Is this really about Obamacare (PPACA) or a backdoor entry to change how religion is dealt with in the workplace? I think it’s the latter, and that’s why the Supreme Court will be making a very narrow ruling in Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby Stores.
Continue reading Can amoral entities claim religious freedom?
There’s been a whole lot of hoopla about a CBO (Congressional Budget Office) report. The one that announced that 2.3 million Americans might opt to stop working over the next ten years. Because PPACA (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act- aka Obamacare) has given then something these folks didn’t have before.
Continue reading A rose is a rose is a rose…
One of the key thoughts behind the idea of healthcare reform was to cut the cost of medical care. In America, more than 1 of every 6 dollars we spend is for health related expenses. (It was on track to be one of every 5 by this year- but that was before Obamacare [PPACA] was proposed and enacted.)
Continue reading Medicare sets the tone
Yesterday, we discussed indemnity, catastrophic, and conventional health care plans. One of the primary reasons to have a health care plan is to be able to get lower prices for each service that may be needed. Without such a plan, you pay what the provider wants- or get sued. The difference in pricing can be 90%. It is routine for me to see an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) detailing a bill that came in as $ 7244, was considered to be $ 1200 once reduced by my insurance carrier, and for my share of the costs to be only $ 50 or so.
Continue reading Isn’t there an easier way?
Oh, I know, you’ve heard that some folks’ insurance bill have escalated. I will not deny that changing from a catastrophic-coverage plan to a real health care plan is not more (even much more) expensive- but in the grand scheme of things for all citizens, that is not a big change. Because most Americans get their health care insurance at work.
Continue reading Indemnity my a..
It’s hard to believe how different health care is than normal technology. When we are dealing with computers, automobiles or other technology, things get cheaper and more efficient with time. In health care, new innovations either make things possible- sometimes at lower costs, but just as often these developments just cost more money. Which is why health care comprises some 20% of our GDP.
Continue reading Healthcare Cost Spiral
The time is now. The economy is changing- ever so slightly. But, the reality is that the American Dream is being shattered- the only way you can make that come true for yourself is to start your own business.
Don’t you just love science fiction? Because the best science fiction involves conjecture of the world as it could be. I remember being mesmerized by Tom Swift, Jr., as a young boy. Other than the delusion perpetrated that Victor Appleton II wrote the series (instead of Harriet Stratemeyer Adams), they were wonderful books. (I only read the first 16; then I graduated to Robert Heinlein.)
Continue reading SciFi or just Sci?
OK. At least some people realized that Obamacare is real. It has not been repealed. It has not been adjudicated as illegal by the Supreme Court. Which means a lot of you are going to have to change another mistaken impression. Generic drugs a priori are not inferior to brand name drugs.
Continue reading What’s Generic?
They knew this was coming! But, the first day it is available to the public, tons of problems present themselves to users. Now, it’s entirely possible that applications will NOT be processed in time. What is going on?
Continue reading It kicked me off- again!