President Donald J. Trump

[PB the Deplorable]

Centralizing healthcare helps keep costs down...

... There's other reasons healthcare in the U.S is so expensive: America is a litigious society, people will sue for every little thing. As a result, doctors tend to practice medicine defensively, ordering tests they might not otherwise order based on their clinical decision, but out of concern they cover all their bases should they get sued. Can you blame them? Malpractice insurance is already ridiculously expensive...

As predicted, you didn't address a single item I pointed out

As for litigation, the Rs have been fighting for tort reform since the 80s, although we haven't heard much about it lately.  The Ds and their fatcat trial lawyer campaign contributors wouldn't hear of it.  Scumbag rip-off artists like John Edwards are held in high esteem in the Party, if you recall.

[PB the Deplorable]

... Another outrageous expense is pharmaceuticals. I was shocked to recently discover roughly 1/4 of every healthcare dollar spent goes to medication. The high price of pharmaceuticals was on Trump's fix-it list, but I don't see that happening anytime soon...

Do you use medication when you need it?  Are you glad it's there?

Do you know how long it takes to do the research, to go through Phase I, II, and III?  All the costs involved?  All the rounds of financing? 

Do you know what the failure rate of potential new drugs is?  That the successful ones need to have their investments recouped and that of the failed research as well in order for new research for new pharmaceuticals to be funded?

Who will be developing new drugs if the price is artificially capped?  Who will make the decisions on what will and won't be funded if not bio-tech companies in the free market?  The same folks that selected Solyndra, Abound Manufacturing Solar, Fisker Automotive, the Vehicle Production Group, and Beacon Power?  Those were ''green'' abject failures, funded by Obama.  Why would we put allow politicians to fund pharmaceuticals based on politics? 

Yes, look into prices.  There have certainly been some scandals, so why didn't Obama and Holder go after those companies?  But we're going to need an awfully good reason before we start killing these creative productive companies in favor of the bureaucrats.  So far I haven't heard anything but wishful thinking, stated as fact.

[Lt.Uhura]

As predicted, you didn't address a single item I pointed out

As for litigation, the Rs have been fighting for tort reform since the 80s, although we haven't heard much about it lately.  The Ds and their fatcat trial lawyer campaign contributors wouldn't hear of it.  Scumbag rip-off artists like John Edwards are held in high esteem in the Party, if you recall.

Item you pointed out? Forgive me If I've stopped paying attention to your demands for me to explain myself. Nothing I say here will survive your predictably bitter, negative, and divisive response.

If you continue to make your conclusions based on loyalty to your party above all else, you're bound to miss the impending class war, where your party line divisiveness will do you no good.

[albrecht]

Item you pointed out? Forgive me If I've stopped paying attention to your demands for me to explain myself. Nothing I say here will survive your predictably bitter, negative, and divisive response.

If you continue to make your conclusions based on loyalty to your party above all else, you're bound to miss the impending class war, where your party line divisiveness will do you no good.

Maybe there is one? But there should be a separate thread for much of this stuff. Like a separate healthcare thread. Putting everything into the DJT thread bogs it down and it gets, even more, confused. Trump isn't the center of the universe, or even our country, and despite both Parties over the past few decades wanting the Executive Branch, and President in particular, to be some kind of God-King there are States, both Houses of Congress, the Judiciary, the semi-autonomous/quasi-government agencies/groups, and the people to be considered. Not every subject is related, directly, to the President and he is, though less so that our Founders intended, not able to do, or fix, everything he wishes.
Here is my ideas with regard to Drugs after watching some of the hearings and looking at the stuff presented:
http://bellgab.com/politics/random-political-thoughts/msg1027133/#msg1027133

[Jackstar]

But there should be a separate thread for much of this stuff. Like a separate healthcare thread.

Let the record show: it is at this exact point that I have become actively excited by the idea of you being wholly consumed by robotic piranhas.

Okay, well, that's a thing now. You guys make some strange wishes, but--you know me, I don't judge.

[Dr. MD MD]

If you continue to make your conclusions based on loyalty to your party above all else, you're bound to miss the impending class war, where your party line divisiveness will do you no good.

Well, it's pretty clear you lefties really want war, if not with Russia then with your fellow citizens. You'll take whatever you can get.  : 

[Lt.Uhura]

Do you use medication when you need it?  Are you glad it's there?

Do you know how long it takes to do the research, to go through Phase I, II, and III?  All the costs involved?  All the rounds of financing? 

Evidently your narrow mind has room for only two possibilities: either, or. You wrongly assume because I criticize the high costs of pharmaceuticals, I'm anti-pharma. Don't be silly. What makes you an expert in justifying the high costs of drugs?  I work in Western medicine and administer medications to patients on a regular basis. Consulting with my pharmacist co-workers is routine in my job. They too share my concerns about the exorbitant costs of drugs and specifically, our patients ability to comply with treatment plans that include prescriptions.

[Kidnostad3]

Tort reform has been tried at the state level for at least 40-years. The English common law system was refined over 800- years to be fair to both parties. Beginning in the late 70s the insurance companies repeatedly pressed the legislatures for tort reform. Just about every change resulted in disaster for the insurance companies because of unintended consequences. I see no reason future changes would be any better.

There are a number of states that have enacted some measure of medical tort reform with varying  outcomes.  You can find as much pro as you can con on the subject.  Congress has shied away from enacting any federal legislation since 1970.  Obama Care included nothing in the way of limitation on future damages for patients injured by medical negligence which the medical community and many in congress regarded as being of key importance.

If the federal government is going to undertake the managements of health care then it had better establish effective measures to limit awards and combat frivolous lawsuits in the form of laws that are uniformly applied throughout the country.  Doctors are already gravitating to states like Texas and Mississippi that are rated among the top states in which to practice medicine because of tort reforms that have resulted in fewer suits and lower payouts with attendant lower malpractice insurance rates.  What does an imbalance in both availability and quality of health care from state to state created by an exodus of MDs from states more congenial to malpractice suits to those that have set limits bode for the success of any Federalized health care system.  I believe enactment of tort reform at the federal level is an essential precursor.

[JesusJuice]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-trump-shinzo-abe-translator-breasts-japanese-prime-minister-mar-a-lago-florida-white-house-a7647696.html

Donald Trump found it difficult to concentrate during a visit from Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe because he was "obsessed with the translator’s breasts", according to the editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair magazine.


***



In an email to the New York Daily News, Mr Carter insisted that he had a credible source for his remarks, but declined to elaborate further.


Mr Carter has an ongoing feud with Mr Trump and has used all of his editor’s letters to attack the President since he was elected.

[PB the Deplorable]

Item you pointed out? Forgive me If I've stopped paying attention to your demands for me to explain myself. Nothing I say here will survive your predictably bitter, negative, and divisive response.

If you continue to make your conclusions based on loyalty to your party above all else, you're bound to miss the impending class war, where your party line divisiveness will do you no good.

I've criticized Trump and the Republican establishment more than anyone else here, other than the Libs and ''Progressives''.  The party and the political figure is only useful in getting the right policies enacted, beyond that I don't give a whit about them.

The reasons a government run system will make everyone worse of are not bitter, negative, or divisive.  They're just facts - based on the real world - not the world we wish it to be.

I realize you have no answer for them.

[albrecht]

There are a number of states that have enacted some measure of medical tort reform with varying  outcomes.  You can find as much pro as you can con on the subject.  Congress has shied away from enacting any federal legislation since 1970.  Obama Care included nothing in the way of limitation on future damages for patients injured by medical negligence which the medical community and a some democrats in congress regarded as being of key importance.

If the federal government is going to undertake the managements of health care then it had better establish effective measures to limit awards and combat frivolous lawsuits that is uniformly applied throughout the country.  Doctors are already gravitating to  states like Texas and Mississippi which are rated among the top states to practice medicine because of tort reform that has resulted in fewer suits and lower payouts with attendant lower malpractice ensurance rates.  What does an imbalance in both availability and quality of health care from state to state created by an exodus of MDs from states more congenial to malpractice suits to those that have set limits bode for the success of any Federalized health care system.  I believe enactment of tort reform at the federal level is an essential precursor.

I think a good idea would be some kind of division between the various damages awarded. You have been damaged by malpractice but the award is "capped" to some point, to be determined, so that your healthcare and standard of living is provided, you are compensated for your damage, legals fees plus a profit to the lawyers are covered (but maybe a cost-plus arrangement defined by law) but the punitive portion of the award (which isn't to benefit the plaintiff but to punish the doctor/company/etc) would go into some kind of fund to help out others indigent, without insurance, etc? And not go to the lawyers or the victim. No huge "Lottery" lawsuits, in other words, but relief and maintenance to the victim and punishment to the perpetrator but the punishment part goes to society in general. Just a random thought.

[PB the Deplorable]

Evidently your narrow mind has room for only two possibilities: either, or. You wrongly assume because I criticize the high costs of pharmaceuticals, I'm anti-pharma. Don't be silly. What makes you an expert in justifying the high costs of drugs?  I work in Western medicine and administer medications to patients on a regular basis. Consulting with my pharmacist co-workers is routine in my job. They too share my concerns about the exorbitant costs of drugs and specifically, our patients ability to comply with treatment plans that include prescriptions.

PM me if you really want my credentials

[mikuthing01]

Donald Trump found it difficult to concentrate during a visit from Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe because he was "obsessed with the translator’s breasts", according to the editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair magazine.

I cant say i blame the guy, Nippon tiddies are best tiddies!

[Kidnostad3]

I think a good idea would be some kind of division between the various damages awarded. You have been damaged by malpractice but the award is "capped" to some point, to be determined, so that your healthcare if provided, you are compensated for your damage, legals fees plus a profit to the lawyers (but maybe a cost-plus arrangement defined by law) but the punitive portion of the award (which isn't to benefit the plantiff but to punish the doctor/company/etc) would go into some kind of fund to help out others indigent, without insurance, etc? And not go to the lawyers or the victim. No "Lottery" lawsuits, in other words, but relief to the victim and punishment to the perpetrator but the punishment part goes to society in general. Just a random thought.

Good idea. 

[Kidnostad3]

And I have a White Russian in mind.

Not this one:



But, this one:

Kailua, vodka and cream.  What's not to like?

[Meister_000]

FYI: 10th annual "Earth Hour" (global Lights Out -- in support of Climate Change Fact) is TONIGHT Sat March 25th at 8.30 pm your local time till 9:30 pm. (as in started half-hour ago on East Coast USA/Canada etc.)
[tweet]845777357315231748[/tweet]

[aldousburbank]

FYI
"Earth Hour" (global Lights Out -- in support of Climate Change Fact) is TONIGHT Sat March 25th at 8.30 pm your local time till 9:30 pm.
https://twitter.com/WWFCanada/status/845777357315231748

I'm turning all the lights on, idling the car, and farting.

[Yorkshire pud]

That's fine.  Tell them not to move here.  Why is this even any of your business?

Actually, it's not.  Rights don't impose on others.  For the most part they are to protect one from an intrusive tyrannical government.  Speech.  Religion.  Self defense.  A fair trial.  To not be forced to testify against one's self.  To not be imprisoned, fined, or executed without due process.  That sort of thing. 

If you had your way, you'd deny us our right to self defense, so you're no one to talk about human rights anyway.

Housing, food, clothing, medical care, as necessary as these are, they are not rights, in the sense one person is obliged by law to provide for another.  We are humane, and generous to a fault, and these are provided.  But they are not rights.

Sigh: I won't waste pixels outlining why you're wrong on so many levels; Suffice to say you're an insular, selfish, bitter man. And I pity you.

[albrecht]

I'm turning all the lights on, idling the car, and farting.

Thanks for the reminder to replace those damn LED outdoor lights with some real bulbs (I hate that "blue" tone, less light bulbs anyway) and to toss another tire on the fire. As for farting? Ate some beans with some enchiladas today and been drinking Lonestar watching basketball games so waaay ahead of you there.

[albrecht]

FYI: 10th annual "Earth Hour" (global Lights Out -- in support of Climate Change Fact) is TONIGHT Sat March 25th at 8.30 pm your local time till 9:30 pm. (as in started half-hour ago on East Coast USA/Canada etc.)
[tweet]845777357315231748[/tweet]

WWF-Canada?
I thought Rowdy Roddy Piper and the various Hart Brothers were Resting in Peace? Oh, I get it. Let's light up the night in memory, like old Viking or Celtic days. I like it. Put another tire on the fire and remember great bouts in the squared circle!

[Meister_000]

I'm turning all the lights on, idling the car, and farting.

A born killer!  ;-)

[Dr. MD MD]

FYI: 10th annual "Earth Hour" (global Lights Out -- in support of Climate Change Fact) is TONIGHT Sat March 25th at 8.30 pm your local time till 9:30 pm. (as in started half-hour ago on East Coast USA/Canada etc.)
[tweet]845777357315231748[/tweet]

Confirmed Canadian. 

[Meister_000]

WWF-Canada?
I thought Rowdy Roddy Piper and the various Hart Brothers were Resting in Peace? Oh, I get it. Let's light up the night in memory, like old Viking or Celtic days. I like it. Put another tire on the fire and remember great bouts in the squared circle!

It was just the best pic (RTed by WWF main). Main has pics on their timeline from round the world (Greece, Berlin, London, etc. -- now it's our time.

[Meister_000]

Confirmed Canadian. 

Busted! 

[Dr. MD MD]

Busted! 

So, all of this is just to get us to submit to the globalist NWO but you don't mind doing some oil pipeline business with us in the meantime.  :

[PB the Deplorable]

Sigh: I won't waste pixels outlining why you're wrong on so many levels; Suffice to say you're an insular, selfish, bitter man. And I pity you.

That sounds familiar.  I could have sworn I heard the exact same thing from Uhura earlier today. 

She didn't really have a response to my actual posts either.

[albrecht]

It was just the best pic (RTed by WWF main). Main has pics on their timeline from round the world (Greece, Berlin, London, etc. -- now it's our time.

http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/moves/bhart.html

[PB the Deplorable]

Sigh: I won't waste pixels outlining why you're wrong on so many levels; Suffice to say you're an insular, selfish, bitter man. And I pity you.

By the way, I left a major right off the list:  the right to the fruit of ones own labor.  Which is the opposite of what you called a ''right'' to someone else's property if its for medical care.

I'm curious about that.  If its truly a Right, can we force doctors to work for free?  Nurses?  Any time, or only during scheduled business hours?  Why not food and clothing?  Should we force stores to give people food and clothes?  Why or why not?  Is there a line somewhere with this?

Speaking of lines, there are people all over the world with no medical care at all.  If its a right, do they have a claim on our possessions?  Only if they live on our side of a border?  Would that make it a flexible right, depending on where one lives? 

Please answer, oh learned one, I no longer wish to be insular, selfish, bitter, or pitied, and have so many more questions about these rights.

[Kidnostad3]

FYI: 10th annual "Earth Hour" (global Lights Out -- in support of Climate Change Fact) is TONIGHT Sat March 25th at 8.30 pm your local time till 9:30 pm. (as in started half-hour ago on East Coast USA/Canada etc.)
[tweet]845777357315231748[/tweet]

BREAKING NEWS---CNN just announced that the blackouts are in reality a brilliantly timed and executed cyber attack by Putin on the power grids of western nations.  Reportedly he was overheard laughing maniacally and saying in Russian what roughly translates to "Wait 'til those limp wristed tree huggers try to turn the lights back on!!!!!

[albrecht]

BREAKING NEWS---CNN just announced that the blackouts are in reality a brilliantly timed and executed cyber attack by Putin on the power grids of western nations.  Reportedly he was overheard laughing maniacally and saying in Russian what roughly translates to "Wait 'til those limp wristed tree huggers try to turn the lights back on!!!!!

Silly people do silly things. Like thinking that cutting lights off for a day to celebrate WWF Wrestlers will help the world. Strange people. I wonder how much better it would be if they cut the POWER-OFF for the night to celebrate those in the "squared circle" instead? That would be fun. To see how much looting and what-not...