If I might impose on you all for a moment I am continuing to pull my campaign site together and as I am doing so will post some of the material here for your review. Below is my stance on the healthcare issue (this will be in the “Where I Stand” portion of my website). I have a few people who volunteered to help with proofreading that I will email for the in depth punctuation issues but if you wouldn’t mind taking a moment just to read over this and be sure it is easily understood and cohesive I’d be very appreciative.
Given the circus surrounding the entire healthcare industry the last year or so you probably will not be surprised to hear that not only is it one of our largest expenditures at the Federal level but it is also our single largest expenditure at the state level. As a Tennessean you will also not be surprised to hear that our state’s problem with healthcare can be summed up very simply, TennCare. The hard truth no one seems willing to face is that TennCare is an unsustainable train wreck and until we deal with that simple fact our state’s financial liability will continue to increase unchecked leaving our state’s budget in a condition similar to that of California. Any objective observer can easily see that government is far too cumbersome and inefficient to act as a health insurer and it was never intended to do so. It would be my top legislative priority to begin to find ways to responsibly shift the burden of the TennCare program from the coffers of the tax payers to private insurers who are able to more efficiently and effectively provide for the care of TennCare recipients. One of the simplest ways to do this would be to move from a system that provided insurance to recipients to a system that provided a Healthcare Savings Account (or HSA) to recipients. This HSA account would be a set amount provided annually to each recipient specifically for healthcare cost and allow TennCare recipients to purchase their own insurance from private companies which would accomplish several key points:
• Placing the responsibility for the individual’s healthcare back in their own hands rather than in a tangled government bureaucracy. This added responsibility often helps break the dependency that can so easily develop with many government programs.
• With the State of Tennessee having a fixed expense with the HSA rather than the often unpredictable expense of insuring an individual it will be far easier to anticipate and budget program cost which will help avoid the state running out of funding early in the year and either dipping into the trust fund or cutting benefits.
• In buying private insurance the TennCare members will be contributing to private companies which ultimately helps to create jobs and increase tax revenues, even if only marginally, offsetting some of the program cost.
• The current TennCare system pays doctors an often unacceptably low amount wherein doctors often lose money to see TennCare members, as a result of this many doctors refuse to see TennCare recipients. By moving to this more privatized system TennCare recipients would have far better access to quality care since they would have access to the same care as other privately insured individuals. Furthermore by not being coerced into accepting TennCare’s low payments physicians would thrive allowing them to expand practices and treatment options to their patients. This effect would be most noticeable and beneficial in impoverished areas where there are many TennCare recipients.
You may be wondering what good it does to allow TennCare recipients to buy into an unaffordable healthcare system. Unfortunately there is nothing we can do about the cost of healthcare in and of itself since the Federal Government is holding all the cards in this area with the Medicare program. The good news is there are things we can do at the state level to lower the cost of insurance to members and to lower the cost to physicians through legal reforms which combined would function as an end around route to lowering the cost of healthcare.
There are two central points to this approach the first of which is to increase competition by allowing Tennesseans to purchase insurance across state lines. The way I would pursue this would be to meet with the legislators from other states and form a cooperative that allowed cross state competition which aside from lowering the cost to Tennesseans would also expand business opportunities to Tennessee based health insurers. The second portion of this strategy would be to enact common sense legal reforms regarding malpractice damages, by doing this we could lower the risk to malpractice insurers and in turn lower the cost of malpractice insurance to doctors.
Finally it is my belief that an increasingly important part of any state’s healthcare legislation has to be resisting the over stepping of the Federal Government in state affairs. It would be impossible for me to stress enough the importance of having leaders at all levels of state government who are willing to fight tooth and nail against not only the disastrous healthcare legislation but any violations of the state’s rights. If Tennessee has the political will to institute these reforms then we can truly lead the way and become a blueprint for other states.
Folks,you see why I am glad that I live in Tennessee…have a guy like this running for the House,who actually thinks about the great issue of our time.Tenncare was supposed to be a blueprint for other states…it almost bankrupted this state.
You may not believe this, but Rory Reid, yes the son of the illustrious Harry, has said that the Clark County hospital (UMC) should privatize, because it is going broke as a county government run hospital! D’ya think?
Sadly for him, he is still a lefty, and running for NV Gov., and shall not receive my vote.
Thank you JJ. If you are interested I might be able to use your help in the “virtual campaign” arena (Facebook and what not). Fundraising will be the tricky part for me and will mostly be done online I know I can’t compete financially with the incumbent, since I refused to align with a major party, but I’m hoping to get enough to run an effective campaign and am hoping I can just out work him on the ground.
Even though it flew under the radar largely the Mayo Clinic in Arizona refusing to see Medicare recipients is huge and I think will become a nationwide trend. The Mayo Clinic lost $840 million last year on Medicare and the new healthcare legislation is adding 21% cuts to the fee schedule (what the doctors are paid) which hospitals and doctors are realizing they cannot afford. The clinic the Future Mrs. V works at has also pulled out of Medicare. Soon seniors will have no where to go for healthcare unless they are willing to pay out of pocket. I hope you all remember me predicting this months ago. There is a reason I harp on this fee schedule issue all of the time.
I haven’t done a precise analysis, but it seems like about 20% of the MDs I’ve talked to in the past year have gone off insurance altogether. They solicit a pool of private clients who pay the same annual fee no matter how much care they need. The doc gets guaranteed income, the patients get fantastic care and attention and the doc’s paperwork is reduced enormously. The G.P.s I know who take insurance and Medicare spend an average of 3 hours a day, 5 days a week on paperwork. They are pushed to provide at least 8 hours of billable care, then they’re stuck playing catch up with the paperwork at night.
Scott, may I take a moment here to ask about any possible skeletons in your closet? First you point out my elevated years on this planet, then you attempt an end run at Rufus’ knowledge of all things underwear. Could it be that you are jealous of my lofty position as the elder statesman here at 3D, or are you just not as well informed as Rufus as to Floyd’s underwear foibles?
Not that I’m aware of. I’ve been terrible about going onto Facebook but have to get better about it for the campaign and such. Look me up though it’s Brandon May and I imagine there are several others with the same name so look for the one with the picture of John Wayne punching (love that picture). Speaking of Facebook does anyone know how to create a group on there?
And yes, I just surrendered my secret identity but everyone would find out this weekend when I was on RF3D plus my campaign website when it goes live so I figured there was no point in hiding it.
Weird. Does it show what state? I think I may be the only one in TN. The John Wayne pic is supposed to be my profile pic…stupid Facebook. You may also see a picture of several people around a table with a guy in a button up blue shirt at the head of the table (that would be me). Let me know if you still have trouble.
Of topic (but it is Open Thread) – I started a new series called “The Heretics” over at Front Page. By the time I’m done, the next time somebody on the left demands that you name one legitimate scientist who disagrees with the IPCC, you’ll have a place to point them that will keep their heads spinning for weeks:
(Oh, and you’ll note in the “comments” that I got my first “fact checker! How cool is that? And, you’ll also note that they were talking out of their ass, so I flamed them. Which is even cooler!)
Great story. But you’re not really “Front Page’s Rich Trzupek,” are you?
Are you?
Also, I had to laugh when I saw Ed Darrell still plugging away in the comments. I’ve been tangling with him off and on for three years, on AGW and PZ Myers’ theft and misuse of a Eucharist, among other things, at my old blog.
Threedonia remains my first love Mike. But there’s plenty of me to go around – just like Barry White.
So you know Ed Darrell? What a hoot! He is persistent. (Much like a suppurating sore). It is amazing how much fecal matter lefties can toss against the wall in the desperate hope that something – anything – might stick.
You just go round and round with him, because he’ll change the subject after every point you score on him, never admitting that he’s doing so. Irritating, yet oddly endearing too.
That’s an awesome idea Rich. I’m going to send my misguided liberal brother over to read some of your articles. I don’t think he’s a lost cause as far as liberals go.
edarrell said: “Were Milloy to make such a claim in federally-funded research, he’d go to jail.”
If that’s true, then almost every climatologist in the country will be listing “Ft. Leavenworth” as their institutional affiliation in their publications in the coming decades.
It is amazing how much fecal matter lefties can toss against the wall in the desperate hope that something – anything – might stick.
It’s just their usual pseudo-intellectual double standard. Somehow they’ve gotten the idea that if they toss out a hundred objections, and you don’t address and refute every one of them, then everything you say (even on things they’ve never objected to) must be wrong. Not just wrong, but deliberate falsehoods.
If nothing else, they’ve tied you down arguing over trivia, which wastes your time and talent.
Notice also how Ed wants to criminalize disagreement with his beliefs, but not disagreement in general. Why do he same people who profess absolute belief in primacy the 1st Amendment also want to institute their version of blasphemy laws? Don’t they ever see the hypocrisy involved?
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If I might impose on you all for a moment I am continuing to pull my campaign site together and as I am doing so will post some of the material here for your review. Below is my stance on the healthcare issue (this will be in the “Where I Stand” portion of my website). I have a few people who volunteered to help with proofreading that I will email for the in depth punctuation issues but if you wouldn’t mind taking a moment just to read over this and be sure it is easily understood and cohesive I’d be very appreciative.
Folks,you see why I am glad that I live in Tennessee…have a guy like this running for the House,who actually thinks about the great issue of our time.Tenncare was supposed to be a blueprint for other states…it almost bankrupted this state.
Many thanks Scott, you are too kind. I’m glad you approve.
We will get Floyd and Fritz to come in and campaign for you…oh no,you want to win!
Hey Scott. I’m not like Mike where I can take a lot of criticism and keep a level head. And I can’t even begin to speak for Floyd.
You may not believe this, but Rory Reid, yes the son of the illustrious Harry, has said that the Clark County hospital (UMC) should privatize, because it is going broke as a county government run hospital! D’ya think?
Sadly for him, he is still a lefty, and running for NV Gov., and shall not receive my vote.
V…Good plan!
hey Veruckt….I’d move out to TN to help your campaign.
no joke.
Would you fly to CA to do Floyd’s laundry? He could use the help.
not unless floyd’s laundry is able to run a legitimate campaign.
I think with the right amount of starch you can make Floyd a stand-up candidate. He just has to throw his ring into the collar, er, hat into the ring.
Thank you JJ. If you are interested I might be able to use your help in the “virtual campaign” arena (Facebook and what not). Fundraising will be the tricky part for me and will mostly be done online I know I can’t compete financially with the incumbent, since I refused to align with a major party, but I’m hoping to get enough to run an effective campaign and am hoping I can just out work him on the ground.
Even though it flew under the radar largely the Mayo Clinic in Arizona refusing to see Medicare recipients is huge and I think will become a nationwide trend. The Mayo Clinic lost $840 million last year on Medicare and the new healthcare legislation is adding 21% cuts to the fee schedule (what the doctors are paid) which hospitals and doctors are realizing they cannot afford. The clinic the Future Mrs. V works at has also pulled out of Medicare. Soon seniors will have no where to go for healthcare unless they are willing to pay out of pocket. I hope you all remember me predicting this months ago. There is a reason I harp on this fee schedule issue all of the time.
I haven’t done a precise analysis, but it seems like about 20% of the MDs I’ve talked to in the past year have gone off insurance altogether. They solicit a pool of private clients who pay the same annual fee no matter how much care they need. The doc gets guaranteed income, the patients get fantastic care and attention and the doc’s paperwork is reduced enormously. The G.P.s I know who take insurance and Medicare spend an average of 3 hours a day, 5 days a week on paperwork. They are pushed to provide at least 8 hours of billable care, then they’re stuck playing catch up with the paperwork at night.
JJ…you are welcome in our lovely state
As for Rufus,I’m not sure…seems to know rather much about Floyd’s underwear
Scott, may I take a moment here to ask about any possible skeletons in your closet? First you point out my elevated years on this planet, then you attempt an end run at Rufus’ knowledge of all things underwear. Could it be that you are jealous of my lofty position as the elder statesman here at 3D, or are you just not as well informed as Rufus as to Floyd’s underwear foibles?
Veruckt are we friended on Facebook?
Stephanie,
Not that I’m aware of. I’ve been terrible about going onto Facebook but have to get better about it for the campaign and such. Look me up though it’s Brandon May and I imagine there are several others with the same name so look for the one with the picture of John Wayne punching (love that picture). Speaking of Facebook does anyone know how to create a group on there?
And yes, I just surrendered my secret identity but everyone would find out this weekend when I was on RF3D plus my campaign website when it goes live so I figured there was no point in hiding it.
Lemme see. If we aren’t we will be.
Dude I can’t find you on there….there are three Brandon May’s and none are that photo.
Weird. Does it show what state? I think I may be the only one in TN. The John Wayne pic is supposed to be my profile pic…stupid Facebook. You may also see a picture of several people around a table with a guy in a button up blue shirt at the head of the table (that would be me). Let me know if you still have trouble.
Found ya. I had to use the people search. You have mail..on FB.
Awesome. I’ll add you when I get home from the office. Facebook is blocked here.
Anyone heard from Wankette? Any news on her mom?
Of topic (but it is Open Thread) – I started a new series called “The Heretics” over at Front Page. By the time I’m done, the next time somebody on the left demands that you name one legitimate scientist who disagrees with the IPCC, you’ll have a place to point them that will keep their heads spinning for weeks:
http://frontpagemag.com/2010/01/05/the-heretics-steve-milloy-by-rich-trzupek/
(Oh, and you’ll note in the “comments” that I got my first “fact checker! How cool is that? And, you’ll also note that they were talking out of their ass, so I flamed them. Which is even cooler!)
Great story. But you’re not really “Front Page’s Rich Trzupek,” are you?
Are you?
Also, I had to laugh when I saw Ed Darrell still plugging away in the comments. I’ve been tangling with him off and on for three years, on AGW and PZ Myers’ theft and misuse of a Eucharist, among other things, at my old blog.
Threedonia remains my first love Mike. But there’s plenty of me to go around – just like Barry White.
So you know Ed Darrell? What a hoot! He is persistent. (Much like a suppurating sore). It is amazing how much fecal matter lefties can toss against the wall in the desperate hope that something – anything – might stick.
You just go round and round with him, because he’ll change the subject after every point you score on him, never admitting that he’s doing so. Irritating, yet oddly endearing too.
That’s an awesome idea Rich. I’m going to send my misguided liberal brother over to read some of your articles. I don’t think he’s a lost cause as far as liberals go.
edarrell said: “Were Milloy to make such a claim in federally-funded research, he’d go to jail.”
If that’s true, then almost every climatologist in the country will be listing “Ft. Leavenworth” as their institutional affiliation in their publications in the coming decades.
Fritz,at 51 I guess I’m the second oldest Threedonian.Happy electoral hunting in the Silver State for Dingy Harry and Squirt Reid!
It is amazing how much fecal matter lefties can toss against the wall in the desperate hope that something – anything – might stick.
It’s just their usual pseudo-intellectual double standard. Somehow they’ve gotten the idea that if they toss out a hundred objections, and you don’t address and refute every one of them, then everything you say (even on things they’ve never objected to) must be wrong. Not just wrong, but deliberate falsehoods.
If nothing else, they’ve tied you down arguing over trivia, which wastes your time and talent.
Notice also how Ed wants to criminalize disagreement with his beliefs, but not disagreement in general. Why do he same people who profess absolute belief in primacy the 1st Amendment also want to institute their version of blasphemy laws? Don’t they ever see the hypocrisy involved?