Covid-19 and US Healthcare Policy

If you have seen the news from Italy you know how bad things can get. Germany is doing better because they have invested in three times the intensive care capability than Italy. England only has about half Italy's IC. Spain is probably similar to Italy. Because of this Germany is reporting few deaths per hospitalization.

How about the US?

Unlike most European countries the US has a for profit healthcare system supported by a for profit private insurance system. How did this happen? I was about to blame it on Nixon but it turns out it probably dates back to the AMA in the 1920's.

History of Healthcare - Wikipedia

One bright point was the passage of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965. When Bill Clinton was elected president Hillary Clinton tried to go to congress to get healthcare reform passed but the Republican congress refused to listen to her basically because she was not an elected official.

Finally Barack Obama was able to get a healthcare reform package passed that allowed all Americans to get health insurance but it was a flawed plan. First his plan was not as extensive as the plan Hillary Clinton had proposed. It was based on on Mitt Romney's plan from Massachusetts. Then just as it was going to pass Edward Kennedy died and a Republican senator was elected to replace him. More concessions had to be made to the Republicans and the bill barely passed. People were so made about having to have healthcare that they elected a Democratic house of representatives and senate for the rest of Obama's term and he was not able to pass any significant legislation during that time.

Ever since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) also known as Obamacare was passed states have been trying to overturn it. It also turned out to be not really affordable. Many people decided to pay the fine in taxes rather than buy insurance.

If you end up in the hospital in one of the European countries I mentioned at the beginning of this paper you will spend some time in the hospital, you might end up on a respirator but if you survive the nightmare is over. If you end up in a hospital with Covid-19 in the US I heard someone on the say the received a bill for $35,000. They did not have insurance. If you have a lengthy stay in the hospital it will be more. Even if you do have insurance you will probably hit your deductible which will probably be several thousand dollars since most people have high deductible insurance now.

What will happen when insurance companies start getting hit with thousands and thousands of claims? They will go bankrupt and default on their payments to the for profit hospitals who will then also go bankrupt.

It is at this point that the government need to come in a provide medicare for all and eliminate for profit healthcare. Hopefully we will have learned our lesson.

Feel the Bern!

Bernie Sanders is as far right as I am willing to vote!

Edit:

Bernie supporters apparently don't bother to vote.

State of the Union 2020

I could not watch this without responding to some of the comments.

Trump: The years of economic decay are over (etc.)

This is highly unlikely considering how the deficit is growing. Trump's economic plan of giving huge tax cuts to the rich just creates a huge deficit to pass on to our children.

Trump: Our values are renewed.

Trump as basically destroyed our values by supporting White Nationalists bigots. Now Obama had values.

Trump: From the instant I took office, I moved rapidly to revive the U.S. economy — slashing a record number of job-killing regulations

Many of the regulations Trump slashed were designed to protect our environment, our wildlife, and our economy from reckless practices in the past that lead to the collapse of our economy.

Trump: If we hadn’t reversed the failed economic policies of the previous administration, the world would not now be witnessing this great economic success.

The Obama administration oversaw one of greatest economic recoveries in history which continued into the next administration, much of Trump's success must be attributed to Obama. He should be thanking him rather than insulting him.

Trump: Under my administration, seven million Americans have come off food stamps, and 10 million people have been lifted off of welfare.

I suspect that there are more people going hungry...

Trump: Thanks to our bold regulatory reduction campaign, the United States has become the No. 1 producer of oil and natural gas anywhere in the world, by far.

OK, this is not a good thing. This is not something to be proud of. Hasn't he ever heard of climate change...oh, yeah, that's right. He does not believe science.

Trump: After losing 60,000 factories under the previous two administrations, America has now gained 12,000 new factories under my administration, with thousands upon thousands of plants and factories being planned or being built.

I remember Trump talking about how great the Foxconn plant was going to be in southerns Wisconsin. That place is a mess. I have been there. There tore up the whole place and there are no jobs. The jobs that were supposed to be coming to Eau Claire mysteriously evaporated with Foxconn pulled out. Thanks Donald.

Trump: Six days ago, I replaced NAFTA and signed the brand-new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement into law. The U.S.M.C.A.

They basically are the same deal. A lot of farmers lost there farms while they were waiting for it.

Trump: That’s why my administration reversed the failing policies of the previous administration on Cuba.

Why would we want to backpedal on Cuba? We finally make some progress on Cuba and Trump dumps it.

Trump: Socialism destroys nations.

At this time let us reflect on some of the programs that have come from socialist ideals: social security, medicare, medicaid, public schools, public roads, the military (oh yeah the military is a government organization).

Trump: It’s called the Space Force.

It's a joke, OK. There is no space force.

Trump: Yet, for too long, countless American children have been trapped in failing government schools.

Now Trump is great a coining phrase to make it sound bad. Instead of saying public schools he is calling them government schools. Sounds bad doesn't it? Think we will be hearing that phrase on the campaign trail? You bet we will! The republican machine has been pulling money out of public education for decades forcing them to fail. Why? Probably so uncertified schools like Trump University can dupe people out of their money and trap them in student loan debt.

Trump: My budget also contains an exciting vision for our nation’s high schools. Tonight, I ask Congress to support our students and back my plan to offer vocational and technical education in every single high school in America.

Wait, what?! Aren't those the failing government schools that you wanted to get the kids out of? Well at least the kids who go to government schools will be able to get a job when they are done thanks to technical education. I guess the student who end up in the charter schools probably won't get the opportunity.

Trump: We will always protect patients with pre-existing conditions.

Was this intended as a joke? Trump and the republicans have been trying the get rid of the pre-existing conditions requirement since Trump took office. Doesn't anybody remember anything? Isn't that why John McCain voted against it?

Trump: The American patient should never be blindsided by medical bills..(cut)..But as we work to improve Americans’ health care, there are those who want to take away your health care, take away your doctor, and abolish private insurance entirely.

Yes, I do want to get rid of private insurance. Why have some middle man making a huge profit? No one should have to go broke just because they are sick. I would much rather pay taxes and ensure my heath care is taken care of than pay some ridiculous amounts of money to some for profit hospitals and insurance companies.

Trump: One hundred thirty-two lawmakers in this room have endorsed legislation to impose a socialist takeover of our health care system, wiping out the private health insurance plans of 180 million very happy Americans. To those watching at home tonight, I want you to know: We will never let socialism destroy American health care.

Socialized medicine is going to happen eventually, it is only a matter of time. I would be very happy to replace my private for profit insurance with a public tax thank your very much. It is the for profit health care industry that has already destroyed American health care.

Trump: This will be a tremendous boon to our already very strongly guarded southern border where, as we speak, a long, tall and very powerful wall is being built.

Shouldn't we have been putting that money into health care. Since we need more workers and people are having fewer children shouldn't we actually be increasing immigration. What are you doing to make legal immigration easier?

Trump: And, Rush, in recognition of all that you have done for our nation, the millions of people a day that you speak to and that you inspire, and all of the incredible work that you have done for charity, I am proud to announce tonight that you will be receiving our country’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Rush Limbaugh has made a ton of money by promoting government policies that mostly benefit the millionaire class, his class. And by being a jerk. Well, it is too bad he has cancer but maybe he should have lived a better life.

Trump: Whether we are Republican, Democrat, or independent, surely we must all agree that every human life is a sacred gift from God.

What about us atheists?

Trump: Rocky was at a gas station when this vile criminal fired eight bullets at him from close range, murdering him in cold blood.

Wow, we should really restrict access to dangerous weapons like guns...

Trump: So long as I am president, I will always protect your Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.

Nope

Using your position to influence the election

There was a professor DT who was running for city council and he found out that one of his students was the HR director for a company and the son of his main rival was an employee for her company. So when the student turned in her assignment he gave her a zero. Then he called her up and said he would give her an A if she announced that the employee was being investigated for sexual harassment. She refused but someone in the next cubicle overheard the whole thing and reported it to the school administrators. What action should they take?

Trump Voter Questions

Q: If Trump is a genius and I vote for Trump does that make me a genius?
A: No!
Q: If Trump is an idiot and I vote for Trump does that make me an idiot?
A: Yes!

Political Agenda for the Next Election

1. Climate Change: 100% tax on all fossil fuels to start with increasing each year
2. Health Care: Medicare for all
3. Gun Violence: Make it illegal to possess a firearm
4. Freedom Dividend: $1000/month for all adults no matter what
5. Immigration: Double the staff and hours at immigration offices
6. Education: First two years of public college free, generally increase public education
7. Foreign Policy: Only get involved in activities abroad as part of the U
8. Homelessness: Provide homes to those who need them
9. Drugs: Legalize illegal drugs and tax them

Time was...

I think we should offer North Korea free elections not Kim Jong Un protections.

Eagles

It is said that the right wing and the left wing are parts of the same bird, but if both wings continuously beat up each other then we will never soar like an eagle.  There are those that would like to see the US destroy itself and they will do all they can to achieve that goal.  If you share or like a political meme you may be spreading hateful propaganda generated by the enemies of the United States.  Russia, Iran, North Korea, China and other hostile nations are laughing at us as we tear ourselves apart on social media.  There are also those within our  own country who seek to make a profit from us attacking each other.  That includes the news media as well as other large corporations.

Better Deal

The Democrat's "Better Deal" seems to be a pretty lackluster mishmash of ideas.  I would like to see the following addressed:

• Single payer healthcare
• Voter suppression
• Tax reform so the wealthy pay at least the same tax % rate as the rest of us
• Support for sustainable energy
• Bring high tech manufacturing back to the US
• A network of innovation centers across the country so innovators do not have to go to Shen Zhen China to have their ideas developed
• Corporate reform to support worker owned companies
• Healthcare price transparency

Trump V Obama

President Trump should be given the same respect he gave President Obama.

Trump's main goal as president seems to be undoing all of the good things that President Obama accomplished:

Obamacare, relations with Cuba, Paris Accords

Feingold v Johnson

Ron Johnson has an ad out blaming Russ Feingold for terrorist attacks because Feingold voted against the Patriot Act.  This ad makes no sense because all of the attacks in the ad happened after the  Patriot Act was passed and happened while Ron Johnson was senator and head of the homeland security committee.  Who believes this stuff!

Role of Corporations

What is the role of corporations, what purpose do they serve?

1. Provide a return on investment for investors.
2. Provide goods and services to their customers.
3. Provide jobs for their employees.
4. Grow the economy of the region.

Emphasis is usually placed on the first and second of these but three and four are perhaps even more important.

Tolerance, Sustainability, and the Working Class: Branding for the Democratic Party

I was listening to public radio and they were talking about what the democratic party brand should be.  A caller suggested the "working class" should be the focus of the party.  I like this but it needs to embrace more ideas.  For me sustainability is one of the most important concepts for the future of the planet.  A third idea is the need to embrace cultural diversity through tolerance.  There could be more like education and science but it is best to limit your brand to three things.

Working class Americans
Tolerance
Sustainability

Political Survey

Just a quick survey to see where you stand on political issues.  Multiple choice.  Select all correct answers.

GMO
  a. Good
  b. Bad

2. Global warming
  a. Real
  b. Fake

3. Fox News
  a. Propaganda
  b. Only reliable news source

4. Vaccinations
  a. Cause autism
  b. Prevent diseases

5. Abortion
  a. Pro-life
  b. Pro-choice

6. Gun control
  a. We need less of it
  b. We need more of it
  c. We have just the right amount of it

7. Origins
  a. Evolution
  b. Creation

8. 911 was an attack on the US by
 a. Iraq
 b. Saudi Arabians
 c. Israel
 d. Afghanistan
 e. Iran
 f. the US

9. Lawsuits
  a. Should be illegal
  b. Are necessary

10. Gay marriage
  a. Should be allowed
  b. Should not be allowed

Boomers: The Selfish Generation

An acquaintance of mine recently called the Baby Boomers the most selfish of generations.  Certainly this is true so far. They will be the generation that burned up the fossil fuels by driving SUVs to work everyday with only a single passenger.  They will be the generation that straddles future generations with mountains of debt.  Do we (the Boomers) have an obligation to paying off this debt?  I say yes.  I worked for private companies for most of my career.  But when I look at the companies I worked for I realize that without the government deficit military spending our company would not have existed.  Reagan financed my job through deficit spending.  The company I worked for helped pay for most of the other jobs in town.

The reason I live a comfortable lifestyle now is because it was financed through debt to be paid by future generations.

Most Boomer jobs were financed through government debt which made them (us) prosperous. Now the debt is starting to really impact the economy but the Boomers are refusing to pay back what they borrowed and complaining about high taxes (taxed enough already).  I believe in paying my debts but neither liberals nor conservatives are willing to raise taxes to pay off the deficit.  The most selfish generation (Boomers) would have to commit to paying higher taxes to pay off the deficit.

Good luck with that.

Oh, and I heard someone say that we should pay off the debt by lowering taxes.  Reagan proved that theory was bogus.  It won't work.  Boomers and future generations will have to work harder, pay higher taxes and retire later.  The Xs and Millenials should not let the Boomers get away with screwing them over.

Recently others have been noticing the same thing:

Are the Boomers Screwing the Millenials?

The Screwed Generation

This will not end well...

On the Deficit

The deficit will be one of the major problems facing the United States as China becomes the largest economy in the world.  The US has been acting like an irresponsible teenager with a credit card who has run up a big debt and wants to just pay the minimum balance.  The US should make it a priority to pay off the deficit.  Yes, this will be painful but it is needed.

Many in the TEA party are calling for this but the main idea of the TEA part (Taxed Enough Already) is flawed.  Paying off the deficit will require us to increase taxes.  It will also require cutting back on expenditures especially the military.  We will also have to cut back on government spending for social security and medicare as unpopular as that sounds.  The least painful way to do this is to increase the retirement age.

Both democratic and republican administrations have voted for the huge deficit we are faced with now. It will be up to all Americans to accept the responsibility to pay off this deficit.  The Baby Boomers have been the most selfish of all generations.  If we fail to pay off this deficit then future generations will look back at us as the most irresponsible of generations.

On Corporate America

I think if your company still has its first CEO he or she is probably doing a good job.  By the time you get to the third CEO of a company they are most likely a crony of the board of directors.  They come in and looking at the costs of the company, see that employees are one of the major ongoing capital expenditures, so they have a layoff that makes them look good.  After a couple of years they leave with a golden parachute taking millions in bonuses.   Those bonuses could probably have provided the salaries for all the people who got laid off.

The most important societal contribution of a corporation is to provide employment for its employees.  Making a profit for its investors has very little benefit for society.  Many companies lose sight of the significance of paying their employees a good wage.  They just see it as a capital expense.  What they often fail to realize is that by paying their employees a good wage they will earn enough money to buy the company's products or buy products from someone else that can then afford to buy the company's products.

It may seem at first that outsourcing or offshoring make economic sense for a company because the can get the work done cheaper in another country.  This may be true if only a few companies do this.  If all the companies do this and the primary market for the product is in the US then the consumers will eventually no longer have enough money to buy the products anymore.  If everyone outsources work then the US loses in the long run.

On Taxes

I hear a lot of complaints about taxes:  Taxed Enough Already!  This statement is ridiculous.  Taxes are lower now than they have been for 30 years.  Besides we get many benefits from our taxes including roads, public education and social services.  The spending of these public dollars is open to public scrutiny so the dollars are rarely wasted.

There is no direct public oversight on the behavior of companies.  Even investors have become disembodied mutual funds with money drawn from 401k accounts so that nobody has any real oversight over a particular company.

Compare this to corporations where they routinely waste money.  Much of this money is wasted on executive salaries.  Corporate CEOs are receiving most of their salaries as capital gains.  Since the capital gains tax was lowered this results in corporate executives paying a much lower percentage of their income in capital gains than most American workers.

Everyone is concerned about the national debt but know one wants to do anything about it.  At one time I thought the republicans were interested in fiscal responsibility.  Reagan proved this was not the case.  He just ran up the debt spending money on building up the military rather than on social or scientific programs.

So now we are faced with a massive debt and neither the democrats nor the republicans are willing to raise taxes to deal with it.  The solution will have to involve raising taxes as well as adjusting entitlements.  People will not be able to retire at age 65 and go on without working.  Retirement age will have to be increased.  Taxes will have to be increased particularly on corporate executive salaries.  Military spending must decrease substantially.  We should not be considered the police force of the world.

The Right's Fascination with Extremism

The problem with the right is that they think if they are more extremist they will get more of the vote.  This actually worked for them for a while.  They had to create the sense that the "mainstream media" was left oriented so that a far right agenda propagated by Fox News would be considered centrist.  This worked for them in the 2004 election with Bush.  People have gotten smarter and the in particular the left have found their voice on the internet but it has left the country polarized.

All of the republican candidates for president are too extreme to get elected.  Americans have become disillusioned with the TEA Party.  Why should they care if a bunch of upper middle class Americans think their taxes are too high?  Their agenda primarily only benefits the super wealthy.  If the right were really smart they would move more to the center and find a centrist candidate.

Obama has been a great president because he stuck to his primary goals but has remained centrist on most other fronts.  To me the most important achievements of Barack Obama have been to end military involvement in Iraq, capture or kill Osama bin Laden by increasing our military efforts in Afghanistan, and reform healthcare.  Not only that but he inherited an economy that was headed for disaster and salvaged it (as well as possible), pressured BP to fix the oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico, and reformed the credit industry.

On Education

I have trouble understanding why the right usually seem to be anti-education.  This does not make sense to me, but inevitably when a right wing administration is elected they seem to attack public education.  As an example consider the case of Wisconsin.  A republican governor, assembly and senate are elected and the first thing they do is cut the education budget.  They also pass legislation designed to eliminate many public sector unions which causes massive protests.  Of course people who see their rights being taken away react angrily.  What is even sadder though, is the $1 billion dollar cut to public education.  Education is an investment that takes years to be realized.  The affects will be felt in the future not in the present.

Some news articles have stated that the destruction of the unions will enable school districts to do more with less.  The rule of economics (there ain't no free lunch) implies that by reducing teacher wages and job security, the teaching profession will become a less attractive career choice.  The best students will no longer consider teaching.  People will choose teaching as a last resort.  In the end the quality of education will suffer, the quality of the students performance will decrease, and when these students enter the workplace they will lack the skills necessary to compete with workers around the globe.

Another disturbing aspect of this trend is the support of Charter schools.  These schools are great for the few who  can attend them.  This sets the precedence for parallel education systems, one for the wealthy and one for the poor.  I have had conversations with people who feel they should not have to pay any taxes to support education at all.  They don't have any children in school any more so, why should they be obligated to pay taxes?  Public education is the one method for people to escape poverty in the US.  Without it the trap of poverty becomes complete, and the consequences will be dire.