Recently in Health Care Category
A story in the NYT is the basis of a post that discusses President Bush's proposed cuts in payments to hospitals. They are pretty serious cuts in future funding, and the logic of the proposal is suspect, because it appears that private insurance is expected to make up the shortfall. We, and others, doubt that will happen.
The writer goes on to use this as an example of how bad it would be if Hillary Clinton's, or what he refers to as "Beltway Idiots" plans for health care succeed. We get the connection, but using a Bush plan as an example of how it's bad for the government to be responsible for anything would potentially have us take all responsibility for everything away from government. When an administration has low approval ratings like Bush-Cheney, and a track record for being wrong on predicting the outcome of their actions, one can forget that it doesn't have to be that way. In our history, we have had governments from both parties that, however briefly, had our best interests at heart, acted accordingly and gave us government that worked.
We hope the candidates from both parties remember that, during the campaign, and after.
From healthcarebs.com
Health Care BS - BUSH BOMBS AMERICA'S HOSPITALS
"Nationwide, well over half of the people who require hospital care are on Medicare and/or Medicaid. And, because hospitals lose money on these patients, they are in financial distress all across the country."
A post on the DMI blog about Monday's Democratic Debate in South Carolina, points out that the term "universal" when applied to the candidate's health care plans is not to be construed to mean that everyone will be covered. Universal does not equate to everyone, and does not mean that everyone has a "right" to health care. The post points out that only Dennis Kucinich proposes that health care be a right. The other plans attempt to make it "more available," if you can pay for it, or find someone else (employer) to pay for it. Estimates are that 15 million people in the US will remain uninsured.
From a retirement perspective, health care costs can rapidly deplete retirement savings, and access to good health care coverage becomes more difficult as one ages. Medicare is there, but many retired persons augment Medicare with additional coverage obtained from private insurers.
The next administration will face big challenges in the health care arena. How effective they will be in changing the status-quo will depend on where they are coming from.
http://www.dmiblog.com/archives/2008/01/presidential_candidates_are_no.html
Presidential Candidates Are Not Serious About Protecting
Our Health | DMI Blog
Our Health | DMI Blog
The Democratic Candidate debate in South Carolina pushed the subject of health care reform to the point where the differences in the three major candidates proposals become more evident. It's easy to think they are all basically the same in sound bites, but there are differences, and the opportunity for the candidates to explain that to the public, even if the discussion becomes combative, is welcomed.
Much is being made of the confrontation that took place between Clinton and Obama in the debate last night, and perhaps we saw something of the character and tenacity of all three of the participants. Beyond that, the real education was in the subject of the discussions and the health care plans were part of it.
Here's a brief article from Rolling Stone on the subject, as we find more detailed arcticles on the debate and the issues, they will be posted.
Here's an older article from the Washington Post Blog on the differences between the Clinton and Obama plans.
It's hard to find anyone that says the system will remain as it is now with no changes. The question is what changes are being advocated, who is behind the proposals, what segment of the population is going to be compromised and why.
The article on whether the benefits of boomers are at risk is an interesting read in itself, but so are the comments.
In an article on NationalReview.com, James Capretta says all of the Democratic candidates health care plans would eventually lead to government controlled health care, regardless of the differences in their individual proposals, citing a Robert Reich article from the Wall Street Journal.
It does appear that the health care issue aspect of the campaign is split on partisan lines, with the Democrats advocating universal coverage plans that involve government and private insurance, and the Republicans advocating private insurance for those that can afford it. Easily lost in the discussion are questions of affordability, the cost and consequences to our society of those that are uninsured, and the impact of either solution on the practice of medicine, healing and raising our standard of living.
Take a look at the article. Though Capretta is writing from a particular point of view, it does point out that much of what we will hear during the campaign, from candidates of both parties, when we hear the words "health care" is really about politics and political expediency in terms of satisfying constituents, and not so much about our health and well being.
Medical News Today reports that a study done by the American Institutes for Research indicates that policy changes are required to bolster the security of programs which aid lower income seniors. Policy changes that don't rely on reduction of benefits or reliance on privatization are recommended. The article points out that even seniors with the benefit of 401k plans can be at risk of decline should market conditions reduce the value of their securities and that a health crisis can overwhelm the finances of those with modest means.
The arguments for and against privatization as a solution to both Social Security and Health Care issues has many facets, and one of the most serious questions is whether individuals have the means to take advantage of plans that propose to provide incentives for private solutions. For many, and especially those who do not have employer provided health insurance, the cost of private plans is greater than their income will allow, even with incentives and subsidies. When they can afford them, the deductibles and limited coverage leaves them with bills they can ill afford if even the most minor of health issues arise. And remember, the lowest cost policies provide only the most basic coverage. Many services and fees are not covered.
Many studies cite health care issues as the primary cause of financial breakdown. The costs of modern health care can be staggering. Any plan, government or private, must take into account the ability of those covered to stay covered, or it's not adequate, and not really a plan at all.
A press release from The Aspen Institute announces Christine Todd Whitman, Julie Gerberding and Joseph Hogan will join Mark Ganz to Lead Aspen Institute Health Stewardship Project.
One facet of the project is to formulate questions for the candidates and publish the questions and responses.
"We are calling on the candidates and the public at large to prioritize stewardship of our shared health resources in the same sense that we prioritize stewardship of the environment," Gov. Whitman said.
From prnewswire via earthtimes.org
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/christine-todd-whitman-julie-gerberding-and-joseph-hogan-join-mark,255665.shtml
Another article on the same project referred to the current system as "broken" and suggested the candidates were going to get an "earful."
http://www.snowmassvillagesun.com/home.php?content=article&article=3402 - Snowmass Village Sun
Hope they do!
According to a story on NPR, four of the seven Republican candidates declined to respond to the question of how they are covered for health insurance.
When the question was initially asked, only one of the candidates of either party responded, but eventually all but the four provided a response. Admittedly, this is personal information that some people would consider private. However, Health Care (including care for retiring Boomers) is a major issue in the campaign and the ability of the general population to acquire and afford health insurance is central to the candidates positions, and in many cases is a differentiating factor.
Should the candidates solutions to their own health insurance issues be known by the voting public? Is transparency on this subject warranted? Is this any different than other disclosures that candidates are expected to make? What is the downside of disclosure?
Read the article to see how what seemed like a simple question turned out to be something else.
NPR : Health Care's a Big Issue. Who Covers Candidates?
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18033917From The Mike Gravel for President Website
"On Friday January 18, at 2 p.m. EST, Senator Gravel will participate in an informal discussion of Health Care issues with Dr. William Brody, President of Johns Hopkins University. The Senator’s interview will be one in the five part series Health Care ’08 – Search for Solutions. This series is presented by Retirement Living TV, Johns Hopkins University and the National Coalition on Health Care. The series will give Senator Gravel and others an opportunity to address the health care crisis facing Boomers and Seniors.
2008 Presidential Candidates and other Public Leaders Address Changes in the American Healthcare System Impacting Boomers and Seniors
Washington, DC – January 11, 2008 – Retirement Living TV (RLTV), in association with Johns Hopkins University and the National Coalition on Health Care (NCHC), announced today that they are producing a multi- part series, Healthcare ’08: Search for Solutions. The series begins airing January 14 at 2 p.m. EST on RLTV. AARP, Johns Hopkins University, NCHC and RLTV will also make the series available on their websites.. Healthcare ’08: Search for Solutions will give the presidential candidates and other public leaders an informal forum to discuss their views on the possible solutions to the healthcare crisis facing Boomers and seniors in America."
Another entry in a series that links to material posted on the web sites of the candidates.
What Does Mike Gravel Say?
The Gravel2008 site has a page that addresses a wide range of issues, including Health Care and Social Security.
http://www.gravel2008.us/issues
These links may change over time, and the candidates may provide more information. We'll post current links when we find them.
