Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Lizzie Tudor who wrote (13024)	10/19/2003 2:47:54 PM
From: LindyBill	Respond to of 793696

Of course there are all these horror stories about Kaiser but I'll bet most are urban myths. I combined Medicare with Kaiser here in the Islands. Been with them a year and I am very satisfied. I pay $55 a month for part B medicare, and my Kaiser is $82 a month. $10 a visit, and discount on drugs. The doctors are excellent, with no long waits. But that is hard to compare unless you are an old fart like me.

To: Lizzie Tudor who wrote (13024)	10/19/2003 3:15:52 PM
From: LindyBill	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 793696

I am a movie buff, and have been following the Oscar reforms with interest. A major move was the decision to stop CD distribution of the Films under consideration. From a critic's Blog. Ya gotta love his title. ________________________________________ LA Crix Nix Pix Prix Even a sleeping dog can bite now and then. The Los Angeles Film Critics Association, of which yours truly is a member, voted Saturday to cancel its awards for 2003. The cause was the Motion Picture Association of America’s decision to ban screeners (video and DVD editions of the year’s film releases) from distribution to voters in the Motion Picture Academy and the various critics organizations which award annual prizes. While no critic would dispute the right of a filmmaker to withhold his or her film from such distribution, the problem is that the major studios are using their muscle to make it a blanket prohibition. Independent films, which can only muster a few play dates even when they are commercially successful, can’t come close to matching the reach of even mid-range studio features, which puts them at a severe disadvantage. This disadvantage appears terribly convenient for the majors, so much so that the executives at the divisions of the majors which handle independent, foreign, and other specialty features (Fox Searchlight, Paramount Classics, Sony Classics, Miramax, and so forth) have raised their voices in loud protest. The L.A. critics don’t like being manipulated into a corner by this policy. Of course it would be best to see every movie on the big screen. But in the years since screeners have become common, the number of films released per year has increased by 33%. You just can’t see everything. Moreover, as the year draws to an end, critics like to go over films from earlier in the year for second or even third viewings, especially when considering categories such as best score, production design, and certainly the two supporting actor slots. The cancellation is contingent on the MPAA’s rescinding the screener policy. If it goes, the cancellation goes. But the crucial word is “rescind.” Not alter or modify. Rescind. henrysheehan.com

To: Lizzie Tudor who wrote (13024)	10/19/2003 3:27:42 PM
From: greenspirit	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 793696

The point is that paying for synthroid here, costs somebody somewhere $47 bucks for me and I can get it in Bolivia (yes I bought synthroid in Bolivia) for a fraction of that price. I can get it in Canada for less than half etc. This is a sort of looting of the US citizens and there is no reason for it imho. Lizzy, what's the exchange rate for Bolivia and Canada? Most of the difference in price can probably be attributed to the currency value. The price of goods and services is a reflection of a nations wealth and the ability of its consumers to pay. Are we also getting ripped off because Chinese citizens pay $25.00 for Microsoft's latest OS? The prescription drug industry is no different than any other industry. They offset the costs of R&D and extract as much profits as they can from the places on earth which can afford it the most. America happens to be one of those places. Price is a reflection of that free market model. Of course, government intervention in America's health care industry has altered this model, in some cases quite dramatically. However, that's a reaction to and not a cause of.... If you really want to see prices out of wack with market forces. Try buying a decent coat in Italy. What Wall Mart sells for $30.00 costs over a hundred euro's here! It's cheaper to use the net and pay the shipping costs.

To: Lizzie Tudor who wrote (13024)	10/19/2003 3:38:36 PM
From: Neeka	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 793696

Yes, it is a serious subject, and I have to agree that as an American I'm a bit perplexed as to why we have to subsidize the rest of the world's drugs. If I ever find myself or my family in need of expensive drugs in order to survive, I will be the first one to look outside our borders for competitive pricing. We belong to a small business group plan through Regence/Blue Shield. And although we do have prescription drug benefits through this plan we don't have any dental or vision. We also saw our monthly health payment nearly double this year from the year before. I'm talking close $1000.00. I still like KLP's solution the best. Offer all Americans the same affordable choices that our esteemed congressmen and other elected officials have for their health coverage..........then we'd be talking fair. M