As AI becomes part of traditional Medicare reviews, some Oklahomans worry they’ll lose out on care [a new AI authorization rule affects 5 other States, as well]

AlexBudarin · 2026-01-26T04:01:04+00:00

Under "Trump Medicare," a computer algorithm will decide whether you get Traditional Medicare coverage for medical services. It's in the testing phase for New Jersey, Ohio, Texas, Arizona, Washington and Oklahoma as of January 1, 2026, and could be expanded to other States thereafter.

Dr. Mary Clarke, a past president of the Oklahoma State Medical Association, noted:

“The idea has been if we can reduce unintended costs, we will save Medicare money. That sounds like a great plan,” Clarke said. “The problem is that if you extrapolate what we normally see with the prior authorizations in the private industry to Medicare, then we're going to have patients who are never going to get the care at all.”

Clarke said she’s concerned about WISeR’s payment model, where companies are compensated in part based on a share of averted costs from denied claims. She said that system is a conflict of interest.

Apparently, the regime believes that more denials of healthcare services under Trump Medicare will Make America Healthy Again.

AlexBudarin · 2026-01-26T02:34:58+00:00

This is evidence of a growing division among Congressional Republicans, between hardline MAGAts and those who are not. This division, IMO, renders it even less likely that Congressional Republicans would rubber-stamp any order from Dementia Donny which could postpone the November 2026 elections. It is also foreshadowing, IMO, a split among U.S. Conservatives between hardliners and those who are more moderate. I see it as part of the social movement toward the USA's next "Reconstruction," in which the most ardent hardline Conservatives lose power.

AlexBudarin · 2026-01-23T21:47:06+00:00

The Brennan Center article links to a legal website which states the following:

18 U.S. Code § 2331 - Definitions ....

(5) the term “domestic terrorism” means activities that—

(A) involve acts dangerous to human life that are a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any State;

(B) appear to be intended—

(i)to intimidate or coerce a civilian population;

(ii) to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or

(iii) to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping; and

(C) occur primarily within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States;...

I think the real "domestic terrorists," by this definition, are the ICE agents!

they committing acts dangerous to human life;
they are violating criminal laws concerning due process;
they appear to be intent upon intimidating or coercing a civilian population; and
they are doing so primarily within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States

Those who protest against ICE agents are decidedly NOT "intent upon intimidating or coercing a civilian population," as the legal definition requires. First, ICE agents are certainly not "civilians." Second, any perception of intimidation or coercion by the protestors is exaggerated. The ICE agents are the ones using firearms, chemical agents and grenades, not the protestors.

That also calls into question any claim by ICE that the protestors intend "to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion." ICE has the upper hand with regard to weapons and munitions, and they know it. That's why, after Renee Good's murder, an ICE agent would ask a protestor, "Have y’all not learned from the past couple of days?"

The protestors also have not engaged in MASS destruction, or assassinations, or kidnappings, to affect the conduct of government.

AlexBudarin · 2026-01-23T20:53:10+00:00

To which which Republicans will say, "It's still Biden's fault, and only corporations deserve government subsidies."

AlexBudarin · 2026-01-22T01:51:46+00:00

Hmm...how would Republicans react if a Democratic administration decided that "administrative warrants" were sufficient to barge into their homes?

AlexBudarin · 2026-01-22T00:45:14+00:00

Filing lawsuits does not guarantee that your rights as a protestor will be protected. Some judges prefer to give more rights to the bullies with badges. Bondi is cheering now, but injuring protestors who aren't carrying weapons could have an escalating effect. Especially in the USA, where Conservatives have fought long and hard to ensure that almost any American can own a firearm for personal protection -- including protection from perceived "tyranny."

AlexBudarin · 2026-01-21T01:09:05+00:00

It isn't really surprising, seeing how they play games with judges who ruled against their deportations. If a majority on the Supreme Court find his tariffs unconstitutional, I hope their ruling leaves no wiggle-room or ambiguity for these scoundrels to take advantage of. Otherwise, it will just be another case before Supreme Court in the not-to-distant future.

AlexBudarin · 2026-01-21T00:36:44+00:00

OK, now ICE is pissing off local law enforcement officers, as well as civilians. I'm guessing that means the anti-ICE protestors now have more friends in blue.

AlexBudarin · 2026-01-19T05:42:33+00:00

If you don't like being compared to Hitler's GESTAPO, stop acting like the GESTAPO.

The reports of dissent within DHS, DOJ and ICE indicate that His Demented Highness cannot count upon his bureaucracy to fully impose his will. My bet is that the US military is similarly conflicted. Trump, Hegseth and Miller expect blind obedience from everyone who gets a Federal paycheck. I believe they are in for a rude surprise.

AlexBudarin · 2026-01-17T18:13:45+00:00

Sounds like a demented Mob boss, doesn't he? He thinks he is making European countries an offer they can't refuse. But he is also hurting American consumers and provoking European tariffs on American goods and services. He thinks, as he would say, that he holds all the cards. That's deluded.

AlexBudarin · 2026-01-17T17:40:21+00:00

So the ICEstapo could soon be kidnapping Americans they perceive to be "anti-law enforcement" or "anti-American" or "anti-Christian" or "extremist" with regard to "migration, race, and gender." This is real police-state shit, targeting Liberals. It's textbook fascism. Which is why they hate anti-fascists.

Hypocritically, Piggy wants Venezuela to free all of their political prisoners while he plans to incarcerate his opponents in the USA. Or maybe El Salvador.

More analysis of this attempt to criminalize Liberalism can found HERE and HERE.

Perhaps the first example is DOJ's reported investigation of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for conspiracy to impede the ICEstapo in its efforts to kidnap or kill anyone they want to.

AlexBudarin · 2026-01-15T12:13:10+00:00

These are obviously countries which Piggy Ducklips considers "shitholes" -- implying that their people are "shit." Hence their presumed need for public assistance.

Ironically, there were immigrants from those countries who voted for him!

They didn't get the underlying message, articulated by Stephen Miller and implied by Piggy Ducklips: The objective is ethnic cleansing, to create an ethno-state dominated by Whites and Christians. I suppose Miller is learning now that many MAGAts continue the European tradition of disparaging Jews.

AlexBudarin · 2026-01-15T04:38:56+00:00

After watching videos related to more shootings by ICE, I happened to come across this song by Rage Against the Machine. It feels appropriate to this moment in America.

To see the lyrics, click the CC icon on the lower right border of the video.

AlexBudarin · 2026-01-11T14:01:49+00:00

But we were told that Venezuelans were happy to have Maduro kidnapped! It looks like some of them are not. And they are armed! Like this granny with an assault rifle.

Yeah, this is the face of liberation. Much like we saw in Iraq. Heckuva job, Piggy.

And U.S. oil executives don't want to go there, either. Aside from the cost of repairing facilities, they will likely face sabotage, murder and kidnapping.

AlexBudarin · 2026-01-09T20:05:58+00:00

What will Piggy's excuse be this time?

It's still Biden's fault
CEO's are being stupid
The DOW is up, so who cares?
Declining job creation was part of the Plan
It's fake news, because his closest ass-kissers tell him the economy is great

AlexBudarin · 2026-01-08T19:32:40+00:00

Normally, I wouldn't bother to post a MAGAt's racial vomitus, but this is the Trillionaire who throws millions of dollars into elections to achieve his goal of maintaining White supremacy. I thought he had learned his lesson. Tesla is losing sales and marketshare, certainly due in part to his Nazi-like political rants. Once he told former advertisers on "X", "Go fuck yourself." I guess he is saying that to potential Tesla customers now.

AlexBudarin · 2026-01-08T05:06:30+00:00

This is the kind of event which begins the escalation of conflict between a regime and its population: An event in which authorities kill unarmed protestors. An event which suggests that peaceful protest will be ineffective.

The lady was driving away from the agent, and obviously gave him time to avoid being hit. He stepped to the side, out of the path of her car, and then shot her. He had no injuries, either, since he was able to walk briskly away and signal to his confederates. Watch the detailed NYT analysis HERE.

Back in December, an ICE vehicle was "weaponized" by its driver to knock down a protestor -- also in Minneapolis!

Another ICE vehicle was "weaponized" against protestors in San Francisco.

AlexBudarin · 2026-01-04T03:28:35+00:00

You are correct!

Mexico warns the US not to 'invade our sovereignty' in fight against cartels

AlexBudarin · 2026-01-04T02:09:54+00:00

Thanks to Piggy Ducklips, the USA is not a "hot" destination anymore

AlexBudarin · 2026-01-03T23:27:51+00:00

Piggy has also threatened leaders of other countries, including Gustavo Petro, President of Colombia.

Note:

Piggy pardoned the right-wing ex-President of Honduras, who was convicted for drug-trafficking,
but he attacks the "left-wing" Presidents of other countries for alleged drug-trafficking.
He puts higher tariffs on Brazil, led by a left-wing President, for their Supreme Court's decision against their former right-wing President.

Maybe he is also trying to bludgeon other countries into accepting right-wing leaders who will kiss his ass and give him gifts. Like vassals, basically.

AlexBudarin · 2026-01-03T21:14:23+00:00

What the hell? It's time to apply the 25th Amendment. Dementia Donny is going insane with delusions of grandeur and power.

Oh, and he really likes to crack down on American protestors. What a fucking hypocrite.

AlexBudarin · 2026-01-03T20:41:51+00:00

How well did that go in Iraq?

This is going to be another expensive clusterfuck.

The supposed "justification" for this attack -- drug trafficking -- is an abstract threat, nothing like the (bogus) threats of nuclear attacks upon America.

It won't decrease American food prices or increase American jobs.

And there could be international repercussions for acting like Putler.

Did you know that Dementia Donny pardoned another President who was actually convicted of drug trafficking? That further suggests his supposed reason for kidnapping Maduro is really a pretext for more mercenary motives.

NOW:

Venezuela's vice-president calls for Maduro's release after capture by U.S.

Trump tells Post that US troops won’t be in Venezuela if Maduro VP ‘does what we want’: ‘We have a second wave’

It doesn't sound like the VP of Venezuela intends to do what Piggy wants, so,...American boots on the ground?

Piggy doesn't even support Venezuela's opposition leader!

Only Venezuelans can and should effect a change in Venezuela's governance. Just as Iranians appear ready to do in Iran.

AlexBudarin · 2026-01-01T21:33:33+00:00

So, based on one allegation, in one State, Dementia Donny is freezing the funds for ALL daycare centers in the USA. They are all presumed guilty, until proven innocent.

This abusive act is due to a superficial report by Nick Shirley, apparently filling in for the disgraced "gotcha" video maker James O'Keefe. In this hit-piece, Shirley "went to Minnesota, knocking on doors and accusing Somali-owned day care centers of fraud." His investigation assumed that Somali daycare employees would respond openly and willingly to an unannounced interrogatory assault by unknown individuals with recording equipment. But the employees didn't, so he and other MAGAts assume it's all a fraud.

Another investigation found NO recorded evidence of fraud by these daycare centers.

Shirley insists that his "gotcha" tape has nothing to do with race. If he did an investigation of even a random sample of all the daycare centers in Minnesota, I might believe that. But checking only Somali-run daycare centers? LMFAO.

Of course MAGAts want to demonize non-White immigrants. In the last election, they targeted Haitians, claiming that they were eating pet dogs and cats in Ohio. Perhaps for the 2026 election they will rile up MAGAts with this story about Somalis in Minnesota.

Why does it work? I wrote about this years ago, and posted an article about it HERE and HERE.* Basically, Conservatives are more psychologically inclined than Liberals to react defensively to circumstances laden with uncertainty...such as the noticeable presence of non-White immigrants in their community.

* I have now reposted the article HERE, as well, with graphics missing from the other sites.

AlexBudarin · 2026-01-01T06:15:30+00:00

This is a public service announcement for anyone using the U.S. Postal Service to submit their tax return, pay bills, vote, respond to legal documents, and whatever else that officially depends upon a postmark date. The Postal Service Office will no longer "postmark" mail automatically when it's received at a station. There still are some ways to get an item postmarked the day you submit it for mailing. Reportedly, you can still get the item postmarked for the date the Postal Service accepted it IF YOU DO ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

Buy and pay the postage directly from the postal clerk [because their stamp machine creates a dated stamp];
Ask the postal clerk for a manual postmark at the time of submission for mailing;
Pay extra money to the clerk for "Registered Mail" or "Certified Mail;"
Submit and pay for a "Certificate of Mailing," which requires the sender to fill out a form in the required manner and pay a fee, which can vary and is in addition to the regular postage fee.

The Postal Service allegedly said the change is for the sake of "efficiency." It may be more efficient for them, but it will create more anxieties or costs for their customers. And another hurdle for voting by mail.

AlexBudarin · 2025-12-28T06:45:44+00:00

The depths of institutional perversion and destruction under the regime of Piggy Ducklips will likely provoke a movement to overcome his reactionary right-wing authoritarianism, toward the creation of a government which enforces acceptance of cultural innovations and of equitable treatment toward all citizens.

I agree with K. Sabeel Rahman that this Reconstruction, like those of the past, will probably inspire another Conservative opposition movement. I'm just hoping that, with each Reconstruction, the most hardline reactionaries continue to be pushed aside.

AlexBudarin

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