The American people usually put their differences aside in troubling times, pull together, and keep moving forward. The COVID crisis has proven the exception. Whether it’s because it set upon us suddenly while we were unprepared or the shock that this kind of thing can still happen, we’ve been badly divided for some time.
People are frightened because no one knows for sure what’s going on. The disease data here and around the globe is suspect. The estimates that guided policymakers differ greatly from what appears to have occurred as the pandemic spread. Credible claims have been made that state and local governments are manipulating the numbers to get more money from Washington.
That may sound ghoulish but it’s not impossible. The CARES Act included a 20 percent “bonus” for Medicare reimbursements paid out for COVID-19 patients. It incentivizes sickness, leading to an outbreak of selfishness. People want money since its being handed out freely. Those who are supposed to get it are waiting for it to arrive. Those who aren’t getting any are looking for ways to get it from those who did. Some institutions that shouldn’t have gotten it are being challenged to give it back. And, when the spigots shut off suddenly last week, those who were afraid they’d run out of ready cash — including the healthcare providers now laying off staff because they can’t afford to pay them as long as the regular practice of elective medicine is on hold — are trying to get their hands on as much of it as they can.
It’s insane, but no more than the rest of what is going on. Hospitals and doctors are asking health insurance companies to front-load payments for work to be done in the future. The law of unintended consequences kicked in when governments across America ordered elective surgeries and other care be put on hiatus to keep beds and staff and personal protective equipment available for what the experts said would be a rush of COVID-19 patients so large the system would not be able to care for them all.
Now we must deal with that in addition to everything else. Yet a climate of uncertainty has taken hold as we’re probably months into this thing. We’re worried about the implications for the health of the citizenry and the health of the economy but really: How long can we go before the whole system comes crashing down?
It’s a good question. And the day of reckoning will come upon us sooner than most people think. There are lots of people calling for the marketplace to reopen. It seems sensible now that the curve looks to have been flattened. But those decisions are best left to governors and the other local officials who issued the self-quarantine orders in the first place.
The politicians in Washington keep spending money faster than they can print it to keep things liquid. The latest tranche is almost $500 billion, bringing the total to $5 trillion, give or take yet some people still haven’t been made anything close to whole. Usually, that’s not the government’s responsibility but usually, the government doesn’t shut down the economy. Like the doctors and hospital administrators and trustees who want cash upfront from the insurance companies for work they may do later, everyone wants to know what they must do to survive — if, that is, survival remains possible.
Let’s start by letting the rest of the healthcare sector get back on its normal course. Putting people back to work, allowing folks to put bread on their table and money in the bank as the byproducts of their labors is the best answer. Looking to the government to require people who have money to give it to people who don’t — which is where some folks may want this to all go — may sound appealing but it ultimately gets you to a place no American wants to be. Like Venezuela.
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Peter Roff
Peter Roff is affiliated with several Washington, D.C. public policy organizations and is a former U.S. News and World Report contributing editor who appears regularly as a commentator on the One America News network. He can be reached by email at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @PeterRoff.
come on man , everybody knows the nasty ass rat party and china unleashed a virus to stop the world economy and president trump , but it wont happen . trump2020-2024
# ArmyForTRUMP 2020
AMEN
That’s for sure.
AMEN!!!
https://news.yahoo.com/chinas-diplomats-show-teeth-defending-070440899.html
China’s diplomats show teeth in defending virus response
By: DAKE KANG Associated Press •April 24, 2020
BEIJING (AP) — From Asia to Africa, London to Berlin, Chinese envoys have set off diplomatic firestorms with a combative defense whenever their country is accused of not acting quickly enough to stem the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
Well written. No gov’t is responsible for my individual choices, health, or welfare. Gov’ts are over reaching snd over promising. Nothing is free, be safe but get back to work America!
So, the consensus is that we have gotten a handle on this virus problem. They are working on formulating a serum which can be inoculated into each and everyone. Let’s get it done so that we may become normal again. Who’s with mw on that?????
I think President Trump has done amazingly well at a time when we need someone who worries about us and America. Thanks so much to him for putting up with the hate he has to. Sometimes I wonder if that isn’t why we are having all the problems (the hate that has been going on for the past three years). There are many decisions that have to be made by our leaders and it would help a lot if we would try to cooperate rather than being another problem they have to contend with. So thanks to President Trump and the Republican Party and the Governors. Thanks to the Democratic part as well when they stop trying to destroy President Trump and get busy doing something responsible. I think things would go much better if they would decide to work together to help the country rather than to destroy our President when he has obviously been doing a great job.
Dr. Fauci and other on the trump advisory board received significant funds from the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation and has been working of this virus for over 9 years. They were directed to stop all USA effort on this virus so he arranged for over $3.2 Billion (under Obama’s watch) to that China’s lab. Dr. Fauci said at George town University that next president (Trump) will have a Pandemic in a a few years.
You are aware that Gates supports UN prop 2030 for 50% world population reduction.
SOUNDS ABOUT RIGHT AND CHINA IS INTO DECREASING THE POPULATION. CHINA IS OPENING 4 IF THESE VIRUS LABS. IT IS BIOCHEMICAL WARFARE. THE UNITED STATES WAS GIVIBG CHINA 5.9 BILLION THE “WHO” TO PREVENT THESE TYPE IF OUTBREAKS. WHY WOULD ANYONE TRUST CHINA. THE GOV HATES US AND WANTS OUR LAND. PRESIDENT TRUMP IS TALKING ABOUT STOPPING THE FUNDING. I SURE HOPE SO. TRUMP 2021 TO 2025
IT IS GREAT to hear the comments of those here that are waking up and seeing past the matrix of lies. All is going according to plan, to continue to wake as many people as possible, before the de-class and indictments. Have to inform the citizens and change the perspectives on “truth” that’s is out there, before the support is there for the arrests…..
I SHALL FEAR NO EVIL (DEVILCRATS) FOR GOD IS WITH ME ALWAYS AND FOREVER …. THIS TO SHALL PASS …
.
In The Two Towers (The JRRT book, NOT the movie), speaking of Saruman and Sauron, King Théoden said it best: ‘Oft evil will shall evil mar.’ (oft evil intention will hurt the cause of evil).
They are Devilcrats for sure.
Manipulation of an invisible particle was the path for those of darkness to finally control the individual. They could always control groups. If the dark ones can keep you 6 feet from your loved ones and neighbors, they have effectually trampled on your first amendment; freedom of assembly, freedom of religion, etc….
We need to get back to church!! Our salvation is in the hands of our Savior!!
What does “Your comment is awaiting moderation mean?
They’re taking a toke break.
The vets and old folks are screwed again. They will never see one penny while the dead beats and illegals will have a windfall.
Democrats have screwed us again.
GOD WILL INTERVENE. THE DEVILCRATS WILL NOT PREVAIL. IT IS WRITTEN AND SO MUCH OF IT IS ALREADY HAPPENING. THE LORD IS ANGRY. THE CLINTONS HAVE BEEN IN BED WITH CHINA FOR DECADES. THE DEMONS THAT THEY ALL ARE WANT WORLD POWER. COMMUNISM. IT WILL NOT HAPPEN AS THE LORD WILL RETURN AND WITH A VENGEANCE FOR ALL OF THEM. AMEN
It’s wonderful that help is coming but beware Congress . Where is this cash cow coming from and how will we pay it back. This could hamper a whole generation. Along with the hand outs it is the responsibility of Congress to advise us how it is paid for.
The Chinese started a war without having fired a single shot . They used biowarfare instead.
I’m not opposed to an incentive package for small businesses. They are usually mom and pop business with few employees. I have a little more difficulty with very large businesses (including large medical supply company’s and privately own health facilities) who have put their hand into the kitty. These large companies have rainy day funds for just this type of occasion to help employees through trying times. If they don’t have such a fund then they’re remiss in their responsibility. CEO’s and senior administrators don’t need a handout. Most large companies have investors who are looking to make a buck, and yes they should under normal circumstances, but they don’t need the handout from an incentive package. Most investors can well afford to wait, if they can’t, they shouldn’t be investing their money.