Tag Archives: Health Care

The Most for the Least

Posted on December 12, 2009 | Leave a comment

If you aren’t careful, you will be told that American’s have it pretty bad; especially right now.

Unemployment is up, health care is up.  All of it, is up.  Except wages, and they are down.  It’s all bad news.

Except, well, maybe it’s not from Mark Perry:

when you factor in the fact that the typical new home built today (average of 2,519 square feet) are more than 50% larger than the typical new home in 1973 (1,660 square feet, see bottom chart above, data here), Americans have never had it better when it comes to housing costs.

Just another example that we are living in the best to live.  Ever.

Average Monthly Mortgage

Compared to:

Average New Home Size

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Posted in Economics

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The Dangers of the Left

Posted on December 10, 2009 | Leave a comment

Over at The Progressive Pulse Chris is talking about Medicare and how Medicare is playing a role in the Health Care debate.

One of the Republican talking points about the latest health care reform proposal is that it slashes Medicare benefits. It’s not true of course, but that doesn’t matter when you are trying to scare seniors.

I find the irony rich.  The whole point of Chris’ post is how hard it is to keep up with the right and how hard it is to separate truth from fiction.  I think Chris is both right and wrong.  I think he is right when he correctly points out a flaw in the Right’s tactics:

…Tea Party activists shouting “keep government’s hands off my Medicare,”…

However, he is completely wrong when he claims no shenanigans surrounding Medicare.

One of the tricks employed by the Democrats during this whole debate was that one which brought the Heal Care bill in under $1 trillion.  See, the Dems wrote the bill to include reduced Medicare spending.  A reduction such that the entirely of the bill would come in less than the politically unattractive trillion dollar mark.  The way around this?  They then would submit a SEPARATE bill that would delay such spending for 10 years.

So take your pick Chris.  Either the bill is a pig well over what the Dems are advertising or Medicare spending will be slashed.

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Posted in Health Care, Politics: North Carolina

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And I Will Name Him — Success

Posted on December 9, 2009 | 6 comments

I can’t prove it, of course.  And, in fact, it may not even happen.  But I swear to you that I won’t be surprised if the recent reports of H1N1 vaccine being available is reported as reducing the number of cases of H1N1.

Back in late November, experts were calling the H1N1 peak:

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The pandemic of swine flu may be hitting a peak in the Northern Hemisphere, global health officials said on Friday, but they cautioned it was far from over.

Not sure that a lot of people caught that.  And for those that did, they may have responded like I did:

Big “effin” deal.  My family already got it.

But, when you combine the news that the outbreak has peaked with this bit of good news:

Raleigh, N.C. — About 200 people showed up Tuesday morning at the Wake County Public Health Center in Raleigh to get the H1N1 flu vaccine.

…

Tuesday was the first day the county opened the vaccine up to anyone over 6 months old.

Traffic was slow and steady at the Sunnybrook Road location, as well as three other health department sites in Fuquay-Varina, Wake Forest and Zebulon.

Ray Martin, 71, said he was in and out of the Raleigh site in 15 minutes – a stark contrast to earlier this year, in which hundreds lined up and were turned away due to a limited supply of the vaccine.

Now look, I for one am very pleased to see that those folks who need a shot are getting one.  But really.  Providing a shot to people older than 6 months of age fully 2 weeks AFTER the peak is not really A-Okay in my book.  Especially considering that the vaccine takes nearly 2 weeks to fully “bake-in”.

Sadly, I am afraid that this is what we have to look forward to in the Government sponsored health care.  See, in the world of government, a vaccine is an expense that needs to be minimized.  In the private world, the vaccine is a product that needs to be available, marketed and sold.

‘Nuff said.

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Posted in Economics, Health Care

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Free Market Guy

Posted on December 5, 2009 | Leave a comment

So, word is that I trust the free market to a fault.  It might be hard to dispute that, but then again, my limited knowledge of economics as a science could argue in my favor that what I do or don’t know doesn’t mean squat.  Hell, for all I know, the only reason that I feel the way I do is that when I was a kid I mighta thought my dad was a Republican.  [he wasn’t, democrat blue through and through].  Anyway, so I started thinking.  They have books on sports.  Everything from who wins and loses, point spread, over under and even crazy things, like TDs in a game, fumbles in the first half or yards rushing per carry.  Crazy crazy stuff.  More crazy is how accurate it is.

See, it’s one thing to SAY that the Vikings are gonna beat Green Bay.  It’s another thing entirely to BET money that they will.  One is a hope.  The other is, or can be, an investment.

So I went out to see if there was a market for the stuff that I talk about here.  Turns out; there is:  Intrade

Intrade is a clearing house for all kinds of strange things.  You can bet on whoo will have control of the House of Representatives after 2010 election.  You can bet on Cap and Trade regulations, Gov Sanford staying in office and–well, Health Care plans.  Let’s check it out.

And as of right now, this board is tracking three “markets”

  1. A federal government-run health insurance plan to be approved before midnight ET 31 Dec 2009
  2. A federal government-run health insurance plan to be approved before midnight ET 31 March 2010
  3. A federal government-run health insurance plan to be approved before midnight ET 30 June 2010

Now, the way it works is that the “Closing Price” is what the “market” feels is the % chance that a “thing” will occur.  So, if the closing price for the “Vikings winning the NFC Norris” is at 83.5, then that is saying the market feels there is an 83.5% chance of the Vikings winning the Division.

Check out the graphs for each of our Health Care scenarios:


Price for Will a federal government run health insurance plan (a public option) be approved in the US? at intrade.com

This one looks very promising.  With a closing price of 2.7, the market is saying that there is only a 2.7% chance that we’ll see a “Public Option” by December 31, 2009.  How about March 31, 2010?

Note:  These graphs are show with their real time rates.  At the time of prining the first was at 2.7 and the bottom two at 12.0.


Price for Will a federal government run health insurance plan (a public option) be approved in the US? at intrade.com

Ouch, that one doesn’t look so good.  Fully 400% increase to 12% that we’ll see the public option by March 31, 2010.  For our last time frame; June 30, 2010?


Price for Will a federal government run health insurance plan (a public option) be approved in the US? at intrade.com

Fascinating.  The exact same closing price; 12.  The market feels that there is a 12% chance that we’ll have a “Public Option” passed by June 30th, 2010.

Very interesting stuff.  One note, this data is saying that if we don’t pass this by April 1, there is a zero percent chance that we’ll pass it by July 1.  If the market felt that there was a chance of passing after March 31, the close would reflect a number HIGHER than the March 31 closing.

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Posted in Economics, Health Care

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Danger Ahead

Posted on December 5, 2009 | Leave a comment

A couple of days ago I gave my explanation of why California doesn’t have any water left.  The basic idea is that when the price of a thing is reduced and limited below what the market would otherwise bare, you will experience a shortage of that thing.

This is true of water in California
This is true of housing in New York during rent control.
This is true of housing in San Francisco during rent control.
This is true of gasoline during times of rising prices.

So why is it that very smart people don’t take these lessons to heed?

Dorgan’s drug re-importation amendment is another significant hurdle. Allowing for the importation of cheaper drugs from Canada and European countries is popular among many Democrats and Republicans, giving Dorgan’s proposal a strong chance of passage.

Unbelievable.  Drug companies make drugs to sell, at a profit.  The market in the US is SO massive that they can sustain gross economic policies in other countries that force these companies to sell thier drugs for less than cost.  Now, the US wants to take those drugs from those countries and re-import them here.  For a price less than the market can bare.
Guess whats gonna happen?

Hat Tip: Say Anything

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Posted in Economics, Economy, Health Care

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Color Me Shocked

Posted on December 1, 2009 | Leave a comment

Or, wherein North Carolina looks like Minnesota.  It would appear that a Government entitlement program is way over budget:

The government health insurance program for low-income children, older adults and the disabled is at least $150 million over budget through the first quarter of the fiscal year.

The best part?  The best part isn’t that we are over budget.  I mean really, how could a government program really be expected to come in under budget?  Nope, the best part is that we are over by $150 million THROUGH THE FIRST QUARTER!

Part of the reason we are so far over?

About half of the cost overruns are because of delays in federal approval of some cuts proposed by the state Department of Health and Human Services to save money.

Yup.  In order to save money we have to cut services [ only a foretaste of the Obamacare feast to come ] and then we are delayed even in doing that because one government bureaucracy can’t communicate with another in a timely manner.

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Posted in Health Care, Politics: North Carolina

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My Business Model Sucks — YOU Take It

Posted on November 30, 2009 | Leave a comment

Minnesota has one of the oldest High Risk Pools, Minnesota Comprehensive Health Insurance, in the country.  All told, there are 35 of them and the Gopher State has been at it since 1976.  It’s mission, a noble one.

Since becoming operational in 1977, MCHA has served as an insurance safety net for Minnesotans who have been turned down for individual health insurance due to pre-existing conditions.

Sounds great.  And to a whole bunch of people it is.  With pre-existing conditions they are able to find health insurance where normally they might not be able to.  Only problem?

In 2008, MCHA spent $136.5 million more paying for medical care and administrative costs than it collected in premiums and other revenue.  In 2009, those losses are projected at $150 million.

That’s a whole lotta money.  Now, without going into the Oughts and Ought Nots of the thing, the point remains; that’s a lot of money.  And the main strategy of the MCHA to get to the point where they don’t lose that kinda money year over year?  Obama’s Health Insurance Reform.  Yup.  The only way for the MCHA to quit losing money is to go out of business.

And the only way for the United States to AVOID losing money is to STAY out of business.

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Posted in Health Care, Politics: National, States Behaving Badly

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When Swine Fly

Posted on November 16, 2009 | Leave a comment

Yowza!  Into day 5 of my personal experience with the Pig Flu.  Very not fun.  Very.  On the upside-I shouldn’t  need the vaccine now.  Which, it would appear, is a good thing; ’cause there ain’t none.

BARRE – Dozens of central Vermonters were turned away from an H1N1 flu vaccination clinic Saturday morning after health-care workers quickly ran through the 500 doses they had on hand.

By 8 a.m. – an hour before the clinic was supposed to begin – a queue of flu-wary residents braced against a cold and persistent November drizzle outside the Barre Auditorium. By 10:30, an hour and a half before the clinic was scheduled to end, nurses closed the doors.

And here’s the best part:

Vaccinations at Saturday’s clinic were reserved for people in “priority groups” who, by virtue of age or medical condition, are more prone to serious complications if they contract the virus, commonly known as swine flu.

Already the alternate rationing has begun.  See, normally when there is a properly functioning supply and demand market, the price of a good will rise with the demand.  This increase in price will signal to the market an unmet need, or, a better way to allocate scare resources.  New producers enter the market adding to the supply and delivering the required amount of the good to service that demand.  But when the supply and demand does not depend on price, the market does not respond.  At this point, the supply is determined by fiat.  And instead of being treated like an investment; it’s a cost.  A cost that must be minimized.  Oh, an added benefit of market exposure.  Iin order to compete, the price of the good will come down, or, barring that, undesirable features will be removed:

a queue of flu-wary residents braced against a cold and persistent November drizzle outside the Barre Auditorium.

Government Rationing

Doesn't this look like your last trip to the grocery store?

And new ones added:

I trek 25 miles from Rockville to the Fairfax store every month or so because it offers so much. First, there’s the Market Cafe for lunch, then the Wine Cellar to stock up on our favorites. Then we spend probably an hour strolling through the store, buying the best and most varied produce I’ve ever seen, meats that are packaged to last more than a day or two, and all those odd products I can’t find elsewhere. When we check out, not only is the cashier the most pleasant anywhere, but the grand total is competitive with other local stores.

or this one:

“They have ‘regular’ groceries at very competitive prices, but they also have ‘higher end’ gourmet foods. Most importantly, they have a willing, helpful and friendly staff almost too anxious to help a customer.”

Crazy free market!  Trying to profit by selling FOOD!  Everyone has a right to food!

Such utter bullshit.

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Posted in Economics, Health Care

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What Have We Become

Posted on November 9, 2009 | 5 comments

Stumbled across a letter to Joe Lieberman tonight over at American Hatriotism today.  It’s awesome.  Basically you have someone over there talking about how awful, simply AWFUL, Mr. Lieberman is for coming out against the health care bill.  After a WHOLE bunch of discussion on the fact, we get to the point where a letter is penned and delivered to the Senator’s office.  I’ve captured all I could stand the beginning and then added my response to it.  If ya want, stop on over the Hatriotism and see if the comment got any action:

Dear Mr. Lieberman,

Do you sleep well while …..

so many Americans struggle to bear the pain and anguish they are experiencing today?

Far be it that people ought to struggle.

somewhere in America a hard working student finds out there is no means, no money, no way to college?

Is that hard-working student willing to work hard at a job?

a mother and father are struggling to provide the bare necessities for their disabled child?

Good bless then for being able to supply the necessities for their child; disabled or not.

an elderly man who fought for his country eats a can of beans for dinner and must dress in several layers of clothing because he can not afford a decent meal or to heat his meager home?

We thank him for his service; service to ensure that we are all free.  Free to be responsible.  Or not to be responsible.

a Mother over-medicates her baby with tylenol for his earache because she can not take him to the urgent care or doctor for treatment?

She should take the bay to urgent care or the doctor for treatment.

a family will huddle in the cold behind a dumpster to block the wind because they have nowhere else to go?

Before they go to the government, they should go to church.

a husband and wife lie in bed discussing how to break it to their children that they will soon lose their home and have to move?

The tender mercies of learning not to borrow money you can’t afford to pay back.

a couple that saved thousands for a home they will now lose when the bank takes it away?

This should be sent to Senator Frank actually.

a father tells his family he has lost his job and they can no longer count on him to take care of them?

A real father would say that he has lost his job and will do whatever it takes to take care of them.  Even if it means working 3 others.

a mother tells her children there isn’t anything left in the house to eat?

How many different ways can you say the same thing?

another father wonders how many more days, weeks, months before he will work again and worries how they’ll make it until then?

Jeez.

The whole rest of your letter is the same point on and on and on.

And the real tragedy?  Passing a law isn’t going to change any of that.

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Posted in Health Care, Liberty, Raising Men

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And We Needed More Proof

Posted on November 4, 2009 | Leave a comment

The government, by fiat, has taken over control of an industry.  Elsewhere, we have demonstrated that when exposed to the open market, supply is enhanced and prices plummet.  But not now.  In the name of public welfare, the government has said

We shall save you!

And it’s costing us big time.

Health care?  Nope.

Booze.

Raleigh, N.C. — Alcohol is a $720 million a year business in North Carolina, and state law allows North Carolina government to have a monopoly on sales. However, a number of ABC stores across the state are barely surviving or are losing money.

Unreal.  You could open a liquor store where ever two roads meet and make money.  How is it that these guys fail?

“They can’t make them operate better. They can’t make them a profit,” Shaw said.

Right.  I forgot.  Government.

The best part?  Dry counties can have liquor stores.

The study also suggests the market is over-saturated with stores. Some counties are considered “dry” and don’t allow alcohol sales, but state law allows 500 voters in those counties to vote for an ABC board to run a store.

I think we should let these guys run health care; you?

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Posted in Politics: National, Politics: North Carolina

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