The Doctor Will See Your Data Now

What's Happening

Health

The Doctor Will See Your Data Now

What's going on: Yesterday, the Trump administration unveiled its “Make Health Technology Great Again” initiative, which encourages millions of Americans to upload their medical records to systems run by private tech companies. President Donald Trump says the goal is to make it easier for patients to monitor their health and access their records (but joked he’d rather not see his own). The plan aims to “kill the clipboard” by replacing those dreaded doctor’s office forms with digital check-ins and centralized data. The system will focus on managing conditions like obesity and diabetes, while using tools like AI, QR codes, and tech to help patients check in, track medications, and monitor progress. Officials say it could launch early next year.

What it means: Although a world without annoying medical forms sounds nice, critics say the plan — led by an administration already pushing the legal limits on personal data — could pit patients’ craving for convenience against their expectation of medical privacy. However, participation is opt-in, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which will run the new program. Still, data experts warn the initiative could hand over sensitive health information — including doctors’ notes — to for-profit tech companies with little oversight. These critics say the new system puts too much power in the hands of participating apps like Noom, which plans to tap into Apple Health data to build AI-driven weight loss plans. That’s causing concern, especially given the US’s weak track record on regulating health apps.

Related: The CDC Has a New Leader, With a Specialty in Infectious Disease (CNN)

Politics

The Great American Map-Off

What's going on: Texas Republicans delivered President Trump an early Christmas gift Wednesday: a gerrymandered Congressional map proposal that could net the GOP up to five new red-leaning districts — and help preserve its razor-thin House majority during the midterms. This unusually timed, mid-decade redistricting (Congressional maps are typically drawn once a decade in response to the census; Texas’s last map was in 2021) came at Trump’s urging, according to The New York Times. If it passes, the new map would pack more Democrats into already-blue districts to carve out more red ones. It would also force some incumbents from both parties to run against each other. The new map will get a committee hearing on Friday, and Texas lawmakers have until Aug 19 to vote on it.

What it means: The proposed map is already fueling what one lawmaker called a “redistricting arms race.” Democratic leaders in California and New York already vowed to redraw their own maps before the Texas one was released. Others, like former President Barack Obama are throwing major resources into the fight. The House Majority PAC — Democrats’ main campaign fund — has pledged $20 million to target Texas incumbents during the midterms and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries flew to Austin Wednesday to huddle with Texas Democrats. But with a special session deadline closing in, a GOP-controlled Legislature, and a Republican governor, their options are limited — skipping the vote may be the only real move they’ve got.

Related: Kamala Harris Says She’s Not Running for Governor of California (NBC News)

Policy

The Pentagon Wants Off the Speech Circuit 

What's going on: It’s no secret that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has a more unorthodox leadership style than his predecessors. His latest move — suspending Pentagon participation in all think tank and research events — breaks with decades of precedent. The blanket ban came just days after the Department of Defense (DOD) backed out of the Aspen Security Forum, one of the most exclusive events in the national security sphere. The DOD called the event “the evil of globalism.” In a separate statement, the Pentagon said it wants to avoid “lending its name and credibility to organizations, forums, and events that run counter to the values of the administration.” Does this mean speechwriters go on vacation?

What it means: Think tanks and forums aren’t just about canapés and chitchat. The Pentagon has long used them to advance policy, shape public opinion, and size up both allies and adversaries. The situation has left staff confused. Anonymous officials told Politico they're not sure if the ban applies to all think tanks or just the ones President Donald Trump dislikes — a distinction that could inject partisanship into a traditionally neutral institution. As an expert put it to Politico, the DOD is “essentially shooting themselves in the foot.” 

Related: Trump Is Bucking Tradition By Interviewing Potential Four-Star Generals Himself (AP)

Settle This

Which iconic Julia Roberts movie is getting a sequel?

Game Time

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