This is fourth post of a series concerning impact of the elections on US business, based on a program presented by the NACD’s New England Chapter.

Discussion started with the proposed Cabinet appointment of Kennedy, which was observed as obviously controversial and that confirmation was not assured but seemed likely; mention that, like Trump and Musk, Kennedy is a potential major disrupter (SH notes: as of the drafting of this post, word just came across the internet that the Gaetz appointment was withdrawn; and today’s press noted growing pressure against Kennedy confirmation; the panel was prescient about the power of the stock market as it was noted that the market was climbing steadily but as soon as Gaetz was proposed “the market fluttered” and the day after the panel program he has withdrawn).

Concern was expressed as to level of government financing for bio, pharma and all med-tech at the company and research hospital levels.  This fear seemed contrary to the general consensus that: this administration would be very pro-tech and pro science; the new administration is pro-business and will create an environment for VC/private capital which in turn often ends up in health care deals; profits must be kept high in med-tech because you need very expensive long-term research approved by the FDA and some projects will fail, so it is important to assure sources of finance to this sector.  This latter point feeds into the optimistic and startling prediction made by one panelist that: humankind now is entering the apex period of scientific progress which will in fact reconstruct all society by 2035 including the development thru AI of cures for all diseases including serums for cancer.

This led to a discussion of the appointment of Dr. Oz to run Medicare/Medicaid. He was evaluated as follows (without express reference to press concerns as to his prior therapeutic endorsements): he is a surgeon, he knows the issues, but there are “no guarantees.”

There was much discussion of a crisis in the support of the ailing and elderly.  At present longevity models the social security system is in danger, and if the prophesy is true that AI will drive great progress in longevity by curing everything up to and including cancer, then the costs of Medicare/Medicaid are going to grow due to new expensive treatments and enhanced longevity itself.