Is American Healthcare Headed for a Collapse?
As COVID-19 continues to challenge countries worldwide, all eyes are on the US as its healthcare system teeters on the edge of collapse.
Vine Holly May 3, 2021 No Comments
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As COVID-19 continues to challenge countries worldwide, all eyes are on the US as its healthcare system teeters on the edge of collapse.
“China is investing three times more in infrastructure than the United States” Press Conference March 25th, 2021 Press Conference – the full transcript is here
Now that the republican party has again been given the chance to lead the nation, can they do it responsibly? Can They solve for real healthcare reform?
Health Reform 2.0 Beyond partisan divide lies pragmatic solutions. This is an article I wrote on December 10, 2014, during the Obama-Biden administration as they
I originally wrote this political article on September 11, 2011. In his senior year at Pepperdine University, my son recently read Thomas Paine’s Common Sense.
The Chesapeake Blog is a tribute to St. Mary’s County Maryland
When Mammograms Lie: How cancer can sneak past our greatest screening techniques: Just because your mammogram results are negative doesn’t mean you don’t have cancer.
Introduction The current Ebola crisis has brought to light the deficiencies in our healthcare system. How do we ever expect to gain an effective, efficient
IT’S THE STUFF YOU DON’T KNOW THAT HURTS YOU,
MY TEAMS, AND I, CAN GET YOU THOSE ANSWERS.
I am the sum of my experiences. We are all a product of the sum of our life’s experiences beginning with where we were raised
There has been little focus on if the current field of democrats plans are affordable. We do some analysis to see if the predictions of cost, affordability and effective tax rates hold water.
Hostile Environment 30% of Hospitals have violated the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act – EMTALA. 4,341 violations have occurred in 1,682 hospitals in the
Do you know why Medicare came into being? Do you know that Medicare & Medicaid were extensions to the Social Security Act of 1935? Do
While roughly 10% of all professions report abusive behavior, the numbers for Healthcare are over 30%. Healthcare is a hostile environment in more ways than
Doctors can be dangerous Do you know that 50% of doctors’ initial diagnosis is wrong? How about the fact that only about 25% of their
One in four U.S. hospital patients suffers at least one healthcare-related injury. In 1999, 44,000 – 98,000 patients died getting healthcare. By 2013, the number
Are Drug Prices Really too High? In the last episode, we talked about why what we think about drug prices is often mythical. This episode
High Drug Prices With Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar’s recent announcement that HHS is targeting rebates as one of the reasons for America’s
Hostile healthcare One of the reasons our healthcare quagmire is so dangerous is the hostile and predatory nature of competition within the industry. In this
Healthcare is Predatory – Let’s Look at Drug Rebates The current debate about high drug prices and the focus on attacking rebates is the right
Healthcare Reform is a mess Welcome to Season 2 of Healthcare Reform 2.0. In this episode, we recap the past few months and tell you
Gag Orders are the bain of healthcare Gag orders are killing healthcare and causing prices to skyrocket due to a lack of transparency. We discuss
Healthcare’s Price Transparency sucks! There is no real Price Transparency. Healthcare costs and pricing have no relationship to anything. What you told the cost is
Heart Attacks are deadly, so are the medicine and technology that underlies the care. On June 27th, 2018, Cohost Tom Loker had a nearly fatal
Mammography the Gold Standard Mammograms are the gold standard for breast cancer detection and diagnosis, yet their accuracy leaves a bit desired in normal breasted
We Need Real Health Reform It’s time to fix this healthcare quagmire. We have seen the government’s idea, ObamaCare, and it’s not working. We have
Government cant fix healthcare The healthcare diatribe has continued to get more vitriolic. Most spouts contrived talking points from either side driven into our heads
In this episode, Tom discusses Dan Brown’s Book Inferno and how it may not be as much of a work of fiction as we think!
Medicare, Medicaid, and Obamacare cost to much. Medicare and Medicaid costs are still out of control, no cost containment efforts have had any effect, yet
We are helpless in fixing our system and hoping our politicians actually care. We are helplessly hoping that our current healthcare system will improve. All
Healthcare System in Crisis In the 1970s, it became clear no matter how much we spent on the healthcare system; it was never enough. Although
Ben Franklin’s Sensitive Nose Throughout most of my life, I have had great respect for Ben Franklin. He was not just a founding father of
Click the image above to download this paper for free. Startups, Geeks, and Financing a Business I have spent many years in the fabled Silicon
We are petrified of Ebola. It is a deadly disease, but we are much more scared of this today than we were of Polio, and Tuberculosis. Why?
The latest research is finding the real links between environmental causes, genetics and occurrence of Breast Cancer to continue to be elusive. Perhaps, its for a reason. Are we thinking of cancer in the wrong way?
It is now crystal clear that the middle class are being destroyed. Politician’s explanations are based on pure biased rhetoric. The real reason is much simpler. It is the mechanics of how we are trying to fix the economy.
organizations that had doctors working as employees had a median loss over $175,000 per physician per year on the services they performed.
If those physicians that have already aggregated and sold out their practices are still losing in excess of $175,000 per year, what does this portend for independent practice physicians today?
Doctor’s moving beyond insurance reimbursement may not be a bad thing.
We have put together a summary of the Healthcare Reform 2.0 solutions. Please take a look and remember we are soliciting feedbalck and comments now.
“This is the fourth of a series of articles that are being published over the coming days and weeks. The series of articles will define
“This is the third of a series of articles that will be published over the coming days and weeks. The series of articles will define
“This is the second of a series of articles that will be published over the coming days and weeks. The series of articles will define
“This is the first of a series of articles that will be published over the coming days and weeks. The series articles will define the
A new approach is needed It is now crystal clear that the methods, some would say madness, that we have promulgated over the past 200
You just gotta love the people who sit around and think these things up! Over the past two days, I received two e-mails, the first
I like David Brooks! He is one of the pre-eminent writers in this era, and along with Charles Krauthammer, I try to read regularly. Always
“U.S. Marks 4 Straight Years of Slowing Health Costs“(click to read the article) so blasts the headline from ABC News today, January 7, 2013. Like so
The Ryan White Care Act—the prime funding source for HIV/AIDS treatment assistance—is due to sunset this year. The strongest advocate for RWCA, Senator Ted Kennedy,
It is often said, “A picture is worth a thousand words!” Perhaps, unlike no other time of the year this is best considered at the
Value Base Insurance Coverage, it sounds so — valuable. But is it really valuable? Is Value Based Insurance Coverage (VBIC) what you really want — what you may need?
California, has long had the reputation as being one of the most progressive, or liberal, states in the nation. Often in a neck and neck
In my recent book, The History and Evolution of Healthcare in America: The untold backstory of where we’ve been, where we are, and why
The cancellation letters people are now receiving for their earlier choice based plans– you know the ones that President Obama said they could keep, PERIOD–out
Recently, Gov’t spokesman, Jay Carney, said he could not answer questions about the exchange sites because, in his own words, “I’m not a computer expert and
I have a friend, lets say she is in her 50s, a single mom and has been out of work for quite a while. She
The Affordable Care Act is often called ObamaCare but I think from now on it should be called “DemoCare” because it’s going to demolish care in America
Light summer reading In his latest book, Inferno, author Dan Brown explores a world where past symbols and artifacts from Dante Alighieri’s Italy, and his
To read the original article click here! The rising rate of addiction for women in America seems at first blush a historically startling event. But
“Nought from the Greeks towards me hath sped well. So now I find that ancient proverb true, Foes’ gifts are no gifts: profit bring they
An interesting article caught my attention this morning titled, States make ‘disturbing cuts’ to unemployment benefits, authored by Jake Grovum, Pew/Stateline Staff Writer. You can
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/07/02/drug-overdose-deaths-women/2483169/ Ever since Samuel Hopkins Adams first exposed the evils of the patent medicine industry, in 1905 in a series of articles published in Colliers Weekly,
Perhaps Mr. Snowden is in the process of learning what both President Obama, and Joe Biden learned as they moved from the position of candidate
As this story rapidly begins to unwind, I have to wonder about poor Susan Rice. For the first time in her life she gets the
John M. Gonzales reporting for the California Healthcare Foundation Center for Health Reporting wrote a must read article called, How the U.S. tax code will
Sometimes I get to thinking that there are a lot of relatively young arrogant tech writers, which spend a lot of time floating agenda based
Recently I have been wondering how we have arrived at the point where our desire for unfettered, and unlimited access to health care is rapidly
When my good friend Ellen Brown speaks I listen! You should also. I do not often reference others works as it is so easy to
The Frontiers Of Medical Privacy – Forbes www.forbes.com Every time I think the lunacy that is becoming pervasive in America has gone as far as
Introductory Note: First let me apologize for the personal tone of this article. I typically try to focus on issues and solutions and not on
In an excellent article, Charles Blahous, one of Medicare’s Trustees, warns states of the dangers of the expansion of Medicaid. He makes many of the
A few random, and not so random, thoughts that have been circling in my brain for the past week. Here are a few issues worth thinking
It was my privilege to be the first person to publish one of the writings of this remarkable and talented young woman. I am happy
Time Magazine contributor Steven Brill has created a bit of a sensation due to his recent, February 20, 2013, article and Time Magazine cover story
The President’s Plan In the State of the Union speech last evening, the president said many things. He offered a real plethora, yes a plethora,
This morning as I did my news walk, I came across this article talking about the most important chart in American politics. And as you
Having heard of the controversy over the Super Bowl ad by Coca Cola the past few days, this morning I was captured by the above article.
After reading a recent spate of articles on how the president should, could or would ban or regulate football, I started to wonder what my
A week or so, at the request of some long time friends and readers, I wrote a review of Windows 8. I wrote the review
Unfortunately for all of us, we are now faced with a huge crisis. The crisis is viewed differently on either side. Yet, it is a
From Boston Massachusetts By now, we all know that the Supreme Court upheld the insurance mandate of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) also known as
Authors Note: While the main purpose of this blog is to discuss healthcare and related issues like the economy, and political implications and drivers, I
A recent article in Discovery News reports that lobsters and crabs feel pain. While this has been suspected for quite a while, due to the
Treatment-resistant gonorrhea threat rises in North America | Reuters. A Reuter’s article today again illustrates the disturbing trend in our biochemical battle with other species, like
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for our blog. Since we would have no readers if it was not for all
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The premise of the above article titled, “Sick at Work,” published in Business News Daily by Ned Smith, is that workplaces are becoming breeding grounds for bacteria
Tis the season to be jolly and to take account of our blessings, contemplate our friends and consider the good graces of those who support
About four years ago, I was working as an executive in a company where it became clear just such cuts needed to be made. I
As the energy, of hate and discontent, from the election subsides and the act of actual governance once again begins to be considered the job
Happy Thanksgiving! And a big thank you to everyone who is kind enough to read what I write! Today, regardless of our political preferences, we
As I have been contemplating the aftermath of the election, I have been reading a lot from both sides trying to hear what they have
How much do we truly value the truth? Sure we talk about it, we complain about it when we don’t get it, we have even
Overall, the constant refrain of bias in the “Main Stream Media,” has become time-worn, tiresome, and unfortunately almost universally acknowledged, when hearing this invective many
The recent action by the fed caps a series of bad decisions that have had a demonstrably devastating effect on the middle-class in America. An
By now most Americans have heard that our national economy is in deep trouble. With increasing frequency, articles are appearing discussing the steadily accumulating massive
On July 24, 2012, the San Jose Mercury News ran an article by Josh Richman and Matthew Artz, “Obama’s campaign hits Oakland. “Obama campaign hits
If it is not already, this will be the consuming question for both parties over the next ninety-eight days. Depending on your point of view the
“We can never insure one hundred percent of the population against one hundred percent of the hazards and vicissitudes of life, but we have tried
Now that we have all heard the decision by the Supreme Court on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), perhaps it is time
If the discussion around water-coolers across the nation, or if the intensity of the discussion I have been having at meetings, discussions, or speeches I
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Ok, I guess now I can ask the question my publicist urged me not to ask two weeks ago. You see the snake oil is
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The History and Evolution of Healthcare in America is now released. Click here or on the image to order your advance copy today! You can
Each morning I look forward to reading the morning paper. Since she got an iPad, a little over a year ago, my wife keeps saying
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And Just Like That Medicare and Medicaid Were Born As Congressman Wilbur Mills commented to President Lyndon Johnson, in a taped private conversation in
If you want to listen to the lengths modern law and its practitioners, lawyers, go to spin reality and obscure common sense to convince courts
To say I knew Khalil is a rare privilege! I first met this remarkable man when I served as president of the board of directors
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In July 2011, I wrote this short blurb about the solar project in Yosemite… Just your average government project. 2800 Solar panels Producing 12% of
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As I watch the current primary political spectacle, and await, with more than a modicum of trepidation, the coming presidential election of 2012, I long
Well, let me start with this disclaimer! I am not anti-social security, anti-Medicare or anti-Medicaid… I am saying this in advance of the e-mails I
Like most things in which our federal government has inserted itself, the issue over the rise in U.S. gasoline prices has become a very complicated
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(Readers Note, this is not a short discussion!) So who ever said life should be fair? It seems of late (this campaign season) that all
(this article originally ran in California Political Review it is re-posted here with permission.) While the news today is full of various articles touting the
Associated Press reporter, Bernard Condon, wrote an interesting piece this morning. My local paper, the San Ramon Valley Times, headline was “Once-hot profits may be
One of the largest drains on every states budget is healthcare cost. California has historically been in the top of state healthcare expenditures due largely
Does the practice of robbing Peter (taxing the top tier) to pay Paul (subsidizing the poor) have a theoretical limit? If so where is the
I have tried to resist responding to the State of the Union Address last night. I really have tried! But, you guessed it, I can’t.
Entering the Florida primary-of-the-moment race are ‘The Two-Bit-Kid‘ (Mitt Romney) versus the ‘Come-Back-Kid‘ (Newt Gingrich). Clearly, Newt has earned the title the Come-Back-Kid, as he
I have written a couple articles trying to explain the problem with the economy for the middle-class in America. If you listen to the current
Praise for the Delusional Ravings of a Lunatic Mind “Outstanding reasoning. I was surprised to find out you weren’t a lawyer in the middle of
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David Brooks wrote a great article comparing today’s America with that of the progressive era called, “Midlife Crisis Economics“. In it, Mr. Brooks provides a
Christmas dinner 1777 was a horrible affair for one of our countries greatest patriots. Not because the fare for himself and his military family consisted
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R8tRKIiAII&w=640&h=480] The following is written with all respect to Andrew Lloyd Webber…. I would suggest you read as you listen and then perhaps listen
This article could also be titled…. “If the Occupy movement wants an argument that will resonate, and work — this is an idea!” America has
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Yep, I Probably Need to Get a Life! The past few days, I decided I really needed, no I really-really needed, to read the opinion
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A Sorry State We, America, are in a sorry state. This appears, on the surface, to be something with which most people agree. But the
This article is in response to a recent letter to the editor in my local paper. In this letter entitled, ” GOP debt”, the writer
In an article posted in Healthcare Innovation Journal titled, “Cloud Computing and Health Care” the Author, Vivek Raut makes some very good points about the
I have often wondered, who ate the first oyster and the circumstances surrounding this amazing feat. Whoever it was either was exceedingly desperate or exceedingly
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Opinion – Image – NYTimes.com. Understanding Step 1 This chart from the New York Times, is very interesting. The data presented is very telling but
In his speech last night president Obama asked a key question. President Obama asked, “Where would America be if we had not passed Medicare and
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In a recent letter to the editor, yet another writer wants to make the point that the current economic problem is President Bush’ fault. He
The mere affectation “alternative” is a misnomer – a contrivance – purposely designed to marginalize what at one point in our history were welcomed and
Focusing on the insurance mandate in the Affordable Care Act, (Obamacare) a few months ago I wrote a series of four articles for a publication, reproduced
Word games – we all love to play them. On occasion it is fun to pit ones intelligence against another and use words to obscure
Ever since I read Mark Twain’s Autobiography, I have come to realize that the form of political activism he and others of his time practiced
Just your average government project. 2800 Solar panels Producing 12% of Yosemite’s electricity Saving $50,000.00 per year Cost $5.8 million in stimulus And you wonder
These early citizen statesmen, tended to relate the effects of everything they did to the impact on themselves, their family and the community. The collective
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Cassius: “Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world. Like a Colossus; and we petty men walk under his huge legs, and peep about to
As the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) continues the trek down the long tortuous hallway to become implemented law, a misquoted line, from Hunter
Perhaps I am old fashioned! Perhaps I am an anachronism! Maybe I need to move more rapidly into the modern era! During my morning routine
The patient protection and affordable care act purchase mandate – A four-part series on the relation and effects of the Commerce Clause to Health Care
To those that know me, I am clearly a conservative, also seemingly staunchly Republican. But I harbor an inner secret – a secret that I share
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Tol·er·ance – noun [tol-er-uhns] Common Language A fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward those whose opinions, practices, race, religion, nationality, etc., differ from one’s own;
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Recently, I have been having a number of discussions with physician reviewers of my upcoming book, “The History and Evolution of Health Care in America.”
The first of a four-part series on the relation and effects of the Commerce Clause to Health Care The following is a four-part series intended
Tom Loker has written a book that takes the reader on an intriguing journey as he/she walks along with Loker from the inception of this country
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