Democracy for New Hampshire - Health care

Growth is a sign of social failure.

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 07:04:52 -0400

We are all aware that tumors, even if they are benign, are an impediment to individual well being. Growths are anti-social. And yet, in recent decades we've been persuaded that growth is good.

Now the results are out and, in at least three areas, there's no question that growth is an sign of social failure. The first indicator, only because we've been aware of it the longest, is the growth of landfills. More and more of what we Americans produce and purchase ends up at the dump; some of it even before it's used. Indeed, much of our production is aimed to be disposed of--disposable. As if the mountains of waste weren't already high enough. And I won't even go into "storage facilities," replicating like mushrooms all over the countryside -- way stations to the dump for the stuff we think we might eventually actually want.

The nation is drowning in stuff. The question is why? Why have we been persuaded to accumulate more and more stuff we don't actually want, and certainly don't need? My ancient house guest tells me it's because stuff, unlike people, doesn't disappoint. Stuff doesn't run off with your best friend. Stuff isn't fickle. On the other hand, the old curmudgeon is even now discovering that when people have people, they don't need stuff. That's something the tea party people seem to be discovering, as well. While that does not bode well for the resurgence of our supposedly consumer-driven economy, consumption is not a healthy condition. So, the tea parties may actually be a sign of healing.

Lynch promises veto of medical marijuana legislation

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:46:07 -0500

For Immediate Release

Gov. Lynch Statement Regarding Legislation to Decriminalize Marijuana

“Marijuana is a controlled drug that remains illegal under federal law. I share the law enforcement community’s concerns about proliferation of this drug.

“In addition, New Hampshire parents are struggling to keep their kids away from marijuana and other drugs. We should not make the jobs of parents – or law enforcement – harder by sending a false message that some marijuana use is acceptable.

“That is why if legislation to decriminalize marijuana were to reach my desk, I would veto it.”

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We're number 37!

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 09:33:33 -0500

Gregg, the attention hog

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 06:17:52 -0500

I don't, typically, hog the front page with blog posts. However, Gregg prompts me to make an exception and use the tools that will provide exposure of his posturing for the longest period of time.

Dean: Keep fighting for public option until we get it

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 12:18:23 -0500

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

SHAHEEN: WELLPOINT’S NEW HAMPSHIRE RATE HIKES ARE WHY WE NEED REFORM NOW

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 06:38:25 -0500

SOURCE:Senator Jeanne Shaheen

Press Release:

February 24, 2010
(Washington, D.C.)-U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen today called on WellPoint CEO Angela Braly to explain the increase in New Hampshire health insurance rates despite the company's substantial profits. According to a report released today by the Center for American Progress, WellPoint, under the banner of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, intends to increase individual insurance rates in New Hampshire by 12 percent to 13 percent and has already increased premiums in the small group market by 17 percent. Meanwhile, the company posted a 700 percent increase in profits in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to the same time period the previous year.

White House weekly address: Health insurance rate hikes out of control

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 09:11:28 -0500

Whitehouse.gov

Weekly Address: Premiums, Profits, and the Need for Health Reform
Posted by Jesse Lee on February 20, 2010 at 06:00 AM EST

The President points to outrageous premium hikes from health insurance companies, especially those already making massive profits, as further proof of the need for reform. Looking ahead to the coming bipartisan meeting on reform, the President urges members of Congress to come to the table in good faith to address the issue.

Watch the video address here

Patient Advocacy

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 09:53:43 -0500

Everyone that's been following the health insurance reform agenda has become aware that monetary awards to the victims of medical malpractice are a burr under the Republican saddle. Partly, I'd wager, that's because one of the primary objectives of the party of 'NO' is to say "no" to social responsibilities of all kinds. So, to their way of thinking, if a person chooses wrongly and ends up with a negligent doctor or nurse, it's his/her own fault. After all, that's what personal responsibility is about. Whatever the fates impose (flood, drought, asphyxiation or drowning on a board) is the individual's own fault.

Health care legislation explained

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 09:29:59 -0500

SOURCE: OpEdNews

January 6, 2010

Maggie Mahar Untangles Health Care Legislation For OpEdNews

By Joan Brunwasser

Maggie Mahar is a Century Foundation fellow and expert on American health care. She is the author of the ground-breaking book, Money-Driven Medicine: The Real Reason Health Care Costs So Much. Welcome to OpEdNews, Maggie. Well, the Senate finally managed to pass a health care bill on Christmas Eve. How should we regard it? Is it a holiday gift or another boondoggle masquerading as meaningful, far-reaching reform?

This bill is a start. Over the next three years, there will be amendements and more legislation. This is not the final word on reform. For low-income people and people suffering from pre-existing conditions, this legislation offers much-needed help. This is important. But healthcare will remain too expensive for most of us unless the Independent Medicare Advisory Board (formerly called the Independent Medicare Advisory Council -- or IMAC) is given the power to change what Medicare (and other payers) pay for, and how they pay for it.

Some hospitals are overpaid -- they are being rewarded for being inefficient. In hospitals where more patients contract infections or fall victim to medical errors, they stay longer and undergo more procedures. As a result, Medicare winds up paying those hospitals more. Medicare needs to begin using financial sticks to encourage hospitals to pay more attention to patient safety. Medicare can also use financial carrots to reward hospitals with good safety records.

"Incinerators can cost millions of dollars." Duhhh!

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 08:02:59 -0500

I've long held the opinion that when it comes to environmental degradation our public agencies are some of the worst offenders. Much slip-shod waste disposal and contamination has been tolerated in the name of "balancing the public interest." Not to mention that some of our public servants consider it a benefit of their employment to impose, rather than follow regulations.

And our military agencies have been among the worst offenders, as evidenced by the fact that every site they vacate is in need of environmental cleanup and remediation. So, it's not surprising that eight years of occupation have left Iraq in a mess. Some of which our own Congresswoman has tried to address by outlawing burn pits and insisting on proper waste disposal. But, who's going to pay for it?

Axelrod and Dean on Meet the Press discuss the healthcare bill

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 20:57:28 -0500

SOURCE: www.realclearpolitics.com/

December 20, 2009

David Axelrod & Howard Dean on "Meet the Press" By Meet the Press

MR. GREGORY: What's next? And what is the political impact of this legislation in 2010 and beyond? Joining us, the president's senior adviser, David Axelrod; and then the man who helped ignite a debate over health care within his party, former DNC chairman and 2004 Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean. Our roundtable weighs in as well on the politics of health care and the huge political challenges facing this White House in the new year as it tackles high unemployment and a sour mood in the country. With us: MSNBC's Joe Scarborough, the Daily Kos' Markos Moulitsas, former RNC chair Ed Gillespie and PBS' Tavis Smiley.

Health-reform legislation would accomplish more than critics admit

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 19:31:03 -0500

SOURCE: washingtonpost.com

Health-reform legislation would accomplish more than critics admit

By Henry J. Aaron
Friday, December 18, 2009; A31

In recent columns, Robert J. Samuelson has argued that extending health insurance to 25 million to 35 million uninsured Americans is undesirable unless and until health spending is controlled ["Obamacare: Buy now, pay later," Nov. 16; "A savings mirage on health care," Dec. 14].

The simple fact is that insuring tens of millions must initially raise health-care spending. How else could the previously uninsured enjoy an increase in health-care services? It is, however, fair to ask whether the bills under consideration pay for those added costs and promise credibly to slow the long-term growth of health-care spending.

Krugman: Pass the bill!

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:43:16 -0500

SOURCE: NYT

December 18, 2009
OP-ED COLUMNIST

Pass the Bill
By PAUL KRUGMAN

A message to progressives: By all means, hang Senator Joe Lieberman in effigy. Declare that you’re disappointed in and/or disgusted with President Obama. Demand a change in Senate rules that, combined with the Republican strategy of total obstructionism, are in the process of making America ungovernable.

But meanwhile, pass the health care bill.

Yes, the filibuster-imposed need to get votes from “centrist” senators has led to a bill that falls a long way short of ideal. Worse, some of those senators seem motivated largely by a desire to protect the interests of insurance companies — with the possible exception of Mr. Lieberman, who seems motivated by sheer spite.

But let’s all take a deep breath, and consider just how much good this bill would do, if passed — and how much better it would be than anything that seemed possible just a few years ago. With all its flaws, the Senate health bill would be the biggest expansion of the social safety net since Medicare, greatly improving the lives of millions. Getting this bill would be much, much better than watching health care reform fail.

Healthcare: First they came for the banksters

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 10:29:36 -0500

SOURCE: OpEdNews

December 17, 2009

Healthcare: First They Came for the Banksters

By Thom Hartmann

With apologies to Pastor Niemoeller:

First they came for the banksters, and showered them with money and put them in the Administration in a way that was not change we could believe in.

Then they came for the military industrial complex, and sent more and more of our children to die in faraway lands that had never attacked us in a way that was not change we could believe in.

And now they've sold out our hope for a national health care system not run by millionaire gangsters in suits. And who is left to speak for us?

President Obama is playing the Bill Clinton game of throwing people a bone and telling them it's steak. Perhaps he's doing it because he thinks it's his only choice; perhaps it's because he's surrounded himself with Bill Clinton advisors (and Hillary as Secretary of State); whatever the reason, while it worked for Clinton, it won't work for Obama.

Senate unveils "CompromiseCare"

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 09:52:08 -0500

SOURCE: Borowitz Report

Senate Unveils CompromiseCare

Details of Healthcare Plan Revealed

WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report) - The United States Senate today unveiled details of its health care plan, tentatively called CompromiseCareTM:

-- Under CompromiseCareTM, people with no coverage will be allowed to keep their current plan.

-- Medicare will be extended to 55-year-olds as soon as they turn 65.

-- You will have access to cheap Canadian drugs if you live in Canada.

-- States whose names contain vowels will be allowed to opt out of the plan.

-- You get to choose which doctor you cannot afford to see.