Judy Dugan
Articles by Judy Dugan
65% want public health option — Can lobbyists still kill it?
Message to fence-sitters in Washington: A major national poll today from CBS and the New York Times finds that 65% of Americans…
Sep 25, 2009Would someone please make Congress watch Will Ferrell?
No wonder Congress wasn't on the ball about the whole prisoner-torture thing. I watch a lot of Congressional hearings, but today's Senate…
Sep 24, 2009Senate health amendment follies
A lot of the public debate over the latest health reform proposal, in the Senate Finance Committee, is just noise--political gotcha statements…
Sep 22, 2009Health insurance stocks zoom; Patients kicked to the curb
A tip of the hat to the Center for American Progress, which noticed that health insurance company stocks shot up today as…
Sep 16, 2009Is that a smirk behind health industry complaints?
I can't believe my eyes when I see the insurance and medical industries complaining that they can't live with what the appeasement…
Sep 15, 2009What’s the corporate side of this kinky sex scandal?
The sex scandal du jour--California state Senator Mike Duvall, a "family-values conservative," boasting into an open mike during a hearing about his spanking,…
Sep 9, 2009A ‘framework’ made in health insurer’s workshop
The latest proposal in the Washington health reform debate protects employers from costs, delivers millions of new customers to the insurance industry…
Sep 9, 2009Medicare private plan marketing’s a miracle–for insurer profits
I was surprised to find out recently that nearly one-fourth of Medicare patients are enrolled in private Medicare Advantage plans, which are…
Sep 1, 2009Can a reverend run a tight political ship in L.A.?
The size of Los Angeles and its economic woes make the city a nationally important test of surviving the economic recession. In…
Aug 27, 2009Clarity peeks out in health reform
The media slam against Congress and President Obama has been that supporters of health reform don't make a clear, simple argument for…
Aug 27, 2009Europe’s the leader in drug research; What is it we’re paying extra for?
The drug companies' argument against letting the government bargain for bulk prices on prescription drugs is so familiar that even talk radio…
Aug 26, 2009Goldhill is a (sincere) crackpot, and The Atlantic is his enabler
I shouldn't have read the Atlantic magazine cover story just before bedtime last night, just like I shouldn't watch "Saw" before hitting…
Aug 24, 2009News Truth: Insurers sing ‘Hallelujah’ for weak health reform
It turns out that all the health reform fear and fury about pulling the plug on Grandma and creeping socialism (or is…
Aug 24, 2009Whole Foods’ crummy employee insurance: What John Mackey means by ‘choice’
The whole boycott fracas over Whole Foods CEO John Mackey made me curious: what is it about health reform that scares Mr.…
Aug 20, 2009Words to remember on “Socialized Medicine”
Here's a memorable statement against U.S. health care reform: "Behind it will come other Federal programs that will invade every area of…
Aug 19, 2009‘Death panel’ lies claim a victim — Us and our families
The "death panel" has killed something, all right: a benefit that families need and want, namely the right to sit down with…
Aug 14, 2009‘Deeply misleading’ polls on health insurance are fuel for the fear-and-anger campaign
"Liking" your health insurance policy is roughly the same as liking Bernie Madoff until you tried to withdraw your retirement savings. That's…
Aug 11, 2009