It’s Still A Damn Free Country

Every so often, we dispense with the guests and just let the hosts riff on whatever comes to their minds. That’s what we did for this week’s show, as Peter, Rob, and James jam about Joe Biden entering the race, the politics of impeachment, the new found popularity of socialism, including Medicare For All and cancelling student loans (in certain sectors of the culture), and finally, Rob’s (somewhat sad) impending departure from Venice, CA.

Music from this week’s show: California by Lenny Kravitz

Actual photo of Rob’s house being packed up for moving (taken 4/25/19).

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  1. Taras Coolidge
    Taras
    @Taras

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Stad (View Comment):

    Taras (View Comment):

    Stad (View Comment):

    Taras (View Comment):
    Doctors are willing to take some Medicare patients, in spite of the low reimbursement rates, because they make their living on their privately insured patients.

    Very few these days. Most have signs in their offices “No longer taking Medicare patients.”

    My doctor’s private practice went belly-up because he had too many Medicare patients, and the reimbursments from the government were always below what it actually cost, and chronically late.

     

    “According to the latest Medscape Physician Compensation Report, 7% of doctors are not accepting new-patient visits from Medicare beneficiaries. Another 4% will stop treating some or all of their current Medicare patients, and will no longer take on new ones. A surprising 16% of providers surveyed said that they are still deciding about taking on and treating new Medicare and Medicaid patients.” — infinx.com, July 3, 2018

    And I found surveys that went up to 38% not accepting new patients. The point is Medicare and Medicaid must cut costs if they are to avoid the looming financial cliff. As reimbursements shrink and are further delayed, more and more private practices will close until all that’s left are mega-health care centers. They’ll be like WalMart, but with the low prices . . .

    And Chinese doctors?

    More likely Indian, if my experience is any guide. 

    Because of all the Indian doctors and Indian computer scientists coming to the United States, Indian Americans (not to be confused with American Indians) are the richest ethnic group in the United States.  In 2015, their median income was over $100,000 a year, while whites’ median income was just under $60,000. 

    • #61
  2. John Stanley Coolidge
    John Stanley
    @JohnStanley

    For those wondering about James’ comment on Rob’s books, here is the source…

    • #62
  3. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Taras (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Stad (View Comment):

    And I found surveys that went up to 38% not accepting new patients. The point is Medicare and Medicaid must cut costs if they are to avoid the looming financial cliff. As reimbursements shrink and are further delayed, more and more private practices will close until all that’s left are mega-health care centers. They’ll be like WalMart, but with the low prices . . .

    And Chinese doctors?

    More likely Indian, if my experience is any guide.

    Because of all the Indian doctors and Indian computer scientists coming to the United States, Indian Americans (not to be confused with American Indians) are the richest ethnic group in the United States. In 2015, their median income was over $100,000 a year, while whites’ median income was just under $60,000.

    Maybe.  Except Britain especially, seems to be getting most of the imported doctors from that part of the world, to support their own miserable “Medicare For All” program, since they don’t produce enough of their own doctors.  (Including, on occasion, radial muslim doctors who want to act more like large-scale Kevorkians than as healers.)

    I was also referencing the idea that Walmart low prices are largely based on Chinese imports, so why not their doctors too?

    • #63
  4. Henry Castaigne Member
    Henry Castaigne
    @HenryCastaigne

    kedavis (View Comment):
    (Including, on occasion, radial muslim doctors who want to act more like large-scale Kevorkians than as healers.)

    How are the Muslim Drs like Kevorkians?

    • #64
  5. Arahant Member
    Arahant
    @Arahant

    Henry Castaigne (View Comment):
    How are the Muslim Drs like Kevorkians?

    Assist in suicide, whether you want it or not. Alihu akhbar!

    • #65
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