Healthcare

ProJo Editors Support Single-Payer and Higher Taxes

By Marc Comtois | October 16, 2009 |

In his Wednesday column, “The trouble with health care is paying for it“, Michael Barone wrote: We know now that it costs a lot of money to pay for insurance policies with expanded coverage for an expanded number of people. And we know that no one wants to pay the price. We may be in…

That PwC Report on Healthcare Costs

By Justin Katz | October 14, 2009 |

The Providence Journal headline was “Insurance lobbyists take the gloves off,” and the AP report above which it appeared cast the story in terms of the political battle, as if it is immaterial and unknowable whether a study issued by PricewaterhouseCoopers is accurate: The firm’s study projected that the legislation would add $1,700 a year…

Links to various articles

By Donald B. Hawthorne | October 13, 2009 |

Power Line on Taking the National Debt Seriously Stephen Spruiell on Obamacare Dissected: Ten things that probably will be in the health-care bill (but shouldn’t) Kevin Williamson on Real Health-Care Reform: Ten things that ought to be in the health-care bill (but probably won’t) Veronique de Rugy on Elinor Ostrom and the Essence of Economics…

There Will Be Rationing

By Justin Katz | October 13, 2009 |

Further to this morning’s vlog, John Goodman’s got a good explanation of the reason that Sarah Palin’s “death panel” comment was broadly accurate. He touches on the public sections of the healthcare industry, but then moves on: As currently envisioned, private health plans and at least one public plan would compete. The plans would be…

Vlog #9: Planning Against Human Nature

By Justin Katz | October 13, 2009 |

Herewith, further thoughts emerging from things said at healthcare town halls. The focus is, obviously, healthcare, but the argument is against socialism in general (ahem).

Swine Flu Disconnect

By Justin Katz | October 12, 2009 |

Is it just me, or is there an odd disconnect with this swine flue thing? The White House human services secretary has been giving the vaccine a round of marketing, and I know that schools in Tiverton, at least, are offering it to students on the premises. Yet, our pediatrician doesn’t recommend it (which is…

Congressional Candidate John Loughlin Healthcare Town Hall, 9/30/09

By Justin Katz | October 11, 2009 |

As I said, I was a little late to John Loughlin’s healthcare town hall, a couple of weeks ago, but I did get most of it on video and capture a good number of interesting points from all involved.

More of the Same from Kennedy

By Justin Katz | October 6, 2009 |

Hiding behind his quaking fear of “violent rhetoric,” Congressman Patrick Kennedy staged a comfy tele-town hall meeting: Most of the participants — each of whom had their questions screened ahead of time by Kennedy staffers — appeared sympathetic toward changes to the nation’s health-care system. … Tiverton resident Teresa Rudd said she remained on the…

A Campaign Event Healthcare Town Hall

By Justin Katz | September 30, 2009 |

I’m about a half hour late, but I’ve made it all the way across town in Tiverton for John Loughlin’s healthcare town hall event, as part of his campaign for Congressman Patrick Kennedy’s seat. There are quite a few people here — somewhere around 130 or 140 — with a high local contingent. I can’t…

Hints of Things to Come with Public Healthcare

By Justin Katz | September 30, 2009 |

An interesting find by Joseph Bottum. Belmont Abbey College, an institution sponsored by Catholic monks, opted to remove provisions for abortion, contraception, and sterilization from the healthcare plan that it offered employees, as it must do as an institution run by believing Catholics. The matter will end up in court, but the Equal Employment Opportunity…