All posts by Geraldine

Health care costs have become a prominent topic of contention during the Democratic primary, with Bernie Sanders’ “Medicare for all” proposal making headlines. Under Sanders’ plan, private health insurance would be replaced with one national plan covering everyone and paying doctors and hospitals the same rates regardless of whether or not they had Medicare enrollees.

Plan supporters contend that universal coverage could be affordable to the federal government by increasing taxes to cover additional costs; savings in administrative expenses and out-of-pocket spending on premiums, copays, and deductibles would offset these additional expenses. They further contend that universal coverage could save lives; according to one estimate by the Mercatus Center it could prevent over 4 million premature deaths by increasing life expectancies by 1.73 years over 10 years.

But, how much does it really cost to provide health insurance to all? Our research indicates that implementing a national, universal health care system could cost around $36 trillion through 2026 (this figure includes costs associated with long-term care benefits). We used a microsimulation model to estimate what it would take for doctors, hospitals, and other providers under different policies to be compensated. This approach is superior to simply projecting the total government spending because it takes into account individual responses and health needs differently than assumed, as well as hospital limits in terms of bill payment – without enough funds, hospitals will no longer be able to provide care, leading to higher prices overall.

At our annual study on health-related expenses, we surveyed more than one thousand individuals to gauge how much they and their families spend each year on health-related costs such as premiums and out-of-pocket expenses such as copays and deductibles. On average, families spent approximately $471 monthly by 2022; lower income individuals experienced even greater strain; 56 percent of those whose income fell within 400% of poverty reported difficulty affording health care even with insurance in place.

To estimate how much a national, universal system might cost, we compared our estimates with what the governments of Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Austria and the U.K. spent last year to cover their populations through direct public spending as well as compulsory insurance programs financed with tax payer money. This led us to an estimate between $30 trillion to $40 trillion — equivalent to seven times today’s federal budget — even though this number seems high given that the United States already spends more per capita on health care than any other nation.

Tea is an internationally celebrated drink for its relaxing properties, soothing properties, and healthful properties; yet many tea drinkers experience difficulty with bitter or bland tasting tea. Luckily, there are ways to enhance the flavor of herbal teas to make them more appetizing to even those with finicky palates.

Alternatively, try steeping for shorter amounts of time or at a lower temperature to create a less tart and more herbal tasting brew. Or add milk for an added comforting sweet touch that also reduces bitterness while masking harsher herb flavors.

Honey is another natural sweetener that can add a tasty boost to any cup of herbal tea. Incorporating raw honey may yield even greater healthful properties and benefit.

Cinnamon is an invigorating spice that instantly turns any beverage into an inviting cup for cold winter days or festive festivities. This flavor can help cover some of the harsher herbal tea flavors while giving your favorite chamomile blend an added holiday cheer!

Some herbal teas can be overwhelming due to the combination of their specific brewing ingredients, like hibiscus or cloves. To prevent this from happening, be selective when making your selection and look for herbal teas without these trigger ingredients – one such blend would be our Tranquil Peach blend which boasts all of the fruity goodness associated with traditional tea without unappetizing elements such as hibiscus and cloves that some tea drinkers find unsuitable.

Utilizing fresh or dried fruits in your tea can enhance its flavor considerably, providing your body with essential vitamins and minerals while simultaneously increasing sweetness. You could try using slices of fresh ginger instead for an unusual combination of zingy sweetness that’s both savory and sweet!

If the flavor of fresh fruit alone isn’t satisfying your tea cup, try mixing in some fruit juice or puree for extra dimension. Just be wary when selecting fruit extracts; these could increase sugar intake while also adding artificial flavors to your mug!

Addition of spices can instantly enhance any tea experience. Cinnamon and ginger add warmth, while herbs such as sage and rosemary add earthy notes that add depth and complexity.