Presentation on Fox Valley Health Care

October 21, 2018

The Fox Valley HC Presentation 2.1 highlighted three key observations: Observation 1: Medical costs in the Fox Valley are unsustainable and unaffordable for many residents. Observation 2: Local healthcare systems lack transparency and are unaccountable. In our opinion, unelected “elites” serve their institutions rather the community at large. Observation 3: Local health care system and delivery … More Presentation on Fox Valley Health Care

Does Might Make Right?

October 8, 2018

In his August 5th column in the Appleton Post-Crescent, Christian Schneider argued that voters, similar to politicians, are “willing to say anything to realize their ambitions” and, in particular “to be in charge.” Schneider’s observation suggests that they believe that “might makes right.”  Yet the fundamental purpose of democracy is to ensure that the people’s … More Does Might Make Right?

Appleton…We Have a Health Care Problem

September 17, 2018

On October 16th, at 7 PM in the Wriston Auditorium at Lawrence University, I will present the Fox Valley Health Care Transformation Initiative which seeks to transform the organization, delivery, and financing of the medical systems in the Fox Valley to achieve the Triple Aim of lower cost, better health, and improved patient experience for the … More Appleton…We Have a Health Care Problem

Tariffs and Trade

September 14, 2018

On September 12, 2018, I presented my thoughts on tariffs and trade to the Golden K Kiwanis Club of Appleton.  The following link provides the slides for my presentation:  Tariffs and Trade  

Trade Deficits: A Poor Focus for Public Policy

August 6, 2018

On June 3, 2018, the Appleton Post-Crescent published the below guest column.  The hard-copy edition does not contain either the graphics or hyperlinks provided here. President Trump views trade deficits in goods (imports greater than exports) as bad for the US and claims policy should be directed at reducing the total of $811 billion excess … More Trade Deficits: A Poor Focus for Public Policy

Physician Workforce Composition Matters in Explaining Health Care Spending Differences From Those of Other High Income Countries

April 15, 2018

In a March 13, 2018 article in JAMA (2018;319(10):1024-1039), Papanicolas, Woskie, and Jha (PWJ) provide an in-depth description of “Health Care Spending in the United States and Other High-Income Countries.”  Through detailed comparisons of demographics, insurance system characteristics, workforce composition, service and pharmaceutical use, and specific indicators of access and health outcomes, the authors conclude … More Physician Workforce Composition Matters in Explaining Health Care Spending Differences From Those of Other High Income Countries

To Improve the Health of the Community

March 13, 2018

The Appleton Post-Crescent has invited me to be a guest columnist.  This means that I can submit a column roughly every three months.  My first contribution was published online Friday, March 9th and appears below. Nonprofit health care organizations, such as ThedaCare and Ascension, exist to serve their local communities. Their nonprofit status gives them … More To Improve the Health of the Community

Make America Mercantilist Again: 6 False Premises That Underpin New US Tariff Policy

March 11, 2018

In this blog posting, I make the argument that using tariffs to reduce trade deficits and increase domestic economic well-being will be counterproductive. Furthermore, the claims made by the President (and his Commerce Secretary) to support tariffs related to steel and aluminum imports are based on false premises. In a previous posting, I defined mercantilism … More Make America Mercantilist Again: 6 False Premises That Underpin New US Tariff Policy

Tax Reform Based on Shared Principles “trumps” One Based on Competing Interests

December 5, 2017

As T. R. Reid points out in his marvelous new book, A Fine Mess, fundamental tax reform in 2018 is due if we are to follow the major reform every 32 years established in the 20th Century (with such reforms in 1986, 1954, and 1922.)  The 1986 reform was exemplary in many ways; let me … More Tax Reform Based on Shared Principles “trumps” One Based on Competing Interests

How Should Wisconsin Respond To The New Opportunities To Expand Medicaid With Federal Funding?

August 24, 2017

Recently, I sent a letter to State Representative Amanda Stuck, a supporter of “BadgerCare for All”, indicating some ideas about how the state of Wisconsin, given its current political alignment, might reform its Medicaid program.  “Badger Care for All” proposes that any individual (independent of his or her income) could purchase a BadgerCare insurance option (Wisconsin’s Medicaid program) , and that … More How Should Wisconsin Respond To The New Opportunities To Expand Medicaid With Federal Funding?