Speed Doesn’t Cure ADHD, UHC At Home Layoffs, Tariffs To Fuel Medical Inflation

Hey all,

Happy Monday! A Sunday NY Times article reminded of why I stopped taking medications to treat my A.D.H.D. The fact that we use amphetamines and other stimulants to treat A.D.H.D. in small children is really messed up. Roughly 15 years removed from taking my meds, I realize how much happier I am using other methods to help me concentrate. Enjoy the rundown!

Jacob Brody (Co-Founder & CEO, ZorroRX)

(The New York Times) A.D.H.D. Medication and Diagnosis

New research and long-term studies are challenging conventional views of A.D.H.D., revealing that stimulant medications like Ritalin and Adderall, while effective at improving short-term behavior, offer limited long-term academic or cognitive benefits and may come with significant side effects. Scientists argue that A.D.H.D. may not be a fixed brain disorder but rather a context-dependent condition influenced by environment, suggesting that treatment should focus more on adapting surroundings than correcting biology. This shift urges families and clinicians to reconsider rigid medical models in favor of more personalized, flexible approaches. Full Article

(The Frontier Psychiatrists) UnitedHealth Group Layoffs and Optum at Home Closure

My good friend Dr. Owen Muir reports that UnitedHealth Group is shutting down its Home-Based Medical Care (HBMC) and Optum at Home divisions by the end of April. Employees were informed in a brief, scripted meeting, with layoffs scheduled for April 24 and limited opportunities for internal redeployment. PTO was revoked for affected staff on that date, confirming the timeline for the reduction in force. Full Article

(Employer Coverage) Tariffs Could Fuel Further Medical Inflation

 New and potential tariffs on global imports could significantly raise U.S. healthcare costs by increasing prices for medical devices, supplies, and pharmaceutical ingredients—many of which are sourced internationally. These rising costs, combined with ongoing economic uncertainty, could drive higher insurance premiums for employers, disrupt drug supply chains (especially for generics), and lead to more restrictive health plans or coverage shifts. Employers will have to monitor tariff developments closely as a key factor influencing future medical inflation. Full Article