Whole Foods Fight

John Mackey, the chief executive of Whole Foods, put out his own plan for healthcare reform over the weekend. Alhough his reforms arent complete, they will add much needed improvements to the system. He is for, among other things, tort reform, removing state laws that reduce private insurance company competition, and increasing tax deductions for those who want to donate money to needy families for health insurance. It seems however that John forgot exactly which company he is running becuase while his ideas are desperatly needed the solutions he proposed fall on the right side of the spectrum. All the organic food buying hippies that drive BMW hybrids are livid. The hate mail written on recycled paper is just pouring in, and people are threatening to stop purchasing $80/bottle free trade hand lotion made by sexually progressive nuns in El Salvador just to spite John's ideas. read here.

OBAMA WEEKLY ADDRESS ANSWERS HEALTH CARE OPPOSITION

The Real Problem with The Senate's Small-State Bias

Great post from www.fivethirtyeight.com, talking about the Senate's small-state bias. Small state Senator's need more financing from big business cause they can't get it from constituents because they live in the middle of no where. Interesting fact, Max Baucus's Table for Six, for instance, which may very well determine the fate of efforts to reform health care, is made up of members who collectively represent about 6.5 million people, or around one-fiftieth of the country's population. read here.

As Congress Goes on Break, Health Lobbying Heats Up

This is exactly why President Obama needed to get a plan together before the august recess. Now lobbying groups are going to bombard representatives to try and kill healthcare reform by 1000 cuts. Healthcare companies pay big bucks, especially to small state senators who dont raise that much money from individuals. This is why the senate has such a problem passing legislation because these small state senators that represent a fraction of the population and take an extraordinary amount of big business donations have as much say as senators from more populous states. read here.

Obama is choosing to be weak

Great piece in the Financial Times about Obama compromising on the healthcare and cap-and-trade bills moving through congress.  Is mediocre legislation still a step in the right direction?  I think Obama needs to pull a Martin Sheen in West Wing and take control of these bills to make sure they have teeth.  As it stands now its all gums.  Maybe Al Franken coming to the senate will help.  Although its going to be tough to get to a filibuster proof 60 votes with Senators Kennedy and Byrd on their death beds.  chew here.

Talk Talk Update: Healthcare Industry already renegs on Obama Deal

We spoke last show about how Obama got the healthcare industry to agree to a 1.5% per year cut on the increasing cost of healthcare. An adjustment that would save the country 2 trillion (with a T) dollars over the next 10 years. It only took the industry 4 days however to come out against the Obama statement calling it a "misunderstanding" and that the 1.5% cut would "eventually" be reached over the next decade. Talk Talk. Read Read.

Too broke for the ER, patients flee

Patients are asking more these days for an itemized list of services and costs so they can cherry pick health care.  What happened to just giving a fake name, receiving care, and then dine and dashing on the bill? read here.

Canada... We kid because we love

great article describing the Canadian health care system, which is solvent and not completely socialized medicine.  in other words we should be following in the footsteps of our northern neighbors.  whats that you say?  where will we get the money? higher taxes of course, not just for the rich, for everyone... get used to it.

part 2