I think the reaction to the Hobby Lobby case is going to make me mental. Case in point:That's from a Mother Jones article by Erika Eichelberger and Molly Redden titled "In Hobby Lobby Case, the Supreme Court Chooses Religion Over Science". Does the young woman holding the sign realize that she's saying it's not her boss's business that she wants him to pay for her … [Read more...] about Much Ado About $300
Healthcare
Obamacare Meets Basic Economics
I recently received an email pitch for a Change.org petition: My name is "Sue," and I work at Staples. I can't tell you my full name because I'm afraid I'll lose my job for what I'm about to tell you: Staples recently decided to cut part-time employees' hours just so they won't have to provide health care benefits under Obamacare. Staples is taking advantage of a loophole in … [Read more...] about Obamacare Meets Basic Economics
Certificate of Greed
How screwed-up is the economics of our healthcare system? So crazy that stuff like this happens all the time: The proposal by Vista Health System to build a $131 million hospital in Lindenhurst would add more beds to an area that already has a substantial surplus, according to a report released today by the staff of the state health care facilities board.The plan by … [Read more...] about Certificate of Greed
Our Stupid Debate on National Healthcare
I've held off writing anything about the whole contraceptives/Sandra Fluke/Rush Limbaugh mess because it's a classic example of an important political debate turning trivial, stupid, and misogynistic. At the top level, we have the ongoing debate about how to reform the healthcare industry in this country. The current big and controversial plan is the Affordable Care Act, which … [Read more...] about Our Stupid Debate on National Healthcare
Our Dumb Medical Billing System
Everybody knows at least one line from Shakespeare's Henry VI: "The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers." But really, that line is hundreds of years old. Anybody writing today wouldn't put lawyers first on the list. Not while there are still people alive in medical billing departments. My God, this is a stupid business. My wife had surgery a few months ago, and I'm in … [Read more...] about Our Dumb Medical Billing System