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List: Access to Cancer Centers Under Health Law

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List: Access to top cancer treatment centers through new health insurance exchanges Reported by ABCNews.com 7 hours ago.

Obamacare Glitch Sticks Las Vegas Man with $407,000 Doctor Bill

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Obamacare Glitch Sticks Las Vegas Man with $407,000 Doctor Bill A triple bypass heart surgery and $407,000 in doctor bills incurred in January and February has left a 62-year old Las Vegas man in one serious predicament, as the Nevada Obamacare exchange he signed up with is not recognizing him as an enrollee.

Larry Basich said he began trying to enroll in Obamacare on Oct. 1, but because he fought technical flaws during multiple sign-up attempts, it wasn’t until mid-November that he finally was accepted for his United Healthcare’s MyHPNSilver1. “It was like reaching the third level of Doom,” Basich said of the grueling enrollment process. Significantly, Larry paid his first premium on Nov. 21, and within days the exchange withdrew the $160.77 payment from his money-market savings account. Because Basich paid a month before the Dec. 23 deadline, it qualified him for coverage beginning Jan. 1.

Xerox, the contractor for the Nevada exchange, says Basich chose a plan from another insurer, Nevada Health CO-OP, even though Basich has paperwork that shows he selected MyHPNSilver1. In short, Xerox can’t seem to decide which plan Mr. Basich should be covered under.

Larry’s narrative is typical of the unreliability of the state-based health insurance exchanges, which some thought to be working better than their federal counterpart, Healthcare.gov. In February, the Nevada health exchange experienced a number of "website problems, long wait times at the call center, frustrated partners, frustrated consumers and low enrollment." Jon Hager, executive of the exchange, admitted, “It has been a difficult month.”

Meanwhile, four months have passed and Larry Basich’s problem is still not resolved. “Xerox is truly out of their league. They need to understand they are an administrator, they are not an insurance company,” Tamar Burch of Branch Benefits Consultants said. “They need to understand their boundaries. They don’t understand this world. Everybody is at the mercy of Xerox, and they are not doing this right.”

Jennifer Wasmer, a Xerox spokeswoman, said , “Mr. Basich’s issue is complex, and we’re working on it every day. We are in touch with Mr. Basich, his broker, the carriers, (Silver State Health Insurance Exchange) leadership, and the Division of Insurance to sort it out.”

Larry claims that the trials and tribulations trying to get enrolled with the exchange in December contributed to the stress that caused his heart attack in the first place. Moreover, he feels the stress ratcheting up even more now that doctor bills are not being paid and that his credit rating will potentially be negatively impacted. Larry points out he may not qualify for a new mortgage because of the related derogotories on his credit report.

Larry contacted Nevada Senator and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who expressed that he wants to help him. So far he has not heard back from the Senator. Last month Senator Reid asserted that “all Obamacare horror stories are untrue,” effectively calling Mr. Basich a liar. As far as Larry is concerned, he will continue to pursue the endless correspondence until he achieves resolution and the nightmare is over. He lamented, “All I wanted to do when I moved here was buy a house, get a dog and go to some spring training games for the Dodgers.”

 
 
 
  Reported by Breitbart 7 hours ago.

Maryland’s ACA enrollment extension could be a sign of things to come

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Maryland residents who have battled faulty technology on the state’s Obamacare enrollment website will get some more time to sign up for coverage after this month, the state's health insurance exchange announced today. Reported by Washington Post 8 hours ago.

14 Ways To Avoid The Obamacare Tax

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There are 14 ways, in all, to avoid paying the Obamacare tax penalty -- the new fine for not carrying health insurance that conforms to the government regulations. Reported by Forbes.com 8 hours ago.

Zonesty Becomes the Brightest Idea in Texas’ Deregulated Electricity Marketplace

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New online electricity broker Zonesty uses simple services that concentrate on consumer trust and convenience to set themselves apart from the competition in a crowded, complicated electricity market full of tall claims, shady pricing and hefty commissions.

Sugar Land, TX (PRWEB) March 18, 2014

The creators of Zonesty, a new online electricity brokerage service, are among the first to recognize the dilemma and growing need for a new kind of product that addressed consumers’ concerns over electricity deregulation. Their online tools and services are now giving consumers more control and purchasing power in an ever-changing market.

Electricity deregulation in Texas began January 1st, 2002 opening up a world of opportunity for consumers. They now had the power to choose the retail electricity provider (REP) of their choice for residential and business service. The deregulation was intended to increase competition among REPs and in turn drive better pricing and service options for consumers, but negative results have surfaced as well. With so many new providers flooding the market Texans now question who they can trust when needing to purchase an electricity agreement.

Comparative shopping for electricity can be overwhelming for some now that there are so many options and conflicting information for consumers to differentiate between. Shoppers are often confused when trying to decipher between the REPs, Transmission and Distribution Services Providers (TDSPs) and the flood of hungry brokers who all claim to have the best rates. However, the brokers tend to be motivated to sell electricity for the providers who pay them the most in commissions, which understandably leads to trust concerns for consumers.

To further muddy the water, the pricing promoted to the consumers is often shown differently from one company to the next since some brokers present unbundled, base pricing without mentioning the required service and delivery charges, fees or commissions. When a customer’s bill arrives, the cost is often far more than they originally anticipated.

As brokers and providers battle to gain more business, many now strive to get attention with claims of offering online comparative pricing to help customers find the best custom rates. However, the services are seldom straightforward and unbiased. If a REP offers this online service, shoppers are comparing only that particular REP’s electricity rates and options. Most of the other online shopping services are mere lead generator services (brokers) paid for by the REPs, and the shopping process cannot be fully completed online. Once the provider is clicked-on as chosen, calls or meetings with sales people are required in order to actually sign a contract. At this point, the process can become even more complicated when consumers are asked to fax or mail in their previous bills and contracts. Today’s common sales pitch offering the best rates and convenient online service often turns into higher costs and extensive hassles.

Zonesty is pioneering efforts to simplify electricity deregulation for both consumers and REPs. By eliminating the middle man (the traditional broker) and their potential ulterior motives Zonesty is helping consumers make their own educated decisions in choosing from reputable providers that are best suited for their specific needs. “The name Zonesty is intended to reflect a unique form of honesty in a sometimes shady market place,” said Jill Stevenson, Chief Marketing Officer of Zonesty.

Without the influence of aggressive commissions, Zonesty shows shoppers apples-to-apples comparisons of their best rates from a variety of providers with a clearly-stated, flat fee for service. The website’s sophisticated algorithms quickly produce comparative research in an easy to read format that is customized for each shopper based on their specific location, demand and usage. The pricing shown is transparent and honest. Shawn Goheen, Zonesty's Founder and CEO, said, “We saw a real need for trustworthy assistance to help consumers navigate through what has become complicated, deregulated energy options. With our shopping model, pricing is bundled and inclusive of all costs, so what you see is what you get.”

Another major advantage Zonesty provides is an entirely online, three-step process where the customer can shop, choose a provider and sign an agreement all from their computer or mobile device. The process only takes around 10 minutes and service representatives are readily available by chat or phone if the customer requires assistance. Within this simple service structure, Zonesty is able to conduct credit checks and act as a friendly facilitator of agreements between customers and the REPs they choose.

“What the Zonesty shopping model does online to help people buy electricity has already proven successful in online comparative shopping for travel, car insurance, health insurance and much more,” said Ms. Stevenson. “Zonesty is quickly gaining respect as the trusted source for purchasing energy.”

In today's fast paced world, consumers are seeking the quickest, most resourceful and reliable ways to get things done. Zonesty is using technology to help customers cut to the chase when buying electricity. As technology advances, websites like Zonesty.com are continuously becoming more user-friendly, fast and most importantly, trusted for everything from banking to socializing to securing an electricity agreement online.

To learn more about Zonesty and its innovative resources for purchasing electricity, please visit: http://www.zonesty.com.

About Zonesty
Zonesty is changing the way people buy electricity by offering the most simplified, online resource for consumers to shop, find their best rates and complete an energy agreement for their home and business. Zonesty's website provides quick, custom quotes based on unbiased research and fair comparisons from some of the most reputable energy providers available. The pricing shown by Zonesty is honest and transparent, without hidden fees, commissions or unexpected costs that are often associated with traditional brokers. Zonesty equips consumers with solid information to make a confident and educated decision in choosing the provider that best suits their needs. The entire process can be quickly completed online without the hassle of having to call or meet with a sales person or broker. Reported by PRWeb 8 hours ago.

List: Access to cancer centers under health law

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Some of the nations top cancer care centers are concerned about access for patients who purchase policies through the new health insurance markets, also called exchanges.The Associated Press asked 23 institutions that are part of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network whether they were included in the networks of insurance companies operating on their states exchange. Reported by MyNorthwest.com 7 hours ago.

State waiting for insurance enrollment bump

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Many uninsured residents appear to be waiting until the last moment to enroll through Washington's health insurance exchange. More than 112,000 people have purchased insurance through the state marketplace, but by the middle of the month, the state still hadn't seen an uptick in the rate of enr Reported by Seattle Times 6 hours ago.

Running a Successful Health Care Business with Medical Billing Services

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Many people often face health problems due to various factors and many face difficulties in getting high quality treatments because of high expenses.In order to solve Medical Billing problem, health insurance companies offer different types of plans for patients for overcoming risks to a wider extent. A medical bill plays a key role in processing the transactions between a health care provider and the insurance company. It also involves preparing and submitting claims to health insurance companies. Medical billers work with physicians, hospitals, state and federal governments for running a successful health care business. However, medical billing needs extensive knowledge in order to avoid complex issues. The primary responsibilities of medical billers include calculating charges and reminding payments regularly to insurance companies.

Reducing errors in medical billing

Medical billing is really a challenging work and one need to focus on avoiding errors. This will help for reducing legal issues to a wider extent.

1. Nowadays, medical billing companies prefer experienced persons for minimizing complications when creating the reports. Medical billing experts make feasible ways for maintaining error free reports to grow business in the markets.

2. They also provide ideas for generating high revenues to reach high levels. Several companies outsource medical billing work to other countries for saving money in all departments.

3. In addition, billing firms can be able to complete the tasks quickly with outsourcing services by meeting exact requirements. On the other hand, it is really a tough task for identifying billing experts and need proper guidelines.

Finding efficient medical billing professionals

There are several sources which are available for finding medical billing professionals for choosing services from them.

1. Online also helps in this process by giving information about medical billing business companies for those who want to select services depending on the projects.

2. Details about medical billing experts can be gathered from them for meeting exact requirements in the recruiting process.

3. Another advantage is that they help to eliminate the mistakes in the billing reports for claiming amounts from insurance companies without any difficulties

Company Contact Information
Medical Billing Services
Bristolhs

News and Press Release Distribution From I-Newswire.com Reported by i-Newswire.com 6 hours ago.

Enroll for health insurance at Newport News events

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ACA deadline for individual coverage is March 31

More than 5 million people nationwide have enrolled in health insurance through the state marketplaces established by the Affordable Care Act, according to a report this week by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The deadline to purchase health insurance for 2014 to meet the bill's individual mandate is March 31. Reported by dailypress.com 4 hours ago.

Obamacare enrollment event targets Bergen County Koreans as deadline looms

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About 200 people attended an event at Holy Name Medical Center to sign up for health insurance Reported by NJ.com 4 hours ago.

Counselors Made Available to Help Non-Native Speakers Apply for Health Insurance

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New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation is making bilingual enrollment counselors available to help non-native speakers apply for the insurance program. Reported by NY1 2 hours ago.

"Kayak of Obamacare Health Insurance Plans" Launches New Features

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Kayak of Obamacare Health Insurance Plans Launches New Features NEW YORK, March 19, 2014 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- AmaboCare (www.AmaboCare.com) has launched new features that help people compare and understand Obamacare health insurance options offered on State health exchanges and healthcare.gov. Easy-to-use features available on AmaboCare including a... Reported by PR Newswire 12 hours ago.

Iowa Pastor Suffering From Cancer Finds $850 a Month Obamacare Health Insurance Difficult to Pay; Asks for Prayers

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An Iowa pastor diagnosed with Stage 3 esophageal cancer in January is now asking for prayers to help pay for his new $850 a month health insurance he signed up for under Obamacare. Reported by Christian Post 12 hours ago.

Racing to Deadline, White House Plays to Young in Health Care Push

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The Obama administration is taking its mission to radio shows, churches and YouTube to urge people to buy health insurance ahead of the March 31 deadline. Reported by NYTimes.com 11 hours ago.

Obama To Appear On The Ellen Show To Talk Obamacare, Maybe Dance

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President Barack Obama will appear on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" Thursday to promote Obamacare.

Obama will encourage people without health insurance to sign up for coverage during a live shot from the White House, according to a release from the show.

This will be Obama's first appearance on the show since he was elected president. He did appear on the show during the 2008 campaign, when he busted a move with the popular daytime host.No word on whether Obama will dance during Thursday's appearance on the show. Reported by Huffington Post 11 hours ago.

Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market (by Payer & Provider) Worth $50.4 Billion by 2018 - New Report by MarketsandMarkets

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Outsourcing of IT solutions in the healthcare industry has emerged as an efficient solution to mitigate rising healthcare costs and to meet the growing demand for quality care; http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/healthcare-it-outsourcing-market-1219.html.

(PRWEB) March 19, 2014

The “Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market - By Application [Provider (EHR, RCM, LIMS) Payer (CRM, Claims Management, Fraud Detection, Billing) Life Science (ERP, CTMS, CDMS) Operational (SCM, BPM) & Infrastructure (IMS, Cloud Computing)] & Industry - Global Forecast To 2018”, analyzes and studies the major market drivers, restraints, and opportunities in North America, Europe, APAC, and Rest of the World.

Browse 147 market data tables and 11 figures spread through 365 pages and in-depth TOC on “Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market"

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/healthcare-it-outsourcing-market-1219.html

Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report.

The global market is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 7.6%, to reach $50.4 billion by 2018 from $35 billion in 2013. The health insurance industry, healthcare systems industry, and pharmaceutical industry are driving the HCIT outsourcing market.

Inquiry Before Buying @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_Buying.asp?id=1219.

The rise in demand for better quality healthcare by public and private organizations is expected to result in the increased cost of healthcare across the world. The cost of healthcare is rising throughout the world due to various factors such as the absence of universal coverage of insurance, unwanted administrative costs, recession and slow recovery process in selected geographies, increased costs due to new technologies such as robotic surgeries, growing burden of chronic diseases, and aging population in selected geographies. The increase in costs causes the healthcare providers to reduce their expenses and focus on savings. However, the providers cannot reduce expenses on patient care such as medical supplies. Thus, cost reduction on IT installation by outsourcing the IT applications, provides them a solution to gain competitive advantage while minimizing their expenses.

Ask for Free PDF Brochure @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=1219.

In this report, the HCIT outsourcing market is segmented on the basis of its application into provider outsourcing, payer outsourcing, life sciences outsourcing, operational services outsourcing, and infrastructure outsourcing. Furthermore, the market has also been segmented by industry. This segment includes the healthcare system (including hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic laboratories, among others.), the healthcare insurance industry, pharmaceutical industry, clinical research organizations, and biotechnology companies.

Factors propelling the growth of the market are the rising pressure to curb healthcare costs across the globe and the growing need to manage cash flow in back-office administration and IT management systems of healthcare provider, payers, and the life science segment. Lack of in-house IT expertise, rise in demand for integrating solutions, growing pressure on healthcare providers to meet the Meaningful Criteria set by the U.S. Federal Government, new ICD-10 conversion guidelines for coding, U.S. healthcare mandates, rise in aging population, and growing medical tourism in Asia are also likely to drive the HCIT outsourcing market.

Browse Related Reports:

Healthcare IT Integration Market by Products (Interface Engine, Medical Device Integration, Media Integration), Services (Implementation, Maintenance, Training), Applications (Hospitals, Radiology, Laboratory, Clinics, HIE) - Global Forecast to 2018

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/healthcare-it-integration-market-228536178.html

Healthcare BPO Market Payer (Claims Processing, HR Services, Finance & Accounts), Provider (Medical Billing & Coding) & Pharmaceutical (Clinical Trial, Contract Manufacturing, & Non-Clinical Services) - Trends & Forecasts (2013 - 2018)

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/healthcare-outsourcing-bpo-market-472.html

About MarketsandMarkets

MarketsandMarkets is a global market research and consulting company based in the U.S. We publish strategically analyzed market research reports and serve as a business intelligence partner to Fortune 500 companies across the world.

MarketsandMarkets also provides multi-client reports, company profiles, databases, and custom research services. MarketsandMarkets covers thirteen industry verticals; including advanced materials, automotives and transportation, banking and financial services, biotechnology, chemicals, consumer goods, telecommunications and IT, energy and power, food and beverages, industrial automation, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, semiconductor and electronics, aerospace & defense.

We at MarketsandMarkets are inspired to help our clients grow by providing apt business insight with our huge market intelligence repository.

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Visit MarketsandMarkets Blog @ http://mnmblog.org/market-research/healthcare/healthcareit
Connect with us on LinkedIn @ http://www.linkedin.com/company/marketsandmarkets Reported by PRWeb 12 hours ago.

USHEALTH Group Chairman and CEO Announces Retirement Plans

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Ben Cutler Names Troy McQuagge as Successor

Fort Worth, Texas (PRWEB) March 19, 2014

Benjamin Cutler, Chairman and CEO of USHEALTH Group, Inc. (USHEALTH Group) since 2004, today announced his plans for retirement later this year. While Mr. Cutler has set June 30th 2014 as the date he will retire from his fulltime, executive role, he will continue to serve the company as non-executive Chairman of its Board of Directors.

Mr. Cutler also announced that Troy McQuagge will assume the duties of CEO effective June 30th, 2014 to coincide with Mr. Cutler’s retirement. Mr. McQuagge will also retain his responsibilities as President of USHEALTH Group, Inc. and CEO and President of USHEALTH Advisors, LLC its wholly-owned career insurance agency (USHEALTH Advisors).

The two leaders have been close personal friends for over 15 years, and shared the stage as Cutler made this announcement to a group of more than 200 USHEALTH Advisors’ sales leaders and USHEALTH Group’s home-office employees.
Mr. Cutler first thanked the assembled sales leaders for another outstanding and record-breaking year for USHEALTH Group and expressed his gratitude at having Mr. McQuagge’s breadth of experience and tremendous leadership qualities to rely on, in making a smooth transition for the company.

“I’ve known Troy for many years and worked closely with him these past four years,” said Mr. Cutler. “I’ve been able to observe first hand, what a great builder of teams he personifies through his day-to-day leadership. I look forward to continuing our strong business and personal relationship in our respective new roles.”

In accepting the CEO duties at USHEALTH Group, Mr. McQuagge said “I am honored to follow in the footsteps of such a close friend, trusted business partner and true leader in the health insurance industry; as Ben Cutler. Since 2004, he has worked diligently to lay the foundation for building USHEALTH Group into the next Great American Company. I could not be more determined to carry through on the fulfillment of Ben’s vision by unleashing the incredible potential that exists in this organization.”

Mr. Cutler has over 45 years of insurance industry experience. He was previously Chairman of Assurant Health and Executive Vice President of Assurant, Inc. He also served as President and Chief Executive of Assurant’s predecessor business units, Fortis Life (1991-1994), Fortis Sales (1995-1996) and Fortis Health (1997-2002). He holds a B.S. from Kansas University and an MBA from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

Mr. McQuagge is a 30-year veteran of the insurance industry, starting his career with the Allstate Insurance Company in 1983. He joined UICI (now HealthMarkets) in 1995, where he built the two largest career health insurance sales organizations in America. As President and CEO of USHEALTH Advisors, he has led the company to multiple annual sales records and growth of 500% since 2010. He holds a B.A. in Legal Studies from the University of Central Florida.

About USHEALTH Group, Inc.
USHEALTH Group, Inc. is an insurance holding company based in Ft. Worth, Texas focused on providing innovative health coverage for self-employed individuals and small business owners. The goal of USHEALTH is to combine the talents of its employees and agents to market competitive and profitable insurance products, while providing superior customer service in every aspect of the company’s operations. Reported by PRWeb 12 hours ago.

Life-threatening Atherosclerosis Now Affordably Treatable

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AffordRx offers free discount cards for Lovaza and other atherosclerosis medications.

Margate, NJ (PRWEB) March 19, 2014

Atherosclerosis is a scary-sounding word that refers to a common condition that, if left untreated, can lead to life-threatening problems. High cholesterol can lead to a significant increase blood pressure while making it uncomfortable for patients to exercise—a vital component of treating this condition. Because cardiovascular health is so important to patients, AffordRx is offering discounts of 10% to 75% on medications such as Lovaza, statin drugs, and others that can lower high triglyceride levels. AffordRx knows that helping patients afford their medications will save lives.

AffordRx offers this free Lovaza coupon to patients who do not currently have health insurance coverage and to anyone whose insurance does not cover all their needed prescriptions. A lack of ability to pay is the number one reason cited by patients who do not comply with their doctor's instructions for taking their prescription. Inability to pay for vital prescription drugs like statins or Lovaza can lead to an exacerbation of symptoms that can be irreversible if left unaddressed. Atherosclerosis can cause permanent damage to legs and feet and can block arteries, causing extreme hypertension. This can lead to blindness, heart attack, stroke, or premature death. Affordable statins, beta-blockers, or Lovaza can make all the difference to people who suffer from this condition.

Patients who wish to obtain their free Lovaza discount card should do so at AffordRx.com. Cards can be sent to patients via postal mail, or can be printed on a home printer for immediate use. Prescription discount cards from AffordRx are free for all patients regardless of existing insurance coverage. They are accepted at thousands of chain and local pharmacies nationwide for discounts of 10% to 75% on prescribed medications. Discount cards may be used as often as needed, and the cards do not expire. There's no reason to do without prescription medications when discount cards can make them affordable. Reported by PRWeb 11 hours ago.

Obama Moves From ‘Two Ferns’ to ‘Ellen’

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President Barack Obama is following up his triumphant appearance on “Between Two Ferns With Zach Galifianakis” with an appearance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.”

Obama will appear on the syndicated talk show on Thursday via a live shot from the White House.

*See video:* President Obama Says Zach Galifianakis ‘Was Actually Pretty Nervous’ During ‘Between Two Ferns’ Interview

Much like his turn on Galifianakis’ Funny or Die video series, Obama will use the appearance to encourage citizens without health insurance to sign up for coverage via the Affordable Care Act. Except, presumably, with fewer ferns.

This will mark Obama's first appearance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” since he was elected to office. A previous guest spot on the show was highlighted by then-Sen. Obama dancing with DeGeneres after taking the stage.

*Also read:* Mitt Romney Rips President Obama in Scathing WSJ Op-Ed on Russia: He's a Failed Leader

Watch that golden moment in television history below:

The post Obama Moves From ‘Two Ferns’ to ‘Ellen’ appeared first on TheWrap.

*Related stories from TheWrap:*

Shocking Study! Democrats Willing to Spend More Money Than Republicans

Mitt Romney Rips President Obama in Scathing WSJ Op-Ed on Russia: He's a Failed Leader

President Obama Says Zach Galifianakis 'Was Actually Pretty Nervous' During 'Between Two Ferns' Interview (Video) Reported by The Wrap 10 hours ago.

How Obamacare Saved a Small Business Owner From Financial Ruin

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After the botched rollout of the Affordable Care Act, the larger debate, as the enrollment deadline of March 31 looms, is whether or not the reforms in President Obama's health care law are indicative of whether or not the government can play a positive role in the healthcare sector. Pete Dutro, a small business owner, single father and cancer survivor in New York City, says that while the Affordable Care Act is far from perfect, it's a good thing for him and his family.

"This is a huge step forward for me. I actually don't have to have Damocles' sword hanging over my head. I have a daughter, and I want to be around for her. So this is a huge step in the right direction," Dutro said. "It's not perfect, but it's a huge improvement."

Dutro owns a tattoo shop, and says while his business is incorporated as an s-corp, he runs it like a co-op. Employees are paid fairly and all meet regularly to discuss how revenue can be better shared with other workers through additional employee benefits, like a company health insurance plan. Just before Dutro was diagnosed with cancer, he was in a motorcycle accident and didn't have health insurance. When the cancer diagnosis came, Dutro was laid out for eight months in between surgeries and treatments.

The treatment process for Dutro's cancer involved numerous scans and tests that amounted to about $5,000 per procedure, and each visit to Bellevue Hospital required sometimes three separate treatments. In between radiation treatment, surgeries and diagnostic tests, Dutro was looking at roughly a half million dollars in healthcare costs. At the hospital's finance office, Dutro barely qualified for emergency Medicaid coverage.

"I was kind of lucky where I was in a cycle that my business was losing money, so I qualified for the emergency Medicaid," Dutro said. "But I really felt like they were saying, 'Fuck you for living. Fuck you for even trying to do anything.'"

The first time Pete Dutro ever had a health insurance plan in his life was after January 1, 2014. When Dutro tried buying a private health insurance plan before Obamacare, the cheapest option he could find was $4,564 a month. Now, under the New York Health Exchange, Dutro pays a little over $1,000 a month. His health insurance is a platinum plan, so it not only covers all of his diagnostics and tests, but his daughter now has health coverage, too. Dutro used to be a kick boxer, and had to buy insurance for his matches. A high level competitor, Dutro broke his nose in several matches and had to pay for it.

"I'm not just some random person who had no clue about the importance of this. This is something I wanted but couldn't afford," Dutro said. "I wasn't one of those people in his mid-twenties and early thirties who couldn't be bothered by this. It was always just a little bit too much."

Dutro concedes that Obamacare is "a boon for corporations" as it forces citizens to buy private health insurance plans. Obamacare subsidizes the private health insurance industry to the tune of $100 billion per year. But he maintains that it's a step above the status quo, and calls those who want to see it repealed and dismantled "life-haters."

"When you think about it, there's a lottery of life. You don't get to choose who you're born to, you don't get to choose where you're born. The fact is, there are people in this country who are born into poor families, and some people think they chose to be born into poverty. Those people are misanthropic. They actually hate the life around them, if you look at the policies they promote," Dutro said.

"They just cut WIC. They don't want women, infants and children to have food stamps. Are you kidding? And they're trying to take the moral high ground of Jesus Christ, which, what I remember from my grandfathers, was take care of the poor, it wasn't cut taxes for the richest people so all the money flows up," Dutro contined. "This is, to me, completely antithetical to this Christian image they try to portray."

Dutro believes we should keep pushing for a single-payer system, where the government pays for health care costs without a need for private health insurers. But he also believes the fundamental questions that should be asked about Obamacare aren't whether it should be maintained or repealed, but why Americans need to depend on programs like the Affordable Care Act, and whether or not businesses will make investments in their employees' health.

"Why are so many eligible for Obamacare and other subsidies? Because these employers, they don't pay their workers a living wage," Dutro said. "As a business owner, I know that what's essential to my business is paying my employees well. If I invest in my employees, that's more revenue down the line."

This article originally appeared on Reader Supported News. Reported by Huffington Post 11 hours ago.
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