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Companies try to escape ObamaCare penalties

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With companies set to face fines next year for not complying with the new mandate to offer health insurance, some are pursuing strategies like enrolling employees in Medicaid to avoid penalties and hold down costs. Reported by FOXNews.com 12 hours ago.

Why You Have The Wrong Kind Of Health Insurance: Obamacare

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High deductibles are causing patients to skip health care they really need. At the same time, there are no deductibles or copayments for a whole slew of services that people don’t need or could easily pay for out of pocket. What’s the common denominator here? Obamacare. Patricia Wanderlich is a 61 [...] Reported by Forbes.com 1 hour ago.

Five Compromises Obama Should Embrace to Boost the Economy

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Five Compromises Obama Should Embrace to Boost the Economy If Republicans win the Senate, President Obama risks another bruising recession if he doesn’t embrace compromise and abandon ineffective populist prescriptions.

Slower growth in Europe and emerging markets like China and Brazil threaten U.S. exports and demand for American-made products. At home, stock market volatility threatens consumer confidence and sales of autos, new homes, and other big ticket items.

Stimulus spending only temporarily boosts growth but permanently increases deficits. Specifically, before the financial crisis, the federal deficit was only $161 billion, but after five years of recovery it stands at $580 billion.  

Here are five things Obama could do with Republicans to boost growth.

*1. Tax Reform*

The 35 percent U.S. corporate tax rate encourages business to move jobs and headquarters abroad.

Obama and GOP leaders want to close loopholes to lower rates. However, Obama wants to use reform to boost revenues, while Republicans want lower taxes overall. Neither side wants to abandon its favorite corporate favors—for example, the GOP likes breaks for the oil industry, while Obama recently shelled out new benefits to the telecom sector.

To end the wrangling, junk corporate income taxes altogether in favor of a lower, revenue-neutral value added tax on corporate sales. Without the special favors, investment decisions would be based on sound economics, not tax gaming, and that would boost growth and jobs.

*2. Patch Obamacare*

Republicans should accept the president won’t sign a bill repealing the Affordable Care Act, but he should accept the law needs major fixing.

Restaurants, retailers, and others employers can’t afford to provide decent health coverage to all full-time, low-wage employees. To comply with the law, they are hiring more part timers, forcing more working poor to hold two and three jobs to survive. By exploiting a loophole, many employers are opting for “skinny” plans that only cover preventative care and a few other services but omit hospital coverage.

Ban skinny plans, but allow businesses to offer workers earning less than $15 an hour tax-free allowances to sign up for coverage and qualify for subsidies on the health insurance exchanges, instead of slapping employers with penalties as the law now provides.

Other reforms could include benchmarking prices for drugs, medical devices and standard hospital procedures to prices in more advanced European countries like Belgium, Holland, and Germany.

*3. Encourage the Fed to Normalize Interest Rates*

The Federal Reserve appears poised to raise interest rates in 2015, but that won’t much increase stock market volatility. Even if the ten-year bond rate, currently 2.2 percent, rises to 4 percent, profits on stocks, currently above 5 percent, would remain attractive.

Volatility mostly will be driven more by investors punishing hidebound management at companies like IBM, McDonalds, and Walmart and rewarding innovation at places like Google, Panera, and Amazon.com. However, raising interest rates would give the elderly more income to spend from their CDs and boost growth.

*4. Open up Offshore Oil and Gas Development*

Opening oil and gas development off the Atlantic, Pacific, and eastern Gulf coasts would not much add to energy consumption or increase CO2 emissions, but it would reduce production in more remote third-world locations where environmental risks are less well managed.

Along with reasonable conservation measures, more offshore production could make the U.S. self-sufficient in oil, boost GDP by 2 percent, and create about 3 million jobs.

*5. Level the Playing Field with China*

Facing slower growth, China is driving down the dollar exchange rate for the yuan to make its exports artificially cheap on U.S. store shelves and send unemployment to the United States.

Until China lets market forces determine the value of its currency, tax dollar-yuan conversions to raise the cost of importing unfairly subsidized goods and corporate investment in outsourcing to the Middle Kingdom.

That could easily boost GDP by 3 percent and create another 3 million jobs.

Peter Morici is an economist and professor at the Smith School of Business, University of Maryland, and a national columnist. He tweets @pmorici1. Reported by Breitbart 12 hours ago.

For 70% of Candidates, Online Applications Are a Turnoff

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Like most other processes in the modern world, recruitment has gone digital. Hiring managers and job seekers alike are abandoning the traditional paper resume and turning to fully online job applications. While applicant tracking systems and automated keyword filtering have certainly made recruiters' lives easier, do applicants feel the same way?

A recent study from recruitment technology company Jibe and research firm Kelton Global found that the present state of online job applications disappoints and even discourages the majority of candidates. In the survey, which polled more than 1,000 job seekers, 3 of 5 respondents said job applications are more difficult to fill out than other common applications, such as those required for a mortgage, student loan or health insurance. Nearly 80% described their job search as time-consuming and stressful, and many reported that they would be deterred from completing an application if they encountered tech hurdles (60%), couldn't upload their resume (55%), couldn't follow up on the application's status (44%) or couldn't complete the application on a mobile device (20%). Read more...

More about Online, Resume, Job Applications, Business, and Mobile Reported by Mashable 12 hours ago.

Walmart’s Affordable Care Act

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Earlier this month, Walmart made a pair of unfortunately timed announcements. First, on Oct. 6, Walmart said it would begin working with DirectHealth.com, an online health insurance agency, to help shoppers compare coverage options and sign up for Medicare or plans on the Affordable Care Act exchanges. The very next day, Walmart stated it would cut health insurance for 30,000 part-time workers and raise premiums for its full-time employees, effective Jan. 1. Reported by Slate 12 hours ago.

Sam’s Club to launch a private health insurance exchange

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Sam’s Club announced Wednesday that it is opening a private health insurance exchange for its members, a move that is aimed at providing the small-business owners that are its core customers with a way to offer affordable insurance coverage to their employees. Reported by Washington Post 12 hours ago.

Fraud Alert: Judicial Watch Files Taxpayer Lawsuit to Stop Congress from Participating in D.C.'s Small Business Exchange

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Fraud Alert: Judicial Watch Files Taxpayer Lawsuit to Stop Congress from Participating in D.C.'s Small Business Exchange Both houses of Congress were not exactly honest on the applications they filed with the District of Columbia’s Health Benefit Exchange Authority. In fact, the signatories who put their names to the applications seemed to make little pretense of providing truthful information. Under D.C. law, only those small businesses that have 50 or fewer employees can participate in the Small Business Exchange. Guess how many people are employed by Congress? And, guess how many employees Congress claims to have?

Congress employs upwards of 20,000 people. But the applications we obtained from the local District of Columbia government through a Freedom of Information request are shockers: the House and Senate claim to have 45 employees each. So that’s a total of 90 balanced against the actual number, which is more in the range of 20,000. Incredibly, the applications also falsely state that the House and Senate are “local/state governments.” The “electronic signature” section of the application includes the following language:



I’ve provided true and correct information to all the questions on this form to the best of my knowledge. I know that if I’m not truthful, there may be a penalty.



The actual names of the signatories, of course, were blacked out by the D.C. Exchange.

I’ve been at Judicial Watch for 16 years and I have seen a lot of government arrogance and corruption, but these documents are near the top of the pile in showing contempt for the rule of law. And I’m sure that they will outrage you and other law-abiding Americans who agonize over filing correct tax forms with the IRS, obtain overpriced and substandard health insurance as mandated by Obamacare, and who follow in good faith the many laws and regulations that govern the nation. 

But in Washington, D.C., the political class is accustomed to breaking its own rules and regulations. That’s why Judicial Watch filed a taxpayer lawsuit against the D.C. Health Benefit Exchange Authority on October 15 aimed at preventing congressional figures from participating in the exchange. As it stands now, there are at least 12,359 members of Congress, congressional staffers, their spouses and dependents who now purchase their insurance through the D.C. Small Business Exchange. To put this in perspective, there are only a little over 14,000 participants in total on this D.C. Obamacare Exchange. So, practically speaking, this “Small Business Exchange” is nothing but a front for Congress to obtain insurance for Obamacare outside the law.

Our lawsuit, which was filed on behalf of Kirby Vining, a Washington, D.C., taxpayer, names the Exchange Authority and its Executive Director, Mila Kofman, as defendants. Vining is also a member of Judicial Watch. He worked for the federal government for 35 years before retiring in 2011. He is as outraged as any other Judicial Watch supporter would be at this scandal.

A little background is in order.

The D.C. Council enacted “The Health Benefit Exchange Authority Establishment of 2011” in March 2012. The Council appropriated $77,055,000 in general fund revenue to create, administer and operate the exchange. In simple language, a District taxpayer can sue to prevent the illegal use of public funds, such as improperly allowing Congress to participate in D.C.’s Small Business Exchange.

Here is what our lawsuit states:

· “Since November 2013, the Exchange Authority has allowed the U.S. House of Representatives (“the House”) and the U.S. Senate (“the Senate”) (collectively “Congress”) to use the Small Business Exchange to provide health insurance to members of Congress, certain congressional staffers, and their spouses and dependents.”

· “Beginning in early November 2013, the Exchange Authority conducted outreach efforts to the House and Senate about Congress’ participation in the Small Business Exchange and provided weekly support sessions to assist members of Congress and staff with enrollment. These outreach efforts, weekly support sessions, and Congress’ participation in the Exchange generally were discussed at a November 13, 2013 meeting of the Executive Board, and on November 20, 2013, Executive Director Kofman testified [starting at 1:46:00] before the Senate’s Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee about Congress’ participation in the Small Business Exchange.”

· “When Congress applied to participate in the Small Business Exchange, representatives falsely asserted that the House and the Senate each employ 50 or fewer full-time employees. Specifically, records provided by the Exchange Authority in response to a Freedom of Information Act request show that both the House and the Senate falsely claimed that they each employ only 45 full-time employees.”

· “On information and belief, the Executive Board and Executive Director Kofman knew that the House and the Senate each have more than 50 full-time employees and knew or should have known that Congress’ certifications to the contrary were false.”

· “At least 12,359 members of Congress, congressional staffers, and their spouses and dependents obtained health insurance through the Small Business Exchange as of February 9, 2014. These 12,359 persons represent approximately 86 percent of the 14,289 persons enrolled in the Small Business Exchange between October 1, 2013 and September 9, 2014.”

We are asking the court, on behalf of Vining, to declare that the House and Senate’s participation in the Small Business Exchange is unlawful. We are also asking the court to enjoin the defendants from continuing to allow the House and Senate to participate in the Small Business Exchange. For more details, be sure to click here. The case should proceed in the local District of Columbia courts over the next few months, and I’ll update as events warranted.

In the meantime, you should take a look at the false applications filed by the House and Senate and use them to ask your elected representatives in Congress what they think of the fraudulent means used to obtain, in contravention of Obamacare, health insurance for them or their colleagues.  Reported by Breitbart 12 hours ago.

Texas Latinos Overwhelmingly Support Abortion Rights

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Despite the pervasive stereotype that most Latinos oppose abortion rights for religious reasons, new polling in Texas shows that Latino voters in the state overwhelming support a woman's right to have an abortion without interference from politicians. But the terms "pro-choice" and "pro-life" aren't resonating with them at all.

The survey, conducted by the nonpartisan research firm PerryUndem Research and Communication for the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, found that Latinos support legal abortion when the issue is presented to them using different terms, such as "reproductive justice,""social justice" and "human rights."

"The language used to measure and categorize support for abortion rights falls short in resonating with our communities," said Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, executive director of the NLIRH. "They literally do not translate into Spanish."

"'Reproductive justice' is inclusive and addresses the multitude of issues our community faces," she added.

The poll found that Latino voters in Texas hold very similar views to Latino voters nationwide on abortion rights and the health insurance coverage of abortion and birth control. Exit polls in the 2012 elections showed that 66 percent of Latino voters believed abortion should be legal, while only 28 percent disagreed. In Texas, 6 out of 10 Latino voters said even if a church leader says abortion is wrong, it should be legal, and 78 percent said they agree that women should be able to make their own decisions about abortion.

More than three-fourths of respondents said birth control should be covered no matter where a person works, and 57 percent said women should have abortion coverage, even under a government-funded health insurance plan. Only about half of Latino voters in Texas had heard of the nationwide trend of laws being passed that chip away at abortion rights, but after hearing about the laws and their consequences, more than half of the respondents said the laws are moving in the wrong direction.

"We believe this finding speaks to the as-yet-unrealized potential of Latino activism in the state," said Ana Rodriguez DeFrates, Texas state policy and advocacy director at the NLIRH. "It's precisely that potential we're tapping into."

DeFrates said the research shows that if abortion rights activists can educate Latino voters in the state about abortion laws that affect them, such as the new Texas law that has shut down dozens of abortion clinics in Texas, it will motivate them to organize around the issue.

The issue is particularly meaningful for women around the Rio Grande Valley, who now have to drive hundreds of miles to reach the nearest abortion clinic. Many of them are resorting to unsafe methods of ending their pregnancies because they don't have the money or transportation to reach a clinic. They also lack access to good health care in general.

"These women end up living with chronic pain, untreated illnesses, fear for their lives and the wellbeing of their children and families," DeFrates said. "Communities cannot thrive unless all aspects of their lived experiences are addressed."

The hope, DeFrates said, is that Latinos will start to see reproductive rights as a human right and really fight for it.

"The need could scarcely be greater," she said. Reported by Huffington Post 11 hours ago.

HUFFPOST HILL - Ebola Panic Here! Get Yer Piping Hot Ebola Panic Here!

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Democrats have decided once again to pour money into Alison Lundergan Grimes' Senate campaign, though the candidate has yet to say whether she supports money. Alaska's gubernatorial race is being upended by scandal, but you probably didn't know that because it doesn't involve a member of the Palin family throwing down after downing too much Labatt Blue. And Saudi Arabia's top Muslim cleric said "Twitter is the source of all evil and devastation." +1, man. This is HUFFPOST HILL for Wednesday, October 22, 2014:

*SEXUAL ABUSE SCANDAL ROCKING ALASKA GUBERNATORIAL RACE* - It's been a few election cycles since Alaska has had to deal with a state lawmaker linked to underage drinking and sexual assault. Dana Liebelson: "The Alaska National Guard is facing down some grave allegations: A recruiter trying to give alcohol to high school girls, botched responses to sexual assault complaints, embezzlement, a former porn company owner keeping his job despite military investigators finding that he failed to respond to sexual assault, and whistleblowers terrified to speak out. The alleged misconduct, detailed in an assessment by the National Guard Bureau’s Office of Complex Investigations and in investigations by local news outlets, is threatening the reelection bid of incumbent Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell (R). The governor, who is commander in chief of the Guard, fired three top officials from the military unit this week. His office has said that he took action each time he was made aware of misconduct, and that he was ultimately misled by his top general. But Parnell's critics -- including whistleblowers and victims -- claim that his office failed to do enough to respond to allegations of abuse over several years. Local news outlets are now suing the governor's office to get access to internal emails that may show how much Parnell knew about the allegations, and what he did in response." [HuffPost]

Roll Call's annual list of the richest members of Congress is out. Now go look at your bank statement and weep.

*CDC TO MONITOR TRAVELERS FROM EBOLA-STRICKEN COUNTRIES* - Sam Stein: "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Wednesday that it will implement a tougher, new 21-day monitoring period for travelers coming to America from the three West African states plagued by the Ebola epidemic. The new system will be implemented starting Oct. 27, and will take place in six states: New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey and Georgia. CDC Director Tom Frieden said the plan is to expand the reach of the monitoring program to other states, and noted that the initial phase still will cover 70 percent of incoming travelers. Under the monitoring program, the CDC and state health officials will be in daily contact with anyone entering the country from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, from their arrival in the country until the incubation period ends. Upon entering the country, travelers will be asked to turn over email addresses and telephone numbers (two of each) where they can be reached, as well as a home address, and the name, address and phone number of a friend or family member." [HuffPost]

*EBOLA FREAKOUT EERILY FAMILIAR* - Someone Facetime Bill Frist to all of our border checkpoints so he can diagnose everyone on spec. Amanda Terkel: "[F]or two decades, the United States did try to stop the spread of a deadly disease by banning everyone afflicted from entering the country. Those efforts failed, leading to discrimination, panic, a deterioration in the country's reputation, researchers barred from entering the U.S. to help find a cure, and individuals separated from friends and family for years. More than 600,000 people with an AIDS diagnosis in the United States died despite the ban...The HIV/AIDS ban went into effect in 1987, thanks to President Ronald Reagan. It was strengthened through legislation in 1993 by Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.), who wanted a "quarantine of those infected" with the virus. Foreigners already living in the United States who were infected with HIV also had to leave the country. Even at the time, public health experts were saying a ban was a bad idea." [HuffPost]

Does somebody keep forwarding you this newsletter? Get your own copy. It's free! Sign up here. Send tips/stories/photos/events/fundraisers/job movement/juicy miscellanea to huffposthill@huffingtonpost.com. Follow us on Twitter - @HuffPostHill

*DEMOCRATS REVERSE ON KY SEN* - Igor Bobic: "Emboldened by new polling showing a tight race for Senate in Kentucky, Democrats are recommitting funds to boost Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes, who is mounting a long-shot bid to unseat Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R). The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee will go back on the air in the Bluegrass State with $650,000 in television ad money, a DSCC official confirmed to The Huffington Post on Wednesday. The party organization, which works to elect Democrats to the Senate, went dark in the race last week. The official explained the change in tactics due to the fact that undecided voters are breaking toward Grimes." [HuffPost]

*Things are getting snippy in Kansas. From HuffPost Hill's dispatch from there*: "Brownback, for his part, is putting up a fight for his party's centrist wing, resulting in something of a moderate arms race. After [a Republicans for Davis] event, the Brownback campaign blasted out a scathing statement from its own allied group of aisle-crossers, Democrats for Brownback, which contended that Republicans for Kansas Values represents 'less than one-tenth of one percent of all registered Republicans in Kansas.' During a Topeka campaign stop, The Huffington Post asked Davis about Democrats for Brownback. He scoffed, 'What? Are there two of them?'" [HuffPost]

*HISPANICS VERY PRO-CHOICE: POLL* - But... but... George P. Bush! Laura Bassett: "Despite the pervasive stereotype that most Latinos oppose abortion rights for religious reasons, new polling in Texas shows that Latino voters in the state overwhelming support a woman's right to have an abortion without interference from politicians. But the terms 'pro-choice' and 'pro-life' aren't resonating with them at all...The poll found that Latino voters in Texas hold very similar views to Latino voters nationwide on abortion rights and the health insurance coverage of abortion and birth control. Exit polls in the 2012 elections showed that 66 percent of Latino voters believedabortion should be legal, while only 28 percent disagreed. In Texas, 6 out of 10 Latino voters said even if a church leader says abortion is wrong, it should be legal, and 78 percent said they agree that women should be able to make their own decisions about abortion." [HuffPost]

*What ever happened to the track team looking tough by not smiling?* "Students at a high school in Nebraska will now be allowed to pose with guns in their senior portraits. The Broken Bow School Board made the decision to allow the guns in school photos this week after a student asked last year to be photographed with his gun, Broken Bow Public Schools Superintendent Mark Sievering told The Huffington Post. That student asked after the deadline last year, but his request prompted the board to review their practices around guns in pictures and vote on whether they should allow them." [HuffPost's Rebecca Klein]

*BECAUSE YOU'VE READ THIS FAR* - Here's a dog enjoying the grass.

*POLITICO POLITICOS* - Jason Linkins: "Today's Politico Magazine offers up *some seriously dope sponsored content for your weary body, in the form of an article called 'No, BP Didn't Ruin The Gulf.'* The piece goes on to insist, at length, that four years after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster, things down around the Gulf Coast are hunky-dory, nothing to worry about, nothing to see here. The punch line is that this piece was penned by Geoff Morrell, BP's "senior vice president of U.S. communications and external affairs," which is a fancy title that means "head of PR shenanigans for BP." What to call this genre of editorial?" [Politico]

*COMFORT FOOD*

- King Tut was not a looker, according to science.

- Previously unreleased version of "Stairway to Heaven"

- Some ingenious weirdo made "Friends" on The Sims 4.

- Cats really like circles

*TWITTERAMA*

@BenDWalsh: *This post is the first in a series called “No, we didn’t ruin that thing, written by the company that ruined that thing”*

‏@daveweigel: Ben Bradlee, RIP. RT @postpolitics: How do you feel about the upcoming election? Snapchat us at postpolitics and tell us!

@AshleyRParker: Truth—> RT @BBCNewsbeat: "Twitter is the source of all evil and devastation," says Saudi Arabia's top Muslim cleric http://bbc.in/1yYDn23

*Got something to add? Send tips/quotes/stories/photos/events/fundraisers/job movement/juicy miscellanea to Eliot Nelson (eliot@huffingtonpost.com) or Arthur Delaney (arthur@huffingtonpost.com). Follow us on Twitter @HuffPostHill (twitter.com/HuffPostHill). Sign up here: http://huff.to/an2k2e* Reported by Huffington Post 8 hours ago.

Oregon cuts last ties with Oracle's troubled health exchange

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Oregon cuts last ties with Oracle's troubled health exchange Oregon is cutting its last ties with a botched health insurance exchange portal built by Oracle as the state and the high-tech company pursue lawsuits against each other. Reported by San Jose Mercury News 7 hours ago.

13 Ghastly Money Mistakes That Could Come Back to Haunt You

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Dear Readers,

The money decisions you make today can lead to either a secure or a scary financial future. Don't be tricked into being complacent. Think ahead, plan ahead -- and avoid these 13 money mistakes that could haunt you for years to come.

*1) Breaking your budget*
Treating yourself is fine as long as you're not living beyond your means. To create -- and stick to -- a realistic budget, make two lists: your necessary monthly expenses and your nice-to-haves. Can you cover both with your income? If not, get out the red pen and start crossing off the extras you can live without. Make those extras a goal and start saving for them. This way, you won't be haunted by bills you can't pay.

*2) Losing time on retirement savings*
Outliving your money is a scary thought. So retirement savings should come first -- even before saving for a house or a child's education. At least contribute enough to your company retirement plan to capture the maximum match. Then contribute more to either your 401(k) or an IRA, putting contributions on automatic. And remember, the earlier you start, the smaller the percentage of your salary you need to sock away.

*3) Being unprepared for the unexpected*
Unexpected expenses can jump out at you at any time. To protect yourself, set aside enough money to cover three to six months of essential expenses in an easily accessible savings or money market account or short-term CD. Retirees should try to increase this amount to cover a year.

*4) Getting carried away by credit*
Credit card bills don't have to be a nightmare -- as long as you only charge as much as you can pay off each month. Otherwise, you stand to lose upwards of 14 percent to interest. To tackle current balances, start by paying as much as you can on the highest interest debt, while always making at least on-time minimum payments on the others. Work your way down until you're credit-card-debt free -- and stay that way.

*5) Putting your head in the sand*
You can't plan ahead unless you know where you are. It's easy to set up a personal net worth statement to get a big picture view of your finances. List both your assets (what you own) and your liabilities (what you owe). Then subtract liabilities from assets to find out if you're in the plus or the minus. This will not only give you a big-picture view of your finances, but also a benchmark against which to measure your progress.

*6) Betting on the market *
When the market goes up, it's hard not to get caught up in the rush. But the reality is that it's almost impossible to time the market's ups and downs. Your best move is to stay with a diversified mix of investments for the long term.^1

*7) Betting a on single stock*
Today's hot stock can be tomorrow's horror story. If one stock represents more than 20 to 25 percent of your portfolio, you're over-concentrated -- and you run the risk of big losses. Again, a diversified portfolio is your best move.^1

*8) Losing track of student loans*
You can't hide from student loans. If you don't stay on top of payments, they just get more onerous as interest and fees mount up. At least pay the minimum -- and never miss a payment!

*9) Not hanging on to health insurance*
A 2013 study by the International Federation of Health Plans states that the average per-day hospital cost in the United States is $4,293. Talk about coming back to haunt you! A single illness or accident could wipe out your entire savings if you're uninsured. The Affordable Care Act requires that you have health insurance -- and so does smart financial planning.

*10) Putting off estate planning*
To me there's nothing more frightening than not having a will naming a guardian for your minor children. Beyond that, the complexity of your estate plan will depend on your financial situation. But if you don't put at least the basics in place -- including an Advance Health Care Directive -- you may be leaving your heirs with a web of difficulties.

*11) Tapping Uncle Sam too early*
Would you be willing to lose six to eight percent of your income each month? Well that's what can happen to your Social Security benefits if you take them too early. Every year you delay collecting between age 62 (the earliest you're eligible) and age 70, your monthly benefit goes up.

*12) Not asking for help*
You may be bravely following your own financial path, but when it comes to planning -- especially retirement planning -- it's good to have a guide now and then. Talking to a financial advisor, at least occasionally, can give you a more realistic picture of where you are and where you want to go.

*13) Keeping your family in the dark*
Things are always scariest in the dark, so don't be afraid to shed some light on your finances. Talk to your spouse openly about expenses, credit and debt, savings goals and retirement. And when it comes to estate planning, make sure your adult children know what to expect.

By avoiding these 13 ghastly money mistakes, you'll help assure that the ghost of past decisions doesn't spoil your financial future. Happy Halloween!

1. Diversification cannot ensure a profit nor eliminate the risk of investment losses.

Looking for answers to your retirement questions? Check out Carrie's new book, "The Charles Schwab Guide to Finances After Fifty: Answers to Your Most Important Money Questions." Read more at http://www.schwab.com/book.

You can e-mail Carrie at askcarrie@schwab.com. This column is no substitute for an individualized recommendation, tax, legal or personalized investment advice. Where specific advice is necessary or appropriate, consult with a qualified tax advisor, CPA, financial planner or investment manager.

COPYRIGHT 2014 CHARLES SCHWAB & CO., INC. MEMBER SIPC. (1014-6707) Reported by Huffington Post 5 hours ago.

Minuteman Health brings in brokers to bolster health insurance signups

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Minuteman Health wants members to join their co-op health insurance. So much so, they are willing to pay for them. On Wednesday, the insurer became the first health plan in the state to agree to pay brokers a fee for enrolling individuals through the Health Connector, the state's open market website to shop for health insurance. The money will give brokers an incentive to join the fray of those shopping for health insurance, allowing residents to use a broker to sort through health insurance options,… Reported by bizjournals 3 hours ago.

Midterm Madness

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A crisis is a terrible thing to waste, and the Republicans are capitalizing on every crisis, foreign and domestic. With less than two weeks to go before the midterm elections, Republicans are perfectly positioned to win control of the U.S. Senate because the president is unpopular.

Republican Congressional candidates, from North Carolina to Iowa, are running against President Barack Obama rather than their opponent. Turnout in midterm elections is traditionally poor. All Republicans have to do is mobilize their base by keeping the focus on President Obama, pounding away at him with their message of incompetence and detachment. If the Democrat base does not turn out, which appears likely, control of the Senate will change hands.

Nothing mobilizes a population more than fear, and that's where the crises come in. Republicans have seized on Ebola. Congressman Louie Gohmert, R-Tx, along with other members of Congress, has called for a travel ban on citizens traveling from Western Africa to the United States. The president has said he is open to the idea, but is currently relying on the judgment of most medical experts who say such a ban would be counterproductive. "This president, I guarantee you, we're going to find out, he has cut a deal with African leaders. They're going to bring people in," Ghomert told conservative media host Sean Hannity.

It was noteworthy that Congressional Republicans raced back to the Capitol from their break for a hearing on the Ebola crisis, yet they have been unwilling to debate the issue of America's response to ISIS, the Islamic terrorist group that has threatened much of the Middle East. Instead, they have attacked the president for his lack of leadership in handling the ISIS crisis.

There is no question that most Americans are weary of Washington gridlock. A recent poll found that 70% of "likely voters" disapprove of Congressional Republicans, while 61% disapprove of Congressional Democrats. Meanwhile, 53% disapprove of the president's performance. No wonder most voters will stay home on November 4.

This election is not about issues--it is about politics. Polls show that a majority of Americans would not repeal Obamacare. In a moment of candor, Ohio Governor John Kasich, a potential Republican presidential candidate, was asked about repealing Obamacare. "That's not going to happen," he told the Associated Press. "The opposition to it was really either political or ideological...I don't think that holds water against flesh and blood, and real improvement in people's lives." Later in comments to the Washington Post, Kasich, perhaps realizing he had been too honest, said he would repeal Obamacare. "If the House and Senate (are controlled by Republicans) and we have a Republican president, Obamacare will be repealed flat out," he said. "And it will be replaced." Kasich was back on message.

Obamacare has been a big success in Kentucky, where it is a state exchange known as Kynect. Yet, Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell, who is in a tight race for reelection in that state, denounced Obamacare in a recent debate. "The best interest of the country would be achieved by pulling out Obamacare, root and branch," he said. "Now with regard to Kynect, it's a state exchange. They can continue it if they'd like to. They'll have to pay for it because the (federal) grant will be over." These remarks were no doubt unsettling for the more than 400,000 Kentuckians who have signed up for health insurance through Kyneck. But McConnell is more interested in the politics of the issue.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, also a likely Republican presidential contender, had a moment of candor when he expressed frustration with all the talk of increasing the minimum wage to the Chamber of Commerce, a largely Republican group. "I'm tired of hearing about the minimum wage," Christie said. "I really am. I don't think there's a mother or a father sitting around the kitchen table tonight in America saying, 'You know, honey, if our son or daughter could just make a higher minimum wage, my God, all of our dreams would be realized.' " Democrats have been leading efforts to increase the minimum wage across the country as a way to address income inequality. But Christie was clearly more interested in the politics of the room he was addressing.

Should the Republicans win the Senate this election, they will control both houses of Congress for the next two years. The result will be further gridlock, more partisanship, and more frustration for all Americans. But the Republicans will have what they want most, a political victory. Reported by Huffington Post 2 hours ago.

Bold Colors vs. Pale Pastels: Texas Sens. Ted Cruz, John Cornyn Differ on GOP Vision

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Bold Colors vs. Pale Pastels: Texas Sens. Ted Cruz, John Cornyn Differ on GOP Vision Texas' two Republican Senators disagree on what Republicans should prioritize if the party regains control of Congress. 

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), who is considering a 2016 presidential run and is seen as the conservative voice in Congress, wants Republicans to try to repeal Obamacare and stop President Barack Obama's executive grants of amnesty. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), who may become Majority Whip if the GOP wins a net of six Senate seats this year, believes Republicans will only win the White House in 2016 if conservative stalwarts like Cruz water down their bold conservatism and compromise. Cornyn recently said "that his party will have to prove it can compromise and govern, or forfeit its chances of winning the White House in 2016."

“If we don’t meet the challenge, that’s the kiss of death for a Republican president in 2016,” Cornyn told the Austin American-Statesman editorial board about needing to work together with Democrats. Cornyn made his comments after he was asked, "Is Sen. Cruz going to get the message about temporizing expectations?” 

"Some people have told me that the 2016 election is right around the corner and you are going to have a tough time dealing with people who are aspiring to run for president to cooperate with the majority,” Cornyn replied. “The truth is if they don’t, then we’re not going to be able to do anything and we’ll be mired down in the same dysfunction we’re currently in."

In a USA Today op-ed, Cruz said that Republicans should fight for "a big pro-jobs, growth agenda" by "embracing America's energy renaissance" and reducing job-killing regulations. Cruz wrote that "for six years, the Obama economy has been trapped in stagnation, hurting millions."

Touting his signature issue, Cruz also said a GOP-led Congress should "pursue all means possible to repeal Obamacare," which he notes has "caused millions to lose their jobs, be forced into part-time work, lose their health insurance, lose their doctors, and pay skyrocketing premiums." He also wants Republicans to "secure the border and stop illegal amnesty." 

"Today, we're facing a humanitarian crisis of 90,000 unaccompanied children at the border, along with growing national security threats," he wrote. "We should welcome and celebrate legal immigrants who follow the rules, and at the same time honor the will of the people and prevent any more illegal amnesty."

Cornyn reportedly "said it would be folly for Republicans to come to Washington in 2015 determined to repeal Obamacare rather than making more piecemeal reforms to try to drive down the cost of health care" and suggested a piecemeal approach to immigration reform. 

Cornyn mentioned that Republicans should not push for an Obamacare repeal because Obama will never sign legislation overturning his signature act. But Obama also said he would never sign a bill that does not give a pathway to citizenship to illegal immigrants. That has not stopped establishment Republicans like Cornyn from pushing "piecemeal" immigration legislation even though those on the left like Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) have said that they would only accept "piecemeal" legislation if they get all of the pieces of the "Gang of Eight" comprehensive amnesty legislation that would give illegal immigrants a pathway to citizenship and nearly double the number of guest-worker visas. The Congressional Budget Office determined that legislation would actually lower the wages of American workers who are still struggling to recover from the recession. 

Other establishment Republicans like Jeb Bush and House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) have also signaled that Republicans should work to pass amnesty legislation if they control Congress even though the GOP may win back Congress because the voters do not trust Democrats on the illegal immigration. A plurality of voters in at least three national polls have said that they are "less likely" to vote for candidates who support a pathway to citizenship.

Cruz also presented a broader—and more conservative—governing agenda than those put out by establishment Republicans. He wrote that a GOP-controlled Congress should "hold government accountable and rein in judicial activism" while pushing for "real oversight of the administration's lawlessness and abuse of power," especially the "IRS's illegal targeting of citizen groups, the wanton violation of religious liberty and privacy rights, the lawless implementation of Obamacare, the EPA's assault on manufacturing jobs and war on coal, and the debacle of Benghazi."

Cruz also called on the GOP to fight crony capitalism by preventing members of Congress from becoming lobbyists and instituting term limits; enact tax reform, which includes abolishing the IRS; audit the Federal Reserve to ensure a "sound and stable dollar;" pass a balanced budget amendment; repeal Common Core; and deal with ISIL and a nuclear Iran, which includes "passing legislation that strips American citizens who join ISIL of their U.S. passports so they cannot return home and wage jihad against innocent men and women" and rebuilding "our military" to "protect our nation and restore America's leadership in the world." Reported by Breitbart 21 hours ago.

Grocery chain ALDI to hire a dozen workers in Dayton region

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Grocery chain ALDI is looking to hire workers for its stores in the Dayton area and plans a job fair for Oct. 27. ALDI said it plans to hire nearly a dozen workers for store associate and shift manager positions. The store associate jobs pay $11 per hour and the shift manager jobs pay $15.50 per hour. "ALDI offers employees generous compensation that is well above the industry standard, such as full health insurance, dental coverage and 401K for staff working at least 20 hours a week," according… Reported by bizjournals 20 hours ago.

Advanced Resources to Host Important Thought Leadership Event: “ACA & The Employer Mandate: The Time is NOW”

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Important seminar for human resources and management professionals will explore the ACA Employer Mandate and implications for business, talent management, and financial success.

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) October 23, 2014

Advanced Resources, an award-winning Chicagoland staffing firm and talent solutions provider, is hosting another of its popular Thought Leadership Events: “ACA & The Employer Mandate: The Time is NOW” to be held on Thursday, November 13, 2014 at The Metropolitan Club in Chicago.

This event includes a panel of senior level healthcare benefits executives who are subject matter experts on the topic. The panelists will provide multiple perspectives on how employers need to comply with new ACA regulations. The ACA Employer Mandate is a requirement that all businesses with over 50 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees provide health insurance for their full-time employees, or pay a per month "Employer Shared Responsibility Payment" on their federal tax return.

Employers must understand the concept of full-time equivalent employees under the new provisions. They must also determine what sort of coverage is affordable for their business and they must know if their coverage provides “minimum value.” It is important for companies to strategize on how the Employer Mandate will affect their business as they evaluate many complex business choices.

Advanced Resources is hosting this important event to help employers understand how they can survive and thrive during this time of healthcare transformation and evolution. Advanced has specialized in staffing and workforce business solutions for over 25 years, providing much-needed, highly specialized talent and insight to Chicago’s top employers. This event is one of the unique Thought Leadership Events that Advanced hosts to explore trending topics in human resources, talent acquisition, and workforce management.

“Healthcare is experiencing a time of unprecedented change,” said Rich Diaz, President of Advanced Resources. “We are pleased to bring together leaders and experts who will share their experience and best practices for navigating through this challenging period. Our Thought Leadership Events are typically filled to capacity, and we expect the same for this important session.”

Please click here for more information on “ACA: The Employer Mandate.”

ABOUT ADVANCED RESOURCES: Advanced Resources provides temporary staffing, direct hire placement, and workforce business solutions for Human Resources, Technology, Finance/Accounting, Healthcare, and Office Support talent. With 25 years of experience and 4 locations (Chicago, Northbrook, Downers Grove, and Schaumburg), Advanced Resources is Chicago’s top award-winning staffing agency. Advanced Resources was named in 2013 as one of the “Best Places to Work in Illinois.” The Chicago Tribune has named Advanced Resources as one of Chicago’s “Top 100 Workplaces” for 4 consecutive years and the Inavero Institute named Advanced a “Best of Staffing” company and Diamond Award winner for the fifth year in 2014. Advanced Resources has also been recognized as one of the “Best and Brightest Companies to Work For” for three straight years. To learn more, visit http://www.advancedresources.com. Reported by PRWeb 18 hours ago.

The Truth? You Can't Handle The Truth!

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The administration that was to be the most transparent in history is falling short of the mark. Do you know how much health insurance will cost you next year? If you qualify for a subsidy, do you know what next year’s subsidy is going to be? The Obama administration doesn’t [...] Reported by Forbes.com 16 hours ago.

Here Are The Only Things You Should Have In Your Wallet

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Here Are The Only Things You Should Have In Your Wallet Your wallet should be an organizational tool, not a catch-all. 

If yours is bulging with month-old receipts, random gift cards, and every single credit card you own, it may be time for a little process of elimination.

Recently, the Today Show aired a segment that focused on the items you should carry in your wallet as part of their Take Charge Of Your Life series.

Here's what they designated necessary to keep close, plus a few extra items you might want to have on hand.

-1. The main forms of ID you use-

The Today Show says your driver's license or photo ID should always have a place in your wallet in case of an emergency or any situation where someone needs to verify your identity.

It's a good idea to carry your health insurance card as well, for doctors' appointments or in case of an emergency.

Keep your social security card at home or in a safe deposit box at a bank — there's a greater chance of someone stealing it if you carry it on you.

-2. Debit, credit, and loyalty cards-

There's no need for more than one debit card in your wallet, explains the Today Show, and you should try to limit yourself to two credit cards in case your wallet is lost or stolen. Identifying the one or two credit cards that give you the most rewards will encourage you to use those more often, benefitting you in the long term.

Retail credit cards, however, are better off left at home unless you're planning on hitting that store specifically, since they have a higher interest rate than most other credit cards.

If there's a store loyalty card (not a credit card) you use frequently — like one from your grocery store — you might want to carry that, too. If not, most stores will allow you to give your phone number instead.

-3. Some cash-

The Today Show also says that it's always a good idea to have a little cash in your wallet, for a tip, for an emergency, or for the odd cash-only purchase. If you're ever caught in a cash-only situation without any cash, you might end up paying $2.50 or $3.00 to use an out of network ATM.

-4. Your work ID -

If you use an ID or a badge to get into the building where you work, it makes sense to keep that in your wallet, since you use it regularly.

-5. A transportation card-

Anyone who has ever missed the subway fishing around for their MetroCard or CharlieCard might want to move it from the bottom of their purse or briefcase to their wallet. If you take public transportation to and from work, you'll want to have your card handy. 

*SEE ALSO: Apple Pay Isn't As Big Of A Deal As Everyone Says It Is*

Join the conversation about this story » Reported by Business Insider 17 hours ago.

Optometrists in Canada Industry Market Research Report from IBISWorld Has Been Updated

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The industry has also benefited from regulations that have established optometrists' role in eye care, thus insulating the industry from competition from opticians. For this reason, industry research firm IBISWorld has updated a report on the Optometrists industry in its growing industry report collection.

New York, NY (PRWEB) October 23, 2014

The Optometrists industry has exhibited slight growth due to robust demand from elderly individuals with age-related eye ailments, including macular degeneration, glaucoma and cataracts. While public health insurance, often referred to as Medicare, covers some industry services, namely medical costs related to eye injuries and diseases, the industry largely derives revenue from private health insurers' reimbursements under supplemental vision insurance plans. According to IBISWorld Industry Analyst Sarah Turk, “overall, the industry has benefited from strong demand for preventive services, such as providing early detection of diabetes to reduce long-term diabetes-related healthcare costs.” However, the industry has also contended with a less protected medical role due to deregulation. For example, in British Columbia, deregulation of prescription eyewear allowed individuals to purchase prescription glasses and contact lenses without first receiving a comprehensive eye exam from optometrists.

Further exacerbating this trend, optometrists in British Columbia are required to disclose patients' pupillary distance, a measurement used in fitting prescription glasses, which has enabled online retailers to sell prescription eyewear and intensified industry competition. During the five years to 2014, industry revenue is expected to grow. The industry has also benefited from regulations that have established optometrists' role in eye care, such as the Quebec Superior Court's 2009 mandate that only optometrists and ophthalmologists assess the eye health of patients who wear contact lenses, thus insulating the industry from competition from opticians. “Profit is expected to rise, due to the industry providing more high-value services, such as care related to conjunctivitis, eyelid inflammation, corneal damage and other eye ailments” says Turk.

In the five years to 2019, industry revenue is forecast to grow. Over the next five years, the industry will likely play a growing role in the early detection of diabetes, which will be particularly integral to addressing diabetes-related eye ailments that are highly prevalent among elderly individuals.

For more information, visit IBISWorld’s Optometrists in Canada industry report page.

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IBISWorld industry Report Key Topics

The Optometrists industry is primarily engaged in the private or group practice of optometry. Optometrists provide eye examinations to determine visual acuity or the presence of vision problems and to prescribe eyeglasses, contact lenses and eye exercises. They can also perform services provided by an optician, such as selling and fitting prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses.

Industry Performance
Executive Summary
Key External Drivers
Current Performance
Industry Outlook
Industry Life Cycle
Products & Markets
Supply Chain
Products & Services
Major Markets
Globalization & Trade
Business Locations
Competitive Landscape
Market Share Concentration
Key Success Factors
Cost Structure Benchmarks
Barriers to Entry
Major Companies
Operating Conditions
Capital Intensity
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Annual Change
Key Ratios

About IBISWorld Inc.
Recognized as the nation’s most trusted independent source of industry and market research, IBISWorld offers a comprehensive database of unique information and analysis on every US and Canadian industry. With an extensive online portfolio, valued for its depth and scope, the company equips clients with the insight necessary to make better business decisions. Headquartered in Los Angeles, IBISWorld serves a range of business, professional service and government organizations through more than 10 locations worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.ibisworld.com or call 1-800-330-3772. Reported by PRWeb 16 hours ago.

Ebola!? Fogetaboutit

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Misconceptions about the Ebola problem have spread more rapidly than a tropical fever. In the interest of clarifying the situation, here are a number of points that need to be made.

First, the hospital in Dallas did not make any mistakes. When Thomas Eric Duncan showed up at the hospital with no health insurance or means to pay he was given some Tylenol and sent home. Since all the politicians and most of the public in Texas oppose the Affordable Care Act, those who cannot afford care should clearly not expect treatment.

Letting the free market operate when it comes to health care is just what the doctor ordered. That means the people like Duncan, and tens of thousands of Americans without health insurance, die a little faster than they would in some nanny state, that's all. It allows doctors, hospitals and insurance companies to maximize their profits so much more efficiently that only a socialist could conceive of doing it any other way. Besides giving fewer medical services to people of color is a long standing tradition in this country, which is a partial explanation for why black Americans die four years earlier than their pale fellow countrymen.

Second, the government should not be criticized for its inaction; it should be praised for doing so little. There is too much government to begin with interfering in people's lives and imposing so much regulation. That is why the senate should be congratulated for never confirming Dr. Vivek Murthy, the man nominated to be Surgeon General nearly a year ago. The National Rifle Association blocked his appointment because he supports a ban on assault rifles and other gun control measures. Such views are extremist and unacceptable. So what if nearly 80 percent of Americans believe in some form of gun control and 62 percent favor a ban on assault rifles. Any discussion of such measures is unacceptable to the leadership of the NRA and since they are the ones running the government, and not some silly senators, it is obvious that he should not get approved.

Third, Ebola is really not that big a threat. In a good year four thousand people die from the flu and in a bad year ten times that. Tens of thousands of people die in car accidents each year and if it were permissible to talk about guns, the same could be said about murders and suicides. Hundreds more die from gun accidents. About twenty Americans a year from their furniture, television or an appliance falling on them, which is about the same as the number killed by terrorists. So far the only person Ebola has managed to kill in America is the unfortunate and uninsured Mr. Duncan. At this point, there is no other cause of death that has caused less death.

Lastly, those, like Texas Governor Rick Perry, who favor a travel ban on anyone coming from countries where Ebola is present should know there are no direct flights between the United States and those three countries (of which Perry could probably not even name his customary two.) Nearly all those travelers change planes in Europe, which would mean turning them back when they got here or insisting that European countries keep them. That would make much of the world think the United States is paranoid, delusional, xenophobic and probably somewhat hysterical, not to mention racist. And the world's only super power would certainly not want to let that cat out of the bag. Reported by Huffington Post 15 hours ago.
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