$150 billion.
That’s how much revenue that’s up for grabs if/when mandated universal coverage becomes law.
Nov
1
Insight, analysis & opinion from Joe Paduda
Category: Health Policy
Oct
31
If GOP Presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani had been a British resident, he may well have died of prostate cancer. At least that’s what he claims.
He’s wrong.
Oct
30
I’ve noted that the Republican candidates’ health care platforms, to the extent they exist at all, are not resonating with ‘regular’ voters, while the other party’s are. A new poll indicates that the gap is growing.
Oct
23
I’ve been scratching my head over GOP legislators’ affirmation of Pres. Bush’s S-CHIP veto. From a political perspective, and is there any other in Washington, that move looks to be a sure loser. But the GOP’s own pollsters found two issues – immigration and ‘socialized medicine’ that convinced them otherwise .
That is political demagoguery of the worst kind – the bill specifically bans coverage of illegal immigrants, requires coverage of the poorest kids first, and severely restricts coverage for kids in families with incomes above 3x the poverty level.
Fortunately, it looks like the ‘R’s in Congress are starting to have second thoughts about their position on S-CHIP.
Oct
22
It depends on your definition, which depends on your objectivity.
This being an election season, GOP candidates are tripping over themselves to condemn any Democratic candidate’s platform as ‘socialized medicine’. Great soundbite, but what exactly does that mean?
And are the Clinton Edwards Richardson and Obama platforms ‘socialist’ approaches to health care?
Not exactly.
Oct
16
Taking our jobs, robbing our stores, staring at our womenfolk, speaking them funny langwidges, and using lots of health care. It’s no wonder the dam’ US of A is hurting, with all them furriners here.
Can’t speak to the jobs, robs, or staring, but I do know the complaints about illegal immigrants using lots of care and driving up our costs are wildly overstated.
Oct
15
A fake email from a fake Canadian has been circulating in cyberspace. It purports to help we Americans understand the problems inherent in mandated universal coverage by exposing the dark and dirty secrets of Canada’s dysfunctional health care system.
The complete debunking is provided below, but here are the key points
— each province has slightly different plans, with different funding mechanisms.
–These may or MAY NOT require payment of premiums or copays.
–Illegal immigrants are NOT covered by most provinces.
–Waiting lists have been declining for most services in most areas for the last several years.
–Most provincial plans cover almost all drugs, with some (relatively minor) exceptions.
Here’s the complete debunk of the faux Canadian email.
Oct
12
What’s missing from Sen. McCain’s new health care proposal is also absent from those put forth by Giuliani and Romney – any connection to the real world of the middle class. Their programs are heavy on tax policy with a dollop of FDA streamlining, accompanied by lofty paeans to the free market and reliance on individuals’ ability to make the right choices.
What they don’t do is increase the availability of insurance, reduce its cost, or address exclusions for pre-existing conditions. Yet these are precisely the problems faced by voters today.
Oct
11
Bob Laszewski’s indepth analysis of Sen. Clinton’s health care reform proposal is the best I’ve seen. This is a print-and-read-on-the-plane piece, and well worth the time.
Thanks to Bob for his yeoman work.
Oct
8
Health reform is coming. This looks to be a huge win for private insurers – millions of potential new members signing up for mandated coverage. Unless, of course, the industry proves itself completely incompetent.
That’s a real possibility.