The 2019-20 pneumonia season fatality data, which appears significantly influenced by COVID-19, appears to be reporting complete, so an update is in order. Sometimes the numbers change by small amounts for some time after they’re ‘complete’ but I believe what’s available is now useful. Here’s a brief overview and analysis … Continue reading
Intro and Disclaimer Hi! again from quarantine. This is the second of two overviews of my thoughts about the COVID-19 crisis. If you haven’t already, I’d encourage you to watch or read the first as I think it’s more important than this one. Today, I’ll talk specifically about COVID-19 and … Continue reading
Intro Hi again from quarantine! This is the first of two installments containing a few of my thoughts about the COVID-19 crisis – both the disease itself, and the response to it. In this one, I’ll share things that are generally applicable, at all times, and in any sort … Continue reading
Taxes and Facebook Distractions I’m supposed to be doing my taxes today, which I don’t exactly love. I’ve devoted a non-trivial chunk of my life opposing taxation. But I started on a positive note by adding up our charitable contributions for 2018. I’m thankful that, despite a big pay cut … Continue reading
Tuesday, November 20, 2018 Dear Family and Friends, This is Loren Mark and Varrin writing on behalf of the Swearingen family. On Sunday evening, November 18, 2018, at 10:18 pm, our dad Virgil died peacefully at home on the living room couch, surrounded by his loving family. A viewing of … Continue reading
Introduction In my previous post, I compared specific qualifications for four major Healthcare Cost Sharing Ministries (HCSMs). In addition to knowing what the qualifications are, several people have asked about what happens when its time to actually share expenses. For some, the question is simply whether any expenses are ever … Continue reading
Introduction Rapidly rising health insurance costs and, for the last several years, the penalty tax provisions of the Affordable Healthcare Act (ACA) have generated considerable interest in alternatives to health insurance. One alternative that is exempt from penalty under the ACA is participating in a religious healthcare cost sharing ministry … Continue reading
The 2016 U.S. presidential election is unique in this unfortunate way: the two major party candidates are the most unpopular candidates in (at least modern) American history. Their unpopularity is for good cause in both cases. Yet many people are likely to vote for one or the other, thereby imposing … Continue reading
This is Part 1 of 2 of what I have to say about the 2016 election. The major political parties have made foolish choices in nominating Presidential candidates, and I expect most American voters to make more foolish choices next week. Even so, I want to share a couple of … Continue reading
Health Care Sharing Ministries (HCSMs) have become an increasingly frequent topic of conversation due to their exemption from the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The ACA has made itself rather unaffordable this year with large penalties for not buying unaffordable insurance. Consequently, people have become interested in finding a more affordable … Continue reading
