“Creeping Socialism” Would Be Good For America

Donald Trump, Newt Gingrich, and Joe McCarthy-style conservatives constantly complain that “Democrats would impose European-Style Socialism on America.” And how bad would that be? Will Americans be hopelessly corrupted by national health insurance, mandatory vacations, paid maternity leave, rent subsidies, or larger child allowances? After all, Australia hasn’t been destroyed yet – despite having gun…

Medical Credit Cards: Pro or Con?

Medical Credit Cards: Pro or Con?

The most frequent settings for medical credit cards have been dentist’s offices, cosmetic surgery, veterinarians, hearing services, vision services and primary care. However, the cards are increasingly offered to cover surgeries and emergency services provided at hospitals and doctors’ offices. (Some of the newer lenders are owned by private equity, which to me is automatically…

Myths of Single Payer

Readers of this blog are aware that I am a strong advocate of health care reform. However, I am very cautious about a total overhaul of our system. I have a low tolerance for bad math and empty promises – which both appear all too often in the promotion of Single Payer. Here are some…

Anti-Debt Heroes – The Debt Collective

The Debt Collective first formed in 2012 as part of the Occupy Wall Street movement. Early members wrote the  Debt Resisters’ Operations Manual , and launched the Rolling Jubilee, a mechanism for purchasing portfolios of people’s debt on secondary debt markets — and cancelling it. In 2015, the Collective organized the nation’s first student debt strike, against…

In Praise of Medical Advocates

A hospital patient’s first bill is usually for an impossible, back-breaking amount….but typically all the insurers have already negotiated a substantial discount. However — most patients do not understand this. They have no one to reassure them, counsel them, and to fight for them if they have no insurer. Americans are used to fixed prices…

Ambulance Debt Should Disappear

If you call 911 and the fire department comes, you will generally pay nothing. In virtually all incorporated cities, the fire department is a public service. It is financed by  local government—usually with property taxes.   However–  if you call 911 for an ambulance, you could be charged over $1,000, even for a short ride. …