Saturday, April 03, 2010

How Many People Are Uninsured? 50-Million? 47-Million? 37-Million?



(CATO)
No single topic drives the health care reform debate like the number of uninsured Americans, variously numbered in speeches and ads at 45 million, 46 million, 47 million, or even 50 million. Unfortunately, most of what we think we know about the un insured is wrong.

For the record, according to the latest figures from the Census Bureau, 45.6 million Americans currently lack health insurance. This is actually down slightly from the 47 million that were uninsured in 2006. However, those numbers don't tell the whole story.

For example, roughly one quarter of those counted as uninsured — 12 million people — are eligible for Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP), but haven't enrolled. This includes 64 percent of all uninsured children, and 29 percent of parents with children. Since these people would be enrolled in those programs automatically if they went to the hospital for care, calling them uninsured is really a smokescreen.

Another 10 million uninsured "Americans" are, at least technically, not Americans. Approximately 5.6 million are illegal immigrants, and another 4.4 million are legal immigrants but not citizens.

The reality is that most people without health insurance are uninsured for a relatively short period of time.

Nor are the uninsured necessarily poor. A new study by June O'Neill, former director of the Congressional Budget Office, found that 43 percent of the uninsured have incomes higher than 250 percent of the poverty level ($55,125 for a family of four). And slightly more than a third have incomes in excess of $66,000. A second study, by Mark Pauly of the University of Pennsylvania and Kate Bundorf of Stanford, concluded that nearly three-quarters of the uninsured could afford coverage but chose not to purchase it.

And most of the uninsured are young and in good health. According to the CBO, roughly 60 percent are under the age of 35, and fully 86 percent report that they are in good or excellent health.

Finally, when we hear about 45 million Americans without health insurance, it conjures up the notion that all of those are born without health insurance, die without health insurance, and are never insured in between. The reality is that most people without health insurance are uninsured for a relatively short period of time.

Only about 30 percent of the uninsured remain so for more than a year, approximately 16 percent for two years, and less than 2.5 percent for three years or longer. About half are uninsured for six months or less. Notably, because health insurance is too often tied to employment, the working poor who cycle in and out of the job market also cycle in and out of health insurance....



An editorial in the July-August 2009 AARP Bulletin repeats the same bromide heard almost nightly on the MSM news: That there are currently 47 million Americans without health insurance. The AARP editorial goes on to argue that this situation is disgraceful; that all Americans should have "affordable health care choices"; and that in terms of reform, "the time to act is now."

The sad tale of the 47 million uninsured is, perhaps, the most emotionally persuasive argument put forth for national health care reform. But is the alleged number of uninsured reasonably accurate? Or is it, instead, a purposely misleading statistic designed to advance a specific reform agenda?

The 47 million uninsured number is generated by an annual U.S. Census Bureau report. However, that report also states that the 47 million uninsured includes roughly 10 million illegal aliens without health insurance. Thus, if we subtract out the illegals, the number of uninsured American citizens without health insurance declines by more than 20%...to roughly 37 million.

But is it accurate to assume that even 37 million Americans cannot afford health insurance? Absolutely NOT. Even Hillary Clinton during her presidential campaign once admitted that 25% of the uninsured could afford health insurance but chose not to purchase it. The Census Bureau reports that there are roughly 17 million people who make more than $50,000 per year and who, for whatever reason, decide not to carry health insurance.

In short, with two reasonable adjustments, the number of Americans who cannot afford health insurance has been reduced from 47 million to approximately 20 million.

But is the 20 million figure itself reasonably accurate? Probably not. Individuals moving between jobs lose their (employer provided) health insurance and when they do the Census Bureau counts them as "uninsured." Technically true. Yet during normal times, roughly half of these individuals will have re-acquired (in about 4 months) health insurance coverage with a new employer.

Finally, there are millions of adult Americans and children who have (nearly free) access to medical care benefits through Medicaid and other government programs who don't really need the direct cost of "insurance" and who don’t carry any.

Thus, with reasonable adjustments, there are in fact less than 10 million individuals who are so-called "chronically uninsured." (The Kaiser Family Foundation says the number could be as low as 8 million). These are individuals who have been unemployed for over 2 years and/or people from households that are too poor to afford non-employer health insurance premiums and who, for whatever reason, have limited access to taxpayer-supported health services.

So let’s grant that there are between 8 to 10 million Americans (total population: 307 million) who cannot afford health insurance and that this situation may require a marginal public policy adjustment. (Most states mandate expensive benefit coverage; curtailing those mandates would lower the cost of health insurance.) But whether that situation requires some massive, Washington D.C. health care reform – with new regulations and mandates on health care providers, insurance companies, and drug manufacturers – is entirely problematic.

Politicians and interest groups, eager to remake your medical world over to their liking, would do well to respect the Hippocratic oath administered to physicians: “First, do no harm.”

 


Excerpted from a small debate I was in elsewhere on the web:
...the stat you quoted (Obama and others) are 46-million uninsured. This number has been debunked by a few sources. Census date and other studies. 18.3 million of this number, for instance, are under 34 and voluntarily opt out of health care because they believe themselves to be young and healthy. BlueCross did a study that show in actuality only 8.2 million people are actually uninsured that want insurance but cannot pay for it. A number that Republican plans deal with by-the-by. But when you have no Republicans voting for a bill like this and 34 Democrats voting against it with Republicans, there is a unanimity (bipartisanship), just not the way Democrats wished to highlite. These numbers remind me of the stats used by Clinton and then later Kerry that said a woman makes 70-cents and 73-cents (respectively) to every man's dollar, or Michael Moore stating that 44-million Americans are illiterate -- Respectively:


Matradee Cartoons









































Friday, April 02, 2010

Prager U -- The Missing Tile (Wanting What You Can't Have)

Answer the Question Congressman Hare (Illinois Democratic)


CABLE NEWS RACE



THURS., APRIL 1, 2010

FOXNEWS O'REILLY 2,981,000
FOXNEWS HANNITY 2,256,000
FOXNEWS PALIN 2,073,000
FOXNEWS BECK 2,014,000
FOXNEWS BAIER 1,877,000
FOXNEWS SHEP 1,658,000
MSNBC OLBERMANN 989,000
MSNBC MADDOW 950,000
CNN KING 839,000
CNN COOPER 820,000
CNNHN BEHAR 641,000 
 

17-Year Old "Black Widow" Bomber (before and after photos to show what a religion founded by a "Jin" does to someone)


A chilling photograph of the baby-faced teenager shows her dressed in a black hijab posing with her late husband who has his arm around her, emerged yesterday as she was confirmed as one of the attackers by the National Anti-Terror Committee.

The couple are shown clutching pistols in their right hands, while the young girl is doing her defiant best to ooze terrorist chic. Another picture shows her posing with a hand grenade. 

The girl, named as Dzhennet Abdurakhmanova, was from a small village in Dagestan, a volatile predominantly Muslim republic in southern Russia that borders Chechnya. 

It was in Dagestan that Islamist radicals carried out a double suicide bombing that killed twelve people just two days after the Moscow metro bombings. The local authorities had already identified Dzhennet as someone who was inclined towards extremism. 

She met the leader of Dagestan's Islamist rebel underground, Umalat Magomedov, 30, over the internet when she was 16-year-old years old and they were said by some to have been married. However, it is understood he had practically abducted her in keeping with ancient local tradition and whether their marriage was official remains unclear.

...(Read More)...

The "AFTER PHOTO" should be seen by those who have the stomach, it is at The Sun's story on it. Let's just say this religion, from its inception, has been militaristic and has worshiped death.

"Obama is an Amateur.... a Disaster who doesn't Learn" ~ Former Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger


Thursday, April 01, 2010

Video Trouble Led Me To Vimeo -- A Bloggers Paradise



I had just paid to upgrade my account from the free Motionbox account to their premium. Fine. I was happy, finally a place to host my videos officially. Then one of my videos was linked to JihadWatch.com (more specifically, HERE). At any rate I didn't know the premium package had a limit on how many views it was alotted. So after being connected to Robert Spencer's site, they shut that video down. Motionbox wanted me to upgrade to a pro membership. So I have left Motionbox.com and have joined Vimeo. Vimeo's paid account saves me $239.89 a year. Yes, you heard me correctly. In order to upgrade to pro I would have to fork over another $239.99.

So if I can encourage people to go to Vimeo and pay their $59.99 a year membership, you get all you need as a blogger for posting videos. And if they "blow up," no worries, Vimeo loves that... that means more business will come their way. It seems to me Motionbox is chasing theirs away. At any rate, I have a new account that I will be transferring my videos to. Sorry for any downtime to some videos, and let me know if one of my videos is missing, it helps. You can find me here in greener pastures -- a "bloggers heaven":




The Real Costs of Obama-Care Becoming More Apparent Day-By-Day




.... In 2003, when President Bush expanded federal coverage for elderly Americans’ prescription drugs, he also included a subsidy so businesses would keep retirees in their private drug benefit plans. The payout was about $665 per employee each year they were kept on private coverage. The goal was to keep employers from dumping retirees into the newly expanded government plan.

Last week, Obama and the Democrats in Congress removed the subsidy’s tax-free status. Because of how the Securities and Exchange Commission regulates large companies, this change in the long-term tax outlook for the businesses is sending shockwaves through their ledgers. Here's what a few companies are saying:

  • AT&T announced the change would cost them $1 billion.
  • Caterpillar said it would cost them $100 million.
  • Prudential also said they will feel a $100 million impact.
  • AK Steel put the loss at $31 million.
  • Verizon warned its employees ObamaCare “may have significant implications for both retirees and employers.”
  • Illinois Tool Works announced a $22 million hit.

All told, companies are reporting a new $14 billion tax liability under ObamaCare, and we’re only a week out from the signing ceremony.

Never one to let a political opportunity slip by, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) is summoning the afflicted companies to a hearing on Capitol Hill. Apparently, Waxman is shocked that the health care takeover bill he just voted for is having real-life implications for businesses. Waxman is demanding internal company documents on how the companies arrived at their figures. It should provide uproarious political theater as the Beverly Hills politician tries to blame the private sector for the impacts of bad policy he just implemented.

Of course the companies could always avoid the new tax by kicking retirees off the private drug plan; I’m sure ObamaCare would be all too happy to take them in. The Employee Benefit Research Institute projects this would save employers $2,800 in future costs per beneficiary. Who could blame them for trying to avoid the huge hit to their books?...

...(read more)...

 


Wacky Dem Alert

This is the guy who replaced 9/11 truther[slash]Marxist Cythia McKinney. I have a feeling this seat will stay blue considering the two most recent seaters in it and the apparent lack of sensibilities of the voters who put them there. Of course I would be remiss to not thank HotAir for this travesty in politics... with a smile that is.

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Statists & Statism (e.g., Communism, Socialism, Democratic Socialism, etc)

This thinking is in the newer strain of Christianity. In fact, a book used in my old church was geared towards this thinking, "The Last Straw: Leaving One Church and Finding Another"

Halfway Through Crucible -- Hardest Time for Prospective Marines (personal request)

We are in a prayer chain, and for the entire Crucible family and friends choose and hour to pray. We have Tues., Wed., and Thurs. at 4am. If any of you just wish to lift up these young men of Golf Company down in San Diego... all prayers accepted. You can pray not only for these young men, but also for the Drill Instructors and others in command, the families, and also for the prayer warriors. You should keep all our men and women in prayer normally, but if you want to throw my son's name up there to the "Big-Guy," no-harm-no-foul. Its silly, but I am teary eyed in pain for him to finish the task placed before him... because I know how much he wants it.

The Crucible is about half over. Tomorrow is that 10-mile hike/hill that is a legend in Marine lore that is found in a couple movies. So I have included one of the many great chapters that warriors can pray from in the hope that you can pray from it as well for these young men starting out in the task of serving their country.

His name is Dominic, and he is in the third row, 7th in as the camera pans right with that row in clear view.

91 You who sit down in the High God’s presence,
     spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow,
     Say this: “God, you’re my refuge.
     I trust in you and I’m safe!”
     That’s right—he rescues you from hidden traps,
     shields you from deadly hazards.
     His huge outstretched arms protect you—
     under them you’re perfectly safe;
     his arms fend off all harm.
     Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night,
     not flying arrows in the day,
     Not disease that prowls through the darkness,
     not disaster that erupts at high noon.
     Even though others succumb all around,
     drop like flies right and left,
     no harm will even graze you.
     You’ll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance,
     watch the wicked turn into corpses.
     Yes, because God’s your refuge,
     the High God your very own home,
     Evil can’t get close to you,
     harm can’t get through the door.
     He ordered his angels
     to guard you wherever you go.
     If you stumble, they’ll catch you;
     their job is to keep you from falling.
     You’ll walk unharmed among lions and snakes,
     and kick young lions and serpents from the path.
     “If you’ll hold on to me for dear life,” says God,
     “I’ll get you out of any trouble.
     I’ll give you the best of care
     if you’ll only get to know and trust me.
     Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times;
     I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party.
     I’ll give you a long life,
     give you a long drink of salvation!”




The Spittle Project -- Chris Matthews IS Newman


 


Lacrosse Players Fight -- First Time I Have Seen This, Similar to Hockey Fights

Glenn Beck on Violence After the Health-Care Bill

Chinese fisherman trains birds to catch fish

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

A Hero Passes


 


Art ‘Jibby' Jibilian was a World War II radioman and secret operative who parachuted into Nazi-occupied Serbia to help organize the rescue of 513 downed U.S. airmen in ‘Operation Halyard.' He died last week of leukemia.

FoxNews Dominates -- Best Quarter Eva! "...more Total Viewers in primetime and total day than CNN, MSNBC, and HLN combined."


 
 
In the first quarter of 2010, Fox News drew its largest total day audience averages for any quarter in the network's nearly 14 year history; its second largest in primetime.
 
Total day (Mon-Sun): 1.30M Total / 354K A25-54
Prime (Mon-Sun): 2.32M Total / 594K A25-54
 
FNC was the only network to show growth in each ratings category and, for the second consecutive quarter, FNC programs were the top 13 in cable news in Total Viewers. FNC also had the top 13 programs in the demo this quarter. Every FNC program was up against Q1 of '09.
 
Two evening news programs, "Special Report with Bret Baier" (2.46M total/541k demo) and "Fox Report with Shepard Smith" (2.11M total/526k demo), each had their best quarters ever. Those programs saw a benefit from FNC's 5pm program hosted by Glenn Beck which saw the largest year-to-year increases of all shows in the demo (up +50%). Greta Van Susteren and Bill O'Reilly were both up more than +20% in the demo compared to Q1 of '09.
 
Fox News was the #2 basic cable network in primetime and averaged more Total Viewers in primetime and total day than CNN, MSNBC, and HLN combined.

They don't cater to Obama's radical agenda. That's why their ratings are through the roof.But this doesn't hurt either.

Armstrong Williams On Crippling Effect of Obama-Care on States

Hutaree Militia Group -- Leader a Ron Paul Fanatic (KNOW HOW TO ANSWER: Caller to Michael Medved Tries To Draw Distinction Between Muslim Violence and Christian Violence -- Using Hutaree)

Hutaree:
Commentary/resources by ReligionNewsBlog.com

(CNN) — “Captain Hutaree,” his wife and two sons planned with other militia members to kill a law enforcement official to draw the officer’s colleagues to the funeral, authorities say. Then, according to an indictment unsealed Monday, the militia planned to attack the funeral procession to kick off its war against the U.S. government.

Members of the Hutaree militia — whose Web site says it is preparing for end times to “keep the testimony of Jesus Christ alive” — have been indicted on five counts, including seditious conspiracy and attempting to use weapons of mass destruction.

Federal authorities allege militia members had declared war against law enforcement and “foot soldiers” of the federal government. They had conducted “military-style training” in Lenawee County, Michigan, about 35 miles northwest of Toledo, Ohio, since 2008, the indictment said.
The group’s Web site outlines the militia’s philosophy: “Jesus wanted us to be ready to defend ourselves using the sword and stay alive using equipment. The only thing on Earth to save the testimony and those who follow it are the members of the testimony, till the return of Christ in the clouds.”

...(read more)...