The First Cabinet of Calaverde [NSG Senate]

[Atlanticatia]

We have a huge threat of climate change, and of environmental problems. Sometimes we can't allow "consumer choice". We may as well get things over with now - if we wait too long, then global temperatures rise and the actions we'll have to take to prevent further climate change will be much more economically damaging than banning fracking.

We are a tiny cove of 12 million. Our footprint is minuscule compared to the likes of America, China, India, etc. However, it is well to mention that even the notoriously liberal US has been one of the few countries to decrease their carbon footprint, even with the relative lack of environmental regulations.

Plus, all our neighbors are doing much worse in terms of climate change. *coughvenezuelacough*

If every country had that mentality (which many do), we'd make no progress. I know the US has recently pledged to reduce emissions. We have to do our fair share - even if we're a small country, we have a duty to play a role in fighting climate change. We can also use our green reputation to put pressure on other Latin American countries and encourage momentum in the movement. We can't just leave things up to the big polluters - the small ones make a difference, too.

[Collatis]

However, it is well to mention that even the notoriously liberal US has been one of the few countries to decrease their carbon footprint.

The US... notoriously liberal... HAHAHAHAHA
Oh wait, you are being sarcastic. Please tell me you are being sarcastic... Please?

[The Liberated Territories]

We are a tiny cove of 12 million. Our footprint is minuscule compared to the likes of America, China, India, etc. However, it is well to mention that even the notoriously liberal US has been one of the few countries to decrease their carbon footprint, even with the relative lack of environmental regulations.

Plus, all our neighbors are doing much worse in terms of climate change. *coughvenezuelacough*

So just because we don't contribute as much means we shouldn't help solve the greater problem?

Because our neighbors are worse, we are fine the way we are?

You're starting to sound like the wingnuts over in the PT, where is the sane TLT?

You are looking at him.

Another idea that relates to this is making a bill that expands property rights to natural resources that can be found under land. If there is any shale, for example, under some property owners land, it would be a major boom to whoever is lucky enough to be sitting under it (workers and residents, most likely) as well as provide an alternative means of restitution for allowing frackers to move in. The jobs created would be immense.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/news ... perty.html
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/11/06/1 ... alues.html

However it isn't as easy as "ban fracking and immediately adopt solarthermalgreen" energy either. Unless you are expecting the government to own the entire energy sector, if we ban fracking now, oil and coal companies will just take over and that could be even worse. What is better is incentivizing the market to make a smooth transition to cleaner alternative fuels by expanding our current definition of property and enforcing those rights through the court system. When more than just corporations have a stake in the energy market, it balances the power and suddenly gives them more of an incentive to play by the rules.

[The Liberated Territories]

However, it is well to mention that even the notoriously liberal US has been one of the few countries to decrease their carbon footprint.

The US... notoriously liberal... HAHAHAHAHA
Oh wait, you are being sarcastic. Please tell me you are being sarcastic... Please?

The US is liberal though. It guarantees freedom of the press, democracy, the rule of law, and a limited government.*

*may be a bit corrupt though.

[Collatis]

The US is liberal though. It guarantees freedom of the press, democracy, the rule of law, and a limited government.*

*may be a bit corrupt though.

I was thinking as in compared to the rest of the First World. Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, along with western, southern and northern Europe are all way more liberal than the US.

[The Liberated Territories]

The US is liberal though. It guarantees freedom of the press, democracy, the rule of law, and a limited government.*

*may be a bit corrupt though.

I was thinking as in compared to the rest of the First World. Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, along with western, southern and northern Europe are all way more liberal than the US.

How so? In some cases Japan, South Korea, and even France restrict free speech more than America. In America you can theoretically yell your heart out at the street corner (although depending on local laws may or not be arrested for something similar to disturbing the peace).

[Atlanticatia]

I was thinking as in compared to the rest of the First World. Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, along with western, southern and northern Europe are all way more liberal than the US.

How so? In some cases Japan, South Korea, and even France restrict free speech more than America. In America you can theoretically yell your heart out at the street corner (although depending on local laws may or not be arrested for something similar to disturbing the peace).

I think Collatis was referring to liberal meaning left-leaning/social liberal whilst you were referring to liberal meaning on civil liberties/market liberalism?

[Collatis]

I think Collatis was referring to liberal meaning left-leaning/social liberal whilst you were referring to liberal meaning on civil liberties/market liberalism?

Yeah, things often get confusing with all of the liberalism, neo-liberalism, classical liberalism, etc.

[The Liberated Territories]

How so? In some cases Japan, South Korea, and even France restrict free speech more than America. In America you can theoretically yell your heart out at the street corner (although depending on local laws may or not be arrested for something similar to disturbing the peace).

I think Collatis was referring to liberal meaning left-leaning/social liberal whilst you were referring to liberal meaning on civil liberties/market liberalism?

General liberalism. The liberalism that founded every modern nation. The general ideas of freedom of the press, freedom of speech, etc. etc.

[Geilinor]

However, it is well to mention that even the notoriously liberal US has been one of the few countries to decrease their carbon footprint.

The US... notoriously liberal... HAHAHAHAHA
Oh wait, you are being sarcastic. Please tell me you are being sarcastic... Please?

Canada and Australia are gutting their environmental regulations as we speak.

[Geilinor]

Now if frackers and offshore drillers were taxed to the amount of damage they do collectively to land and water, we could keep both. But nah.

I can't believe I agree with this, but I do. Tax them according to the environmental damage they cause.

[Gothmogs]

I think Collatis was referring to liberal meaning left-leaning/social liberal whilst you were referring to liberal meaning on civil liberties/market liberalism?

General liberalism. The liberalism that founded every modern nation. The general ideas of freedom of the press, freedom of speech, etc. etc.

According to this, France has a freer press than the US, although Japan and South Korea do loose out on that one. Also Finland for the win! Also I don't know how accurate this is, but it states that Japan has freer speech than the United States.

[Atlanticatia]

So Beta asked me awhile ago to draft a public health care bill, since the Health Minister is inactive. I wrote one up below.

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Universal Health Care Act

Author: Sen. Sebastián Luc Morales (Atlanticatia | DemLeft)
An act to provide health care to every Calaverdean that is free at the point of use, via a single-payer health care system.

Definitions

• minor - someone who is under the age of 18

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§ 1 - Eligbility for Health Care

a) All legal Calaverdean residents and citizens shall be entitled to free, comprehensive health care under 'National Health Insurance'.

i.) Calaverdean residents and citizens with a legal right to live in Calaverde for at least six months will be entitled to free, comprehensive health care under National Health Insurance.

b) Anyone who is planning to or is legally residing in Calaverde for at least 12 weeks, but is not entitled to free health care under §1.a shall be required to purchase private health insurance, approved by the National Health Authority, within 6 weeks of arriving in Calaverde, exclusive of time spent on a tourism visa.
c) Individuals who are not entitled under §1.a, and who are not a tourist, shall be entitled to free emergency care.

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§ 2 - Administrative Entities

a) The National Health Authority shall be established, as a public body apart of the Ministry of Health, tasked with the following duties:

i.) Choosing which medical services and drugs will be funded by the Ministry of Health, with accordance to the law.
ii.) Defining regulations for private health insurance.
iii.) Managing and distributing funds.
iv.) Setting rates of reimbursement and compensation for doctors and hospitals.
v.) Building public medical centres and hospitals.
vi.) Enrolling individuals in National Health Insurance.
vii.) Negotiating for prescription drug prices.
viii.) To act as a regulator and watchdog on private health insurance companies
ix.) Managing National Health Insurance

b) The National Health Authority shall be directed by the National Health Executive, which shall be an executive board:

i.) The Executive shall be comprised of 10 members, 9 appointed by the President, and 1 shall be elected.
ii.) The President shall appoint 5 members on the advice of the Minister of Health to the Executive.
iii.) The President shall appoint 4 certified medical doctors to the Executive, on the advice of the Minister of Health.
iv.) 1 member shall be elected once every 5 years by the Calaverdean public, by the means of a national election, to serve as the Citizen's Ombudsman. The Citizen's Ombudsman shall not be a member of a political party, and shall run on a non-partisan basis.

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§ 3 - Medical Services

a) National Health Insurance shall cover the following services:

i.) Emergency medical treatment
ii.) Preventative medical services
iii.) Sexual health services, including birth control and abortion services
iv.) Comprehensive vision care for minors
vi.) Comprehensive dental care for minors
vii.) Comprehensive dental care for adults
viii.) Comprehensive vision care for adults
ix.) Mental health services
x.) Drug and alcohol rehabilitation
xi.) Prescription drugs
xii.) Medically necessary dermatology services and plastic surgery
xiii.) Cancer treatment
xiv.) Medically necessary hospital treatment, inpatient and outpatient
xv.) General practitioner and specialist treatment
xvi.) All maternity services
xvii.) Palliative care
xviii.) Old age care and home services
xix.) Ambulance transport
xx.) Medically necessary vaccinations

b) User fees shall not be charged.

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§ 4 - Medical Card

a) All individuals who are covered under §1.a shall be entitled to a Medical Card, which will provide them access to National Health Insurance subsidized medical services. Medical Cards must be presented and swiped when accessing subsidized health services.
b) Medical Cards will be electronic and connected to an online database, where a record of individual's medical services will be stored for use by doctors and the National Health Authority, for the purposes of reimbursement to doctors and hospitals.
c) Doctors and hospitals must have an individual's medical card data to claim reimbursement for services used.
d) Every individual shall have a 'National Health Insurance number' attached to their Medical Card, to be decided by the National Health Authority.

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§ 5 - Low Income Health Card

a) Individuals with a gross income of less than $8,000($16,000 for couples living together), and individuals receiving a means-tested social assistance benefit, will be entitled to a Low Income Health Card.
b) The Low Income Health Card shall entitle individuals to subsidies for:

i.) Transport to a hospital or medical centre they have been referred to, that is more than 40km from their place of residence
ii.) Medically necessary home help

[Geilinor]

General liberalism. The liberalism that founded every modern nation. The general ideas of freedom of the press, freedom of speech, etc. etc.

According to this, France has a freer press than the US, although Japan and South Korea do loose out on that one. Also Finland for the win! Also I don't know how accurate this is, but it states that Japan has freer speech than the United States.

Japan beats the US by only one spot, so debatable.

[Atlanticatia]

General liberalism. The liberalism that founded every modern nation. The general ideas of freedom of the press, freedom of speech, etc. etc.

According to this, France has a freer press than the US, although Japan and South Korea do loose out on that one. Also Finland for the win! Also I don't know how accurate this is, but it states that Japan has freer speech than the United States.

The US is actually ranked #46 in press freedom. Heh.

That's actually really, really bad. The only thing I can think of that the US doesn't restrict compared to other countries is hate speech.

[Heraklea-]

§1.a: Why aren't we also guaranteeing for all citizens, regardless of their residency?
§1.a.ii: Why the block on international students? For that matter, how are international students defined?
§2.b: Reasoning on the NHE composition?
§3.a: Why no full coverage of dental and vision?

[Battlion]

§1.a: Why aren't we also guaranteeing for all citizens, regardless of their residency?
§1.a.ii: Why the block on international students? For that matter, how are international students defined?
§2.b: Reasoning on the NHE composition?
§3.a: Why no full coverage of dental and vision?

I share all the above sentiments.

[Atlanticatia]

§1.a: Why aren't we also guaranteeing for all citizens, regardless of their residency?
§1.a.ii: Why the block on international students? For that matter, how are international students defined?
§2.b: Reasoning on the NHE composition?
§3.a: Why no full coverage of dental and vision?

§1.a: Oh yeah, I'll clarify that to ensure it includes citizens who live abroad.
§1.a.ii: To save a bit of money as they're just studying and not really planning to reside permanently. However I can change this to include them if there's support for it, particularly from Beta.
§2.b: To provide a balance of civil servants, medical professionals, as well as a voice for citizens.
§3.a: It covers medically necessary services. Although I can certainly make it comprehensive for adults if there is support from Beta.

I just don't want to make costs too high so I made a few small exclusions, but I can certainly change it. I'd actually like to expand services to include everyone and be more generous, but I figured I'd try to make it not too expensive

[Heraklea-]

So, pressure Beta to make necessary changes got it.

As for the NHE, I would think it would be better served by being a majority medical professionals and only a handful of civil servants/vox populis.

[Atlanticatia]

So, pressure Beta to make necessary changes got it.

As for the NHE, I would think it would be better served by being a majority medical professionals and only a handful of civil servants/vox populis.

I think the current composition is fine, considering the NHE will have a large role as far as administering NHI, paying reimbursements to doctors, enrolling people, distributing medical cards, etc so it does require a sizable civil service segment.

[Heraklea-]

So, pressure Beta to make necessary changes got it.

As for the NHE, I would think it would be better served by being a majority medical professionals and only a handful of civil servants/vox populis.

I think the current composition is fine, considering the NHE will have a large role as far as administering NHI, paying reimbursements to doctors, enrolling people, distributing medical cards, etc so it does require a sizable civil service segment.

Sure, but this is an organization dedicated to health. The top controlling group should be primarily medical professionals.

[Beta Test]

We should expand dental and vision coverage.

[Lykens]

I think the current composition is fine, considering the NHE will have a large role as far as administering NHI, paying reimbursements to doctors, enrolling people, distributing medical cards, etc so it does require a sizable civil service segment.

Sure, but this is an organization dedicated to health. The top controlling group should be primarily medical professionals.

I understand where you're coming from, but medical professionals aren't always the best administrators.

[Atlanticatia]

I think the current composition is fine, considering the NHE will have a large role as far as administering NHI, paying reimbursements to doctors, enrolling people, distributing medical cards, etc so it does require a sizable civil service segment.

Sure, but this is an organization dedicated to health. The top controlling group should be primarily medical professionals.

A lot of it is more to do with administration though, rather than choosing medicines, etc.

Perhaps we could shift it to 5 medical professionals and 4 civil servants? That way there'd be a majority of medical professionals, without significantly reducing the civil servants.

[Heraklea-]

Looking at the NHE's duties, it isn't to act as an administrative body but to set policy. An administrator subordinate to the NHE should be tasked with those responsibilities and policy be primarily left to medical professionals.