Phil Raines

Owner at Prevailing Wisdom, Executive Director at MNIPA, Dad, Husband, and DogFather to two stubby-legged pups.

[Phil Raines @philraines]

“One horse-laugh is worth ten thousand syllogisms. It is not only more effective; it is also vastly more intelligent.”

— H. L. Mencken

[Phil Raines @philraines]

@kare11 *sigh* Drivers drive. Cars (except Teslas) don't drive. Where have all the editors gone?

[Phil Raines @philraines]

The “promising new research” coming out of #ASCO2026 shows #MCED tests flagging 4x as many cancers when combined with other tests is great news! @GOPMajorityWhip supported legislation to give MN seniors access to these amazing tests! https://t.co/peUZmviZUr

[David Burge @iowahawkblog]

I think the European ethos can be summed up thusly: wait for other people to invent things and do things, then appoint yourself to be in charge of it

[Oklahoma City Comets @OKC_comets]

You ever seen an inside-the-park grand slam?

WELL YOU HAVE NOW!

[Phil Raines @philraines]

Imagine buying your dream home… only to fight over where it actually starts. 😱 Section corners prevent that nightmare. They secure property rights for every Minnesotan. Fund counties to remonument them — it’s our turn! 🏡 #SectionCornersMatter #MSPS

[Phil Raines @philraines]

Quick dinner plans that do good? YES PLEASE! 🍔
This Monday (March 2nd) from 4pm to close, head to B-52 Burgers & Brews. 30% of EVERY dine-in purchase supports All Saints athletics & activities. Let’s make it a fun night for our Saints! 🙌 #GiveBackNight https://t.co/9WNA0zibGQ

[Phil Raines @philraines]

@MrAndyNgo @BlueskyLibs why isn't there a grok ios app

[Phil Raines @philraines]

Your property lines aren’t guesses — they’re guaranteed by section corners set 150+ years ago. Many are vanishing. Funding goes straight to counties to save them. Minnesota, it’s OUR turn to protect what’s yours! 💪 #PreserveSectionCorners #MSPS #PropertyRights

[Phil Raines @philraines]

47% of physicians now hospital-tied, up from 30% in 2012—costs soar, quality stalls. GAO flags MN risks. Bipartisan call: Congress, make curbing consolidation a 2025 must-do! #MNIPA fights for patient-first care.  https://t.co/VOxVprj9iZ

[Phil Raines @philraines]

Congratulations to MN’s bipartisan congressional delegation on passing the Medicare MCED Screening Coverage Act!
This vital legislation expands access to life-saving multi-cancer early detection tests, enabling earlier diagnosis and better outcomes.
— MN Ind. Physicians Assn.

[Phil Raines @philraines]

Office visits? 8-16% pricier in low-competition areas due to practice mergers. MDedge: No justification in quality. Protect MN families—urge state reps to champion independent physicians! MNIPA https://t.co/E1MNLatcBC

[Phil Raines @philraines]

Passage of the #MCEDAct would be an extraordinary moment in our fight against cancer - by ensuring coverage for early screening in Medicare. It’s on the goal line, let’s get it done! @GOPMajorityWhip @SenTinaSmith @RepFischbach

[Phil Raines @philraines]

Vertical consolidation narrows access in MN, squeezing independent practices and hiking bills. RAND: Prices up, quality flat or worse. MN Legislature & Congress: Make equity in antitrust a bipartisan TOP priority! MNIPA
https://t.co/fnB8ZvAfBP

[Phil Raines @philraines]

More than 400 members of Congress support the bipartisan Multi-Cancer Early Detection Act, with over 500 other stakeholders, make passing this bill a priority! @LeaderJohnThune @SenSchumer @SpeakerJohnson @RepJeffries @GOPMajorityWhip
@SenAmyKlobuchar
https://t.co/t1DwQMSN5c

[Phil Raines @philraines]

30+ years of data: Hospital-physician mergers INCREASE costs, NO quality edge. PMC study debunks the hype. Minnesotans deserve better—Congress, prioritize FTC oversight on consolidations TODAY! Stand with MNIPA
https://t.co/Dgn6AsBwaZ

[Phil Raines @philraines]

@elonmusk @xai If you don’t stamp it “Don’t Panic,” I will seriously question if you even know where your towel is.

[Phil Raines @philraines]

PE firms gobbling up specialty practices? Prices rise 4-20%, quality? Unclear but trending down. FREOPP warns of harm to MN care. State Legislature: Lower merger reporting thresholds to safeguard access. #MNIPA demands action!
https://t.co/Smfrzqa9Gt

[John Asghar @JahangirAsgha10]

You’re 100% correct.

Medicare doesn’t pay enough to cover the actual cost of care for a private-practice physician. In fact, I get paid roughly a third of what a hospital outpatient department receives for the exact same service.

At the practice level, Medicare is expensive to administer. Between staff time, documentation, compliance, billing, and appeal work, most independent practices either break even or lose money on Medicare patients.

Why does that matter?
Because profit isn’t a bonus for me—it’s my income. I don’t draw a guaranteed salary from a health system. I get paid only after the costs of running the practice are covered.

As inflation rises, and as overhead climbs, that shrinking margin makes it harder for me to give my eight employees raises, keep the doors open, or invest in new technology and treatments that directly benefit patients.

If Medicare reimbursement stays flat while everything else gets more expensive, I’m left with two choices: stop investing in my practice or stop participating.

[Heath Veuleman @HeathVeuleman]

Absolutely wild decision-making @HHSGov and @CMSGov - what are they thinking?

It’s almost as if they are seeking to eliminate independent physicians all together.

@DrOzCMS @HHS_Jim @SecKennedy @RapidResponse47

[Phil Raines @philraines]

4.Consolidation promises efficiency but delivers WORSE outcomes: Modest quality DROPS post-merger, per HealthLeaders. MN independents prioritize patients over profits. Urge Congress to investigate PE acquisitions—make it a 2026 priority! #MNIPA 
https://t.co/wvuZvJFzuT