The Punk-Rock Sensibilities of Health-Care Co-Ops
As I've said before, the punk-rock community was rooted in an anarchist structure. Punk wasn't about The State or corporate whores (or smashing windows or throwing bombs), it was people with common values and needs banding together as a community.
You don't need to be an elected official to be involved in politics. Politics is basically organizing with people toward shared goals. In the era of personal blogging, reality TV, and tweeting, it's one thing to sit behind a computer screen writing and reading about politics, and another to get out there and do things in your community.
This is why I am such a staunch supporter of the co-op: It's a voluntary, private, and democratically operated group that works inside the free-market system. And I'm more than delighted that the United States Senate is looking at promoting co-operative structures as part of the solution to the health-care crisis.
In fact, in a column earlier this year on health-care co-ops, I wrote: "If there is to be a state program, it should concentrate on fostering more local cooperative health-care efforts... In the course of promoting cooperative structures, perhaps we'll actually meet the real needs of people." Obviously the Senators are reading Seattle Weekly online!
Some people confuse co-ops with the totalitarian Marxism implemented in the 20th Century. We must remember that co-ops are private entities that operate in the free market. For example, if you drink milk, you're probably buying from a co-op like Darigold, a group of dairy farmers who've come together in a sellers cooperative. Perhaps you prefer Organic Valley dairy products. This is another co-op, and in our free market system, these two businesses are competitors. Dairy farmers have banded together to form structures that benefit them. And the premise is simple: There's power in numbers.
Let's apply this concept to the health co-op. If a thousand households pay $100 a month into a co-op, that's $100,000 per month into the structure. With rural health clinics in Washington State struggling to survive, a steady stream of membership dollars could stabilize the financial problems of these clinics.
Group Health is a co-op started in Seattle in 1947 "as a community coalition dedicated to making quality health care available and affordable". Group Health is one of a few of its kind in our nation. Today it's a major health care provider in our state that's owned by its members - everyday consumers. The health-plan members / consumers for this non-profit medical venture elect an eleven-member board who govern the co-op. The board themselves are health-plan members. It's a health care structure run from the bottom up to benefit the almost 600,000 people who choose to participate.
Healthcare in the United States has become complex. And the co-op is only part of any potential solution towards affordable care. My point is the local or regional co-op puts the power in the hands of the "little guy". If pot smokers in California can take on the status quo with cannabis co-op's, I don't think it would be too hard for everyone else to have a functioning health care system that meets the needs of people.
26 comment(s)
Annette Oliver says:
Hopefully someday The Senate will allow health insurance for low-income single people who are unemployed without disability issues. I attend Portland Commumity College and there is a class that provides two years of Kaiser Permanente of you complete the class. Seattle and Portland have free clinics but it's limited. My hometown in Southern Illinois lacks the funding we have here for the resources many of us need. If it weren't for this, I guess I'd by visiting the E. R. a lot more and not have the money or insurance to pay the outrageous charges being billed to me. Great blog by the way.
Annette Oliver
Portland, Oregon
Posted On: Tuesday, Jun. 23 2009 @ 8:04AM
Kahlid says:
Co-Op sounds much better than these politicians idea of "I making sure you get health insurance, I'm signing a law that forces you to buy it!".
Posted On: Tuesday, Jun. 23 2009 @ 9:03AM
JJM says:
I love the idea of health care co-ops becoming more prevalent. Group Health is a fine idea and organization, but frankly, their costs are still too high for us; a healthy couple with no kids! Perhaps greater competition in this space will bring down even the costs of co-ops; I'd join in a heartbeat.
Posted On: Tuesday, Jun. 23 2009 @ 9:24AM
Tony says:
I couldn't agree more regarding health co-ops (and Organic Valley milk is THE BEST; well, besides raw milk, which, of course, the government is trying to shut down.) I highly doubt, though, that our Senate will do anything but serve the interests of the medical-industrial complex. Yes, they're "looking" at solutions mentioned in your post, but will anything come of it? I highly doubt it.
Have you checked out Dr. Ron Paul's take on the healthcare system? I think he's more qualified than anyone in Congress to help reform the system. Check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foXQbmZxWYY
Posted On: Tuesday, Jun. 23 2009 @ 1:06PM
Tony says:
Oh, and anarchism continues to have nothing to do with breaking windows and throwing bombs. When, on television, you see cowards in black masks breaking windows, those are state paid agent provocateurs, which has been proven time and time again. Thanks to them, we now have "free speech zones" miles away from the actual events being protested.
Check out these videos for proof:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYjBK84eRlU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mAWslHmiok
Posted On: Tuesday, Jun. 23 2009 @ 1:09PM
Seneca says:
Coops are great for buying food in bulk and sharing the lower costs, funding joint enterprises of many kinds, such as recreational equipment, and otherwise spreading the costs of comodities among many members of the cooperative.
However, what may have worked in the past with respect to prepayment of health services will assuredly not work now.
Krist, I hate to say that you're a babe in the woods regarding the complex, massive, and heavily regulated health care INDUSTRY, but I must say it: You're a babe in the woods, and you haven't a clue what you're talking about.
As a first step toward the education you need, I'd suggest that you contact our state's insurance commissioner and ask about statutory and regulatory requirements for setting up a reliable mechanism for underwriting health costs. One that won't disappear in a puff of smoke when people actually begin to step forward asking, or demanding, that they get health care, and that the coop pay for it. You'll find that the insurance commissioner will require a whole lot more from your little coop--including financial reserves, quality assurance, guaranteed access to providers, and many other elements.
Glad to hear that you approve of Group Health Cooperative, which is a very solid local health care guarantor. It is NOT a cooperative any more, although its governance structure has some small resemblance to its roots, planted 60 years ago.
Neither Group Health, nor REI, nor the University Bookstore (all very well-known and well-regarded organizations that began with true cooperative structures) is a cooperative today. And all, despite maintaining the fiction of their "nonprofit" status, generate oodles of profit for their employees. All, as well, have capitve boards of trustees who haven't a clue about what a true cooperative is and how it would conduct business on behalf of its members.
Back to the drawing board, Krist--you don't know what you're talking about at all.
Posted On: Tuesday, Jun. 23 2009 @ 6:53PM
Boo says:
I think if you look at wikipedia {naturally this is going to be vague)you will seen under the lists of Governors for each State, for example, Washington State has been predominantly Republican Ruled, gander over to Florida's list of Governors and the dominance of Democratic rule is staggering. There is more than one point here, yet we'll stick with health care. Every eight to ten years some health care entity in Florida is caught stealing billions of dollars from the
Federal health care system -- none of them go to jail, most go to South America -- whatever,that percentage of which is caught, I am sure is a tear in an ocean; considering litigation costs. Further research will reveal former politicians on the boards of these public medical bushiness whom are stealing from the sick/ill. What do you think the list of current politicians who are invested in health care [fuck the mutual fund excuse]and ther objectives, the money is there, but nobody cares, because the right thing for the most people comes with a price the majority are unwilling to pay. My asshole i.e. opinion says if you vote along party lines you are unwilling to pay the price. Voting is a way to terminate a bad representative and that is all.
I don't know your music, but I feel your lose in your words. Ive said to much, I haven't said enough.
Posted On: Tuesday, Jun. 23 2009 @ 8:34PM
Krist Novoselic says:
Dear CondeSeneca,
I’ve spoken with folks about local health co-op’s and the state insurance commissioner along with those issues came up. I know that the co-op discussion in the Senate is about the billions of federal dollars needed to get any effort off the ground. Will it happen – I don’t know? It might not even be on the table anymore by the end of this week.
I don’t smoke pot but this co-op idea is no pipe dream either. The idea is in the US Senate after all. I’m sure folks were flippant about medical marijuana. But today, pot smokers in California participate in “medicinal” co-op’s – in the face of a “complex, massive, and heavily regulated health care INDUSTRY”
This is the point of my two columns regarding cooperative medicine. Some people have succeeded in challenging the status quo.
Posted On: Tuesday, Jun. 23 2009 @ 10:45PM
Mike F. says:
"CondeSeneca"... I love it!
Don't take no guff from the bourgeois swine!
Thanks for your voice, Krist!
Rock on for the people!
Posted On: Wednesday, Jun. 24 2009 @ 7:11AM
Aadam Coleman says:
It is amazing that in light of the pharmaceutical industry, FDA and state prohibition on Marijuana, Californian’s have access to “home grown” medicine in supposed "non-profit" dispensaries.
Posted On: Wednesday, Jun. 24 2009 @ 6:47PM
Anonymous says:
For the record. Michael Jackson died today june 25th. I consider myself a hardcore music enthusiast..basically meaning i love all types of music, as long as it fits my ongoing mood or my colorful fucked up past. It amazes me.
I was 10 years old when i was introduced to the jacksons..not the jackson 5 everyone loved before but more importantly Destiny..the most important jacksons album of the time. They had full reign in the creative process. OR some such shit:goddamn it MICHAEL JACKSON HAS DIED AND IM SAD. I dont want to be but i cant help still grooove to my off the wall album, yep the whole thing most people give up..i was 13 in '83. This day is unreal feels COMPLETLY MORE surreal than when kurt passed, was kind of expecting that...not this one.
RIP MJ
Posted On: Thursday, Jun. 25 2009 @ 10:39PM
Anonymous says:
..and i remember throwing up in my mouth how much this sucked to me at the time but how fucking great it is now that its too late. Lifes a pile of kick your ass and get over it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8KjO1BsGb0
Its fucking great.
Posted On: Thursday, Jun. 25 2009 @ 11:02PM
Anonymous says:
oh yeah!!!!
Finic Finicula
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7h18GTZRCI
Posted On: Thursday, Jun. 25 2009 @ 11:45PM
Anonymous says:
Not to mention i love you for having the balls to talk about curtis a little bit..we all DIE DAMMIT. Love you man. My fellow pole..unHOHO.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uV5JVswmyD4
at leasts its not me mnfer
Posted On: Friday, Jun. 26 2009 @ 2:09AM
Jared says:
I made this years ago and im drunk enough to think people might care. I love you guys.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbG1SkArRGs
Posted On: Friday, Jun. 26 2009 @ 2:23AM
larry says says:
Whoever posted this is genius. Thank you, thank you, and thanks. I hope noone gets weird over new shit i might just have to spank someone.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7R1dWKVhBA
Posted On: Friday, Jun. 26 2009 @ 3:48AM
Andrew says:
Dear Krist~
Speaking of health care, what are your feelings on the passing of a legend? And Does it ever bother you that so many greats die fairly young?
Posted On: Friday, Jun. 26 2009 @ 11:04AM
Robert says:
Andrew, I'm sure that Krist is thrilled that a human being with a family and friends died before his time. I'm not Krist and this isn't my blog, but what would you expect Krist to say????!!!! Do you think he likes to hear about deaths? Only bad people like that. Krist is a good guy.
Posted On: Friday, Jun. 26 2009 @ 4:54PM
Andrew says:
Robert- I know that death is the final answer, yet life is the question of time. MJ had the biggest selling cd of all time. He is a fucking LEG end. He might of been a sick fuck but Krist should at least say something about his passing. After all Nirvana did knock MJ of the top of the charts and absolutely change music instantly, like the atomic bomb changed war. Plus Krist was talking about health care. But how can you explain a black man turning white. Then last week Satan was on here running his mouth about some crazy bullshit conspiracy shit. But Krist look back at your life and remember that part of you that never got credit for giving. The part of you that wants the gift yet hasn't recieved it. And bring that into your life. Then speak your feelings. And the gift will flow from your HearT into my EAR and back into the EARth. If you put your faith in God while you recieve this blessing of a miraculous life, with limitless possibility for restructuring. You will know what works and what doesn't. Sorry to be so spiritual but Satan really pisses me off and he is the reason for so much suffering to the righteous. Krist~~~~~~~~~ Nirvana on the waves. With the lights out this is dangerous(MJ) Here we are now ENTERTAIN U
Posted On: Saturday, Jun. 27 2009 @ 6:28AM
zozo, inventor of the portable love enhancer says:
Krist,
You have given me much to think about this week...
Co-ops, or Coops - as we call them in the showbiz industry - are sometimes the only tenable answer to a new or non-traditional market place. For example, I remember when the ‘whole organic food’ thing was largely the domain of co-ops before hitting the mainstream consciousness.
Personally, my concerns are in the inherent conflicts within for-profit health insurance itself. I, probably as much as anyone, know firsthand the incredible problems associated with working towards achieving two conflicting goals.
I see a public insurance component as necessary to not only providing the American people an alternative, but keeping a little downward pressure on private insurers when the issue of Health Care leaves the political forefront and the public debate turns to something like how do you legally define a man or a woman?.
Posted On: Saturday, Jun. 27 2009 @ 6:55AM
Taryn G. says:
The digression of unrealizing citizens compounded by attitudes of parasites to idols leaves me breathless...wake up people and hear what Krist is sharing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMAB3r6EjcM&feature=related
Posted On: Sunday, Jun. 28 2009 @ 2:58AM
Ash says:
I'm sure you thought of this already but if you have not than here is a new perspective to look at...
You would think so but, there are a lot of ignorant people out there... Their so intertwined with their current ideals and selfishness plus, in complete and total denial of how bad the situation really is that they continue to ignore the problem...
Knowing that the problem exists seems to make people indecisive about anybodies solutions. "What if its the wrong one?" they ask.
Let alone, a solution that they associate with something bad.
People only seem to really wake up and want to be helped when it hits them close to home... But even then, people are driven by fear, not logic. At least the good majority. Wouldn't you agree?
Ironically, on a separate note I am in Aberdeen WA at the moment posting this comment.
Staying with family. And even though I am an avid Nirvana fan, I do keep up with this blog on a fairly regular basis because I value your thoughts and opinions as a well grounded politician.
Kudos to you, Krist Nolvoselic and I hope to meet you in my lifetime!
Posted On: Monday, Jun. 29 2009 @ 8:56PM
Ash says:
Sorry if my thoughts seem kind of mangled, I am on a medication right now that is turning my brain into mush.
Posted On: Monday, Jun. 29 2009 @ 9:02PM
Ash says:
I mean, I know what I am trying to say but I don't know if I am getting it acrost clearly.
Posted On: Monday, Jun. 29 2009 @ 9:08PM
Anadir says:
Крист,
извиняюсь,что пишу по-русски и совсем не по теме, но мне просто необходимо выразить Вам свою благодарность.
Спасибо, Крист.
Вы очень "свой человек"
Posted On: Tuesday, Jun. 30 2009 @ 1:21AM
William says:
Krist, I applaud anyone that takes an active part in working towards the betterment of their community.
While activities such as blogging are better than doing nothing, for real results one must put boots on the ground and go forth amongst the masses.
Organizing people behind an idea requires consistent (and persistent)human contact. And dedication enough to do it even when you don't feel like it--it's all about commitment...when they see yours, only then will they commit.
The biggest problem in politics...whether it be national or local...is the pursuit of MONEY.
The best thing we...meaning those of us that want real change in this country...is to mobilize a grassroots effort to remove private money from all political campaigns.
Only then will the playing field be truly level.
Posted On: Thursday, Jul. 2 2009 @ 11:56PM