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Finding Affordable Care: Asking the Right Question is Key

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NQF Releases Guidance for Consumers.

Washington, DC (PRWEB) September 23, 2014

What information do patients need to find affordable care? The National Quality Forum (NQF) released a report (http://bit.ly/1DwekE9), consumer fact sheet (http://www.qualityforum.org/WorkArea/linkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=id&ItemID=77687), and an infographic (http://bit.ly/1tX3lzA) resulting from an in-depth look at the rising cost of healthcare, how patients define affordability, and what information and changes are needed for consumers to get the best possible healthcare at the lowest possible cost.

Rising healthcare costs have become a significant burden for the nation, its businesses and American families. Families have seen their health insurance premiums increase by almost 130 percent in the past decade while their out-of-pocket spending has risen by almost 80 percent. Because of these increases, families’ real income has been essentially flat for the past decade as growing healthcare costs have consumed increases in people’s wages and income (http://bit.ly/1nxyBnM).

To understand the impact of healthcare costs on patients and consumers, NQF, with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, organized a two-day meeting in March that brought together key stakeholders including patients and families, consumers, health plans, researchers, clinicians, and community health experts. To date, affordable health care has been examined mostly through the lens of payers.

The discussion revealed that while patients and consumers primarily judge whether care is affordable based on how much of their household budget they spend on healthcare, a host of other factors that influence their perspective, such as whether the care was high quality, the options available for their healthcare needs, and how they were able to balance the other demands of their daily lives with their healthcare. These factors change depending on the particular type of decision patients are making, including buying insurance, selecting preventive screenings to stay healthy, seeking treatment for an urgent ailment, managing chronic illness, or dealing with end-of-life issues. Each situation introduces complexities and too often, lack of information can be a barrier to making informed choices.

“Consumers and patients are often unsure of what questions to ask to get the answers they need to find affordable care,” said Christine K. Cassel, M.D., president and CEO, National Quality Forum. “This new work adds to NQF’s growing portfolio on affordability by providing consumers with key questions and resources they can use to help them find the best care at the best price.”

The report concludes with recommended actions for clinicians, insurers, federal and state agencies, hospitals, patients, and other educational and non-profit organizations could take to ensure that affordable health care is available and accessible.

“Affecting sustainable change in healthcare affordability will require a concerted effort from all sectors of society,” said Dr. Cassel. “There is promise that coordinated action should help ensure that healthcare is affordable for patients and the nation.” Reported by PRWeb 2 hours ago.

Wonkblog: More insurers line up to sell Obamacare plans in 2015, HHS says

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President Obama's top health official announced that the new health insurance marketplaces have seen a 25 percent increase in the number of insurers planning to sell coverage in the upcoming 2015 enrollment period, which administration officials cited as a sign of the private market's confidence in the Affordable Care Act. Reported by Washington Post 33 minutes ago.

Rob Schneider TV Ad Dropped by State Farm Over Comedian's Anti-Vaccine Views

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State Farm Insurance will no longer run a television advertisement starring Rob Schneider because of the actor's anti-vaccination views. The move comes after a social media campaign called for Schneider to be dropped as a spokesperson.

Phil Supple, the insurance company's director of public affairs, tells PR Week, “[Schneider's] ad has unintentionally been used as a platform for discussion unrelated to the products and services we provide,” he said. “With that, we are working to remove the ad from our rotation at this time.”

Representatives for both Schneider and State Farm have not yet responded to TheWrap‘s request for comment.

*Also read:* 13 Major LA Clippers Sponsors Pull Out in Wake of Donald Sterling Racist Rant

Schneider reprised his popular “Saturday Night Live” character “the Copy Guy” for the State Farm campaign. But it didn't go over well with some viewers, and the social media pages “Science Babe” and “Chow Babe” are being credited with starting the push for State Farm to pull the ads.

Critics of the ads also produced a video that asked supporters to post comments on State Farm's Facebook and Twitter pages.

“State Farm provides health insurance, and nothing ensures public health more than getting vaccinated,” the video says. “It is time to end the anti-vaccination movement; with your help, we can elicit change.”

*See video:* ‘Daily Show's’ Samantha Bee Takes on Anti-Vaccine Truthers and the ‘Outbreak of Liberal Idiocy’

Schneider has long held a stance against vaccinations. In 2012, he came out against California Bill AB 2109 that requires parents to seek professional medical advice regarding the risks and rewards of vaccinating their children.

After the bill passed both houses of the California legislature, Schneider wrote the following message on Twitter:



Today California passed a law to force parents to get a Doc's permission to not vaccinate their kids or they can't attend school! Nazi's

— Rob Schneider (@RobSchneider) June 28, 2012



Watch the video asking State Farm to drop Rob Schneider below.

*Related stories from TheWrap:*

Rob Schneider Blames Robin Williams' Suicide on Drugs for Parkinson's Disease

'Grown Ups 2' Review: See Adam Sandler, Chris Rock Chuckle at Their Own Moronic Jokes

Rob Schneider Sued for $1.5M by Film Investors Reported by The Wrap 19 minutes ago.

Consumer Alert: Health Insurance Company Funding Hidden In No On Prop 45 Advertising & Marketing Effort Statewide; Paid Hands Do Industry's Work, Says Consumer Watchdog Campaign

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SANTA MONICA, Calif., Sept. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Consumer Watchdog warned the public today that a $37.5 million television and radio advertising campaign attacking Proposition 45 is funded exclusively by health insurance companies who would have to rein in rates if Prop 45... Reported by PR Newswire 48 minutes ago.

More health insurers offer Obamacare plans

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Americans will have more choice when they shop on the Obamacare exchanges this fall for health insurance. Reported by CNNMoney 2 minutes ago.

Four New Insurers To Offer Health Plans In Florida

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Of the 984,000 Floridians who signed up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, nearly half were from South Florida. Reported by cbs4.com 1 day ago.

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Nearly half of the 984,000 Floridians who signed up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act were from South Florida. Reported by WEAR ABC 3 1 day ago.

11 Charts That Should Make People Really Embarrassed About The US Healthcare System

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11 Charts That Should Make People Really Embarrassed About The US Healthcare System The health of people in the United States is plagued by conundrums.

We spend more on healthcare than any other developed nation, yet we lead far shorter lives. A baby born on American soil is the most expensive in the world, yet our newborns have a lower chance of surviving past infancy than those born in eight other developed nations. The Affordable Care Act has made health insurance more accessible to the poor, yet bills for medications and basic hospital procedures remain strikingly high.

Here are 11 charts that show in embarrassing detail some of the many shortcomings of our healthcare system.

-*1. Americans don’t live as long as we should.*-

In terms of overall life expectancy, the United States ranks 26th out of 34 Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development member countries. Americans enjoy fewer years than Slovenians and Koreans, living just a tad longer than Czechs and Chileans, who used to rank far behind us.

-*2. But our country spends far more on healthcare and drugs than any other developed country.*-

Nearly a fifth of America’s gross domestic product goes toward healthcare spending, putting us above the Netherlands, France, Germany, Canada and Switzerland, where actual health outcomes are much better.

-*3. Many of us die from diseases that don’t have to be fatal.*-

Americans are more likely to die from asthma than people than in Brazil or Costa Rica, even though the disease is equally prevalent in those countries.

-*4. Americans with certain treatable diseases are more likely to end up in a hospital — and more likely to die.*-

We send more adult asthma sufferers to the hospital to be treated than any other developed country, coming in just under the Slovakian Republic. The soaring cost of asthma medication in the US (a Qvar brand inhaler, for example, costs 18 times more in the US than it does in Greece) is partially to blame for this problem, but access to preventative care also plays a role. Uninsured asthma patients are far more likely to die in the hospital than those with insurance.

-*5. Our life expectancy varies by skin color.*-

In 2009, the average black American could expect to live to just 75, the same life expectancy white Americans enjoyed 30 years earlier in 1979. Today, Black Americans remain far more likely than white Americans to die from heart disease, cancer and diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

-*6. It’s too easy to opt out of vaccinations, leading to new cases of preventable diseases.*-

Low vaccination rates can lead to outbreaks of diseases like measles and Hepatitis B, especially among susceptible populations such as the young and the elderly. A handful of wealthy southern California schools have lower vaccination rates than South Sudan — a troubling trend that extends to New York City private schools as well.

-*7. American doctors spend very little time with patients**.*-

In comparison to physicians in the Czech Republic, New Zealand, France and Israel, doctors in the US spend far less time consulting with patients and do a far worse job explaining to them what’s wrong.

-*8. Life-saving prescription drugs cost a fortune.*-

The US spends a huge chunk of its budget on pharmaceutical drugs. Unlike other countries, whose governments regularly haggle with pharmaceutical companies to reduce drug prices, Medicare is forbidden from engaging in such negotiations. This is why a cancer drug like Gleevec, which costs about $1,000 in New Zealand and Canada, costs an average of $6,214 in the US. Even the common pain medication Celebrex, which runs for $51 in Canada, can cost anywhere from two to nine times that amount in the US.

-*9. Standard lab tests are far pricier, too.*-

An MRI in the US, for example, can cost 10 times as much as it would in Switzerland.

 

-*10. American babies are the most expensive in the world.*-

Giving birth in the US — including hospitalization and a normal delivery — costs an average of $10,002, nearly five times more than the cost of birth in Argentina or Spain.

-*11. Yet babies born in the US are far less likely to survive past infancy than babies born in many other developed countries. *-

In 2004, the latest year that data are available for all countries, the US ranked 29th globally in infant mortality, with the same rate of infant death as Slovakia and Poland.

*SEE ALSO: Babies Are More Likely To Die In Detroit Than In Mexico*

*Read more: One Blockbuster Drug Explains A Lot About Our Out-Of-Control Healthcare Costs*

Join the conversation about this story » Reported by Business Insider 22 hours ago.

Covered California Call Centers Fall Behind as Citizenship Verfication Takes Precedence

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Covered California Call Centers Fall Behind as Citizenship Verfication Takes Precedence Covered California has been juggling its resources to clear a backlog of cases requiring citizenship verification. That focus has led to serious problems at call centers and, apparently, in other areas.

Roughly 100,000 households in California were in danger of losing their health insurance by the end of next month because they had not verified their citizenship. The LA Times reports that half the backlog has now been cleared, leaving another 50,000 people who still need to be contacted.

In order to make all those contacts, Covered California pulled workers from the call center. Executive Director Peter Lee tells the LA Times, "We have taken a lot of people off the phone in the past month." Lee added, "Unfortunately, we haven't been answering the phone as quickly as we would like."

According to the monthly Executive Director's Report dated September 18th, less than 1% of calls to the center were answered within 30 seconds (Covered CA's goal is 80%). Nearly two-thirds of callers (63.8%) simply abandoned the call rather than keep waiting for an answer. The report also states that the "average speed of answer" increased by 42 minutes between July and August.

These figures are comparable to the ones Covered CA reported back in December, 2013 when a crush of callers desperate to sign up for insurance before the year ended led to a 51.4% abandoned call rate. In that case, the situation was actually worse because the high volume of callers meant that 53% received a busy signal compared to just 15% who got a busy signal last month.

In addition to the slowdown at the call service center, Covered California was apologizing this month for 20,000 applications which it failed to send to insurers on time. The LA Times reports that this caused "delays and confusion" over coverage but does not specifically tie the applications failure to the push to clear the citizenship verification backlog.

The 50,000 people who remain to have their citizenship verified have until the end of October to do so. If they haven't been verified by then, they will lose their insurance. Reported by Breitbart 22 hours ago.

Donna McAleer shares what prompted her to run for Congress

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Glen Mills: Donna McAleer is the Democratic challenger taking on Rob Bishop in Utah’s 1st Congressional District. Let’s go ahead and start with what issue prompted you to run.

Donna McAleer: I decided to run for Congress, there are really two issues. The first was the epidemic of rape and sexual assault in the military. I was asked to be a technical consultant on a film called the Invisible War which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2012. And it was my work consulting in that film and being a subject. I realized not only is there an epidemic of rape and sexual assault in the military, but also in civilian society. And my desire to make a change to help reform the military justice system and to provide victims opportunities for healing and justice. The second reason was because that congress has lost its focus on its mission. Its mission is to govern and keep the government open. As a West point graduate and an army officer, everything we do in the army is focused on the mission. Its there that I learned to be a problem solver and regardless of your race, your socioeconomic background, your religion or who you love, everybody in the military we focus on a mission. And congress has lost focus on a mission.

Mills: Representative Bishop has been in Congress for quite awhile. He has a lot of seniority built up. How can you be effective without that seniority as a new comer?

McAleer: Well I think that seniority is a misnomer. I already am in Washington and being quite effective. In 2013 Secretary Defense Panetta appointed me to serve on the defense advisory council for women in the service. So I have been doing policy work in Washington, D.C representing service women and veterans. So I think that’s a false impression. The other thing is that I have the background the pragmatic practical experience having created jobs in the supply chain leading to global division of a technology company. I know how to create and manage balance sheets. Having turned around health care not for profit, I understand the importance and have had to actually purchase health insurance. In the corporate world, in the military, and in the not for profit world I’ve had to deliver results. And that’s what congress is not doing right now. They are not delivering results; we are not holding our congress people accountable. And so seniority is not the issue here. Its effectiveness and results and representing your constituency properly of Utah in D.C.

Mills: Lets talk about that because district one is diverse economically and geographically. What can you bring to the table?

McAleer: You’re absolutely right Glen. It goes from the North West in Box Elder County all the way to the East in Uintah County. It’s geographically disperse and economically diverse. Our largest single sight employer is Hill Air force Base. As a military veteran, I understand the issues around the military and will be a strong advocate for that. Having a daughter in the public school system, I’m familiar with our challenges in education. Somebody who is passionate about stewarding our public lands, that’s another huge asset in our state. Utah is blessed with so many natural resources that bring in significant amounts of visitors to our state and contribute huge dollars to our state. So what I bring is willingness to work and demonstrable record of results. I’m not about pulling political stunts and shutting down the government.

Mills: Public lands. It’s a big issue here in Utah. Who is better suited to manage public lands? The state or the government?

McAleer: Well I think what’s really important to understand what public lands in the west there are 1.2 billion dollars of public lands in the west. In Utah our public lands bring millions and millions of visitors and generate hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue for this state. And I think it’s a misnomer when people say, were going to fight the federal government and take back these public lands. It’s a historical fallacy. If we look at the enabling act when Utah became a state in our constitution we forever disclaimed rights to those lands. So I think it’s important that we really take a balanced approach and look at really stewarding our lands for public access.

Mills: Okay let’s move to the affordable care act. Do you support it? Is it working?

McAleer: The affordable care act is something that I think needs fixing. I do not think our personal healthcare is a market based system. When you get sick you need access to healthcare. There are some provisions of the affordable healthcare act that are incredible. It allows young people staring out their careers and under 26 to stay on their parents healthcare plan. Nobody should be denied care because of pre existing conditions.

Mills: What needs to be fixed then?

McAleer: What we need to look at is how it affects small businesses. And that’s something that has been postponed in terms of the rate small businesses are charge. But shutting down the federal government over what is a law in the land, I believe is a political stunt. It hurt the state tremendously. It furlough 40 thousand people and cost more than 30 million dollars in lost income and revenue to the state. Reported by abc4 22 hours ago.

More insurers line up to sell Obamacare plans in 2015, agency says

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WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama's top health official announced that the new health insurance marketplaces have seen a 25 percent increase in the number of insurers planning to sell coverage in the upcoming 2015 enrollment period, which administration officials cited as a sign of the private market's confidence in the Affordable Care Act. Reported by TwinCities.com 19 hours ago.

Zane Benefits Announces New Worksheets on Employer-Funded Individual Health Insurance

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New Worksheets available for Employer-Funded Individual Health Insurance

Park City, UT (PRWEB) September 23, 2014

Today, Zane Benefits, the #1 Online Health Benefits Solution, announced today the publication of a new eBook, "Employer-Funded Individual Health Insurance Worksheets." The easy-to-use worksheets help employers and health insurance professionals perform a cost analysis of employer-funded individual health insurance.

According to Zane Benefits, over the next three years, 60 percent of businesses are expected to cancel group health insurance coverage in favor of employer-funded individual health insurance. Cost is a significant motivating factor behind this shift.

This eBook contains a set of worksheets that walk you through how to calculate the costs of group health insurance vs. employer-funded individual health insurance.

Click here to read the full article.

--

About Zane Benefits
Zane Benefits, the #1 Online Health Benefits Solution, was founded in 2006 to revolutionize the way employers provide employee health benefits in America. We empower employees to take control over their own healthcare, while helping employers recruit and retain the best talent. Our online solutions allow small and medium-sized businesses to successfully transition to a health benefits program that creates happier employees, reduces costs and frees up more time to serve their customers. For more information about ZaneHealth, visit http://www.zanebenefits.com. Reported by PRWeb 19 hours ago.

Many Americans still lack health insurance

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Obamacare has increased the number of people covered by health insurance, but roughly one in six adults remain uninsured Reported by CBS News 9 hours ago.

107,581,000 Already in Government Health Plans

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There were 107,581,000 people enrolled in government health insurance plans in the United States in 2013, the year before the Affordable Care Act (AKA Obamacare) was fully implemented.

The Census Bureau published this number last week in its annual report on health insurance.

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read more Reported by CNSNews.com 12 hours ago.

More Than 50 Carriers Added to State Health Insurance Exchanges for 2015, AIS Newsletter Finds

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Consumers who shop for coverage on public insurance exchanges this fall will see scores of new products and dozens of carriers that didn’t participate a year ago, Atlantic Information Services’s Inside Health Insurance Exchanges reports.

Washington, DC (PRWEB) September 24, 2014

More than 50 health insurers have filed to sell products on public insurance exchanges for the 2015 plan year, Atlantic Information Services, Inc.’s (AIS) Inside Health Insurance Exchanges (HEX) can exclusively report. HEX conducted a survey of state departments of insurance (DOIs) earlier this month, the results of which were detailed in its Sept. 18 issue.

With few exceptions, both state-based exchanges (SBEs) and federally facilitated exchanges (FFEs) expect to have new carriers selling individual and/or small-group coverage through the exchanges, with nearly half of all states gaining new entrants. Only seven states had currently participating plans withdraw from the marketplace.

Other notable findings from the HEX survey include UnitedHealth Group’s intention to sell products on at least 12 exchanges in the 2015 plan year, increasing from just four in 2014. And, as was the case in the inaugural year, Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans are selling coverage on exchanges in all but two states — Iowa and Mississippi. DOIs in eight states either declined to comment or did not respond by HEX’s press time.

Visit http://aishealth.com/archive/nhex091814-01 to view read the article in its entirety, including a table featuring the survey results by state.

About Inside Health Insurance Exchanges
Inside Health Insurance Exchanges provides hard-hitting news and strategies on public and private health insurance exchanges, written for business leaders with health plans, pharma companies, hospitals and health systems, brokers and agents, and exchange managers and vendors. The newsletter delivers reliable intelligence on this critical cornerstone of health reform — the players and their partners, product designs and enrollment results, employer perspectives and much more. Visit http://aishealth.com/marketplace/inside-health-insurance-exchanges for more information.

About AIS
Atlantic Information Services, Inc. (AIS) is a publishing and information company that has been serving the health care industry for more than 25 years. It develops highly targeted news, data and strategic information for managers in hospitals, health plans, medical group practices, pharmaceutical companies and other health care organizations. AIS products include print and electronic newsletters, websites, looseleafs, books, strategic reports, databases, webinars and conferences. Learn more at http://AISHealth.com. Reported by PRWeb 11 hours ago.

6 Ways Toddlerhood and Pregnancy Are More Alike Than You Think

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This morning in the car, my 3-year-old was whining. What else is new? As he wailed his reasoning ("I JUST WANT WAFFLES AND TACOS ALL THE TIIIIIME!"), it hit me:

At nearly seven months pregnant, I've never had more in common with this kid than I do right now. Hear me out.

*1. The eating habits.* The penchant for pre-dinner ice cream. Hands with the sticky remnants of an illicit snack shoveled in harried secrecy. Sometimes a Cheerio falls out of his pant leg; sometimes I find a Frito in my bra. Sometimes just the thought of eating a banana makes us gag; other times, nothing short of an entire carton of strawberries will do. We want what we want when we want it, and if anything stands in our way, expect some forks to be thrown.

*2. The perpetually ill-fitting clothes* on our continuously changing bodies. What? You outgrew your $50 baby shoes three weeks after we bought them? No kidding, I just graduated from the Could-Be-Just-Bloated early pregnancy fat pants to my full blown I've-Been-Eating-Pie-For-Six-Months third trimester fare. Your head outgrew your hats mid-winter? Over the past three years of pregnancies and nursing, I've acquired bras with cups to match the first four (FOUR!) letters of the alphabet. You feel like crying because we have to pack away your favorite Thomas shirt that you've chosen to wear almost every day of the week regardless of cleanliness and occasion because it's now midriff-baring and partially see-through? Tell that to these skinny jeans I'm hiding in the back of my closet in case my child-bearing hips get a hold of a DeLorean. In this game, the only winner is the mall.

*3. Let's talk about the big wet elephant in the room that is our incapacity to hold our urine.* Sometimes we pee our pants (don't make a big deal). We also seldom make it through the night without having to go. Equipped with humanity's weakest bladders, excepting of course those of the elderly and drunk, toddlers and pregos understand that pee happens. Don't take us to that too-long church service/bumpy road trip/Melissa McCarthy movie without expecting to make a few pit stops.

*4. Flatulent accusations.* Have you noticed that when a questionable smell erupts in a public forum, all eyes immediately throw repulsed daggers at either the toddler or the visibly pregnant woman in the room? We are both equally offended at your audacious accusation and would thank you to either keep your suspicions to yourself or blame the old guy. IT WAS TOTALLY THE OLD GUY!

*5. Remembering things is hard.* Mommy, where's my fire truck? What's my middle name? Where are we going? So I'm NOT allowed to jump off this table (*mid-air*)? Where are we going? What's for dinner? Where are we going? Where's my fire truck?

What is your second child's date of birth? What is the name of your pediatrician? Ma'am, the ER doctors would like to examine your daughter now, so we need the name of her pediatrician. Literally name any pediatrician in the practice, it doesn't matter. What's YOUR date of birth? What kind of health insurance do you carry?

(Give us a minute or 20. Juice helps.)

*6. Finally, the earth-shattering mood swings.* The fury and its unlikely friend, manic laughter. It's the kind of rage that says, "Don't you dare f*ck with me, Mommy, because I KNOW you didn't hear me creeping down the steps at nap time to find you watching Real Housewives with an Oreo Blizzard on your belly after you didn't eat a real lunch and then skipped six pages in my bedtime story," but can be assuaged by a well-timed fart joke and a 45-minute snuggle. It's the agony searing through the experience of having the baby drip milk into your hair from her high chair while you're picking up 17 sticky half-grapes off the kitchen floor AGAIN, and then laughing until tears flow about their take on boogers after they've fallen asleep 10 minutes later. It may not make sense to the outsiders, and it may terrify onlookers at the grocery store, but our feelings are both very real and very big. And for the record, don't you dare call me hormonal because WE BOTH KNOW you're just being an asshole.

So the next time my son stabs my heart with another "I don't love you and I don't love your carrots!", I like to think I will have greater understanding of his outburst and be better equipped to ride the wave of his highly complex emotions. I will be able to step back and appreciate the special bond we now share, if only for a few more weeks. I will sit down with him over a steaming plate of waffles and tacos and tell booger jokes until we pee our ill-fitting pants.

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Also on HuffPost: Reported by Huffington Post 6 hours ago.

Physicians Case Against ObamaCare Knocked Out On Standing

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Another challenge to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) has bitten the dust.  The Seventh Circuit ruled last week in Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, Inc. v Koskinen.  The principle mechanism that PPACA has for making sure that everybody purchases insurance is a penalty for certain individuals who are not insured and certain businesses that do not provide health insurance.  In Notice 2013-45  the IRS had given the employers more time to comply but noted:

This transition relief through 2014 for the information reporting and Employer Shared Responsibility Provisions has no effect on the effective date or application of other Affordable Care Act provisions.

The doctors argued that there was a violation of separation of powers, although the Court thought it might have been more Article II and the Tenth Amendment.  No matter.  The district court dismissed the case for lack of standing.  The doctors were not arguing about their own taxes. Reported by Forbes.com 7 hours ago.

How Spending 30 Minutes Now Can Save You $1,000 Next Spring

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Filed under: Taxes, PlanningBy Maryalene LaPonsie

With a headline like that, you might be prepared for a bait and switch. But we're serious here. You really can save up to $1,000 in only a half-hour. However, there is a catch. We have to talk about taxes. I know! Who wants to talk about taxes in September? Not me, that's for sure.

While tax planning isn't anyone's idea of fun, it doesn't have to be long, difficult or painful. In the amount of time it would take to find out if the family on "House Hunters" is going to pick the perfect home or compromise for the obviously inferior property (hint: they always compromise), you could have done something to ensure you'll have an extra $1,000 next April. Here are six ways.

*1. Find Deductions Hiding in Your Closets*

The first way to put that half-hour to good use is by cleaning out your closets and taking the contents to your favorite thrift store for a tax deduction.

Set the timer for 30 minutes and go wild. Be ruthless. It's like "Supermarket Sweep," but you're cruising through your home rather than running through the grocery aisles.

Those skis Junior never used? Gone. The baby clothes from your 4-year-old? Outta here. The scrapbooking supplies that haven't seen the light of day in two years? Sayonara.

This strategy has a double benefit. Not only do you get a deduction that can lower your tax bill next year, you're also making space just in time for the rush of holiday gifts that will be arriving shortly.

*2. Beef Up Your Retirement Savings*

Another way to use those 30 minutes is to review your retirement accounts and see if you can afford to contribute a little more.

For 401(k) and 403(b) accounts through your workplace, you can contribute up to $17,500 this year, an amount that can be deducted from your taxable income. If you're 50 or older, you can contribute up to $23,000.

Even if you don't have an employer-sponsored retirement fund, you can contribute money to your own IRA and get the same tax benefits. IRA contributions for most workers are maxed out at $5,500 in 2014, with those 50 and older eligible for a deduction on up to $6,500 in contributions.

Depending on your tax bracket, you could save 30 cents in taxes for every dollar you contribute to an eligible fund. Remember, there are income caps for some of these deductions, and you get an immediate tax benefit only if you have a traditional 401(k), 403(b) or IRA. If you have a Roth account, you still get tax benefits, but not until after you retire.

*3. Dump Your Stock Losses*

If you have some stocks, grab a cup of coffee and spend 30 minutes reviewing your portfolio.

Are any perpetually underperforming? If so, now is a perfect time to dump them. You can deduct up to $3,000 in losses from your income, enough to conceivably save as much as $1,000 at tax time, depending on your bracket.

While you're reviewing your stocks, don't forget you can donate them to charities, too. Make a gift of some overachieving stock to your favorite 501(c)3 organization, and then you can take a deduction for its full value.

You avoid the capital gains tax by making a donation, potentially reduce your tax liability with the deduction and, because the organization is tax-exempt, it can cash in without paying taxes either. It's a win-win.

*4. Max Out Your Health Savings Account*

If you're one of the nearly 17.4 million people with an eligible high-deductible health insurance plan, you should definitely consider opening or adding to your health savings account.

HSAs let you meet your deductible, co-pay and coinsurance requirements using tax-free dollars. In 2014, you can contribute up to $3,300 to your HSA if you have single coverage or $6,550 for a family plan.

If you have the financial means, maximizing your HSA contributions each year can be an excellent way to reduce your tax liability. Unlike flexible spending accounts, which operate under a "use it or lose it" system (although you may be able to carry over $500 to the following year), money in an HSA will roll over each year, so you can build up a healthy savings account for medical emergencies.

*5. Check in With a Pro*

Actually meeting with a finance pro will probably take longer than 30 minutes, but you only need a half-hour to find someone and make an appointment.

Despite the fact that I feel confident managing my own money and savings, I recently sat down with an adviser for a financial checkup. I didn't go into the meeting expecting much but was surprised at the outcome. Having a fresh set of eyes looking at the numbers proved to be helpful in identifying new ways to save. It also gave me a shot of motivation to stay the course when it comes to sticking to my spending and saving goals.

Remember, some professionals might be more interested in making money than working in your best interest. However, if you can find the right adviser, they should be able to provide information and advice on how to minimize your tax liability, maximize investments and cut out unneeded expenses and fees. There are several ways to evaluate financial advisers.

*6. Spend a Little Quality Time Online*

Finally, if you don't feel inclined to meet with an adviser, at least spend 30 minutes looking for DIY ways to save money in advance of tax season.

Sure, this is shameless self-promotion, but we have an excellent knowledge base of information here, if I do say so myself. Search for "tax hacks 2014" for a collection of our articles from the past year, stories that will help you do everything from finding helpful tax apps to ferreting out those hard-to-find deductions and credits.

All the above suggestions can be done or initiated in about 30 minutes or less and may result in tax savings of up to $1,000 or more. You could try these strategies at any time in the next few months, but need I remind you that Halloween is practically here? Then, the winter holiday craziness is right behind.

Best get this done during the relative calm of the early fall. There will always be reruns of "House Hunters" to watch later. I promise.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments Reported by DailyFinance 6 hours ago.

Global Market for Ambulance and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Equipment to Reach $6.8 Billion in 2018; Hypothermia Prevention Segment Surging At 6.7% CAGR

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According to new report from BCC Research, the global market for ambulance and emergency medical services (EMS) equipment is expected to rise to $6.8 billion by 2018, with a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.9% from 2013 to 2018. The hypothermia prevention segment is estimated to record the highest CAGR with 6.7%.

Wellesley, MA (PRWEB) September 24, 2014

BCC Research reveals in its new report, AMBULANCE AND EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT: GLOBAL MARKETS, the global market for ambulance and emergency medical services (EMS) equipment is expected to rise to $6.8 billion by 2018, with a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.9% from 2013 to 2018. The hypothermia prevention segment is estimated to record the highest CAGR with 6.7%.

The infection control market is expected to show steady growth during the forecast period, increasing from $2.74 billion in 2013 to $3.3 billion in 2018. However, it is the hypothermia prevention segment that is anticipated to record the greatest growth with $23.7 billion in 2013 to $32.8 billion for 2018.

The rise in demand for emergency medical services has led to the noted growth in the ambulance equipment market. This accelerated demand is partly due to the recession, which led to a large number of people losing their health insurance coverage. As a result, many of these individual’s health issues escalated into conditions requiring emergency medical services. The other factor is the increase in the aging population and the consequent escalation in the incidence of chronic health issues that require emergency healthcare services. The population of people age 65 and older will continue to rise through 2018 and will impact the growth of this market in future years.

“Extensive research in the field of ambulance and emergency medical services has revealed a specific need in injury control and various emergency health situations,” says BCC Research analyst Shalini S. Dewan. “State-of-the-art technological advancements, new product launches and the population’s strenuous and fast lifestyles are expected to drive the growth of the market in the foreseeable future.”

AMBULANCE AND EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT: GLOBAL MARKETS provides a detailed analysis of the ambulance and emergency medical services equipment industry structure. Projections are estimated for the five-year period from 2013 through 2018. The performance, setbacks and needs of the market are also discussed in this report.

Editors and reporters who wish to speak with the analyst should contact Steven Cumming at steven.cumming(at)bccresearch(dot)com.

About BCC Research
BCC Research publishes market research reports that make organizations worldwide more profitable with intelligence that drives smart business decisions. These reports cover today's major industrial and technology sectors, including emerging markets. For more than 40 years we've helped customers identify new market opportunities with accurate and reliable data and insight, including market sizing, forecasting, industry overviews, and identification of significant trends and key competitors. We partner with analysts who are experts in specific areas of industry and technology, providing unbiased measurements and assessments of global markets. Our clients include the top companies in industries around the world as well as universities, business schools, start-ups, consulting firms and investment companies. BCC Research is a unit of Eli Research LLC. Visit our website at http://www.bccresearch.com. Contact us: (+1) 781-489-7301 (U.S. Eastern time), or email information(at)bccresearch(dot)com.

Data and analysis extracted from this press release must be accompanied by a statement identifying BCC Research LLC, 49-2 Walnut Park, Wellesley, MA 02481, Telephone: (+1) 781-489-7301; Email: editor(at)bccresearch(dot)com as the source and publisher. Thank you. Reported by PRWeb 5 hours ago.

NYC IS HEATING UP: In The Past 365 Days, 3 New Startups Have Skyrocketed To $500 Million Valuations

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NYC IS HEATING UP: In The Past 365 Days, 3 New Startups Have Skyrocketed To $500 Million Valuations New York may not have Snapchat. It may not have Google, Twitter or Facebook. But in the past 365 days, a lot of value has been created by a few New York City-based startups.

In the past year or two, three companies have gone from being worth $0 to $500 million+ valuations. Those companies are:

· *Flatiron Health* — Founded by Invite Media's Nat Turner and Zach Weinberg, Flatiron Health is two years old. It started as a passion project for Turner and Weinberg who both had family members who had been diagnosed with cancer. Then they started looking into clinical trials. Now the company's mission is to organize the world's oncology data and it's working with a number of cancer clinics in beta. Khosla Ventures led a $130 million round in Flatiron Health in May 2014 at a valuation that exceeds $500 million.
· *Oscar* — Joshua Kushner's Oscar is a health insurance company that launched in July 2013. It's goal is to make healthcare affordable and medical bills easy for everyone to understand. Investors have poured $150 million into it at a valuation that exceeds $500 million.
· *Blue Apron* — Blue Apron, a Brooklyn-based startup, sends recipes and perfect ingredient portions to your doorstep so you can learn to cook new meals at home relatively quickly without any waste or store visits required. It's rumored to be doing more than $80 million in annual revenue and its latest valuation was about $500 million on the nose. 

Another startup that created a lot of value in New York over the past year is Ori Allon's Urban Compass. Urban Compass helps people find homes to buy or rent on a mobile-friendly interface. It earned a $350 million valuation one year after its launch.

An older company that's finally beginning to take off is Pond5, a marketplace for royalty-free videos, sounds and stock images. It raised $500,000 from a group of NYC angels back in 2008. Accel recently bought out all of the angels in a new $61 million round of financing. A similar NYC company, Shutterstock, went public a few years ago and turned its founder Jon Oringer into a billionaire.

Vice and BuzzFeed are also older but massively valuable ~$1 billion businesses being built in New York.

Join the conversation about this story » Reported by Business Insider 5 hours ago.
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