Yup, Alan, you beat me to it. It's a sad day for Vermont, because assuming Peter Welch runs for the Senate seat (he'd win) and Governor Scott runs for the House seat (he'd probably win), we could have one more Republican in the House. Mind you, he's never been a DT supporter, but he has recently shown he can put the possibility of power ahead of taking care of the people...by not reinstating a mask mandate here right when it's most needed. https://vtdigger.org/2021/11/15/patrick-leahy-to-retire-after-eight-terms-in-u-s-senate/
Let's hope the desire for a woman Rep in Congress will help elect a woman into that role, all three mentioned in the article are worthy. The problem is there are three good choices, so votes will be split. It will be a very interesting Primary this year!
As for the three women who are potential candidates, it occurs to me that perhaps they could get together and decide with a friendly little axe throwing competition. [Click] But I have an odd sense of humor.
Major European carmakers will hit emissions targets too easily, research shows [Click] “Report suggests weak targets could push firms to make millions more of the much more profitable petrol and diesel cars.” Long story short: The author(s) take it as a given that customers will buy whatever the legacy auto manufacturers choose to sell them, which will be determined by government regulation. Consumer demand and competition will not be factors. I am very dubious about that. Granted that China is currently having problems with magnesium, aluminum and power production because of their trade tiff with Australia, I expect they won't be willing to choke off one of their most promising export markets.
Got back from Windycon, a local-area science fiction convention. last night. First in-person convention in more than a year and a half. Everyone was required to be fully vaccinated and to be masked except when eaaating or drinking. Social distancing wasn't enforced, but all panels were in rooms far larger than needed for any anticipated attendance. Announced attendance was about 60%of normal, but that included people who attended virtually and those who showed up briefly but left because they found it too small to be fun. There was only one evening party, which may have been a factor for some.
Personally, I found it a blast. Mostly because I got to see and talk to a number of friends I've only seen on video for the past 21 months. And while there were fewer panels than usual, I found several that were enjoyable and valuable. Looking forward to other con coming up and to Windycon next year.
listener mentioned "Medicare Part G." My reaction was "Huh? What?? I've never heard of any such thing!" An internet search revealed that this is what I would consider sloppy-talk for PLAN G, one of a number of plans available under Medicare supplement insurance. It's important to note that while the government defines the plans available, you are actually signing up with the private insurance company of your choice and each company decides which plans it will offer. Penny and I are grandfathered uner Plan C, no longer available, which covers all deductibles and copays.
Alan mentioned that nurses' and physicians' pay in the UK is much lower than in the US. But it's important to note that they are not burdened with student debt, which for US physicians can be absolutely horrendous.
As I recall, the Tories discontinued "bursaries" (what we would call scholarships, but available to all) for nursing students two or three years ago, driving up demand for nurses from third world countries--who are given only temporary work visas. Not sure about physician education, but I seem to recall that the UK opened up college education to many more students, at the same time reducing support for them. I remember the UK brain drain back around 1970; college professors' salaries were less than those of US postdoctoral students, and funding for research was grossly inadequate. But that was fifty years ago, and the professor business here has gone way downhill since then.
Banks here have a long history of aggressively inducing medical students to take on crushing debt; that is reflected in their unwillingness to take on private practice. They need to make as much money as they can and that means group practice. (The increased overhead of dealing with various sorts of medical insurance have been a factor in the disappearance of private practices as well.)
Yeah, lucky you, Bill. You have the option of Medicare PLAN C and PLAN F, which covers everything. But just a few months before our birthdates is the cutoff, so we aren't allowed same. The best we can do is Medicare PLAN G. And so we shall, AND pay PLAN B's premium in addition to the premium for PLAN G.
At some point along the way, I started thinking of the Medigap lettering as "Parts" (because there's a PART D), and the Advantage plans as "Plans." I sure do wish it weren't so much like learning a new language. Nay, I simply wish we had Universal Health Care, like they have in Canada. Our dear friend Rod, there, never gets a bill at all. He just goes to the hospital or doctor as needed, and the government takes care of every bit of it. Imagine!
Anyway, it's nuts. We had to do a lot of research to figure out what we need and who offers the best deal for us. It helped that my SIL told me we'll have to reinvestigate PART D every year because the specific drugs covered changes each year. Oh joy. And how stupid. I dislike this whole process with every fiber of my being. Add to that, that I signed up for Social Security last week and had the impression that I only have until December 7th to get all this Medicare stuff in order. Turns out since it's our first time filing we aren't bound by the December 7th date. That was a relief, because it's not going to happen by then. We'll be lucky to have it all in place by the time Wil retires at the end of March. Stupid government slowness. Honestly, this doesn't have to be so dang comoplicated.
Part D is no big deal for us, but we don't use any unusual or expensive medicines. Annual renewal couldn't be easier--open the letter, scan it, and toss it into the recycling bin. I don't know anything about A,B, F, or G. Quite pleased with Medicare Advantage through Kaiser, in no small part because it is a union shop. My union was active in the campaign to bring Kaiser to Fresno. When I had my cancer adventure Kaiser not only saved my life, but my quality of life except for a couple of trivial things.
I agree that universal heath care would be simple for everybody. Perhaps especially for doctors. Like Alan, Penny and I haven't found Part D a big deal. At one point my insurere decided not to cover one of my medications, but after a bit of checking I decided to switch to a similar medication, cheaper to begin with, rather than changing plans.
And, of course, we pay the premium for Part B as well as the supplement.
Kaiser isn't one of the options we have in Vermont. All of the Advantage plans here have high deductibles and we have decided we don't want that. That setup really bit us hard last year, when Wil needed surgery at the end of December.
As for Part D, we have discovered that Wil needs a different plan than I need, because he's on heart meds and I'm on a pricey anti-viral. I sure do hope that the new insurer allows me to continue with a particular brands, because it's the only one that doesn't give me headaches.
Good luck to both of you, listener; Miyoko and I started Medicare a couple of years apart, so that madae it easier. I realize Kaiser isn't available in Vermont, but just mentioned it as an example of a satisfactory Medicare Advantage plan. The other hospitals in our area are decidedly unsatisfactory IMO.
Youngest (39) just got his booster shot. I'm concerned for him, as his reaction to the 2nd Pfizer shot was a trip to the ER fearing a heart attack and learning he got that heart inflammation issue some young men are getting. I'll feel better when he's safely through this!
“A national leader of the Proud Boys, a far-right group with a history of violence, asked a judge on Monday to release him from the D.C. jail and place him on home confinement, citing what he described as inhumane conditions in the facility,” the Washington Post reports. I don't suppose he's "breakin' rocks in the hot sun:" Bobby Fuller Four - I Fought The Law(1966) [Click] Probably has a TV, though.
Sen. Patrick Leahy announces he won't run for re-election [Click]
ReplyDeleteYup, Alan, you beat me to it. It's a sad day for Vermont, because assuming Peter Welch runs for the Senate seat (he'd win) and Governor Scott runs for the House seat (he'd probably win), we could have one more Republican in the House. Mind you, he's never been a DT supporter, but he has recently shown he can put the possibility of power ahead of taking care of the people...by not reinstating a mask mandate here right when it's most needed.
Deletehttps://vtdigger.org/2021/11/15/patrick-leahy-to-retire-after-eight-terms-in-u-s-senate/
Let's hope the desire for a woman Rep in Congress will help elect a woman into that role, all three mentioned in the article are worthy. The problem is there are three good choices, so votes will be split. It will be a very interesting Primary this year!
DeleteHere's another article, with the most information yet...
Deletehttps://www.wcax.com/2021/11/15/sen-leahy-discuss-political-future-event-vermont/
As for the three women who are potential candidates, it occurs to me that perhaps they could get together and decide with a friendly little axe throwing competition. [Click] But I have an odd sense of humor.
DeleteThis really says it best:
Delete"Leahy famously began his tenure casting the tie-breaking vote to end the Vietnam War."
Beto O’Rourke to Run for Texas Governor [Click]
ReplyDeleteBannon turned himself in to the FBI this morning.
ReplyDeleteGoes to court this afternoon.
https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/15/politics/steve-bannon/index.html
Researchers identify 102 students who died at Native American school in Nebraska [Click] School cemetery has not yet been found.
ReplyDelete🤬
DeleteThanks to climate change, armadillos are making their way up north. And there’s no sign of them stopping their relentless march [Click] Already in Virginia; it occurs to me to wonder if we might expect possadillos, kinda like mosquito bees. [Click] Don’t say I haven’t warned you, listener. . .
ReplyDeleteI'd much rather have an Armadillo than a Black Widow Spider or Scorpion!
DeleteMajor European carmakers will hit emissions targets too easily, research shows [Click] “Report suggests weak targets could push firms to make millions more of the much more profitable petrol and diesel cars.” Long story short: The author(s) take it as a given that customers will buy whatever the legacy auto manufacturers choose to sell them, which will be determined by government regulation. Consumer demand and competition will not be factors. I am very dubious about that. Granted that China is currently having problems with magnesium, aluminum and power production because of their trade tiff with Australia, I expect they won't be willing to choke off one of their most promising export markets.
ReplyDeleteGot back from Windycon, a local-area science fiction convention. last night. First in-person convention in more than a year and a half. Everyone was required to be fully vaccinated and to be masked except when eaaating or drinking. Social distancing wasn't enforced, but all panels were in rooms far larger than needed for any anticipated attendance. Announced attendance was about 60%of normal, but that included people who attended virtually and those who showed up briefly but left because they found it too small to be fun. There was only one evening party, which may have been a factor for some.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I found it a blast. Mostly because I got to see and talk to a number of friends I've only seen on video for the past 21 months. And while there were fewer panels than usual, I found several that were enjoyable and valuable. Looking forward to other con coming up and to Windycon next year.
Great to hear this went so well for you! Nice to know it wasn't so bad, as crowds go.
DeleteComments on things I missed while I was gone.
ReplyDeletelistener mentioned "Medicare Part G." My reaction was "Huh? What?? I've never heard of any such thing!" An internet search revealed that this is what I would consider sloppy-talk for PLAN G, one of a number of plans available under Medicare supplement insurance. It's important to note that while the government defines the plans available, you are actually signing up with the private insurance company of your choice and each company decides which plans it will offer. Penny and I are grandfathered uner Plan C, no longer available, which covers all deductibles and copays.
Alan mentioned that nurses' and physicians' pay in the UK is much lower than in the US. But it's important to note that they are not burdened with student debt, which for US physicians can be absolutely horrendous.
As I recall, the Tories discontinued "bursaries" (what we would call scholarships, but available to all) for nursing students two or three years ago, driving up demand for nurses from third world countries--who are given only temporary work visas. Not sure about physician education, but I seem to recall that the UK opened up college education to many more students, at the same time reducing support for them. I remember the UK brain drain back around 1970; college professors' salaries were less than those of US postdoctoral students, and funding for research was grossly inadequate. But that was fifty years ago, and the professor business here has gone way downhill since then.
DeleteBanks here have a long history of aggressively inducing medical students to take on crushing debt; that is reflected in their unwillingness to take on private practice. They need to make as much money as they can and that means group practice. (The increased overhead of dealing with various sorts of medical insurance have been a factor in the disappearance of private practices as well.)
DeleteYeah, lucky you, Bill. You have the option of Medicare PLAN C and PLAN F, which covers everything. But just a few months before our birthdates is the cutoff, so we aren't allowed same. The best we can do is Medicare PLAN G. And so we shall, AND pay PLAN B's premium in addition to the premium for PLAN G.
DeleteAt some point along the way, I started thinking of the Medigap lettering as "Parts" (because there's a PART D), and the Advantage plans as "Plans." I sure do wish it weren't so much like learning a new language. Nay, I simply wish we had Universal Health Care, like they have in Canada. Our dear friend Rod, there, never gets a bill at all. He just goes to the hospital or doctor as needed, and the government takes care of every bit of it. Imagine!
Anyway, it's nuts. We had to do a lot of research to figure out what we need and who offers the best deal for us. It helped that my SIL told me we'll have to reinvestigate PART D every year because the specific drugs covered changes each year. Oh joy. And how stupid. I dislike this whole process with every fiber of my being. Add to that, that I signed up for Social Security last week and had the impression that I only have until December 7th to get all this Medicare stuff in order. Turns out since it's our first time filing we aren't bound by the December 7th date. That was a relief, because it's not going to happen by then. We'll be lucky to have it all in place by the time Wil retires at the end of March. Stupid government slowness. Honestly, this doesn't have to be so dang comoplicated.
DeletePart D is no big deal for us, but we don't use any unusual or expensive medicines. Annual renewal couldn't be easier--open the letter, scan it, and toss it into the recycling bin. I don't know anything about A,B, F, or G. Quite pleased with Medicare Advantage through Kaiser, in no small part because it is a union shop. My union was active in the campaign to bring Kaiser to Fresno. When I had my cancer adventure Kaiser not only saved my life, but my quality of life except for a couple of trivial things.
DeleteI agree that universal heath care would be simple for everybody. Perhaps especially for doctors. Like Alan, Penny and I haven't found Part D a big deal. At one point my insurere decided not to cover one of my medications, but after a bit of checking I decided to switch to a similar medication, cheaper to begin with, rather than changing plans.
DeleteAnd, of course, we pay the premium for Part B as well as the supplement.
PLAN F pays the PART B premium.
DeleteKaiser isn't one of the options we have in Vermont. All of the Advantage plans here have high deductibles and we have decided we don't want that. That setup really bit us hard last year, when Wil needed surgery at the end of December.
As for Part D, we have discovered that Wil needs a different plan than I need, because he's on heart meds and I'm on a pricey anti-viral. I sure do hope that the new insurer allows me to continue with a particular brands, because it's the only one that doesn't give me headaches.
DeleteGood luck to both of you, listener; Miyoko and I started Medicare a couple of years apart, so that madae it easier. I realize Kaiser isn't available in Vermont, but just mentioned it as an example of a satisfactory Medicare Advantage plan. The other hospitals in our area are decidedly unsatisfactory IMO.
DeleteWhere voters and consumers lead on the climate crisis, businesses will have to follow [Click]
ReplyDeleteHow [Chinese companies are] using the semiconductor crisis to disrupt the auto industry [Click] The figures for legacy automaker business losses due to computer chip shortages are astounding.
DeleteYoungest (39) just got his booster shot. I'm concerned for him, as his reaction to the 2nd Pfizer shot was a trip to the ER fearing a heart attack and learning he got that heart inflammation issue some young men are getting. I'll feel better when he's safely through this!
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed out here.
DeleteThanks, Alan!
DeleteHmmm... what interesting timing... On the day Leahy announces he's not running...
ReplyDeleteGovernor Scott offers legislators a local mask mandate compromise
https://www.wcax.com/2021/11/15/source-gov-scott-offers-local-mask-mandate-compromise-lawmakers-towns/
Axios: Welch preparing to run for Senate [Click] And some other notes.
ReplyDelete“A national leader of the Proud Boys, a far-right group with a history of violence, asked a judge on Monday to release him from the D.C. jail and place him on home confinement, citing what he described as inhumane conditions in the facility,” the Washington Post reports. I don't suppose he's "breakin' rocks in the hot sun:" Bobby Fuller Four - I Fought The Law(1966) [Click] Probably has a TV, though.
ReplyDelete