Need to keep our eye on this one. It's another idea for getting away from the dream of universal health insurance, provided through our tax system, seriously wounded (if not mortally) by the medicare rebate. They're pulling out the old line about competition making for a better product. Remember privatised and deregulated banks, phones and utilities? Putting essentials into the private sector inevitably drives up prices and reduces access - duh! they're driven by profit after all!
What is Medicare Select?
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Monday, 28 September 2009
Tuesday, 15 September 2009
The Uselessness Of Economic Forecasters | newmatilda.com
On the topic of one of my many soapbox issues (economics & economists) this New Matilda article hits the spot. I've constantly been amazed that seriously good money is paid to 'professional economists' who constantly miss the signs of what is coming that wtp (we the people) see from our armchairs. Worse, they always say "No one saw this coming!". Yes, we saw it coming! Why didn't you?
The Uselessness Of Economic Forecasters | newmatilda.com
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The Uselessness Of Economic Forecasters | newmatilda.com
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Monday, 14 September 2009
Private Health
We are not immune from the 'spin' that is currently sending people into the streets in USA. The government subsidising of private health insurance favours those who can afford the insurance costs over the needs of the rest of the population - while expecting those not privately insured to pay for it. Those of us old enough to remember the introduction of Medibank (Medicare) will know that the Liberal Party then vigorously opposed it.
"‘Medibank’ was the most controversial element of Labor’s reform program, being opposed all the way by the Opposition, the Australian Medical Association and the private health funds... Rejected three times by the Senate, the Bills were eventually passed by 95 votes to 92 at a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament on 7 August 1974." from 1974 CABINET RECORDS – SELECTED DOCUMENTS; Abstract: Medibank - Implementation.
Since, it has remained a minefield for politicians seeking to get rid of it. That hasn't prevented subsequent governments - including Labor - chipping away at it while professing their commitment. All of the changes have been made with the patently untrue assertion that they would make it better and 'fairer'. How can moving us more and more towards a US style health system be fairer, given the mess that country's health system is in?
Private management of public essential services inevitably further disadvantages the most economically and socially disadvantaged in society because the private sector is driven by profit.
According to Kenneth Davidson, in The Age this morning: "But in the popular imagination - reinforced by politicians who need a scapegoat for their funding decisions - it is maladministration of public hospitals and Medicare that are seen as the root of the public health crisis." The poor have to pay so the rich can stay healthy
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"‘Medibank’ was the most controversial element of Labor’s reform program, being opposed all the way by the Opposition, the Australian Medical Association and the private health funds... Rejected three times by the Senate, the Bills were eventually passed by 95 votes to 92 at a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament on 7 August 1974." from 1974 CABINET RECORDS – SELECTED DOCUMENTS; Abstract: Medibank - Implementation.
Since, it has remained a minefield for politicians seeking to get rid of it. That hasn't prevented subsequent governments - including Labor - chipping away at it while professing their commitment. All of the changes have been made with the patently untrue assertion that they would make it better and 'fairer'. How can moving us more and more towards a US style health system be fairer, given the mess that country's health system is in?
Private management of public essential services inevitably further disadvantages the most economically and socially disadvantaged in society because the private sector is driven by profit.
According to Kenneth Davidson, in The Age this morning: "But in the popular imagination - reinforced by politicians who need a scapegoat for their funding decisions - it is maladministration of public hospitals and Medicare that are seen as the root of the public health crisis." The poor have to pay so the rich can stay healthy
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Sunday, 13 September 2009
Thousands rally against Obama Government
'We the people' are our own worst enemies! Honestly! Can you believe that these people are rallying AGAINST better health care? Why would anyone take the word of big business - happily engaged in screwing ordinary people since forever - ...against common sense? You can't get them to rally against poverty and injustice but they stream into the streets to oppose benefits! Are we sure there's no other planet with intelligent life to which we can migrate? I'm about over this one.
Source: www.theage.com.au
Source: www.theage.com.au
Saturday, 12 September 2009
GetUp! Blogs - Save the Homelands
If you want to have the cathartic experience of a good weep - and I recommend it for the body and the soul (releases pent up tensions in both) - have a look & listen to these aborigines and imagine their history and hope. If you're not already involved in the campaign to save their homeland rights, perhaps you'll be moved to become so.
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