Top Ten Most Expensive Medical Conditions
The top 10 most expensive medical conditions in US as determined by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
| Condition | Cost ($ billion) |
| Heart conditions | 76 |
| Trauma disorders | 72 |
| Cancer | 70 |
| Mental disorders including depression | 56 |
| Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | 54 |
| Hypertension | 42 |
| Diabetes | 34 |
| Osteoarthritis and other joint diseases | 34 |
| Back problems | 32 |
| Normal childbirth | 32 |
Boston Globe: The Black Box Economy
Stephen Mihm, an assistant professor of American history at the University of Georgia has a feature article in the current issue of the Boston Globe called “The Black Box Economy.” Focusing on the shadowy world of ever more sophisticated derivatives, he speculates on the doomsday potential of these instruments that are valued at over ten times the world’s total GDP and that are often based on no underlying asset at all. Some hope is held out by way of the FASB.
The Stimulus Package that America Needs
What do current proposals for an economic stimulus package propose? I’ve heard estimates of $600 - $800 for average American families. This “windfall,” in theory, will revitalize our consumer-based economy by filling malls with customers who are eager to spend, spend, spend. Perhaps the hope is that this “priming of the pump,” will once again get the streams of cash flow, flowing, and keep them flowing. This kind of stimulus measure however, clearly cannot keep consumers spending for long and it is reasonable to question how many will start spending at all. $800.00 after all, at least makes a dent in whatever astronomical figure the average American has for an outstanding credit card balance.
To really really get the economy going, how about not only a larger windfall to families, but an incentive for actually spending the money on new consumer goods. What if the government say, offered a matching tax credit to consumers of $1.00 for every $1.00 spent on soft goods and perhaps double that amount for durable goods? Wouldn’t that be sweet?
My gosh, why stop even there, why not actually pay people to go shopping? Can you imagine the amount of consumer spending that could be stimulated if the government would just pay us all to shop! They of course could not keep this up forever, maybe just for a year or two until we get over the hump and the bear goes back into hibernation.
Seriously though, what about something really radical like ending the drain on the economy by ending the war that has so far created over $40,000 in debt for every American family? What about some real leadership from our elected leaders to help transform this nation into a nation of savers instead of spenders, a nation of thoughtful investors rather than reckless consumers, and a nation of well-rounded, productive people rather than amusement junkies? A one-shot, injection of liquidity may have psychological value but it won’t change the fundamentals, a long term plan and real leadership is needed for that.
Angry Bear phrased it well, “we must think further than just giving the junkie one more–maybe his last–shot in the arm. In short, merely priming the consumer for one more run at the punch bowl is a bit short-sighted.”
Alcoa up 75%
Alocoa’s net is up 75% and that sounds wonderful but most of the reason is on account of the pending sale of its packaging and consumer business. The WSJ points out that 4th quarter results were also due to a favorable restructuring adjustment and tax benefit. The reality is that its quarterly revenues fell rather steeply and its “flat rolled” sales were down due to general market weakness. The packaging and consumer business sale to a New Zealand company was worth $2.7 b and includes the brand, “Reynold’s Wrap.”