Sensei's account talk

[Sensei]

Well, we did bounce somewhat today. It was pretty ugly, though, and the S-fund is making a monkey out of me. Absolutely miserable performance of late. If we don't make a higher high over the next few trading days, I think the next cross of the 100 day MA will be significant.

 

[Bquat]

After losing over 4% of my retirement yesterday, I topped off today with a root canal. Gotta love it.

Tried Bquat's advice with msn.money, and here's a chart to think about today. Notice that we closed just above the 100 Day MA. In the last couple weeks, this has happened twice, and both times was immediately followed by a sizeable bounce over the next few days. Let's see how the third time plays out.

Good job. Now you got it.

 

[Sensei]

Good job. Now you got it.

Thanks - I guess I'm a creature of habit. I always look at the charts on the WSJ website. They're visually more pleasing to me than the msn charts, but you can't copy them. Do you know how to darken the lines on the msn charts? I don't know why it comes out so light.

 

[Bquat]

Thanks - I guess I'm a creature of habit. I always look at the charts on the WSJ website. They're visually more pleasing to me than the msn charts, but you can't copy them. Do you know how to darken the lines on the msn charts? I don't know why it comes out so light.

No I don't, mine are darker because I use candle stick. The chart it self maybe was light. Probably have to do changes before copy. Maybe they have a line thickness option?

 

[Sensei]

After a fake up, the 4% down day completed the 2nd leg down of the "W". We're now going to complete the 2nd leg up. Who knows how far it will take us? I think next week I'll spread my stock exposure over the 3 funds, as small caps are looking pretty sick lately.:suspicious:

 

[Sensei]

Ridiculous costs of healthcare

I had a root canal on Thursday. My third root canal, first in Japan. Since I'm not covered by Japanese insurance, and I opted not to pay into any of the dental plans offered by the DOD, I pay 100% out of pocket for dental. Thursday's procedure set me back a whopping ￥5000 ($65). The crown will cost ￥7500 ($100). When I last had these procedures in the States, my dentist billed my insurance approximately $750 for each. Now, this is Japan. One of the world's most advanced countries. Not some third world country where dentistry is practiced by a barber or shaman with crude tools. So what's my point?

In the ongoing argument about universal healthcare, the fact that doctors, dentists, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, etc. are grossly overcharging for their products and services has been ignored. A root canal simply isn't worth $750. But when dentists fatten their accounts by charging the insurance companies those prices, of course the insurance companies deflect the costs back to the consumers. I don't know what the solution is, but it seems there ought to be some sort of governing body that objectively looks at the price of procedures and limits what can be charged for them. If such an organization does exist, there needs to be some serious systemic evaluation.

 

[k0nkuzh0n]

Re: Ridiculous costs of healthcare

I had a root canal on Thursday. My third root canal, first in Japan. Since I'm not covered by Japanese insurance, and I opted not to pay into any of the dental plans offered by the DOD, I pay 100% out of pocket for dental. Thursday's procedure set me back a whopping ￥5000 ($65). The crown will cost ￥7500 ($100). When I last had these procedures in the States, my dentist billed my insurance approximately $750 for each. Now, this is Japan. One of the world's most advanced countries. Not some third world country where dentistry is practiced by a barber or shaman with crude tools. So what's my point?

In the ongoing argument about universal healthcare, the fact that doctors, dentists, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, etc. are grossly overcharging for their products and services has been ignored. A root canal simply isn't worth $750. But when dentists fatten their accounts by charging the insurance companies those prices, of course the insurance companies deflect the costs back to the consumers. I don't know what the solution is, but it seems there ought to be some sort of governing body that objectively looks at the price of procedures and limits what can be charged for them. If such an organization does exist, there needs to be some serious systemic evaluation.

But can doctors be sued at will in Japan like they are in the US? I'd be interested to see how the insurances doctors pay in the US stack up against what doctors in other countries pay.

On edit:
http://www.tampabay.com/news/article1021977.ece

Comparison of malpractice insurance rates

	Toronto	Miami	Tampa Bay
Orthopedic surgeon	$10,485	$140,000	$72,000
Obstetrician	$36,353	$191,000	$98,000
Neurosurgeon	$29,233	$237,000	$121,000

Clearly a small sample, but that is pretty crazy. Heck even Miami vs Tampa bay is pretty ridiculous. :nuts:

 

[Sensei]

Re: Ridiculous costs of healthcare

But can doctors be sued at will in Japan like they are in the US? I'd be interested to see how the insurances doctors pay in the US stack up against what doctors in other countries pay.

:nuts:

Good point. Japan is definitely not a litigious society. Malpractice is probably not a very big concern (don't know for sure - just guessing). Still, two wrongs don't make a right. A root canal ain't worth $750, and an epidural ain't worth $10,000 (that's what my wife's anaesthesiologist billed our insurance when we had our daughter years back - you know that's all tied into malpractice suits).

I agree with the liberals that everyone should have access to health care. I agree with the conservatives that I shouldn't be the one paying for moochers and freeloaders to have healthcare. If the costs were brought down to earth, maybe more average joes would have the realistic freedom to choose whether to cover themselves or not.

 

[RealMoneyIssues]

Re: Ridiculous costs of healthcare

Good point. Japan is definitely not a litigious society. Malpractice is probably not a very big concern (don't know for sure - just guessing). Still, two wrongs don't make a right. A root canal ain't worth $750, and an epidural ain't worth $10,000 (that's what my wife's anaesthesiologist billed our insurance when we had our daughter years back - you know that's all tied into malpractice suits).

I agree with the liberals that everyone should have access to health care. I agree with the conservatives that I shouldn't be the one paying for moochers and freeloaders to have healthcare. If the costs were brought down to earth, maybe more average joes would have the realistic freedom to choose whether to cover themselves or not.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tort_reform

 

[Sensei]

Re: Ridiculous costs of healthcare

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tort_reform

This problem is like an onion. The more layers you peel off, the more it stinks.:blink:

 

[Sensei]

This market's headed south like a bird in winter. Guess I'll stick in my sticky pants.

 

[Sensei]

Since we crossed the 100 day SMA back in October, we've ping-ponged between the 100 and 200 day SMAs. If all works out, we're almost due for another bounce off the 100 day MA.

However, if you look at Tom's chart, you see that we've been trading above the 200 day EMA. It's been the support at the bottom, and we're right there, right now. So, are we due for a bounce?

 

[Birchtree]

I had 3 dividend increase announcements this morning - FFG, HD, and JCI. That should be enough to rally the market for me.

 

[RealMoneyIssues]

I had 3 dividend increase announcements this morning - FFG, HD, and JCI. That should be enough to rally the market for me.

Too bad one PermaBull doesn't make a market...

 

[Sensei]

Too bad one PermaBull doesn't make a market...

Don't underestimate the powers of the Old White One.

 

[Sensei]

Well, we just dove below the 100 day SMA. We've done this twice in the last month (almost three times, except the last time closed just a hair above the 100 SMA before bouncing). Every time, we've bounced immediately on the following day. If we don't get a bounce today, that's my indication that we're headed down down down. I don't like the fact that we didn't get close at all to the 200 SMA before making this current dip. :notrust:

 

[RealMoneyIssues]

Don't underestimate the powers of the Old White One.

I guess we will see tomorrow...

 

[Bquat]

Well, we just dove below the 100 day SMA. We've done this twice in the last month (almost three times, except the last time closed just a hair above the 100 SMA before bouncing). Every time, we've bounced immediately on the following day. If we don't get a bounce today, that's my indication that we're headed down down down. I don't like the fact that we didn't get close at all to the 200 SMA before making this current dip. :notrust:

We're just above the 50 and I'm hoping for a bounce also. Haven't decided to use it as an exit or wait for new highs yet.

 

[Sensei]

Re: Ridiculous costs of healthcare

I'm partially calling uncle:
G-25
F-35
C-25
S-10
I-5

 

[Sensei]

Re: Ridiculous costs of healthcare

I'm going to hold in this diversified position (40in/60out) next week. I have one more IFT, so if the next couple days bring lower prices, I can buy back in before December. Will re-evaluate plan on Wednesday.