Comments for Chris Berry On The Net

Comment on My Brief Career With The Census Bureau by Jo Capel

Jo Capel — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:26:04 +0000

Where can I appeal. I really need work. I missed only one on the test, which was not the practice test. Passing grade was 10, I got 27. No one has ever called. and I can’t find a real person to talk to. Seems something is rotten here.
anyone know where the appeals board is. Maybe I just fell thru the cracks?

Comment on Is Obama’s Plan A Backdoor Attempt At Single Payer Healthcare? by rev

rev — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:37:21 +0000

Currently, I greatly enjoy my ’socialized’ police, schools, libraries, roads, fire department, and teachers. I would love to see the for-profit HMO’s go away. They were only instituted under Nixon because he knew that his conservative cronies would make tons of money by injecting themselves between the patient and doctor, and thus take a cut of our money. Canada’s health care system, as well as several others in the world, are superior to our own bloated system. I sincerely hope to see single payer health care in my lifetime. And if they were to legalize marijuana and tax it, this income would easily pay for health care for all.

Comment on Is Obama’s Plan A Backdoor Attempt At Single Payer Healthcare? by mtb

mtb — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:25:54 +0000

Real insurance WAS based on risk (hence the term “risk-pool”). That business model is gone. Insurance companies are now simple financial transfer and investment companies. Risk pools were much lower margin…no multimillion bonus packages for execs. They did not have investors expecting huge growth in stock value. Insurance companies collect subscription fees and pay claims, in order to experience increasing profits, they must increase fees and reduce payments. Managed care was created to recycle payments back into the system as another fee (I know, I was there as this came into being and was adopted by every company…it looked like a clever way to recapture revenue, but we weren’t thinking about health). The business plan became very simple: capture fees, invest in the highest-yeilding (and, of course riskiest) assets we could, claiming those investments as “reserves” against future claims, and then deny or delay payment of those claims, and blame the doctors for jacking up their prices (because we always paid less than the claim).
Health Insurance is a diversion from the real issue of health care. It diverts money and attention from medicine…because that is precisely the business insurers are in.

Comment on What If No One Had Health Insurance by Susan

Susan — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 21:39:04 +0000

Chris,

I agree with this idea for all of the reasons that you stated. Health care costs would dramatically decrease if patients paid out-of-pocket for most medical care and saved insurance for major illness and injury. Using health insurance for check-ups and colds, etc. is like using auto insurance for oil changes and tune-ups. It doesn’t make financial sense. And, individuals and companies would prosper from not having to pay for high health insurance premiums.

I think many Americans are afraid of this idea because the responsibility shifts to the individual where, in my opinion, it should be. We are ultimately responsible for our own health, after all. Our choices and behavior largely affect our health (which is where adequate education comes in). If Americans want to help the poor and unfortunate with their health care costs, then we can do so voluntarily through a charity. Those receiving charity will be more grateful, and those giving charitably will benefit emotionally instead of feeling resentment.

We are not entitled to health care. Health care is a privilege, not a right. Yes, if there were no insurance for less significant health care needs, doctors would have to deal with the burden of collections. But, so does every business in America.

Comment on Random Thought Of The Day 5-23-09 by scott

scott — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:34:20 +0000

Because the Secret Service requires it given her position as third in line to be President in the event something horrific happens.

Comment on What Does 60 Pounds Of Fat Look Like? by Museice

Museice — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 04:03:17 +0000

Mmmmm, Butter!
I dropped 50 pounds so I’m only 200 sticks lighter. I bet I could make a really cool banquet center piece with that much butter.

Comment on What Does 60 Pounds Of Fat Look Like? by Chris Berry

Chris Berry — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:47:23 +0000

Jeff St,
Your SoRo column a few months back got me thinking about this, and I’ve had images of 940 sticks of butter in my head ever since. Hoping to get down to 700 sticks by October 31st. Thanks for the inspiration.
Chris

Comment on What Does 60 Pounds Of Fat Look Like? by Jeff St Real

Jeff St Real — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:37:33 +0000

Dan said what I was gonna say. So instead I’ll say mmmm, 60 pints of beer.

Seriously, congratulations on the progress you’ve made. I’m down 12 overall but seem to have hit a plateau.

Comment on What Does 60 Pounds Of Fat Look Like? by Dan

Dan — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 21:53:02 +0000

Mmmm, bacon.

Good luck with your goal!

Comment on Getting In Shape And Coming Out Of My Shell by Lynda

Lynda — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 21:44:51 +0000

That is great work, Chris! Slow is the way to do it. Chances are, you won’t be as apt to put it back on.

Now, you are ready to apply for Darlene Burcham’s job!!!!!