Relevant and even prescient commentary on news, politics and the economy.

Insurers “Had a Seat at the Table” when Reformers Hammered Out the ACA, but Things Didn’t Work Out Quite As They Expected . . . –

Maggie and I have discussed this topic on several occasions and she tackled it here at: The Health Beat Blog. In the general public, it always surfaces as accusations of a sell out to the insurance companies. It is unfortunate we could not have Medicare for all or single payor; but, the political environment at […]

Oh Mein Gott! President Obama Lied . . .

Click on the title to view the YouTube link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=0cW8Wo1uvyU If you like your plan and doctors, you can keep them . . . even if it will cost you twice as much as it might under the PPACA . . . huh??? What idiot would pay more for a plan with similar or fewer […]

The Young, the Shutdown, Austerity, and Wealth

I can not help but wonder if Friedman takes delight in the predicament of the Young and Baby Boomers as he writes about Druckenmiller excursions on to college campuses . I envision  a bit of Schadenfreude as evidenced by his choice of titles for his latest column. October 15, 2013, Tom Friedman writes in the […]

Damon Silvers Smackdown of CNBCs Kelly Evans and Simon Hobbs on Social Security

Damon Silvers appears to have his wheels on correctly answering two CNN talking heads on their version of Social Security. Kelly Evans: “Of course people want to make sure that our citizens are taken care of. But that’s almost not the point.” (It’s not?) Evans proceeds to assail Silvers and the AFL-CIO for refusing to […]

Health Wonk Review – Rich and Varied Offerings

Maggie Mahar reviews other blogs on healthcare within the blogosphere   Joe Paduda has hosted the newest edition of Health Wonk Review, a bi-weekly roundup of some of the best healthcare posts in the blogosphere. You will find it at Joe’s blog, Managed Care Matters.: Here are just a few highlights: Health IT is still […]

IMF Says Tax the Rich to Make Up the Deficits and Fight Income Inequity

Recent article by AFP cites an IMF report suggesting that countries fighting deficit spending should simply “Tax the Rich” in income more. in its Fiscal Monitor report, subtitled “Taxing Times”, the Fund advanced the idea of taxing the highest-income people and their assets to reinforce the legitimacy of spending cuts and fight against growing income […]

Breast Cancer: Catching Up With Amy Berman, a Woman Who Chose Life Over Longevity

On Breast Cancer and the chose of life over longevity, Maggie Mahar; The Healthbeat  Blog Life Over Longevity HealthBeat readers may remember the two-part post that I wrote about Amy Berman back in October of 2011. Part 1 began: “When Amy Berman was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer a year ago, she made a […]

Fair Market Valuation; CBO, Student Loans, Food Stamps, Etc.

Earlier in 2013, CBO’s Douglas Elmendorf’s forecasted return on Student Loan’s resulting in a positive return for the Government. Later Elmendorf reversed the forecast claiming student loans would cost the government and the taxpayers by generating a negative return. Using one cost model (FCRA) to estimate the return, the government will make $184 billion on […]

Why Do People Prefer the Affordable Care Act Over Obamacare?

Affordable Care act versus Obamacare Act I will give you, there is nothing within this bill that is easy to understand. Along with Maggie Mahar and others, I took the time to read the act and attempt to understand it which even today causes me fits. As shown in this clip, many people can distinguish […]

Chris Hayes Explains the PPACA for Fox and Friends

Obama Care for Fox News and Friends Not that they have any interest in reality at the moment. The Republicans have worked themselves into a frenzy that resembles the adolescent girls who accused the Salem townspeople of witchcraft at this point. This is how they look: Maybe it is time to take away the beer? […]