MAGAThread XVII: All Things NOT Impeachment

[The Rich Port]

My point is that believing scientists is bad. And people ought not do this thing.

I'm sigging this because it's just too perfect.

It could use some context that he'd believe a mediocre businessman over scientists and the science that they make, but eh, sure

[The Black Forrest]

In the context of Democrats believing scientists and Republicans believing what Trump says.

Unless you are going to say Trump isn't a person I'm not sure what your point is.

My point is that believing scientists is bad. And people ought not do this thing.

Why do you hate Jonas Salk?

[Evil Dictators Happyland]

I'm sigging this because it's just too perfect.

It could use some context that he'd believe a mediocre businessman over scientists and the science that they make, but eh, sure

It's Telconi so that's a given, but you're right in that not everybody knows who Telconi is.

[Fartsniffage]

My point is that believing scientists is bad. And people ought not do this thing.

Why do you hate Jonas Salk?

He gave away billions of dollars and that's just plain un-American.

[Galloism]

And, notably, we're having severe problems on this front. Many many studies that pass peer review can't be reproduced, but are sold as fact anyway.

This is a problem with the culture of science publications, not a problem with how scientists do their business.

The correct data is there and is often revealed during meta-studies.

Which, of course, means you should take the word of "scientists" with a healthy dose of skepticism until such reproduction occurs.

The problem is of course confirmation bias. If you have studies with erroneous results, and you're a believer, well it's the scientific method it will be corrected eventually. If you're a skeptic, then it's further proof of the corruption.

In truth, there's a healthy bit of both.

(There's also a factor that the news media at large publishes studies which are debunked - or jerry rigged definitions to the point of being utterly false - uncritically, and has for decades, even after they've been disproven over and over again. IE, the rape studies I've linked to in the past that totes women never or almost never commit rape. This is still preached uncritically despite study after study after study and survey after survey after survey revealing it to be complete and utter BS.)

(No, we will not discuss that in the MAGAThread. If you want to discuss it, you know where.)

[Eahland]

I have an...interesting question...How do you imprison a former president?

Sounds like only under a dictatorship. Ill try to think of a better reason. If I do I will quote you again Neutraligion.

Sorry, dude, it's the other way around. When you can't imprison a criminal head of state, that's a dictatorship.

[The Rich Port]

Sounds like only under a dictatorship. Ill try to think of a better reason. If I do I will quote you again Neutraligion.

Sorry, dude, it's the other way around. When you can't imprison a criminal head of state, that's a dictatorship.

Fidel Castro, the longest-ruling head of state? Who's that?

Heck of a Miami guy he is. smh.

[The Greater Ohio Valley]

In a rare broken clock moment for Trump, he has announced a rule that will require hospitals to disclose the rates they privately negotiate with insurers.

(CNN)In a historic move, President Donald Trump announced Friday that hospitals will be required to disclose the rates they privately negotiate with insurers.

Part of a larger transparency push aimed at reducing health care costs, the controversial requirement has already raised the ire of the powerful industry. Four hospital groups quickly promised to file a legal challenge, arguing the rule exceeds the administration's authority.
The rule is the latest in a series of steps the administration has taken to show what Trump is doing to lower health care costs -- a key concern among Americans and one of his main promises as he heads into the 2020 campaign.
Under the final rule, which stems from an executive order Trump issued this summer, hospitals will have to make public by 2021 the rates they negotiate with insurers and the amounts they are willing to accept in cash for an item or service. In addition, they must provide this information in an online, searchable way for 300 common services, such as X-rays, outpatient visits, Cesarean deliveries and lab tests.
Hospitals that don't comply will face a civil penalty of up to $300 a day.
Also, the administration released a proposed rule that would require insurers to provide consumers with estimates of their out-of-pocket costs for all health care services through an online tool. Carriers would have to disclose their negotiated rates for in-network providers as well as the allowed amounts paid for out-of-network providers. This proposal was prompted by feedback that consumers are more interested in what they are on the hook for based on their insurance plans' deductibles and copays or coinsurance.
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said this announcement may be "a more significant improvement to American health care markets than any other single thing the Trump administration has done."
"American patients have been at the mercy of a shadowy system with little access to the information they need to make decisions about their own care," Azar said. "This shadowy system has to change."
The secretary added that he believes the changes will survive any legal challenges from hospitals.
Negotiated rates are closely guarded secrets, though they are eventually revealed to patients when they receive explanations of benefits from their insurers. That information should be available before the person receives care, administration officials say.
The administration argues that increasing price transparency will lead to a more competitive marketplace.
Some health policy experts, however, say the rule will not help many consumers because people typically don't shop for medical services. The industry argues that it could make prices rise since the players will know what deals their rivals negotiated.
"Unfortunately, the rules the administration released today will not help consumers better understand what health services will cost them and may not advance the broader goal of lowering health care costs," said Scott Serota, chief executive of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
Several of the President's other efforts to reduce health care costs have been thwarted, including requiring drug makers to post their list prices in television ads. A district judge nixed that rule over the summer.

[The Rich Port]

I have the distinct impression that Trump doesn't know what the fuck he just did

Taking bets on him changing his mind. 10:1 he does.

[Farnhamia]

I have the distinct impression that Trump doesn't know what the fuck he just did

Taking bets on him changing his mind. 10:1 he does.

Some spokespeople from the hospitals will visit him at the White House or Mar-a-Lago and hey, presto! He'll change his mind.

[Antityranicals]

In a rare broken clock moment for Trump, he has announced a rule that will require hospitals to disclose the rates they privately negotiate with insurers.

(CNN)In a historic move, President Donald Trump announced Friday that hospitals will be required to disclose the rates they privately negotiate with insurers.

Part of a larger transparency push aimed at reducing health care costs, the controversial requirement has already raised the ire of the powerful industry. Four hospital groups quickly promised to file a legal challenge, arguing the rule exceeds the administration's authority.
The rule is the latest in a series of steps the administration has taken to show what Trump is doing to lower health care costs -- a key concern among Americans and one of his main promises as he heads into the 2020 campaign.
Under the final rule, which stems from an executive order Trump issued this summer, hospitals will have to make public by 2021 the rates they negotiate with insurers and the amounts they are willing to accept in cash for an item or service. In addition, they must provide this information in an online, searchable way for 300 common services, such as X-rays, outpatient visits, Cesarean deliveries and lab tests.
Hospitals that don't comply will face a civil penalty of up to $300 a day.
Also, the administration released a proposed rule that would require insurers to provide consumers with estimates of their out-of-pocket costs for all health care services through an online tool. Carriers would have to disclose their negotiated rates for in-network providers as well as the allowed amounts paid for out-of-network providers. This proposal was prompted by feedback that consumers are more interested in what they are on the hook for based on their insurance plans' deductibles and copays or coinsurance.
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said this announcement may be "a more significant improvement to American health care markets than any other single thing the Trump administration has done."
"American patients have been at the mercy of a shadowy system with little access to the information they need to make decisions about their own care," Azar said. "This shadowy system has to change."
The secretary added that he believes the changes will survive any legal challenges from hospitals.
Negotiated rates are closely guarded secrets, though they are eventually revealed to patients when they receive explanations of benefits from their insurers. That information should be available before the person receives care, administration officials say.
The administration argues that increasing price transparency will lead to a more competitive marketplace.
Some health policy experts, however, say the rule will not help many consumers because people typically don't shop for medical services. The industry argues that it could make prices rise since the players will know what deals their rivals negotiated.
"Unfortunately, the rules the administration released today will not help consumers better understand what health services will cost them and may not advance the broader goal of lowering health care costs," said Scott Serota, chief executive of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
Several of the President's other efforts to reduce health care costs have been thwarted, including requiring drug makers to post their list prices in television ads. A district judge nixed that rule over the summer.

This is a great move for Mr. Trump. Health insurance companies are like a hypothetical coworker who takes you out to dinner at a fancy restaurant, offering to pay 90% of the bill. The only catch is that this coworker tells the fancy restaurant about this deal beforehand, and offers to pay whatever the restaurant charges, and when you get there, you are handed menus without prices on them. It's only after the meal when you realize that the restaurant bill totaled $5000, and you have to pay $500 of it. It's stupid, it's bad negotiation, and it's why the rise of health insurance companies combined with how few healthcare providers there are is the number one reason for sky-high healthcare costs.

[Antityranicals]

I have the distinct impression that Trump doesn't know what the fuck he just did

Taking bets on him changing his mind. 10:1 he does.

Some spokespeople from the hospitals will visit him at the White House or Mar-a-Lago and hey, presto! He'll change his mind.

None of you get Trump yet, do you? He's not exactly the smartest guy policy-wise, but when he makes up his mind to do something, boy oh boy, he'll do it.

[Farnhamia]

Some spokespeople from the hospitals will visit him at the White House or Mar-a-Lago and hey, presto! He'll change his mind.

None of you get Trump yet, do you? He's not exactly the smartest guy policy-wise, but when he makes up his mind to do something, boy oh boy, he'll do it.

Repeal and replace? There was no replacement plan.
Build the wall? Where is it?
Win the trade wars? Still waiting.

All he seems to be good at is manufacturing crises and then taking credit for solving them, dubious credit and equally dubious solutions. That and sucking up to dictators. He is good at that.

[Gormwood]

Some spokespeople from the hospitals will visit him at the White House or Mar-a-Lago and hey, presto! He'll change his mind.

None of you get Trump yet, do you? He's not exactly the smartest guy policy-wise, but when he makes up his mind to do something, boy oh boy, he'll do it.

Like he made up his mind about confiscating guns from people deemed a risk?

[Neutraligon]

None of you get Trump yet, do you? He's not exactly the smartest guy policy-wise, but when he makes up his mind to do something, boy oh boy, he'll do it.

Like he made up his mind about confiscating guns from people deemed a risk?

Isn't there an entire meme about Trump doing exactly what he said a president should not do (in tweet form of course)

[Antityranicals]

None of you get Trump yet, do you? He's not exactly the smartest guy policy-wise, but when he makes up his mind to do something, boy oh boy, he'll do it.

Like he made up his mind about confiscating guns from people deemed a risk?

He said he'd look into it. He realized quickly that it was a stupid idea.

[Antityranicals]

None of you get Trump yet, do you? He's not exactly the smartest guy policy-wise, but when he makes up his mind to do something, boy oh boy, he'll do it.

Repeal and replace? There was no replacement plan.
Build the wall? Where is it?
Win the trade wars? Still waiting.

All he seems to be good at is manufacturing crises and then taking credit for solving them, dubious credit and equally dubious solutions. That and sucking up to dictators. He is good at that.

Repeal and replace? Trump isn't Darth Sidious. He isn't the senate. He can't do that, but he did everything in his power to get it done.
Build the wall? Same as above, largely.
Win the trade wars? You're right, still waiting... One does not win a trade war except by not participating. But he's quite determined to see it through, even if it isn't a good idea.

[Neutraligon]

Repeal and replace? There was no replacement plan.
Build the wall? Where is it?
Win the trade wars? Still waiting.

All he seems to be good at is manufacturing crises and then taking credit for solving them, dubious credit and equally dubious solutions. That and sucking up to dictators. He is good at that.

Repeal and replace? Trump isn't Darth Sidious. He isn't the senate. He can't do that, but he did everything in his power to get it done.
Build the wall? Same as above, largely.
Win the trade wars? You're right, still waiting... One does not win a trade war except by not participating. But he's quite determined to see it through, even if it isn't a good idea.

When was the last time Trump said anything about healthcare, he seems to have forgotten it...and he planned to deal with it on day 1. Well, that was before he learned that healthcare was difficult.

[Gig em Aggies]

Repeal and replace? Trump isn't Darth Sidious. He isn't the senate. He can't do that, but he did everything in his power to get it done.
Build the wall? Same as above, largely.
Win the trade wars? You're right, still waiting... One does not win a trade war except by not participating. But he's quite determined to see it through, even if it isn't a good idea.

When was the last time Trump said anything about healthcare, he seems to have forgotten it...and he planned to deal with it on day 1. Well, that was before he learned that healthcare was difficult.

To be fair when was the last time anyone in Washington stated anything about healthcare or the wall? all I hear is blah blah blah Ukraine so in so bribery yada yada corruption

[The Greater Ohio Valley]

Some spokespeople from the hospitals will visit him at the White House or Mar-a-Lago and hey, presto! He'll change his mind.

None of you get Trump yet, do you? He's not exactly the smartest guy policy-wise, but when he makes up his mind to do something, boy oh boy, he'll do it.

Like when he's changed his party affiliation almost a half dozen times in 30 years?

[Saiwania]

Roger Stone was found guilty of misleading Congress about his contacts to WikiLeaks.

He hasn't done anything wrong, in my view. He certainly shouldn't be eligible for 50 years imprisonment assuming that he did. We have rapists and murderers that get less time.

[Neutraligon]

When was the last time Trump said anything about healthcare, he seems to have forgotten it...and he planned to deal with it on day 1. Well, that was before he learned that healthcare was difficult.

To be fair when was the last time anyone in Washington stated anything about healthcare or the wall? all I hear is blah blah blah Ukraine so in so bribery yada yada corruption

Warren, an she is still talking about it.

[Great Confederacy of Commonwealth States]

Roger Stone was found guilty of misleading Congress about his contacts to WikiLeaks.

He hasn't done anything wrong, in my view. He certainly shouldn't be eligible for 50 years imprisonment assuming that he did. We have rapists and murderers that get less time.

So witness tampering, obstruction of justice and lying to Congress should not be crimes?

[Gig em Aggies]

To be fair when was the last time anyone in Washington stated anything about healthcare or the wall? all I hear is blah blah blah Ukraine so in so bribery yada yada corruption

Warren, an she is still talking about it.

Well beside the campaign trail because talking about the healthcare is the norm during that but congress in general over the past years

[Farnhamia]

Warren, an she is still talking about it.

Well beside the campaign trail because talking about the healthcare is the norm during that but congress in general over the past years

Over the past years, until this past January, the Republicans controlled Congress and they think talking about health care is ... well, it's unseemly, don't you know, just not done.