Ruminations

Canadian universal, non-profit health care

2/19/2020

UnitedHealthGroup is the largest single health insurance company in the United States with 49.5 million paying members in 2018; there are at least 7 other insurance companies, each with over 4 million paying members. But continuing with just UnitedHealthGroup for now, it’s stated company goals are:

UnitedHealth Group is dedicated to continuously improving the quality of our performance for consumers, customers, care providers and our shareholders.

Fourth quarter and annual profits for 2019 were:
•Full Year and Fourth Quarter Net Earnings Per Share of $14.33 and $3.68 Grew 18% and 19%Year-Over-Year
•Full Year and Fourth Quarter Adjusted Net Earnings Per Share of $ 15.11 and $3.90 Grew 17% and19% Year-Over-Year
https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/content/dam/UHG/PDF/investors/2019/UNH-Q4-2019-Release.pdf

Full year and fourth quarter net earnings for 2019 were 19.7 billion and 5.1 billion (see the table on page 2 of above link)

For 2019, five senior managers were paid a total of 65 million dollars. Salaries are of course counted as an expense and are deducted before calculating profits.
https://www1.salary.com/UNITEDHEALTH-GROUP-INC-Executive-Salaries.html

In Canada and other countries with universal, non-profit health care, there are no health insurance companies standing between the patient and the health care providers. The health care providers are doctors, specialists, or hospitals providing care and treatment, and are paid directly by the government health care ministry according to a schedule listing the amount of payment for each service provided. If your appendix is about to burst, you go to a hospital, show your provincial ID, and a surgeon saves your life – you receive no bill from anyone because you’ve paid your taxes (or if you’re destitute, the rest of Canadians pay for you through slightly higher taxes than otherwise.) In Canada UnitedHealthGroup would not exist. Patients do not create profits for companies, but they do of course pay taxes and that’s where the money comes from for doctors, hospitals, etc. An American paying for his/her own medical insurance typically pays more than the average Canadian’s whole tax bill for all government services. In 32 of 33 first world countries, the description of the systems used are variations of Canada’s. (Most are better because they include drugs, dental and vision care while Canada’s does not yet.)

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Another, not better, world: Feb 13, 2017

2/13/2017

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Doctor Zhivago, the David Lean movie, was fabulously popular in 1966. My cousin and I were first year students at different universities, and on returning home at Easter break, we decided to see the movie in South Bend.

Tonya and Yuyi arrive at Varykino

Tonya

The theater was large, a sprawling orchestra at street level with balcony above, but only sparsely attended that night. We found places in a lower middle aisle, the half dozen intervening rows empty between us and the two patrons seated almost directly ahead, a strawberry blonde and an elderly man, her father. A coincidence entirely, I had met the young woman only a few months before, spoke to her many times on campus, while yearning for a deepening mutual attraction.

Perhaps my cousin noticed how quiet I became at that moment, but house lights were fading and Lara’s Theme began to play. There was no time to tell him, to say ‘I know that girl.’ A few minutes into the three hour movie, I watched her father lean close to translate for her the Russian banners carried by marching Muscovites. I could tell she was enthralled by what appeared on the screen that night and I tried to remember and understand it too, because of her. Unsurprisingly, everything of Zhivago is still imprinted in me, after more than 50 years.

Muscovites attacked by dragoons

Varykino in winter.

Have you seen the movie? If you liked it, might I suggest reading the book as I did recently. The first fifty pages are daunting, dozens of seemingly unrelated characters are introduced, each with given, patronymic and family names, plus a couple nick names. But then, about page 60, Lara, Tonya, Yuri and Pasha begin to carry the story as their lives and tragedies weave together, and Boris Pasternak’s Nobel Prize winning novel begins to sing.

Pasha and Lara

Lara and Yuri

If you remember the movie, you will notice rather profound differences to the novel, particularly at the end. This story is not for the faint-hearted, but there are many marvelous passages, like this one in which Lara is speaking to Yuri of how she came to love Pasha when they were teenagers, only children.

“Early in childhood I began to dream of purity. He [Pasha] was its realization. We were almost from the same courtyard. . .

I was his childhood passion. He swooned, he went cold when he saw me. It’s probably not good for me to say it and know it. But it would be still worse if I pretended not to know. I was his childhood passion, that enslaving infatuation which one conceals, which a child’s pride doesn’t allow him to reveal, and which is written without words on his face and is obvious to everybody. He and I are people as different as you (Yuri) and I are similar. Right then I chose him with my heart. I decided to join my life with this wonderful boy’s . . .”

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Syrian Refugee Settlement, December 4, 2015

12/4/2015

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Toronto Skyline

Waiting, waiting, waiting.
Our ten-person Syrian refugee committee is scrambling like mad to raise funds for rent and living expenses, gathering every household item people need to live, guessing what language, what ethnic background and religion our family might have so we can identify social and cultural groups they would want to connect with (Toronto is incredibly blessed with communities of almost every sort), finding doctors, dentists for them, a myriad of forms and applications to be filled out, lining up winter clothing and snow boots for people we haven’t seen (short, tall, skinny, plump?), finding cell phones, computer and internet so they can find jobs, English language training, and on and on.

All this, when so far, we know only their ages and sex: a mother in her late sixties, her two adult daughters and a son in law. Yes, that’s all we know, and they could arrive any day, or next week, or by the end of the month. When word comes they are waiting at Pearson International, suddenly we will know a lot more, presuming we have brought the right translator.

Please, please, please let them arrive safely. Our church got to exactly this point last year, waiting with bated breathe when word came that the father of our refugee family had simply disappeared from their camp, and the mother with small children wouldn’t leave the Middle East without him. No idea what happened, or if he is still alive. We were told nothing thereafter.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/canada-gets-it-right-on-syrian-refugees/2015/11/26/8c9164ee-93a5-11e5-a2d6-f57908580b1f_story.html

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Syrian Immigration to Canada, November 24, 2015

11/24/2015

Toronto Skyline

Canada’s goal is still twenty five thousand Syrian refugees by Dec. 31, 2015 (emended on 11/24 to 25K by the end of Feb.) The nation’s crazy scramble is partly self-imposed and partly the result of our recent election in which nothing much useful occurred at the federal level regarding immigration of refugees (or anything else.) On Sept 2, midway through the election period, this news picture seems to have made a significant difference to the election outcome.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Alan_Kurdi

The facts that a three year old child was dead on a Turkish beach and there was a Canadian connection, implying a fear-based, all-deliberate-speed approach to immigration by the then-current government, created a wide-spread desire among Canadians to do the right thing for once. Trudeau II’s campaign promise was to bring in thousands of Syrians by year end and some folks are absolutely appalled the winners are actually doing what they promised. (In fact, Trudeau II has been keeping a lot of his campaign promises.) Here are the government’s announcements as to how Canada will try to make this work in the next five weeks. I don’t agree with the exclusions but pray they will soon be dropped. Surely this is only the first round of Canada’s effort, the need is staggering, beyond comprehension, and what Canadian is attempting is only a drop in the ocean.
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2015/11/23/feds-to-complete-screening-of-syrian-refugees-abroad.html
Our church committee’s next meeting is Dec 1, we’re desperately trying to get ready. Finally, here is what I hope our refugees will find when they reach us: http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/2015/11/23/welcome-to-canada-refugees-menon.html

Truth and Reconciliation Commission May 31, 2015 Photos

6/4/2015

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Pic 1

In the background to the right is the West Block of Parliament Hill, covered in renovation scaffolding; background to the left are the Supreme Court of Canada buildings. In the foreground is a line of First Nations drummers leading some 3000 marchers along Wellington St. on their way to the Ottawa City Hall plaza.

What Happened? What’s it all about?
http://www.trc.ca/websites/trcinstitution/index.php?p=3

Pic 1

Pic 2

Pic 2

The lead drummers have advanced down Wellington to a point opposite the Centre Block, the Canadian Parliament building.

What is the Truth and Reconciliation Commission?
What is its Purpose?

http://www.trc.ca/websites/trcinstitution/index.php?p=3

Pic 3

Settlers, First Nations, Canadians. On this day, similar marches were held in many Canadian cities.

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2015/05/31/toronto-walk-marks-end-of-first-nations-truth-and-reconciliation-inquiry.html

Pic 3

Pic 4

Pic 4

The United Church ran many of the Residential Schools over the programme’s one hundred year history and was the first church to issue an official apology. Catholic, Presbyterian and Anglican Churches were also directors of residential schools, and along with the Government of Canada have issued apologies.

I wasn’t even alive back then!
Why should I feel anything?
http://www.trc.ca/websites/trcinstitution/index.php?p=3

Pic 5

Pic 5

Marchers heading down Elgin St. to the Marion Dewar (City Hall) Plaza.

What’s Next? What should be done?
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/truth-and-reconciliation-report-calls-for-broad-recommendations/article24761778/

Pic 6

Pic 6

Ottawa Raging Grannies.

Does the government agree with the Grannies?

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-remains-silent-on-truth-and-reconciliation-recommendations/article24785944/

Pic 7

First Nations drummers draw a crowd. In the middle somewhere are about 20 Anishnabe drummers and singers. If you ever attend a pow wow, it will be an experience you will never forget. For a Settler like me, at first the music seems very strange, a little frightening even, and then, eventually, a smile you just can’t suppress breaks out and the heart begins to soar.

Pic 7

Pic 8

Pic 8

Premier of Ontario, Kathleen Wynne, addresses the marchers.

What does the Premier of Ontario think?

http://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2015/06/premiers-statement-on-the-truth-and-reconciliation-commission-report.html

Pic 9

West Coast First Nations totem pole.

Pic 9

Pic 10

Pic 10

Monument to First Nations Warriors who have served Canada. Eagle, Bison, and Bear totems are visible from this side.

Pic 11

Wolf and Elk totems.

Pic 11

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Reading in a Pioneer Burying Ground

9/9/2014

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Sunday evening in Stayner, Ontario, was quite an experience at the 17th Annual Memorial Candlelight Service at the Bethel-Union Cemetery.

The host was the Silvershoe Historical Society, many of whom are descended from pre-Underground Railroad blacks who, in early/mid 1800's formed the largest black community in Upper Canada, after the Niagara area. It was because I write about black families in those days I was invited to speak.

Cemetery as restored by the Silvershoe Historical Society, 2014

Several of the attendees are also of First Nations heritage and the ceremony began with an Ojibway Honour Song and smudging. I felt very much at home.

The ceremony took place in a pioneer burial grounds that the society has restored over the last twenty years, after it was neglected for decades. Janie Cooper-Wilson, the master of ceremonies, told me over 800 people are buried there, many of slave and native heritage. The event took place at night, in a beautiful birch grove, in a farming community about two hours north of Toronto. There were candle lightings, prayers for the ailing and passed, songs and hymns, local politicians, appeals and fund raising to save a nearby African Methodist Episcopal Church on its last legs, speakers and performers.

I was my usual self, rather quiet and shy, sitting in a corner, until my turn came near the end as the "Key Note Speaker," according to the programme. I then stood up, dropped into 'teacher mode' and began to perform a short story I'd written about an elderly white newspaper publisher, a black journeyman printer in his employ, and the young black woman they meet on the New York City docks during the 1783 Loyalist evacuation at the end of the Revolutionary War. I acted out the story, complete with 'voices' of the main characters.

Susan assures me I didn't make a fool of myself, that folks laughed and applauded in the right spots. Several people professes enjoyment at the end of the evening and Janie Cooper-Wilson sent a very nice thanks for our attending. Quite a time was had by all.

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Brock’s Speech to the Militia at Culver’s Tavern

8/27/2014

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General Isaac Brock, painted by G. T. Berthon, 1883

Wednesday Evening, August 5, 1812

Historians agree this event took place, but there is no record of what British General Isaac Brock said that night. However, from subsequent events, it is clear his speech was remarkably effective. At Culver’s Tavern, Brock changed the minds of Upper Canada farmers and shopkeepers who had, only days before, steadfastly refused an order to muster for duty. Somehow Brock transformed reluctant civilians into companies of men willing to fight an invading American army.

Perhaps your interest is peaked. What did Brock say and how did he say it?

At this point, historians typically pass to other matters, explaining, ‘It’s only speculation from here on.’ However, it is the aim of a writer of historical fiction, who has studied the times and people involved, to portray what happened. If done skillfully, the novelist allows readers to stand in that audience to witness an event that occurred two hundred years ago.

But that’s guess work! Well of course it is, to a certain extent, but the novelist’s account is based on a calculation of probabilities, given facts that are known. What then are the probabilities? What issues might Brock have spoken to that evening?

Almost certainly, General Brock acknowledged the presence of traitors and American spies standing among the audience as he spoke, acknowledged the success those provocateurs had instilling fears among people who might otherwise be loyal.

Fort Mackinac

One claim spread by American Brigadier General William Hull’s agents was that the First Nations would not fight against American invaders. Indeed, it was true and widely known that the Six Nations people living on the Grand River were hesitating to join in Upper Canada’s defense in response to entreaties from the Iroquois still residing in New York State.* On good authority, the Iroquois below thought they would be punished, driven from their reserves, if their Brothers in Upper Canada aided the British.

A related rumour spread by those in favour of American victory was that, if Loyalist militia left their homes undefended, Indians would attack defenseless Loyalist families. Most probably, Brock countered these fears with heartening news only just arrived from Fort Mackinac. This news was of a victory by First Nations warriors and British regulars, fighting together, to seize Mackinac on July 12.

Another rumour was that disaffection among civilians in Upper Canada was so widespread, the militia would not fight, leaving only vastly outnumbered British regulars to defend the province. Disaffection among recent immigrants to Upper Canada was real, easily recognized, and dangerous.** As Brock spoke to the people of Norwich and nearby communities, a number of whom ranked themselves among the disloyal, Brock had a perfect retort – accompanying him in his dash to defend Upper Canada's frontier were two hundred militiamen of 1st York and 5th Lincoln. It must be supposed Brock took the opportunity to introduce them to the audience as paragons of loyalty, as men willing to defend the province’s western front, already hard-pressed by Hull’s invading army.

Finally, at some point, Brock presumably appealed to the compassion and patriotism of the Loyalist families who stood before him, knowing full well that the sympathies of American immigrants were beyond his reach. Perhaps in this appeal Brock said something very much like the following:

“The people of Baldoon and Sandwich and Amherstburg are hoping, praying, for our help. Their homes are being looted, their farms are burning. Their need is urgent.

Before you stand men of York and Niagara. We leave at midnight to throw the invaders out.

I ask you now. Will you join us?”

This is but a small part of how the novelist imagines Brock’s speech that night.
Could there be errors of omission or commission, compared to what actually occurred? Again, of course there could be, but it can be argued convincingly that probabilities lie strongly in favour of Brock speaking on these issues.

The complete version of the novelist’s recreation of Brock’s speech appears on pages 192-195 of 1812 The Land Between Flowing Waters. (Order information appears on the opening page of this website.)

by Ken Leland, 2014

* The Journal of Major John Norton, 1816, pages 294-198, published by the Champlain Society, 1970

** Plunder, Profit, and Paroles, Chapter Two, by George Sheppard, McGill-Queens University Press, 1994.

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The Half Sentence

8/9/2014

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I can imagine no more terrifying thought than the one expressed here:

If men were ever in a state in which they did not want to know or could not perceive truth, facts or evidence, . . .*

Here is an excerpt from a July, 2014, New York Times column by Paul Krugman about facts and evidence:

Woodburn Hall, Indiana University

On July 6, The Times published an article by the political scientist Brendan Nyhan about a troubling aspect of the current American scene: the stark partisan divide over issues that should be simply factual, like whether the planet is warming or evolution happened. It’s common to attribute such divisions to ignorance, but as Mr. Nyhan points out, the divide is worse among those who are better informed about the issues.

The problem isn’t ignorance; it’s wishful thinking. Confronted with a conflict between evidence and what they want to believe for political and /or religious reasons, many people reject the evidence. And knowing more about the issues widens the divide, because the well informed have a clearer view of which evidence they need to reject to sustain their belief system.

*The half-sentence was written by J. R. R. Tolkien and published in Tree and Leaf, 1964, in a essay entitled ‘On Fairy-stories.’ The sentence is concluded as follows: “. . . then Fantasy would languish until they are cured. If they ever get into that state (it would not seem at all impossible), Fantasy would perish, and become Morbid Delusion.”

The fate of Fantasy as a literary genre does not concern me at all compared to the implication that both the U.S. and Canada are in rapid devolution into medieval, pre-scientific societies.

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Canadian universal, non-profit health care

Another, not better, world: Feb 13, 2017

Syrian Refugee Settlement, December 4, 2015

Syrian Immigration to Canada, November 24, 2015

Truth and Reconciliation Commission May 31, 2015 Photos

Reading in a Pioneer Burying Ground

Brock’s Speech to the Militia at Culver’s Tavern

The Half Sentence

Ken's

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