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Our “healthcare system” is deeply, deeply broken, and it is destroying lives all across America.
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me
Sep 11, 2019, 6:04:46 PM9/11/19
to
Indoarsman
Sep 11, 2019, 9:46:18 PM9/11/19
to
Hello, 'me'. I'm glad to see 👀 that hurricane Dorian didn't put you in the hospital. Hospitals and MD's charge the patients who survive so much in order to make up for the lost revenue from all the patients who don't survive.
Eugene FitzAubrey 👾
Eugene FitzAubrey 👾
me
Sep 11, 2019, 10:19:05 PM9/11/19
to
Well, Dorian did vier left and missed us. That was good. But yesterday it was off to the dentist (in the nearby hospital) just to cement over the remains to prevent decay after a crown came off while eating popcorn. It took him about 15 minutes and cost $320. It will probably cost a lot more to replace once back in the states.
maxw...@my-deja.com
Sep 12, 2019, 6:51:19 AM9/12/19
to
On Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at 6:04:46 PM UTC-4, me wrote:
> https://www.zerohedge.com/health/why-so-many-americans-are-deathly-afraid-going-hospital
I had to go look at Michael's photo and make sure it was not me.
I have been saying the same thing for 30 years. The US political body
has allowed this to happen because of inaction, and now that the
industry has become so enriched, they are going to spend loads of money
(that could have been used to help people)to prevent any action that
may actually bring fairness into the system.
Insurance companies that started pushing the consumer direct health plans
with high deductibles are fooling everyone. If they really wanted it
to be consumer directed then they would provide their members with
actual cost data so their members could make better choices. None of
them do that. It was really just a measure to cut payouts while raising premiums.
The FDA purpose is supposed to be ensuring safe food and medicine.
The people that run it like the rest of the govt. have done things
that are evident that they serve another purpose. They allow patent
tweaks to be approved. They don't approve effective, competing drugs for
use and provide weak rationale for not approving them. They allow cheap
drugs that have been around for decades to be restricted for use by
one company so that they can gouge the patients. The FDA is nothing
but a corrupt govt. agency that serves the pharmaceutical and food
industries.
Pharmaceutical sales people with little or no education make
triple the pay of nurses and other health care professionals.
Most Americans are not aware that they are subsidizing other nations
drug costs.
Sewage laden seafood is allowed into the US from all over the world
but drugs imported from Canada or other nations can't be imported
directly.
Any American with half a brain and their eyes and ears open can
see through the facade.
There are some simple acts of fairness that can be implemented in
a Patient Bill of Rights that all politicians say they support, but
will make sure that it never passes, even though 70% of the US economy
would benefit but at the expense of some in the medical industry.
> https://www.zerohedge.com/health/why-so-many-americans-are-deathly-afraid-going-hospital
I had to go look at Michael's photo and make sure it was not me.
I have been saying the same thing for 30 years. The US political body
has allowed this to happen because of inaction, and now that the
industry has become so enriched, they are going to spend loads of money
(that could have been used to help people)to prevent any action that
may actually bring fairness into the system.
Insurance companies that started pushing the consumer direct health plans
with high deductibles are fooling everyone. If they really wanted it
to be consumer directed then they would provide their members with
actual cost data so their members could make better choices. None of
them do that. It was really just a measure to cut payouts while raising premiums.
The FDA purpose is supposed to be ensuring safe food and medicine.
The people that run it like the rest of the govt. have done things
that are evident that they serve another purpose. They allow patent
tweaks to be approved. They don't approve effective, competing drugs for
use and provide weak rationale for not approving them. They allow cheap
drugs that have been around for decades to be restricted for use by
one company so that they can gouge the patients. The FDA is nothing
but a corrupt govt. agency that serves the pharmaceutical and food
industries.
Pharmaceutical sales people with little or no education make
triple the pay of nurses and other health care professionals.
Most Americans are not aware that they are subsidizing other nations
drug costs.
Sewage laden seafood is allowed into the US from all over the world
but drugs imported from Canada or other nations can't be imported
directly.
Any American with half a brain and their eyes and ears open can
see through the facade.
There are some simple acts of fairness that can be implemented in
a Patient Bill of Rights that all politicians say they support, but
will make sure that it never passes, even though 70% of the US economy
would benefit but at the expense of some in the medical industry.
maxw...@my-deja.com
Sep 12, 2019, 6:53:58 AM9/12/19
to
On Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at 10:19:05 PM UTC-4, me wrote:
> Well, Dorian did vier left and missed us. That was good. But yesterday it was off to the dentist (in the nearby hospital) just to cement over the remains to prevent decay after a crown came off while eating popcorn. It took him about 15 minutes and cost $320. It will probably cost a lot more to replace once back in the states.
I suppose that is what led you to post the article?
> Well, Dorian did vier left and missed us. That was good. But yesterday it was off to the dentist (in the nearby hospital) just to cement over the remains to prevent decay after a crown came off while eating popcorn. It took him about 15 minutes and cost $320. It will probably cost a lot more to replace once back in the states.
maxw...@my-deja.com
Sep 12, 2019, 6:57:58 AM9/12/19
to
On Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at 9:46:18 PM UTC-4, Indoarsman wrote:
> Hello, 'me'. I'm glad to see 👀 that hurricane Dorian didn't put you in the hospital. Hospitals and MD's charge the patients who survive so much in order to make up for the lost revenue from all the patients who don't survive.
In any other industry, it is known as "price gouging" and it is illegal.
> Hello, 'me'. I'm glad to see 👀 that hurricane Dorian didn't put you in the hospital. Hospitals and MD's charge the patients who survive so much in order to make up for the lost revenue from all the patients who don't survive.
Too many Americans find excuses to keep believing there is good reason
it is this way. Sometimes lying to yourself feels better than admitting
that there is something wrong.
>
> Eugene FitzAubrey 👾
me
Sep 12, 2019, 9:53:32 AM9/12/19
to
me
Sep 12, 2019, 10:06:22 AM9/12/19
to
On Thursday, September 12, 2019 at 6:51:19 AM UTC-4, maxw...@my-deja.com wrote:
> On Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at 6:04:46 PM UTC-4, me wrote:
> > https://www.zerohedge.com/health/why-so-many-americans-are-deathly-afraid-going-hospital
>
> I had to go look at Michael's photo and make sure it was not me.
>
> I have been saying the same thing for 30 years. The US political body
> has allowed this to happen because of inaction, and now that the
> industry has become so enriched, they are going to spend loads of money
> (that could have been used to help people)to prevent any action that
> may actually bring fairness into the system.
>
Fairness is in the eye of the beholder. When the consumer can shift costs to others (private or public insurance pool) he thinks it fair to do so.
> On Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at 6:04:46 PM UTC-4, me wrote:
> > https://www.zerohedge.com/health/why-so-many-americans-are-deathly-afraid-going-hospital
>
> I had to go look at Michael's photo and make sure it was not me.
>
> I have been saying the same thing for 30 years. The US political body
> has allowed this to happen because of inaction, and now that the
> industry has become so enriched, they are going to spend loads of money
> (that could have been used to help people)to prevent any action that
> may actually bring fairness into the system.
>
> Insurance companies that started pushing the consumer direct health plans
> with high deductibles are fooling everyone. If they really wanted it
> to be consumer directed then they would provide their members with
> actual cost data so their members could make better choices. None of
> them do that. It was really just a measure to cut payouts while raising premiums.
>
> The FDA purpose is supposed to be ensuring safe food and medicine.
> The people that run it like the rest of the govt. have done things
> that are evident that they serve another purpose. They allow patent
> tweaks to be approved. They don't approve effective, competing drugs for
> use and provide weak rationale for not approving them. They allow cheap
> drugs that have been around for decades to be restricted for use by
> one company so that they can gouge the patients. The FDA is nothing
> but a corrupt govt. agency that serves the pharmaceutical and food
> industries.
>
http://www.endit.info/Home.shtml
> Pharmaceutical sales people with little or no education make
> triple the pay of nurses and other health care professionals.
>
> Most Americans are not aware that they are subsidizing other nations
> drug costs.
>
> Sewage laden seafood is allowed into the US from all over the world
> but drugs imported from Canada or other nations can't be imported
> directly.
>
> Any American with half a brain and their eyes and ears open can
> see through the facade.
> There are some simple acts of fairness that can be implemented in
> a Patient Bill of Rights that all politicians say they support, but
> will make sure that it never passes, even though 70% of the US economy
> would benefit but at the expense of some in the medical industry.
http://www.endit.info/HealthCare.shtml
El Castor
Sep 12, 2019, 2:10:31 PM9/12/19
to
On Thu, 12 Sep 2019 03:57:57 -0700 (PDT), maxw...@my-deja.com wrote:
>On Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at 9:46:18 PM UTC-4, Indoarsman wrote:
>> Hello, 'me'. I'm glad to see ? that hurricane Dorian didn't put you in the hospital. Hospitals and MD's charge the patients who survive so much in order to make up for the lost revenue from all the patients who don't survive.
>On Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at 9:46:18 PM UTC-4, Indoarsman wrote:
>
>In any other industry, it is known as "price gouging" and it is illegal.
>Too many Americans find excuses to keep believing there is good reason
>it is this way. Sometimes lying to yourself feels better than admitting
>that there is something wrong.
>>
>> Eugene FitzAubrey ?
>In any other industry, it is known as "price gouging" and it is illegal.
>Too many Americans find excuses to keep believing there is good reason
>it is this way. Sometimes lying to yourself feels better than admitting
>that there is something wrong.
>>
It's not all sweetness and light for those greedy doctors.
"$1 million mistake: Becoming a doctor"
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/1-million-mistake-becoming-a-doctor/
"Cost vs Reward Of a Physician Education"
http://doctorly.org/cost-vs-reward-of-becoming-a-physician/
maxw...@my-deja.com
Sep 12, 2019, 7:49:56 PM9/12/19
to
On Thursday, September 12, 2019 at 10:06:22 AM UTC-4, me wrote:
> On Thursday, September 12, 2019 at 6:51:19 AM UTC-4, maxw...@my-deja.com wrote:
> > On Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at 6:04:46 PM UTC-4, me wrote:
> > > https://www.zerohedge.com/health/why-so-many-americans-are-deathly-afraid-going-hospital
> >
> > I had to go look at Michael's photo and make sure it was not me.
> >
> > I have been saying the same thing for 30 years. The US political body
> > has allowed this to happen because of inaction, and now that the
> > industry has become so enriched, they are going to spend loads of money
> > (that could have been used to help people)to prevent any action that
> > may actually bring fairness into the system.
> >
>
>
> Fairness is in the eye of the beholder. When the consumer can shift costs to others (private or public insurance pool) he thinks it fair to do so.
That is twisted. Is "truth", or being "impartial" in the eye of the
> On Thursday, September 12, 2019 at 6:51:19 AM UTC-4, maxw...@my-deja.com wrote:
> > On Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at 6:04:46 PM UTC-4, me wrote:
> > > https://www.zerohedge.com/health/why-so-many-americans-are-deathly-afraid-going-hospital
> >
> > I had to go look at Michael's photo and make sure it was not me.
> >
> > I have been saying the same thing for 30 years. The US political body
> > has allowed this to happen because of inaction, and now that the
> > industry has become so enriched, they are going to spend loads of money
> > (that could have been used to help people)to prevent any action that
> > may actually bring fairness into the system.
> >
>
>
> Fairness is in the eye of the beholder. When the consumer can shift costs to others (private or public insurance pool) he thinks it fair to do so.
beholder. When companies steal from people they think it fair to do so.
>
>
> > Insurance companies that started pushing the consumer direct health plans
> > with high deductibles are fooling everyone. If they really wanted it
> > to be consumer directed then they would provide their members with
> > actual cost data so their members could make better choices. None of
> > them do that. It was really just a measure to cut payouts while raising premiums.
> >
>
> Private insurance is voluntary socialism. Members don't care about costs because they don't directly pay for them.
You are out of your mind and apparently have no knowledge of
>
> > Insurance companies that started pushing the consumer direct health plans
> > with high deductibles are fooling everyone. If they really wanted it
> > to be consumer directed then they would provide their members with
> > actual cost data so their members could make better choices. None of
> > them do that. It was really just a measure to cut payouts while raising premiums.
> >
>
> Private insurance is voluntary socialism. Members don't care about costs because they don't directly pay for them.
consumer directed health plans. It's a scam.
maxw...@my-deja.com
Sep 12, 2019, 8:01:44 PM9/12/19
to
using the industry as a cash cow. Unfortunately doctors are slowly
losing their reputation as a noble profession, because it has become
big business.
me
Sep 12, 2019, 8:11:45 PM9/12/19
to
El Castor
Sep 13, 2019, 12:05:00 AM9/13/19
to
"VA failed to stop drug-addled pathologist accused of misdiagnosing
veterans’ cases, many with fatal results"
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2019/08/va-failed-to-stop-drug-addled-pathologist-accused-of-misdiagnosing-veterans-cases-many-with-fatal-results-special-report.html
Then there is Canada. If you are being eaten up by cancer, waiting 1
to 2 1/2 months for a CT or MRI can be frustrating -- then there can
be another long wait to see a specialist and discuss the results.
"This year, Canadians could expect to wait 4.3 weeks for a computed
tomography (CT) scan, 10.6 weeks for a magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI) scan, and 3.9 weeks for an ultrasound.
Research has repeatedly indicated that wait times for medically
necessary treatment are not benign inconveniences. Wait times can, and
do, have serious consequences such as increased pain, suffering, and
mental anguish. In certain instances, they can also result in poorer
medical outcomes—transforming potentially reversible illnesses or
injuries into chronic, irreversible conditions, or even permanent
disabilities."
https://www.fraserinstitute.org/studies/waiting-your-turn-wait-times-for-health-care-in-canada-2018
Recently a Kaiser doctor decided on a Friday afternoon that I need an
MRI. 8:00am Monday morning the phone rang. By 2:00pm that afternoon
the job was done. I've never had a CT scan, but my wife has. Just a
matter of leaving the doctor's office, getting on an elevator, and in
a couple of hours, done. Thr UK National Health Service has single
payer dental care -- if you can find an NHS dentist that will take
you.
"Couple pulled out own teeth after failing to find NHS dentist"
https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-41175319/couple-pulled-out-own-teeth-after-failing-to-find-nhs-dentist
France, which uses a national system, supplemented by private
insurance, is better, but who knows what we will eventually get?
maxw...@my-deja.com
Sep 13, 2019, 7:17:10 AM9/13/19
to
other systems. And I am not advocating the US system becoming like
Canada or any other country, but there are some common sense things
that can be done to improve the system.
Look at what is happening now. The greed by allowing pharmaceuticals
to market and charge whatever they want is bringing them down.
Purdue Pharma is probably going to go bankrupt. They will being paying
out billions for a long time. It is no ones fault but their own, just
like with the tobacco companies. What makes them the most money is not
necessarily going to benefit anyone other than themselves.....unless
the get sued for wrong doing.
me
Sep 13, 2019, 8:43:25 AM9/13/19
to
How is the Pharma business different from others? Everybody tries to get whatever they want. What is too much? The issue is: how is price determined? If government determines price how does it know what is ‘fair’? And who will accept that decision?
Right now Pharma companies are favored by The Law. What would be the effect on supply/demand when government favors Pharma customers?
If government can set Pharma prices why not all prices?
If government can set minimum wages, why not all wages?
Why not decree everything?
What makes you think government health care works better than government education? Or government War On Poverty? Or government War On Drugs? Or government anything?
Right now Pharma companies are favored by The Law. What would be the effect on supply/demand when government favors Pharma customers?
If government can set Pharma prices why not all prices?
If government can set minimum wages, why not all wages?
Why not decree everything?
What makes you think government health care works better than government education? Or government War On Poverty? Or government War On Drugs? Or government anything?
El Castor
Sep 13, 2019, 4:11:20 PM9/13/19
to
drug by drug basis, or confiscate annual profits in excess of X%? Why
limit those government price and profit caps to drug companies? Should
we apply them to all corporations?
maxw...@my-deja.com
Sep 13, 2019, 5:35:11 PM9/13/19
to
very different that the industries that made America great.
Lets start with competition. Remove govt barriers that allow theft
or gouging
maxw...@my-deja.com
Sep 13, 2019, 5:37:06 PM9/13/19
to
imports like we import everything else? Too many Americans are stupid.
How about having laws like we have in other areas?
How about getting rid of monopolies and bringing about competition?
me
Sep 13, 2019, 8:35:26 PM9/13/19
to
El Castor
Sep 14, 2019, 1:13:28 AM9/14/19
to
that might help.
"Debunking the Myths of Drug Importation"
https://www.heritage.org/health-care-reform/report/debunking-the-myths-drug-importation
And ... July 31, 2019
"Trump Administration Weighs Allowing Drug Imports for Cheaper
Prescriptions"
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/31/health/prescription-drug-prices.html
maxw...@my-deja.com
Sep 16, 2019, 9:15:42 PM9/16/19
to
On Saturday, September 14, 2019 at 1:13:28 AM UTC-4, El Castor wrote:
> On Fri, 13 Sep 2019 14:37:04 -0700 (PDT), maxw...@my-deja.com wrote:
>
> >On Friday, September 13, 2019 at 8:43:25 AM UTC-4, me wrote:
> >> How is the Pharma business different from others? Everybody tries to get whatever they want. What is too much? The issue is: how is price determined? If government determines price how does it know what is ‘fair’? And who will accept that decision?
> >>
> >> Right now Pharma companies are favored by The Law. What would be the effect on supply/demand when government favors Pharma customers?
> >>
> >> If government can set Pharma prices why not all prices?
> >>
> >> If government can set minimum wages, why not all wages?
> >>
> >> Why not decree everything?
> >>
> >> What makes you think government health care works better than government education? Or government War On Poverty? Or government War On Drugs? Or government anything?
> >
> >Why do you think I propose govt. regulation? How about allowing
> >imports like we import everything else? Too many Americans are stupid.
> >How about having laws like we have in other areas?
> >How about getting rid of monopolies and bringing about competition?
>
> I don't pretend to know much about this issue, but here is something
> that might help.
>
> "Debunking the Myths of Drug Importation"
> https://www.heritage.org/health-care-reform/report/debunking-the-myths-drug-importation
That is the biggest bunch of hogwash I have ever read.
> On Fri, 13 Sep 2019 14:37:04 -0700 (PDT), maxw...@my-deja.com wrote:
>
> >On Friday, September 13, 2019 at 8:43:25 AM UTC-4, me wrote:
> >> How is the Pharma business different from others? Everybody tries to get whatever they want. What is too much? The issue is: how is price determined? If government determines price how does it know what is ‘fair’? And who will accept that decision?
> >>
> >> Right now Pharma companies are favored by The Law. What would be the effect on supply/demand when government favors Pharma customers?
> >>
> >> If government can set Pharma prices why not all prices?
> >>
> >> If government can set minimum wages, why not all wages?
> >>
> >> Why not decree everything?
> >>
> >> What makes you think government health care works better than government education? Or government War On Poverty? Or government War On Drugs? Or government anything?
> >
> >Why do you think I propose govt. regulation? How about allowing
> >imports like we import everything else? Too many Americans are stupid.
> >How about having laws like we have in other areas?
> >How about getting rid of monopolies and bringing about competition?
>
> I don't pretend to know much about this issue, but here is something
> that might help.
>
> "Debunking the Myths of Drug Importation"
> https://www.heritage.org/health-care-reform/report/debunking-the-myths-drug-importation
Myth #1 mentions "the real winners *might not* be consumers"
but I myself have in years past have ordered prescriptions online
less that half the price of those in the US. Fact.
Myth #2 mentions: " not necessarily cause a price drops"
Which means they don't really know.
Myth #3 mentions "United States is one of the only countries left with a free market for prescription drugs"
Horse crap. There is no such thing as a free market for drugs in
the US due to cartels.
Myth #4 "The FDA regulates the domestic market for pharmaceuticals, but not foreign markets, and has stated on numerous occasions that it cannot guarantee the safety of drugs obtained from foreign sources"
LMAO This one insults everyones intelligence, because what they can't
do for drugs, we are supposed to believe they can do for food. LOL.
Myth #5 Horse crap.
The real money for research on diseases that are life threatening
comes from the govt.
The big money that the drug companies invest into research is for
drugs for things that affect a large percentage of people. All
of the BS drugs you see advertised. Remember they want many people to
buy them. This is the Viagras, incontinence drugs, antihistamines..etc.
Remember to them it is all about making money. There simply is not the
sales in drugs for life threatening problems.
maxw...@my-deja.com
Sep 16, 2019, 9:16:08 PM9/16/19
to
On Friday, September 13, 2019 at 8:35:26 PM UTC-4, me wrote:
> I’m all for competition and choice. Laws steal choices.
> http://www.endit.info
That is what we have now.
> I’m all for competition and choice. Laws steal choices.
> http://www.endit.info
El Castor
Sep 16, 2019, 11:27:14 PM9/16/19
to
"The Trump administration announced plans to allow the importation of
drugs from other countries, a major part of President Trump's agenda
for lowering the cost of prescriptions.
“This is the next important step in the Administration’s work to end
foreign freeloading and put American patients first,” Health and Human
Services Secretary Alex Azar said Wednesday."
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/trump-administration-announces-plan-to-allow-imports-of-prescription-drugs
And from 2009 -- Don't you find this strange?
"WASHINGTON -- An expected vote on a healthcare reform bill amendment
to allow U.S. pharmacies to import cheaper drugs from other countries
was delayed Wednesday after a last-minute signal from the FDA
commissioner that the Obama administration does not support the plan."
https://www.medpagetoday.com/publichealthpolicy/washington-watch/17430
You must be happy you voted for Trump -- or,uh, maybe you didn't?
maxw...@my-deja.com
Sep 17, 2019, 6:06:44 AM9/17/19
to
It came down to cutting a deal with slick Mitch to not filibuster the vote
on the Obamacare bill that had only had a simply majority support.
So the deal was to require super majority (60 votes) on the importation
of drugs which also had a simple majority support.
Mitch pretended to be opposed the bill but basically voted the
way the pharmaceutical companies wanted him to.
"The proposal, sponsored by Democratic Sen. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota, has broad bipartisan support but is opposed by U.S. pharmaceutical firms, which have come out in support of Democrats' health care overhaul efforts and spent millions on advertising."
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/HealthCare/health-care-harry-reid-senators-medicare-drop-public-option/story?id=9290406
me
Sep 17, 2019, 9:40:59 AM9/17/19
to
‘Rent seeking’ is not limited just to healthcare. It permeates society. This is why society is deeply Brocken.
http://www.endit.info/Costs.shtml
“Rent seeking” is one of the most important insights in the last fifty years of economics and, unfortunately, one of the most inappropriately labeled... The idea is simple but powerful. People are said to seek rents when they try to obtain benefits for themselves through the political arena. They typically do so by getting a subsidy for a good they produce or for being in a particular class of people, by getting a tariff on a good they produce, or by getting a special regulation that hampers their competitors. Elderly people, for example, often seek higher Social Security payments; steel producers often seek restrictions on imports of steel; and licensed electricians and doctors often lobby to keep regulations in place that restrict competition from unlicensed electricians or doctors.
http://www.econlib.org/library/Enc/RentSeeking.html
http://www.endit.info/Costs.shtml
“Rent seeking” is one of the most important insights in the last fifty years of economics and, unfortunately, one of the most inappropriately labeled... The idea is simple but powerful. People are said to seek rents when they try to obtain benefits for themselves through the political arena. They typically do so by getting a subsidy for a good they produce or for being in a particular class of people, by getting a tariff on a good they produce, or by getting a special regulation that hampers their competitors. Elderly people, for example, often seek higher Social Security payments; steel producers often seek restrictions on imports of steel; and licensed electricians and doctors often lobby to keep regulations in place that restrict competition from unlicensed electricians or doctors.
http://www.econlib.org/library/Enc/RentSeeking.html
islander
Sep 17, 2019, 11:31:05 AM9/17/19
to
is certainly an important issue for the drug companies that have
exclusive access to the Medicare D program introduced by GW Bush in
2003. Amazingly, this is one of the few federal programs that does not
allow for competitive bidding. This single issue inflates drug prices
in the US and makes drug prices much lower in other countries that use
the purchasing power of their programs to drive prices down.
The history goes back to the Truman administration and illustrates why
health care legislation has been so difficult. You might enjoy a very
good history of this at:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2690175/
Briefly, coverage of drug costs was not included when Medicare was
finally introduced in 1965 because of concerns about the cost. It was
not until 2003 when Medicare D was introduced by the GW Bush that any
coverage was provided. Why then? Basically this relates to the battle
that raged between Democrats and Republicans over cost. The Democrats
fought to protect the "bill for service" approach used in Medicare A and
B while the Republicans fought to introduce Medicare C which limited
future cost liability with a fixed price per individual "managed care"
approach. Unfortunately, Medicare C was failing when GW Bush took
office. Something new was needed to salvage it and that something new
was Medicare Advantage which included drug coverage. The compromise
that the GW Bush administration made to make the bailout of Medicare C
seem less obvious was the introduction of Medicare D which opened drug
coverage to other Medicare plans, albeit at a cost. The most
controversial issue at the time was the absence of using the Medicare
market to force competitive bidding, a problem that continues to plague
us.
This issue carried over into the debates that raged over the ACA
(Obamacare). In order to get anything passed, the Obama administration
avoided tampering with the cash cow that the drug companies enjoyed.
The issue of building the ACA around a single payer system like Medicare
was ultimately abandoned by the House in favor of a public option. Let
the individual customers of insurance decide if they wanted private
insurance or government insurance. In the heat of this debate in the
Senate, drug coverage was at most a side issue that had already been
conceded. Ultimately variations of the public option were offered in an
attempt to save it including opt-in and opt-out proposals. It was Joe
Lieberman who put the final nail in the coffin for the public option. I
also blame Harry Reid who refused to change the Senate rules to allow a
majority vote, keeping intact the Republican strength in the filibuster.
I also fault Max Baucus who gave away his majority advantage in the
Senate Finance Committee by creating his infamous "Gang of eight" which
succeeded only in wasting a lot of time thereby allowing opposition to
build in the very public campaign by the health care industry to kill
the ACA over the summer of 2009. He could have brought the House bill
to the Senate floor in July and the public option would have been part
of the ACA.
The message in all of this is the massive influence that the industry
has on politicians including the Democrats that I mentioned above.
El Castor
Sep 17, 2019, 3:39:16 PM9/17/19
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How could I have been so mistaken! Of course the drugs were Cocaine,
but I'm sure domestic Cocaine was cheaper due to Obama's good work.
"The Obama administration stymied a sprawling investigation into the
terror group Hezbollah — and its highly lucrative drug- trafficking
networks — to protect the Iran nuclear deal, according to a bombshell
report.
A team at the Drug Enforcement Administration had been working for
almost a decade to bring down the Iran-backed militant organization’s
sophisticated $1 billion-a-year drug ring, which laundered money and
smuggled cocaine into the United States, Politico reported.
But the departments of Justice and Treasury repeatedly undermined
agents’ efforts to arrest and prosecute key members of the criminal
network — because the Obama White House feared upsetting Tehran ahead
of the nuclear agreement, according to Politico."
https://nypost.com/2017/12/18/obama-protected-hezbollah-drug-ring-to-save-iran-nukes-deal/
islander
Sep 17, 2019, 7:02:04 PM9/17/19
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the Washington Post:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/erik-wemple/wp/2017/12/21/former-obama-officials-criticize-politico-story-alleging-weakness-against-hezbollah/
El Castor
Sep 18, 2019, 3:37:14 AM9/18/19
to
ranging from Newsweek to the Jerusalem Post. I would expect the Obama
administration to deny it, but I will grant you that it is likely that
we will never know.
maxw...@my-deja.com
Sep 18, 2019, 7:13:10 AM9/18/19
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measure to reduce consumer cost that has the broadest support, and
can be easily done.
Ironically, most prescription medication sold in the US is
manufactured over seas, yet money is wasted on people in the
drug companies that won't work.
The one thing about this trade dispute that worries me is that
the US is pushing for the protection of intellectual property.
I think that does more harm than good.
I don't think it should be any different than employee or subcontractor
rights to their patent developments for a large company.
Hopefully, China will limit what they will agree to on that front.
If they will just commit to importing agriculture and petroleum
products to lessen the trade imbalance, maybe it will be leverage enough
to cut a deal.
islander
Sep 18, 2019, 9:50:06 AM9/18/19
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rumpelstiltskin
Sep 18, 2019, 9:53:15 AM9/18/19
to
preferentially invoked when it can be used
to defend the pocketbooks of the politically
adept and powerful, it seems.
"plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose."
https://tinyurl.com/q5647zu
islander
Sep 18, 2019, 9:57:32 AM9/18/19
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herring. There is vastly more intellectual property transferred to
China through US companies that set up industrial facilities in China in
the search for low labor costs and lax environmental regulations. At
least that is my observation for the tech sector.
rumpelstiltskin
Sep 18, 2019, 12:05:08 PM9/18/19
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El Castor
Sep 18, 2019, 3:24:23 PM9/18/19
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escapades?
El Castor
Sep 18, 2019, 3:34:16 PM9/18/19
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as human hands are replaced by robots. When that day comes, let's hope
that we still have industries capable of being roboticized.
"Foxconn replaces '60,000 factory workers with robots" ...
"Apple and Samsung supplier Foxconn has reportedly replaced 60,000
factory workers with robots.
One factory has "reduced employee strength from 110,000 to 50,000
thanks to the introduction of robots", a government official told the
South China Morning Post.
Xu Yulian, head of publicity for the Kunshan region, added: "More
companies are likely to follow suit."
China is investing heavily in a robot workforce."
https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-36376966
islander
Sep 18, 2019, 5:12:49 PM9/18/19
to
products produced by the robots!
El Castor
Sep 18, 2019, 7:59:20 PM9/18/19
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robot masters.
rumpelstiltskin
Sep 19, 2019, 12:32:42 AM9/19/19
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with robots, the better for freeing humanity from drudgery.
On the other hand of course, who's going to be the
beneficiary of automation? In a free-enterprise society
there's no reason to think the beneficiaries will reliably be
"the people". Most people in the Western World are
very understandably wary of where that can lead, based
on where it actually has led within living memory - to
authoritarian "totalitarianism" which exists in American
government agencies as much as in Russian ones.
Personally, I gave up my car because I didn't really
need it and I got so disgusted with having the screws
put to me by DMV inspections and registration, and
also having to move the f.ing car twice a week to
avoid street-cleaning tickets when that was often
the only time I fired up the car at all. The older
I get, the more annoying the inconveniences of life
within an orderly society become.
---
Miniver Cheevy
By Edwin Arlington Robinson
Miniver Cheevy, child of scorn,
Grew lean while he assailed the seasons;
He wept that he was ever born,
And he had reasons.
Miniver loved the days of old
When swords were bright and steeds were prancing;
The vision of a warrior bold
Would set him dancing.
Miniver sighed for what was not,
And dreamed, and rested from his labors;
He dreamed of Thebes and Camelot,
And Priam’s neighbors.
Miniver mourned the ripe renown
That made so many a name so fragrant;
He mourned Romance, now on the town,
And Art, a vagrant.
Miniver loved the Medici,
Albeit he had never seen one;
He would have sinned incessantly
Could he have been one.
Miniver cursed the commonplace
And eyed a khaki suit with loathing;
He missed the mediæval grace
Of iron clothing.
Miniver scorned the gold he sought,
But sore annoyed was he without it;
Miniver thought, and thought, and thought,
And thought about it.
Miniver Cheevy, born too late,
Scratched his head and kept on thinking;
Miniver coughed, and called it fate,
And kept on drinking.
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44978/miniver-cheevy
islander
Sep 19, 2019, 10:57:22 AM9/19/19
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share the wealth produced by automation there will be no market for the
products and services that automation provides. Andrew Yang is one of
the Democratic Presidential candidates who has attracted some followers
with a proposal for a universal basic income for every adult and what he
is calling Human Centered Capitalism.
https://www.yang2020.com/policies/human-capitalism/ I'm not a fan of
what he is proposing, but we have to find a solution to how the economy
can work when the tendency seems to be to ignore the demand side.
islander
Sep 19, 2019, 11:02:26 AM9/19/19
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As to Kavanaugh, evidently more witnesses are coming forward.
El Castor
Sep 19, 2019, 7:50:15 PM9/19/19
to
be the next step in our evolution (or the end) of our species. When AI
is able to produce improved versions of itself and takes over the
routine operation and administrative functions of government, it will
be time to get worried. In any case, we have gone from a nation of
more than 90% farm workers, and a country where in 1940 half of our
houses did not have indoor plumbing, to a nation of cell phone addicts
that would probably consider the PC I'm typing on to be old fashioned.
We will figure it out, and no, I don't think Elizabeth has all the
answers. (-8
islander
Sep 20, 2019, 11:09:34 AM9/20/19
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all the answers!
But, putting that aside, there is one important difference between how
the human brain works and how software (including AI) works and that is
fundamental to why I am skeptical that your fear of AI taking over is
unsubstantiated. The human brain has the ability to modify itself. We
do not know how to build a software system that can *safely* modify
itself. Consequently we do not build software systems that have the
capability to modify their own code. It is far too unpredictable to be
practical. We build software systems that learn from experience, but
that is about adding knowledge, not reprogramming itself.
Could some naive programmer break this discipline? Perhaps, but this is
similar to the naive belief that given enough time and enough monkeys
pounding on typewriters one will produce a Shakespearean sonnet. The
infinity of other nonfunctional results is much more likely.
El Castor
Sep 20, 2019, 4:50:17 PM9/20/19
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we are making significant progress in that direction.
"This Artificial Intelligence Model Trains Itself based on it’s own
Dreams
Pranav Dar, May 16, 2018
Overview
Researchers have developed an AI agent that dreams up scenarios
and learns from them by itself (unsupervised learning)
The structure of the model is divided into three units: vision,
memory (RNN model) and controller
On a selection of 100 randomly selected tracks, the average score
of the model was almost three times higher than that of DeepMind’s
initial Deep Q-Learning algorithm!"
https://www.analyticsvidhya.com/blog/2018/05/ai-dreams-scenarios-trains-itself/
In one variation on this concept, the latest Go Master AI was simply
given the rules of the game and left to it's own devices to develop
winning methods. After three days it was unbeatable, by human or
computer. That is AI 2019. Where will AI be in 2119, or 3119? Stephen
Hawking believed that AI could be the “worst event in the history of
our civilization”. Elon Musk apparently agrees with him.
maxw...@my-deja.com
Sep 22, 2019, 2:02:48 PM9/22/19
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red herring?
I think there are many companies like pharmaceutical companies that
would like to keep others from making the same products. They don't
want any competition.
Patents were never meant to be used the way the FDA is allowing them
to be used. They were meant to be used to allow the developer to
recoup their investment on the development, not to create monopolies.
Allowing these long term patents does not incentivize R&D.
El Castor
Sep 22, 2019, 2:56:21 PM9/22/19
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intellectual property theft and while it may happen, none involved
pharmaceutical companies. China's focus is on high tech, manufacturing
designs and techniques, software, and military equipment.
"The Chinese theft of Intellectual Property…
Earlier this week, we outlined China’s 9 Principles for Replacing
America as the Global Superpower
Don’t provoke a powerful adversary.
Turn your opponent’s house on itself.
Be patient to achieve victory.
Steal your opponent’s ideas and technology.
Target an enemy’s weak points rather than relying on an
accumulation of brute strength.
Beware political states that have a dominant influence or
authority over others.
Deceive others into doing your bidding for you.
Establish and employ metrics for measuring your status
relative to other potential challengers.
Maintain a deeply ingrained sense of paranoia.
Excerpted from The Hundred Year Marathon: China’s Strategy to
Replace America as the Global Superpower by Michael Pillsbury." ...
"According to CNBC: “One of the major sticking points has been China’s
disregard of intellectual property protections and claims dating back
years about rampant Chinese theft of corporate trade secrets.
The allegations are not hyperbole.”
In its 2017 report, the Commission on the Theft of American
Intellectual Property estimated that the cost to the U.S. economy from
counterfeit goods, pirated software, and the theft of trade secrets
could be as high as $600 billion annually."
more ...
https://homafiles.info/2019/08/28/the-chinese-theft-of-intellectual-property/
maxw...@my-deja.com
Sep 23, 2019, 7:22:29 AM9/23/19
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It is by far nothing new. But try to think outside of the box
and what would likely happen in the future.
El Castor
Sep 23, 2019, 3:30:05 PM9/23/19
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should. That's why I support Trump's tariffs. Like it or not,
development of an iPad or a vaccine can cost hundreds of millions, or
even billions. Patents were NEVER intended to be limited to the
recoupment of an investment. They are an essential incentive to invent
and innovate. How many billions do you suppose pharmaceutical
companies can waste on the development of failed drugs? When they
finally get it right, of course they have a need to recoup more than
just the investment on their one success. Where do you suppose the
hundred million down the drain on their next failure or dead end comes
from?
"In an analysis of the drug development costs for 98 companies over a
decade, the average cost per drug developed and approved by a
single-drug company was $350 million. But for companies that approved
between eight and 13 drugs over 10 years, the cost per drug went as
high as $5.5 billion, due mainly to geographic expansion for marketing
and ongoing costs for Phase IV trials and continuous monitoring for
safety".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cost_of_drug_development
maxw...@my-deja.com
Sep 23, 2019, 9:22:16 PM9/23/19
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How many billions do you suppose pharmaceutical
> companies can waste on the development of failed drugs? When they
> finally get it right, of course they have a need to recoup more than
> just the investment on their one success. Where do you suppose the
> hundred million down the drain on their next failure or dead end comes
> from?
>
> "In an analysis of the drug development costs for 98 companies over a
> decade, the average cost per drug developed and approved by a
> single-drug company was $350 million. But for companies that approved
> between eight and 13 drugs over 10 years, the cost per drug went as
> high as $5.5 billion, due mainly to geographic expansion for marketing
> and ongoing costs for Phase IV trials and continuous monitoring for
> safety".
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cost_of_drug_development
product that has to have a prescription from a doctor that has
determined it would benefit the patient.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnsAvknhM3k
El Castor
Sep 23, 2019, 11:45:02 PM9/23/19
to
nationalize the pharmaceutical industry?
maxw...@my-deja.com
Sep 24, 2019, 7:23:15 AM9/24/19
to
to advertise, because it simply did not make sense for prescribed
drugs. Drugs were much cheaper then.
Nationalizing, at least some of the pharmaceutical industry may
not be a bad idea.
El Castor
Sep 24, 2019, 3:09:26 PM9/24/19
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Johnny
Sep 24, 2019, 3:26:24 PM9/24/19
to
and hospitals were never allowed to advertise on television or radio,
because I'm sick of the commercials, and I only watch TV for two hours
a day.
El Castor
Sep 24, 2019, 3:40:55 PM9/24/19
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day. If you are a Comcast customer, there is a simple trick to
re-program a button on the remote to skip ahead or back 30 seconds in
any recorded program. CBS, at least on Comcast, is experimenting with
a user ability to skip all commercials.
maxw...@my-deja.com
Sep 25, 2019, 7:09:37 AM9/25/19
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maxw...@my-deja.com
Sep 25, 2019, 7:13:46 AM9/25/19
to
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnsAvknhM3k
El Castor
Sep 25, 2019, 4:25:38 PM9/25/19
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you have been yearning for. Be sure to watch full screen for the full
effect!
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Classic+TV+Commercials+1950+1958&&view=detail&mid=D651D06B1EECA264BBADD651D06B1EECA264BBAD&&FORM=VRDGAR
El Castor
Sep 25, 2019, 4:27:15 PM9/25/19
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maxw...@my-deja.com
Sep 26, 2019, 6:56:45 AM9/26/19
to
One has nothing to do with the other.
El Castor
Sep 26, 2019, 3:02:20 PM9/26/19
to
but nationalizing the automobile industry would not?
maxw...@my-deja.com
Sep 26, 2019, 9:24:34 PM9/26/19
to
Why would someone buy an automobile? What things would they consider?
Why would someone take a prescription medication?
El Castor
Sep 27, 2019, 12:23:34 AM9/27/19
to
Here's the list:
https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/condition-1432/high%20blood%20pressure
The companies that made those drugs set out to design a med that did
the best job, or jobs, and could be manufactured as inexpensively as
possible, so it could be marketed at a competitive price. Sounds
something like designing a car. (-8
Businesses have to be efficient, or they die. Government does not.
When I got out of school I served in the Navy for five years. One day
my boss calls me in, tells me my unit isn't spending enough -- we're
about to have unspent money left at the end of the budget cycle. He
ordered me to get my ass in gear and spend every damn cent! Later in
life I worked for a bank. There, not spending every damn cent was a
virtue.
maxw...@my-deja.com
Sep 27, 2019, 7:08:38 AM9/27/19
to
Why would a prescription med need a competitive price?
>
> Businesses have to be efficient, or they die. Government does not.
> When I got out of school I served in the Navy for five years. One day
> my boss calls me in, tells me my unit isn't spending enough -- we're
> about to have unspent money left at the end of the budget cycle. He
> ordered me to get my ass in gear and spend every damn cent! Later in
> life I worked for a bank. There, not spending every damn cent was a
> virtue.
So does this mean that private insurance is a much better buy
> Businesses have to be efficient, or they die. Government does not.
> When I got out of school I served in the Navy for five years. One day
> my boss calls me in, tells me my unit isn't spending enough -- we're
> about to have unspent money left at the end of the budget cycle. He
> ordered me to get my ass in gear and spend every damn cent! Later in
> life I worked for a bank. There, not spending every damn cent was a
> virtue.
than Medicare, since Medicare is govt and like the Navy
must not be efficient?
El Castor
Sep 27, 2019, 2:48:34 PM9/27/19
to
particular condition and discuss with their doctor the pros and cons
of various medications. As for the price -- if two drugs are of
comparable efficacy and one cost $5 a dose and another is $500, the
$500 drug will not be an attractive option.
>> Businesses have to be efficient, or they die. Government does not.
>> When I got out of school I served in the Navy for five years. One day
>> my boss calls me in, tells me my unit isn't spending enough -- we're
>> about to have unspent money left at the end of the budget cycle. He
>> ordered me to get my ass in gear and spend every damn cent! Later in
>> life I worked for a bank. There, not spending every damn cent was a
>> virtue.
>
>So does this mean that private insurance is a much better buy
>than Medicare, since Medicare is govt and like the Navy
>must not be efficient?
employee retirement system and have the option of paying out of pocket
for Kaiiser's excellent service. I choose to pay, rather than be
relegated to a 100% Medicare system. Here is what the American
Association of Physicians and Surgeons has to say about Medicare ...
"It is simple to opt out of Medicare – far simpler than staying in the
Medicare program. Thousands of physicians have already opted out, and
we have not heard a single regret by any of these physicians. Medicare
endangers seniors, rations care and punishes the best doctors whose
only aim is to give the best care. For the sake of patients and
integrity of the profession, doctors should get out of Medicare."
https://aapsonline.org/opting-out-of-medicare-a-guide-for-physicians/
Here is how a nationalized healthcare system is working in Canada:
"Canada’s health-care wait times hit new record high, again
Opinion: Long wait times have become the defining characteristic of
Canadian health care " ...
"We finally did it last year. In 2016, we hit the 20-week mark for the
average wait time for treatment by a specialist (across 12 medical
specialities) after referral from a general practitioner. Canada’s
national shame had reached a record high of 20 weeks, a far cry from
the 9.3-week wait measured by the Fraser Institute’s annual survey in
1993. One would have thought, nay, hoped, that this milestone would
have served as a wake-up call to rally politicians and policymakers to
improve the dismal situation faced by patients in our country. And
yet, this year’s survey finds that wait times have gotten even worse.
At 21.2 weeks, between referral from a GP to receipt of treatment,
patients waited longer than ever for treatment in 2017."
https://www.macleans.ca/society/health/canadas-health-care-wait-times-hit-new-record-high-again/
In my case I was referred by a Kaiser doctor on a Friday afternoon.
8:00am Monday morning the phone rang. That afternoon I was in and out
of the MRI by 2:00pm.
maxw...@my-deja.com
Sep 29, 2019, 8:03:28 PM9/29/19
to
>
> >> Businesses have to be efficient, or they die. Government does not.
> >> When I got out of school I served in the Navy for five years. One day
> >> my boss calls me in, tells me my unit isn't spending enough -- we're
> >> about to have unspent money left at the end of the budget cycle. He
> >> ordered me to get my ass in gear and spend every damn cent! Later in
> >> life I worked for a bank. There, not spending every damn cent was a
> >> virtue.
> >
> >So does this mean that private insurance is a much better buy
> >than Medicare, since Medicare is govt and like the Navy
> >must not be efficient?
>
> Like everyone my age, I am Medicare eligible, but I belong to an
> employee retirement system and have the option of paying out of pocket
> for Kaiiser's excellent service. I choose to pay, rather than be
> relegated to a 100% Medicare system. Here is what the American
> Association of Physicians and Surgeons has to say about Medicare ...
>
> "It is simple to opt out of Medicare – far simpler than staying in the
> Medicare program. Thousands of physicians have already opted out, and
> we have not heard a single regret by any of these physicians. Medicare
> endangers seniors, rations care and punishes the best doctors whose
> only aim is to give the best care. For the sake of patients and
> integrity of the profession, doctors should get out of Medicare."
> https://aapsonline.org/opting-out-of-medicare-a-guide-for-physicians/
So Medicare is not wasting money like the Navy? How do the
> >> Businesses have to be efficient, or they die. Government does not.
> >> When I got out of school I served in the Navy for five years. One day
> >> my boss calls me in, tells me my unit isn't spending enough -- we're
> >> about to have unspent money left at the end of the budget cycle. He
> >> ordered me to get my ass in gear and spend every damn cent! Later in
> >> life I worked for a bank. There, not spending every damn cent was a
> >> virtue.
> >
> >So does this mean that private insurance is a much better buy
> >than Medicare, since Medicare is govt and like the Navy
> >must not be efficient?
>
> Like everyone my age, I am Medicare eligible, but I belong to an
> employee retirement system and have the option of paying out of pocket
> for Kaiiser's excellent service. I choose to pay, rather than be
> relegated to a 100% Medicare system. Here is what the American
> Association of Physicians and Surgeons has to say about Medicare ...
>
> "It is simple to opt out of Medicare – far simpler than staying in the
> Medicare program. Thousands of physicians have already opted out, and
> we have not heard a single regret by any of these physicians. Medicare
> endangers seniors, rations care and punishes the best doctors whose
> only aim is to give the best care. For the sake of patients and
> integrity of the profession, doctors should get out of Medicare."
> https://aapsonline.org/opting-out-of-medicare-a-guide-for-physicians/
Medicare Advantage program spending compare with Medicare?
El Castor
Sep 30, 2019, 2:57:07 AM9/30/19
to
depending on location and coverage benefits, but the average charge
for 2014 is $32.60 a month, or $391.12 a year, according to the
Department of Health and Human Services ."
https://personalfinance.costhelper.com/medicare-plan-c.html
Margaret Thatcher had some good advice for you ...
"The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other
peoples money."
You might want to look into the French system. It is there to be
emulated by the Left, but I'd guess that if you asked Warren or
Sanders about it they wouldn't have a clue.
"Health Care Lessons From France"
https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92419273
BTW -- Their legal system uses the English Rule (AKA Loser Pays), a
big health care cost saver, but you wouldn't know about that either.
Hint -- the US Trial Lawyers Association hates it, and since they are
big contributors to the Dem Party, Democrats share that hatred.
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