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Open enrollment for health insurance starts Nov. 15

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*Open enrollment for health insurance starts Nov. 15*

The state Health Insurance Marketplaces will open on Saturday Nov. 15 and stay open through Feb. 15, 2015. As was the case the first time around last year, if you buy insurance on your own, this will be your only chance to enroll in or change your plan until next year (with a few exceptions, such as if you lose other coverage midyear).

Here’s what you need to know to get ready.

-You can window shop ahead of time-

HealthCare.gov, which handles shopping for 37 states (look up your state on this interactive map) started a window shopping function over the weekend. We recommend you use it. Without logging into it or creating an account, you can put in info about your household size and income, get a quick estimate of your 2015 subsidy (if any), and start shopping and comparing plans. But you won’t be able to buy a plan for real until Nov. 15.

We played with the window shopping tool a bit and were impressed—especially in comparison to 2014. Back then, in order to see the health plans available in your state, you had to create an account, get your identity verified, and fill out an application that was 76 screens long.  

This time around, the plan preview feature is chock-full of helpful explanations that appear just when you need them. For instance, when it's time to enter your household income, you'll see a link to click to explain how to count that income if you're not sure.

You can see the plans within a couple of screens, and then you can filter them by multiple factors, such as the name of the insurer, the size of the deductible, and the monthly premium. And if you see a plan you like, you can save or e-mail to yourself a link that will take you straight back there on your next visit.

Many of the state-run marketplaces also allow window shopping. As of today, they included California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Idaho, Maryland, Rhode Island, and Washington. We couldn't find plan previews on the Massachusetts, Minnesota, or New York sites, and the marketplaces in Hawaii, Kentucky, and Vermont were down for maintenance.-Collect these documents and info-

You're going to need them to fill out your application.

· Your most recent income tax return.
· Social Security number and birth dates for everyone in your household who’s going to be buying insurance with you. (If you’re confused about this, just collect info for everyone who is on your household’s tax return with you.)
· If you’re self-employed or didn’t file taxes last year, whatever information you have on your income and business expenses.
· Log in and password for your marketplace account, if you already have one.

-If you want your insurance to start on Jan. 1, you have to sign up for a plan by Dec. 15-

You can sign up later, but if you don’t have insurance now, you’ll be waiting another month or two for it to start. And if you do have insurance now that you’d like to replace with something else, you’ll be automatically re-enrolled in your existing plan if you don't change to another one by Dec. 15. You can still switch out if you do it by Feb. 15 but you’ll be stuck with your old plan until at least February or March.

-If you want a plan that has specific doctors in it, do some advance research-

Many marketplace plans have smaller doctor and hospital networks than people expected. If you found yourself in a plan that your favorite doctors didn’t take, now’s the time to fix that. The fastest way to get this done is to call the doctor’s billing office and ask what marketplace plans it accepts.

-Tell your uninsured friends about open enrollment-

Nine out of 10 uninsured Americans don’t know open enrollment is coming up, according to a recent poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation. And more than half of them have no idea that financial help with insurance is available if they have low and moderate incomes. Do them a favor and let them know.

—Nancy Metcalf*Submit a question to Consumer Reports' health insurance expert. Be sure to include the state you live in so we can provide a more-detailed answer.*

*More health insurance information*

To find out how to apply for, select, and use health insurance, including Medicare, visit our main health insurance page.

*Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.*

*Subscribe now!*
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Update your feed preferences Reported by Consumer Reports 8 hours ago.

Here's How To Figure Out If You're Actually Rich

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Here's How To Figure Out If You're Actually Rich In my five year study of the daily habits of the rich and poor, I defined rich to mean those individuals who passed a two-part test:

1. Gross income of $160,000 or more and
2. Net liquid assets of $3,200,000 or more

In reality, being rich is much more complicated. 

There are many variables that can make one person rich and another person not rich. It’s not a simple financial test as much as it is a lifestyle test.

As a result, being rich is very much a subjective matter.

Nonetheless, I thought I’d provide some clarity and share with you some of the variables I uncovered from my research that definitively make you rich.

If you meet all of these 12 tests, then you are a rich person:

*1. You no longer have to work in order to fund your lifestyle.* If you work it is because you want to work, not because you need to work.

*2. The unearned income you generate exceeds your living expenses.*

*3. You can afford to take the number of vacations you want to take during the year,* irrespective of what that number is.

*4. You can afford any and all healthcare or medical costs that may arise for you,* your spouse, or any family members, including the cost of long-term care inside or outside your home.

*5. You can afford to purchase new cars for you and your family* without relying on bank loans.

*6. Even if you got divorced, it would not require that you or your family alter their lifestyle.*

*7. If you wanted to, you could afford to pay college costs for all of your children or grandchildren* without it affecting your lifestyle.

*8. You own your home and/or your vacation home outright.* You have no mortgages for either.

*9. You can afford to meet large, unforeseen expenses, without it affecting your lifestyle.*

*10. You have no financial constraints on your activities.* You can do what you please, when you please, without considering the cost.

*11. You have zero debt.*

*12. You no longer require life insurance, health insurance, or long-term care insurance.* You can self-fund the costs associated with these types of insurance. If you carry insurance, it is either for estate tax planning purposes or to protect the assets you’ve accumulated.

Thomas Corley is the author of "Rich Habits: The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals," and "Rich Kids: How To Raise Our Kids To Be Happy And Successful In Life."

*SEE ALSO: How To Make Sure Your Kids Grow Up To Be Rich*

Join the conversation about this story » Reported by Business Insider 9 hours ago.

Healthcare.gov opens for health insurance window shopping

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With the start of the health insurance enrollment period slated for this weekend, HealthCare.gov opened for window shopping on Monday with consumers getting a first look at plans and premiums for 2015. It's the second year for new health insurance marketplaces, such as the federally run Healthcare.gov, through which customers can tap into new subsidies to offset the cost of health insurance coverage. And in North Carolina, those shopping for coverage will find more choices than they did in year… Reported by bizjournals 9 hours ago.

Surprise: Obamacare Enrollment 30% Less Than Previously Expected; Spike In 2015 Premiums Imminent

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Surprise: Obamacare Enrollment 30% Less Than Previously Expected; Spike In 2015 Premiums Imminent While the small business scourge that is Obamacare may not last very long now that the GOP has full control of Congress, and a scourge it is according even to the Philly Fed itself as per "Obamacare Is A Disaster For Businesses, Philly Fed Finds"...

... there is some hope that its disastrous impacts on the US economy (one has to find the irony that the economic slam in late 2013 and early 2014 was blamed on snow in the winter and not on the US president), may be finally fading.

The reason: according to the WSJ, moments ago the Obama administration revised its estimate for Obamacare enrollment, now saying - with the bruising midterms safely in the rearview mirror - that it expects some 9.9 million people to have coverage through the Affordable Care Act’s insurance exchanges in 2015, *millions fewer than outside experts predicted*.

Only it's not even 9.9 million:



*Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell said Monday the administration was aiming for 9.1 million paid-up enrollees for 2015,* though the range could extend to 9.9 million, according to the agency’s analysis. Ms. Burwell said she respected the work of the Congressional Budget Office and its projections but that she believed HHS figures were based on the best and most up-to-date information.



So really 8 million, or less? Which is great news for the economy as it means less forced wealth redistribution, if less than great news for the administration's propaganda. Recall that as recently as two months ago this number stood about 30% higher: according to a projection by the Congressional Budget Office, some 13 million Americans were expected to enroll in Obamacare in the coming year. But what's some 30% between friends? Just blame it on seasonal adjustments. And don't forget: the US budget deficit needs to soar in the coming years to open the much needed capacity for the Fed to monetize even more debt because everyone who lived through October 15 saw what will happen if the Fed continues to monetize more than 100% of net issuance.

It gets worse, or if one is the US economy, better:



Also diminished is the number of Americans who had private coverage under the law’s marketplaces for 2014. *The administration said Monday that around 7.1 million people across the country who picked plans during the current year’s open-enrollment period were still paid up for their coverage*. That’s *down from the eight million who the administration said had picked plans as of this spring*.



So... 1 million *down *in 9 months: must be even more seasonal adjustments.

And just as everyone suspected in late 2013, the wildly overblown numbers by the administration were just that, because sooner or later, even those getting handouts would have to make a token payment or at least confirm they are legal US residents. They couldn't.



HHS officials said they had cut off tax credits for December for 120,000 households that hadn’t responded to requests for more information about their income. Another 112,000 people have had their coverage terminated because the federal government couldn’t confirm they were legally residing in the U.S. That number is down slightly from an earlier announcement from the federal government that it was cutting off 116,000 people over immigration and citizenship status issues.



And with Obamacare's punitive measures having been delayed through 2015 in hopes of "buying" the midterm elections, hopes which now lie crushed in a smoldering heap, next up is the real sticker shocked:



A new window-shopping tool on the federal insurance website that made its debut late Sunday is giving consumers the first glimpse of health-insurance prices for next year. *Many people who bought insurance plans through HealthCare.gov will see their premium increase in 2015 unless they are willing to switch insurance carriers.*



Changing plans to ones which have far worse deductibles and coverage, which of course is par for the course for anything the government gets its hands on. For everyone else, well: there are higher prices which will more than offset the temporary gas price drop holiday:



Proposed rates filed by insurers with state regulators over the past six months suggested that big carriers that snapped up a lot of customers last year *are raising their rates for 2015*, and new market entrants and plans that got fewer sign-ups in 2014 are slashing prices in a bid for more market share. The final rates, posted late Sunday on HealthCare.gov, have followed a similar pattern. As a result, *most people who bought coverage through the site last year will see their premiums increase for 2015, at the same time that the lowest rate available on the site remains relatively steady.*

 

In Tallahassee, Fla., the lowest-cost silver plan available to a 26-year-old nonsmoker for 2014 was sold by Florida Blue, or Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, with a premium of $228 a month. For 2015, the cost would rise about 20% to $273, according to the premium information displayed on HealthCare.gov. The same 26-year-old could pay a $236 monthly premium for a United Healthcare plan that wasn’t available for 2014.



The punchline:



“We are strongly encouraging people to come back to HealthCare.gov,” said Kevin Counihan, chief executive of the site, on Sunday.



And if people don't come back, do they get an IRS audit? Reported by Zero Hedge 8 hours ago.

U.S. releases low 2015 Obamacare enrollment forecast

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. administration on Monday dramatically cut expectations for 2015 Obamacare enrollment, saying it aims to have a total of 9.1 million people enrolled in government-backed federal and state health insurance marketplaces next year. Reported by ChicagoTribune 8 hours ago.

Obama Administration Less Optimistic About Health Insurance Buyers

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The Obama administration is tamping down expectations for the next enrollment for health insurance through federal exchanges. Reported by IBTimes 8 hours ago.

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey to Offer Nine Products on Federal Exchange for 2015, Including Lower Premium Cost “Patient-centered” Plan

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Horizon BCBSNJ to offer four new products and a total of nine products for 2015 on the federal Health Insurance Marketplace.

Newark, NJ (PRWEB) November 10, 2014

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon BCBSNJ) announced today that it is offering four new products and a total of nine products for 2015 on the federal Health Insurance Marketplace. Among the new plans, Horizon BCBSNJ will offer an innovative patient-centered plan. The new patient-centered plan offers lower premiums and out of pocket costs for individuals who obtain services from one of more than 3,700 doctors in the state’s largest network of patient-centered practices focused on more coordinated care.

“As the leader in New Jersey’s Individual Market, Horizon is offering a number of quality health plans options to meet every need and budget,” said Christopher M. Lepre, Senior Vice President, Market Business Units, Horizon BCBSNJ. “Over the next 90 days, Horizon will be active in communities across the state, highlighting our innovative, affordable products, our largest hospital and doctor networks in the state, and also how we provide answers and understanding so individuals may fully benefit from the coverage they choose.”

The 2015 open enrollment period for the individual market runs from November 15 through February 15, 2015. Horizon BCBSNJ will offer 2 Gold, 4 Silver and 2 Bronze products, along with the Horizon BCBSNJ Essentials plan, a low- premium catastrophic plan.
Horizon BCBSNJ’s new 2015 plans offer more affordable options and value-added services for individuals. All Horizon BCBSNJ products are Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) plans.

Consumers will have the option to select between two plan types:· Horizon Advantage plans provide consumers with access to the largest hospital and doctor networks in the state.
· Horizon Advance plans offer consumers lower premiums with the state’s largest network of hospitals, but a subset of Horizon BCBSNJ’s primary care physician and specialist networks. Consumers can also recognize savings when using tier 1 hospitals.

Consumers with questions about Horizon BCBSNJ’s products can contact a customer services representative at 800-224-1234, visit HorizonBlue.com, or call their broker.

About Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, the state’s oldest and largest health insurer is a tax-paying, not-for-profit health service corporation, providing a wide array of medical, dental, and prescription insurance products and services. Horizon BCBSNJ is leading the transformation of health care in New Jersey by working with doctors and hospitals to deliver innovative, patient-centered programs that reward the quality, not quantity, of care patients receive. Learn more at http://www.HorizonBlue.com. Horizon BCBSNJ is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association serving more than 3.7 million members. Reported by PRWeb 8 hours ago.

Independent Record Label MVB Entertainment Music Group (MVBEMG) To Call Rockland County New York Home

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The popular New York City indie record label is currently looking for office space in central Rockland County, New York. They are also looking to hire a small staff of up to twenty employees, and interns.

Nanuet, New York (PRWEB) November 10, 2014

MVB Entertainment Music Group (MVBEMG) is an independent record label, and also an artist development / management company, that was formed in 2011, by its parent company, MVB Entertainment LLC.

The label is the music division of MVB Entertainment. MVB Entertainment is a privately held entertainment company, formed in 2005.

MVBEMG is the home to one of New York City's most popular up-and-coming female Hip Hop artist, La ' Vega. The label also gained notoriety in 2014, by signing New York City's first openly Gay Hip Hop / Pop artist, Deno Corneliani.

The owner of MVBEMG and CEO of MVB Entertainment, Abdel 'Sosa' Russell, says his company will still conduct photo shoots, studio sessions, and shoot music videos in the five boroughs of New York City, but their home base of operations will be in Rockland County.

When asked why they didn't stay in Manhattan, Sosa said, "Been there, done that. Rockland County is minutes away from the city, plus we would be the first real functional multi-fascited entertainment company, in the area."

The label made a name for itself in New York City's indie scene, by focusing heavily on artist development; something long gone and all but forgotten, even at the major record label level.

Artist development has become a thing of the past with record labels, because of the financial demand it places on the label. Within MVBEMG's artist development program, is a budget for music videos, photo shoots, studio time, makeup, hair, transportation, acting & singing lessons, gym, media training, choreography, and much more.

It's easy to see why MVBEMG quickly gained popularity with artists and the industry. The hefty investment it places in its talent is very rare in the music industry, and a first in the indie music scene.

MVBEMG was also the first music company in New York state, to offer health insurance through its parent company MVB Entertainment, to musicians. The label will be looking to hire bloggers, social media professionals, graphic artists, receptionists, booking agents, and more.

MVB Entertainment is getting ready to celebrate its ten-year anniversary in May of 2015. Reported by PRWeb 8 hours ago.

High Rated Car Insurance Companies Added to Quotation System at Insurance Portal

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New high rated car insurance companies are now included in the quotes system for consumers to review at the Quotes Pros website at http://quotespros.com/auto-insurance.html.

Houston, TX (PRWEB) November 10, 2014

Ratings systems in the United States help consumers to determine the best insurance agencies when reviewing policy providers. The Quotes Pros company is now showcasing rated car insurance companies through its web quotation system at http://quotespros.com/auto-insurance.html.

There are now high rated and average rated insurers that can be compared and examined through usage of the price system in place. New inclusions of agencies in California, Texas, New York and Ohio have enhanced range of providers that can be reviewed for different prices or types of coverage that is offered.

"Finding insurer rates through our system is as easy as entering a zip code and now rated companies are included in our search results," said a Quotes Pros rep.

Consumers who prefer to receive rates from standard insurers can still utilize the available search tool this year to find the best price data. Standard priced policies for underinsured coverage, SR22, non owner and modified coverage can now be located when using the search system in real time.

"The companies inside of our system are now in direct competition to supply the best rates available to consumers in all parts of the country," said the rep.

The Quotes Pros portal has been upgraded to include a larger listing of health insurers that consumers can also review through the end of next year. The medical coverage providers at http://quotespros.com/health-insurance.html are now showcasing a variety of health protection plans and pricing online.

About QuotesPros.com

The QuotesPros.com company helps to inform the public about changes in price for insurer policies in the U.S. The company database that is installed for this year helps average people find policy rates in real time. The QuotesPros.com company has included easier methods of research inside of its system this year and has switched over to a zip location service to display available companies quoting coverage plans. Reported by PRWeb 7 hours ago.

Obamacare is Doomed! Everybody Panic!

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The purveyors of doom are certain—once again—that the Supreme Court is poised to unravel Obamacare. The catalyst for this week’s panic is the justices’ decision late Friday to grant review in King v. Burwell, assessing whether the federal government can offer health insurance subsidies to individuals in the states that opted not to create insurance exchanges. To be sure, the optics are bad: The court, absent a split in the federal appeals courts, reached out three days after a midterm election to take a case that has more political salience than legal merit. But it is hardly certain the court will rule the way the doomsayers fear it might. And even if the justices eventually do so, it is not even clear that would be bad for Obamacare. Reported by Slate 4 hours ago.

Funds may offer capital gains surprises

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Investors should think twice before buying actively managed stock funds in their taxable accounts until after funds have made their capital gains distributions for the year. People who are getting subsidized health insurance premiums under the Affordable Care Act should pay close attention if they own shares in a taxable account. Funds are required to pay out almost all of their realized net capital gains each year, meaning gains minus losses on assets they have sold. Investors who own mutual funds in Individual Retirement Accounts, 401(k) plans and similar tax-deferred accounts don’t have to worry about distributions. “The number of actively managed domestic equity funds that have gone a long time, 10 or more years, without paying a capital gain is vanishing,” he said in an interview. Investors who receive unwanted capital gains can try to offset them by selling stocks or funds in which they have losses, but these assets also must be held in taxable accounts. Reported by SFGate 5 hours ago.

Colorado health insurance exchange budget rises $4 million

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Colorado's health insurance marketplace is anticipating a $4 million hike in the cost of keeping its call center functioning. Reported by Denver Post 4 hours ago.

ObamaCare Architect Admits "Lack Of Transparency" Is Huge Advantage Against "Stupidity Of The American Voter"

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ObamaCare Architect Admits Lack Of Transparency Is Huge Advantage Against Stupidity Of The American Voter Submitted by Mike Krieger via Liberty Blitzkrieg blog,

Earlier today, I published a post titled,* Inside the Mind of an Oligarch – Sheldon Adelson Proclaims “I Don’t Like Journalism*,*”* which zeroed in on the condescending attitude oligarchs and their technocrat minions have toward the general population. I wrote:



*The term oligarch is reserved for those with extreme wealth who also want to control the political process, policy levers and most other aspects of the lives of the citizenry in a top-down tyrannical and undemocratic manner. They think they know best about pretty much everything, and believe unelected technocrats who share their worldview should be empowered so that they can unilaterally make all of society’s important decisions. The unwashed masses (plebs) in their minds are unnecessary distractions who must to be told what to do. Useless eaters who need to be brainwashed into worshipping the oligarch mindset, or turned into apathetic automatons incapable or unwilling to engage in critical thought. Either outcome is equally acceptable and equally encouraged. *



It’s quite timely that those words appeared on the site the same day that a video clip emerged of MIT economics professor, and the architect of Obamacare, Jonathan Gruber, admitting that the legislation was intentionally complex and misleading in order to pass Congress and elicit limited outrage from the “stupid” American public.

The Hill reports that:



*An architect of the federal healthcare law said last year that a “lack of transparency” and the “stupidity of the American voter” helped Congress approve ObamaCare.*

 

*He suggested that many lawmakers and voters didn’t know what was in the law or how its financing worked, and that this helped it win approval. *

 

“Lack of transparency is a huge political advantage,” Gruber said. “And basically, call it the stupidity of the American voter or whatever, but basically that was really, really critical for the thing to pass.”

 

Gruber made the comment while discussing how the law was “written in a tortured way” to avoid a bad score from the Congressional Budget Office. He suggested that voters would have rejected ObamaCare if the penalties for going without health insurance were interpreted as taxes, either by budget analysts or the public. 



The arrogance and destructiveness of this man knows no bounds. Look at how excited he gets, flailing his hands all over the place as he discusses the gigantic deception that is Obamacare.

The full clip can be found on UPenn’s website.

As I have said for years now, these people are sick and dangerous. They are also in power. This needs to change as soon as possible. Reported by Zero Hedge 3 hours ago.

White House backs off high expectations for Obamacare

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White House backs off high expectations for Obamacare WASHINGTON — With new sign-ups launching this weekend, the Obama administration sharply dialed down expectations Monday for the second year of the president’s push to provide health insurance for all... Reported by NY Post 1 hour ago.

7 Reasons Net Neutrality Is A Dumb Idea

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7 Reasons Net Neutrality Is A Dumb Idea On Monday, President Obama announced that he would be pushing the Federal Communications Commission to begin enforcing “net neutrality” – a policy by which internet service providers would be forced to load all web sites at the same speed. While the internet works just fine as is, President Obama believes we’re mere moments away from the system breaking down barring massive government intervention:

We cannot allow Internet service providers (ISPs) to restrict the best access or to pick winners and losers in the online marketplace for services and ideas. I believe the FCC should create a new set of rules protecting net neutrality and ensuring that neither the cable company nor the phone company will be able to act as a gatekeeper, restricting what you can do or see online.

If this sounds suspiciously like the language President Obama used with regard to health insurance in his pitch for Obamacare – unlimited access and zero scarcity, as dictated by the government – that’s because it is. Free market economics generally create higher supply, lower price, and better service. But President Obama believes that markets inevitably fail. 

Here are the top seven reasons government-enforced net neutrality is an awful idea:

*We Already Have Net Neutrality.* As a result of competition between internet service providers in the marketplace, ISPs generally do not discriminate against highly-trafficked websites. If they did – holding a figurative gun to the head of those websites by throttling back speed to those websites – consumers would dump those ISPs in favor of others. Competition ensures that companies do not have the leverage to discriminate against particular websites.

*Some Companies Take Up More Bandwidth Than Others.* Netflix consumes a huge amount of peak traffic bandwidth. That costs ISPs money. Pornography sites consume a huge amount of bandwidth. That costs ISPs money. Were an ISP to push YouPorn to pay fees for its higher bandwidth, consumers of the ISP who did not use YouPorn would be the beneficiaries – they wouldn’t be subsidizing YouPorn. As Alexandra Petri of Washington Post writes, “To use one of those dreaded analogies, if you are constantly driving huge trucks, full of big deliveries of pornography, along a road, why shouldn’t you have to pay more for the road’s upkeep?”

Meanwhile, other ISPs could calculate that they want to absorb the costs of YouPorn in order to carry YouPorn, since YouPorn could refuse to pay the fees to the first ISP. That would be an advantage for the second ISP. In other words, market choices take place, and those can provide options to consumers. Net neutrality would ban such deals.

*The Government Still Allows Discrimination In Traffic.* ISPs inherently have to prioritize traffic. It’s what they do. The government has decided to exempt “reasonable network management” to allow differentiation of traffic – but then defines it ambiguously, leaving it up to the government to determine when an ISP is in compliance. This is a recipe for regulatory disaster, complete with bureaucratic arbitrariness.

*Barriers to Entry Are Created.* There is a reason that Google backs net neutrality. As I wrote in April:

Google was in favor of net neutrality; that’s because, as Robert E. Litan and Hal J. Singer wrote in the Harvard Business Review, “Absent net neutrality restrictions, entrepreneurs in their garages would devote significant energies trying to topple Google with the next killer application.”

Of course, Google became an opponent of net neutrality when it came to GoogleFiber, which the government conveniently neglected to make subject to net neutrality.

*Technological Stagnation.* Comcast and AT&T and the like are using ancient wires to transmit internet. That’s why internet access is so slow in large swaths of the United States. They have no incentive to upgrade their wiring because they have monopolies on that wiring, thanks to the government. According to Andy Kessler of The Weekly Standard, “the United States is 16th in the world in broadband use (behind Liechtenstein!) with East Timor catching up fast. The French may burn Citroëns, but they get 10 megabits for 10 euros--50 times your ‘fast’ Internet access for half the price. That's just not right.” The solution: open competition and far less local and state regulation, not more federal regulation. Net neutrality does nothing about the real problem with the internet: lack of speed.

*Internet Taxes Could Happen.* Harold Furchtgott-Roth of Forbes writes that by making the internet subject to the strictures of the interstate telecommunications industry, the FCC could impose fees on internet service:

By classifying broadband access services as “interstate telecommunications services,” those services would suddenly become required to pay FCC fees.  At the current 16.1% fee structure, it would be perhaps the largest, one-time tax increase on the Internet. 

*Content Restrictions From The Government.* The government promises that it will use the power of net neutrality for good, not evil. But just like the government’s once-infamous Fairness Doctrine, the notion of the government determining what equal access to the internet looks like is deeply problematic. Kessler writes:

You can already smell the mandates and the loopholes once Congress gets involved. Think special, high-speed priority for campaign commercials or educational videos about global warming. Or roadblocks--like requiring emergency 911 service--to try to kill off free Internet telephone services such as Skype.

The government is never the solution, especially when there’s no real market failure. As usual, government’s cure is worse than the disease.

Ben Shapiro is Senior Editor-At-Large of Breitbart News and author of the new book, The People vs. Barack Obama: The Criminal Case Against The Obama Administration (Threshold Editions, June 10, 2014). He is also Editor-in-Chief of TruthRevolt.org. Follow Ben Shapiro on Twitter @benshapiro. Reported by Breitbart 1 hour ago.

Obamacare enrollment estimate downsized

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WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration on Monday offered a surprisingly modest estimate of the number of people who would sign up for health insurance in the second round of open enrollment, which begins Saturday. Reported by TwinCities.com 52 minutes ago.

TurboTax Health Offers Simple Tips and Tools for Consumers Navigating Health Insurance Open Enrollment

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TurboTax Health Offers Simple Tips and Tools for Consumers Navigating Health Insurance Open Enrollment SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) opens Saturday, Nov. 15, marking the second opportunity for uninsured Americans to purchase health insurance under the new health care law. TurboTax®, the nation’s leading online tax preparation service from Intuit Inc. (Nasdaq:INTU), is offering simple tips and tools at www.TurboTaxHealth.com. The online guide helps anyone make the best health care choices for themselves and their families. Below are some helpful tip Reported by Business Wire 20 hours ago.

On your own for health insurance? See how Houston's marketplace stacks up

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While higher cost typically equals higher quality for most major purchases, that isn't necessarily the case in health care, according to a new study. A new report from the Rice University Baker Institute and the Episcopal Health Foundation took a statewide look at silver-level premiums and hospital access for 30-year-olds in the marketplace today. Houston-based Community Health Choice had one of the highest-costing premiums on average at $304.64 and a network size of just under 20 hospitals according… Reported by bizjournals 19 hours ago.

State Obamacare Strategies Take Shape As Court Case Looms - Businessweek

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Delaware and Illinois have plans to work around a potential Supreme Court ruling that could block millions of Americans from receiving subsidies to buy health insurance, providing a potential road map for other states.

State officials around the country are formulating plans in case of a ruling next year against the Obama administration, which would eliminate billions of dollars in health insurance subsidies for more than 4 million people. The court said Nov. 7 it would hear a case arguing that insurance subsidies in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act should only be available in a handful of states. Reported by Huffington Post 19 hours ago.

Affordable Care Act Has Many Political And Legal Challenges Ahead

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The federal health exchange website is live this week for window shopping and people will begin to purchase new health insurance there on Saturday. But the Affordable Care Act still has many political and legal challenges ahead. Reported by NPR 19 hours ago.
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