OlDawg

They're only there to surrender for the IRGC since they have more practice.

The numbers I've researched show that 40% of them are owned by hospital conglomerates, and are being used as low overhead practices to help the hospital system's profit margin. 35% are owned by major insurance companies like United Healthcare, etc. where care an be rationed and controlled. The rest are either private or private equity/corporation owned, and are just in it for the profit period. Last I read, they're saying certain markets are becoming saturated with them, and the profit margin is no longer feasible for opening new ones. That should tell us all we need to know about their real purpose, and care isn't it.

We are moving forward. Straight towards full-blown Socialism. Every time people want the Federal Government to do anything besides leave us alone, we get closer and closer.

Gotta' love the Frenchies. They'll move in as soon as it's safe.

That's a good one right there. I don't care who you are...lol

Again, no hospitals have been closed. This is conjecture and speculation at this time. How the States implement work requirements will have the biggest bearing on who remains on Medicaid. States control who is on Medicaid. My healthcare costs are directly affected because I'm forced to pay for Obamacare if I want medical insurance. Obama has EVERYTHING to do with it. I do agree that no Administration has fixed it yet. Obamacare was enacted in March 2010. I am a male. But, I'm forced to pay for birth control--as is my wife, who is well past child-bearing age--because the ACA plans must include it. My recommendation: Research. Become an educated voter. Or, become like me. Research, decide both sides are going to screw you over anyway, just don't vote, and figure out how best to deal with the crap. Do this while smiling, and maintaining a positive attitude of course. Personally, I'm positive we'll get screwed either way. That's my attitude.

Looking into the history of the cost increases in residential a/c units takes one back to 2016 and the Obama Administration. In 2016, Obama signed on to a Global Greenhouse Gas Treaty that required the phase-out of 410-A refrigerants. This change meant total redesign of all HVAC units to accept the new refrigerant which is considered mildly flammable. It required all new safety regulations, testing, and training as well. The regulation was hanging around while firms redesigned and retrained. Biden implemented the policy ahead of schedule to take effect in January 2025. It would be too late to void the new regulations now as every manufacturer has already changed their designs, training, and cities have updated their required safety codes, etc. We're stuck with it. No more units with the older refrigerants can be sold. Although, current units can be serviced as long as parts remain available. Obviously, prices will increase as part stock diminishes, and--eventually--repair parts will probably cease being manufactured. This is a perfect example of Federal Regulations costing the public major dollars that may never be recouped by the individual. The two Bills discussed in the above post are an attempt to keep the Feds from regulating any more of our home appliances by fiat.

I'd have to check the status of these Bills. Chances are--with all the other fighting--they're still sitting around somewhere. (EDIT: Congressional Record shows both Bills discussed have passed the House. It doesn't say where they're at in the Senate.) [Hidden Content]

Not sure where Zeldin sits on this issue. I know EPA has rolled back quite a bit. They did save many of our other appliances. Especially gas appliances. I'm not sure why they are forcing us to use a refrigerant that's a known flammable. Doesn't make much sense to me. But, not much in government regulations ever does...

You can thank Biden and the Greenies for the A/C price increase. [Hidden Content]

Name me one, single hospital in the article that Trump shut down. Name me one, single hospital that will definitely shut down in the future. From your article that you obviously didn’t read: How many hospitals close in the end depends heavily on how states implement work requirements: how broadly they define “medically frail,” how much automated data-matching they deploy and how accessible their reporting portals are. States that build administrative barriers will see more disenrollment, more uncompensated care and more hospitals pushed to the brink. My healthcare is the same, but a lot more expensive because of ACA and Obama. I’m still not using the birth control. You’re welcome for the rest.

Did you read your article, or just grab it for the headlines?

I don’t know who said it. But, if I’d had my druthers, I’d still be on the farm. My family went bankrupt twice farming which is why my dad moved us to the Texas Gulf coast area and he got a job at DuPont. After my Service all over the world, I came back, and also worked many years at the plants while getting my degrees. I didn’t finish my second degree until I was in my late 40’s, married, with a son. Personally, I think people learn a lot more, and become more self-reliant growing up in rural areas. I took my son to the country every chance I could. He learned how to do things he would never learn in a metro area. Yes. Medical is a challenge. As I said, it always has been. It’s not Trump Admin specific. That’s why my wife and I still live where we do. We’d love to live out a bit. But, medical care as we get older is more important. Especially so with her Parkinson’s Plus. I’ve done many things in my life. I’ve been blessed. One thing I know is—at 63–there’s still more things I don’t even know that I don’t know. But, I’ve experienced more than most, and I don’t fall for talking points and sound bites.

Why is living in a rural area a bad thing?

I was born and raised on a farm in Dalhart, TX. Look it up. My mother was born and raised in a one room 'house' with no running water or electricity in the Ozarks of Arkansas. I have travelled extensively to every state in the Union aside from Hawaii and Alaska. I'm well aware of rural areas. My comments are in no way selfish. Your comments are inaccurate, and are merely the old, tired, Dem talking points.

Kind of an off-the-wall question; but, is that a fly on his head? lol

I can think of two things off the top of my head that make your statements false. Deductions for seniors have been raised to the point that an estimated 90% of seniors will have no tax on their Social Security. The OBBBA includes a no tax on tips provision which will generally help lower wage service sector employees. Rural medical care has always been an issue. That’s why incentives have always been offered to medical professionals who are willing to work in rural settings. The lack of patients has made it difficult for them to pay for their liability insurance, receive competitive pay, and just have enough ‘business’ to make a living. There are complaints that people are having to drive 20 miles further for a doctor/hospital visit because of closures. News flash. That’s why it’s called ‘rural.’ People live there to be away from the congestion. Lack of abundant services within close distances is a trade-off that has to be made. If you want services within 5 minutes, move to a metro area. If you value a quieter lifestyle, you have to be willing to deal with inconveniences in other areas.

I was reading a story in the business pages yesterday about drones beginning to be used in rural hospital/doctor settings for testing, meds, and other things where timely results and needs were a big issue. Not sure how I feel about drones flying everywhere all the time with little regs and oversight right now. But, I could see them being a very big benefit in the rural medical settings. I’d think they could be a big lifesaver for things like transplant organs as well where time is critical.

La Porte will need to rebuild their lines. They have the skill players. Not sure if I'll attend Orange & White game as it will be missing some key players that are still in baseball playoffs, and the Area PO's are this week--same time as the Spring game. I’m cautiously optimistic they’ll have the lines rebuilt. I’d love to see the QB more involved in the O. He’s too skilled to just hand off with an occasional throw.

The public didn’t want anything cut, threw a hissy, and their representatives listened.

Say what you will, companies are fairing pretty well in the 1st Quarter. 84% have beaten their earnings estimates. [Hidden Content]

They receive multiple tax breaks & investment guarantees. No different than ‘green energy’ companies. Although, wind, solar, and biofuels receive more direct subsidies. Renewable energy accounts for about 67% of federal energy spending. [Hidden Content] I wouldn’t say it’s a wash. But, it’s not a hand out. They have to invest to receive the benefits. The government has always (for around 100 years at least) felt that energy security was national security. So, they provided investment ‘breaks’ to help stabilize the oil market and encourage investment. That’s one of the main reasons US energy companies are the technological envy of the world. The government helps them invest in new tech when the firms are willing to take a chance on very expensive projects by providing said tax breaks, technology grants, and other incentives.

Info on the energy sector so-called subsidies. May provide a different take. What Jon Stewart And Others Get Wrong About Big Oil Subsidies

Is Sangria Wine one of your top tunes? lol I can envision y'all doing a mean Jerry Jeff. Anybody can do a mean Jerry Jeff after enough Sangria wine. Even if they can't, no one cares.

I haven't quite figured her out yet. But, based on some of her recent posts, she should join the Libertarian Party. Right now, she's actually doing a lot of damage--unless you're one of those wishing for the U.S. to turn into a truly Socialist country. She's providing a lot of fodder. I may not like the current situation. In fact, I despise the Party system altogether. But, I sure don't want to see the U.S. turn full-blown Socialist, and I don't think many others on this site do either...even those who despise Trump. I wish people would quit being taken in by the 'You're wasting your vote if you don't vote D or R, so just pick the lesser of two evils" argument. If folks actually started voting for more Independents/Libertarians in Senate and House races, maybe we could break this vicious cycle of crap. Talarico is scaring the poo outta me right now. But, the R's have no one to blame but themselves.