Published with permission of the author, Alan Unell, PhD October 15th was the start of the Medicare sign up season. In honor of that we will discuss how insurance companies become wealthy at the expense of the taxpayers. Recall that Medicare Advantage IS NOT MEDICARE. It is private insurance. Physicians for a National Health Plan hasContinue reading “Medicare (Dis)Advantage – Billions Stolen from the U.S. Government”
Category Archives: Updates
Penobscot voters to consider universal health care referendum on Election Day
Originally published in the Castine Patriot, October 5, 2023 In addition to the eight state ballot questions this November, residents of Penobscot will have their own referendum to consider: “Shall the citizens of Penobscot call on the Maine Legislature to create a publicly funded healthcare plan that provides every Maine resident with comprehensive medical care?” Continue reading “Penobscot voters to consider universal health care referendum on Election Day”
Non Profit Hospitals – Not Really
by Alan Unell, Ph.D. We the people give businesses a huge break when we make them tax exempt. We make sure that they pay no federal or state corporate income taxes because they are involved in doing good for the public. The IRS has special rules regarding public good for hospitals. Here is a linkContinue reading “Non Profit Hospitals – Not Really”
Hot Mess Managing Insurance
by Alan Unell, Ph.D. Editor’s note: This Substack post is shared in its entirety, with permission of the author Alan Unell Ph.D. You can view the original post HERE. Featured photo by Owen Beard on Unsplash A recent news article in the Bloomberg News highlights a mess in the world of employer and union healthContinue reading “Hot Mess Managing Insurance”
Not Really Non Profit
A free public service for a better community Editor’s note: This substack post is shared in its entirety, with permission of the author Alan Unell Ph.D. You can view the original post HERE. Alan Unell Ph.D. Aug 21, 2023 Happy Monday Healthcare Advocates I appreciate all of you advocating for healthcare reform. When we raiseContinue reading “Not Really Non Profit”
Happy Birthday, Medicare!
On July 30, 1965, President Lyndon Johnson signed the bill that created Medicare and Medicaid. The original Medicare program included Part A (Hospital insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance). In 2003, the Congress made two big changes to the Medicare program, expanding coverage by creating a Prescription Drug Benefit and Medicare Advantage. However, the 2003Continue reading “Happy Birthday, Medicare!”
Improving Health Care in Maine: What Can We Do?
In February and March 2023, HealthCare for All Maine coordinated a series of six talks with Maine legislators: “Improving Health Care in Maine: What Can We Do?” This summary describes each of the talks, with links to the print materials that were distributed during the sessions. You may also view and download the full 31-pageContinue reading “Improving Health Care in Maine: What Can We Do?”
Health disparities: It’s where you live and what you do
On March 23rd, Dr. Caryl Heaton delivered the last in a series of six “lunch and learn” presentations for state legislators, on the topic “Improving Health Care in Maine: What Can We Do?” Dr. Heaton is a family physician with a special interest in health inequities. She presented her research and ideas for a systemContinue reading “Health disparities: It’s where you live and what you do”
The way forward, in twelve steps
On March 16th, Les Fossel, small businessman and former GOP state legislator, gave the fifth in a series of six talks for state legislators. Sponsored by HealthCare for All Maine, the series is focused on “Improving Health Care in Maine: What Can We Do?” Les proposed twelve possible steps to move Maine along the pathContinue reading “The way forward, in twelve steps”
Patients face barriers accessing health care, even with insurance
On March 2nd, Dr. Bill Clark, retired internist and chair of the Greater Brunswick Chapter of Maine AllCare, gave the fourth in a series of six talks for state legislators. Sponsored by HealthCare for All Maine, the series is focused on “Improving Health Care in Maine: What Can We Do?” Dr. Clark gave examples ofContinue reading “Patients face barriers accessing health care, even with insurance”
Healthcare for All Maine 