Before getting into the specifics of this entry, I am a firm believer in American exceptionalism. We are “not just another country” out of many. We have been a beacon at times when the world was dark- World War II, the Cold War, a stand against Islamofascism (until Obama came along). People from around the world immigrate to our shores- sometimes legally, sometimes illegally- to | Read More »
Following the health care decision this morning on the Internet as it unfolded with CNN blaring in the background, I was, like most readers here, surprised. Incidentally, while CNN’s Wolf Blitzer was announcing the mandate was struck down and lining up liberal talking heads to comment, the Internet was reporting, correctly, the opposite. Jeffrey Toobin apologies aside for the initial confusion, it is quite evident | Read More »
WOW!!! Just wow!!!
Often overlooked in Election Day coverage, ballot questions are an example of direct democracy in practice. Although I would not want a California style “anything goes” system, sometimes the questions presented are of paramount importance. Not every state as of this writing has ballot initiatives in November. For those that do, some are of strictly local interest or tweak state government organization or operations. So, | Read More »
For anyone who has read this series, it is obvious that it stands as the anti-Obamacare solution to health care reform in this country. It is based upon the premise that informed consumer choice and competition- two hallmarks of a free market- are the mechanisms that will drive health care costs down and make it easier for most to have insurance. Even if not, there | Read More »
Medicaid was established in 1965 to address the health care needs of those in poverty. Unlike Medicare-which is a federal program- Medicaid is run by the states. Today, it is available to those whose household income is at or below 133% of the federal poverty level (FPL). Funding is achieved from dedicated federal and state general fund expenditures. In 2008, the federal government spent $208 | Read More »
One thing that struck this writer when Obamacare was debated was how readily the liberals dropped the notion of universal health care covered by the government. Of course, I soon realized that Obamacare was a backdoor way of achieving that goal. By making it financially unfeasible for employers to offer insurance, for example, Obama and company knew full well these people would be dumped onto | Read More »
Among the fourth actor, suppliers, the biggest culprit is the pharmaceutical industry. To illustrate the nonsense of Obamacare, it is rather hypocritical that medical supply companies were hit with taxes while the drug companies were left alone in exchange for a promise to keep prices in check. Part of the problem with drug prices is the cost in developing new drugs. The FDA is charged | Read More »
The third actor in health care reform is the provider- mainly hospitals and physicians. During the 1990s, there was a general shift towards chain hospitals through mergers and acquisitions. Citing economy of scale, they were permitted unabated. Unfortunately, this tipped the balance towards hospitals in terms of bargaining power with insurers, especially HMOs which saw a decline in popularity after the 1990s. By nature, chain | Read More »
Insurance companies are the demonized actor in health care. A realistic look at the situation reveals that they have to invariably work through a maze of government regulations and mandates that hamper their ability to service policy holders. There is no shortage of stories of insurance company abuses and policy holder sob stories before Congress. Looked at in isolation, the story is troubling. From 1998-2008, | Read More »
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