Category Archives: Health Care and Related Issues

Just Because A Company Is Owned By Christians Doesn’t Mean The Company Has Christian Beliefs

Posted on March 3, 2013 by Ampersand

A good post by Jessica Pieklo at RH Reality Check: What’s noteworthy about the decision in this case is not the outcome, but the detailed and well-reasoned dissent crafted by Circuit Judge Ilana Rovner. In examining the question of what … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care and Related Issues, In the news | 84 Comments  

From Forbes.com: “The Bomb Buried in Obamacare Explodes Today – Hallelujah!” by Rick Ungar

Posted on July 2, 2012 by Richard Jeffrey Newman

An interesting article. I wonder what people think. Here’s an excerpt: [T]he provision of the law…called the medical loss ratio…requires health insurance companies to spend 80% of the consumers’ premium dollars they collect—85% for large group insurers—on actual medical care … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care and Related Issues | 14 Comments  

Supreme Court Upholds Affordable Care Act

Posted on June 28, 2012 by Ampersand

Still not much time for posting, but I do want to point out that — much to my surprise — the Supreme Court has upheld the Affordable Care Act, with Roberts voting with the four relatively liberal Justices, and Kennedy … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care and Related Issues, In the news, Supreme Court Issues | 26 Comments  

Obamacare discussion thread

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Ampersand

I feel kind of bad that I haven’t posted anything about the ongoing Supreme Court trial. Judging from today’s oral arguments, it’s going to be a 5/4 decision, but which way it goes depends on Justice Kennedy. Most folks seem … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care and Related Issues, In the news, Supreme Court Issues | 1 Comment  

More on freedom, birth control and employer coercion

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Ampersand

In comments, Sebastian writes: You’d have to squint pretty hard to get the idea that freedom from state coercion is a general organizing principle of progressivism [...] See for example recent progressive discussions about the state forcing employers to provide … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics and the like, Health Care and Related Issues, Libertarianism | 35 Comments  

Health care and non-compete agreements

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Guest Writer

[Written by Kay Olson, and crossposted from The Gimp Parade with Kay's kind permission]. Two years ago this week I got caught up in a legal dispute that briefly threatened my life. Obviously, I’m still alive, but a version of … Continue reading →

Posted in Disabled Rights & Issues, Health Care and Related Issues | 9 Comments  

Pain Medication Comments That Annoy Me

Posted on December 29, 2011 by Ampersand

The Agitator is essential reading, one of the best political blogs anywhere. Still, Radley Balko sometimes uncritically parrots libertarian tropes. Government Evil! Liberals Stupid! For instance, today he posted this libertarian boilerplate: Alternet publishes article calling for government monitoring of … Continue reading →

Posted in crossposted on TADA, Health Care and Related Issues, Whatever | 24 Comments  

We Are The 99 Percent

Posted on October 4, 2011 by Myca

Hey, you busy? Not doing much? You feel like sobbing like a baby? Then read the We Are The 99 Percent tumblr. It’s just a collection of personal stories from people who have worked hard within this cruelly rigged system … … Continue reading →

Posted in Class, poverty, labor, & related issues, Economics and the like, Education, Health Care and Related Issues | 117 Comments  

It’s Not My Business

Posted on September 13, 2011 by Jeff Fecke

It should come as no surprise — though it should shock anyone with any decency — that the Tea Party fanatics would applaud the idea of letting the uninsured die: ‘Let Him Die’: Tea Party Debate Audience Cheers This is … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservative zaniness, right-wingers, etc., Economics and the like, Health Care and Related Issues | 17 Comments  

Dudley Clendinen on dying and on choosing not to extend his life

Posted on July 11, 2011 by Ampersand

Writer Dudley Clendinen is dying of Lou Gehrig’s Disease, or “Lou” as he calls it. He’s written an excellent short essay about the experience of dying, and on his decision to not extend his life. Here’s a sample from his … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care and Related Issues | 6 Comments