Bureaucrat Beat
Written by Benett Kessler Tuesday, 15 December 2009 12:07
you think? Instead of this glazed over acceptance of free enterprise profits, the federal government needs to do what it takes to fight evil, as the President said last week. In fact, we really wish he would look at his own colleagues in the congress who function on bribes euphemistically called campaign contributions. No wonder they don't want to crack down on insurance companies. They belong to the same club.The latest outrage - the Senate debate on expansion of access to lowcost prescription drugs from other countries. Guess who doesn't like that? The drug industry has fiercely opposed it. We can hear the conversations now:
Pharmaceutical Guy: We'd really like to contribute to your campaign, Mr. Democrat, but really - you want to legitimize the import of drugs from Canada?
Mr. Democrat: Well, it's really the right thing to do, but hey, we know you're a hard-working corporation that needs billions on the profit margin. So, okay, I guess we can put it off for awhile.
They sure wouldn't postpone "campaign contributions".
On a completely different note, how about a purple Christmas tree? A story in the LA Times explained how a Compton man sells trees every year and not just green ones. He dies them red, blue, yellow, orange, red and purple. Now, that's a kick. Made us forget all about those creepy legislators who like to sell us out.Another thing out of LA - the City Council down there approved a five-year package of pay raises for DWP employees, who are the most highly paid in the City of LA. In fact, police will get no raises and others will take cuts. Ouch. Now, we're all in favor of pay raises for DWP workers in the Owens Valley because we're the source of LA's existence. Without our water, there would be no City of LA. So, in the natural and well-mannered scheme of things, they, frankly, owe us.
On that note, if they can afford humungous pay hikes, how about a tiny little amount of money to pay for a gatekeeper at Klondike Lake. No, you don't have to pay them $30 an hour. Create a special job for $15 an hour. Someone here would really appreciate it. You owe it to us, LA.
All the Scrooges this time of year (and you know who you are!!) listen up. Researchers just found out that lonely rats are
more prone to tumors. A study that appeared in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences says that rats separated from a social group shortly after birth had a three times higher risk of developing more tumors and more deadly ones than did rats living in a social group. So all you tightwads out there, time to join the human race. Lots of comments on the website about the bear issue in Mammoth. Even Steve Searles says this issue should be down a ways on the list of importance. Perhaps fewer opinions and more support for what the political majority of the Town wants - its own brand of bear management. There's nothing writ in law that says bureaucracies like Fish and Game can't accommodate the peoples' wishes when possible. In fact, they should try. Remember the rats.
One more thing on Scrooge. Seems California fits the skinflint category when it comes to food for the poor and for needy children. Our state uses a complex and difficult enrollment process that keeps people from the benefits of food stamps and school meals. According to news reports, California could receive up to $3.7 billion more in federal aid by revamping its approach. Good grief. If bureaucracies can't feed hungry people, really, what good are they?!?
But, not to worry, our esteemed state legislators are now pondering legalization of internet poker in California, which estimates say would bring in as much as $250 million more to state coffers. Wonder how they'll conspire to squander that money?
But, hey, how about the holiday movie scene? The cliché from sublime to ridiculous applies neatly. Exotic deities, shocking sexual chemistry, and a potpourri musical. Start with an Avatar, fall down to a romp with Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker, pick it up with Jeff Bridges as a has-been country singer, kick it up with the movie, Nine, starring, would you believe, Daniel Day-Lewis, Fergie, Sophia Loren, Judi Dench and Penelope Cruz. Wow. Top it off with Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin. Double Dip Wow!! Our personal favorite possibility is "Up in the Air" with George Clooney. Diversions - all the way around.
With that, this is Benett Kessler signing off for Bureaucrat Beat where we await your word on our lives in the Eastern Sierra and beyond.
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written by Jimmy T , December 16, 2009
written by Jimmy T , December 16, 2009
A pox on both their houses -- a pox not covered by government healthcare!
Votes: -1
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written by Matt , December 17, 2009
written by Matt , December 17, 2009
Ok, I think its safe to say you crossed a line that I never thought you would.
Your depictions of health insurers as being greedy, loathsome demons is completely uncalled for. It is time you got some facts straight and learned a thing or two about REAL statistics and REAL economics. This kind of liberal rant has to stop.
To begin with, every company has to turn a profit. This concept is hardly "greedy". Now, profit margins for health insurance companies hover somewhere between 3.3% and 5%. Even radio, which we all know has greatly suffered at least since the beginning of this millennia, has significantly higher profit margins than the leading health insurance companies. You may not make millions, but you aren't running a national company either.
In an earlier Bureaucrat Beat you claimed that health insurers have a stifling administrative cost of 30%. That number is quite astonishing, especially since it is flat out WRONG. Where do you get your "facts"? What are you, a walking regurgitation of healthcareforamericanow.com? According to Forbes and Fortune 500, administrative costs of health insurers are 12%. "Administrative cost" is not profit that goes directly into the greedy, green, wrinkly hands of CEOs, it is the money that is used to give everyday people jobs and help lower costs. Medicare's administrative costs are 4%. Some facts to consider before you dive into that one. 1. According to RAND Corporation and the Heritage Foundation, on average the actual administrative cost per person is the same as someone covered under a private insurer. 2. Medicare loses tens of billions of dollars due to fraud each year because they hold back on administrative costs. Guess who makes that difference up? That's right, taxpayers. Gosh, our current public pool is so efficient I can't wait until we drop trillions to get another one!
Some economic principles you should learn about before you continue to bash free enterprise. The first is that competition in a market drives prices down. Health insurers use their drive to continue to be profitable to discount costs and cut wasteful spending in order to compete with each other. With the United States government paying your health bill do you think they will be motivated to cut costs, or just increase taxes? A public option either have a greater direct cost to the consumer, or be masked because the overall plan will be supported by a tax hike. I'm sorry, but we can come up with a better plan than one that is going to force more of my hard earned income and the income of my fellow Americans to pay for barely half of the people who are left uninsured (current figures say that only 60% of currently uninsured Americans will have access to coverage under the current bill. If its the same people who run estimates for Golden Boy's stimulus package that claimed unemployment wouldn't rise above 8% then we can bet that this figure is skewed).
Secondly, part the plan Barak Obama wants to pass includes getting rid of out-of-pocket caps and accepting people with preexisting conditions while lowering health insurance premiums. HA! John Stewart, speaking on an unrelated subject, put it perfectly when he said, "That's like saying I want it sunny all the time, but without that bother of heat and brightness." Doing something that is going to raise spending for any company is going to be passed on to the consumer.
A few reasons healthcare through private insurers is more expensive than governmental ran programs in Europe and Canada simply has to deal with the kind of care you are able to obtain. With private insurers, you can get the newest and the best, which in turn usually equivocates to the priciest. These governments do not cover unproven treatments, nor would our own. Technology in this area will slow and hurt a younger generation. Another fact to consider is healthcare costs are cut so bad in these nations it is insulting. I suggest you speak with a nurse who worked in Canada and listen to her stories about pacemakers she helped install that had 4 different peoples' blood on it, or reusing scalpels or gauze. Or get online and read copies of notices sent to the sick and their families that say essentially, "Sorry if you have already passed, but your liver will be there in 3 months because our current system can't get one to you any sooner." The systems liberals and democrat extremists want to model are worse off than our own.
My point is that health insurance companies do more good than harm. Just because health insurance companies seemingly charge a lot for their services does not mean they are greedy or manipulative, it just means that you got the heath care you asked for. It is our own fault. And just because you have a mic and a keyboard doesn't mean you should spout your idealistic yet unrealistic philosophies supported by exaggerated facts to the public when you have no clue what you are talking about.
EDITOR'S NOTE:
First, "Matt", we do require that people use their full, real names. Of course, many don't, but we appreciate showing the courage of your opinions.
Second, we all have part of the truth, so why not share it. Our research (PricewaterhouseCoopers) shows health insurance company administrative costs range from 30 to 20 to 10 percent, depending on the company and the type of coverage.
Quarterly profits of health insurance companies, according to our research, range from $850 million to $700 million or less, depending on the size of the company. Statistics also show that premium costs have gone up at least 5% in 2007-2008.
Our sources in the insurance industry assure us that the current picture has deteriorated with companies offering less coverage for more money.
I have also personally talked with physicians and citizens of Canada who support and like their health care system. Let's face it, nothing is perfect. Our own system reveals medical mistakes and waiting lists for transplants. And, when a free health care event is held in Los Angeles and thousands flock to the scene to get care, it's cause to consider change. In the final analysis, we're talking about human suffering. I'm sure that when you get past your prejudicial labels for people, you do care that they live in pain and sometimes die because they can't afford health care. Some 46 million in our own country remain uninsured.
If you live in the Eastern Sierra, talk to some of our doctors and find out. Why not find ways to extend a helping hand instead of close our minds to the need for change.
Benett Kessler
Votes: +2
Your depictions of health insurers as being greedy, loathsome demons is completely uncalled for. It is time you got some facts straight and learned a thing or two about REAL statistics and REAL economics. This kind of liberal rant has to stop.
To begin with, every company has to turn a profit. This concept is hardly "greedy". Now, profit margins for health insurance companies hover somewhere between 3.3% and 5%. Even radio, which we all know has greatly suffered at least since the beginning of this millennia, has significantly higher profit margins than the leading health insurance companies. You may not make millions, but you aren't running a national company either.
In an earlier Bureaucrat Beat you claimed that health insurers have a stifling administrative cost of 30%. That number is quite astonishing, especially since it is flat out WRONG. Where do you get your "facts"? What are you, a walking regurgitation of healthcareforamericanow.com? According to Forbes and Fortune 500, administrative costs of health insurers are 12%. "Administrative cost" is not profit that goes directly into the greedy, green, wrinkly hands of CEOs, it is the money that is used to give everyday people jobs and help lower costs. Medicare's administrative costs are 4%. Some facts to consider before you dive into that one. 1. According to RAND Corporation and the Heritage Foundation, on average the actual administrative cost per person is the same as someone covered under a private insurer. 2. Medicare loses tens of billions of dollars due to fraud each year because they hold back on administrative costs. Guess who makes that difference up? That's right, taxpayers. Gosh, our current public pool is so efficient I can't wait until we drop trillions to get another one!
Some economic principles you should learn about before you continue to bash free enterprise. The first is that competition in a market drives prices down. Health insurers use their drive to continue to be profitable to discount costs and cut wasteful spending in order to compete with each other. With the United States government paying your health bill do you think they will be motivated to cut costs, or just increase taxes? A public option either have a greater direct cost to the consumer, or be masked because the overall plan will be supported by a tax hike. I'm sorry, but we can come up with a better plan than one that is going to force more of my hard earned income and the income of my fellow Americans to pay for barely half of the people who are left uninsured (current figures say that only 60% of currently uninsured Americans will have access to coverage under the current bill. If its the same people who run estimates for Golden Boy's stimulus package that claimed unemployment wouldn't rise above 8% then we can bet that this figure is skewed).
Secondly, part the plan Barak Obama wants to pass includes getting rid of out-of-pocket caps and accepting people with preexisting conditions while lowering health insurance premiums. HA! John Stewart, speaking on an unrelated subject, put it perfectly when he said, "That's like saying I want it sunny all the time, but without that bother of heat and brightness." Doing something that is going to raise spending for any company is going to be passed on to the consumer.
A few reasons healthcare through private insurers is more expensive than governmental ran programs in Europe and Canada simply has to deal with the kind of care you are able to obtain. With private insurers, you can get the newest and the best, which in turn usually equivocates to the priciest. These governments do not cover unproven treatments, nor would our own. Technology in this area will slow and hurt a younger generation. Another fact to consider is healthcare costs are cut so bad in these nations it is insulting. I suggest you speak with a nurse who worked in Canada and listen to her stories about pacemakers she helped install that had 4 different peoples' blood on it, or reusing scalpels or gauze. Or get online and read copies of notices sent to the sick and their families that say essentially, "Sorry if you have already passed, but your liver will be there in 3 months because our current system can't get one to you any sooner." The systems liberals and democrat extremists want to model are worse off than our own.
My point is that health insurance companies do more good than harm. Just because health insurance companies seemingly charge a lot for their services does not mean they are greedy or manipulative, it just means that you got the heath care you asked for. It is our own fault. And just because you have a mic and a keyboard doesn't mean you should spout your idealistic yet unrealistic philosophies supported by exaggerated facts to the public when you have no clue what you are talking about.
EDITOR'S NOTE:
First, "Matt", we do require that people use their full, real names. Of course, many don't, but we appreciate showing the courage of your opinions.
Second, we all have part of the truth, so why not share it. Our research (PricewaterhouseCoopers) shows health insurance company administrative costs range from 30 to 20 to 10 percent, depending on the company and the type of coverage.
Quarterly profits of health insurance companies, according to our research, range from $850 million to $700 million or less, depending on the size of the company. Statistics also show that premium costs have gone up at least 5% in 2007-2008.
Our sources in the insurance industry assure us that the current picture has deteriorated with companies offering less coverage for more money.
I have also personally talked with physicians and citizens of Canada who support and like their health care system. Let's face it, nothing is perfect. Our own system reveals medical mistakes and waiting lists for transplants. And, when a free health care event is held in Los Angeles and thousands flock to the scene to get care, it's cause to consider change. In the final analysis, we're talking about human suffering. I'm sure that when you get past your prejudicial labels for people, you do care that they live in pain and sometimes die because they can't afford health care. Some 46 million in our own country remain uninsured.
If you live in the Eastern Sierra, talk to some of our doctors and find out. Why not find ways to extend a helping hand instead of close our minds to the need for change.
Benett Kessler
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EDITOR'S NOTE:
The Democrats now have the upper hand and they're still selling us out. A pox on both of their houses.
Benett Kessler