Lowering Medicare and Medicaid Health Care Costs

Lowering Medicare and Medicaid Health Care Costs

Would you pay for groceries if you had to file a claim with an insurance company?

The real cost of generic drugs and routine doctor visits is inflated unnecessarily by the claims process. It might be better to provide routine visits and generic drugs through small clinics. These clinics could be set up at pharmacies. The pharmacy could bill the state directly.

When we were paying out of pocket for hospital procedures, I could not get a price for services before they were provided. Consumers need to be able to compare different providers on quality and price. If this were possible, the free market would improve the quality and lower the cost of medical services.

Cost of Power Video References (2017-02-15-CostPerMw)

Video Number One

Reference Document: Comparing The Costs Of Renewable And Conventional Energy Sources, http://energyinnovation.org/2015/02/07/levelized-cost-of-energy/ , February 7, 2015

Author: Energy Innovation Policy and Technology LLC, http://energyinnovation.org/ Their mission is to accelerate progress in clean energy by supporting the policies that most effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Definition: Levelized Energy Cost (LEC), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cost_of_electricity_by_source
 is the net present value of the cost of the electricity over the lifetime of a generating asset ($), divided by the total power produced (Mwh).

Notes! Costs are specific to each unique situation. You cannot easily compare costs from different studies. Calculating costs depends to some degree on assumptions. In this study the environmental cost of fossil fuels is not included. Solar and wind may require battery storage. Coal plants take longer to ramp up. Solar and wind have very little variable cost. If there is no demand then excess power goes nowhere. Siting and making use of existing structures may effect cost.

Coal_fired_power_plant_diagram.svg
This image is a work of a United States Tennessee Valley Authority employee, taken or made as part of that person's official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, the image is in the public domain in the United States.

Video Number Two

Wind And Solar Are Our Cheapest Electricity Sources — Now What Do We Do?
https://medium.com/americas-power-plan/wind-and-solar-are-our-cheapest-electricity-sources-now-what-do-we-do-b323082239de#.qts529szf

350 Mass Legislative agenda for 2017

350 Mass agenda:

Solar: 

HD3418/ SD.841 An Act relative to solar power in environmental justice and urban communities Rep. Holmes / Sen. Chang-Diaz

(21 co-sponsors of SD.841)

HD2157/ SD.1632 An act relative to solar power and the green economy - Rep. Mark / Sen. Eldridge

(30 co-sponsors of SD.1632)

RPS: 
HD2103/SD.1372 An Act to Increase the RPS and Ensure Compliance with the GWSA - Rep. Khan / Sen. Pacheco

(25 co-sponsors of SD.1372)

Anti Pipeline tax: 

HD3204/SD.1727 An act clarifying authority and responsibilities of the department of public utilities - Rep. Kulik / Sen. Eldridge

(36 co-sponsors of SD.1727)

HD2527/SD.1674 An Act protecting ratepayers from gas pipeline expansion costs - Sen. Jehlen / Rep. Gordon

(31 co-sponsors of SD.1674)

Carbon Pricing:  79 legislators in total are cosponsors of one or both bills. (40 Senators and 160 Reps comprise MA legislature)
SD.1021:  An Act combating climate change- Sen. Mike Barrett
(62 co-sponsors of SD.1021)
HD.1504: An act to promote green infrastructure, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create jobs- Rep. Jen Benson
(58 co-sponsors of HD.1504)

Gas Leaks:
HD 2253/SD.1113: An Act relative to protecting consumers of gas and electricity from paying for leaked and unaccounted for gas. - Rep. Christine Barber/ Sen. Jamie Eldridge

(28 co-sponsors of SD.1113)