US 'Economic Stimulus' Budget Review

[Lord Winter]

It would be nice if those graphs had 2008/2009 data. Looks like the recession is going to stay here for a while. The past reccessioins have all taken 6-12 months to end.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

It would be nice if those graphs had 2008/2009 data. Looks like the recession is going to stay here for a while. The past reccessioins have all taken 6-12 months to end.

The historical norm is 6-24 months -- only the Great Depression lasted significantly longer. Some would argue that was because of the "cure." Others argue that without the New Deal, it would have gone on longer. Who can be sure?

[KukriKhan]

Just watched his first prime-time news conference. Thirteen questions, 10 minute answers apiece.

I've figured it out, I think: wait 'til he says the phrase "the bottom line" or "my bottom line". Words spoken after that phrase are the answer. Previous words are, I dunno, internal discussion, academic reflection, tutoring time? Whatever.

"Bottom line" is the key. Wait for it, and all will be revealed.

[Husar]

"Bottom line" is the key. Wait for it, and all will be revealed.

I often do the same with long reviews, often all the info you need is in the conclusion.

Concerning windows vs doors, the actual door seems quite big for a door and looks more like a window to me, I might have made the same mistake(does that mean I can run for POTUS now? ).

It's also great to have a big recession now, I hope it continues for a while, we can have a big boom afterwards, it's best if they wait with that until I am done studying.

[Crazed Rabbit]

It gets worse:
A new bureaucracy will be formed:

One new bureaucracy, the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology, will monitor treatments to make sure your doctor is doing what the federal government deems appropriate and cost effective. The goal is to reduce costs and “guide” your doctor’s decisions (442, 446). These provisions in the stimulus bill are virtually identical to what Daschle prescribed in his 2008 book, “Critical: What We Can Do About the Health-Care Crisis.” According to Daschle, doctors have to give up autonomy and “learn to operate less like solo practitioners.”

Keeping doctors informed of the newest medical findings is important, but enforcing uniformity goes too far.

New Penalties

Hospitals and doctors that are not “meaningful users” of the new system will face penalties. “Meaningful user” isn’t defined in the bill. That will be left to the HHS secretary, who will be empowered to impose “more stringent measures of meaningful use over time” (511, 518, 540-541)

What penalties will deter your doctor from going beyond the electronically delivered protocols when your condition is atypical or you need an experimental treatment? The vagueness is intentional. In his book, Daschle proposed an appointed body with vast powers to make the “tough” decisions elected politicians won’t make.

The stimulus bill does that, and calls it the Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research (190-192). The goal, Daschle’s book explained, is to slow the development and use of new medications and technologies because they are driving up costs. He praises Europeans for being more willing to accept “hopeless diagnoses” and “forgo experimental treatments,” and he chastises Americans for expecting too much from the health-care system.

Elderly Hardest Hit

Daschle says health-care reform “will not be pain free.” Seniors should be more accepting of the conditions that come with age instead of treating them. That means the elderly will bear the brunt.

Medicare now pays for treatments deemed safe and effective. The stimulus bill would change that and apply a cost- effectiveness standard set by the Federal Council (464).

And to think, this is only the first month of Obama's presidency.

CR

[Husar]

That actually sounds worse than our system, though i think for experimental treatments you may have to pay here as well, it seeme to be mostly decided by the insurance you have, which would be the same with a private insurance system, or can you currently get a 1 million dollar experimental treatment for free in the US when you don't have any insurance or do all insurance companies just pay anything?
Because the article sure makes it sound like currently you get any treatment for free, no matter how much it costs, but the way I always understood it you currently have to pay for every plaster you get from the doctor.

[Xiahou]

It gets worse:
A new bureaucracy will be formed:


And to think, this is only the first month of Obama's presidency.

CR

Don't forget the disturbingly protectionist, "Buy American" provisions:

As if the $900 billion stimulus package wasn't controversial enough, provisions requiring purchase of U.S.-made iron and steel for government contracts that were slipped into the House version, and of all manufactured goods in the Senate's, have annoyed more people than expected — across the world.

Last week, leaders from Canada, Brazil, China, the U.K., India, Mexico, Germany and the Czech Republic, among others, spoke out against such "Buy American" provisions as protectionist. Some threatened retaliation.

The most assertive voice came from the European Union, our top overseas market, which last year engaged in two-way trade with the U.S. totaling $709 billion.

EU ambassador to the U.S. John Bruton warned Congress that the "Buy American" provisions will damage the U.S. as well as world trade by building protectionist sentiment around the world.

Let's hope that gets let on the cutting room floor in the final version of the bill.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Don't forget the disturbingly protectionist, "Buy American" provisions:Let's hope that gets let on the cutting room floor in the final version of the bill.

I thought Obama wanted to redo FDR's approach, not that of Hoover?