking for these deviations from normal . . . cases could easily go unnoticed, & it will be too late to implement public health measures that could mitigate some of these consequences."
"Experts say that without anyone looking for these deviations from normal . . . cases could easily go unnoticed, & it will be too late to implement public health measures that could mitigate some of these consequences."
This could be a great superseding cause for a torts exam.
Motorist in North Carolina tells 911: 'I just had a bald eagle drop a cat through my windshield'
A motorist in western North Carolina escaped injury when a cat carcass crashed into her windshield. The incident happened along a highway near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
apnews.com
November 22, 2025 at 3:57 AM
This could be a great superseding cause for a torts exam.
Their father's abandonment "gave the sisters a life mission: to become successful enough to buy their mother a home of her own. Eventually, they did.
'We had already decided as children against the idea of marriage. Men really never had a chance.'”
'We had already decided as children against the idea of marriage. Men really never had a chance.'”
Alice and Ellen Kessler, ’60s Singing Sensations, Die at 89
www.nytimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:29 AM
Their father's abandonment "gave the sisters a life mission: to become successful enough to buy their mother a home of her own. Eventually, they did.
'We had already decided as children against the idea of marriage. Men really never had a chance.'”
'We had already decided as children against the idea of marriage. Men really never had a chance.'”
Having just finished the series, the next time I'm in Texas, I expect "The Hunting Wives" treatment, by which I mean I want to be shot on lakefront property and devoured by boars.
November 21, 2025 at 3:51 AM
Having just finished the series, the next time I'm in Texas, I expect "The Hunting Wives" treatment, by which I mean I want to be shot on lakefront property and devoured by boars.
Reason 8,238 to never go on a cruise.
As cruise travel hits record demand, cases of sexual assault on ships have also risen. Many accusers learn that the rights they had on land don’t always apply.
For Victims of Sexual Assault on Cruise Ships, Justice Can Be Elusive
As cruise travel hits record demand, cases of sexual assault have also risen. Many accusers learn that the rights they had on land don’t always apply.
nyti.ms
November 19, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Reason 8,238 to never go on a cruise.
I still need to read the New Yorker piece, but this rendering of Kash Patel is perfect.
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
Kash Patel’s Acts of Service
The F.B.I. director isn’t just enforcing the President’s agenda at the Bureau—he’s seeking retribution for its past investigations of Donald Trump.
www.newyorker.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:40 PM
I still need to read the New Yorker piece, but this rendering of Kash Patel is perfect.
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
How I will feel until . . . well, hell if I actually know.
November 19, 2025 at 1:05 AM
How I will feel until . . . well, hell if I actually know.
Taking a moment to give a quick shoutout to our INCREDIBLE librarians at Loyola's School of Law. Without the help of Ramsey Donnell and Emma Valek, I'd probably be dead.
November 18, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Taking a moment to give a quick shoutout to our INCREDIBLE librarians at Loyola's School of Law. Without the help of Ramsey Donnell and Emma Valek, I'd probably be dead.
Monday
First ever human case of H5N5 avian flu confirmed in Washington state
Previous human detections in the United States have involved the H5N1 strain.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/a...
Previous human detections in the United States have involved the H5N1 strain.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/a...
November 17, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Monday
When the AMA endorsed Tom Price as HHS Secretary (the first time it had publicly done so), I complained at an all-staff meeting. I was told, "Single-payer health care is never happening; Dr. Price is a good choice."
He lasted 7 months & resigned because of his love of private jet travel on govt $$
He lasted 7 months & resigned because of his love of private jet travel on govt $$
Tomorrow, the AMA is giving a platform to Dr. Oz — CMS Administrator destroying Medicare and Medicaid.
Residents can’t freely dissent or the AMA will punish them.
This isn’t “dialogue.” It’s coercion.
We wrote the position statement the AMA won’t.
Document link:
drive.proton.me/urls/9CR5SB3...
Residents can’t freely dissent or the AMA will punish them.
This isn’t “dialogue.” It’s coercion.
We wrote the position statement the AMA won’t.
Document link:
drive.proton.me/urls/9CR5SB3...
![REPORT OF THE AD HOC WORKING GROUP ON PHYSICIAN WORKFORCE CONDITIONS, SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY, AND RESIDENT ORGANIZING IN THE POST-2020 POLICY ENVIRONMENT
Position Statement on the Dr. Mehmet Oz Event: Threats to Scientific Integrity and the Coercion of Resident Physicians
Executive Summary
The American medical profession is undergoing a structural realignment driven by three converging forces: the accelerating unionization of resident physicians [1]; the collapse of scientific and public‑health norms in the United States due to the political capture of federal agencies [2]; and a widening gap between the priorities of organized medicine’s legacy institutions and the lived reality of trainees. Medical students and residents now occupy the most precarious position in the physician workforce while simultaneously holding the greatest leverage to redirect the profession’s trajectory.
The present moment is shaped by the consolidation of political power by the current Republican administration and the placement of high‑profile COVID‑19 contrarians—individuals whose pandemic‑era claims were repeatedly discredited—into leadership roles within federal science and health agencies [3]. This shift has destabilized traditional assumptions about evidence‑based governance, regulatory oversight, and the civic role of physicians.
Meanwhile, the resident workforce—the backbone of the U.S. hospital system—faces unprecedented strain: declining inflation‑adjusted wages, chronic understaffing, escalating retaliation risks, and high levels of burnout. Residents organizing through CIR/SEIU have secured major gains across the country [4], while the AMA has only recently adopted policies supportive of collective bargaining for residents.
This report outlines the structural dynamics shaping the profession, the interaction between political disinformation and medical licensure, the implications for trainees, and recommendations for coordinated action between CIR, medical students, and aligned…](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:nqarhi3oedy4dv6uv5sdoi4r/bafkreibfns5dabf36wpntpmf2hqunebhsflyg4tzxwsszlizjlpix3rpmm@jpeg)
![1997 Balanced Budget Act [6]. These decisions often relied on the belief that physician oversupply would reduce quality or compress income.
COVID‑19 exposed the fragility of this system. Several U.S.-licensed physicians—including some with academic affiliations—used their credentials to oppose public‑health measures and promote unproven treatments. Their claims were amplified by political networks and media ecosystems, contributing to public distrust and increased mortality [7].
Disciplinary action against these physicians was rare. State medical boards were slow or unwilling to intervene [8]. Meanwhile, prominent contrarian physicians consolidated political influence and now occupy key federal health leadership roles.
II. Recent Developments Affecting Trainees
Residents have responded to worsening conditions by organizing at an unprecedented rate. CIR/SEIU now represents tens of thousands of residents across major academic systems. Recent wins include wage increases, due‑process rights, parental‑leave expansions, and improved safety provisions [9].
Medical students increasingly view collective action as the only viable mechanism for improving training conditions. This generational shift is redefining the culture of medicine and the relationship between physicians and institutional authority.
The AMA, historically ambivalent toward physician unionization, adopted policy in 2024 recognizing the legitimacy of resident collective bargaining [10]. However, the AMA’s primary legislative focus remains national scope‑of‑practice battles and physician payment reform, leaving trainees without a national body focused primarily on workplace safety, retaliation protections, or fair compensation.
III. Scientific Integrity Under Political Pressure
The integration of discredited COVID‑19 contrarian physicians into federal leadership represents a fundamental change in the environment for scientific practice [11]. Their elevation undermines the authority of evidence‑based instit…](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:nqarhi3oedy4dv6uv5sdoi4r/bafkreih5migf4gkghfc2latv7hvx7g25dj57e5bjtxsc4ppt25dpkoi2cy@jpeg)
![Third, trainees who advocate for evidence‑based care may face institutional retaliation, while physicians spreading disinformation face minimal consequences. This asymmetry distorts the professional environment and pushes trainees toward organized collective protection.
IV. Areas of Alignment and Conflict Between AMA Policy and Trainee Needs
While the AMA and resident unions share interest in scientific integrity and physician well‑being, their priorities diverge significantly. Residents require safe staffing, fair compensation, due‑process protections, and freedom from retaliation. The AMA has historically prioritized national legislative battles (such as scope‑of‑practice) over the day‑to‑day realities of residency training.
However, the rise of political interference in scientific institutions creates an emerging area of alignment: both trainees and segments of organized medicine recognize that defending evidence‑based practice is essential to the profession’s future.
V. Risk Assessment for Trainees in the Current Environment
Trainees now operate in a structurally unstable ecosystem shaped by political capture of federal science agencies [12], increasing right‑wing disinformation targeting medicine [13], academic‑center fragility, declining public trust, weak state board enforcement, and widespread vulnerability to employer retaliation.
These forces combine to create a historic level of risk for trainees, and senior leadership has not adequately communicated these stakes to medical students or residents.
VI. Recommendations for Residents, Students, and CIR Leadership
Residents must assert themselves as central actors in the profession’s future. Recommendations include strengthening organizing capacity across academic centers, building communication channels independent of employer oversight, establishing reporting pathways for retaliation or scientific interference, coordinating with allied organizations (including the AMA when aligned), creating educational…](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:nqarhi3oedy4dv6uv5sdoi4r/bafkreiae5c47yson4c7by3jrtyk4yiaat5xeouuxvgte6j3djbzg3ezkam@jpeg)
November 17, 2025 at 6:40 AM
When the AMA endorsed Tom Price as HHS Secretary (the first time it had publicly done so), I complained at an all-staff meeting. I was told, "Single-payer health care is never happening; Dr. Price is a good choice."
He lasted 7 months & resigned because of his love of private jet travel on govt $$
He lasted 7 months & resigned because of his love of private jet travel on govt $$