Are you struggling, like me, with prescription drug high costs? Do you wonder why generic and name brand drug prices vary considerably at pharmacies? Then you're part of the growing number of folks who ask "what's going on here?" Why do prescription drug prices differ a lot at retail? And what can we do to lower our ever-increasing drug bill? I recently discovered, when changing health plans on the "open exchange"--ObamaCare to some--that prescription drug retail prices vary considerably … [Read more...]
Young Kid–Birke Baehr–Wows TED Crowd About Food Supply
TED talks and videos, if you've seen them, bring incredible, brilliant minds to the world at no cost. I urge you to subscribe to email notifications of current, short videos, also available on iTunes. Birke Baehr, an eleven-year old kid, blew the crowd away speaking about organic vs. our mass-produced meat and other staples. Don't miss this six minute talk. It gives you hope that the young have much to teach us. … [Read more...]
Insurance and the Risks of Life in an Uncertain Universe
Have you ever thought about why we buy insurance to handle risk in our lives? After purchasing auto, home, health and life insurance, you'll probably get a sales pitch from an appliance store sales person to insure your washer, dryer and fridge. Walk into an electronics store, like Best Buy, and out you walk with a new laptop computer insured against any failure for three years. Many credit cards come with "free 90 day theft and loss protection" in case someone steals your laptop or you … [Read more...]
Health Care Reform for the Good of All Americans
Well, the 2010 mid-term elections are over. And it's still clear to me that democracies are wonderful but they suck when it comes to reaching consensus on critical issues like health care reform. Once again, the Wall Street Journal, reiterates tired, trendy phrases for many of its readers. In today's editorial--"the ObamaCare Crossroads--we read: "In our world of infinite wants but finite resources, there are only two ways to allocate any good or service: either through prices and choices … [Read more...]
Health Care Reform Debate and Lack of Trust in Congress
As we approach a vote by Congress this weekend on health care reform, it's becoming clear that health care is not the issue at all. It's lack of trust in Congress. In today's Wall Street Journal, Gerald Seib reports that a new WSJ/NBC News poll reveals voters, if given the chance, would replace 50% of all members of Congress. People want to see consensus and an end to the bickering in Washington. They want action, not rhetoric, not grandstanding. I won't break down the demographics of which … [Read more...]
Health Care Reform Stifled by Drug Companies
The Washington Post reported two unrelated stories that, considered together, demonstrate a concerted effort by large drug companies and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to kill health care reform. The reports are disturbing and reveal two major challenges to controlling health care costs in the U.S. First--and most disturbing--the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, in concert with other unidentified business groups, are funding an "economic study" showing that health care reform would destroy jobs and … [Read more...]