Medicare is Driving Up the Cost of Health Care

That's what a local doctor said in a meeting... that medicare was what was driving up the cost of health care. WTF?!?

The news story didn't include an explanation of how medicare was increasing costs, but the only thing I could think of was that medicare payments are lower than insurance payments. Perhaps that means the doctors have to charge other patients more. You know... so that the good doctor can buy his third vacation home in Italy.

I don't know, but I ain't buying that bridge.

Maybe its because too many people on medicare seek health care. And that means they live longer, which in turn means more doctor visits, etc. As far as I can tell, the good doctor didn't mention anything about medicare fraud. But I don't see how that could affect actual costs of treatment. Or maybe it just means the good doctor is a republican. One of those pillars of moral decency. A religious republican living in a capitalist country.

But you know what the most scariest part is.... that no matter what the profession, it doesn't automatically mean there's any intelligence. Or common sense.

Oh... maybe the good doctor has stock in insurance and/or drug companies. We all know how honest they are. Can you say AIG? Can you drool over a $30 million dollar bonus? That's what is driving up the cost of health care.

Swine Flu Outbreak?!

WTF?! The media is reporting that up to 40% of the work force could be out sick and we must take measures to be sure business continues as usual.

Again...WTF?! Damn it, I'm still waiting for the bird flu outbreak!! Remember that one? The one that was going to have a major impact on business because everyone was going to be out sick.... I'm still waiting on that sucker. Now you're trying to scare us again with this crap!! Bullshit, I say. Complete bullshit.

"Get those people lined up for flu shots. There's BIG BUCKs in this line of work. George, hype up the report you give to the news people. Gotta get people scared for this to work."

I've also heard little grumblings about that new shot to "help" prevent cervical cancer... negative results are showing up. (00) Does my surprised look seem real? I'm getting to be a better actor.

Where Were They?

All the angry protestors speaking out about mandatory health care coverage... where were they when Bush was talking about invading Iraq? Where were they when the United States was on the verge of declaring war on another country? Oh sure, we had some protestors, but where were the huge, outspoken, angry mobs of people? Where were the voices saying "Not my son" or "Not my daughter?"

Perhaps they were inside counting their money.

Its interesting to watch how people react to different things. Personally, I think folks are being manipulated by the health care industry, but that's just my opinion. There's big bucks in those pills.

When Life Gives You Lemons...

Pick those suckers up and hurl them back as hard as you can...

Warning... uninformed opinion coming (w/ps)

When arrogance meets arrogance there's bound to be some dust flying.

The subject: Henry Gates' arrest in Cambridge.

First, I don't know diddly about what really went on there, although I have read the initial police report. I think only those who witnessed it know what really happened... but that's not going to keep me from talking about it.

To refresh your memory, Henry Gates is a Harvard professor and is very well known in most circles. You may have seen him on public tv or Oprah. He was arrested for disorderly conduct when police responded to a buglary-in-process call at his home.

It sounds like Gates was already pissed off about something and the arriving cop just gave him a target. I think he should have been thanking the officer for coming to make sure no one was breaking into his home, but instead he started raving about racial shit. He had just come back from a trip and was probably tired and irritated that his front door wouldn't open. And besides.... he's Mr. Gates, prominent professor. Everyone should know who he is by sight.

Then on the other hand there's a police officer who, as we all know, rule the streets and are mini gods. There are good and competent police officers but I think there are more of the jerk kind who let their uniform go to their heads.

Why did Gates not thank the cop for coming to check on things? Why did Gates not show his identification in the first place? I would want a cop to verify that I was the resident and not just take my word for it. Now in fairness, Gates did show his ID but not when first asked. Maybe Gates was itching for a fight... maybe his ego needed stroking. Who knows.

I think Gates acted inappropriately, especially for a Harvard professor and "pillar of the community", not that the officer didn't contribute to the situation as well. But it sounds like Gates went off the minute he saw the uniform.

If Gates is as smart as he's suppose to be, he'll let this thing fade away. If he doesn't then I guess you don't have to have common sense to be a Harvard professor.

PS, I wonder if Mr. Gates is diabetic. If his blood sugar was low, that would explain the reaction.

Its an Old Rant

I've been search for a place I could give feedback to the Federal government about digital tv.... and I can't find anywhere. I can find how to complain about the equipment, but I wanted to add my voice to others about having to switch period. This certainly has done nothing to improve how I feel about the federal government. They screw us as much, if not more, than all the crooked businesses and scammers out there.

okay. Calm down. The only choice I have is to stop watching tv altogether...which wouldn't be a bad idea even without the digital bs. So all you advertisers out there paying big bucks to bombard us with ads, you've lost another potential customer. I refuse to sign up for cable. That's a whole other source of screwing.

sigh. I'm glad I at least had this place to vent. I'll be listening to public radio. Speaking of public radio/television, have you noticed ads are starting to appear on public tv. They probably aren't called ads, but that's what they are. Perhaps the businesses were given the chance to put their own words on air because they contributed to public broadcasting. And it looks like they are taking good advantage of it.

No matter. This will be good practice for when I go live in a cave somewhere.

What a Rip-Off!

I found myself wondering why Burris would want the Ill. senator seat after so much BS around it... after all, he's in his 70s, why take all this crap on? I was reminded why. Because once a senator, you pull down a senator's salary for the rest of your life. Sweet momma daffodil!!

And these are the butts that want to "fix" social security. These are the butts that vote to decrease medicare payments so fewer and fewer doctors/clinics accept medicare patients.

Once a senator's term has ended.... STOP HIS FREAKING PAYCHECK. Gawd, can we get some common sense in here, people?? Let him retire on social security and whatever retirement benefits he has mustered up just like the rest of us do. How did it come to pass that the senators determine what they will get?

Only a fool would hire a fox to guard the hen house. Hello my fellow fool!!