Life In Sherman Oaks

Efforts in the United States to control health care costs ($2.6 trillion in 2010) are largely divided by the debate over (a) stronger role for government regulation or (b) market-based models that encourage greater competition. We are a nation that believes in competition. We believe that through competition, the best product or service is created. That if many people are offering a service or product, the people who offer the [...]

Who is this Ayn Rand that Republicans like Paul Ryan (the author of the 2013 GOP budget) follow and what did she teach that some Republicans like so much? Sometimes we can understand what people believe when we know a little bit about their background. And that’s probably the case with Ayn Rand. Ayn Rand was born in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1905. A city of starvation during World War [...]

Conservatives are telling Americans that health care in America is worse off since Medicare was passed. That Medicare actually caused the cost of health care to rise. That before Medicare, doctors and hospitals would take care of the poor for free and would again, were it not for Medicare. So let’s look at these claims, one by one. 1. In 1962, approximately 51% of all persons over the age of [...]

Some politicians, in the summer of 20010, told seniors that The Affordable Care Act would (a) slash Medicare by $500 billion and (b) implement death panels. Some politicians are continuing these claims during the Presidential campaign. Neither of these claims are correct. If you are conservative, you can be angry at me for saying that. But it is the truth and after all, isn’t the truth what is really important? [...]

The phrase “general Welfare” is the only phrase to appear twice in the United States Constitution. It first appears in the preamble to the Constitution and then later in Section 8. It’s important for seniors, in particular, to understand the background of the phrase, because it is Section 8 of the Constitution’s “general Welfare” clause that the Supreme Court found Social Security to be Constitutional. Exactly what does Section 8 [...]

Here we go folks! Time for the annual block party once again!! Sunday, October 2 is the date so SAVE IT! Look for more info to come — but I can tell you we’ll be having a pie eating contest AND a bicycle decorating contest!!! Look for a flier at you front door soon!

It hasn’t always been like this you know. When hospitals began to appear at the turn of the 20th century, they did so primarily as places of charity. In fact, they were called “alms” houses. Even when I was a kid back in the 50′s, hospitals were nearly always run by churches or some other charitable organization. Even in 1983, only 15% of America’s hospitals were “for profit.” But by [...]

Rep. Paul Ryan and the GOP began attacking AARP this week as a “left wing” group. CLICK HERE FOR ARTICLE. And I took particular personal issue with this, because I was able to become a gerontologist because of AARP back in 1975. So — what is AARP and what does it do? The American Association of Retired Persons, has 40 million members and acts as an advocate for seniors citizens [...]

Here are the 105 Republicans in Congress who support privatizing Social Security. Senate (21) Jeff Sessions (AL) Richard Shelby (AL) Jon Kyl (AZ) John McCain (AZ) Saxby Chambliss (GA) Chuck Grassley (IA) Richard Lugar (IN) Pat Roberts (KS) Sam Brownback (KS) Mitch McConnell (KY) Roger Wicker (MS) Thad Cochran (MS) Judd Gregg (NH) James Inhofe (OK) Tom Coburn (OK) Jim DeMint (SC) Kay Bailey Hutchison (TX) Bob Bennett (UT) Orrin [...]

Lower Rx costs for seniors Prescription drug costs could shrink $700 for a typical Medicare beneficiary in 2011, as the law begins to close the notorious doughnut hole — the gap in prescription coverage when millions of seniors must pay full price at the pharmacy — according to the seniors group AARP. The National Council on Aging estimates the savings could reach $1,800 for some. Starting in January, drug companies [...]

Employers eligible for federal funds to cover early retiree health insurance claims $5 billion available under new health care reform law Jefferson City, Mo. – Missouri Insurance Director John M. Huff is reminding employers in Missouri that the new federal health care reform law provides funds to help with the cost of providing health insurance to early retirees. There is $5 billion available for employers who are providing coverage to [...]

The Patient Affordability Act, provides tax credits for both individuals and families who make up to $88,000 a year. These credits will reduce the amount these families spend on health insurance premiums and cost-sharing assistance to make their benefits more affordable. The #GOP, rather than focusing on jobs, has repealing Health Care Reform as its primary goal next year. A report by FamiliesUSA found that nationally, 28.6 million Americans will [...]

In the first 11 days of operation, the GOP introduced NO legislation regarding JOB CREATION. However, they have obsessively introduced 28 bills designed to repeal or defund health care reform: H.R. 105 Dan Burton, GOP – Indiana : To repeal the Patient Protection Act & enact in its place incentives for people to buy health insurance. H.R. 118 John Fleming, GOP – Louisiana : To permit a state to elect [...]

Rep. Randy Forbes Virginia has done the following in the first 11 days in Congress: H.R. 13: A bill to ensure “In God We Trust” is publicly displayed in all public buildings, public schools and other government institutions. H.R. 334: A bill to prevent health care from being implemented, Has Randy Forbes of Virginia been involved in any legislation to create jobs? No.

You know that little box you check on your income tax form as to whether or not you’d like to contribute to the public financing of elections? The one where you have a choice as to whether or not you would like to support democratic elections? Mitch McConnell wants to take that choice away from you. According to S. 194, Mitch McConnell thinks this adds to the deficit. How? I [...]

While some folks thought the teaparty wanted to take over the country for financial reasons, it’s much more likely their goal is a return to social values of the 1950′s. H.R. 71 Cliff Stearns, GOP – Florida. A bill to honor Dr. D. James Kennedy. A right wing TV evangelist form Coral Gables Florida. H.R. 510 Denny Rehberg, GOP – Montana. A bill to take gray wolves off the endangered [...]

What is the debt ceiling exactly? It’s a cap set by Congress on the amount of debt the federal government can legally borrow. The cap applies to debt owed to the public (i.e., anyone who buys U.S. bonds) plus debt owed to federal government trust funds such as those for Social Security and Medicare. The first limit was set in 1917.

What happens when a person doesn’t have health insurance, and yet requires health care? Generally, that person goes to an emergency room — a much more costly avenue of treatment than using your physician. Emergency room must treat the patient regardless of income or health insurance status. Why? Because we really don’t want folks walking around with infectious diseases — it’s not advantageous to the common good — and because, [...]

H.R. 389. Rep. Aaron Shock, Republican from Illinois. Wants legislation that will prevent the government from postings signs saying any given project was funded by Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Impact: Removes Jobs. That’s it.

H.R. 321: Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn. Prohibit employers from using your credit report in determining your employment. That’s it.