How to Fix America's Health Insurance Crisis: GET SOME

Although this video is somewhat dated (since it makes passing reference to the health care reform proposals of the 2008 presidential candidates), it provocatively illustrates why a nontrivial proportion of the nearly 47 million Americans who lack health insurance may be “voluntarily” uninsured.  Indeed, a recently released study by the Employment Policies Institute puts the number of uninsured Americans ages 18-64 who could likely afford health coverage at roughly 18 million people.  This video provides some anecdotes as to why this occurs.

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How to Fix America’s Health Insurance Crisis: GET SOME

Although this video is somewhat dated (since it makes passing reference to the health care reform proposals of the 2008 presidential candidates), it provocatively illustrates why a nontrivial proportion of the nearly 47 million Americans who lack health insurance may be “voluntarily” uninsured.  Indeed, a recently released study by the Employment Policies Institute puts the number of uninsured Americans ages 18-64 who could likely afford health coverage at roughly 18 million people.  This video provides some anecdotes as to why this occurs.

Assorted Links (8/31/2009)

Here’s a list of articles that I have been reading today (organized by topic):

Economics

Professor Mulligan notes, “This article explains how NY schools are required to hire from a pool of senior teachers who must be paid more than entry level teachers. In effect, schools are required to pay more than the market clearing wage. The result: teachers are unemployed and classes go without teachers.”

  • An Echo Chamber of Boom and Bust, by Robert Shiller

New York Times: “How a worldwide “social epidemic” of ideas is supporting renewed confidence in the economy.”

Energy Policy

  • Why Oil Still Has a Future, by Daniel Yergin

Wall Street Journal: “The Obama administration is using its brass knuckles to support Latin American thugs.”

Foreign Policy

  • Obama vs. Honduran Democracy, by Mary Anastasia O’Grady

Wall Street Journal: “Demand in the developing world trumps new technology.”

Health Care Reform

  • Sorting Fact From Fiction on Health Care, by Jerome Groopman and Pamela Hartzband
  • Wall Street Journal: “Current congressional proposals would significantly change your relationship with your doctor.”

  • Who should decide whether additional medical care is worth the cost? (part 2), by Keith Hennessey (Click here for part 1).