Dear Students:

I look forward to starting our mutual path of learning together on Monday evening, 21 August 2023, at 6 P.M. promptly. Do not hesitate to telephone me at my cell if I may be of help at (410) 241-6745.

• I am a lawyer, who happens to be blind. I work with my third guide dog.
• I will largely instruct this course via Zoom. I will, however, be with you physically on 25 September and on 27 November, requesting you participate physically on those dates. (I will try to buy pizza.)

You should soon receive two documents governing this seminar.

1. Come prepared to discuss your goals for the seminar and your expectations for me as an instructor. More notably, we will discuss my expectations and work plan on Monday.
2. Come prepared to discuss, even debate, your thoughts on the history, the role, and the challenges of Medicare and Medicaid. As a value, I want your frank, informed, views during the semester, even if they disagree with me. My hope is that, both individually and collectively, we will foster mutual learning and even loud debate. However, I hope we all learn civility, erudition, and practical skills together. To help with this, I do provide these “first assignments,” During the semester, take my course agenda as your loadstone.

·        I want you to watch a video given below.

·        I want you to read a couple of the articles below. I will not use a book, hopefully building-in accessibility, and affordability.

• Video -- Sessions on August 21, 2023, and on September 11, 2023, Kaiser Family Foundation, The Story of Medicare: A Timeline, https://www.kff.org/medicare/video/the-story-of-medicare-a-timeline/ (Last visited Aug. 10, 2023) Sessions on August 21, 2023, and on September 11, 2023, Kaiser Family Foundation, The Story of Medicare: A Timeline, https://www.kff.org/medicare/video/the-story-of-medicare-a-timeline/ (Last visited Aug. 10, 2023)
• Robert Pearl, M.D. 3 Shocking Healthcare Statistics for 2023, Forbes, Jan. 9, 2023, https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertpearl/2023/01/09/3-shocking-healthcare-statistics-for-2023/?sh=15c266142860 (“Since 2000, medical costs have risen each year by 4.85%, significantly outpacing the 2.85% annual increase in GDP.” In addition, “Healthcare inflation has exceeded GDP growth for half a century.””)
• Bernadett Fernandez, Health Insurance: A Primer, Cong. Research Service Rep. (Updated Jan. 8, 2015), https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RL/RL32237
• Venessa C. Forsberg Et al. Private Health Insurance: A Primer, Congressional Research Service Rep. (April 18, 2023), https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R47507
• Medicare and Seniors Health Insurance Information Assistance Program, North Carolina Department of Insurance, Basics of Medicare – Part A, B, C, and D, https://www.ncdoi.gov/consumers/medicare-and-seniors-health-insurance-information-program-shiip/basics-medicare-parts-b-c-d (Last visited Jul. 18, 2023)