Left In Lowell

Not as bad as the corporate-welfare-recipient HMOs wanted, but still, a 12.1% increase in premiums? A 45% increase in copays? Does anyone else see the problem with wages which barely keep up with inflation (if they do) and state government mandated private HMO premiums that far exceed it?

Is it any wonder that most industrialized nations who have universal health care cut out the greedy middle man (the HMOs) and save a lot of money per person for it? And how can we still be ignoring the need for cost controls in our reform? What are we really getting for our taxpayer funds, and what more are we getting for such drastic increases? I don’t see it. I just see deteriorating quality, worse coverage, bad behavior (denial of coverage), and increased costs.

If this bodes what is to come, can you imagine someone who is barely affording paying $200 per month in premiums paying an approximately $25/month increase ($300 more per year) every year (plus bigger copays)?

Hey Niki Tsongas, what say you to Massachusetts health care reform, now? You were so gung ho on it in the election.

Left in Lowell wishes a speedy recovery to Mayor Bud Caulfield on his upcoming surgery and hope for a full and healthy recovery.

i was traveling so I did not have a chance to comment on Tuesday’s night City Council meeting. But as you all may know, this past Tuesday, the City Council pretty much declared its desire to go into a permanent bi-weekly schedule. There will a formal procedure; that is a Sub-Committee meeting, the drafting of the new rule and then it will a fortnight for the City Council. Actually, they were ready to approve the motion on Tuesday but the City Solicitor reminded them that they are some formalities that must take place.

I was surprised that a majority 6 (CCs M. Lenzi, A. Kazanjian, A. Mercier, B. Caulfield, J. Milinazzo and B. Martin) -3 (CCs R. Mercier, K. Broderick and R. Elliott) was clearly in favor of CC Mike Lenzi inaugural motion. In a previous post, I had declared my support for this move. Upon further review, I am beginning to change my mind. I think the three opposing Councilors made some strong argument for us to maintain the current weekly meeting schedule. Those of us who read blogs and the Sun, and follow closely the CC meetings can live with a two-week schedule. However, the passive observer will find the set up it a bit difficult to follow (more…)