John Stossel brought up an interesting perspective the other day. He pointed out that making insurance companies pay more is not the answer to the healthcare crisis. The problem is that we people have no stake in driving down the price of healthcare because it is free.
For comparison, he brings up that the cost of Lasik surgery has been driving down for years. Why? Because its not covered by health insurance. Make sense to me!
I started thinking that we treat our home and car insurance in kind of the same way. When something goes wrong with our plumbing or heating, we can a repairman, shop around for the best deal and go with one that meets all our needs. We don't call the insurance company! Imagine how much a plumbing or HVAC repair would cost if it was paid for by insurance? But if a tree falls on your house or something major happens, that is what insurance is for!
Similarly for your car. You don't charge tires, oil changes, and brake jobs to your car insurance provider. Insurance covers you in case of theft, accidents, etc.
Imagine if we applied that same kind of logic to health insurance. We'd shop around for the best prices on basic "personal" maintenance and minor repairs. Of course if we get cancer or some serious diagnosis then that is what insurance is for. That would save all of us money and make our system better because there would be price competition.
Of course the problem isn't this simple but this is the kind of mindset that would help. We need people to take responsibility for their own "maintenance" and basic upkeep. Insurance should be for unexpected, major, or catastrophic events.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Best product writeup ever?
BonkTown.com: Shimano America Dura-Ace Hollowtech Double Crankset - $223.99 - 53% off: "Shimano America Dura-Ace Hollowtech Double Crankset:
Mmm…sexy sexy. The Shimano Dura-Ace Hollowtech II Double Crankset is stiffer than a frozen boner, flashier than Liberace, and lighter and hotter than a pair of titanium panties. The sleek two-piece design, oversized spindle and hollow-forged crankarms trim every last gram of fat while simultaneously boosting system rigidity. Near-seamless construction means unmatched power transmission to the custom machine-lightened Dura-Ace chainrings, pickle-crisp shifting, and a lust factor that will parch the salivary glands of your comrades."
Mmm…sexy sexy. The Shimano Dura-Ace Hollowtech II Double Crankset is stiffer than a frozen boner, flashier than Liberace, and lighter and hotter than a pair of titanium panties. The sleek two-piece design, oversized spindle and hollow-forged crankarms trim every last gram of fat while simultaneously boosting system rigidity. Near-seamless construction means unmatched power transmission to the custom machine-lightened Dura-Ace chainrings, pickle-crisp shifting, and a lust factor that will parch the salivary glands of your comrades."
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Catching Up Today
OK, well yesterday.
Yesterday morning we were shocked to hear the pitter patter of little feet coming down the hall at around 8 am. You see Caroline woke up (again) during the middle of the night and Elizabeth put her in John's bed (since John was at a friend's house.) Caroline normally sleeps in a crib. She apparently woke up and realized she wasn't in prison and was able to slide to the floor upright. It seems like a small thing but it was definitely a milestone!
My email box this morning contained my long anticipated invite to Google Voice. I just finished setting up my new number, 704-759-6140, and can't wait to figure out how to use it. The VM transcription looks pretty cool!
On the personal side, its Tuesday and its been since Saturday afternoon that I last did any exercise. Granted that was the finish of a 140 mile bike ride that wore me out! I also did yard work for about 6 hours in the 92 degree heat on Sunday. So I guess I've actually only slacked off yesterday and today....and its only 9:20 on Tuesday. Perhaps I'm being too hard on myself. I'll get out and do something in the afternoon!
Yesterday morning we were shocked to hear the pitter patter of little feet coming down the hall at around 8 am. You see Caroline woke up (again) during the middle of the night and Elizabeth put her in John's bed (since John was at a friend's house.) Caroline normally sleeps in a crib. She apparently woke up and realized she wasn't in prison and was able to slide to the floor upright. It seems like a small thing but it was definitely a milestone!
My email box this morning contained my long anticipated invite to Google Voice. I just finished setting up my new number, 704-759-6140, and can't wait to figure out how to use it. The VM transcription looks pretty cool!
On the personal side, its Tuesday and its been since Saturday afternoon that I last did any exercise. Granted that was the finish of a 140 mile bike ride that wore me out! I also did yard work for about 6 hours in the 92 degree heat on Sunday. So I guess I've actually only slacked off yesterday and today....and its only 9:20 on Tuesday. Perhaps I'm being too hard on myself. I'll get out and do something in the afternoon!
Monday, July 06, 2009
Monday....Yuck
Well, this is about day 5 of our P90X commitment. I hesitated and almost wrote "experiment" instead. But that sounded too indecisive and uncommitted. Today's video was "legs and back" and it was a killer. I rode 17 miles on my road bike right before the workout so that may have contributed to my weakness. I only got through about 40 minutes of the video before I was getting light-headed. That recovery/protein shake never tasted so good.
It's been an adventuresome past few weeks. I've been riding my new Trek Madone 5.2 road bike every other day which has been awesome. It feels great to get back out on it. I miss doing group rides but it will be awhile before I can hang with one and work it into my schedule.
I'm also on about the 4th week of my wealth building mentorship program with Donald Dy. So far we've restructured my debt and are now working on my strategic plan for the next 10, 5, 4, 3, and 1 years. This all very exciting.
Family wise, we went on a beach vacation for 4 nights/5 days to North Myrtle Beach a few weeks ago. We stayed at the Avista Resort which was pretty much perfect for our situation. There was plenty to do at the resort and the area around was OK. We did mini golf one day and everyone got a little sunburned. Caroline had a wonderful time in the sand and surf.
Speaking of Caroline, she is now 2 yrs and almost 3 months old. I continue to be amazed at her energy and her speaking ability. She speaks in complete sentences and is able to give commands, tell what she wants and doesn't want, and generally speak her mind at all times. Except when we want her to speak, like on the phone with Grandma or to other people. She has those shy tendencies that I remember from my own childhood.
Yesterday she rode her first carousel. It was in the center court of Concord Mills Mall. She was enthusiastic about doing it...as long as I was going with her. Actually, she agreed to accompany me. However, she protested against actually sitting on the horse and being belted on. Once the ride started and she was able to see Mommy go by, she got into it. She even started singing "up and up" remembering her ride on a real horse (named Rugby) from a few weeks ago. We rode it one more time and this time she did even better. Another fear conquered.
Now if we could just get her to sleep all night. Last night she woke up and said "I scared" for the first time. Heartbreaking to know that she's not only dreaming but entering the age of nightmares.
It's been an adventuresome past few weeks. I've been riding my new Trek Madone 5.2 road bike every other day which has been awesome. It feels great to get back out on it. I miss doing group rides but it will be awhile before I can hang with one and work it into my schedule.
I'm also on about the 4th week of my wealth building mentorship program with Donald Dy. So far we've restructured my debt and are now working on my strategic plan for the next 10, 5, 4, 3, and 1 years. This all very exciting.
Family wise, we went on a beach vacation for 4 nights/5 days to North Myrtle Beach a few weeks ago. We stayed at the Avista Resort which was pretty much perfect for our situation. There was plenty to do at the resort and the area around was OK. We did mini golf one day and everyone got a little sunburned. Caroline had a wonderful time in the sand and surf.
Speaking of Caroline, she is now 2 yrs and almost 3 months old. I continue to be amazed at her energy and her speaking ability. She speaks in complete sentences and is able to give commands, tell what she wants and doesn't want, and generally speak her mind at all times. Except when we want her to speak, like on the phone with Grandma or to other people. She has those shy tendencies that I remember from my own childhood.
Yesterday she rode her first carousel. It was in the center court of Concord Mills Mall. She was enthusiastic about doing it...as long as I was going with her. Actually, she agreed to accompany me. However, she protested against actually sitting on the horse and being belted on. Once the ride started and she was able to see Mommy go by, she got into it. She even started singing "up and up" remembering her ride on a real horse (named Rugby) from a few weeks ago. We rode it one more time and this time she did even better. Another fear conquered.
Now if we could just get her to sleep all night. Last night she woke up and said "I scared" for the first time. Heartbreaking to know that she's not only dreaming but entering the age of nightmares.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
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