Tuesday, June 30, 2009

The Starr, Reich, Kuttner Debate on Health Care Reform

If these three cannot agree ... how can we expect Democrats in congress to sing from one score?

I tend to agree with Kuttner. The public option gets weaker with each day, increasingly more complex (and hard to understand or sell), and easier for insurance companies to game. We need to get some single payer skin in the game -- that could keep the public option honest.

I'm having to choose new insurance plans for Diane and myself in Maryland. I note they all have a "lifetime cap" -- so if either of us gets AML and needs a bone marrow transplant -- tough cookies. I'm not happy with my medical insurance options. I doubt any survey that says most people are.

Monday, June 29, 2009

Preventing AIDS in Iran is a crime

Besides the terrible news of recent HSPH grads being given years in prison, accused of being US agents because they are using proven public health measures to prevent the spread of HIV, this article is interesting for its note that WHO claims that Iran has the highest rate of heroin addiction in the world. I suppose living in a theocracy is tough -- many need an escape.