Healthcare

Mike Stenhouse and Rep. Brian Newberry on In the Dugout, 4/22/21

Funny how blame can shift from policy to implementation as needed.

By Justin Katz | April 22, 2021 |

Mike Stenhouse’s In the Dugout show today included guests Republican Representative Brian Newberry and Dr. Andrew Bostom, the first defending his civics education legislation and the second talking COVID matters.  Note, in particular Newberry’s defense of his bill on the grounds that concerns expressed on the show yesterday by Stanley Kurtz were about “implementation,” not the…

Zambarano Hospital deteriorating

What about the mental health of RI government?

By Justin Katz | April 19, 2021 |

One way of looking at Governor Dan McKee’s decision to hold off on implementing his predecessor’s plans for the state-run Zambarano psychiatric hospital is as a battle of union interests.  Raimondo’s plan to spend $65 million (initial asking price) for a new facility would have made construction unions happy, whereas McKee’s move serves the service…

Photo of a racially segregated bus.

Another “antiracist” racist tell.

By Justin Katz | April 18, 2021 |

The other day, I couldn’t help but overhear part of a class from a mandatory collegiate course on oppression. My reaction was probably that of any non-indoctrinated, thinking person of good will: “This professor is teaching racism, straight up.” Indeed, the illness is now metastasizing across our society. Writing in American Thinker, David Shimm highlights…

Socking It To the Insurance Co or To The Insured? Rhode Island Has the Highest Number of Health Insurance Mandates

By Monique Chartier | April 17, 2013 |

To set the stage: This Wall Street Journal summary map indicates that Rhode Island has the seventh highest per capita health-care spending. In filings Monday, Blue Cross Blue Shield of RI requested an increase in health insurance premiums – an 18% increase for individuals (note that Blue Cross is the only company in the state…

Health Benefits Exchange: What They Mean by Self-Sustaining

By Justin Katz | April 8, 2013 |

Amidst the political noise of news on marriage, immigration, and guns, Phil Marcelo has an informative article in today’s Providence Journal highlighting the fact that the State of Rhode Island is going to have to pay to maintain its ObamaCare health benefits exchange when federal dollars run out. That’s an issue that I raised last…

Premium Premiums? RI Employers Paying Higher Than National Average For Employee Health Coverage

By Monique Chartier | December 24, 2012 |

Business Wire reports. When it comes to national average costs for health plans, Rhode Island employers are paying 13 percent more for employee single coverage and six percent more for employee family coverage, according to a study by USI Insurance Services’ (“USI”). Lovely! Another item to add to our … er, enticing business climate. By…

Things We Read Today (44), Wednesday

By Justin Katz | December 19, 2012 |

Government’s corrupt pension handling; the discount rate scam; fighting off the zoning inspector; government peeking doesn’t count as privacy invasion. Continue reading on the Ocean State Current…

Things We Read Today (42), Weekend

By Justin Katz | December 17, 2012 |

The lesson of current events and history; what the 2nd Amendment means; what that means for change; government control and healthcare insecurity; government control and economic stagnation; a couple positive notes. Continue reading on the Ocean State Current…

Gary Alexander’s Long Commute and Rhode Island’s Big Compensation

By Justin Katz | December 14, 2012 |

Rhode Island resident and former human services chief Gary Alexander has been making news back home related to his current job as Secretary of Public Welfare in Pennsylvania. About two weeks ago, Alexander’s work came up on the Current and Anchor Rising regarding a chart suggesting that a single-mother in the PA public welfare system…

The Philosophy of Noose Tightening

By Justin Katz | December 7, 2012 |

Providence Journal opinion columnist M.J. Anderson offers a fascinatingly candid look at the thought processes of those whose preference for expressing concern for people is through government programs, and at how it ultimately makes a cheap trinket of freedom. The bulk of her column describes the terrible dynamic of ObamaCare that is leading employers to…