Books and Articles worth a Review… 

In Case You’re Interested – For those who have been following the issue, the  January 6^th Select Committee Final Report is now out and available. It runs 845 pages so it’s rather detailed. However, the “Executive Summary” only extends from page 1 – 194 so the read is a bit shorter for those of us with shorter attention spans. It’s rather detailed and precise. It’s also very, very disconcerting!

Michael Kiel Cash – This is plain and simple unabashed advertising. Our son – Michael Kiel Cash – is a professional musician and has compiled his first album that he produced, managed, wrote and sang. He’s been referred to as the “Cosmic Cowboy.” The words of the songs are poetic and meaningful. You can check it out on Spotify by using the hyperlink. We get nothing. He gets some recognition.

North Dakota Humor – As many of my readers know, I’m from North Dakota. Although I’m from Bismarck & Grand Forks, here is some Fargo Humor that I wanted to offer up. Perhaps you have to be from North Dakota to appreciate it but, I laughed and laughed 😊. It’s worth a check…

Books and Articles worth a Review… 

Map of the Universe = WOW!! – I must admit, I’m totally enthralled with the findings of the Webb Telescope. It is altering our entire notion of what we (i.e. humans) are and what we represent. It’s outside of the health care sphere but it’s probably fostering an understanding of one of the most important elements of the universe – and, our position within it! If you don’t believe me, check it out at: The Map of the Universe.

Books and Articles worth a Review…

 Making Comparisons – In a recent article from American Journal of Managed Care [2022;28(12)] the   authors[1] describe how Medicare Advantage is becoming the dominant form of Medicare coverage throughout the USA but, that “meaningful and accurate comparison with traditional fee-for-service (FFS) Medicare” is often not available to both beneficiaries and policy makers. The authors call for an improvement in the “transparency of programmatic costs and benefits to promote beneficiary choice.” The need for the comparisons is clear. Medicare came about nearly 50 years ago in 1965 as an entitlement benefit for the elderly. The articles notes that at the time of Medicare’s passage by Congress the average life expectancy was 70.2 years. Now, it is 78.7 years with more than 64 million Americans receiving benefits. But, rather than a simple Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) program, there is now a more value-based care delivery option, or Medicare Advantage (MA) designed to foster and support preventive services as a focus of the program. I can personally speak to the dilemma of many elder Americans in trying to understand the variable framework, options and approach to services not only with traditional Medicare but also the various Medicare Advantage options. On the whole, the authors raise a very important point – one that should be highlighted by health care professionals across the board.

A Repeat Thought – If you haven’t yet purchased your copy of Ray Dalio’s The Changing World Order, it is a MUST READ for all of us!! If you are traveling, the Audible version is also very good although having the book allows you to review the PDFs and graphics that are part of his thesis.

[1] Brian J. Miller, MD, MBA, MPH, Stephen T. Parente, PhD, MPH, MS, Gail R. Wilensky, PhD

Books and Articles worth a Review…

Disturbing and Sad – Check out this online interview of 20 somethings on a beach from someplace warm (most likely not Maine) that was sent to me by a colleague. It’s disturbing on one level but incredibly sad on another. If we don’t know the basics of where, how and why our nation came to be – how can we expect people to understand the more complicated elements of our society like what, where and for whom? The consideration is whether or not these are simply selected outtakes from multiple other interviews – a common approach used by comedians on late night. Despite that caveat, it’s still a bit disconcerting that these interviewees actually seem to have it made through our nation’s educational system with barely adequate knowledge of the country that provides sustenance as a base of operation and culture for their lives. BTW, if any of my readers come across items that you think I need to consider for inclusion in future editions, please feel free to forward them. I do read my incoming emails. Thanks…

The Supreme Debate – There are any number of recent articles and opinion pieces on the state of the U.S. Supreme Court. There are two that deserve your attention. The first is a report from the Commission on the Supreme Court that was established in the early days of Biden Administration and whose report was released in late 2021 by The White House. We need to look at the recommendations and consider them. The second is an opinion piece by Ezra Pound in The New York Times on July 10, 2022 with a slightly different perspective…