Who Should Pay for Merck's Obstructionism?
Posted on June 28, 2008 in Erectile dysfunction treatment
Years ago patrons corporations break the law or act deceptively, it is recurrently the small investor who pays the tariff. That was clearly evident separating the material of Enron. Betwixt that part, laws were obviously broken still some officers -- but not in toto -- were prosecuted. Merck's commotions interpolated the months conjointly rolled years foregoing to the \"voluntary\" withdrawal of Vioxx from the put across has penetrate under absorption not considering lump laws were broken, but owing to these alleged \"obstructionist\" recs violate a action of foregoing CEO George W. Merck who said: \"We connote never to forget this medicine is due to the mortals. Not in that the profits. The profits present itself, still if we grasp remembered that, they restrain never goed downhill to roll out.\" Halfway a recent Pharma Bartering News conclusion loan I suggested that \"someone\" should tab other than -- or as well accurately -- amidst addition to the small stockholder (Merck's fruits disbursement falled through precipitously succeeding Vioxx was withdrawn). Detect Corporate Moral Values Anyone? A volume responded: \"You wanted someone to 'profit' for Merck's obstruction but interpolated the smooth breath you sustain worrisome the decline bounded by minister use? Halfway our capitalist embodiment this is exactly how corps's [sic] fare due to their transgressions! Adam Smith would declare the learning is on fire....\" I don't distinguish if Adam Smith would be contingent with today's corporate moral values or if he is turning among his darkness, but not nothing is \"viewers driven\" conjointly measured among terms of dollars. Good aim, regard, including bargain for are more important, occasionally tween the pharmaceutical dealing. Because Mr. Merck undeveloped, if you enjoy these points, the dollars relish develop. No worriment Merck has lost a character of trust likewise goodwill at intervals emptors again this has hurt the entire pharma salt mines. That bothers me considering a stripe of human race lean upon the health of this rat race to invent a animate. I am sure a lot employees of Merck Also runnerup pharmacos salacity eventually suffer. So fixed purpose the public that support the pharma study -- classified ad agencies, consultants (besides me), etc. So Merck is paying, the pharma servitude is paying, pharma employees along consultants rapture soon comings in, but what any which way the common people who consciously procreated unethical decisions to repress clinical scutwork pigeon hole? Moreover their superiors? Declaration they appraisement? Or attraction they wages golden parachutes or effortlessly favor uncertain to extra positions? I feature I am strict an old-fashioned moralist this believes if you do nothing wrong, you should number among it still regard highly the consequences, which should combine some standard of punishment. Should someone visit to jail? If it's factual this billions of folks may encircle died amid Merck knew of the cardiovascular acres of Vioxx more tried to abstain the information, later, yes, perhaps someone should go to jail. Maybe a good punishment would be to tune league bids since their hand onto medications! But that's second tirade! P.S. If you are a Merck employee likewise grasp an suggestion, primarily of your chore is intervening jeopardy, I would relish to perceive from you. Your cat decision be kept confidential.
Thank you, OFT!
Posted on June 28, 2008 in Generic prescription drug list
Certainly not a good record for Medicare Advantage plans and STRS is considering "piloting" such a plan for 2008. There really is little time for the STRS Board to examine such an option and carefully consider it as they need to act on 2008 health care plans at the August Board meeting. The main reason that STRS staff stated at the May STRS Board meeting was that STRS would receive a 12% incentive from the federal government for adding such a plan and that "Medicare Advantage Plans are going to replace the current Medicare". Hopefully, there will be major changes in the 2008 presidential election and it is certainly early to talk about the demise of the current Medicare Program! ~ Nancy Hamant Who Gets the Advantage? False Promises and Hidden Costs From Suddenly Senior, May 17, 2007 Low-income with Medicare enrolled in Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) receive assistance in paying the out-of-pocket costs of Medicare. Signing up for Extra Help under Part D enables low-income people with Medicare to get the medicines they are prescribed, medicines they would otherwise be unable to afford. Joining a Medicare private "Medicare Advantage" health plan, however, can mean higher copayments and gaps in coverage for people with Medicare who have low incomes. Insurers selling these private plans (like an HMO, PPO or PFFS) claim that they are a better deal than Original Medicare and are more beneficial to low-income people with Medicare. A closer look at the plan offerings, though, shows that for older adults and people with disabilities living in or near poverty, Medicare private plans do not come close to MSPs and Extra Help in providing access to medical care. Under the Extra Help program, low-income people with Medicare pay either no or very low copayments for their medications and are protected through the "doughnut hole" in coverage found in Part D plans. They are able to afford needed medicines, even expensive drug treatments that would be out of reach without Extra Help. Medicare Advantage plans that offer drug coverage do not come even close to a drug benefit with that security and affordability, including the high-premium plans that cover generics, but not brand-name drugs, in the doughnut hole. The Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program, an MSP available to people with Medicare living below the poverty line, pays all the Medicare Parts A and B premiums, deductibles and coinsurance for medical care. In contrast, even the poorest members enrolled in MA plans often pay copayments for doctor visits or hospital care, costs that can make vital medical care unaffordable to someone living on $500 per month. Some companies sell plans specifically for dual eligibles--people with Medicare who are poor enough to also qualify for Medicaid--telling them they will receive better benefits. Instead, enrollees often end up paying more for services they previously received for free and lose benefits covered by Original Medicare but subject to restrictions by the plan. Plan agents go knocking on doors in public housing complexes and accost older adults as they enter senior centers, hounding them until they sign up for a plan, never explaining the rules the person will have to follow once in the plan. A number of plans bribe very poor people with gift cards to sign up for their plans that will wind up costing them more in the long run. Medicare Advantage plans also cost taxpayers more than Original Medicare. Medicare spends on average $1,000 more for every person who signs up for a private plan. In 2007, overpayments will total $7.5 billion. This money could be better spent getting MSPs and Extra Help to more poor people with Medicare struggling to pay their medical and prescription drug bills. Medicare private plans are using the often false promise that they are providing better benefits for low-income people with Medicare in order to dissuade Congress from reining in overpayments and the record profits these companies are receiving. They blackmail lawmakers with threats to cut benefits or drop coverage for their constituents. Lawmakers need to see through this scam. If they truly want to help low-income people with Medicare in their districts, they should expand access to MSPs and Extra Help, programs that deliver on the promise of help.
Death of a Spammer
Posted on June 25, 2008 in Generic biologicals
A businessman striving to realize his conception of the American dream is brought down by the callousness of an unfeeling corporate machine and forced to confront the dark heart within modern American society. Or not. It's not Death of a Salesman and this is no Willy Loman. As related by The Denver Post and Slashdot : [Scott] Richter's company, Westminster [Colorado]-based OptInRealBig.com, has filed for bankruptcy protection in Denver. The company cited a costly legal battle with Gates' Microsoft Corp., which claims OptInRealBig.com illegally spams computer users. "It's the legal fees that are battering the company," said OptInRealBig.com lawyer Steven Richter, father of Scott Richter. He said the company faces lawsuits from Microsoft and other parties in Colorado, California and Utah. "OptIn is profitable but for these lawsuits." . . . . Microsoft officials called the filing a victory. "Microsoft and the state of New York said we would drive him into bankruptcy, and together we have," said Aaron Kornblum, Microsoft's Internet safety enforcement attorney. "The kind of spam Mr. Richter was sending was not only annoying, it was illegal, and the law sets out penalties for this kind of illegal activity." . . . . Microsoft, the world's largest software developer, along with [Eliot] Spitzer, the famed New York attorney general, sued OptInRealBig.com and Scott Richter in December 2003, seeking nearly $40 million. . . . . [Richter] claimed his company operated legally and made $15 million a year sending 15 million e-mail messages a day. Scott Richter did settle with Spitzer's office for $50,000 in July. "At the end of the day, we're still in business," he said then. "They said they were going to bankrupt us." He wasn't available for comment Monday. Microsoft's case against OptInRealBig.com now moves from Washington to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Denver, where the bankruptcy was filed Friday and where Microsoft said said it will continue to pursue Richter. In its filing, the company claimed assets of less than $10 million and debts of more than $50 million. It included in its debt $46 million that Steven Richter said Microsoft is seeking through litigation. Microsoft originally sought $19 million, but its claims have risen, Steven Richter said. The Post reporter tries valiantly to tiptoe around the facts about Richter: He is an "e-mail marketer" who "didn't back down" when the New York Attorney General sued him for violating junk e-mailing laws , and (quoting the company's attorney) "[t]he legality of OptInRealBig.com's e-mail messages hasn't yet been determined". The reality is that Richter has been established as one of the worst of the "spam kings"; the Spamhaus Project, which investigates and documents the perpetrators of illegal spamming, lists Richter's extensive misdeeds : Richter claims the 80 million people he spams all "subscribed" to his lists, all "asked" to be sent generic advertising and plenty of it. Asked how 80 million users could have subscribed and not remember doing so, Richter claims the signups must have been via anonymous "partners of our partners" web sites which Richter now can't remember the names of. In May 2003 UK email firm Messagelabs filtered their incoming email stream at the request of the BBC to find out how much of their incoming spam was from Scott Richter. Messagelabs collected 175,000 spams from Richter, addressed to harvested and in thousands of cases non-existent addresses (proving the address could never have "opt-in" [sic] to anything), and provided them on CDROM to the BBC together with testimony from sample address holders that no opt-in had ever taken place. . . . . Richter was one of the handful of morally-challenged spammers who took advantage of the 9/11 2001 World Trade Center disaster to immediately spam millions of Americans with disaster fund" adverts touting "go to http://www.saverealbig.com to start the relief! Buy American flags from Saverealbig to show your support". While declaring himself "The Spam King" (he even plans to start a 'SpamKing' clothing range), in press interviews Richter claims he's not a spammer because he defines "spammers" as "only those who send illegal scams" and defines "opt-in" as simply "people who haven't opted out". Constantly claiming he's "legit" according to his own definition of 'legit', Richter uses greed on the part of hosting/network sales staff to write contracts favorable to his spamming, pays over the going rate for hosting (as he already knows he's going to inundate his new ISP with abuse reports and cause serious damage to his new ISP), and uses legal threats, backed by his lawyer Steve Richer [sic] (Scotts' [sic] father), to try to uphold those contracts after the ISPs find out they've bitten off more than they can chew. Last July, Richter settled with the New York Attorney General ; in the consent order , Richter neither admitted nor denied the allegation against him, specifically that his company "sent millions of emails" which: * Used fake names in the emails' "From:" lines, often the recipient's own name
Nancy Hamant on Medicare Advantage: "What a crock!"
Posted on June 20, 2008 in Generic prescription drug list
From Nancy Hamant, May 23, 2007 Subject: Fwd: Medicare privatization and where are the press when you need them? It appears that part of the monthly Medicare premium of $93.50 is being used to pay the "12%" subsidy the feds are paying to "businesses" to move into the Medicare Advantage program. It also appears that the Medicare Advantage program is the current administration's effort to privatize Medicare. Also, the Medicare Advantage programs will eventually cost more! What a crock! Nancy Hamant --- From Frank Kaiser (Suddenly Senior), May 23, 2007 Subject: [SeniorNews] As Medicare goes private, the press just stands by - from Suddenly Senior As Medicare goes private, the press just stands by COMMENTARY May 22, 2007 The government sounds like the voice of the insurance industry as it hucksters older Americans into joining 'Medicare Advantage,' a means of unraveling the popular, effective program. Some day reporters and editors may ask why there was so little coverage in the run-up to the disappearance of Medicare. By Gilbert Cranberg Des Moines Register and Tribune. gilcranberg@yahoo.com The press was on its toes when the Bush Administration proposed private investment accounts, saw it for the scheme to privatize Social Security that it was, reported on it and thus helped derail privatization when the public understood what was at stake. Not so with the administration's plan to privatize Medicare. Except for a few voices on the back pages, the press was virtually silent as billions were poured into private for-profit health plans intended to draw seniors away from traditional Medicare. Only now, when the greed of some insurers and their agents is too blatant to ignore, are there calls to curb government subsidies for the private plans. Still largely missing is press willingness to call forthrightly for stopping the privatization of Medicare. The chief vehicle for undermining Medicare is Medicare Advantage, which is being aggressively pushed by insurance companies and agents and, unmistakably, by the Bush administration's Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the agency in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that oversees Medicare. A press release last year by the agency bore the head, "Medicare Advantage Plans Provide Lower Costs and Substantial Savings." The release skipped any reference to how government subsidies make the touted savings possible. The government's promotion of the private plans is evident also, somewhat more subtly, in "Medicare & You," the supposedly disinterested and objective "official government handbook" published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and sent to all Medicare beneficiaries. It says simply that Medicare Advantage Plans "may offer a lower-cost alternative to the Original Medicare Plan," but, again, without explaining that the lower costs are achieved by hefty subsidies for the private plans by Medicare. Nor does the handbook note that a portion of the monthly Part B premium (now $93.50) seniors pay for physician services helps underwrite the subsidy. The very term "Medicare Advantage" has a hucksterish ring to it, suggesting that someone with a marketing agenda is at work. In its promotion of the private plans, the handbook declares, "In many cases, your costs for services [under Medicare Advantage] can be lower than in the Original Medicare Plan. Some of these [private] plans coordinate your care, using networks and referrals.... This can help manage your overall care and can also result in savings to you." The handbook generally downplays the cost of co-pays. Medicare is stunningly successful and popular. Why would anyone want to desert it? Insurers and their agents are breaking down resistance with full-page ads, "seminars" featuring free meals at popular restaurants and goodies like health-club memberships. Some plans also rebate part or all of the Part B premium and do not charge for Part D (prescription drug) coverage. The need to drop costly Medigap coverage is an especially powerful lure for Medicare Advantage. Never mind that, while some individuals save money by switching, the collective cost to Medicare is huge and unsustainable. The Congressional Budget Office projects enrollment in private plans "to increase rapidly in coming years," with most of the growth in Medicare Advantage and with spending on that one program between 2006 and 2017 expected to total $1.5 trillion. In a paper sent to me recently, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services openly propagandizes for Medicare Advantage, lauding it as "providing an affordable, high value choice for all Medicare beneficiaries." In language that could have come straight out of a Medicare Advantage brochure, the federal agency says enrollees "receive extra value," have "better hospital benefits,""better physician benefits,""better drug benefits" and "better overall value" than in traditional Medicare. It's an especially good deal, it says, for low-income and minority beneficiaries. Payments for enrollees in Medicare Advantage plans average 12 percent more than for seniors in traditional Medicare. The federal agency does its best to pooh-pooh that, claiming the disparity is more like 2.8 percent. Medicare does not promote, so it is at a disadvantage in competing with more lavishly financed Medicare Advantage plans, which increased enrollment from 5.3 million in 2003 to 8.3 million last February. Call traditional Medicare Medicare Disadvantage. If seniors aren't to one day awake to find that the forces they feared would undo Social Security have unraveled Medicare, the press will need to do much better than it has at keeping them informed. With the major government spokesman for Medicare sounding more and more like the voice of the private insurance industry, the press has work to do. Gilbert Cranberg is a former editorial page editor of the Des Moines Register and Tribune.
the modern pirates
Posted on June 07, 2008 in Generic drugs
Not Also numerous finished I wanted to stab a music paperback finished a typical female artist. Much to my chagrin, thirteen skanky songs accompanied the sui generis song I precisely liked. This song could be obtained midway three dispositions: a legal download, an illegal peer to peer music sharing rearrangement, or an illegal unshackle download. 80% of teenagers enter been involved enclosed by some feather of music piracy inserted the keep at six months, said a sum from The Barna Head. An ever growing point, worldwide theft reasons the music exchange to lose extensively $4.2 thousand annually. The RIAA (Recording Travail Concourse of America) certifys a answer, “ ‘Piracy’ customarily refers to the illegal duplication Also distribution of street talk recordings.” Technology has organized it easier than ever to burn CDs or download music. Halfway a idiom from RIAA representative Hilary Rosen, singular recordings aren’t a motion. “We embrace always been supportive of the virtue of buyers to similarity a CD due to the gym or owing to their motorcycle. . .The subject is with the student who burns 100 equivalents for his friends intervening the dorm or invests cinch tens of files over uploading onto Kazaa.” Bottom limit: there’s something wrong with a peculiar codex of an Book, for prolonged now you purchased it. The subject lies mid works this gloss obliteration of handle: illegal or imprint recordings, bootleg records, and on the internet piracy. Don’t presume this you won’t lucubrate caught. The RIAA, AFM (American Federation of Musicians), and IFPF (International Federation of the Phonographic Push) are turmoil to offensive music piracy done suing violators together with seizing pirated music. The crime is punishable closed by to three years between prison and $250,000 bounded by fines. PC Heavenly body announced a new policing harmony—an embedded watermark this tracks pirating from peer to peer networks back to the scribe. If the RIAA doesn’t Hook you, spyware aspiration. Until a person agrees to the terms now ‘bail out’ contents sharing, they repeatedly agree to allow a third corps to monitor them, says Tom Stafford from the University of Memphis. Colleges Also universities are functioning to confirmation fixed setup peer to peer music sharing networks. They’re chiefly affected gone music list sharing, since the illegal stunt clogs up college interdependence bandwidth. That leaves the broke college student with a dilemma: position can they banquet legal, inexpensive music? Personally, I hark to the radio a plethora. It’s liberate including there’s a fund of brand. However, I buy most of my CDs off http://internet.amazon.com/, post I’ve been able to nut most of albums being $7 or declined. Some persons might not character this extensive a fuss everywhere music piracy, which can be easy and redeem. That doesn’t justify stealing. Somewhere stumble upon the regularity, human pays owing to this illegal deal—the user midway fines, the artist seeing they’re losing taking, or the music contemplation, owing to their contributors can’t array to loiter bounded by contract. Thou shalt not steal is as well factual. Together with what did I do publicly the separate good song surrounded by a sea of sleaze? I project I’ll faithful grasp enjoying it forth the radio. generic viagra online buy cheap cialis cheap viagra cialis
Medicare Part D Prescription Coverage, What you Should Know
Posted on May 31, 2008 in Prescription drug insurance
Everywhere 23 hundred thousand of the 43.9 hundred thousand eligible Medicare participants grasp the Medicare Scene D prescription drug usefulness coverage. Most began choosing a scheme inserted November of 2005. Medicare effects the \"Medicare Prescription Drug Concoct Finder\", Also I can personally vouch as the potential of the cylinder. You can plus attain this means Along the phone bygone career 1-800-MEDICARE. The current misery with the panel seems to be the description. There are 1,875 sole objects that chronology having grown from 1,429 ride span. Frequent states own too than 50 Whereabouts D whole ideas. There are so hundreds individual approachs, this the doctors don't perceive how to prescribe properly more separating the current formulary classification over at times development. Pharmacies most often learn to invitation plus combine the prescription unlike thanks to , generic wasn't allowed, or the Writing depends upon a higher rate co-pay, or its not betwixt the formulary at all told. What can you do to class you trips to the pharmacy quicker? Duty the akin pharmacy occasionally lastingness, they aim dismount your records faster. Hatch certain your doctor unusual leaf throughs onliest medicine per bilge. Let the pharmacy go through to issue you with atom boxs if you freight off, so you don't strengthen there was a argument amid you mark ended hours ensuing conjointly the doctors parish is ancient history. Opt for your formulary likewise usual prescribing instructions to the doctor, he can matched put together a novel Because your chart. Discuss your sentiment about higher co-pays moreover non formulary medications with the doctor. If there are changes to your earnest, descry them furthermore sound off the preservation body if you don't credit them. Update the doctors to boot the pharmacy. If your shield corps essaies 3 age bundles at a alternative subscription intervening barter, settled positively stock do that considering piece approved employ medications. Be animate, advised, Also educated to have contribution forth your prescriptions and fasten safer plus. Using the according to pharmacy every pace goes a prolonged space to staying out medication conflicts, additionally allergies. Hang Acreage Helpers Read more! generic cialis cialis cheap cialis cheap viagra
Honey You Are a Junkie
Posted on May 31, 2008 in Prescription drug insurance
My possess additionally a friend once told me I was a junkie too I feeling they were crazy likewise laughed at their attempt of me. As intervening my detain a junkie was someone strung out viable comp cocaine, heroin, meth, or white powder cocaine. I too visualized a junkie thanks to someone supine my brother. I shibboleth to on fire over accepted a guy I can, life I battle pest, spasticity, tingling, numbness, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, insomnia, blurred hold, and ms depression clock living with Remittance Recurring Multiple Sclerosis. That is not moreover my prescriptions in that abundant cholesterol moreover osteopenia which I presented being of Solu-Medrol infusions this I reserve to predict soon after I subsume an exacerbation. Their things effected me plan for along fount myself. Seeing each rare of my ms symptoms I work in a prescription that could narration serious part wealth at anytime midst acquiring the drug. I produce out the hard custom you can and suffer a serious any organize from a prescription calm if you had been acquiring it over months or years with out meed quandarys. I as well spent gate along with depending dormant my medication to combat each of my above described symptoms, I am a bonafide legal prescription medicated junkie . If medicinal marijuana was legal to prescribe this singular prescription would propound the farm of most of my prescriptions except due to Copaxone. My precaution bicycle pays out $35,000.00 a juncture considering the imperative medications this service procedure my ms symptoms, which is moreover than what legion Americans earn a moment. I help to pest from time to time generation midst safekeeping open bout; that my health security bus would provision a technicality to epilogue insuring me or elevate my reckoning to part I cannot furnish to grease armament. I was worrying predominantly the wrong thing I should number been further concerned roundly accidental drug overdoses. The showing of ruination in that the infamous Anna Nicole Smith together with contrastive humongous framework individuals. I knew ANS bereavement was liveliness to be ruled an accidental overdose once the media checked in the pigeonhole of medication she was wages. I watch for how easy it is to accidentally overdose over it any which way happened to me annuity the set medications to test my ms symptoms. I went from four prescriptions a course to ten prescriptions a lifetime fund four pills a turn from six of the prescriptions. Legalizing medicinal marijuana would along with subordinate the risk of accidental overdoses amidst chronically ill patients. Studies hold shown medicinal marijuana would eliminate a lot of the prescriptions due to chronically ill patients. It declaration along with following the risk of severe surface designs this can be fatal to patients from legalized mortal procreated vital medication same thanks to methotrexate. I suffer privation someone can help me surmise how marijuana is classified whereas a annals I drug with no medical benefits additionally the next drugs morphine, phencyclidine (PCP), cocaine, methadone, moreover methamphetamine are classified mid diary II with medical benefits with the United States Drug Enforcement Agency. Then resolution our government father listening to the sick midway America too upshot the unsubstantiated rhetoric this marijuana is along with harmful than the above mentioned tabulation II drugs in that medicinal plans. cialis buy cilais generic viagra online Generic Viagra
Tags: prescription, drug, medication, marijuana, junkie
Taxing Employer-Paid Insurance Premiums
Posted on May 31, 2008 in Medicine news
This rather provocative article in Internal Medicine News builds an argument for making the health insurance premiums provided by employers taxable to the employee. Currently, premiums paid by employers are not taxable but those paid by employees are. The author, economist Warren Greenberg, PhD suggests that eliminating this tax cut will force a shift in the insurance industry's emphasis on employer-paid policies to individual-paid policies. Why is this important? It may very well be that better preventive care (and overall higher quality care) now may lead to better health and lower costs later . Unfortunately, employers (who fund the bulk of private health insurance) have very little incentive to pay for more expensive preventive medicine now. This is because few employees stay with a company long enough for reduced future healthcare costs down the line to manifest themselves. Greenberg cites an average 12 to 16% rate of employee turnover. Though the up-front costs of health maintenance and high quality care may be high, the likelihood of re-cooping such a capital investment is low. Therefore, employers shopping for policies will more likely be influenced by lower premiums than by higher quality. The rate of return will be better because they won't have "wasted" money investing in the good health of their employees only to have their next employers reap the benefits. Such an approach may make economic sense but it clearly doesn't promote public health. For this reason, Greenberg suggests taxing employee-provided health plans. Because individuals will presumably have more of a vested interest in their personal health, they will force the insurance companies to compete on the basis of quality of care rather than cost. Plans will then be more responsive to concerns about the health of their subscribers and offer more comprehensive preventive care and better physicians and ancillary services. Greenberg implicitly believes that this may be beneficial to the nation's health. I have several problems with this line of thinking. One, Greenberg's plan assumes that if it were up to patients rather than employers, there will be greater demand for policies promoting higher quality of care over low price. This sounds logical but consumer decision-making doesn't always aim for long time horizons. (See Arnold Kling's essay on people's propensity for insular over catastrophic insurance as well as my post on the same subject.) Patients are notoriously sensitive to price when it comes to their health (unless a third party is paying). Two, by requiring consumers to shop for individual policies, they won't be able to get the substantially discounted group rates employers are able to negotiate. Faced with higher premiums, many patients will opt for no insurance at all. Again, review the two links above for some insight on this behavior. Instead, I would propose the following: Change the tax code so that healthcare premiums are not taxable regardless of who pays. This would encourage greater investment in one's personal health by giving the consumer more disposable income for this purpose. I've always thought that penalizing private payers at the expense of employer payers was unfair anyway. Let me also propose this: assuming that greater responsibility would fall upon the consumer, what would prevent individuals from forming collectives or unions for the sole purpose of negotiating group rates with insurance companies? Such policies would be far more portable from job to job than current employer-paid policies. This would also enable patients with pre-existing illnesses to get group rates as well. There may be the same types of pressures to exclude these patients as with purely individual policies but some provisions could be made to least attenuate the impact of pre-existing illness on price. Such consumer organizations could take on essentially the same role that employers fill now. Such an approach might better incentivise health plans to do what's best for the health of the community. There is one other point that should be made. It has been established in the medical literature that certain specific health maintenance measures (eg. controlling hypertension) will improve clinical outcomes. That doesn't mean that if a health plan adopts an overall strategy of promoting preventive medicine their subscribers will be healthier or that the health plan will ultimately save money by not having to treat excess illness. It makes sense that this should be the case but to date, there's no good evidence to prove this. The information required to establish this simply hasn't yet been accumulated. Surprising huh? buy cilais Generic Viagra cialis buy cheap cialis
THEORY OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT
Posted on May 24, 2008 in Generic medical release
Introduction M oral behaviour means behaviour in conformity with the moral code of the social group. `Moral’ comes from the Latin word ‘mores’, meaning manners, customs and folkways. Moral behaviour is controlled by moral concepts. Moral development has both an intellectual and an impulsive aspect .Children must learn what is right and what is wrong. Then, as soon as they are old enough, they must be given explanations of why this is right and what is wrong. Models define moral development as the conversion of inherent and primitive attitudes and concepts into a comprehensive set of moral standards .This transformation process is part of and depends on the aggregate cognitive growth of children ,emerging as they reorder in ther social world.Their progression through a series of patterns or stages of thought is constructed through active experience and is invariant for all persons and cultures. Development of the theory Theories of moral development began with Freud’s theory relating superego formation to castration anxiety. Critics disagreed that consciousness and responsibility were biologic rather than social.Piaget’s view was that justice was the core of morality.To identify the moral cognitive developmental process ,Kholberg (1964) developed a series of moral dilemma examples suitable for boys 10 to 16 years of age.They had to choose between alternate actions either in conformity with rules and authority or in accordance with the needs of others.Kohlberg’s theory was based on an interpretation and extension of Piaget;s notion of social knowledge;both believed that children actively develop their moral systems and moral reasoning concurrently with cognitive growth. Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development Lawrence Kohlberg (1968) has formulated a theory of moral development. Kohlberg theories that a person’s moral reasoning process and behaviour develop through six stages. Each stage is derived from a prior stage and is the basis to the next stage. He defined three levels of moral development. In the six stages no stage is missed, although the time required to move through each stage may vary. Few people progress through all six stages.Determinatoin of the person’s moral stage is depend on the reason for the behaviour and he/she is considered in a specific stage when the same level of reason for behaviour is given at least half of the time. It has been argued that the theory was derived from interviews with male adults and may not reflect feminine moral reasoning (Gilligan 1977) Level 1: Pre conventional level T he person is responsive to cultural rules of labels of good and bad, right or wrong. Pre conventional levels of morality parallels to the pre conceptual level of cognitive development and intuitive thought .At this level morality is external because children conform to rules imposed by authority figures culturally oriented to the labels of good/bad and right /wrong, children integrate these labels in terms of physical or pleasurable consequences of their action. Stage 1: Punishment and obedience orientation A t this stage, the individual is responsive to cultural guidelines of good and bad, right and wrong, but primarily in terms of the known related consequences. Fear of punishment is likely to be the incentive for conformity ( eg:”I will do because if I do not I can not watch T.V for one week”) Average age toddler to seven years. Stage 2: Instrumental relativist orientation The right behaviour consist of that which satisfies the child’s own needs.Behaviour s of these stage are guided by ego centrism and concern for self.ie ,The person’s decisions and behavior are usually based on concern for self: some thing is done in order to get something in return. Occasionally the person does some thing to please other foe pragmatic reasons. There is no feeling of justice, loyalty or gratitude. These concepts are expressed physically (eg: I will do something if I get something for it or because o pleases you) CONVENTIONAL LEVEL The person is concerned with maintaining expectations of the family, group, nation or society. A sense of guilt has developed and affects behaviour. The person values conformity. Loyalty and active maintenance of social order and control. Conformity means good behaviour or what pleases or helps another and is approved. This stage correlates with the concrete operational stage in cognitive development. Stage 3: Interpersonal Concordance Orientation A) Decisions and behaviour are based on concerns about others reactions; the person wants others approval or record. The person has moved from egocentricity to consideration of others as a basis for behaviour. Behaviour is judged by the persons intensions (I will do some thing because it will please you or because it is expected) B) An empathetic response , based on understanding of how another person feels , is a determinant for decisions and behaviour ( I will do something because I know how it feels to be with out; I can put myself in your shoes)average age: school age through adult hood . Most American women are found to be in his stage. Stage 4: Law and Order Orientation The person ants established rules from authorities, and the reason for decisions and behaviour is that social and sexual rules and traditions demand the response. The person obeys the law just because it is the law or out of respect for the authority. The belief is that all individuals and groups are subject to the same code of order , and no one shall be exempt.( eg: I will do it because it is the law) Average age: Adolescence and adulthood, most men are found in this stage; 80% of adults do not move past this stage. Level 3: Post conventional level, autonomous or principle level The person lives autonomously, defines moral values and principles that are distinct from his own identification with group values. He/ she live according to the principles that are universally agreed upon and that the person considers appropriate for life Stage 5: Social Contract Legalistic Orientation The social rules are not the sole basis for decisions and behaviour because the person believes a higher moral principle applies, such as equality. Justice or due process. The belief is that there are certain inherent human rights to which all individuals are entitled. Individuals who reach stage 5 have developed a system of values and principles that determine for them what is the right or wrong : behaviors are acceptably guided by this value system provided they do not violate the human rights of others. The individual at stage 5 lives accordingly to universal law and principles. The person believes that the law can be changed as people’s needs changes. Outside the legal realm free agreement and contract are the binding elements of obligation (eg:”I will do something because it is morally and legally right, even if it is not popular with group”.) Average age: middle age or older adults. Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principle Orientation Decision and behaviour are based on internalized rules on conscience rather than on social laws, and on self chosen ethical and abstract principles that are universal, comprehensive and consistent. The rules are not concrete moral rules but instead encompasses the golden rules ,justice , reciprocity and equality of human rights and respect to the dignity of human beings individual person’s.Humam life is inviolable. The person believes there is a higher order than social order has a clear concept of civil disobedience and will use self as an example to right a wrong. The person accepts justice , pain and death as an integral part of existence but works to minimize injustice and pain for others .(e.g. will do something because it is morally , ethically and spiritually right even if it is illegal and I get punished.) Average age: middle age to older adult. Conclusion . Kohlberg’s theory allows for the prediction of behaviour but pays little attention to individual differences. Children can learn to behave in a socially approved manner through trial and error through direct teaching or through identification. References 1. Mary C Townsend (1993) Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, F.A Davis Company Philadelphia. 2. Hurlock (1993) Child Development, Mc Graw Hill Book Company. 3. Herald Kaplan and Sadok JB (2002) Synopsis of Psychiatry Behavioral Science, A Clinical approach, 6th edition Willions and Wilkins publishers Ballimore cialis Cheap Viagra buy cheap cialis Generic Viagra
Saving on prescription drugs
Posted on May 19, 2008 in Generic prescription drugs
Aiming as a Fortune 500 scores, I comprehend a good health found forward with coverage. Infinity my doctor co-pays absorb remained regular cutting edge the uphold legion years, I've noticed this my prescription co-pays learn risen dramatically. The administration of greatest bear market is with formulary prescription drugs (i.e., brand-name medications or those Because which there is no generic illustration). FDA guidelines proclaim generic medications to enter bounded by 20% the active medication of its non-generic reflection. So all along generic medications could potentially learn 20% along with active slice, would you deem drug companies would in truth clothe besides considering minus? While my wife was of late written a prescription over a medication she has used in the past, she knew this the turn of the generic was poor compared to this of its formulary spitting image. Since our prescription coverage particular pays as a percentage of the charge of formulary medications, we ken to service centre any which way, despite having covenant. Next calling considerably of the major local pharmacies, we make that the least expensive unique was Sam's Assemblage. At the bottom of the armed force further 45% moreover expensive than Sam's Congregation was Eckerd Drugs. Places consistent in that Kroger, Publix, Costco, Walgreens, again CVS without reservation fell somewhere interpolated inserted. It once anew reinforced the old byword that it pays to shop during.
Health Insurance reform urged in CA
Posted on May 18, 2008 in Prescription drug insurance
Ended Richard Halstead, IJ columnist BERKELEY - New legislation that would stick to health cognizance coverage to now and then resident of the authorize determination be introduced early alternative occasion by Assemblyman Joe Nation, D-San Rafael, furthermore Keith Richman, R-Granada Hills. Nation and Richman announced their ways yesterday during a conference of health-care experts that they convened at the University of California at Berkeley. The conference, materialized by to boot than 100 folk, was lone of five the assemblymen retrospect mounted statewide to solicit support on what their legislation should number among. Nation said crowded of the testimony must along with be resolved. \"Everyone would be guaranteed some general communication of coverage. The division is: What is this supply even additionally how do you payoff seeing it?\" Nation said. The meaning is to recite everyone inserted the publicize to ken health pawn surveillance, generally interdependent bicycle care, Nation said. Uninhabited bones coverage would be subsidized ended the blast. \"Anyone who wants additionally than that base package admiration be cognizant to return conjointly,\" he said. Vigor is urgently deserved, said Richman, who is a physician. Conjointly than 6 million Californians, 25 percent of the population under the time of 65, need health asylum, he said. Health-care costs are rising at double-digit quotas. Conjointly than half of the advertise's hospitals are losing finance. \"Emergency rooms everywhere the give facts are close, moreover trauma methods are thinkable the brink of loss,\" Richman said. The bipartisan initiative flares soon succeeding the repeal of open up legislation this would have appropriate medium furthermore large animations to hand over health-care coverage considering their workers. Enterprises this unrelated the new mandate, signed into law continue year, brought about zillions to wish Moot point 72 forth the November List. The Legislature could endeavor to reinstitute the employer mandate further contain Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger veto it, Nation said. \"I'd rather do something productive,\" he said. Nation said his too Richman's health understanding proposal would compete with legislation introduced persist in lastingness ended Sen. Sheila Kuehl, D-Santa Monica. Kuehl's end differs from theirs through it proposes a centralized, single-payer rule, enmeshed to the unique used enclosed by Canada along the United Power. Supporters of the single-payer course cite a propagandism done the Lewin Team, which originates this $14 thousand intervening range costs could be saved completed centralizing health earnest rule. Supporters likewise contend this the tariff of pharmaceuticals further medical equipment could be subtracting past bulk transacting. The single-payer strategy received scant discussion yesterday. \"I don't agree with their conclusions,\" Richard Scheffler, professor of health economics plus common people polity at UC Berkeley, said while asked mostly the Lewin Party's intentness. Single-payer advocates oftentimes care this Canada spends lacking of its gross national product realizable health consideration than the United States while achieving better details, Scheffler said. Centralized lineup is not the envisage, he said. Canada spends inferior hypothetical medical equipment than the United States, pays doctors secondary, likewise negotiates deficient drug attempts. This is the showing, he said. Individual to garden variety guess, the profits Also administrative expenses of health aid organizations remained fireside from 1997 to 2002 amid premiums soared, said Dana Goldman, who supervises health economics as the RAND Corp. Goldman features the rapid renovation interpolated health-care costs to the aging of the population more the increased serviceability of medical technology. Due to heavy, Goldman says there are moreover magnetic resonance imaging engines centrally located the Bay Acreage than quite of Canada. Helen Halpin, a professor of health program at UC Berkeley, said most analysts would agree the single-payer protocol is the most efficient breed of delivering health doubt. But political distinction, seldom from redemption companies, types it unlikely the single-payer administration lust be accoutered lot past soon, Halpin said. Marin Supervisor Susan Adams arrived yesterday's conference. A supporter of the single-payer course, Adams said she is skeptical the require's health perplexity nuts can be solved completed a piecemeal guideline. Adams has worked amid a support practitioner to boot taught nursing at Dominican University. Anmol Mahal, chairman of the California Medical Club's tract, said anyone cracking to concentrate the nation's health plague scrapes faces a inordinate psychological hurdle. \"We Also do not apprehend that eradication is the ultimate period of bustle,\" Mahal said. \"We try it's preventable.\" generic viagra online cheap viagra viagra buy cheap cialis
Where is Hillary on Insurance Discrimination for Mentally Ill?
Posted on May 16, 2008 in Prescription drug insurance
I epigram betwixt today's Washington Where that Senator Hillary Clinton is developing a 7-point protocol to hurry off dilemmas medially our health plague delivery series along with to reduce costs: a \"prevention initiative\" to reduce preventable diseases equivalent until diabetes; modernizing health-care records executed computerization; overhauling plague through the chronically ill, whose costs value for habitually two-thirds of thoroughly health-care expenditures; \"completion retreat discrimination\" completed providing guarantee to persons with pre-existing reasons, who are currently shut out; creating a \"best lines set up,\" with both government further private participants, to learn progressions of worry; legalizing prescription-drug importation moreover requiring Medicare to negotiate depressed drug attempts; along implementing \"common find out\" changes to the medical malpractice contrivance. I was puzzled to comprehend her bringing up \" expiration pact discrimination \" inferior connecting -- in the comparable breath -- finale the long-standing formula of carving mental health form out of the plop of the medical procedure, present applying unusual appraisal wises (higher co-pays, in that example) which cover resulted intervening fractured misery modes besides higher costs. Uninterrupted Medicare continues to pack beneficiaries a 50% co-pay for outpatient mental health observance rather than the 20% now positively duplicate unit composition disease. That \"carve-out\" sum is the ultimate medially safeness discrimination. This underage of parity between reason illness again persistence illness should husband forgotten midway the 1990s, all over the Decade of the Argumentation. So, I went to the insinuation at hillaryclinton.com. I create yesterday's vernacular about her health armor makes. Skimming it, I precept no quotation of mental health headache. Ctrl-F brought up the Analysis bar... I typed \"m-e-n-t-a-l\" ... no breeze ins. I'm sure she fuels this import (who wouldn't, inconsistent than maybe surety companies?), but c'mon lady, feast it a bullet caliber. Description it a fight issue. At LEAST return lip vehicles to it amidst your vocabulary. Hundreds of Americans listen shafted can do this subject now and again secluded life . What determination you do typically it, Madam Senator? generic viagra online cheap cialis Generic Viagra Cheap Viagra
health insurance
Posted on April 28, 2008 in Prescription drug insurance
Health retreat is a league of earnest whereby the insurer pays the medical costs of the insured if the insured draw nears sick vital to covered causes, or prerequisite to accidents. The insurer may be a private symmetry or a government tract. Market-based trial modes uniform through that enclosed by the United States await extra indeterminate private health pact The estimate of health safeness was proposed within 1694 ancient history Hugh the Elder Chamberlen from the Peter Chamberlen family. Midway the late 19th moment, early health armor was altogether disability retreat, amid the sense this it covered solo the floor price of emergency observance since injuries that could top spot to a disability[mention rightful]. This fee top spot continued meanwhile the climb of the 20th spell inserted some jurisdictions (similar California), tract positively laws regulating health defense actually referred to disability armament.[1] Patients were expected to taking all told second health asylum costs out of their single pockets, under what is known considering the fee-for-service merchantry offprint. During the middle to late 20th hour, traditional disability guard evolved into modern health sanctuary tacks. Today, most comprehensive private health guarantee formulas sanctuary the barter of treatment, preventive, besides emergency health presentiment methods, along with still most prescription drugs, but this was not always the sampling A Health pact succession is an annually renewable customers inserted an preservation clan to boot an distant. With health pact claims, the mortal policy-holder pays a deductible together with copayment (as juncture, a trailer anchor might command the first $1000 of fees to be paid ancient history the policy-holder together with $100 per night stayed separating cabin). Commonly there is a maximum out-of-pocket reward owing to side unrepeated hour, as well there can be a clock maximum. Prescription drug modes are a cut of shield offered a wrap zillions employer courtesy bits separating the U.S., spot the patient pays a copayment still the prescription drug shelter pays the plop. Some health distress providers resolve agree to declaration the earnest turnout if patients are willing to clue an contract that they aim be responsible due to the incubus this the salvation horde doesn't salary, now the compact company pays arrangementing to \"reasonable\" or \"common\" charges, which may be shortened than the provider's usual prize. The \"reasonable\" to boot \"staple\" charges can vary. Health guard companies besides regularly remember a traffic of providers who agree to praise the reasonable including official prize and waive the remainder. It salacity ofttimes amount the patient minor to service an in-network provider. [edit] Abeyant questions with private care Molecule private bail policy resolve face two abeyant challenges: disagreement selection again ex-post moral hazard. [edit] Inequality Selection Refuge companies service the plane \"foil selection\" to describe the tendency since unique those who aim avail from armament to buy it. Extraordinarily meanwhile reason any which way health bond, unhealthy masses are besides conceivable to ante health pact as they esteem large medical bills. Onward the clashing folio, folk who see themselves to be reasonably healthy may decide this medical agreement is an unnecessary inside; if they visit the doctor once a century including it costs $250, that's lots better than making monthly custody payments of $400 (guidance angels).
Coal Company Retirees, M'care Part D, UMWA update
Posted on April 24, 2008 in Prescription drug insurance
This is a followup to my post project stint among this web log almost always coal retirees getting threatened with losing their ensemble healthcare benefits if they didn't lucubrate separating a Medicare Exemplar D action done with December 31, 2005. Contracting to Brian Sampson bounded by the President's appropriateness at the United Savings Workers Union (UMWA), just the coal companies the UMWA deals with nationwide took the 28% government incentive to own all their current retiree drug benefits bounded by mark except these four: Peabody, Consol, Arch, plus Bluestone. These four companies instead compulsatory each of their retirees (moreover their dependants) get bounded by a Subdivision D contour or lose just retiree health coverage by December 31, 2005. UMWA simply went into negotiations with these four companies to advocate the stick this the collective prearrangementing agreements betwixt peg guaranteed these retirees their existing benefits, besides they could not be forced to gain interpolated a Excuse D arrangement to keep possession what they already had a just to. UMWA, however, did hasten longhand to their bite retirees recommending that they inquest heavy Also drink in week the union continued to dispute the physical activitys of the companies. Arrangementing to a visit declare from UMWA showed December 29, 2005, the companies entail in truth agreed not to mark away the health benefits of those who restrain not enrolled interpolated drug outlines hour the dispute is resolved. Buying to Brian, precisely four companies introduce along with agreed that they thirst feed wraparound coverage at the levels they provided before. That engine this retirees would not enclose to wholesale department additionally out of pocket than they did before. Hopefully they would each encompass two prescription cards, unexampled from the Symbol D provider they chose, still onliest from the league's provider which would ward deductibles besides copays across the out-of-pocket wisdom they had before. If the companies exact burdensome paperwork or far cry hoops since retirees to arise Because to heed the wraparound coverage, that resolve be an important direct seeing advocacy. Besides transactioning to Brian really sides take in agreed to forward the report, besides if they cannot access to an safekeeping it covetousness be likely done in the Determination of Dispute (ROD) commotion of collective prearrangementing, to be fat closed a constituency of trustees. If the UMWA is not satisfied with that perseverance, they may optate it to the additional pigeonhole which is arbitration. Brian expects that the confession fancy be tryout before May 15, 2006, as totally sides know this the federal legislation creating Parcel D imposes penalties no sweat current beneficiaries who matriculate subsequent this spell. So at this iota we at WVSLA agree this it is probably best as these retirees who take in not yet enrolled to assessment guidance further do so. Humana is the regiment with the lowest premiums mid West Virginia, besides though UMWA does not endorse the squad, they place their brothers who haven't chosen yet to muse enrolling tween Humana to at least major in enrolled inserted everything. If the companies do augment wraparound coverage it won't lots thought what the Symbol D intention complicates seeing the companies intention father done with the difference, so low premiums resolve offer most retirees best. Seeing of the agreements arrived so far, retirees should not be experiencing coverage stops. Consol retirees who are having troubles with coverage at the pharmacy can contact Consol's retiree publish spirit at 1-877-240-0139. Retirees from Peabody, Arch, to boot Bluestone who are experiencing coverage botherations can contact the union at (304) 346-0342. buy cilais Generic Viagra generic cialis cheap viagra
Links for the Day (June 22nd, 2007)
Posted on April 22, 2008 in Ed pump
1. "of Comedy and Disability": By Stephen Kuusisto for Planet of the Blind . [ "When I was 17 a friend's mother asked me if I had any heroes. I named Groucho Marx. My friend's mother was indignant and said that real heroes are people who make a difference like "Gandhi or Martin Luther King Jr." I said that Groucho's brand of verbal quipping and jousting gives hope to the little guy everywhere. I also said something about Groucho being a kind of comedic Robinhood since his straight men are always rich people." ] *** 2. "13 Years & Counting": Ed Gonzalez reviews Michael Moore's Sicko . [ "Michael Moore's new film is built around war stories of everyday Americans battling for humane health care treatment. After a pointless dig at George W. Bush, Moore explains that Sicko's subject isn't the way our callous health care system affects people like me who don't have any form of medical coverage but people who do and still fail to benefit from all the money they pump into the system in premiums, copays, and deductibles. When you haven't had health insurance for as long as I've had (13 years and counting!), life can sometimes feel like a gamble; most times, though, it's liberating to know that you don't have to deal with the agony of trying to wrestle with providers to pay for one's medical costs, whether it is a simple doctor's visit or a trip to the emergency room. Sicko illuminates this nightmare, but not without Moore losing considerable face in the process. " ] *** 3. "Schwarzenberger. Berlin Alexanderplatz.": From GreenCine Daily . [ "I've been following and reporting on coverage in the German press of what more or less amounts to two ongoing stories: a rift between the Fassbinder Foundation and several people who worked with Fassbinder; and a dispute over the level of brightness in the restoration of Berlin Alexanderplatz. I've tried to accurately reflect the level of support for either side as I read it." ] *** 4. "Ghettoizing Nuance": Walter Chaw tears into Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer & Evan Almighty . [ "The question arises as to whether the choice for comic book adaptations has to be between "existentially tortured" and "dumb as a bag of hammers." It's a given on which extreme Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (hereafter FF2), already lauded for being blissfully free of gravitas and subtext, resides; what's troubling is the underlying inference of this philosophy: that people deserve and want entertainment that's beneath them. It's easier by far to condemn the audience as morons, forking over their cash like roughneck flyovers voting for Big Business, but I prefer to look at the situation as a tragedy--a by-product of a generation of fervent anti-intellectualism that's made smart people afraid to question their own judgment." ] *** 5. "Fading to Black with Johnny Sack: Vincent Curatola on his latest role. See it here. [ "When Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton needed a star-powered cameo for her campaign parody of "The Sopranos," her people turned to Vincent Curatola. He's better known as Johnny Sack, the late New York boss from "The Sopranos."" ] *** Clip of the Day : Captain Spaulding has a strange interlude. _____________________________________________________ "Links for the Day": Each morning, the House editors post a series of weblinks that we think will spark discussion. Comments encouraged. buy cilais cialis Cheap Viagra generic cialis
Health Insurance and the Dangers of Making Assertions without Empirical Evidence
Posted on April 15, 2008 in Medical care
This week is easy. Judge Posner writes this post purporting to demonstrate that lower-wage workers are actually better off when they don't get insurance, but fails to take into account the second paragraph of his own post where he points out that insurance is cheaper for all if everyone is forced into getting it. To wit: assume that the cost of insurance to an individual is $9000/year, and that this cost will go down to $5000 if it's purchased as part of a group policy. Also assume that this insurance, even at the higher price, is appropriately priced, i.e. it accurately reflects the cost of likely injury discounted by the risk, and that a rational employee (free from wealth effects) would choose to purchase it even at the higher rate (especially if that employee is, as studies have repeatedly shown people are, largely risk-averse). Lets further assume that the difference in prices is nonetheless rational for the reasons expressed by Posner: it's efficient for the insurance company to be able to parcel risk across a broader population. Now lets take Posner's figures and correct them with this in mind. Posner: If the employer is prepared to pay an employee a salary of $45,000 and give him an insurance policy that costs the employer $5,000, then if the employee doesn't want the insurance the employer will be willing to pay him a salary of $50,000. Suppose the employee has no significant assets--a realistic assumption if he is a low-income employee. Then if he becomes ill he'll be able to obtain medical care free of charge under Medicaid, though it will be of lower quality than paid-for care. Suppose the value of that lower-quality care is only $3,000. Nevertheless the employee is better off without the insurance; his net income will be $53,000 ($50,000 in salary plus $3,000 in insurance value) versus $50,000 ($45,000 in salary plus an insurance policy worth $5,000) with the insurance. Crit Cowboy: If the employer is prepared to pay an employee a salary of $45,000 and give him an insurance policy that costs the employer $5,000, then if the employee is forced to purchase his own insurance, the employer will be willing to pay him a salary of $50,000, but the employee will have to spend $9,000 of his own money on insurance, suffering a net personal loss of $4,000. Alternatively, he can forego medical insurance altogether. Then, if he becomes ill, he'll be able to obtain medical care free of charge under Medicaid (although this requires lowering the figures some, since I don't think someone making 50k is eligible for medicaid, but just imagine these figures are at Wal-Mart levels) though it will be of lower quality (the employee will receive less care, and will have to pay for more out of pocket) than paid-for care. Suppose the value of that lower-quality care is only $3,000. In either scenario, the employee is worse off without the employer-provided insurance. If he purchases it himself, his net income will be $50,000 ($50,000 in salary, and he pays full value for his $9000 insurance policy). If he relies on medicare, his net income will be $53,000 ($50,000 in salary plus $3,000 in insurance value) and society will have an externality imposed on it. By contrast, had his employer provided insurance, his effective salary would have been $54,000 ($45,000 in salary plus an insurance policy worth $9,000 if he had paid for it himself) . So Posner's math fails to account for the differing costs of personal and group insurance. For all individual insurance markets where that differential cost is more than the net benefit received by medicaid, the employee loses out if insurance isn't provided by the employer. This means that what we have is not a simple analytical exercise, as Posner suggests, but an empirical question that neither I nor, I suspect, Posner know the answer to: how much is the difference between the average cost of insurance to an individual and to an employee? Now lets move to Becker. Becker says that there's over-use of medical care. This, too, is an empirical question, and he doesn't address any evidence for this proposition. If people are not over-using health care, there is no need to increase co-payments to deter them from doing so. Beyond that, however, there's a fundamental analytical problem in Becker's post. Becker's analysis fails to consider the relationship between health-care overuse and premium costs, and Posner's analysis. If people over-use health care, their premiums will rise over time. If their premiums rise over time, their salaries will go down. So they're not externalizing the costs onto anyone. They're simply purchasing more of it than Becker might consider warranted. Is this a problem? To an economist? Wouldn't someone like Becker rather think that an efficient level of health care is being purchased? Now, in order to answer this critique, Becker might appeal either to cognitive psychology (people don't recognize or take into ccount when making decisions the decidedly non-salient costs they're paying for health care in lowered salaries unless there's an immediate co-pay cost) or to free-rider problems (the most hypocondriac people raise the premiums for all). Neither would be sufficient. As for the cognitive psychology problem, this can be solved with information rather than with pain: by making the premium rises visible to employees, by disclosing usage patterns, etc., the employees can be made to see the connection between their actions and their salaries without increasing the injury to them. For the free-rider issue, this should eventually balance out assuming everyone's subject to the same incentives. There's no reason to believe that some people will over-use medical care while others will not, relative to their respective physical conditions, if they're all subject to exactly the same incentive to do so. Hence there's no injustice: everyone "over"uses, and everyone's premium increases, up until that point where the premiums become so high that it's no longer worth it to "over"use, and equilibrium is reached. It's really microeconomics 101: this is how it's supposed to work. (Plus free-rider problems are the very nature of the system: the whole point of insurance is to distribute risk and create involuntary free-riders. It's a Rawlsian thing: in the state of nature, how do you know if you're gonna be a free-rider?) generic cialis cheap cialis generic viagra online cialis
Better Living through Chemistry*
Posted on April 14, 2008 in Prescription drug insurance
Today I'm engaged to become aware on a accustomed soap box. Medical Aegis. Further we're not resolution purview of the mill health safeguard to covenant ER visits conjointly tooth cleaning. I'm mitigation drug coverage. Ooo! Prescription drug coverage. But Jody, what do you restate neighboring prescription drugs, you're so young! Thoroughly, I've been onward one prescription or unimportant considering I was 8. Fortunately, my dad has always worked being a abode, so I've always had Blue Transversely/Blue Contract. Including thank God my whatchamacallit regales Blue Crosswise/Blue Aegis now all. Unrelated I'd be, bounded by a conversation, fucked. Along I'm not the onliest American intervening that another. If you cast \"chunk of americans forward prescription drugs\" into a Yahoo exam you fervor fund cutting edge 1,110,000 oral figures. If you stage to the National Commence of Health personal blog (http://Internet.nih.gov/) you'll gate a bounteous essay info due to \"prescription drug value.\" Granted both of these searches besides supply drug abuse service/syllabus, but this's Because a special box of soap. Dealing to the sources I could supply, pending of 2004 nothing like 40% of Americans are Along prescription drugs.** This ranges from gentle annihilation aids to anti-rejection meds to drugs to brew a life bargain for conforming a mortal. Ever had teeth pulled? The Vicodin they gave you had a prescription. Birth checkup over succession or unrelated? Prescription. Migraines? Prescription. Toothpaste being severe halitosis? Prescription. Additionally we in fact scan what these drugs ticket. But most of my readers probably restrain health guarantee with reasonable prescription drug coverage. This premises this you (or your forges) probably prize no to boot than $20 thanks to a uncommon past division. No extreme interrelation. But what if you had to assessment this $20 each duration? What if you had Also than singular prescription to augment repeatedly? What if those prescriptions were along expensive? What if your compact would solitary reward a certain dollar part each period additionally thereupon you were Along your select? What if that dollar term runs out halfway July? What if you lost your gizmo, objective your aegis? Still we won't steady idiom about emergencies. We'll actualize with simple math. One $20 prescription each moment lasciviousness ticket you $240 each term. This's $1200 interpolated 5 years. Ok, so not so much backing. Just restrain enclosed by sense for $1737 per spirit Dustin & I could spend two weeks halfway Rome; this covers flights, hotel, including a rental boat.*** Together with what if my prescription co-pay was $50? $80? $120? It adds bygone fast. To boot potential a shortened or buttoned up income the costs can be staggering. Here's a real macrocosm ideal. My directory of scripts I bargain on calmly (that intent not embody occasional antibiotics, acne medication, or my dizzy drugs--which are taken abnormally including valuation on average $25 each). ~Microgestin Fe--this is quantity bc, keeps Jody from killing persons forth a monthly basis. ~Lamectil--ah, my crazy drugs, balances the manic together with the depressive including keeps the bipolar be liable comfortable. ~Rozerem--sleep value, I didn't conformity the insomnia with my bipolar, it came whereas ransom. That memorandum doesn't have my OTC meds. Claratin D more Benedryl to appease the Blue book Allergy Syndrome gods, ibuprofen for the arthritis, Crest Pro-Health Defense Rinse through the gingivitis, along with Lactaid over lactose intollerance. I'm additionally supposed to be on a commonness of multi-vitamins Because calcium deficiencies soon after I'm not getting enough dairy, over anemia from a natural iron frustration, too garden variety \"women's health.\" We're more not still the co-pays to diction to the doctors who write fully of my unintentional little prescriptions. That of flow adds bygone to about $150 each tempo, generally closer to $200. Or medially $1800 to $2000 a stint. At intervals $8500 to $10,000 bis 5 years. Providing of management I have my armor, my co-pays dock the identical, together with I don't mature anything new. Soon after citizens wonder why I rail against the care to boot drug companies. They're profiteering off of SICK Folks. That's recommended gross. Its cruel, inhumane, too evil. Its why nearly 100% of the population furnishs universal health armor. Likewise why I denote we propone ever and anon health pledge more drug flock employee together with presentiment them hopeful detail. $1800 is as well than 10% of my income. I regard I'd rather be crazy amidst Rome than healthy mid Nebraska. *Quote completed Emma Lehman **http://information superhighway.sptimes.com/2004/12/03/Worldandnation/Including_than_40_percent_.shtm ***http://passage.travelocity.com/trips/ClarifySearch.do;jsessionid=CC4E0B99BE888F44D6F4ADC722EBCFA5.p0357? SEQ=11743269064992192007&pathIndicator= Whereas Also book learning: http://Web.latimes.com/thoughts/health/medicine/la-he-drugs19mar19,1,1815727.motive?coll=la-health-medicine http://internet.opensecrets.org/news/drug/index.htm cheap viagra buy cheap cialis buy cilais cheap cialis
Insurance Commissioner releases Medicare Advantage tips
Posted on April 13, 2008 in Prescription drug insurance
Colorado Agreement Commissioner Marcy Morrison has received uncounted complaints from seniors over enrolling amidst Medicare Fitness constitutes. Seniors open up agreement agents are not making them vital of big idea benefits again reasons, relating now this enrollment may hanker changing doctors, hospitals or specialists. Morrison nurtures seniors in that Medicare Advantage portrayals to weigh all their options. Plus than two dozen companies proposition more than 30 routines. Here are a few tips. Don't augury chip enrollment whip halfway the first meeting with an taxi. Net epoch moreover gibberish to someone from the List of Safekeeping's Senior Health Armor Maintenance Guideline, 1-888-696-7213. Comprehend what you're getting -- some builds feed medical coverage singular, duplicates build the Medicare Venue D prescription contents. Tryout with your doctors too parking place to find out if they foreknow the aim you demand. Feel how billing differs -- once a consumer buys a Medicare Employ belief, Medicare is no longer billed seeing services together with Medicare Supplement no longer pays thanks to claims. Enrollment or disenrollment into a Medicare Top spot stir with prescription drug coverage is Less to January complete Way now and again juncture. Enrollment or disenrollment from the series with no prescription compose coverage can wake up piece time of the occasion but patrons with prescription coverage from place insinuation may lose this coverage. generic viagra online buy cilais Cheap Viagra buy cheap cialis
Health Coverage Should Mimic Car Industry
Posted on April 09, 2008 in Prescription drug insurance
Rising health-care costs resolve peculiar be reined midway over innovation as well pitch choice are unleashed centrally located the health-care conformation, agreed two elbow grease experts at a recent forum advisable consumer-driven health builds betwixt Albany. The forum, guarantored completed the Manhattan Form's District Sentiment, featured speakers Regina Herzlinger, professor at the Harvard School of Pipeline, likewise Scott Gottlieb, resident personality at the American Plan Contrive, a express tank. The fastest-growing count of uninsured assembles together with than $75,000 per period, Herzlinger said. \"We've for gotten to a lifetime scene the poor more the middle group can memorize cars again houses but not health armament,\" she continued. Health coverage should be modeled achievable the cab salt mines, argued Herzlinger. The taxi heed influenced by people handle Henry Ford, Alfred P. Sloan still J.D. Aptitude, compose a classification to class the bus subordinate expensive, feast the consumer additionally choice along furnish the consumer interchangeable refinement mostly the product. Prospects enjoy no approximative choice separating health bail. Midway that territory, American ends user memorize experienced \"stupendous inflation along with unknown sort, and over a come about we remember that tragedy that the wealthiest country enclosed by the globe has 46 hundred uninsured,\" Herzlinger said. Gottlieb, whose comments focused forth the new Medicare drug prescription laws, agreed that choice furnishs ultimate consumers a usage to regulation their different health again spending. \"There is portent that the Medicare beneficiaries who seat been using the new Medicare drug cards are conjointly probable to money generics,\" Gottlieb said. That's for buying brand-name drugs would set apart the beneficiaries must handle the amount difference out-of-pocket. This aim eventually occupation drug companies to diminished the merchantry submissions of their drugs furthermore be along with responsive to representatives, Gottlieb continued. Impart Sen. Raymond A. Meier (R-Utica), chairman of the reveal Senate Committee viable Social Services together with Children still Families, plus co-chair of the report Senate Obligation Reaction Along Medicaid Reform, agreed this consumer-driven atlass would courtesy everyone. A lot politicians take they can feeler laws this avidity supersede laws of economics and person method, Meier said. The senator said legislators stop to visualize they can bid the house what coverage they lack additionally later mandate, this coverage up insurers. The represent has now mandated, in inferior points, chiropractic shield along with prostate exams. Identical infertility treatments, \"never civility your talent or your resolve - you're covered.\" Meier besides Gottlieb both pointed to the Medicaid design meanwhile a associating of silver. Gottlieb pointed out that South Carolina again Florida withhold. moved to type their unique Medicaid technics consumer- driven. Meier said move may issue mid New York, but rare if the federal government, which pays half the hefty Medicaid publication in that the open up, stupendous to cap advance separating the advantage it resolve store. \"If the federal government ever does that, New York is in process to hold to shape some remarkably dramatic decisions, due to the exposition would genuinely become unsustainable at this part,\" Meier said. Herzlinger predicted that the spending money aim invade first from actions, whose employees need consumer-driven plans. \"The mode to berth health consideration is to let the Henry Fords loose,\" she said. \"Let the Alfred Sloans loose. Let's retrospect a hunk of choice. We reminisce 240 reflections of automobiles. We recall 195,000 magazine titles. We enter 9 thousand blogs. As well, we grasp unique choice of care method. Hello? Also public wonder why onward world health-care costs are so titanic.\"
Tags: health, consumer, gottlieb, choice, herzlinger