MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'cuts'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:57:03 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5169552&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-state-of-drug-seeking-in-america-nothing-should-hurt%2F2011.08.26 This might sting a little… When I was a child, I was often painted orange with Merthiolate.  My grandmother, like every good grandmother, kept a bottle handy at all times.  Merthiolate was an antiseptic, containing Mercury, that was marketed for cuts and scrapes. A fall on the gravel, a slide on the pavement, a run through the briar patch and you’d be sitting on the kitchen table while grandma colored you orange with the magical elixir, which incidentally burned like fire! On a recent emergency department shift, we were colluding about the general state of drug-seeking in America, which has been enabled by our ‘nothing should hurt’ ideology.   One of my dear friends, Nurse Nancy, had a realization; an epiphany, really. (more…) *This blog post was originally publ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5169552 Fri, 26 Aug 2011 16:00:34 +0100 5169552 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5139695&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FOehssZVSty8%2F By Tad DeHavenThe Washington Post’s editorial board issued a challenge to the president and his Republican opponents: “show us your plans” for deficit reduction. In fact, the Post says it would be “delighted” to receive plans from its readers. However, the Post isn’t interested in “meaningless promises” to cut “waste, fraud, and abuse”—it wants specifics: Here’s what we’re not looking for: pablum about eliminating unnecessary spending without identifying where. Gauzy rhetoric about making hard choices without making them. Meaningless promises about eliminating waste, fraud and abuse. Broad assertions about where to find the money — “Medicare savings,” “tax reform” — without specifics. Arbitrary spending caps without accompanying details about how those... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5139695 Tue, 16 Aug 2011 21:16:31 +0100 5139695 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5139698&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fe2yDOuRLLa8%2F By Tad DeHavenTwo polls of likely voters released by Rasmussen Reports today indicate that the federal government’s corporate welfare programs should be prime targets for spending cuts. The first poll found little support for the Small Business Administration’s lending programs: A majority (58 percent) of likely voters said that the federal government shouldn’t guarantee loans issued by private lenders to small businesses. 23 percent said the government should back small business loans and 19 percent were unsure. A majority (59 percent) of likely voters said that reducing government regulations and taxes would be more helpful to small businesses than the government providing loans to small businesses that can’t obtain financing on their own. 22 percent said the government lo... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5139698 Tue, 16 Aug 2011 18:47:19 +0100 5139698 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5096169&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FZOrZ812LqXk%2F By Benjamin H. FriedmanThe legislation signed by President Obama yesterday, as a solution to the debt ceiling debate, includes the possibility of cuts to military spending. But as Chris Preble points out, the legislation guarantees no defense cuts. Republicans will try to dump all the required cuts on non-defense areas. And the White House has already distanced itself from the prospect of any real defense budget cuts, as did Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta. Both support only the first round of cuts, which will at best halt Pentagon growth at roughly inflation. On The Skeptics blog, I take a more detailed look at deal’s likely impact on military spending. I also examine its political effect, arguing that it will cause at least four political fights. The first concerns war fun... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5096169 Wed, 03 Aug 2011 16:29:42 +0100 5096169 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5096173&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FF6-7Vn4OSSM%2F By John SamplesGreg Sargent cites a CNN poll question: As you may know, the agreement would cut about one trillion dollars in government spending over the next ten years with provisions to make additional spending cuts in the future. Regardless of how you feel about the overall agreement, do you approve or disapprove of the cuts in government spending included in the debt ceiling agreement? Approve 65 Disapprove 30 Sargent continues: Sixty five percent approve of deal’s spending cuts. But it gets worse. Of the 30 percent who disapprove, 13 percent think the cuts haven’t gotten far enough, and only 15 percent think the cuts go too far. One sixth of Americans agree with the liberal argument about the deal. About 20 percent of Americans self-identify as liberals. This would suggest that ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5096173 Tue, 02 Aug 2011 20:18:10 +0100 5096173 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5096175&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FijhtsfNNy8E%2F By Caleb O. Brown This week’s bipartisan deal to raise the debt limit will do little in the way of actual spending cuts, it defers all the tough decisions on spending and debt to a “SuperCongress” committee and the deal will do little to protect the United States credit rating. Cato’s Dan Mitchell, Jagadeesh Gokhale and Chris Edwards comment on the debt deal. On Debt Ceiling, Congress Kicks the Can is a post from Cato @ Liberty - Cato Institute Blog (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5096175 Tue, 02 Aug 2011 18:06:07 +0100 5096175 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5069444&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FiwiXkM-Rmxs%2F By Tad DeHavenThese are the times that try budget analysts’ souls—especially budget analysts who’d like to see Washington dramatically cut spending. The debate over lifting the debt ceiling has produced a number of proposals from Capitol Hill—none of them have been worth celebrating. We can now add House Speaker John Boehner’s latest proposal to the pile. Boehner’s proposal boils down to the following: cap discretionary spending over 10 years to achieve $1.2 trillion in savings; have (another) bipartisan group of policymakers come up with $1.8 trillion in “deficit reductions” over ten years; and get a vote on a balanced budget amendment. In exchange, the president would get to increase the deficit by $900 billion this year and by another $1.6 trillion next year. Here are so... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5069444 Tue, 26 Jul 2011 20:11:29 +0100 5069444 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5069447&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FtqQe3o3ngFU%2F By Chris EdwardsI testified to the Senate Finance Committee today regarding federal spending and debt. Here are some of the points I made: Last night, President Obama called for a “balanced solution” to our fiscal problems, including tax increases and spending cuts. However, CBO projections do not indicate that we face a “balanced” problem. Instead, projections show that the deficit problem is caused all on the spending side of the budget. The United States has sadly become a big-government country. Until recently, government spending in this country was about 10 percentage points less than the average of OECD countries. That smaller-government advantage has now shrunken to just 4 percentage points. In recent years, policymakers have given us the largest deficit... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5069447 Tue, 26 Jul 2011 18:05:25 +0100 5069447 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5050534&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FzE5hTHeZnEM%2F The American welfare state has been in crisis for decades. Many of the problems faced in 1995 fight have become less tractable problems today. John Samples comments in yesterday’s Cato Daily Podcast. One notable difference between 1995 and today, Samples says, is that the GOP of 1995 kept Social Security off the chopping block for spending cuts. Subscribe to the podcast here (RSS) and here (iTunes). Parallels to 1995 in Spending Fight is a post from Cato @ Liberty - Cato Institute Blog (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5050534 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 12:44:31 +0100 5050534 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5036234&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fbudget-cuts-and-their-potential-complications-for-family-medicine%2F2011.07.16 Every day in the news, you hear about the United States federal budget and the potential political complications if something is done or if nothing is done. And every day in the news you hear about possible cuts in Medicare. What you don’t know is that some cuts in Medicare can significantly impact the training of future Family Physicians. What do I mean by this? Well, did you know that residency programs are paid Medicare funds (called Graduate Medical Education funds) going to hospitals? Check out this great article about how residency programs are funded. So, let’s play this out with its potential complications for Family Medicine. If GME funds are cut as they are proposed, then many hospitals with only one residency program (usually a Family Medicine program), may be forced... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5036234 Sat, 16 Jul 2011 16:00:45 +0100 5036234 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4968470&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fzi2qAyxyu4s%2F By Chris EdwardsNew projections from the Congressional Budget Office show that without reforms rising federal spending will fundamental reshape America’s economy, and not in a good way. Under the CBO’s “alternative fiscal scenario,” the federal government will consume an 86 percent greater share of the economy in 2035 than it did a decade ago (33.9 percent of GDP compared to 18.2 percent). The CBO report and many centrist budget wonks focus more on the problem of rising federal debt than on rising spending. As a result, many wonks clamor for a “balanced” package of spending cuts and tax increases to solve our fiscal problems. But CBO projections show that the long-term debt problem is not a balanced one—it is caused by historic increases in spending, not shortages of revenues... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4968470 Thu, 23 Jun 2011 16:20:12 +0100 4968470 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911821&cid=t_155065_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FRhjDZwvo_IQ%2F Faced with growing generic competition and an insufficient pipeline, Pfizer execs are scrambling some more and plan to cut another $1 billion or so in expenses on top of the billions in cuts that have already been drained from R&D and marketing over the past few years, The Wall Street Journal reports. The first phase of the cutbacks will amount to $500 million and take place later this year, with the rest coming next year. “We’re going to take out another billion dollars of our expenses,” Pfizer ceo Ian Read was quoted as saying, according to the paper. A Pfizer spokesman adds that “we’re focused on operating in new, more effective and efficient ways, while at the same time continuing to invest where opportunities are robust.” Among the areas to be ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911821 Tue, 07 Jun 2011 18:50:19 +0100 4911821 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4893412&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FhYNofFwwjrM%2F By George Scoville Few GOP presidential candidates have proposed specific budget cuts. “Peace is in the interest of Taiwan, China, and the U.S. … But the U.S. should view continuing arms sales to Taipei as perhaps the best means to maintain stability and peace across the Taiwan Strait.” Market liberalization has transformed newly independent states that formerly comprised Yugoslavia. President Obama is simply the new standard-bearer for the bipartisan contempt for constitutional limits on power. Cato chairman Robert A. Levy makes the libertarian case for marriage equality: Thursday Links is a post from Cato @ Liberty - Cato Institute Blog (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4893412 Thu, 02 Jun 2011 15:08:11 +0100 4893412 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4862504&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F_TuAm-tfiww%2F By Tad DeHavenHarold Camping is “flabbergasted” that the world did not end on May 21st as he had predicted. I think it’s because he didn’t account for the devastation that will be wrought by Republican budget cuts for fiscal 2012, which doesn’t begin until October 1st. Therefore, Camping’s new predication that the world will end on October 21st is much more plausible. Yesterday the House Appropriations Committee’s subcommittee that deals with agriculture and nutrition programs passed its bill, which will now be considered by the full committee. According to the committee’s numbers, discretionary funding for these programs in 2012 would be $17.2 billion – a $2.7 billion reduction versus 2011. According to a statement released by the subcommittee’s ranking member, Sam Far... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4862504 Wed, 25 May 2011 20:28:46 +0100 4862504 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4862509&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F3XLKKkQF-xs%2F By George Scoville DON’T FORGET: Today at 2:00 p.m. Eastern at Cato, former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty will detail specific spending cuts Congress can make as it tries to rein in the size and scope of the federal government in “Limiting Government: What Washington Can Learn from Minnesota.” Tune in at our live events hub, or watch on Facebook. It’s not low taxes that caused the Greek crisis, but high spending. A new Internal Revenue Service account reporting rule would drive out foreign capital. A defense budget that does not force trade-offs assumes the United States can take on any mission, and that all are necessary. If the Affordable Care Act is so great, why are so many people seeking waivers? Wednesday Links is a post from Cato @ Liberty - Cato Institu... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4862509 Wed, 25 May 2011 16:00:32 +0100 4862509 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4813252&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fsz2DdYdus4o%2F By Chris EdwardsHouse Speaker John Boehner has promised to tie substantial spending cuts to upcoming debt-limit legislation. He said spending cuts will have to be at least as large as the dollar value of the allowed debt increase. Thus, if the legislation increased the legal debt limit by $2 trillion, then Congress would have to cut spending over time by at least $2 trillion. How can we be sure that spending cuts are real? There are only two types of solid and tough-to-reverse spending cuts—legislated changes to reduce entitlement benefit levels and complete termination of discretionary programs. Republicans will have to define what time period they are talking about, but let’s assume it’s the standard 10-year budget window. Entitlements: The legislation, for example, could change t... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4813252 Wed, 11 May 2011 14:38:49 +0100 4813252 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4775373&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FIn343nt1Z4k%2F By George Scoville Habeas corpus applies to anyone, citizen or not, in custody under American law, no matter what President Bush and President Obama decree. House Republicans’ cuts to the Department of Education, which will spend over $70 billion next year, didn’t even amount to $1 billion. “Regardless of whether Pakistan gets its way, its impudence in pushing Afghanistan to abandon America exposes the real balance of power in the region.” “It doesn’t make a lot of sense to refer to a government whose intelligence service assists military efforts by al Qaeda and the Taliban against U.S. troops in Afghanistan as an ‘ally.’” Here are five ways to cut military spending today without changing our strategic focus: Monday Links is a post f... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4775373 Mon, 02 May 2011 14:29:08 +0100 4775373 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4758740&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FAL-eC2nmqmc%2F By George Scoville New research suggests that there has been more monetary and macroeconomic instability since the Federal Reserve’s inception than in the decades preceding it. New thinking about the usefulness of government programs will help us from restore fiscal balance and economic well-being in America. New geopolitical circumstances should make us wonder: why are we still a part of NATO? New Deal-era jurisprudence may soon be overturned as challenges to the Affordable Care Act reach the U.S. Supreme Court. New means of funding public roads will increase efficiency by confronting drivers with the costs of using them, and reducing congestion: Reminder: If you’re in the DC area, please join us this Friday at 4:00 p.m. Eastern for a special sneak preview of Free or Equal a... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4758740 Wed, 27 Apr 2011 15:01:48 +0100 4758740 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4753662&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FinGdljgrPLk%2F By David BoazTalking about royal weddings on NPR, Tina Brown says that there’s high unemployment in Britain, as there was in 1981, because of Conservative governments’ budget cuts (transcript edited to match broadcast): Of course, the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana occurred three decades ago, but Brown points out that there are plenty of similarities between the two eras. “2.5 million are out of work right now with the budget slashes and all the economic austerity that’s happening in England,” Brown says. “There were actually the same amount of people exactly out of work at the time of Charles and Diana, when Mrs. Thatcher came in and began her draconian moves.” I know that Tina Brown is a journalist, not an economist, but surely she’s h... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4753662 Tue, 26 Apr 2011 21:29:32 +0100 4753662 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4753669&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FEWH5eRgfepA%2F By Tad DeHavenOver at Downsizing the Federal Government, Chris Edwards has released an updated version of his “Plan to Cut Spending and Balance the Federal Budget.” The plan proposes spending cuts of more than $1 trillion annually by 2021, which would balance the budget without resorting to damaging tax increases. Federal spending would be reduced to 18 percent of gross domestic product by 2021 under the plan, which compares to President Obama’s projected spending that year of 24.2 percent of GDP. Some key points: No sacred cows are spared. Defense, domestic, and so-called entitlement programs are all cut. The plan recognizes that the scope of federal activities must be curtailed. It would begin the reversal of decades of federal expansion into hundreds of area... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4753669 Tue, 26 Apr 2011 18:10:32 +0100 4753669 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4734046&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FHARaQeQERsI%2F By Caleb O. BrownThe Institute for Humane Studies Learn Liberty project continues to offer clear-headed analysis in video form. The latest effort features Ben Powell of Suffolk University explaining the concept of concentrated benefits and diffuse costs in the context of ongoing budget fights. Cato recently produced two short videos on complementary aspects of the budget fights. For a more detailed treatment of many aspects of public choice, get your free (cheap!) copy of Cato’s excellent book, Government Failure: A Primer in Public Choice. Public Choice and Spending Cuts is a post from Cato @ Liberty - Cato Institute Blog (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4734046 Thu, 21 Apr 2011 14:07:15 +0100 4734046 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4734051&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FbIVTOt9Xw6k%2F By Tad DeHavenThe other day I noted that the budget cuts agreed to last week contained lots of familiar faces. Many of the agencies and programs getting a trim were also cut in 1995 in a rescissions package put together by Gingrich Republicans. In the fifteen intervening years, federal spending exploded across the board, which means that an occasional trim job doesn’t accomplish much if the goal is to limit government. The reason why is that if the scope of government activities isn’t curtailed, the cuts will be short-lived. As long as the agencies and their programs remain, special interests won’t stop agitating Congress to continue, or more likely, increase, funding. A recent article in The Hill reports that lobbyists are already hard at work: Groups that advocate for everything fr... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4734051 Thu, 21 Apr 2011 00:31:32 +0100 4734051 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4734054&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FEH3RwAyDrEA%2F By David BoazThe District of Columbia pays outside lobbyists hundreds of thousands of dollars, but its top in-house lobbyist, who heads a staff of nine, doesn’t know about them: The District pays outside lobbyists, who were hired when Adrian M. Fenty (D) served as mayor, but their work has attracted little notice. U.S. Senate records show that Mitch Butler — a former Interior Department official in the Bush administration — has lobbied on behalf of the District since October 2009 on “public lands issues” and “land development.” Through the end of 2010, the city paid Butler at least $100,000 for his efforts. Separately, the D.C. Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning & Economic Development has paid the firm Van Ness Feldman $200,000 since November 2009 for “Anacos... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4734054 Wed, 20 Apr 2011 18:51:49 +0100 4734054 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4734103&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fare-paul-ryans-medicare-budget-cuts-going-to-harm-the-elderly%2F2011.04.20 For some time now, numerous loved ones and dear friends have been advising and occasionally urging DrRich that, perhaps, it has become a bit inappropriate, and even unseemly, for him to continue in his longtime position as President and sole member of Future Old Farts of America (FOFA). For a not unsubstantial interval DrRich ignored this advice, feigning incipient deafness. But finally, after some focused study of that which these days returns his gaze in the mirror, and reluctantly concluding that maybe his loved ones have a point (and not wishing to seem Cranky), DrRich has reluctantly decided to resign from (and therefore disband) FOFA. DrRich is pleased to announce that he has accepted a new position as President and sole member of Glorious Old Farts of America (GOFA). And it is in th... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4734103 Wed, 20 Apr 2011 14:00:32 +0100 4734103 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4734717&cid=t_155065_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FQQDutiIoxz0%2F Ever seen an ad promising that you can “lose 30lbs in a month” or “make $$$ working from home part-time – with no experience”? It’s tempting to believe that there’s a magic bullet, some way to fix our problems quickly and easily – without any effort, self-discipline or hard work. And marketers know that this is how we think. They promise to spill the secrets, teach us easy tips that change our lives radically. They go for highly emotive issues like weight loss and money. The problem is, there’s no magic bullet. There never is. How can I be so sure? Because if it really was that easy, we’d all be doing it. If there really was some huge secret to making money without any effort, do you really think that one canny marketer would be the only person who knew it? If it really... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4734717 Tue, 19 Apr 2011 06:49:31 +0100 4734717 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4719882&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F8cM-DqmEp10%2F By George Scoville Penalizing millionaires won’t help President Obama get re-elected, but partnering with Republicans on corporate tax reforms and spending cuts would boost the economy — and his prospects. Of course, both Republicans and President Obama will have to stop pretending to cut defense spending if either want the economy to recover. Chasing the energy independence white rabbit isn’t helping much, either. Soaking the rich definitely won’t work. When you look back at the grueling [sic] debate over an underwhelming $38 billion in spending cuts, you realize the fight was never about cutting spending–it was over how much to grow the size and scope of government: Friday Links is a post from Cato @ Liberty - Cato Institute Blog (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4719882 Fri, 15 Apr 2011 16:57:51 +0100 4719882 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4714716&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FYt3CADRA5Ds%2F By Caleb O. Brown President Obama and Congress have agreed to cut $38 billion in federal spending, right? If you go by so-called “budget authority,” that may be true. But real spending cuts come when you actually cut real spending, not “budget authority.” Outlays in fiscal year 2011 will likely be considerably higher than last year’s outlays. That means the spending cuts advertised by President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner are laughably fraudulent. Learn more at downsizinggovernment.org. Video produced by Caleb O. Brown and Austin Bragg. Obama/Boehner’s Phony Spending Cuts is a post from Cato @ Liberty - Cato Institute Blog (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4714716 Thu, 14 Apr 2011 22:08:58 +0100 4714716 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4709189&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F8di0CgGhkKQ%2F By Tad DeHavenRepublican and Democrat leaders have agreed to cut federal funding by $38 billion this year (versus fiscal 2010). What does that mean for the overall spending picture? Based on estimates from the Congressional Budget Office, total federal outlays will still rise by approximately $177 billion. Budget Agreement: Overall Spending Increases is a post from Cato @ Liberty - Cato Institute Blog (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4709189 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 18:14:20 +0100 4709189 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4709192&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F1d48imqwYoY%2F By George Scoville “Whatever your views on climate change, you ought to find it unsettling that, here and elsewhere, most of the actual ‘law’ in this country is crafted by unelected executive-branch bureaucrats.” “The Framers’ Constitution freed us, to make our own individual choices.” “The world’s dictators are fleeing for their lives, all because of Secretary Clinton’s efforts.” “Total spending jumped by almost $2 trillion during the Bush-Obama spending binge, so a $39 billion cut is almost too small to mention.” The Founders would agree with the idea that “it should be hard to get into wars and easy to leave them“: Wednesday Links is a post from Cato @ Liberty - Cato Institute Blog (Source: Cato... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4709192 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 14:48:36 +0100 4709192 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4704625&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FmHm_xNboeSc%2F By George Scoville A bombing campaign by either Israel or the United States would rally the Iranian people to support an otherwise unpopular and incompetent regime. What else will it take to rally the so-called fiscal hawks to the cause of reducing spending, balancing the budget, and averting national bankruptcy? Senator Franken’s Pay for War Resolution is a superficially a step in the right direction; but when it comes to war, the Senate could probably easily rally a 60-vote supermajority to override any offset requirements. It should be easy to rally around Paul Ryan’s Medicare choice plan, since seniors will lose benefits in the long run anyway. Tax reform proposals are rallying back on both sides of the aisle–will any of them stick? Tuesday Links is a post from Cat... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4704625 Tue, 12 Apr 2011 14:37:23 +0100 4704625 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4693264&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fz3e6CKezsUQ%2F By Chris EdwardsRepublicans and Democrats are currently battling over $61 billion, or less, in federal spending cuts for the remainder of the current fiscal year. The chart below puts that figure in perspective. It shows the annual increases in total federal outlays each year over the last decade. The average annual increase in federal spending over the last decade was a huge $170 billion, which is almost three times larger than the proposed $61 billion cut. In 2009, federal spending leaped $384 billion in a single year, or six times more than this year’s relatively tiny cut. (The data are from the CBO. I’ve taken TARP spending per CBO out of the figures for 2009-2011 because it distorts the actual spending path. In particular, 2009 outlays included $151 billion in TARP, b... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4693264 Fri, 08 Apr 2011 21:34:09 +0100 4693264 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4693286&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Ftreatments-for-kids-with-autism-and-cerebral-palsy-on-insurance-chopping-block%2F2011.04.08 One of the great challenges facing the folks who have been tasked to implement the Big O’s health care law is defining “essential benefits,” the core medical services that insurers must cover. Despite its voluminous nature, the law is remarkably vague in this regard. It does identify 10 care categories that health plans must provide to consumers who use federally-funded health insurance exchanges to select a plan, but the categories and associated lists aren’t comprehensive or specific (the categories appear at the end of this post). The Institute of Medicine has been tasked to flesh out the lists of required services. It has begun work amid a frenzy of lobbying by private insurers and consumer groups. Habilitative services are one contentious area, and they illustrate the challe... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4693286 Fri, 08 Apr 2011 20:00:28 +0100 4693286 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4676762&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fuv0ru12imco%2F By George Scoville "One of the first rules of negotiating is never to threaten to do something unless you are prepared to do it." Policymakers and pundits assume the U.S. is so dominant that we're prepared to fight multiple fronts at once, and that it won't affect our security. Candidates for office should prepare to raise money, not rely on taxpayer subsidies. More market liberalization could help prepare Japan for any other natural disaster. Are Tea Party-backed Republicans prepared to go the distance on spending cuts? Monday Links is a post from Cato @ Liberty - Cato Institute Blog (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4676762 Mon, 04 Apr 2011 14:42:02 +0100 4676762 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4670087&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F20FwdFSBaGM%2F By Chris EdwardsThe Washington Post said today that a plan to "cut $33 billion from the federal budget" would be "the largest one-time reduction in U.S. history." Really? The $33 billion in Democratic-proposed cuts are less than 1 percent of this year's total spending, so we are considering very small cuts here. However, it is also true that Congress has been far more interested in growing spending than in cutting in recent decades. Still, the Washington Post said "in U.S. history," which is a long time. This federal budget table shows total federal spending since 1901. Total spending fell in 22 years out of the last 110 years. In 19 of those 22 years, spending was cut by more than 1 percent, or more than this year's proposed Democratic cuts of $33 billion. Indeed, even with $... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4670087 Fri, 01 Apr 2011 21:38:22 +0100 4670087 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4664176&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fbureaucrats-propose-to-discontinue-home-glucose-monitoring-coverage%2F2011.04.01 The larger the bureaucracy the more inefficient a system becomes. Several things can happen in the decision making process. 1. The decision making process can become opaque rather than transparent. 2. Decisions are made by a committee by consensus. 3. Consensus committee decisions might not sharply define the original goals. 4. Blame for errors gets dissipated. 5. Decisions are only as good as the information that is gathered. 6. Changing a wrong decision can be difficult and costly. President Obama’s healthcare reform law is creating 256 new agencies to gather information and recommend decisions for other agencies to write regulations. The following decision is being made by an agency in Washington state. It is not only the wrong decision, but is a decision that will set back the care o... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4664176 Fri, 01 Apr 2011 11:00:24 +0100 4664176 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4664152&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FgmJwZ_hLORU%2F By George Scoville The Obama Doctrine fails to address the limitations of Washington's attempts to shape foreign conflicts. The 2012 Republican presidential field has thus far failed to produce a small-government conservative. FREE E-BOOK: Government Failure: A Primer on Public Choice is available for reading and download (PDF) for a limited time on our website. Republicans and Democrats are quibbling over a measly $61 billion in spending cuts--that's a failure of leadership. Under the failing status quo, Big Sugar wins, and Joe Taxpayer loses. Ian Vásquez, director of Cato's Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity, joined C-SPAN's Washington Journal to talk about the failure of foreign aid: Thursday Links is a post from Cato @ Liberty - Cato Institute Blog (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4664152 Thu, 31 Mar 2011 14:36:18 +0100 4664152 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4653303&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FxVmzFqAFTaU%2F By Tad DeHavenLast year the House Republican leadership created the GOP’s “YouCut” website, which offers several possible spending cuts for citizens to vote on. The cut with the most votes goes to the House floor for an up-or-down vote. It’s a decent idea, but unfortunately, most of the cuts the GOP have offered thus far only amount to chump change. This week the House Republican leadership finally put the Pentagon on the YouCut chopping block. However, the possible cuts suggested by the GOP are pathetic: 1. Reduce the Department of Defense’s printing and reproduction budget by 10 percent ($36 million in savings in fiscal 2012). 2. Reduce spending for Defense studies, analysis and evaluations by 10 percent ($24 million in savings in fiscal 2012). 3. Restrict payout of annual nati... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4653303 Tue, 29 Mar 2011 21:26:56 +0100 4653303 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4592369&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F6l3b7Oy1uew%2F By George Scoville How can we have an "adult conversation" on the budget if the White House won't release its budget and deficit projections to the public? A new guide to India's uneven spread of economic freedom could help state-level policymakers there improve the welfare of citizens there. "When the Cato guy tells you someone is corrupting the idea of HSAs, pay attention." Despite having the bully pulpit, and despite touting opinion polls in favor of reform, the Obama administration finds it necessary to use taxpayer funds to tell Googlers what's best for them. Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels has doubled down on the social issues truce--Cato's John Samples talked about this on Friday on the Cato Daily Podcast: Monday Links is a post from Cato @ Liberty - Cato Institute Blog (Source: C... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4592369 Mon, 14 Mar 2011 15:17:19 +0100 4592369 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4560247&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FwjlQSaASUQ4%2F By Caleb O. BrownTad recently put $61 billion in spending cuts in perspective. I've added a few bells and whistles to his data. Enjoy. Some Perspective on $61 Billion in Spending Cuts is a post from Cato @ Liberty - Cato Institute Blog (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4560247 Mon, 07 Mar 2011 17:13:53 +0100 4560247 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4549735&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FXMbyjb3qMVo%2F By Tad DeHavenWhile Congress haggles over Republican ambitions to trim $61 billion in funding for domestic discretionary programs, it’s important to remember that mandatory (or “entitlement”) spending is the main driver of recent and future budget growth. The following chart compares fiscal 2007 spending to the president’s proposal for fiscal 2012 for the largest areas of overall federal spending: Note that the area of spending that has increased the most dramatically is “other mandatory.” Major programs in this category range from food stamps to retirement and disability benefits for federal workers. The following chart shows the increase in spending for the largest of these programs: This area of spending, and the programs that it consists of, are often forgotten in the deb... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4549735 Fri, 04 Mar 2011 20:54:18 +0100 4549735 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4540554&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FSBysTrULmcc%2F By Tad DeHavenHouse Republicans engineered a continuing resolution for fiscal 2011 that would trim $61 billion in “regular” discretionary budget authority versus fiscal 2010. The Obama administration and the Democratic majority in the Senate balked at the cuts, and a two-week continuing resolution will be passed in order to avoid a “government shutdown” and give the sides more time to reach an agreement. Based on the Congressional Budget Office’s score of the continuing resolution containing $61 billion in funding cuts, and the CBO’s recent budget projections, both discretionary and total federal outlays (actual spending) would still be higher in fiscal 2011 versus fiscal 2010. Keep these charts in mind the next time you hear or read that the Republicans’ supposedly “majo... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4540554 Wed, 02 Mar 2011 18:58:49 +0100 4540554 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4532192&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FQC1nfoEUoec%2F By Neal McCluskeyHeating and cooling equipment installed upside down. A ramp for the disabled too steep for wheelchairs. A leaning tower of time. A $3.4 million renovation for a theater slated for demolition. Payouts to everyone from airborne videographers to feng shui experts. Welcome to community college! These and a litany of other failures and abuses are chronicled in a new Los Angeles Times article on the disaster that has been the Los Angeles Community College District's decade-long, $5.7 billion building orgy.  It's a tale made especially sickening by California college officials' repeated wailing that state budget cuts are forcing them to dig "deep into bone."  It's also galling in the face of Washington politicians' continued berating of for-profit schools and ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4532192 Mon, 28 Feb 2011 18:25:03 +0100 4532192 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4522086&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FzN9pJ3TR6_Q%2F By Tad DeHavenOver at Downsizing Government, we focused on the following issues this week: On getting out of Afghanistan. $61 billion in spending cuts amounts to less than a third of what taxpayers will pay in interest on the debt alone this year. The political stakes in the latest debt ceiling game are high. The consequences of failing to use it as an opportunity to start reining in the federal government are even higher. The IRS is handing out "free" candy. New data from the Federal Aviation Administration shows that reported air traffic control errors have increased by 81 percent since 2007. This Week in Government Failure is a post from Cato @ Liberty - Cato Institute Blog (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4522086 Fri, 25 Feb 2011 22:26:28 +0100 4522086 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4507259&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FY60N5hY7X-Q%2F By Tad DeHavenTalk of a government shutdown is heating up. The current continuing resolution funding the government is set to expire on March 4th. Last week, House Republicans passed a bill that would fund the remainder of fiscal 2011 at $61 billion below fiscal 2010 levels. Senate Democrats are balking at the $61 billion in cuts and the president has issued a veto threat. The following chart measures $61 billion in cuts against the president's fiscal 2011 estimates for total federal spending, the deficit, and interest on the debt: As the chart shows, the proposed cuts amount to less than a third of what taxpayers will pay in interest on the debt alone this year. The $61 billion in cuts, which are woefully insufficient, would come from a relatively small category of government spending (n... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4507259 Tue, 22 Feb 2011 17:37:45 +0100 4507259 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4489674&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhelp-fight-the-nih-budget-cuts%2F2011.02.17 Many of my regular readers may know that biomedical research in the United States is largely funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Please see this message from Dr. William Talman, president of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB), about proposed spending cuts to the NIH budget. Grant funding from the NIH is already hard to come by, and the proposed budget cuts will make it even harder. Whether you are a scientist, a student, or a member of the public interested in the future of science and medicine, I join with Dr. Talman in asking you to call your congressional representatives and ask them to oppose HR1. Also, if you have a blog I’d ask you to repost Dr. Talman’s call to action so that your readers can join in. Dear Colleague, For months t... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4489674 Thu, 17 Feb 2011 15:00:50 +0100 4489674 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4477696&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FHmZsgClsCq8%2F By Michael F. CannonYesterday, President Barack Obama released his proposed budget for fiscal year 2012.  Many of my Cato colleagues have already discussed why the president should be embarrassed of this document.  Chris Preble writes that the president offers "faux cuts" to military spending.  Dan Mitchell says the president is "missing in action" on entitlement reform.  Chris Edwards writes that "the Obama administration has completely chickened out on spending reforms in its new budget." They were too kind.  This budget is thoroughly dishonest, too. Back in 1997, Congress enacted automatic reductions in the price controls that Medicare uses to pay for physician services.  Congress has delayed those cuts year after year, and everyone now agrees they are politically infeasible.  ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4477696 Tue, 15 Feb 2011 14:03:14 +0100 4477696 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4459941&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FQR3poXuB5DM%2F By Juan Carlos HidalgoThe new Brazilian government of President Dilma Rousseff has announced spending cuts of 50 billion reais (approximately $30 billion) this year. This amounts to approximately 1.3% of the country’s estimated GDP for 2011. Despite good intentions, that is still a very timid effort in curbing the size of government in Brazil: Total government spending (including state and local levels) runs at almost 40% of GDP. Perhaps the timidity of the proposal is explained by the fact that curbing the size of government is not the motivation for the spending cuts. Nor is it to avoid a looming fiscal crisis. Brazil’s estimated budget deficit for 2010 was 2.3% of GDP; not good, but still a far cry from the fiscal woes of Europe or the U.S. Dilma’s reason for cutting spending lies... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4459941 Thu, 10 Feb 2011 18:57:02 +0100 4459941 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4459942&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FuDOUN8PWALw%2F By Neal McCluskeyYesterday, House Republicans introduced their preliminary list of spending cuts, cuts that were, they declared, "to go deep." Unfortunately, coming in at just $74 billion, they were about as deep as onion skin. After all, the total federal budget is well over $3 trillion, and the national debt now exceeds $14 trillion.  The relatively lilliputian size of the proposed cuts should give any taxpayer major queasiness over Republicans' desire to truly rein in government. But if that doesn't scare you, this report from Inside Higher Ed absolutely should: Shhh. Don't tell, and they'll never admit it publicly. But college officials are (very quietly) feeling okay -- at least for now -- about how Congressional Republicans would treat the programs that matter mo... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4459942 Thu, 10 Feb 2011 18:33:38 +0100 4459942 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4405758&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FYchSsanoy2s%2F By Michael F. CannonThis is how a front-page story in this morning’s Washington Post portrayed the cause of this year’s $1.5 trillion deficit: Record U.S. Deficit Projected This Year CBO forecasts tax cuts will push budget gap to $1.5 trillion The still-fragile economy and fresh tax cuts approved by Congress last month will drive the federal deficit to nearly $1.5 trillion this year, the biggest budget gap in U.S. history, congressional budget analysts said Wednesday. Federal spending and federal tax revenue play equally important roles in creating the federal budget deficit.  Yet the Post blames the deficit only on inadequate tax revenue.  Federal spending isn’t too high, the Post implies, tax revenue is too low. This may not be an example of media bias.  But it is a... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4405758 Thu, 27 Jan 2011 16:14:37 +0100 4405758 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4399499&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FzlNVVkOT6N0%2F By Roger PilonToday POLITICO Arena asks: Although President Obama proposed a five-year, $40 billion per year freeze in non-security, discretionary spending, and Republicans want to cut spending by at least $100 billion a year, is either side serious about real spending cuts? My response: With uncontrolled deficits well into the future and a debt exceeding $14 trillion, for Obama to propose saving only $40 billion per year in discretionary spending over the next five years, while “investing” in pie-in-the-sky things like high-speed rail, wind farms, environmentally destructive ethanol, and the like, is worse than unserious — it’s an insult to our intelligence. Like Obama, many Republicans too treat military spending, among other things, as sacrosanct, but at leas... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4399499 Wed, 26 Jan 2011 15:22:25 +0100 4399499 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4343114&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F0ud79KYaN3E%2F By Tad DeHavenRep. Kevin Brady (R-TX) has introduced the Cut Unsustainable and Top-heavy Spending Act, which would cut spending by $44 billion annually.  Brady’s effort moves in the right direction but it is a very modest fiscal reform effort. The legislation, which Brady calls a “down payment on getting America’s financial books in order,” chooses targets that have already been proposed by the Obama administration or the president’s Fiscal Commission. Therefore, the proposal should have bipartisan appeal. For example, Brady’s bill would cut Pentagon spending and eliminate subsidies to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Many of the targets represent “house cleaning cuts” that would reduce spending on bureaucratic activities such as printing and federal travel. Th... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4343114 Thu, 13 Jan 2011 14:59:32 +0100 4343114 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4331238&cid=t_155065_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F-cRjehpd63o%2F Good morning, folks. Another shiny day is unfolding here on the chilly Pharmalot corporate campus, where the dogs are barking and the short people are scrambling off to the school houses. As for us, we are downing a cup of stimulation - our flavor today is Golden French Toast - and hunting for interesting tidbits. Hear something fascinating? Do pass it our way. Meanwhile, here are a few items to help you along. Hope your day goes well… Eli Lilly And Boehringer Ink Diabetes Drug Deal (Reuters) Amgen Moves Three Cancer Drugs Into Late-Stage Tests (Bloomberg News) Neurosearch Cuts Workforce By 20 Percent (Reuters) Prozac May Speed Physical Rehab After Stroke: Study (HealthDay) Swine Flu Survivors Developed Super Flu Antibodies (Reuters) HGS Hopes To Bank Billions After Lupus Drug Launch... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4331238 Tue, 11 Jan 2011 12:46:46 +0100 4331238 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4322492&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FhUVgTnkdu6g%2F By Michael F. CannonOne could argue that exempting ObamaCare from the PAYGO requirement is appropriate given the defects in current budget rules. By law, the CBO must follow certain rules when doing cost estimates of legislation and projecting federal spending under current law. Under those rules, CBO projects ObamaCare will reduce the deficit. No question. But Congress often defeats those budget rules by passing legislation with “pay fors” (i.e., spending cuts) that make the budget look better, yet are highly unlikely to be sustained because they are politically implausible. A good example of this is the “sustainable growth rate” formula, where Congress promises to ratchet down the government price controls that Medicare uses to pay physicians in future years. Cong... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4322492 Fri, 07 Jan 2011 20:06:27 +0100 4322492 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4318311&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FdCAQMHXCqlY%2F By Chris EdwardsA top agenda item for the incoming House Republicans is to immediately start cutting spending. The GOP promised to reduce “nondefense” (or alternatively “nonsecurity”) spending for 2011 to the 2008 level, representing a $100 billion cut. GOP leaders are now being accused of backsliding on that promise, so let’s take a look at the numbers. The idea is to reduce fiscal 2011 “budget authority” to the level it was in fiscal 2008. The chart shows the growth in nondefense budget authority since 2000. The spike in 2009 is from $265 billion in discretionary spending authorized in the “stimulus” bill. Congress currently has a “continuing resolution” in place that keeps 2011 spending at about the same level as 2010, as shown in the chart. Thus, the House GOP wi... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4318311 Thu, 06 Jan 2011 19:33:55 +0100 4318311 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4294939&cid=t_155065_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2010%2F12%2F26%2Fbipartisan-boogie%2F New cartoon by Trussell & Trussell on Politics Daily. Bipartisan Boogie. Love is strange. Filed under: Politics Tagged: bipartisan, compromise, democrat, gop, republican, robert donna trussell, tax cuts, unemployment (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4294939 Sun, 26 Dec 2010 17:45:23 +0100 4294939 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4281298&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FQrzU39ubDtI%2F By Neal McCluskeyOver at the Daily Kos they’re getting ready to demonize. Some congressional Republicans opposed language in the continuing budget resolution passed yesterday that would fill a shortfall in Pell Grant funding and keep individual grants at their current sizes. By not filling the shortfall, individual grants would get smaller, something that Kos contributor Jed Lewison characterizes as “draconian.” He also suggests that Republican concerns foreshadow mean things to come in next year’s Congress. Oh please, let this be true! For far too long, almost anything related to education has seen pretty regular, sizeable funding increases due largely to the  simplistic — and easily demagogued – notion that spending more money on education m... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4281298 Wed, 22 Dec 2010 16:46:54 +0100 4281298 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4266148&cid=t_155065_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2010%2F12%2F17%2Ftax-cuts-and-unemployment-benefits-its-a-win-win%2F New cartoon by Trussell & Trussell on Politics Daily. Tax Cuts and Unemployment Benefits: It’s a Win-Win! They’ll gladly feed you Tuesday for a financial beating today. Filed under: Politics Tagged: congress, extension, robert donna trussell, tax cuts, unemployment (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4266148 Fri, 17 Dec 2010 16:54:07 +0100 4266148 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4253136&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Frationed-care-denied-treatment-and-%25e2%2580%259cdeath-panels%2F2010.12.13 One of the canards slung at the Affordable Care Act is that it creates “death panels” that would allow the government to deny patients lifesaving treatments, even though two independent and non-partisan fact-checking organizations found it would do no such thing. I don’t bring this up now to rehash the debate, but because the New York Times had a recent story on Arizona’s decision to deny certain transplants to Medicaid enrollees — “death by budget cuts” in the words of reporter Marc Lacey. His story profiles several patients who died when they were unable to raise money on their own to fund a transplant. Lacey quotes a physician expert on transplants who flatly states: “There’s no doubt that people aren’t going to make it because of this decision.” Arizona Medic... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4253136 Mon, 13 Dec 2010 15:00:00 +0100 4253136 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4249040&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FX26ttWF7AY0%2F By Tad DeHavenOver at Downsizing the Federal Government, we focused on the following issues this week: Unfortunately, the president’s Fiscal Commission appears to have operated on the premise that the federal government should continue to do everything it now does. Getting Rep. Jeff Flake on appropriations is a step in the right direction, but his appointment can’t be a token gesture. A new study finds that policymakers needn’t fear spending cuts. House Republican leaders’ support for “Prince of Pork” Hal Rogers to chair the chamber’s appropriations committee is a slap in the face of voters who demanded change in November. Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, whose state’s unemployment rate is almost 13 percent, has advice for Washington on how to c... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4249040 Fri, 10 Dec 2010 21:18:35 +0100 4249040 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4249206&cid=t_155065_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2010%2F12%2F10%2Fdemocrats-and-obama-no-wonder-hes-torn%2F New cartoon by Trussell & Trussell on Politics Daily. Democrats and Obama: No Wonder He’s Torn. Who will win? As if we didn’t know. Filed under: Politics Tagged: democrat, gridlock, obama, robert donna trussell, tax cuts, unemployment (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4249206 Fri, 10 Dec 2010 16:15:12 +0100 4249206 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4230291&cid=t_155065_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2010%2F12%2F04%2Fobama-and-the-republicans-its-a-war-in-there%2F New cartoon by Trussell & Trussell on Politics Daily. Obama and the Republicans: It’s a War in There. Filed under: Politics Tagged: economy, obama, republican, robert donna trussell, tax cuts, unemployment (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4230291 Sun, 05 Dec 2010 02:10:54 +0100 4230291 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4233170&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FoWhkg6aROzo%2F By Daniel J. MitchellMuch to my surprise, Senate Republicans held firm earlier today and blocked President Obama’s soak-the-rich proposal to raise tax rates next year on investors, entrepreneurs and small business owners. I fully expected that GOPers would fold on this issue several months ago because Democrats were using the class-warfare argument that Republicans were holding the middle class hostage in order to protect “millionaires and billionaires.” Republicans usually have a hard time fighting back against such demagoguery, and I was especially pessimistic since every Republican senator had to stay united to block Senate Democrats from pushing through Obama’s plan for higher tax rates on the so-called rich. But the GOP surprised me earlier this year with the... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4233170 Sat, 04 Dec 2010 22:27:38 +0100 4233170 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4230152&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FoWhkg6aROzo%2F By Daniel J. MitchellMuch to my surprise, Senate Republicans held firm earlier today and blocked President Obama’s soak-the-rich proposal to raise tax rates next year on investors, entrepreneurs and small business owners. I fully expected that GOPers would fold on this issue several months ago because Democrats were using the class-warfare argument that Republicans were holding the middle class hostage in order to protect “millionaires and billionaires.” Republicans usually have a hard time fighting back against such demagoguery, and I was especially pessimistic since every Republican senator had to stay united to block Senate Democrats from pushing through Obama’s plan for higher tax rates on the so-called rich. But the GOP surprised me earlier this year with the... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4230152 Sat, 04 Dec 2010 22:27:38 +0100 4230152 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4225227&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F62M3ZCtiK9Q%2F By David BoazIt looks like Republicans and Democrats may have made a deal on blocking the tax increases that loom on January 1. No details yet, but reports are that they will extend the current tax rates for one to three years. That means investors and businesses will face continuing uncertainty and the real prospect of a tax increase in one to three years. Unfortunately, pundits continue to use terms like “extending the Bush tax cuts” or “tax breaks for the wealthy.” In reality, American taxpayers have faced a particular range of personal income tax rates for the past eight years. If the 2001 and 2003 tax laws are allowed to expire, then Americans will see increased tax rates on income, dividends, capital gains, and estates. So the issue is not “tax cuts” or “tax breaks,”... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4225227 Thu, 02 Dec 2010 14:34:49 +0100 4225227 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4179307&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FIy0VAwXbGjc%2F By Michael F. CannonI hit a nerve with my post, “There Ain’t No Such Thing as a Tax Expenditure.”  To recap: The federal tax code has credits, deductions, exemptions, and exclusions that reduce tax revenue.  By convention, budget experts call that forgone revenue a “tax expenditure,” a “tax subsidy,” or even “backdoor spending in the tax code.”  This is incorrect.  To claim that forgone tax revenue is a government expenditure implies that the money at stake actually belongs to the government, which is graciously letting taxpayers keep it, rather than to the people who earned it.  Government is not spending that money; it is merely not extracting that money from the private sector.  Statists deliberately use terms like “tax ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4179307 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 19:25:08 +0100 4179307 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4175673&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F3fpiOCDUAVM%2F By Christopher PrebleOver at National Journal‘s National Security Experts blog, Megan Scully notes the military spending cuts contained within a proposal by Erskine Bowles and Alan Simpson, the co-chairs of the president’s deficit reduction commission. Scully asks: “How feasible would it be for lawmakers to make these kinds of cuts to defense?…What kind of sway will fiscal hawks have in the next Congress – and will it be enough to push through sweeping defense cuts over the objections from pro-defense members of their party?” Government spending across the board must be cut, I explain, beginning especially with entitlements.  I continue: Other spending must also be on the table, however, and that includes the roughly 23 percent of the federal budget th... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4175673 Wed, 17 Nov 2010 18:31:09 +0100 4175673 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4164519&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FQhtvYHK4SLE%2F By David BoazMuch of the media discussion of the massive tax increase that looms on January 1 uses terms like “extending the Bush tax cuts” or “tax breaks for the wealthy.” In fact, American taxpayers have faced a particular range of personal income tax rates for the past eight years. If the 2001 and 2003 tax laws are allowed to expire, then Americans will see increased tax rates on income, dividends, capital gains, and estates. So the issue is not “tax cuts” or “tax breaks,” it’s whether we should increase taxes in 2011. It’s good to see that President Obama understands this. At a news conference at the end of the G-20 Summit on Friday, he said: I want to make sure that taxes don’t go up for middle class families starting o... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4164519 Sat, 13 Nov 2010 21:10:48 +0100 4164519 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4162896&cid=t_155065_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F11%2Fbreast-cancer-surgeon-dr-kathryn-wagner-mulling-dropping-medicare-patients%2F Texas breast cancer surgeon Dr. Kathryn Wagner says she will no longer take new Medicare patients if the 23% cut in Medicare reimbursement takes effect December 1, 2010 as planned. Physician groups estimate that two thirds of all US physicians will drop Medicare patients from their rolls if the December 1 and other scheduled cuts take place. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4162896 Sat, 13 Nov 2010 06:16:57 +0100 4162896 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4159210&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fz9zLzPhzDlk%2F By Michael D. TannerMy colleagues, Dan Mitchell, Jagadeesh Gokhale, Michael Cannon and Chris Edwards have already provided their thoughts on the chairman’s mark released yesterday by the bipartisan deficit reduction commission.  A few additional thoughts: The commission provides a good-faith look at the magnitude of the problem we face, and the magnitude of cuts necessary to bring spending down to even 21 percent of GDP (and it really should be far lower).  In doing so they show just how unserious Republicans are in proposing a paltry $100 billion in spending cuts.  And the commission makes it clear, unlike Republicans, that both entitlements and defense spending must be on the table. The commission also starts the debate in a useful direction by implicitly acknowledging that their ne... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4159210 Thu, 11 Nov 2010 20:46:26 +0100 4159210 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4159220&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FtgWyRvPyNqI%2F By Chris EdwardsThe co-chairs of President Obama’s National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform released a draft report yesterday on how to reduce federal budget deficits. Despite the liberal savaging the report is taking as some sort of conservative plot, its proposals are really center-left in orientation. That said, there is some good stuff in the report, which will be useful for incoming Republicans looking to tackle the budget mess. Good Ideas and Positive Directions The report provides a menu of possible spending cuts for incoming Republican members of Congress to consider, particularly Tea Party members, who proposed to cut the budget during their campaigns. The report proposes to reduce spending from 25 percent of GDP currently to 21 percent over the long run. That’s... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4159220 Thu, 11 Nov 2010 16:42:11 +0100 4159220 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4159222&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fzs-AIlTX99k%2F By Daniel J. MitchellI have many pet peeves, but one that causes me endless frustration is the Washington “spending cut” scam. This happens when politicians increase spending, but claim that they’re cutting spending because they previously had planned to make government even bigger. The proposal unveiled yesterday by the Co-Chairman of President Obama’s Fiscal Commission is a good example. If you read through their report, it sounds like there are lots of spending cuts. But they never explain that these supposed cuts are really just reductions in previously-planned increases. Here’s the bottom line. As shown in the graph, it is quite simple to balance the budget (and permanently extend all of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts) if politicians simply limit spending gro... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4159222 Thu, 11 Nov 2010 16:02:04 +0100 4159222 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4139213&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fs13HczgvsS4%2F By Tad DeHavenOver at Downsizing the Federal Government, we focused on the following issues this week: Unfortunately, the party favored by tea party supporters at the moment has no interest in shuttering the Department of Education. Columnist Robert Samuelson is right: the Obama administration’s high-speed rail dreams “represent shortsighted, thoughtless government at its worst.” Attention GOP: the electorate wants spending cuts, and they will support the policymakers who take the lead on cuts if they are pursued in a forthright and serious-minded manner. New Republican members of Congress will be looking for ways to cut the budget deficit and also to increase economic growth. One way to do both is to privatize government assets. Will the House Republican leadership embrace spending... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4139213 Fri, 05 Nov 2010 20:03:58 +0100 4139213 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4133663&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FOtN5N5n25OI%2F By David BoazSome 75 new Republican members of Congress got there by promising to stop the federal government’s massive overspending. And as Chris Edwards noted, there have been a number of lists of budget cuts proposed recently. Saturday Night Live did a sketch back in 2007 that might be useful to Tea Partiers and new members of Congress. It’s about a self-help plan called “Don’t Buy Stuff You Cannot Afford.” Since the federal government is running deficits well over a trillion dollars a year, I’d say this plan would be good advice: Hat tip to Jonathan Witt at the Acton Institute’s PowerBlog, who points out that if this were a perfect analogy, the book author would be more agitated because “the couple has been spending the author’s money ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4133663 Thu, 04 Nov 2010 19:13:11 +0100 4133663 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4118890&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FQ4l5iBZWyZY%2F By Daniel J. MitchellWhile flipping through the radio on my way to pick my son up from school yesterday afternoon, I was dumbfounded to hear Congressman John Boehner talk about repealing Obama’s Medicare cuts on Sean Hannity’s show. I wasn’t shocked that Boehner was referring to non-existent cuts (Medicare spending is projected to jump from $519 billion in 2010 to $677 billion in 2015 according to the Congressional Budget Office). I’ve been dealing with Washington’s dishonest definition of “spending cuts” for decades, so I’m hardly fazed by that type of routine inaccuracy. But I was amazed that the presumptive future Speaker of the House went on a supposedly conservative talk radio show and said that increasing Medicare spending would be on... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4118890 Thu, 28 Oct 2010 15:08:47 +0100 4118890 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4118891&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FVKePJI-GApg%2F By Tad DeHavenHouse Republican Whip Eric Cantor’s “YouCut” project has released a new video that attempts to visually underscore the impropriety of sticking future taxpayers with a mountain of federal debt. The video begins with a voice saying “You wouldn’t do this to your child’s piggy bank” followed by visuals of a child’s piggy bank being smashed with a hammer. The voice then says: But Democrat controlled Washington is leaving a $13 trillion debt for your children and future generations. It’s time Washington got its fiscal house in order. Start changing the culture of spending in Washington by voting on YouCut today. That’s a wee bit disingenuous considering that Republicans and Democrats alike are responsible for the massive federal debt. More frustrating is the fac... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4118891 Thu, 28 Oct 2010 14:04:47 +0100 4118891 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4097906&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FnaJcNTL0PJA%2F By Christopher PrebleYesterday, Prime Minister David Cameron announced Britain’s biggest defense cuts since World War II. The cuts affect the British military across the board. The Army will shed 7,000 troops; the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force will each lose 5,000 personnel; the total workforce in the Ministry of Defence, including civilians, will contract by 42,000. The Navy’s destroyer fleet will shrink from 23 to 19. Two aircraft carriers — already under construction — will be completed, but one of the two will be either mothballed or sold within a few years. Whether the one remaining flattop in the British fleet will actually deploy with an operational fixed-wing aircraft is an open question. They’ve decided to jettison their Harriers; a technological marvel ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4097906 Thu, 21 Oct 2010 16:56:31 +0100 4097906 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4119047&cid=t_155065_107_f&fid=36672&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSciencebaseScienceBlog%2F%7E3%2Fh-Mq-0psVec%2Fblue-skies-science-pie-in-the-sky.html Lucy Marcus is the Founder and CEO of Marcus Venture Consulting, Ltd, a company that endeavours to foster sustainable success for funding organisations. She is non-executive chair of the Mobius Life Sciences Fund and chair of the audit committee for BioCity Nottingham. As the Science is Vital campaign steps up a gear and British scientists brace themselves for funding cut announcements from government, Lucy Marcus talked to David Bradley about the downside to science spending cuts. You have quite a broad range of current positions, what 2-3 word phrase would you use to describe yourself professionally speaking? Hard to put into 2-3 words. I am the CEO of Marcus Venture Consulting, a non-executive director, and chair of Mobius Life Sciences. How did you become involved with the Mobius Life ... Sciencebase Science Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4119047 Tue, 12 Oct 2010 12:00:57 +0100 4119047 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4045079&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FEfdT3MN1wKo%2F By Chris EdwardsI blogged about how Canadian government spending cuts since the mid-1990s coincided with strong economic growth. Let’s take a closer look at the spending cuts. The chart shows Canadian federal spending from 1984 to 2009 in actual, or nominal, dollars. Spending includes all “discretionary” and “entitlement” programs, as we would call them, but excludes interest payments. (Data are here). Spending peaked in the early 1990s, and it relied on massive deficit finance. As a result, interest costs were spiralling out of control. The prime minister and his finance minister–members of the center-left Liberal Party–decided to reverse course and start cutting. They cut spending from $123 billion in in 1995 to $111 billion in 1997,... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4045079 Fri, 08 Oct 2010 01:41:00 +0100 4045079 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4031317&cid=t_155065_109_f&fid=36089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthesituationist.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F10%2F05%2Fthe-situation-of-high-marginal-income-tax-rates-and-motivation%2F A leading rationale against progressively higher income tax rates for top-earners is that high taxes will dissuade them from working hard, being innovative, or trying to be the best at whatever they do. This rationale has seemingly prevented a return of the very high marginal income tax rates used between 1951 and 1963, when taxable personal income over $400,000 was taxed to the tune of 91% by the federal government. Now-a-days, taxable personal income over $373,650 is taxed at 35% by the federal government (the percent will increase to 39.6% in 2011 if the Bush tax cuts are not extended or made permanent.  39.6% was used during the Clinton years.  When combining many states’ income taxes, the effective rate would–at least for those high-earners living in states with progres... The Situationist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4031317 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 04:01:09 +0100 4031317 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3976488&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fp-ygwsIAFco%2F By Justin LoganI was privileged last night to get an advance look at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs’ new study on public opinion.  I was struck by several things. First, the report reflects a strong desire to get our own house in order.  Asked the question whether it “is more important at this time for the United States to fix problems at home or address challenges to the United States from abroad,” a stunning 91 percent selected the former, with only 9 percent pointing to the latter.  (In 2008 the numbers were 82-17.) That said, there is not as much appetite for cutting the defense budget as I would like to see: When asked whether defense spending should be expanded, kept about the same, or cut back, 43 percent of Americans prefer to keep spending about the sam... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3976488 Thu, 16 Sep 2010 15:36:59 +0100 3976488 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3972902&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F8Nt4jEtPUQQ%2F By Tad DeHavenMost of the debate over extending the Bush tax cuts has focused on whether to extend slightly lower marginal rates for higher earners who already bear a huge burden. But at the other end of the income spectrum, a growing share of Americans don’t pay income taxes. Indeed, the Bush tax cuts increased the share of U.S. households that pay no income taxes. From the Wall Street Journal: Efforts to tame America’s ballooning budget deficit could soon confront a daunting reality: Nearly half of all Americans live in a household in which someone receives government benefits, more than at any time in history. At the same time, the fraction of American households not paying federal income taxes has also grown—to an estimated 45% in 2010, from 39% five years ago, according to t... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3972902 Wed, 15 Sep 2010 19:00:49 +0100 3972902 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3933263&cid=t_155065_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FKEsJWhUkM-w%2F The speculation earlier this week that Roche was planning a round of cutbacks is, in fact, on the money. After a scheduled managerial meeting, the drugmaker issued a statement using the usual euphemisms to signal job losses - Roche will “adapt cost structures and accelerate productivity improvements.” There were scant details provided, other than that the entire organization will be reviewed in coming months and an announcement will be made by year’s end. One analyst tells Reuters the cuts could involve up to $1.9 billion in cost savings and will likely target salespeople, particularly in the US, and R&D. Of course, Roche has already rejiggered R&D in the wake of the Genentech acquisition. The move is hardly surprising, though, given recent setbacks Roche has en... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3933263 Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:06:21 +0100 3933263 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3915091&cid=t_155065_111_f&fid=34834&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FMentalNurse%2F%7E3%2FDaA-ZrQJaEo%2F Hate, hate, hate them and their cutting ways. Currently it is easy and only getting easier to find cuts even the NHS Trusts are having difficulty claiming as efficiency savings. Here is one example that popped up. Unanimous plea to save Avondale Politicians have called for regulators to step in and review the decision-making process which led to the planned closure of a Preston mental health unit. A series of impassioned pleas from Preston councillors ended with a unanimous vote in favour of supporting the campaign to save the Avondale Unit, based at the Royal Preston Hospital. After writing about NIMBY politicians recently it is nice to see some of them trying to do the right thing. For some time it is going to be very, very easy to find things like this and decry them. Sadly we know it i... Mental Nurse blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3915091 Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:45:00 +0100 3915091 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3914975&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fnvyyegbq8Jg%2F By Daniel J. MitchellAccording to news coverage, United Kingdom Prime Minister Cameron is imposing deep and savage budget cuts. I was interviewed by the BBC recently, for instance, and asked whether 25 percent spending reductions were too harsh. And here’s an excerpt from a New York Times story that is very representative of the news coverage. Like a shipwrecked sailor on a starvation diet, the new British coalition government is preparing to shrink down to its bare bones as it cuts expenditures by $130 billion over the next five years and drastically scales back its responsibilities. The result, said the Institute for Fiscal Studies, a research group, will be “the longest, deepest sustained period of cuts to public services spending” since World War II. …Public-sector unio... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3914975 Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:30:32 +0100 3914975 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3911681&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FkGw5wiTFI3s%2F By David BoazA front-page New York Times headline reads: Struggling Cities Shut Firehouses in Budget Crisis Because certainly American cities spend their money on nothing that is less important than fire protection. More on the Washington Monument Syndrome here. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3911681 Fri, 27 Aug 2010 19:33:14 +0100 3911681 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3891804&cid=t_155065_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2010%2F08%2F23%2Fentitlements-or-tax-cuts-lets-get-ready-to-rumble%2F New cartoon by Trussell & Trussell on Politics Daily. Entitlements? Or Tax Cuts? Let’s Get Ready to Rumble! Filed under: Politics Daily Tagged: budget, comics, deficit, economy, entitlements, humor, political cartoon, tax cuts (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3891804 Mon, 23 Aug 2010 06:12:16 +0100 3891804 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3880833&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FO5CVs43bK3M%2F On Saturday the Washington Post published a letter I wrote chastising their editorialists for inventing defense budget cuts: The Aug. 12 editorial “Mr. Gates’s rough cuts” and David S. Broder’s Aug. 12 column, “Gates’s budget warning shot,” applauded the defense secretary for his plans to cut spending even though the plans will do no such thing. As Mr. Broder wrote, Mr. Gates proposed closing the U.S. Joint Forces Command and shedding contractors and generals in the Pentagon’s employ. But neither piece noted that these proposals are part of a plan to shift some Pentagon spending from administration to force structure — not to cut total spending. The impetus for the cost-shifting plan is the White House’s reluctance to increase Pen... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3880833 Tue, 17 Aug 2010 20:03:56 +0100 3880833 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3854511&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F2O3tV3JtrjA%2F By Christopher PrebleDefense Secretary Robert Gates has again made headlines with a proposal to slow the growth of the Pentagon’s budget — already higher than at any point since World War II — by cutting overhead, waste and a top-heavy command structure. The proposed shuttering of Joint Forces Command (Jif-Com) has elicited most of the press attention today, and prompted an impassioned plea from Virginia politicians, including Gov. Bob McDonnell, that the command remain open. Unhelpfully for Gov. McDonnell, outgoing Jif-Com head James Mattis (who will assume the title of CENTCOM), reportedly supports Gates’s decision. But this isn’t the first time that opportunistic politicians have latched onto defense spending as a way to sprinkle economic benefits to their... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3854511 Tue, 10 Aug 2010 14:52:57 +0100 3854511 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790690&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F5u2jrZzk8jo%2F By Chris EdwardsThe debate on extending the Bush tax cuts has begun. Those opposed to extension argue that the cuts would greatly increase the federal deficit. The first thing to note is that extending all the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts would lose the government about $216 billion a year in 2012 and rising amounts after that (see page 16). By contrast, federal spending in 2011 will be almost $2 trillion higher than in 2001 when the first Bush tax cuts were passed. Thus, in a rough sense, spending increases have had a nine times greater impact on our changed budget situation since 2001 than have tax cuts. How big were the Bush tax cuts compared to previous tax legislation? One way to compare different tax bills is to look at the initial projections of the effects when they were passed... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790690 Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:43:52 +0100 3790690 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3737294&cid=t_155065_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fq6VoUp8KPpw%2F In a move the drugmaker hopes will save up to $3.5 billion, eight research sites and eight manufacturing plants will be closed over the next two years. The restructuring is part of an ongoing effort announced previously to cut billions of dollars in expenses by 2012 and the number of jobs to be affected will total about 15,000, or 15 percent, of the 100,000 headcount. The research sites to be closed are located in Montreal; Boxmeer (Nobilon facility only), Oss, and Schaijk, Netherlands; Odense, Denmark; Waltrop, Germany; Newhouse, Scotland; and the Kendall Square facility in Cambridge, Ma., outside Boston. Meanwhile, Merck will now focus primarily on just seven therapeutic categories: cardiovascula, diabetes and obesity; infectious disease; oncology; neuroscience and ophthalmology; respira... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3737294 Thu, 08 Jul 2010 13:25:11 +0100 3737294 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3706622&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=34470&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehealthcareblog.com%2Fthe_health_care_blog%2F2010%2F06%2Fare-doctors-really-boycotting-medicare.html By NAOMI FREUNDLICH As Congress once again wrestles with “the doctor fix”—yet another postponement of the 21% cut in Medicare reimbursement that went into effect this month—the media has been swirling with stories warning of a mass exodus of doctors... (Source: The Health Care Blog) The Health Care Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3706622 Sun, 27 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3706622 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3641002&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FAnpE4t_biLM%2F By Daniel J. MitchellArt Laffer has a compelling column in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal, where he makes the case that future tax rate increases will cause considerable economic damage because people have an incentive to maximize income this year to take advantage of current tax rates — resulting in an artificial drop in economic activity next year. In effect, this will be a reverse version of the experiment in the early 1980s, when entrepreneurs and investors had an incentive to postpone economic activity since Reagan’s tax rate reductions were phased in over several years. I am reluctant to endorse Art’s prediction that the “economy will collapse,” since even good economists are lousy forecasters. But we certainly will see a large degree of tax plann... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3641002 Tue, 08 Jun 2010 12:24:37 +0100 3641002 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3629564&cid=t_155065_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F06%2Famerican-medical-association-starts-ad-campaign-senate-medicare-mess%2F Dr. James Rohack, President of the American Medical Association, is criticizing the United States Senate for failing to block cuts in Medicare funding due to begin June 1, 2010. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3629564 Fri, 04 Jun 2010 04:29:18 +0100 3629564 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3490869&cid=t_155065_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FtY9j8ooYcD4%2F The move came earlier this week and involves roughly three dozen positions in safety surveillance, medical review and case management at ImClone Systems headquarters in Branchburg, New Jersey. The work will now be handled by Lilly, which owns ImClone Systems, and divided between Lilly safety teams in the US and the UK. Some employees may be offered transfers. Although ImClone has been run somewhat autonomously, a Lilly spokeswoman says the goal is to create a seemless and comprehensive patient safety organization that doesn’t distinguish between Lilly and its units. The spokeswoman adds that the cuts are part of a much broader reorganization announced last fall in which some 5,500 jobs will be eliminated by the end of 2011 as the drugmaker tries to cut $1 billion in expenses before i... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3490869 Wed, 21 Apr 2010 13:51:18 +0100 3490869 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3294572&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FQ8KukpfAq1E%2F By Tad DeHavenThat is the title of a 2003 New York Times column by economist Paul Krugman. The gist of his column was that the Bush tax cuts and future entitlement program liabilities would usher in calamitous deficits. Setting aside the tax cut and entitlements issue, Krugman’s comments on the dangers of deficits are interesting considering seven years later Krugman is one of the most prominent supporters of massive deficit spending to stimulate the economy. Here are some selected Krugman quotes from the column: With war looming, it’s time to be prepared. So last week I switched to a fixed-rate mortgage. It means higher monthly payments, but I’m terrified about what will happen to interest rates once financial markets wake up to the implications of skyrocketing budget defici... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3294572 Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:57:29 +0100 3294572 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3283817&cid=t_155065_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FDOJlUCDu-VA%2F The health care giant plans to cut yearly performance bonus targets for 38 percent of its employees and freeze salaries for certain workers, according to The Wall Street Journal, which cites an internal announcement and other company documents. The move comes just as Bristol-Myers Squibb freezes salaries (see here). On Jan. 25, J&J told employees the initiative will standardize compensation across businesses and regions, making it easier to move around within the company. In the US, the changes will bring bonus targets in line with market levels, one document said, and the moves apply across the board, except for those covered by collective bargaining. J&J established 3,000 job classifications and 20 pay grades. “The current challenging economic environment has reinforced o... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3283817 Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:53:45 +0100 3283817 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3008069&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FKau_XyoF57Y%2F Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has finally unveiled his massive 2,074-page health care bill.  The Congressional Budget Office reports that the insurance-expansion provisions would cost the feds $848 billion over 10 years.  To raise those funds, the bill would tax wages, medical devices, prescription drugs, sick people, health insurance premiums (twice), HSAs, FSAs, HRAs, and — why not? — cosmetic surgery.  The remainder would supposedly come from $491 billion of Medicare cuts, even though Medicare’s chief actuary says such cuts are “unrealistic” and “doubtful.”  But don’t worry.  Somehow, this thing’s gonna reduce the deficit. Of course, that $848 billion only accounts for part of the federal government’s share of t... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3008069 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:05:27 +0100 3008069 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2904984&cid=t_155065_117_f&fid=38158&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drneedles.comhttp%3A%2F%2Famericanacupuncture.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fbenefit-cuts-will-be-made-from-senior.html As a medical physician for over 51 years, I strive to give you the best medical information on controversial medical subjects, and help your read betwwen the lines. You must come to your own conclusions. I have no ties to any organization, pharmaceutical, or lobby group. As an practicing medical acupuncturist since 1982, I find western medicine and medical acupuncture are very complimentary. This results in astounding healing in pain management, addictions to cigarettes and food, and a host of other maladies. Visit drneedles is blogging" at the end of each blog for a complete alphabetical list of all my blogs Visit http://www.americanacupuncture.com/ for more detailed information on mind, body, and spirit healing.BENEFIT CUTS WILL BE MADE FROM SENIOR CARESeniors are very concerned that Med... Dr. Needles Medical Blogs blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2904984 Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:13:00 +0100 2904984 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2899061&cid=t_155065_117_f&fid=38158&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rpc.technorati.com%2Frpc%2Fpinghttp%3A%2F%2Famericanacupuncture.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fmedicare-advantage-cuts.html As a medical physician for over 50 years, I strive to give you the best medical information on controversial medical subjects and let you, the reader, come to your own conclusions. I have no ties to any organization, pharmaceutical, or lobby group. As an practicing medical acupuncturist since 1982, I find western medicine and medical acupuncture are very complimentary that results in astounding healing in pain management, addictions to cigarettes and food, and a host of other maladies. Let me know how we are doing. Your constructive comments are always appreciated. Click the RSS post button on the upper right hand corner if you would like to receive by email our future medical blogs. Visit http://www.americanacupuncture.com/ for more detailed information on healing.Version:1.0 StartHTML:00... Dr. Needles Medical Blogs blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2899061 Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:30:00 +0100 2899061 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2872047&cid=t_155065_150_f&fid=34768&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmagossip.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fwhere-will-wye-phi-job-cuts-be-wisdom.html Hat tip: http://blog.pharmaconduct.org/ (Source: PharmaGossip) PharmaGossip blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2872047 Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:28:00 +0100 2872047 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2796408&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FslSQYwK3I5Q%2F Republicans made many big mistakes when they controlled Washington earlier this decade, so picking the most egregious error would be a challenge. But continued American involvement with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development would be high on the list. Instead of withdrawing from the OECD, Republicans actually increased the subsidy from American taxpayers to the Paris-based bureaucracy. So what do taxpayers get in return for shipping $100 million to the bureaucrats in Paris? Another international organization advocating for big government. The OECD, for example, is infamous for trying to undermine tax competition. It also has recommended higher taxes in America on countless occasions. And now it is suggesting that Iceland impose high tax increases – even thoug... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2796408 Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:25:47 +0100 2796408 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2761844&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FXrro-L3wCvE%2F A story in the Washington Post today is headlined: “Obama Would Keep $85 Billion in Tax Breaks for Working Poor.” The “tax breaks” in question are expansions in the earned income tax credit and the child tax credit. The Post story repeatedly calls the expansions “tax breaks” and “tax cuts.” The budget expert quoted in the story calls them “tax cuts,” and so does a House staffer and a spokesperson for the president. But these are not tax cuts. They are expansions in the refundability of provisions in the tax code. That means that households that pay no federal income tax will receive larger welfare checks from the government under these Obama proposals. Obama has proposed a slew of “tax cuts” that are partly welfare p... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2761844 Thu, 03 Sep 2009 16:43:50 +0100 2761844 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2737696&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FyPNJcGHYRgM%2F A Bloomberg story on one cause of the ongoing British economic disaster under Prime Minister Gordon Brown: Andrew Wesbecher moved to London from New York in 2006 to sell software to banks and hedge funds. This month he joined the exodus of American expatriates fleeing high taxes and the city’s shrinking financial industry . . . Americans are heading home as Britain plans a 50 percent tax rate for those who earn more than 150,000 pounds ($248,000) a year and employers cut benefits for workers living abroad, reducing the allure of London. That comes a year after the U.K. said foreigners who have lived in the country for more than seven years must pay 30,000 pounds annually or give up the special status that shields overseas income from British taxes. Since the 1980s, London has boomed as a... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2737696 Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:30:19 +0100 2737696 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2616676&cid=t_155065_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F07%2F20%2Fhow-cold-will-it-be%2F Title: How Cold Will It Be The Skinny: Despite consensus that the NHS faces a tough financial future, there is no agreement about just how cold the financial climate will be. Three plausible future funding scenarios and their consequences are detailed in this report from the  The King’s Fund and the Institute for Fiscal Studies. It concludes with an assessment of each scenario and the options for funding up to 2017 Publisher: The King’s Fund Published: 19/07/2009 Size of Document: 28p Posted in Corporate Governance, Financial Management, Governance, Health Economics, Management, NHS, Risk Evaluation, Strategic Planning Tagged: Cuts, Economics, Financial Management, Grey Literature, Health Economics, NHS, Rationing (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2616676 Mon, 20 Jul 2009 09:30:25 +0100 2616676 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2605948&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fwj4R82P0WKg%2F While politicians and bureaucrats generally are on the same side, there are occasional conflicts. For instance, if politicians want to limit the growth of an agency’s budget (an infrequent impulse, to be sure), the bureaucrats get upset and sometimes they fight back. A common tactic is to try and generate public opposition by leaking to the press that they will have to curtail something that taxpayers actually value. This is known as the Washington Monument Syndrome, which is a reference to the National Park Service’s petulant decision about 40 years ago to close national monuments two days per week because of a very small budget reduction. A very perverse example of the Washington Monument Syndrome just took place in Massachusetts, where officials at the New England Zoo t... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2605948 Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:01:22 +0100 2605948 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2510456&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F06%2Fhealth-care-rationalisation-cruellest.html When you go to the hairdresser you know there are going to be cuts. Sometimes the cuts may be savage; a short, back and sides. You would not tell the hairdresser to choose the cuts. You would not believe a hairdresser who said he could shorten your hair without cutting it.There are going to be cuts in public services. Of that there is not the slightest doubt. There is only one person in the country who says there will not be any cuts, and that is our discredited Prime Minister. His performance at today's PMQs was dishonest. He lied. Like the barber purporting to shorten your hair without cutting it, he fools no one. Balls is lying. Liam Bryne, the Chancellor's rotweiller, is lying. Look at this glorious double speak:"You've got to separate two kinds of spending here. You've got to separate... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2510456 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:24:00 +0100 2510456 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2477543&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FealLB71BbNA%2F As I note in my New York Post op-ed today, Republicans are fond of implying that President Obama is a big-spending socialist. But the House GOP recently offered a spending cut plan that was able to find savings worth less than one percent of Obama’s budget. As Tad DeHaven and Brian Riedl have also pointed out, the GOP spending reform effort is rather pathetic. It proposed specific annual budget cuts of about $14 billion per year. Consider that the center-left budget wonks at the Brookings Institution put their heads together a few years ago and came up with a “smaller government plan” that proposed about $342 billion in annual spending cuts (by 2014). The Brookings authors note:   These cuts are achieved by reducing government subsidies to commercial activities (... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2477543 Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:18:22 +0100 2477543 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2398595&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FdosPwWxBMmk%2F President Obama’s estimated $17 billion budget cuts for fiscal year 2010 amounts to a measly .5 percent of the president’s total proposed spending, and 1.5 percent of the president’s proposed deficit for the coming fiscal year. His offerings to cut the budget should be dismissed as unserious. In fact, this is reminiscent of the Bush administration’s annual list of minuscule proposed cuts in the face of profligate spending and mounting federal debt. President Obama says his efforts “are just the next phase of a larger and longer effort needed to change how Washington does business and put our fiscal house in order.” Promising more spending and more debt while celebrating relatively insignificant cuts and ignoring the looming entitlement crunch represents businesses as usual, not... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2398595 Thu, 07 May 2009 18:09:00 +0100 2398595 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2398597&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FUdZEqT2sWWQ%2F The Obama administration has issued a modest list of budget cuts for programs that are “duplicative” and “ineffective.” That’s a good start for spending reforms, but a more substantial way to end “duplication” would be to terminate all $500 billion of federal subsidies sent to state governments each year, which duplicate properly state-level activities such as highway building. Further, cutting some “ineffective” programs ignores the broader question of whether programs represent just and legitimate uses of government power. We can make farm subsidies more “effective,” for example, but that does not make it ethical to transfer $20 billion each year from hard-working taxpayers to often high-income farm businesses. I’d like to see the Obama administration attack Washi... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2398597 Thu, 07 May 2009 16:27:12 +0100 2398597 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2375868&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FAFLxsmlonfI%2F Despite the recession, globalization continues to exert pressure for beneficial tax reforms. From Tax Notes International today: Jordanian Finance Minister Bassem al-Salem on April 20 confirmed that the government is working on draft legislation that would cut corporate tax rates drastically, reducing them in some cases by more than half. Al-Salem said the government will seek to introduce a single 12 percent tax rate for most corporate entities, although companies in the banking, insurance, and mining sectors would pay tax at a rate of 25 percent. The current corporate tax rates range from 15 percent to 35 percent for different profit levels and also differ by business sector. The draft legislation would also rationalize individual income tax, custom duties, and other taxes to increase e... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2375868 Mon, 27 Apr 2009 17:58:03 +0100 2375868 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2367430&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F04%2Fcutting-healthcare-budget.html With a annual budget now topping £2 billion a week, there are plenty of economies to be made in healthcare. And yet, like opposing the 50% (actually 63.5%) new top rate of tax, David Cameron is between a rock and hard place if he suggests cuts in the NHS. Dr Crippen writes elsewhere to suggest to David Cameron that he could make a start by sacking an NHS BLOG DOCTOR favourite. (Source: NHS Blog Doctor) NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2367430 Sat, 25 Apr 2009 09:16:00 +0100 2367430 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2364992&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F04%2Fone-shag-week-now-official-government.html One shagI am grateful to a vigilant NHS BLOG DOCTOR who writes in to correct an error I made three years ago. In the article entitled State Sponsored Shags I discussed the New Labour Viagra policy. Dear old Frank Dobson may be an unreconstituted, unapologetic left-winger who believes in free prescriptions for all but even he baulked at the prospect of the NHS picking up the tab for the nation's Viagra. At the time, I wrote:The simplest solution would have been to make all patients pay for it. But that was too much for Frank’s old Labour views. He decided to allow some people to have it on prescription. He drew up eligibility criteria for Government approved bonking. Dr Crippen was very much hoping he would introduce a weekly limit of tablets. “Labour approves two bonks a week” wou... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2364992 Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:41:00 +0100 2364992 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2347782&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F5HNxxwVlass%2F At first, I thought the calendar was wrong and it must be April 1 and the White House was playing an April Fool’s joke. That seemed like the only logical explanation for a story in today’s Washington Post stating that the President wants all government departments to identify $100 million in supposed budget cuts. With 14 cabinet-level departments, that adds up to $1.4 billion of savings — and those savings almost certainly be measured against an ever-increasing budget baseline, which means that they would merely be reductions in planned increases. This is a shallow and insincere stunt to trick taxpayers. This is the same President, after all, that just squandered nearly $800 billion on a so-called stimulus bill. And this is the same President that just rammed through a $3... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2347782 Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:15:31 +0100 2347782 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2318539&cid=t_155065_117_f&fid=36026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Fzimney-health-and-medical-news-you-can-use%2Fits-time-to-cut-back-your-red-meat-consumption%2F Eating red meat increases your chances of dying prematurely. That’s the stark finding of a very large and very well done clinical study just published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.  The study found that eating red and processed meat was associated with increases in total mortality, cancer mortality, and cardiovascular disease mortality. They found that eating just 4 ounces of red meat a day raises your overall risk of dying prematurely, raises your risk of dying from cancer and raises your risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. I’d say that means it’s time to decrease your consumption of red meat, which includes beef, pork and processed meats like sausage, bacon and cold cuts. There are a number of reasons why eating red meat might be bad for your health. Red... Dr. Z's Medical Report blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2318539 Thu, 26 Mar 2009 19:05:39 +0100 2318539 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2287228&cid=t_155065_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F03%2F24%2Fwant-to-cut-your-risk-of-death%2F We often talk about happiness and well-being on the blog, or how to reduce your depression or cope with anxiety here. But none of that’s going to do you a whole lot of good if your life is cut short by making daily unhealthy food choices. So while I don’t usually write about general health topics here, occasionally a piece of research rises to the level of demanding our attention. And the research published yesterday linking red meat to a higher risk of death over the study’s 10 year period of time is just such research. The study of more than 500,000 middle-aged and elderly (aged 50 to 71) Americans found that those who consumed about four ounces of red meat a day (the equivalent of about a small hamburger) were more than 30 percent more likely to die during the 10 year... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2287228 Wed, 25 Mar 2009 00:56:31 +0100 2287228 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2287241&cid=t_155065_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F03%2F17%2Fsick-days-working-parents-and-the-bad-economy%2F It’s an epic battle that surfaces every year in about October, and usually dies down in the spring. Microscopic invaders keep thousands of kids home from school every day during the fall, winter, and early spring months. Parents do their best, but we often feel powerless to prevent sick days. In light of the current national job situation, a working parent today may have more on their mind than just their child’s health. I work part time and am able to stay home with my kids most of the time. Nevertheless, I have had my share of trouble with “kid germs” interfering with my work schedule. I’ve missed more than one “really important meeting,” rescheduled training days, and reworked my writing projects around nebulizer treatments and doctor’s ap... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2287241 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 02:15:00 +0100 2287241 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2104492&cid=t_155065_150_f&fid=34768&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmagossip.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F01%2Falso-from-pharma-giles.html Story... (Source: PharmaGossip) PharmaGossip blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2104492 Thu, 15 Jan 2009 04:34:00 +0100 2104492 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2081067&cid=t_155065_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F01%2F05%2Fcutting-and-self-injury%2F This entry may be triggering or difficult to read for some people. Self-injury behavior is something that is more common than many people realize (in one study by researchers at Brown University of high school students, 46 percent had injured themselves in the past year on multiple occasions), it is often misunderstood. Not just by the lay public, but also by the mental health professionals who ostensibly should know what self-injury it is and how best to treat it. Self-injury is used by people as over-drinking is used by others — to drown out emotional pain with something else. In the case of self-injury, that something else is physical pain. It focuses your attention and takes your mind off of your emotional pain, if only for a little while. Cutting is the most common form of s... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2081067 Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:08:52 +0100 2081067 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2011566&cid=t_155065_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F473498128%2F ‘Tis the middle of the week and that can mean only one thing - the need to dig out from under meetings, deadlines and projects. To help you cope, we have unearthed a few items of interest. Hope your day goes well, no matter what… Merck Shifts Seattle Chief To Boston Lab (Bio-ITWorld) Gardasil Allergic Reactions Are Uncommon: Study (Yahoo/Reuters) Glaxo To Cut 200 Jobs At UK Plant (BBC) Asthma Sufferers Concerned Over New Inhalers (Arizona Republic) (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2011566 Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:19:30 +0100 2011566 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1996753&cid=t_155065_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F468312894%2F Hello, everyone. We hope your Thanksgiving break was enjoyable. We treated Mrs. Pharmalot and The Pharmalittles (sounds like a 60’s rock group, yes?) to a splendid meal. And while we are, technically, off today, we thought we would share a few items that we came across while rummaging around. Whether you are at work today, heading off to shop or simply kicking back on the couch, we hope your weekend goes well. See you shortly… Lilly Yanks Cymbalta Chronic Pain Application (press release) AstraZeneca Lung Drug Delayed By FDA (PharmaTimes) German Drugmakers Feel Pinch From Credit Crisis (Reuters) Enzon Biotech Sale Opposed By Shareholder (InPharma-Technologist) Arpida Lays Off Staff After FDA Rejection (PharmaTimes) Nigerian Court Adjourns Pfizer Case To January (Agence France Pr... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1996753 Fri, 28 Nov 2008 12:52:18 +0100 1996753 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1939021&cid=t_155065_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F11%2F06%2Fa-thousand-cuts%2F We go through our everyday lives with the pain of a thousand cuts. They started when we were as young as 2, being told “No” when we asked our mom for more candy. Cut one. Then again when we wanted to play in the dirt. Cut two. Then when we got mad for not getting our way when we were 5. Cut three. Our first argument with our best friend. Our first breakup. Our first academic disappointment. Our first screw-up in sports. Our first horrible performance on an exam. In gym. For an oral presentation. Our first job interview. We don’t always feel them deeply when they first occur. Sometimes a little cut is barely felt, but then it grows deeper and deeper with time. Some people never get over some of their cuts. Many take their own lives, because the cut, instead of healing, g... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1939021 Fri, 07 Nov 2008 02:00:43 +0100 1939021 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1939057&cid=t_155065_150_f&fid=34768&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmagossip.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fgsk-to-lose-1000-us-barbies-and-yams.html GlaxoSmithKline Europe's largest drugmaker, will eliminate 1,000 sales positions in the U.S. as part of a plan to trim costs.The jobs will be cut by the end of the year, Claire Brough, a company spokeswoman, said in a telephone interview today. Glaxo said in October 2007 that it would cut jobs in sales, manufacturing and research as part of a plan to save 700 million pounds ($1.12 billion) per year by 2010.In June, the company said it planned to cut about 350 jobs in research and development in the U.S., U.K. and Italy.More (Source: PharmaGossip) PharmaGossip blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1939057 Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:38:00 +0100 1939057 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1933424&cid=t_155065_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F442282209%2F Two Connecticut politicians - US Senator Chris Dodd and Congressman Joe Courtney - wrote a letter to Pfizer ceo Jeff Kindler to urge the drugmaker not to cut outside contractors, who reportedly are soon to be replaced by foreign workers (here is the letter). The move comes after The Day newspaper, which reported the letter, yesterday wrote how Pfizer has been training foreign workers in its Groton and New London, Connecticut, R&D facilities over the past few months in anticipation of transferring much of its IT work from local contractors to outside contracting firms. The new policy, known internally as Procedure 117, will force many contractors, or ‘contingent workers’, some of whom have been working at Pfizer for a decade or more, to leave by year’s end, according to employees... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1933424 Tue, 04 Nov 2008 17:00:29 +0100 1933424 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1933426&cid=t_155065_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F442135087%2F As part of an ongoing makeover, the drugmaker tomorrow will tell its US pharma employees about a reorganization that will include still more cutbacks, sources tell us. However, a replacement for Chris Viehbacher, who runs Glaxo’s North American pharma unit but is leaving next month to head Sanofi-Aventis, will not be among the announcements. The reorg is expected to affect sales reps, in particular. A Glaxo spokeswoman declined to discuss details, but did confirm an announcement is forthcoming. “We do have time scheulded to meet with employees to talk about the latest progress in our US effort to basically reshape the organization to be fit for the future challenges we’re facing,” she says. “It’s not a new thing that hasn’t been discussed before&#... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1933426 Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:19:19 +0100 1933426 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1933428&cid=t_155065_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F442005050%2F A big day here, of course, in the US, where elections are under way. And what could be more interesting than the race for the White House? Whatever your inclinations, do remember to vote. Meanwhile, here are a few items to digest while you mull over your fateful decision… Gilead HIV Drug Gets Boost From US (TheStreet.com) Investors Says Amylin Is Undervalued, Seeks Sale (Bloomberg News) Judge Denies Another Breast Cancer-HRT Claim (The Legal Intelligencer) (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1933428 Tue, 04 Nov 2008 11:35:43 +0100 1933428 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1901974&cid=t_155065_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F428471289%2F And so the bloodletting continues. As part of its earnings announcement, the drugmaker says it expects to eliminate approximately 7,200 positions - 6,800 active employees and 400 vacancies - across all areas of the company worldwide by the end of 2011, with about 40 percent of the total reductions coming in the US (see statement). This amounts to 12 percent of the workforce. To streamline management layers, Merck will reduce its total number of senior and mid-level executives by approximately 25 percent. These positions are in addition to the 10,400 positions eliminated as part of the 2005 restructuring program, which was substantially complete at the end of September 2008. As of September 30, Merck has approximately 56,700 employees. The cutbacks involves shifting and eliminating sales re... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1901974 Wed, 22 Oct 2008 11:42:20 +0100 1901974 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1895594&cid=t_155065_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F427656862%2F Earnings are out and, naturally, this means the ceo is chatting up analysts, fund managers and other investors in need of reassurance about the future. For a change of pace, however, Pfizer ceo Jeff Kindler stopped for a few minutes to chat with Pharmalot about some key issues confronting the drugmaker. By his side was cfo Frank D’Amelio. Here is an excerpt… Pharmalot: How do you get sufficient top line growth without making acquisitions? Kindler: First of all, we’ve set out a number of strategies that will produce very profitable growth over the next few years. And we’re on target to achieve those goals. Now, look at emerging markets. That’s a huge growth opportunity. If you exclude Japan, Australia and New Zealand, and look at Asia, that’s expected to ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1895594 Tue, 21 Oct 2008 17:05:22 +0100 1895594 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1876479&cid=t_155065_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F419566694%2F As the big drugmaker grapples with its big slowdown, the board and top management are exploring a number of interesting ways to jumpstart business, according to sources. The moves may involve laying off still more employees - a large number of reps, for instance; plans to sell off some of the R&D units that are being eliminated and possibly purchasing a brand-name biotech, our sources tell us. How Pfizer may actually peddle units that focus on heart disease, gastrointestinal illnesses and obesity, for instance, remains to be seen, but presumably other drugmakers may be approached about a purchase or venture. The effort could include offering both intellectual property and staff, sources say. This leaves the fate of some facilities at R&D headquarters in Groton, Connecticut, up in... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1876479 Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:35:40 +0100 1876479 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1841256&cid=t_155065_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F406226016%2F The drugmaker held a board meeting last week and the outcome is still not certain, but speculation is mounting inside and outside 42nd Street headquarters that various moves are on the way to exceed the goal of cutting $2 billion in costs by the end of this year, which was announced in early 2007. How might this be accomplished? Divesting any number of products - perhaps lumped together in the form of a package deal or two - and closing down several research areas that could cut untold numbers of jobs. Early last year, Pfizer planned to eliminate 10,000 positions and headcounts have again been examined recently in hopes of saving millions of dollars more in expenses, sources say. Of course, such moves have been telegraphed - at least, in a general way - for days now. Just last week, Ian R... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1841256 Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:40:43 +0100 1841256 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1829482&cid=t_155065_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F401980253%2F This is simply is not a good month for the drugmaker and its employees. First, the Micardis blood pressure drug fails another trial. Then, two published studies indicate the Spiriva lung med significantly increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and death from heart disease, which BI disputes. Meanwhile, the neurology sales force of nearly 400 reps is being trimmed and the drugmaker ended a contract with InVentiv, one of the players in the Rent-A-Rep business, which was promoting its troubled Micardis. Where will InVentiv reps work next? At Merck, promoting rival blood pressure meds to docs who were prescribing Micardis (back story). And earlier this week, Boehringer dismissed 20 scientists who worked at its Ridgefield, Connecticut, facility. A spokeswoman sent us this statement confirmi... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1829482 Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:21:27 +0100 1829482 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1829485&cid=t_155065_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F401733923%2F The privately held drugmaker will from two Danish and a Finnish plant to other sites around Europe - Germany, Poland, Austria and Norway - leaving 10 facilities to produce its meds. Most of the job cuts, about 190, will be made in Denmark. “Our decisions to restructure our manufacturing network will allow Nycomed to remain competitive in a tough market environment, where pressure on costs and fast market introduction has become critical,” Barthold Piening, Nycomed’s executive vp of operations, says in a statement. “Regrettably this is not possible without a reduction of a number of positions. However, we all have to acknowledge that this change is an essential precondition to secure the long-term success of the company.” (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1829485 Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:57:17 +0100 1829485 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1809938&cid=t_155065_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F396226177%2F Normally, we start the day with a collection of tidbits, but we were forced to do things in reverse this morning due to various scheduling issues (sounds very official, yes?). So you may want to scroll down and make sure you see the interesting posts about Ranbaxy and Rudy Giuliani, and Vytorin and Richard Peto. Also, Schering-Plough is laying off animal health reps today (look here). Meanwhile, here are few developments… Memory Pharma Is Cutting Half Of Its Jobs (NorthJersey.com) Merck Ends Deal With SurModics (Reuters) Sanofi Gets More Time For Zentiva Purchase (Bloomberg News) Lupin Buys A Stake In South Africa’s Pharma Dynamics (Reuters) Study Finds Old Meds Being Distributed (The Financial Times) (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1809938 Thu, 18 Sep 2008 13:47:53 +0100 1809938 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1806483&cid=t_155065_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F395578767%2F Is Fred Hassan’s bark worse than his bite? Perhaps only the Intervet animal health division knows for sure. And the sales reps, in particular, will know tomorrow. That’s when about 60 positions from the 400-strong sales force, or 15 percent, will be told goodbye, according to sources. A spokeswoman confirms the cuts. Cutbacks at Schering-Plough are not surprising, of course. In response to the collapse in Vytorin and Zetia scrips, Hassan trumpeted plans to cut 10 percent of the drugmaker’s workforce of 55,000 in order to save up to $1.5 billion by 2012, although most of the cuts are expected to occur by 2010. In making his April announcement, Fred vowed to consolidate management; use more shared staff support and services; reduce travel; cut sales and marketing; slash R&... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1806483 Wed, 17 Sep 2008 21:38:41 +0100 1806483 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1806491&cid=t_155065_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F395091579%2F The drugmaker will more than halve the number of its Banyu sales branches and offices nationwide - from 71 to 20 - by this coming spring as part of a global strategic review, the Associated Press reports. As a result, headcount will drop, although specifics weren’t offered. Currently, Banyu employes 3,700 people, including 1,700 sales reps. Merck, whose earnings have been hurt by disappointing sales of its Vytorin cholesterol fighter and generic competition for its older Zocor cholesterol drug, cut 1,200 US sales jobs earlier this year (back story). Those cuts were part of a global restructuring plan announced in late 2005, meant to generate a total of $4.5 billion to $5 billion in savings through 2010. (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1806491 Wed, 17 Sep 2008 10:58:01 +0100 1806491 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1652298&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthbolt.net%2F2008%2F07%2F24%2Fhealthbolt-happy-living-tip-stop-a-shaving-nick-from-bleeding%2F It’s just like the old paper cut saying: The smaller the cut, the worse it hurts. With shaving, the smaller the nick, the worse it bleeds. Unless you gash yourself wide open with a brand new razor,then… Anyway, it happens to all of us. We shave, we nick. But here’s a quick tip on how to stop the bleeding in a hurry: Step 1: Use a cotton ball or swab to dab a little witch hazel onto the cut. Witch hazel is a natural astringent which tightens surrounding tissues and slows bleeding. Step 2: Hold an ice cube or ice pack to the nick. The coolness helps to clot the blood. See, easy right? I told you. So this, my dear friends, has been your Healthbolt Happy Living Tip of the Day. You may now go forth and de-fuzz without worry. Tags: Healthbolt, healthbolt happy living tip, Shavi... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1652298 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:53:39 +0100 1652298 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1634840&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F07%2Fsomething-wicked-this-way-comes-getting.html No more of this on the NHSThe recent publicity surrounding a patient’s “right” to die at home has left experienced family doctors perplexed. What is going on? A myth has grow-up that so called “terminal care”, sorry, sorry, “continuing care” is a mystical science that can only be practised in hospices by Macmillan nurses.One of the most fundamental roles of the family doctor is to care for dying patients in the home environment. All the older partners in my practice are highly experienced in this task, aided by our excellent team of district nurses. As I have said many times before, the pure physical medical side of terminal care is rarely challenging. The mental and emotional side is very challenging and, as I get older, I find it more and more of a strain. (see Removing dea... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1634840 Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:46:00 +0100 1634840 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1623002&cid=t_155065_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F335054868%2F The move comes two months after the drugmaker released disappointing results of a large study of its Aggrenox blood thinner, which failed to meet its primary endpoint, and Barr Pharmaceuticals won a patent challenge on Mirapex, a med for restless leg syndrome, suggesting a generic rival is looming. The neurology sales team, which peddles Aggrenox to neurologists for treating transient ischemic attacks and strokes, met last week in Chicago, where BI managers told them they are going to restructure. The bad news was delivered in lieu of a celebration of the Profess trial, which BI originally hoped would help Aggrenox grab market share from Plavix, the most widely used blood thinner. The reps were told that about 200 of them - or about half of the neuro sales team - may be shifted to primary... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1623002 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:26:56 +0100 1623002 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1419627&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F05%2Fwhy-does-our-government-keep-attacking.html Back during the Clinton Administration, federal bureaucrats launched a devastating assault on hospice--called "Operation Restore Trust"--in which the Feds presumed that a patient who did not die within 6 months of entering hospice was there fraudulently, and as a consequence, demanded tens of millions in refunds from hospice programs throughout the country. I was a hospice volunteer at the time and saw the devastating effect: My last patient, who was dying (and died) of ALS--was tossed out on his ear because he had unexpectedly survived 18 months. The chilling effect placed on the entire hospice movement by Operation Restore Trust continues to this day--along with the suffering it causes.Well now, the government under President Bush is at it again: This time they seek to cut hospice paymen... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1419627 Mon, 05 May 2008 02:56:00 +0100 1419627 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1356040&cid=t_155065_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F04%2Fthree-year-pay-cut-for-nurses.html Silencing the nursesGordon Brown has put an 8% payrise on the table for the nurses. Brilliant. 8% sounds good doesn't it, particularly if you forget to divide it by three.The proposed deal would give over a million staff an increase of 2.75% from April, followed by further increases of 2.4% in 2009/10 and 2.25% in 2010/11.It is a con. In real terms, this is another big pay cut. Gordon Brown will quote figures to prove it is not, but the figures are from the land of Gordon Brown make believe. The REAL inflation rate is higher, well above 3% a year. Wat Tyler has a graph showing the real figures. Take a look here. There is another agenda. Gordon Brown wants to be re-elected in 2010. He does not want bad publicity from angry nurses during the election campaign. DON'T BE FOOLED. Do not accept ... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1356040 Mon, 07 Apr 2008 20:55:00 +0100 1356040 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1316794&cid=t_155065_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F254945263%2F This time, Jim Shannon, the head of global drug development, is going. His last day is April 1 (no jokes, please). And he’ll be succeeded by Trevor Mundel, a Novartis spokeswoman confirms. He follows Alex Gorsky, who last month left his job as the No. 2 exec in the drugmaker’s US business to run Ethicon, the Johnson & Johnson unit. Gorsky had worked at J&J previously. Shannon’s departure comes amid a reorganization at Novartis, which is cutting thousands of jobs in hopes of saving $1.6 billion. Last October, the drugmaker tapped Joe Jimenez replaced Tom Ebeling as pharma ceo. Ebeling held the spot for six years after arriving from Pepsi, but now runs the consumer health biz. Jimenez joined Novartis in April from Blackstone, the private equity firm, and was previ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1316794 Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:36:59 +0100 1316794 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1212320&cid=t_155065_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F230248699%2F ‘Tis the middle of the week, and that can only mean one thing - plenty of deadlines, meetings and projects lie ahead. So what better excuse is needed to grab a cup of something, or perhaps a bottle of water, and catch up on events? Here are a few. Hope your day is productive… Increased Risk Of Heart Attacks After Plavix Is Stopped (Bloomberg News) AstraZeneca Cuts 300 R&D Jobs In The UK (The Manchester Evening News) Investors Cheer Departure Of Altus Pharma CEO (BusinessWeek) Former Wyeth Worker Testifies In Discrimination Trial (The Journal-News) (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1212320 Wed, 06 Feb 2008 11:58:31 +0100 1212320 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1063013&cid=t_155065_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F193116329%2F The big announcement will be made next Wednesday, when the drugmaker holds a briefing for Wall Street analysts and fund managers, who will hear how Bristol ceo Jim Cornelius hopes to generate some growth. Meanwhile, though, attention is focused on layoffs, although exact numbers and the like won’t be disclosed until the day of the meeting. The cutbacks will include manufacturing plants and a variety of office-bound locales. Already, though, the drugmaker has announced its intent to close a plant in Puerto Rico, which employs about 400 people. And word is starting to go out among employees who work at Bristol headquarters on Park Avenue in New York, where such departments as legal, finance and compliance are expected to be trimmed. “Senior management has previously stated that ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1063013 Fri, 30 Nov 2007 19:41:52 +0100 1063013 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1037065&cid=t_155065_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F187231900%2F Nearly all of the 4,700 workers at three Janssen Pharmaceutica facilities went on strike today to protest job cuts that are part of J&J’s global restructuring announced last July, Reuters reports. Just a few clinical trials, part of research programmes, were taking place, says Janssen spokesman Stefan Gijssels. “This affects all our activities,” he tells Reuters. “We have no idea how long it will last, but we have to talk with unions as soon as possible. That means probably in the coming days.” Johnson & Johnson is cutting up to 4 percent of its global workforce, or about 4,800 jobs, to offset declining sales of certain drugs. As part of this, Janssen planned to cut costs by 15 percent, including axing 521 full-time employees and not renewing 167 tem... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1037065 Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:20:53 +0100 1037065 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=987251&cid=t_155065_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F176624082%2F This is one of the hazards that state governments risk when striking incentive deals with companies. In this case, the drugmaker was granted $4.6 million through various programs in exchange for maintaining employment at 6,900 jobs in Pennsylvania; Glaxo’s US headquarters are in Philadelphia and various facilities are located nearby. Right now, Glaxo’s employment level stands at about 7,000, but with job cuts planned the drugmaker may be on the verge of breaching its deal, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. A Glaxo spokeswoman tells the paper that “the 6,900 is a commitment. I feel like we’re well within that, but I can’t make any commitment on what our overall numbers are going to look like.” And Dave Stout recently reiterated that Glaxo US headqu... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=987251 Mon, 29 Oct 2007 11:24:02 +0100 987251 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=979404&cid=t_155065_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F174930512%2F The reorganization was disclosed over the summer, but the drugmaker hasn’t yet pulled the trigger on big cutbacks. But these will be made. In a conference call a short while ago, cfo Andrew Bonfield says “we haven’t yet started the layoffs. We expect to do that in the next few weeks, before the end of the year.” In other words, a holiday surprise. But neither ceo Jim Cornelius or Bonfield would say how many jobs will go or sites to be closed. Those details are being saved for a Dec. 5 meeting with Wall Street analysts in Manhattan. In response to questions that Cornelius indicated cuts were already under way, he explains that any jobs that were shed in recent months were due to earlier initiatives that were still playing out. But he declined to be more specific. Sha... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=979404 Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:54:15 +0100 979404 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=976547&cid=t_155065_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F174464777%2F Although we updated our earlier dispatch to report that the drugmaker is eliminating 1,000 sales positions, we thought we would take this opportunity to bring you the latest. In addition to the sales jobs - about half of which are currently vacated - Glaxo is closing its plant in Cidra, Puerto Rico, citing excess capacity, according to a Glaxo spokeswoman. “We expect the workforce will reduce from approximately 900 to approximately 250 by the end of 2007,” she tells Pharmalot. “The Cidra factory was established in 1969 and most recently manufactured Coreg, Avandia, Avandamet, and Paxil CR. Manufacture of those products will or have been transferred into other sites.” As more details become known, we will fill you in. Share / E-mail (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=976547 Wed, 24 Oct 2007 17:48:31 +0100 976547 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=959860&cid=t_155065_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F171548043%2F The drugmaker told analysts last month that more jobs would be going as part of a cost-saving effort. And the results reported today underscore the problem - Novartis reported higher third-quarter profit, but that was mostly due to the sale of two units to Nestle. Sales were hurt by withdrawal of Zelnorm, the irritable bowel syndrome drug, and generic versions of three big sellers - the Lotrel heart med, the Famvir genital herpes treatment and the Lamisil fungal drug. Then, there was the failure to win FDA approval for the Prexige Cox-2 painkiller, which has been linked to deaths elsewhere. The job cuts - 240 in US HQ functions, 510 sales reps and 510 contracted reps - are supposed to save $230 million. The various setbacks cut operating income at the pharma biz by 13 percent, while operat... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=959860 Thu, 18 Oct 2007 11:03:51 +0100 959860 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=903796&cid=t_155065_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F161074404%2F The biotech, which last month announced plans to slash between 2,200 and 2,600 positions, is now saying 2,200 employees will, in fact, lose their jobs and that includes about 675 layoffs at its headquarters in Thousand Oaks, Ca., The Ventura County Star reports. The cuts follow an extraordinary number of setbacks - the FDA issued strict warnings on Aranesp and Epogen. Congress is investigating the marketing and safety of the drugs. The Securities and Exchange Commission is probing a failure to tell Wall Street that a key clinical trial ended over safety concerns, which only became known after an industry newsletter published the details. Worst of all, Medicare reduced reimbursement for the drugs. Oh yes, Amgen is postponing a $1 billion plant in Ireland. Until last month, though, ceo Kevin... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=903796 Tue, 25 Sep 2007 13:27:54 +0100 903796