Scott Miller

On Dec. 14, we’ll explore the paths to implementing “universal healthcare” in the U.S. We’ll assume that “universal” coverage is the consensus goal, and discuss how to get there.

Paths

• Should it be done with a giant leap? Strong advocates seem to think so, but there are lots of unknowns (changes in behavior of providers, patients, others; cost; etc.).
• Should it be done incrementally, such as by expanding Medicare to cover broader age groups?
• Should a single system be implemented nationally, or should the details (or even adoption) be left to the individual states?

To Where?

• Should the U.S. create a unique system? <How would it be different from others? Why?>
• Should it copy one of the existing models of other countries? <Which one?>
• Should it expand an existing program (like Medicare)? <Does Medicare currently “work” for the country?>

I’m sure we’ll have a robust discussion and will hopefully gain some insights into the risks and opportunities with such a transformation.

Next week, we’ll revisit this topic that continues to be relevant and has recently returned to the headlines.

• Do we think, as some have asserted (NYT), that the assassination of a top Iranian nuclear scientist was intended to complicate any Biden Administration efforts to rejoin the Iran Nuclear deal?
• Or will it actually make a renewed Iran Nuclear deal more likely, as at least one other has speculated (WaPo)?
• Or will it expose vulnerabilities (NYT) within the Iranian government and its people?
• What should be the U.S. approach to Iran (and Israel)?
• And how will it all play out?

If there’s time and interest, we may also discuss Afghanistan (again)—another area in which the Trump Administration appears to be taking significant action before the end of the Trump presidency. Who’d have thought the New York Times Editorial Board would credit the Trump Administration with “laudable steps toward a U.S. exit?”

“What does Biden’s choices for key Administration roles tell us about his Presidency?

This coming Monday, we’ll discuss the announced (and rumored) picks for key roles in the incoming Biden administration, and what they signal about the next four years:

• Will the progressive wing of the Democratic Party get any influential seats in the Cabinet? What will that mean for their respective departments?
• What do Biden’s choices for Treasury, etc. imply about his economic and tax policy?
• How about the foreign policy team (Secretary of State, UN Ambassador, Director of National Intelligence)?

Here’s a New York Times article to get us started.

Don’t forget to register on the Blue Hill Public Library event calendar if you want to participate–that’ll get you the Zoom login info.