Category Archives: economics

Obama presents “gutsy” budget; Clinton begs in China; Treasury writes obituary

Obama presented Congress with an agenda described as “breathtaking in its scope and ambition,” “gutsy,” or “bold and courageous”—by his supporters. Passing it won’t be easy, Obama admits, because “it represents a threat to the status quo.” But his enormous … Continue reading

Posted in economics, health care reform | 10 Comments

Is wealth redistribution America’s future?

As worldwide economic meltdown continues, and the cost of the U.S. bailout/”rescue” soars, the question looms: how will government pay even the short-term costs? Political candidates are not addressing this issue. The make-somebody-else’s-children-pay-later strategy may soon reach the ultimate limit. … Continue reading

Posted in economics | 3 Comments

Which candidate’s health plan will hurt the most?

The basic difference in the major candidates’ proposals for “health care reform,” according to Mark Pauley, writing in Health Affairs, is that McCain recognizes that workers earn their health benefits, while Obama apparently views benefits as the employer’s money (Greg … Continue reading

Posted in economics, politics, single payer health care, socialized medicine | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Fed rolls printing presses

For more than three decades, savvy world investors have feared that in any serious deflationary crisis, the U.S. would panic and open the floodgates of printed fiat currency, writes Richard Maybury. Maybury believes that the deflationary crisis has arrived; dollars … Continue reading

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AAPS, Obama & socialized medicine

Last month AAPS members voted unanimously to re-affirm the AAPS Resolution to Oppose a Single-Payer Medical System. In that resolution, AAPS urges all physicians to oppose a government-controlled or single-payer plan as harmful to patients, and therefore inconsistent with a … Continue reading

Posted in economics, politics, socialized medicine | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Massive pork bill passed by unconstitutional process to “rescue” economy

According to the U.S. Constitution, all revenue bills must originate in the U.S. House of Representatives. How then did the massive bill to make taxpayers buy all kinds of toxic debt originate in the U.S. Senate? It only appears that … Continue reading

Posted in economics | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Government funding breeds conformity, says surgery professor

If you want government funding, there are certain ideas that you dare not question, stated Donald W. Miller, M.D., University of Washington professor of surgery, a member of AAPS. Miller’s views are similar to those expressed in 2005 by another … Continue reading

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Nonsmoking, persons of normal weight have highest lifetime medical costs; Japan passes anti-flab law

Politicians and others usually list the funding of prevention and chronic disease management programs as a key method of achieving cost containment. Smoking and obesity are most frequently mentioned as risk factors to target. In the long run, however, removing … Continue reading

Posted in economics | 5 Comments

Retirees projected to need $225,000 per couple for medical costs

According to an annual study released by Fidelity Investments, a couple retiring this year will need about $225,000 to cover lifetime medical costs. The study assumes no employer-sponsored retiree coverage. It includes Medicare premium payments, copayments, and deductibles, as well … Continue reading

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Sabotaging health savings accounts

Nothing probably shows the potential of health savings accounts (HSAs) better than their enemies’ attempts to wreck them. An attempt to load on costly administrative requirements passed the House of Representatives but not the Senate. President Bush had threatened to … Continue reading

Posted in consumer driven medical care, economics, single payer health care, socialized medicine | 3 Comments

Doctors support national health insurance, claims press

Widely trumpeted in the press, a nonscientific survey shows that 59% of American physicians purportedly favor legislation to establish national health insurance (NHI), while only 32% are opposed. “The debate over physician support of national health insurance is over,” comments … Continue reading

Posted in economics, socialized medicine | 7 Comments

Economic shocks straight ahead?

As former Comptroller General David Walker told 60 Minutes, the unfunded liabilities of entitlement programs, especially Medicare, are so huge that even shutting down the Pentagon would not help significantly. He states that leaving this huge debt to the next … Continue reading

Posted in economics | 4 Comments