Episode 20 of Debunk: Check out H-1B visas in healthcare, Bitcoin M&A deals and more
In response to the Trump administration's raising the price of new H-1B visas from $2,000 to $5,000 to $100,000. Arundhati Parmar, editor-in-chief of Medcity news editor, discussed the benefits and challenges of the program, targeting specifically the managing partner of Health Innovation Pitch, specifically for healthcare and healthcare.
“There are some legitimate concerns that employers abused the system, especially in my birth country India and benefited a lot,” Arundhati said. “I agree to criticize the program for being abused… On the other hand, we do not have enough math and scientific skills.”
Initially the details of the visa program changes were hazy, causing mass confusion as companies urged employees to cut short their travel plans and return to the US Technology companies have used the H-1B visa to address a shortage of computer science engineers within the US Although the healthcare industry has relied on the program for decades to bolster nurse and physical staffing, bringing professionals from Philippines and India, the numbers of H-1B visas issued in healthcare and medicine represent a small fraction in the 141,205 new H-1B visas issued in fiscal year 2024, according to the U.S. Immigration Commission.
Another theme raised in the latest version is the acquisition of equipment company Semlar Scientific by Bitcoin finance company Strive. Semlar has developed tests for peripheral arterial diseases and other chronic diseases. According to Cointelegraph, the combined company has 10,900 BTC, making it the 12th largest public Bitcoin holder. Samir shares insights on the impact of future merger and acquisition transactions and the role Bitcoin plays in these transactions. He also agreed to the risk that Bitcoin might exaggerate the value of the company based on its digital assets.
Last month, misinformation of a cause of autism spread by the Trump administration was widely criticized. President Donald Trump and HHS secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. often advise pregnant women to take Tylenol pain or high fever as a safer alternative to aspirin. Medicare and Medicaid Service Center administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz contradicted his boss and downplayed concerns about the drug.
To listen to the full podcast, check out the video here: Tylenol-autism Error Message | Debunking EP. 20 | Medcity News
