Posted Thu, Nov 20, 1:16 p.m.

As a former neuroscientist, I have to wonder whether nature has its said restorative abilities by being inherently more interesting to our brains, or by just being plain different from what we urban dwellers typically experience. Whatever the reason, I will disclose that I have had near-religious experiences while climbing ...

Posted Tue, Oct 21, 9:47 p.m.

While science is a ho-hum issue in this campaign, it's important: whoever wins will steward the largest research agenda in the world. For a thorough look at the candidates' positions on scientific issues, I recommend Nature's election special: http://www.nature.com/news/specials/uselection2008/index.html

Posted Fri, Sep 5, 11:17 p.m.

update on Regence policy: Regence has changed its policy regarding coverage of speech-generating devices (SGDs), effective September 1, 2008. They have dropped their assertion that these devices are "investigational" in people with autism and mental retardation, which presumably opens the door to coverage in these cases. The updated policy can ...

Posted Wed, Jul 9, 2:19 p.m.

RE: Are SGDs Covered by Washington State?: Medicare covers them. As for state employees, it depends on the plan that they have. Some don't have exclusions, so it's likely they are covered. One state plan run by Aetna had an exclusion, which I understand is in the process of being ...

Posted Wed, Jul 2, 12:17 a.m.

RE: "Some abstract body of research": The comment is not about "throwing science under the bus" but whether there is room for clinical opinion--in addition to scientific literature--in making coverage decisions. Before requesting coverage for an SGD from their insurer, these people will have already tried and even made progress ...