Author Archives: ddxdx

About ddxdx

A Family physician, former county coroner and former Idaho State Senator

Surprise Medical Bills

Posted on December 14, 2019 by ddxdx

The ambulance has brought you to the closest emergency room after you collapsed eating your cheeseburger. The EMTs got your heart going again but your sweat soaks through your Seahawks sweatshirt and it feels like there is a chain binder … Continue reading →

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Mastering Engagement

Posted on December 3, 2019 by ddxdx

It has been heartening for me to see a local uproar involving our school district that didn’t have to do with a levy, teacher pay or athletics. Our little dust up has to do with “Mastery Based Learning”. I’m not … Continue reading →

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Don’t be a Tool

Posted on November 26, 2019 by ddxdx

I went to a public forum on Federal lands in Idaho a few years back that the Idaho legislature sponsored. It was a traveling interim committee meeting the legislature set up to consider just what the Idaho legislature should do … Continue reading →

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Health Care Cost Transparency

Posted on November 19, 2019 by ddxdx

Getting the power of the marketplace to have some effect on health care costs has been the holy grail for years. The Trump administration just announced a major move. Let’s look at it. In an announcement Friday, while many were … Continue reading →

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Two Patriots Walk Into a Bar

Posted on November 13, 2019 by ddxdx

Alexander Hamilton was waiting for James Madison at the crowded sports bar. He sipped his pint and barely noted the many screens showing the many games. He frowned at the ring his glass had left on the counter, lost in … Continue reading →

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Helping Out

Posted on November 3, 2019 by ddxdx

This last week I ran into a guy in clinic that made me thankful for Idaho voters. We were able to help him out. You should know about this. It’s not about politics or policy, just about how we were … Continue reading →

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Vending Machine?

Posted on October 28, 2019 by ddxdx

Sometimes when you listen to people you hear the way they think. When we have a problem to solve, how we think about it, how we frame it can determine our ability to find a solution. Many people see government … Continue reading →

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Don’t Take Offense; Remember

Posted on October 24, 2019 by ddxdx

In the middle of my career I was given a gift. The nurse I had worked with for a long time told me she would need to be leaving the office at 4PM each day to deal with family issues. … Continue reading →

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Social Studies Homework

Posted on October 20, 2019 by ddxdx

“You ready?” Blanche called back to Dennis. “C’mon, I want to get to Walmart. Bring your homework, you can do it there.” Dennis came out in his sweatshirt and ball cap. He grabbed his school backpack as he passed the … Continue reading →

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When Will Healthcare Cost too Much?

Posted on October 13, 2019 by ddxdx

Most healthy people think about their health insurance about as much as they do their retirement; not much. It’s hard to value something that you don’t use regularly. But a recent survey showed that the total cost for an employed … Continue reading →

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