CVille Dem's Blog

CVille Dem Commented on My Recent Bill for Lab Work by CVille Dem

2009-10-31T16:50:41Z

Ickyma, you'll be happy to hear that I almost always go to a small private pharmacy near me. They are sometimes slightly more expensive, but I really like them. When my son had Strep throat years ago, I drove him there with the Rx in my hand. We got there just as it was closing (the pharmacist was coming out the door with the keys in her hand). I told her what we needed and she went back in, filled the Rx and gave us each a candy while we were waiting. I have been a loyal customer ever since.

CVille Dem Commented on My Recent Bill for Lab Work by CVille Dem

2009-10-30T23:47:10Z

I am so glad that you are here to give the perspective of someone in the trenches -- it isn't only that I misunderstand the process -- the process is not understandable!

Ickyma, what is your solution to this? Do you make enough in mark-ups for Robitussin to cover the nightmares you describe above? I've heard that "supply and demand" should govern pricing. How about cost plus a reasonable profit? I mean, the supply and demand concept would mean that H1N1 vaccines would be unaffordable, since they are undersupplied. Cancer meds could be overcharged for because without them people would die. I think "supply and demand" should not apply to medical products. How much does it cost to provide it, and what is a reasonable mark-up?

It is obvious "cost plus" has nothing to do with the prices that show up on our bills. How can we regulate; how can we even identify fraud; how can we fairly charge for services when we have such a ridiculously absurd pricing system in place?

CVille Dem Commented on Small World by miguelitoh2o

2009-10-30T23:34:25Z

Beautiful, as always, Miguel. Tom Robins calls it "the interconnectedness of all things." You have to be open to it for it to happen, and you seem to be always ready to receive wonderous experiences (and then recount them so lyrically). Thanks for this.

CVille Dem recommended Small World by miguelitoh2o

2009-10-30T22:01:47Z

CVille Dem Commented on My first article by WWW

2009-10-30T23:21:34Z

You can go back and correct your title. I think you meant, "my fiRst article."

CVille Dem recommended Cheney Wanted McClellan To Exonerate Libby As Well As Rove by Zachary Roth

2009-10-30T22:16:37Z

CVille Dem Commented on My Recent Bill for Lab Work by CVille Dem

2009-10-30T23:06:49Z

Is there NO regulation as to mark-up for medications? This is ridiculous! Scratch that -- it is a crime!

CVille Dem recommended Sarah Palin calls boy, 5, an "arrogant bed-wetter" on her Facebook page by William K. Wolfrum

2009-10-30T12:58:02Z

CVille Dem Commented on Liz Cheney Suggests Obama Honored Fallen Soldiers For The Publicity by Evan McMorris-Santoro

2009-10-30T17:19:01Z

How dare you insult cows? They are stately, peaceful animals!

CVille Dem Commented on Reid's Office On Lieberman Campaigning For Republicans: We're Focused On Health Care by Eric Kleefeld

2009-10-30T16:54:54Z

Maybe he doesn't care because he's planning to run for President of Israel.

CVille Dem recommended The Guy who quit was right! by tlees2

2009-10-29T03:21:15Z

CVille Dem Commented on The economy is getting better.. by redneck

2009-10-29T23:33:36Z

Red, I was immediately drawn to your blog because I wanted to get your take on things. Sorry things still suck! I do have a feeling that things will start to look up, but not in the way they should. The disparity between the rich and everybody else is the same as in all failed societies. Maybe we can beat this mess. I don't know; but I hope things look up for you soon.

CVille Dem recommended The economy is getting better.. by redneck

2009-10-29T21:35:54Z

CVille Dem Commented on Conrad: House Health Care Bill Much Improved by Brian Beutler

2009-10-29T23:26:24Z

I have one word for Conrad AND Joe: @%#^$&%*^(_+!$@#@#%#^&##*#)__)(*^%@!!++))(*&^^!

Translation: We have your numbers, and you are both beneath contempt and are traitors to the cause! Open your eyes!

CVille Dem recommended BLACKMAIL, GENERALLY SPEAKING by Deanie Mills

2009-10-28T19:33:48Z

CVille Dem Commented on Where's the Pony? by TheraP

2009-10-29T17:22:46Z

For a moment I thought Fred had stolen your avatar!

CVille Dem Commented on Democrats Optimistic, Progressives Coming To Terms, On Health Care Bill by Brian Beutler

2009-10-29T16:40:33Z

James Clyburn IS Majority Whip, but he is NOT R-SC; last time I looked he was a Democrat. I know it's hard to believe anyone out of SC could be a Dem, but he is.

CVille Dem Commented on Where's the Pony? by TheraP

2009-10-29T15:12:20Z

This is great! Thanks, Thera - good to see you around here.

CVille Dem recommended Where's the Pony? by TheraP

2009-10-29T14:45:43Z

CVille Dem Commented on What I like about a long war in Afghanistan, or why America desperately needs a quaqmire by David Seaton

2009-10-29T00:25:25Z

Just don't fly away!

CVille Dem Commented on Credit Card Confetti: Priceless by kfreed

2009-10-29T00:23:59Z

Not only that, but credit card companies prey on people who aren't financially savvy. If you have a bill of as much as $3,000 your "minimum payment" could be as low as $70 a month! People who don't know any better don't realize they are barely covering the interest at that rate, and they will NEVER pay off the debt.

Minimum payments should be 25% so that people will realize that credit cards aren't there to help you live beyond your means; they are there to simplify purchases and reduce the amount of cash you have to carry around.

Well, actually credit cards have BECOME a way to live beyond your means, but they should not. Sometimes you need a credit card to finance a big expense that you want to carry over a longer period of time. That is fine as long as it is thought-out and planned. It has become a bottomless pit for too many, and it costs all of us; even those who have not succumbed to the credit companies' lures.

CVille Dem Commented on Pelosi was correct: C.I.A. lied by 1849

2009-10-29T00:14:09Z

You seem to be a very bitter little boy. Does your mother resemble Nancy Pelosi by any chance, and did she abuse you on a daily basis?