Excellent articles. How do we get consumers to not waste food? The 2nd link pretty much pins blame on them.

““More than 80 percent of Americans discard perfectly good, consumable food simply because they misunderstand expiration labels. Labels like “sell by”, “use by”, “expires on”, “best before” or “best by” are confusing to people — and in an effort to not risk the potential of a foodborne illness, they’ll toss it in the garbage.

“More than 80 percent of Americans discard perfectly good food because they misunderstand expiration labels.

“Compared to the rest of the world, food in the United States is plentiful and less costly, and often this contributes to a general sentiment of not appreciating or valuing it the way other communities around the globe do. Americans are often impulsive in their food purchases, unrealistically assessing how much food is required, and as a result buying more food than they need or buying food they won’t actually eat. Our take-out society doesn’t use food in its entirety the way our ancestors used to. We underutilize leftovers and toss food scraps that can still be consumed or composted. Composting isn’t part of our food-prep routine, so we continue to add fuel to the fire in increasing the sheer size of US landfills.” . . . . .

It makes total sense and is best for everyone, but this is why it unlikely will happen overnight here.

Sad thing is, a Pew Poll in 2023 showed 57% of population supports universal coverage, but 53% want private insurance.

“WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A 57% majority of U.S. adults believe that the federal government should ensure all Americans have healthcare coverage. Yet nearly as many, 53%, prefer that the U.S. healthcare system be based on private insurance rather than run by the government. These findings are in line with recent attitudes about the government’s involvement in the healthcare system, which have been relatively steady since 2015.”

https://news.gallup.com/poll/468401/majority-say-gov-ensure-healthcare.aspx

That was January 2023, maybe it's changed.

So, first we have to get by the opposition. Even if it’s 40%, doubt any Dem would cram it down peoples’ throats.

A Public Option would be great. If it’s as good as we think, people will gravitate to it quickly squeezing out private insurers. But the key is to get everyone covered; however, that’s accomplished.

Another bridge is EVERY major improvement in healthcare since 1990s involves private insurers— Part C under Clinton, Part D drugs, ACA/Obamacare, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid Expansion? Maybe we can say screw you to those not convinced, but don’t think anything will pass now or 5 years from now by doing that.

That program was used by less than 400K out of 160M over 2 years. Free File still exists. Here's link.

Should probably check facts on this one, even Mark Cuban has signed on.

AI Overview
The Trump administration launched the TrumpRx website as a government-run platform for discounted prescription drugs, meaning the government owns and operates it. It is not a privately owned company but a government initiative in partnership with pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer to make drugs more affordable.

If you don’t trust AI, you can research yourself. Here’s a few starters.

https://www.wfaa.com/article/money/business/mark-cuban-cost-plus-drugs-partner-with-trumprx/287-d5e15194-375c-450b-8a8b-b95f09cb908f

https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/pfizer-reaches-landmark-agreement-us-government-lower-drug

https://www.bipc.com/trumprx-what-pharmacies-and-plan-sponsors-need-to-know

https://www.astrazeneca.com/content/astraz/media-centre/press-releases/2025/astrazeneca-announces-historic-agreement-with-us-government-to-lower-the-cost-of-medicines-for-american-patients.html

Whether it will help, who knows with trump?

He can answer for himself. But IMO, somebody better wake up unless you are OK with large employers moving

to red states.

If I remember, corporate taxes are roughly 15% of California’s tax revenue. I’d bet — but I don’t know for sure — that the taxes employees pay in those companies is a whole lot more, not to mention taxes generated by those downstream. That funds the best state in America more than corporate taxes.

OP has a good point, does the State want to sacrifice everything wonderful in state for a few percentage points in tax revenue.

Personally, if I were a rich company, I’d move to California and pay twice as much in taxes. That State gets it right and it’s beautiful. Problem is, I’m not sure many get rich thinking like me. I sure didn’t.

Not exactly true. Traditional Medicare has very detailed coverage rules that prevent some questionable claims.

Further, Medicare audits providers exhibiting a billing pattern that is questionable, often 3, 4, 5 years after services rendered, prompting providers to be careful.

Every few days, one reads of Medicare audits where a provider billed millions of dollar over 4 years, when no patient was even seen. Medicare doesn't catch it and we get ripped off.

MA on the other hand often has only 12 to 18 months to recoup questionable services. So they deny upfront. Most denials are overturned quickly once the doc send in records. If you don't think providers -- including Marcus Welby -- don't cheat, you are mistaken.

And, home health gets audited too.

KFF:

Key Takeaways:
"Medicare Advantage insurers made nearly 50 million prior authorization determinations in 2023, reflecting steady year-over-year increases since 2021 (37 million) and 2022 (46 million) as the number of people enrolled in Medicare Advantage has grown. The determinations represent requests for approval that providers are required to submit before providing a service. Substantially fewer prior authorization reviews for traditional Medicare beneficiaries were submitted to CMS – just under 400,000 in fiscal year 2023 – though the number of people enrolled in Medicare Advantage and traditional Medicare were similar in these years.

"In 2023, there were nearly 2 prior authorization determinations on average per Medicare Advantage enrollee, similar to the amount in 2019. In contrast, in 2023, about 1 prior authorization review was submitted per 100 traditional Medicare beneficiaries – a rate of about 0.01 per person — which reflects the limited set of services subject to prior authorization in traditional Medicare.

"In 2023, insurers fully or partially denied 3.2 million prior authorization requests, which is a somewhat smaller share (6.4%) of all requests than in 2022 (7.4%). Though there were substantially fewer prior authorization reviews for traditional Medicare beneficiaries, a larger share was denied – 28.8% in 2023. Denial rates varied across the limited set of services subject to prior authorization in traditional Medicare.

"A small share of denied prior authorization requests was appealed in Medicare Advantage (11.7% in 2023). That represents an increase since 2019, when 7.5% of denied prior authorization requests in Medicare Advantage were appealed. A relatively small share of denied prior authorization reviews was appealed in traditional Medicare (6.4% in 2022) as well.

"Though a small share of prior authorization denials were appealed to Medicare Advantage insurers, most appeals (81.7%) were partially or fully overturned in 2023. That compares to less than one-third (29%) of appeals overturned in traditional Medicare in 2022. These requests represent medical care that was ordered by a health care provider and ultimately deemed necessary but was potentially delayed because of the additional step of appealing the initial prior authorization decision. Such delays may have negative effects on a person’s health."

https://www.kff.org/medicare/nearly-50-million-prior-authorization-requests-were-sent-to-medicare-advantage-insurers-in-2023/

Hopefully, she sees Retired General and farmer Shawn Harris -- the Democrat running in her district -- approaching.

Georgia Democrats trying to salvage SNAP Benefits, while we remain shut down nationally.

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - State Democratic lawmakers called on Gov. Brian Kemp to call a rare special legislative session Monday as food assistance benefits dried up because of the government shutdown.

The shutdown entered its 27th day on Monday, making it the second longest in American history behind the 35-day closure of the federal government in 2019.

Last week, the United States Department of Agriculture and the Georgia Department of “Human Services announced the lack of funding would lead to the expiration of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, sometimes colloquially referred to as food stamps.

““That means Georgia families may lose access to food assistance within days,” said state Sen. Nikki Merritt (D- Grayson). “We cannot allow this to happen.”

https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2025/10/27/state-democrats-call-gov-kemp-special-session-snap-benefits/?fbclid=IwY2xjawNtEjlleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF1UGhRV2M2dFpDb21qdTdzAR7_nKRV7VQTHJZp5EK1EwjVGA0tyEhNYDg5_iOtpZwGUzah-zb64IuRbGmoag_aem_SaTBeIILRLM31Pn5UR-6RQ

Love how everyone comes together on days like this. Feels good. Thanks. N/t.

There was a time when Democrats would jump all over turning land into a state park rather than luxury condos.

"Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state Cabinet will consider a proposal on Tuesday, Sept. 30, to purchase approximately 4 acres of waterfront property in Okaloosa County for $84.5 million, converting land zoned for luxury condominiums into public parkland with significant local government support."



https://www.getthecoast.com/florida-to-consider-84-5m-purchase-of-destin-waterfront-property-for-new-state-park/


I get the price might be a little high and one can make a case it's funneling money to some rich guy. On the other hand. If the price is right, seems like a good public investment.