No matter how many times we have discussions with readers, colleagues, friends - and even people we just stumble into conversation with at the store - we continue to be amazed at how little so many Americans know about what's going on in their world today.
We're aware that it's not exactly easy for many folks to keep up with news that's actually important and will impact their lives. In a world where so many Americans have multiple part-time jobs, multiple family members to take care of, and the main media focus is on everything from Husker football to dying comedians - but not nearly enough on real news - staying informed isn't always easy. Being a watchful citizen requires reading, learning, listening - and NOT watching Fox News.
You may have missed the latest study from Fairleigh Dickinson University, released last week, which proves that once again, people who watch Fox News are not only misinformed, but are actually LESS informed than people who read or watch no news at all. While this poll was conducted exclusively in New Jersey, it's only one of a handful of polls that have proven that FNC, while great at propaganda and television graphics, is almost criminally bad at delivering honest factual information.
One of the key successes of President Obama's first term has been the Affordable Care Act, Already, millions of young American adults who didn't have health insurance are now covered. So "ObamaCare" has already proven a success in some ways - though you wouldn't know it if you watch Fox or listen to the screamers on right-wing radio.
Thankfully, our friend, journalist Rick Ungar, recently took a good look at at a real, live success in keeping health care costs low that uses some organizational structures similar to those in the ACA - what many on the right call, "Obamacare."
As Rick points out in Forbes, in Grand Junction, Colorado, over the last thirty years, physicians, the community, and a not-for-profit insurance company have worked together to create an original - and amazingly effective health care delivery system.
Chronic diseases are way down in Grand Junction, while coverage for low-income and Medicaid participants is around 88 percent - more than double what it is in all of Western Colorado. Costs are kept down for everyone, while doctors and medical centers are kept in line not by bigger government, but by their peers. Meanwhile, doctors, nurses, and other medical staff still earn very healthy incomes.
The Grand Junction experiment proves several things - including the fact that "consumer-driven health care", and fee for service care simply don't work.
It also proves that on contentious issues, solutions that benefit everyone without costing too much can be found - IF those involved are willing to commit to fixing the problems and are ready to compromise.
Of course, it helps to be as informed and educated as possible.
We recommend you start by turning off Fox News and seeking factual information elsewhere. Anywhere.
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