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(not just about kidney dialysis - those looking into pro-competition capitalism should also find this eyeopening)
Quick 1 minute start - get a near 50 year history of kidney dialysis at a glance! Included is mortality, a quote from a doctor who received a Lifetime Achievement award, and an international comparison. This was handed out at the 2023 Warren Buffett event in Omaha NE.
Billionaire Information Packet - includes an executive summary taken from the 1 minute start mentioned above, stories behind the numbers, and a fact sheet presented to the Colorado State Legislation. This was left at the administrative offices of the Warren Buffett event previously mentioned.
(Warren Buffett's Berkshire owns 40% of DaVita, a huge part of a kidney dialysis duopoly, yet is only 1% of the Berkshire portfolio)
A starting article: Warren Buffett: America's Folksiest Predator by Matt Stoller August 9th, 2020
Books:
- 'Goliath' by Matt Stoller, May we raise the spirit of Texas Congressman Wright Patman
- 'Division of Light and Power' by Dennis Kucinich His fight as mayor for Muni Light was epic and
read like a thriller. (utilities and dialysis clinics both carve out a geographical area and can operate quite similarly)
- 'Monopolized' by David Dayen, Started reading it, sounds like dialysis isn't the only area seeing the
effects of concentrated corporate power!
- ‘Car Guys vs. Bean Counters’ by Bob Lutz, former President of Chrysler Corp.. Featured in Blog #9 at DialysisEthics2.org
***Look for ‘How to Make a Killing: Blood, Death and Dollars in American Medicine’ by Tom Mueller coming out August 1st, 2023! (aka 'Dialysis 4-You!')
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Kidney Dialysis could be the most egregious example of the misuse of concentrated corporate power with all its scandals and its ghastly numbers. However concentrated corporate power has been seen to negatively affect so many facets of our lives! From concentrated power in airlines choking off growth in smaller cities to pharmaceutical companies fueling the opioid crisis, these corporations large size and money (which has bought influence) have been near insurmountable to stop! There is example after example in this Suggested Reading List! It is time to stop corporate power abuse!
Why Participate?
We are offering an opportunity to strike back at some of the worst abuses of corporate power! And to help a vulnerable population that is unable to help itself! To strike back at a field of medicine that has taken away so many of our friends, mothers, fathers, grandmothers, grandfathers, etc... - and yes, even our children at an early age! And there is no reason for those without experience in dialysis to participate! This is a fight against monopolies, duopolies, etc... This is everybody's fight!!
How to Particpate!!!
1) The simplest and easiest way to participate is with emails! For example CNBC was written to before the Warren Buffett event in Omaha NE, posing a question (hey, they asked):
"There are a lot of reasons DaVita should be broken up (the numbers, scandals), are there any reasons left indicating DaVita shouldn't be broken up into something like small care co-ops?" DE Blog #7 (see the rest of the email)
Though the Warren Buffett event is over for the year 2023, it would still seem a wonderful idea to try and get an answer to the above question - or tell CNBC what you have to say!
Three possible email addresses are:
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- someone else who could be emailed is the stock guru Jim Cramer at his email address:
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2) Sign a petition: 'Save the Billionaires (or not)' petition at Change.org. Not sure a break up of the huge dialysis company DaVita is called for? Then the Reading List mentioned might help you. It contains everything from a 'Quick 1 minute intro' to 5 suggested books.
3) Participate in the May 4th, 2024 'Save the Billionaires (or not)' Walk in Omaha Nebraska. Coincides with the Berkshire Hathaway event with Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger. A calm and peace of mind were an unexpected side effect for this 2023 participant! For more about the May 2023 event and scouting mission there is DE Blog #11.
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Introduction to the ‘Save the Billionaires (or not)’ Walk
My credentials, I helped head-up a group that got a bill through the Colorado statehouse for the certification of kidney dialysis techs in 2007 (renewed in 2012 and 2019)
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A more personal intro
Someone who is watching this (we communicate now and then - talk about sports and stuff)
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Details of the Walk
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HQ for 'Save the Billionaires (or not)' Walk updates+info
(aka 'The DialysisEthics.org Kidney Dialysis Walk' - above linked article includes ways other than Walk to participate)
May 6th, 2023 'Save the Billionaires (or not)' Walk in Omaha Nebraska Post-Walk update
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May 4th, 2024 'Save the Billionaires (or not)' Walk is right around the corner!
Get ready now with a suggested reading list!
Reading List includes: (blue links clickable)
- Quick 1 minute start
- Intro article
- Billionaire Info Packet (give it to your favorite billionaire!)
- 5 suggested books
*check back for more updates!
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Preliminary 2024 Planned Ending Location: CHI Health Center, 455 N 10th St, Omaha, NE 68102 - this coincides with the annual Munger-Buffett-Berkshire event!
**End Goal: Breakup of the kidney dialysis company DaVita**
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(the below is great for putting on the windshield of a car!)
**************!!!Printable Flyer Available!!!*************
(in Omaha NE PrintWithMe kiosks are highly recommended)
Good chance the Omaha Folk-Rock band 'Now and Forever' will again warm things up (or cool things down?) at the May 2024 Walk in Omaha. Oldie Goldies are not only for oldies!
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Myths and Facts About Organ Donation
Recently a bill was started in the Colorado statehouse to have automobile drivers become possible organ donors unless they opt-out. The bill was shelved due to "ethical" concerns. This incident very much highlights the need for more information for those who have concerns about this bill. So in an effort to enlighten, a list of myths and facts has been started about organ donation. (Click "read more" link below)
