Med-American Heart Institute

Description

The Med-American Heart Institute conducts double-blind studies on intercessory or remote prayer's effects on cardiac patients. Dr. Gwendolyn Chen cites its research, which shows an 11% reduction in cardiac events among prayed-for patients compared to controls. Toby and the White House staff reference the institute's findings alongside other institutions to evaluate Senator Hoebuck's demand for NIH funding of similar $115,000 research, treating it as credible evidence in a vote-trading negotiation over a foreign-aid bill.

Event Involvements

Events with structured involvement data

2 events

S4E12 · Guns Not Butter

Counting Votes, Buying Prayers

The Med-American Heart Institute is another institution Hoebuck references as contributing to a cluster of studies that he claims justify a broader NIH-funded trial.

Active Representation

Referenced by Hoebuck in support of the scientific claim.

Power Dynamics

Functions as supplemental authority to bolster Hoebuck's request, though its institutional clout is secondary to mainstream journals and federal agencies.

Institutional Impact

Their invocation shows how a chorus of smaller institutions can be marshaled to create the appearance of a research consensus for political ends.

Organizational Goals

Support further cardiovascular research Gain funding and recognition

Influence Mechanisms

Providing study data and institutional affiliation Serving as a name in a list of supportive references

S4E12 · Guns Not Butter

Prayer for a Vote — Hoebuck's Price

The Med‑American Heart Institute is referenced alongside other centers to suggest a pattern of corroborating studies that give Hoebuck's request apparent heft.

Active Representation

Cited by the senator as part of a list of institutions producing similar results.

Power Dynamics

Acts as part of a coalition of research institutions whose collective claims strengthen political bargaining power.

Institutional Impact

Its mention contributes to the political reframing of preliminary research into a fundable public policy question.

Internal Dynamics

Not specified in scene.

Organizational Goals

Seek validation for intercessory prayer research Potentially secure future grant support

Influence Mechanisms

Production of studies Association with peer institutions to imply consensus