State health insurance exchange officials on Monday said 6,144 people have signed up in the first eight days of open enrollment for 2015, well ahead of last year's pace of 204.
Reported by Denver Post 4 hours ago.
Renewals fuel more signups on Colorado health exchange than last year
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Highmark tamps down worries about UPMC access
A Highmark health insurance spokesman sought to tamp down concerns about member access to UPMC doctors and hospitals, saying Monday that a consent decree reached in July requires the hospital giant to continue seeing Highmark's members who are over age 65. Spokesman Aaron Billger said Highmark's Allegheny Health Network had "more than enough" doctors to care for its Medicare Advantage members. In addition, Highmark members will continue to be able to see UPMC doctors Jan. 1, after Highmark's contract…
Reported by bizjournals 54 minutes ago.
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Sebelius Promoted 'Facts' From Obamacare 'Architect' That She Claims She Never 'Personally' Worked With
According to an article this morning on CNN.com, former Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius said that “she never worked with Gruber ‘personally’ though he worked ‘with a number of our agencies.’" [INS: :INS]Jonathan Gruber is the MIT professor who has been caught on videotape numerous times stating that the “stupidity of the American voter” was critical to Obamacare passage.[INS: :INS]The article continued that “Sebelius made her comments Monday after appearing on CNN, saying that the MIT economist was not an 'architect' of Obamacare, as some have suggested, but agreed that he could be considered one by osmosis given his role in drafting the Massachusetts health care law that she said served as a 'template' for Obamacare.”
However, an August 7, 2014 article by Breitbart uncovered that Sebelius issued a press release on December 3, 2009. The subtitle for the release was "Secretary Releases New Fact Sheet" which “highlighted the benefits of health insurance reform for businesses and released a new fact sheet regarding a recent analysis from the Congressional Budget Office.” The report, which was issued during the Obamacare debate, included 16 footnotes highlighting sources for the report. [INS: :INS]Although, the release was represented to highlight a new analysis by the Congressional Budget Office it only listed the CBO once while listing Gruber[INS: :INS] three times. No other individual was listed.
Specifically, Sebelius’ “facts” footnotes Gruber related to:
· Premium savings for high premium plans “This could yield increases in workers wages, by around $70 billion in 2019.”
· The benefits of improved workplace productivity - “Current job-lock (inability to leave current employment if it will result in loss of health insurance) has been demonstrated to hurt the economy through reduced productivity, and prevents an employee from taking a job with potentially higher wages.”
· “Health insurance reform could save 80,000 jobs in the small business sector by 2019 and increase take-home pay by almost $30 billion.”
For someone that never worked with Gruber personally, Sebelius relied on him for information when marketing Obamacare during the peak of the debate. Reported by Breitbart 17 minutes ago.
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Ex-Health Net member learns to deal with Medi-Cal
There are a lot of people who resent having to buy health insurance under Obamacare. Presumably their only weakness is Kryptonite.
Reported by L.A. Times 22 hours ago.
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HHS Seeks 'Suggestions' on Increasing Obamacare 'Transparency'
The Obama administration is seeking "suggestions" on how to increase "transparency, ownership, and accountability" for Obamacare in the wake of its admission that it fudged Obamacare enrollments by 1.3 million. On Sunday evening, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia Burwell emailed senior staff asking for ideas on how to improve transparency for an administration that President Barack Obama has claimed is already "the most transparent administration" in history.
"I am asking each of you to schedule a staff meeting to ask for suggestions to strengthen this culture of increased transparency, ownership, and accountability, and for those suggestions to be reported back to me," wrote Burwell.
Burwell added, "As leaders, we all must have a sense of urgency in promoting these cultural values."
Burwell, now under fire for the phony Obamacare figures, claims the Obama administration made a "mistake" and accidentally counted over 400,000 dental plan sign-ups as health insurance subscribers. In September, HHS said it mistakenly inflated Obamacare enrollments by 700,000.
The real Obamacare number, HHS now claims, is just 6.7 million, not the highly publicized 8 million figure Obama touted.
Gallup finds that support for Obamacare has hit an all-time low of just 37 percent. Reported by Breitbart 19 hours ago.
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Health Partners America Publishes New Whitepaper “2015 Transition Relief”
Health Partners America, company that provides training, tools, and technology solutions for insurance agents and employers who are navigating the health reform legislation, announces the release of its new white paper – 2015 Transition Relief.
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA (PRWEB) November 25, 2014
Health Partners America (http://www.healthpartnersamerica.com), a company that provides training, tools, and technology solutions for insurance agents and employers who are navigating the health reform legislation, announces the release of its new white paper – 2015 Transition Relief. This very timely 14-page document was written to help health insurance agents and brokers better advise their clients about the transition into ACA-compliant plans and the law’s employer mandate.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has a huge impact on both individuals and employers, but that impact is different for different market segments. Individuals and families, for instance, can purchase health coverage regardless of pre-existing conditions, but the “guaranteed issue” provision and enhanced benefits drive up the price significantly for anyone who doesn’t qualify for a government subsidy. Many small employers will also see their premiums increase due to the new community rating rules. Large employers, on the other hand, are not as susceptible to rate hikes but could pay a penalty if they fail to offer affordable coverage.
To make the transition a little easier for individuals and employers, the law provides several forms of relief for those who qualify. The problem is that, like many parts of the law, the rules are unclear and many people have had trouble determining if they can take advantage of the money-saving options.
For example, in the individual and small group markets, which are more impacted by the market reforms than the large group market, insurance companies have the option of renewing old, non-compliant plan designs through October, 2016, but they don’t have to make the same decisions for each line of business and states can block this practice. There’s also some confusion about whether bigger companies that originally purchased coverage in the small group market but have since added employees will be able to renew their existing plans.
For large employers, there are several different types of transition relief. One option allows certain companies with non-calendar-year plans to wait until renewal time to get into compliance, but eligibility is based on the percentage of employees eligible or enrolled in coverage on a fixed date in the past. Another option allows companies with fewer than 100 employees to avoid shared responsibility penalties in 2015, but only if they keep doing what they were doing before. This may require companies that already offered group health coverage to keep doing so in 2015 while those who haven’t offered coverage in the past may be able to wait another year. And for larger employers who are required to provide health coverage in 2015, a third option reduces the penalty if they choose to drop their plan altogether.
“This is just another example of why agents need to study the law,” says Mel Blackwell, CEO of Health Partners America. “Many of the news stories about transition relief have been misreported, causing both employers and agents to make bad decisions.” Blackwell tells the story of an agent who advised a 75-person group that they could drop their coverage in 2015 and pay no penalties, which is actually incorrect. “The agent made two mistakes,” says Blackwell. “First, he didn’t realize that employers who drop their coverage don’t qualify for the transition relief, and second, the penalty calculations are different for companies with more or less than 100 employees.”
Blackwell is quick to point out, though, that dropping coverage was actually the right decision for this particular group. “A lot of companies will do well to abandon their group health plan and let their employees take advantage of the government subsidies,” he explains, “but they do need to understand the financial implications of the decision. Even if it’s the right thing to do, you don’t want to surprise your client with a 90-thousand-dollar bill from the IRS.”
Health Partners America is offering the full report at no cost through the company’s website.
About Health Partners America
Since 2007, Health Partners America has been providing game-changing training and solutions to agents and brokers nationwide. HPA is a technology and consulting company that works with and through brokers in order to engage with the marketplace through healthcare reform. HPA Partners with agents and brokers nationally to bring them technology solutions, private exchange sites, marketing tools, training, and leverage to help them be more successful.
###
If you’d like more information about this topic or about HPA, please contact Katie Burns at media(At)healthpartnersamerica(Dot)com or visit http://www.healthpartnersamerica.com. Reported by PRWeb 15 hours ago.
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA (PRWEB) November 25, 2014
Health Partners America (http://www.healthpartnersamerica.com), a company that provides training, tools, and technology solutions for insurance agents and employers who are navigating the health reform legislation, announces the release of its new white paper – 2015 Transition Relief. This very timely 14-page document was written to help health insurance agents and brokers better advise their clients about the transition into ACA-compliant plans and the law’s employer mandate.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has a huge impact on both individuals and employers, but that impact is different for different market segments. Individuals and families, for instance, can purchase health coverage regardless of pre-existing conditions, but the “guaranteed issue” provision and enhanced benefits drive up the price significantly for anyone who doesn’t qualify for a government subsidy. Many small employers will also see their premiums increase due to the new community rating rules. Large employers, on the other hand, are not as susceptible to rate hikes but could pay a penalty if they fail to offer affordable coverage.
To make the transition a little easier for individuals and employers, the law provides several forms of relief for those who qualify. The problem is that, like many parts of the law, the rules are unclear and many people have had trouble determining if they can take advantage of the money-saving options.
For example, in the individual and small group markets, which are more impacted by the market reforms than the large group market, insurance companies have the option of renewing old, non-compliant plan designs through October, 2016, but they don’t have to make the same decisions for each line of business and states can block this practice. There’s also some confusion about whether bigger companies that originally purchased coverage in the small group market but have since added employees will be able to renew their existing plans.
For large employers, there are several different types of transition relief. One option allows certain companies with non-calendar-year plans to wait until renewal time to get into compliance, but eligibility is based on the percentage of employees eligible or enrolled in coverage on a fixed date in the past. Another option allows companies with fewer than 100 employees to avoid shared responsibility penalties in 2015, but only if they keep doing what they were doing before. This may require companies that already offered group health coverage to keep doing so in 2015 while those who haven’t offered coverage in the past may be able to wait another year. And for larger employers who are required to provide health coverage in 2015, a third option reduces the penalty if they choose to drop their plan altogether.
“This is just another example of why agents need to study the law,” says Mel Blackwell, CEO of Health Partners America. “Many of the news stories about transition relief have been misreported, causing both employers and agents to make bad decisions.” Blackwell tells the story of an agent who advised a 75-person group that they could drop their coverage in 2015 and pay no penalties, which is actually incorrect. “The agent made two mistakes,” says Blackwell. “First, he didn’t realize that employers who drop their coverage don’t qualify for the transition relief, and second, the penalty calculations are different for companies with more or less than 100 employees.”
Blackwell is quick to point out, though, that dropping coverage was actually the right decision for this particular group. “A lot of companies will do well to abandon their group health plan and let their employees take advantage of the government subsidies,” he explains, “but they do need to understand the financial implications of the decision. Even if it’s the right thing to do, you don’t want to surprise your client with a 90-thousand-dollar bill from the IRS.”
Health Partners America is offering the full report at no cost through the company’s website.
About Health Partners America
Since 2007, Health Partners America has been providing game-changing training and solutions to agents and brokers nationwide. HPA is a technology and consulting company that works with and through brokers in order to engage with the marketplace through healthcare reform. HPA Partners with agents and brokers nationally to bring them technology solutions, private exchange sites, marketing tools, training, and leverage to help them be more successful.
###
If you’d like more information about this topic or about HPA, please contact Katie Burns at media(At)healthpartnersamerica(Dot)com or visit http://www.healthpartnersamerica.com. Reported by PRWeb 15 hours ago.
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You’re the Boss Blog: My Mission to Buy Small Business Health Insurance Begins Again
Based on past experience with the Affordable Care Act, this year’s search is likely to take about half of my working hours over a six-week span.
Reported by NYTimes.com 11 hours ago.
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Allred Insurance Now Accepting 2015 National Healthcare Enrollments
Don Allred Insurance is now accepting National Healthcare enrollments for the 2015 coverage year.
(PRWEB) November 25, 2014
Don Allred Insurance is now accepting National Healthcare enrollments for the 2015 coverage year at both the main Allred office, located at 3001 S. Church St., and the satellite branch, located inside the Holly Hill Mall. The S. Church St. office is by appointment only, however the Holly Hill Mall location is prepared to accommodate walk-ins from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays; and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. These hours will remain in effect until the open enrollment period ends on February 15, 2015.
During open enrollment, which started on November 15, qualified individuals may purchase or renew health insurance from the federal Marketplace with the assistance of experienced Allred agents.
“Our agents are specially trained to help customers identify their most important needs when assessing insurance options,” says Allred spokesman Scott Allred. “We’ve also been through open enrollment before and are thoroughly familiar with all phases of the various purchasing and renewal procedures out there. This expertise allows us to provide customers with the best coverage available without any of the usual hassles or red tape.”
Finding the right type and amount of insurance is only one part of the signup process. A second critical component is ensuring that the coverage period begins when desired. According to HealthCare.gov, start dates are determined in the following ways:· Signups and renewals that are submitted between the 1st and 15th of the current month will enable coverage to begin on the 1st of the next month.
· Signups and renewals submitted between the 16th and the end of the current month will enable coverage to begin on the first day of the second subsequent month.
· All signups and renewals submitted between February 1 and February 15 will enable coverage to begin on March 1, 2015.
“Paying careful attention to start dates will prevent coverage lapses and help guarantee that customers and their family members have active insurance when it’s needed most,” says Allred.
To learn more about how Allred Insurance can help you obtain mandatory insurance coverage during the open enrollment period, please visit http://www.allredinsurance.com or stop by one of the Burlington offices for an in-person consultation. No appointment is necessary for the Holly Hill Mall location during walk-in hours. Reported by PRWeb 10 hours ago.
(PRWEB) November 25, 2014
Don Allred Insurance is now accepting National Healthcare enrollments for the 2015 coverage year at both the main Allred office, located at 3001 S. Church St., and the satellite branch, located inside the Holly Hill Mall. The S. Church St. office is by appointment only, however the Holly Hill Mall location is prepared to accommodate walk-ins from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays; and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. These hours will remain in effect until the open enrollment period ends on February 15, 2015.
During open enrollment, which started on November 15, qualified individuals may purchase or renew health insurance from the federal Marketplace with the assistance of experienced Allred agents.
“Our agents are specially trained to help customers identify their most important needs when assessing insurance options,” says Allred spokesman Scott Allred. “We’ve also been through open enrollment before and are thoroughly familiar with all phases of the various purchasing and renewal procedures out there. This expertise allows us to provide customers with the best coverage available without any of the usual hassles or red tape.”
Finding the right type and amount of insurance is only one part of the signup process. A second critical component is ensuring that the coverage period begins when desired. According to HealthCare.gov, start dates are determined in the following ways:· Signups and renewals that are submitted between the 1st and 15th of the current month will enable coverage to begin on the 1st of the next month.
· Signups and renewals submitted between the 16th and the end of the current month will enable coverage to begin on the first day of the second subsequent month.
· All signups and renewals submitted between February 1 and February 15 will enable coverage to begin on March 1, 2015.
“Paying careful attention to start dates will prevent coverage lapses and help guarantee that customers and their family members have active insurance when it’s needed most,” says Allred.
To learn more about how Allred Insurance can help you obtain mandatory insurance coverage during the open enrollment period, please visit http://www.allredinsurance.com or stop by one of the Burlington offices for an in-person consultation. No appointment is necessary for the Holly Hill Mall location during walk-in hours. Reported by PRWeb 10 hours ago.
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Chicago-Area Veterinarian Receives National Award from Pets Best
Latest My Vet’s the Best contest honors veterinarian Dr. Kathleen Heneghan
Boise, Idaho (PRWEB) November 25, 2014
Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC, a leading U.S. pet insurance agency based in Boise, Idaho, announced today that veterinarian Dr. Kathleen Heneghan has been voted the most recent winner of the agency’s My Vet’s the Best contest. The nationwide contest honors veterinarians for their outstanding service.
The latest round of the contest brought in 8,218 votes cast by pet owners across the U.S. through the Pets Best website, http://www.petsbest.com, and the company’s Facebook page.
“This contest serves to honor veterinarians who play a significant role in keeping pets in their communities healthy,” said Dr. Jack Stephens, founder of Pets Best. “Dr. Heneghan strives to provide the highest quality of care for all of the animals she treats, and it is rewarding that so many people want to recognize her hard work and dedication.”
Dr. Heneghan, who practices at Elmwood-Grove Animal Hospital in River Grove, Illinois, won the contest after receiving 3,525 online votes. She was among hundreds of veterinarians nominated for the seasonal award. The contest’s other seven finalists each received a significant number of votes. Runner-up Dr. Lollie Mensik of Stonebriar Veterinary Centre in Frisco, Texas, had a total of 2,805 votes.
As this round’s winner, Dr. Heneghan received $1,000 from Pets Best to treat animals in need. Dr. Heneghan and the team at Elmwood-Grove Animal Hospital plan to use the $1,000 cash prize to contribute to their Needy Animal Fund, a program helping stray animals from two Chicago suburbs. The pet owner who nominated Dr. Heneghan also received $200 from Pets Best.
Dr. Heneghan is known for her ability to form relationships with her clients and patients. A Chicago native, she received her bachelor’s degree from Loyola University and graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1994 with a degree in veterinary medicine. Dr. Heneghan enjoys veterinary medicine but also finds interest in dermatology, oncology, behavioral medicine, ultrasonography, and surgery.
“I think I connect with my patients and clients, and I look at it from both sides of the exam table. I'm both a doctor and a pet owner. When pet owners know that I understand their situation, I think it makes them more likely to listen to my recommendations,” Dr. Heneghan said. “I try to talk with them, not down to them. We're all in this together, for the lifetime of their pet, and I'd have it no other way.”
In Dr. Heneghan’s spare time, she enjoys traveling, listening to traditional Irish music, spending time with family and friends, including her adopted boxer Pogue, and exploring new places around town.
In 2010, Pets Best became the nation’s first pet insurance company to develop a contest aimed at recognizing outstanding veterinarians. Each year, hundreds of veterinarians receive nominations from grateful pet owners. While voting for the contest’s seasonal winners is open to the public through the Pets Best website and Facebook page, each year’s grand prize winner is selected by an internal review panel comprised of respected veterinarians.
For more information about the My Vet’s the Best contest, visit http://www.petsbest.com/vetpromo.
About Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC
Dr. Jack L. Stephens, founder and director of Pets Best, founded pet insurance in the U.S. in 1981 with a mission to end euthanasia when pet owners couldn’t afford veterinary treatment. Dr. Stephens went on to present the first U.S. pet insurance policy to famous television dog Lassie. Pets Best provides coverage for dogs and cats. Dr. Stephens leads the Pets Best team with his passion for quality pet care and his expert veterinary knowledge. He is always available to answer questions regarding veterinary medicine, pet health and pet insurance. The Pets Best team is a group of pet lovers who strive to deliver quality customer service and value. Visit http://www.petsbest.com for more information.
Pet insurance coverage offered and administered by Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC is underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company, a Delaware insurance company. Independence American Insurance Company is a member of The IHC Group, an organization of insurance carriers and marketing and administrative affiliates that has been providing life, health, disability, medical stop-loss and specialty insurance solutions to groups and individuals for over 30 years. For information on The IHC Group, visit: http://www.ihcgroup.com. Additional insurance services administered by Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC are underwritten by Prime Insurance Company. Some existing business is underwritten by Aetna Insurance Company of Connecticut. Each insurer has sole financial responsibility for its own products.
Pets Best is a proud member of the North America Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA). Reported by PRWeb 8 hours ago.
Boise, Idaho (PRWEB) November 25, 2014
Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC, a leading U.S. pet insurance agency based in Boise, Idaho, announced today that veterinarian Dr. Kathleen Heneghan has been voted the most recent winner of the agency’s My Vet’s the Best contest. The nationwide contest honors veterinarians for their outstanding service.
The latest round of the contest brought in 8,218 votes cast by pet owners across the U.S. through the Pets Best website, http://www.petsbest.com, and the company’s Facebook page.
“This contest serves to honor veterinarians who play a significant role in keeping pets in their communities healthy,” said Dr. Jack Stephens, founder of Pets Best. “Dr. Heneghan strives to provide the highest quality of care for all of the animals she treats, and it is rewarding that so many people want to recognize her hard work and dedication.”
Dr. Heneghan, who practices at Elmwood-Grove Animal Hospital in River Grove, Illinois, won the contest after receiving 3,525 online votes. She was among hundreds of veterinarians nominated for the seasonal award. The contest’s other seven finalists each received a significant number of votes. Runner-up Dr. Lollie Mensik of Stonebriar Veterinary Centre in Frisco, Texas, had a total of 2,805 votes.
As this round’s winner, Dr. Heneghan received $1,000 from Pets Best to treat animals in need. Dr. Heneghan and the team at Elmwood-Grove Animal Hospital plan to use the $1,000 cash prize to contribute to their Needy Animal Fund, a program helping stray animals from two Chicago suburbs. The pet owner who nominated Dr. Heneghan also received $200 from Pets Best.
Dr. Heneghan is known for her ability to form relationships with her clients and patients. A Chicago native, she received her bachelor’s degree from Loyola University and graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1994 with a degree in veterinary medicine. Dr. Heneghan enjoys veterinary medicine but also finds interest in dermatology, oncology, behavioral medicine, ultrasonography, and surgery.
“I think I connect with my patients and clients, and I look at it from both sides of the exam table. I'm both a doctor and a pet owner. When pet owners know that I understand their situation, I think it makes them more likely to listen to my recommendations,” Dr. Heneghan said. “I try to talk with them, not down to them. We're all in this together, for the lifetime of their pet, and I'd have it no other way.”
In Dr. Heneghan’s spare time, she enjoys traveling, listening to traditional Irish music, spending time with family and friends, including her adopted boxer Pogue, and exploring new places around town.
In 2010, Pets Best became the nation’s first pet insurance company to develop a contest aimed at recognizing outstanding veterinarians. Each year, hundreds of veterinarians receive nominations from grateful pet owners. While voting for the contest’s seasonal winners is open to the public through the Pets Best website and Facebook page, each year’s grand prize winner is selected by an internal review panel comprised of respected veterinarians.
For more information about the My Vet’s the Best contest, visit http://www.petsbest.com/vetpromo.
About Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC
Dr. Jack L. Stephens, founder and director of Pets Best, founded pet insurance in the U.S. in 1981 with a mission to end euthanasia when pet owners couldn’t afford veterinary treatment. Dr. Stephens went on to present the first U.S. pet insurance policy to famous television dog Lassie. Pets Best provides coverage for dogs and cats. Dr. Stephens leads the Pets Best team with his passion for quality pet care and his expert veterinary knowledge. He is always available to answer questions regarding veterinary medicine, pet health and pet insurance. The Pets Best team is a group of pet lovers who strive to deliver quality customer service and value. Visit http://www.petsbest.com for more information.
Pet insurance coverage offered and administered by Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC is underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company, a Delaware insurance company. Independence American Insurance Company is a member of The IHC Group, an organization of insurance carriers and marketing and administrative affiliates that has been providing life, health, disability, medical stop-loss and specialty insurance solutions to groups and individuals for over 30 years. For information on The IHC Group, visit: http://www.ihcgroup.com. Additional insurance services administered by Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC are underwritten by Prime Insurance Company. Some existing business is underwritten by Aetna Insurance Company of Connecticut. Each insurer has sole financial responsibility for its own products.
Pets Best is a proud member of the North America Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA). Reported by PRWeb 8 hours ago.
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Republicans Promised I'd Be Speaking Arabic by Now
Dear GOP of 2008 and 2012:
I thought I'd give you a couple of weeks to savor your progeny's big wins earlier this month before throwing a wet blanket over your victory party in the form of a reminder about your unfulfilled promises from the presidential campaigns of 2008 and 2012.
I know '08 and '12 didn't really go the way you wanted. Your elephantine ego has no doubt been feeling a little bruised these past six years. Being the good bleeding-heart liberal that I am, I've waited until you were back on your feet to point out how wrong your predictions were.
Oh, sure, you did have 2010. But come on, that wasn't a real GOP victory. We all know what was really going on there: Dick Armey introduced the nuttiest among your ranks to a vague notion of constitutionalism, then picked a random event from American history (the Boston Tea Party) with which to harness and dress up racist rage about an African-American's sudden ascension to the presidency and his success in passing sweeping health care reform after other presidents -- from Teddy Roosevelt to Bill Clinton -- had failed to do over the course of the last century. Then we all watched with jaws agape and eyes wide as the news media breathed artificial life into your Frankenstein monster.
Only now has the political mutation that 2010 spawned finally died. The evidence? The demise last Tuesday of out gay Republican and Tea Party darling Carl DeMaio.
*Still no Arabic*
But now, old-guard Republicans, you've got a genuine GOP midterm win under your belts; so, back to those promises you made in 2008 and 2012. You do remember those promises, don't you? Let's start with '08. You guaranteed we'd all be speaking Arabic if then-Sen. Barack Obama was elected to the White House. For me, as a journalist, and for many other people, that would actually be quite a marketable skill, but I digress.
Now before you lecture me on personal responsibility -- you know, that stuff on which you based your arguments in favor of a system of health insurance-purchasing exchanges (can you say "Obamacare?") and against single-payer "Hillarycare" back in the early 1990s -- I didn't just sit around waiting to be magically bestowed with fluency in Arabic. I took a class.
Yet I often find myself sitting in a hot tub with newly settled Syrian refugees at a neighborhood gym in San Diego completely incapable of conversing with them in Arabic. In fact, I only know one person who has learned Arabic since Obama was elected. You promised we'd all be speaking Arabic by now if America chose Barack Obama to lead this country in the post-9/11 era. That hasn't happened, not even close. To quote one of your parties beloved sages, Congressman Joe Wilson: "You lied!"
Forget it. Let's fast-forward a little ...
*Now the economy's cookin' with (cheap) gas!*
And then there was 2012. Remember that one? Just two years ago, you said if Americans wanted to pay $5 per gallon for gasoline, we should just go ahead and reelect the president.
America did. Heck, I even bought a Prius. I knew there were risks associated with buying a hybrid, like having one of my dear Republican friends chiding me for buying what he "cleverly" and endlessly refers to as the "Toyota Pious." Then there's the potential expense of several thousands of dollars if the hybrid battery goes bad after the 150,000-mile warranty on it ends. There is no extended warranty on the original hybrid battery, just the powertrain and other parts.
But I weighed the risks, did my version of a cost-benefit analysis factoring in the $5 per gallon gasoline price that President Barack Obama's reelection was supposed to ensure, and found that indeed it would be worth the risks and the cost for me to buy the Prius. Maybe I could even secretly enjoy feeling a little superior about saving money on gas, if not about helping cut down on greenhouse gas emissions.
But wait. Hear that? That was the sound of screeching Prius brakes and me exclaiming, "WTF?!" when I saw Arco's price for unleaded. Two effing dollars and ninety-five damn cents? That's it? It's 2014 -- two years since Obama was reelected. Are you effing kidding me? Where's that $5 a gallon gas you promised, GOP? Huh, where? You promised.
Fine. Fine. That's fine. Cheap gas will help the economy. Hopefully, we won't resurrect the Hummer and all start buying absurdly large SUVs again just because gas is cheaper than it's been in decades when adjusted for inflation. Unless that happens, GOP, I'll forgive you for your unfulfilled promise of $5-a-gallon gasoline.
*
Marriage equality does not mean you can marry a cat*
More at Advocate.com Reported by Huffington Post 8 hours ago.
I thought I'd give you a couple of weeks to savor your progeny's big wins earlier this month before throwing a wet blanket over your victory party in the form of a reminder about your unfulfilled promises from the presidential campaigns of 2008 and 2012.
I know '08 and '12 didn't really go the way you wanted. Your elephantine ego has no doubt been feeling a little bruised these past six years. Being the good bleeding-heart liberal that I am, I've waited until you were back on your feet to point out how wrong your predictions were.
Oh, sure, you did have 2010. But come on, that wasn't a real GOP victory. We all know what was really going on there: Dick Armey introduced the nuttiest among your ranks to a vague notion of constitutionalism, then picked a random event from American history (the Boston Tea Party) with which to harness and dress up racist rage about an African-American's sudden ascension to the presidency and his success in passing sweeping health care reform after other presidents -- from Teddy Roosevelt to Bill Clinton -- had failed to do over the course of the last century. Then we all watched with jaws agape and eyes wide as the news media breathed artificial life into your Frankenstein monster.
Only now has the political mutation that 2010 spawned finally died. The evidence? The demise last Tuesday of out gay Republican and Tea Party darling Carl DeMaio.
*Still no Arabic*
But now, old-guard Republicans, you've got a genuine GOP midterm win under your belts; so, back to those promises you made in 2008 and 2012. You do remember those promises, don't you? Let's start with '08. You guaranteed we'd all be speaking Arabic if then-Sen. Barack Obama was elected to the White House. For me, as a journalist, and for many other people, that would actually be quite a marketable skill, but I digress.
Now before you lecture me on personal responsibility -- you know, that stuff on which you based your arguments in favor of a system of health insurance-purchasing exchanges (can you say "Obamacare?") and against single-payer "Hillarycare" back in the early 1990s -- I didn't just sit around waiting to be magically bestowed with fluency in Arabic. I took a class.
Yet I often find myself sitting in a hot tub with newly settled Syrian refugees at a neighborhood gym in San Diego completely incapable of conversing with them in Arabic. In fact, I only know one person who has learned Arabic since Obama was elected. You promised we'd all be speaking Arabic by now if America chose Barack Obama to lead this country in the post-9/11 era. That hasn't happened, not even close. To quote one of your parties beloved sages, Congressman Joe Wilson: "You lied!"
Forget it. Let's fast-forward a little ...
*Now the economy's cookin' with (cheap) gas!*
And then there was 2012. Remember that one? Just two years ago, you said if Americans wanted to pay $5 per gallon for gasoline, we should just go ahead and reelect the president.
America did. Heck, I even bought a Prius. I knew there were risks associated with buying a hybrid, like having one of my dear Republican friends chiding me for buying what he "cleverly" and endlessly refers to as the "Toyota Pious." Then there's the potential expense of several thousands of dollars if the hybrid battery goes bad after the 150,000-mile warranty on it ends. There is no extended warranty on the original hybrid battery, just the powertrain and other parts.
But I weighed the risks, did my version of a cost-benefit analysis factoring in the $5 per gallon gasoline price that President Barack Obama's reelection was supposed to ensure, and found that indeed it would be worth the risks and the cost for me to buy the Prius. Maybe I could even secretly enjoy feeling a little superior about saving money on gas, if not about helping cut down on greenhouse gas emissions.
But wait. Hear that? That was the sound of screeching Prius brakes and me exclaiming, "WTF?!" when I saw Arco's price for unleaded. Two effing dollars and ninety-five damn cents? That's it? It's 2014 -- two years since Obama was reelected. Are you effing kidding me? Where's that $5 a gallon gas you promised, GOP? Huh, where? You promised.
Fine. Fine. That's fine. Cheap gas will help the economy. Hopefully, we won't resurrect the Hummer and all start buying absurdly large SUVs again just because gas is cheaper than it's been in decades when adjusted for inflation. Unless that happens, GOP, I'll forgive you for your unfulfilled promise of $5-a-gallon gasoline.
*
Marriage equality does not mean you can marry a cat*
More at Advocate.com Reported by Huffington Post 8 hours ago.
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Ready to Quit Your Job? 5 Steps to Your Exit Strategy
Photo by ljsphotographyThis article originally appeared on luckybitch.com.
If you're like me, your daily fantasy involves throwing one good work tantrum ending in "I quit."
It would feel so good!
At least until you get home and realize you have no plan, no savings, and now, no job.
As boring as it sounds, making a huge life change -- like whether your money comes from a job or your own business -- isn't a spur-of-the-moment decision.
I know -- my journey to quitting my j-o-b was a calculated, two-year process that challenged every spontaneous bone in my body. It took commitment.
So grab a pen and a piece of paper, and follow these five steps to create your grown-up exit strategy:
*Step 1: Know Your "Why"*
This is the most important part of the strategy process and the one you'll come back to most often if you decide to quit. Your "why" is the calm undercurrent that carries your steadily forward when you feel like you're drowning in waves of self-doubt and worry.
Be specific:· What is it about this job that makes you want to leave?· Would a shift in your focus, role or responsibilities improve the situation?· If you got an entirely new job in a different company, would you still want to leave?
If quitting is still your answer, move on to step two.
*Step 2: Write Out Your Vision*
What do you envision doing after you quit your job? Although I highly recommend taking some time for yourself -- I took 3 years -- what comes after that? What will be your new "work"?
Get clear:· When will you start your new endeavor?· How much do you anticipate you'll make?· How long will it take until you begin earning?
Your vision is one of the two factors that determine how soon you can quit.
For example, if you plan to be a masseuse and massage school takes two years, then you probably need to work for two more years before you make your big move. On the other hand, if you plan to buy an existing business and you already have the needed skills and resources, you may be able to act sooner.
*Step 3: Connect the Dots*
Most of us have jobs to pay for things we enjoy -- a home, food, clothes for our kids, weekends at the beach, etc. When we decide to quit, we face two options -- get rid of our obligations or figure out how to provide for them otherwise.
Ask yourself:· What does your job currently pay for in your life?· What or who else depends on your job? e.g. health insurance, retirement savings, kids, etc.
Here's an example: I used to own a house. The majority of my income went to my mortgage. Once I realized I didn't want to work for someone else, I sold the house and started housesitting. No mortgage and no rent = no obligation.
I still had to figure out health insurance, car insurance, and a host of other details though.
*Tip:* To make sure you cover all your bases, share your strategy with a trusted relative, friend, or advisor and ask them what you overlooked.
*Step 4: Do the Math*
Add up all of your responsibilities from step three -- how much money do you need to live on? Don't forget to account for extras like higher insurance premiums for the self-employed, holiday gifts, and the occasional splurge.
Then figure out -- if you quit today, how long could you support yourself? This is the second key piece that determines the when you can quit.
*Added bonus:* Calculating how much you need and how much you have saved usually helps you appreciate everything your current job provides, which makes the wait until quitting MUCH more tolerable.
*Step 5: Make a Plan*
Woohoo! You made it to the final step -- scheduling your plan over a period time.
When you can quit is determined by the size of the gap between how long you can support yourself without a job (step 4) and how long it will take to be viable in your new chosen work (step 2).
If you risk running out of money within a month and it'll take you six months to be viable, then you need to stay in your job until you've either saved up more money or are further along in your next endeavor.
Likewise, if you can live for 12 months without working and it'll only take you two months to be viable, feel free to enjoy a 9-10 month holiday. You deserve it!
*Final thoughts: *
Don't be deterred by other people's concerns or fears or even your own moments of self-doubt.
Revisit step 1 and remember your "why."
Then get on with enjoying your life! Reported by Huffington Post 7 hours ago.
If you're like me, your daily fantasy involves throwing one good work tantrum ending in "I quit."
It would feel so good!
At least until you get home and realize you have no plan, no savings, and now, no job.
As boring as it sounds, making a huge life change -- like whether your money comes from a job or your own business -- isn't a spur-of-the-moment decision.
I know -- my journey to quitting my j-o-b was a calculated, two-year process that challenged every spontaneous bone in my body. It took commitment.
So grab a pen and a piece of paper, and follow these five steps to create your grown-up exit strategy:
*Step 1: Know Your "Why"*
This is the most important part of the strategy process and the one you'll come back to most often if you decide to quit. Your "why" is the calm undercurrent that carries your steadily forward when you feel like you're drowning in waves of self-doubt and worry.
Be specific:· What is it about this job that makes you want to leave?· Would a shift in your focus, role or responsibilities improve the situation?· If you got an entirely new job in a different company, would you still want to leave?
If quitting is still your answer, move on to step two.
*Step 2: Write Out Your Vision*
What do you envision doing after you quit your job? Although I highly recommend taking some time for yourself -- I took 3 years -- what comes after that? What will be your new "work"?
Get clear:· When will you start your new endeavor?· How much do you anticipate you'll make?· How long will it take until you begin earning?
Your vision is one of the two factors that determine how soon you can quit.
For example, if you plan to be a masseuse and massage school takes two years, then you probably need to work for two more years before you make your big move. On the other hand, if you plan to buy an existing business and you already have the needed skills and resources, you may be able to act sooner.
*Step 3: Connect the Dots*
Most of us have jobs to pay for things we enjoy -- a home, food, clothes for our kids, weekends at the beach, etc. When we decide to quit, we face two options -- get rid of our obligations or figure out how to provide for them otherwise.
Ask yourself:· What does your job currently pay for in your life?· What or who else depends on your job? e.g. health insurance, retirement savings, kids, etc.
Here's an example: I used to own a house. The majority of my income went to my mortgage. Once I realized I didn't want to work for someone else, I sold the house and started housesitting. No mortgage and no rent = no obligation.
I still had to figure out health insurance, car insurance, and a host of other details though.
*Tip:* To make sure you cover all your bases, share your strategy with a trusted relative, friend, or advisor and ask them what you overlooked.
*Step 4: Do the Math*
Add up all of your responsibilities from step three -- how much money do you need to live on? Don't forget to account for extras like higher insurance premiums for the self-employed, holiday gifts, and the occasional splurge.
Then figure out -- if you quit today, how long could you support yourself? This is the second key piece that determines the when you can quit.
*Added bonus:* Calculating how much you need and how much you have saved usually helps you appreciate everything your current job provides, which makes the wait until quitting MUCH more tolerable.
*Step 5: Make a Plan*
Woohoo! You made it to the final step -- scheduling your plan over a period time.
When you can quit is determined by the size of the gap between how long you can support yourself without a job (step 4) and how long it will take to be viable in your new chosen work (step 2).
If you risk running out of money within a month and it'll take you six months to be viable, then you need to stay in your job until you've either saved up more money or are further along in your next endeavor.
Likewise, if you can live for 12 months without working and it'll only take you two months to be viable, feel free to enjoy a 9-10 month holiday. You deserve it!
*Final thoughts: *
Don't be deterred by other people's concerns or fears or even your own moments of self-doubt.
Revisit step 1 and remember your "why."
Then get on with enjoying your life! Reported by Huffington Post 7 hours ago.
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How the Affordable Care Act is redefining health insurance coverage
A federal lawsuit involving an insurer and health care system is an illustration of how the Affordable Care Act is creating battles between some of the largest private-sector employers in New York. HealthNow New York Inc., a Buffalo-based company, filed the lawsuit in United States District Court of the Western District of New York. The company contended that Catholic Health Systems Inc., a nonprofit organization that owns several hospital systems in the Buffalo region, was putting out false advertising…
Reported by bizjournals 5 hours ago.
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Too rich for Medicaid but too poor for a health care subsidy?
*Too rich for Medicaid but too poor for a health care subsidy? *
As the end of the year approaches, I'm hearing from many readers who worry they may have to pay back all or some of the tax subsidy they received in 2014 to help pay for health insurance. And it's not because they earned too much money this past year, but too little. My quick answer, to ease their minds: No, you won't. In fact, you may get a little extra subsidy at tax time this year.To understand why they are worried, it helps to step back for a minute. Under the Affordable Care Act, people whose incomes are between 100 percent and 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Level can receive tax credits to offset the cost of health insurance. (Here’s a chart with the numbers.) The assumption was that people who made less than 100 percent of the poverty level would get insurance through expanded Medicaid coverage, which was also part of the health care law. But many states decided to not expand Medicaid after a Supreme Court decision gave them that option. And in those states, households with incomes below the poverty limit cutoff fall into the dreaded “coverage gap”—too poor to get tax credits but unable to get Medicaid.
The readers I'm hearing from live in those states that did not expand Medicaid. And as they tally up their 2014 income, they are realizing that they ended up making less than they expected, and their income for the year will be under Federal Poverty Limit. They're afraid that when they file their tax return and the government finds out how little they earned they'll be forced to pay back their premium tax subsidy.But experts in the health law say not to worry. “The Internal Revenue Service has a special rule about this,” explains Tara Straw, at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a Washington think tank. “If you bought coverage on the Marketplace, got tax credits, and ended up with an income below the poverty line, then you still get your credit. In fact, you’re going to get a refund because your credit was based on a higher amount than you actually earned.”
*See our complete health insurance information. To find out how to apply for, select, and use health insurance, including Medicare, visit our main health insurance page.*
You can see the rule yourself on the IRS’s draft of instructions for Form 8962, the form that taxpayers who got premium tax credits will use next year when they file their 2014 tax returns. It’s on page 5.
The next question is what to do about health insurance in 2015 if this is your situation. And that’s where things get a little murky.
One strategy, which seems to be perfectly legal, is to do nothing and just allow your current coverage to auto-renew, at the same subsidy level. That’s an option for anyone who received tax credits to buy Marketplace coverage in 2014.
Another is to go back in and re-apply for coverage, projecting a 2015 income above the poverty level. When you do that, HealthCare.gov will take an electronic peek at your 2013 tax return—the most recent one available. If your income that year was above the Federal Poverty Level, you'll be eligible for a subsidy, even if your 2014 income is below the poverty level. There’s always the chance that in 2015 you will once again end up earning less, but if you give the estimate in good faith and HealthCare.gov gives you a subsidy, you’re on solid ground—at least for one more year.--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.*
*Use our free app to explore your health insurance options*
Not sure where to begin with getting health insurance? Our free interactive tool, Health Law Helper, will point you in the right direction.
*Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.*
*Subscribe now!*
Subscribe to *ConsumerReports.org* for expert Ratings, buying advice and reliability on hundreds of products.
--------------------
Update your feed preferences Reported by Consumer Reports 3 hours ago.
As the end of the year approaches, I'm hearing from many readers who worry they may have to pay back all or some of the tax subsidy they received in 2014 to help pay for health insurance. And it's not because they earned too much money this past year, but too little. My quick answer, to ease their minds: No, you won't. In fact, you may get a little extra subsidy at tax time this year.To understand why they are worried, it helps to step back for a minute. Under the Affordable Care Act, people whose incomes are between 100 percent and 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Level can receive tax credits to offset the cost of health insurance. (Here’s a chart with the numbers.) The assumption was that people who made less than 100 percent of the poverty level would get insurance through expanded Medicaid coverage, which was also part of the health care law. But many states decided to not expand Medicaid after a Supreme Court decision gave them that option. And in those states, households with incomes below the poverty limit cutoff fall into the dreaded “coverage gap”—too poor to get tax credits but unable to get Medicaid.
The readers I'm hearing from live in those states that did not expand Medicaid. And as they tally up their 2014 income, they are realizing that they ended up making less than they expected, and their income for the year will be under Federal Poverty Limit. They're afraid that when they file their tax return and the government finds out how little they earned they'll be forced to pay back their premium tax subsidy.But experts in the health law say not to worry. “The Internal Revenue Service has a special rule about this,” explains Tara Straw, at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a Washington think tank. “If you bought coverage on the Marketplace, got tax credits, and ended up with an income below the poverty line, then you still get your credit. In fact, you’re going to get a refund because your credit was based on a higher amount than you actually earned.”
*See our complete health insurance information. To find out how to apply for, select, and use health insurance, including Medicare, visit our main health insurance page.*
You can see the rule yourself on the IRS’s draft of instructions for Form 8962, the form that taxpayers who got premium tax credits will use next year when they file their 2014 tax returns. It’s on page 5.
The next question is what to do about health insurance in 2015 if this is your situation. And that’s where things get a little murky.
One strategy, which seems to be perfectly legal, is to do nothing and just allow your current coverage to auto-renew, at the same subsidy level. That’s an option for anyone who received tax credits to buy Marketplace coverage in 2014.
Another is to go back in and re-apply for coverage, projecting a 2015 income above the poverty level. When you do that, HealthCare.gov will take an electronic peek at your 2013 tax return—the most recent one available. If your income that year was above the Federal Poverty Level, you'll be eligible for a subsidy, even if your 2014 income is below the poverty level. There’s always the chance that in 2015 you will once again end up earning less, but if you give the estimate in good faith and HealthCare.gov gives you a subsidy, you’re on solid ground—at least for one more year.--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.*
*Use our free app to explore your health insurance options*
Not sure where to begin with getting health insurance? Our free interactive tool, Health Law Helper, will point you in the right direction.
*Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.*
*Subscribe now!*
Subscribe to *ConsumerReports.org* for expert Ratings, buying advice and reliability on hundreds of products.
--------------------
Update your feed preferences Reported by Consumer Reports 3 hours ago.
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5 answers to small business questions about Obamacare
For better or worse, Obamacare has received a lot of attention the past few years. Yet, despite all the coverage in the media, there are still many misconceptions about what Obamacare is, what it's changed and what it offers to small businesses. Here are five answers to commonly asked questions on the topic: 1. How is Obamacare different from traditional health insurance? The short answer is that it's not. Obamacare is not a type of health insurance. Rather, it's a new way to buy health insurance…
Reported by bizjournals 5 hours ago.
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Facing health law hikes, consumers mull options
Consumers across most of America will see their health insurance premiums go up next year for popular plans under President...
Reported by Deseret News 5 hours ago.
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Why 68 Million of Us Will Soon Be Uninsured if Supreme Court Agrees With D.C. Think Tank
At least four million Americans will rejoin the ranks of the uninsured -- and consequently lose access to affordable health care -- if the Supreme Court sides with opponents of Obamacare in a case that hinges on the interpretation of a single sentence in the law. But if that's the price that has to be paid to impose an ideology that worships the so-called free market no matter what the cost, so be it, say the folks at a libertarian influence shop in Washington.
When the high court announced earlier this month that it would decide a case on the legality of the federal government's efforts to help low-income Americans pay for their health insurance, it was time for high-fives at the Cato Institute in Washington.
Cato's director of health policy studies, Michael Cannon, has argued for more than a year that because of the wording in a single sentence in the Affordable Care Act, the subsidies that have made it possible for millions of folks to buy coverage are unlawful. That's the crux of King v. Burwell, the case the justices agreed to hear.
The Cato Institute, which began life 40 years ago as the Charles Koch Foundation, describes itself as a think tank "dedicated to the values of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace." Cannon and his colleagues believe the federal government is now more involved in health care than it should be, at least from a libertarian's perspective, because of Obamacare. And they contend we'd be a lot better off if we could turn back the clock and let the "free market" decide whether or not people can buy health insurance and how much it will cost them.
In the unfettered market Cato wants to restore, health insurers would once again be able to refuse to sell policies to millions of Americans who've been sick in the past. And since that free market wouldn't include government subsidies, millions of others would once again be unable to afford coverage even if insurers were willing to sell it to them. But those stark possibilities apparently are less offensive to the folks at Cato than the provisions of Obamacare that try to fix those fundamental flaws of the free market.
While I get their ideology, I don't think Cannon and his associates have given nearly enough thought to the repercussions of a Supreme Court ruling that goes their way. I've not seen any evidence of a well-thought-out Plan B from Cato. Aside from getting rid of regulations on the insurance industry -- especially the Obamacare regulations that protect consumers from unscrupulous business practices -- Cato's idea of reform is largely limited to allowing people to put more of their money into health savings accounts to pay for medical care when they get sick or injured.
For the healthy and wealthy among us, that might sound pretty good. But it's not a plan that would be of any help to the low-income folks who have long comprised the uninsured population. Because of the high cost of health insurance (and anti-consumer industry business practices), nearly 50 million of us had become uninsured by 2009, the year before Obamacare was enacted. If the law hadn't passed, the number was projected to increase to 59.7 by 2015 and to 67.6 by 2020, according to an analysis by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, a health care philanthropy.
The drafters of the Affordable Care Act knew the main reasons for the rapid growth in the number of uninsured Americans -- the equally rapid increase in health insurance premiums and the ability of insurance firms to condemn many of us to the status of "uninsurable." So they took away insurers' ability to deny coverage to legal residents, and they created subsidies to help low-income individuals and families buy policies on the state exchanges established by Obamacare.
The problem is that those drafters included a section in the law that says that tax benefits enabling low-income taxpayers to afford insurance (the subsidies) should be based on the price of insurance on an "Exchange established by the State." Because 36 states opted to allow the federal government to operate their exchanges, Cato and the plaintiffs in King v. Burwell argue that those exchanges were not technically "established" by the states. And because of that, the subsidies people in those states are getting are illegal.
If the Court agrees with Cato, opponents believe Obamacare will collapse. And there is good reason to believe it would. But where would that leave us? In a market that might indeed be "free" for insurers to pick and choose whom they want to sell coverage to. And a market that would be devastating for a large and growing percentage of the population. Reported by Huffington Post 3 hours ago.
When the high court announced earlier this month that it would decide a case on the legality of the federal government's efforts to help low-income Americans pay for their health insurance, it was time for high-fives at the Cato Institute in Washington.
Cato's director of health policy studies, Michael Cannon, has argued for more than a year that because of the wording in a single sentence in the Affordable Care Act, the subsidies that have made it possible for millions of folks to buy coverage are unlawful. That's the crux of King v. Burwell, the case the justices agreed to hear.
The Cato Institute, which began life 40 years ago as the Charles Koch Foundation, describes itself as a think tank "dedicated to the values of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace." Cannon and his colleagues believe the federal government is now more involved in health care than it should be, at least from a libertarian's perspective, because of Obamacare. And they contend we'd be a lot better off if we could turn back the clock and let the "free market" decide whether or not people can buy health insurance and how much it will cost them.
In the unfettered market Cato wants to restore, health insurers would once again be able to refuse to sell policies to millions of Americans who've been sick in the past. And since that free market wouldn't include government subsidies, millions of others would once again be unable to afford coverage even if insurers were willing to sell it to them. But those stark possibilities apparently are less offensive to the folks at Cato than the provisions of Obamacare that try to fix those fundamental flaws of the free market.
While I get their ideology, I don't think Cannon and his associates have given nearly enough thought to the repercussions of a Supreme Court ruling that goes their way. I've not seen any evidence of a well-thought-out Plan B from Cato. Aside from getting rid of regulations on the insurance industry -- especially the Obamacare regulations that protect consumers from unscrupulous business practices -- Cato's idea of reform is largely limited to allowing people to put more of their money into health savings accounts to pay for medical care when they get sick or injured.
For the healthy and wealthy among us, that might sound pretty good. But it's not a plan that would be of any help to the low-income folks who have long comprised the uninsured population. Because of the high cost of health insurance (and anti-consumer industry business practices), nearly 50 million of us had become uninsured by 2009, the year before Obamacare was enacted. If the law hadn't passed, the number was projected to increase to 59.7 by 2015 and to 67.6 by 2020, according to an analysis by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, a health care philanthropy.
The drafters of the Affordable Care Act knew the main reasons for the rapid growth in the number of uninsured Americans -- the equally rapid increase in health insurance premiums and the ability of insurance firms to condemn many of us to the status of "uninsurable." So they took away insurers' ability to deny coverage to legal residents, and they created subsidies to help low-income individuals and families buy policies on the state exchanges established by Obamacare.
The problem is that those drafters included a section in the law that says that tax benefits enabling low-income taxpayers to afford insurance (the subsidies) should be based on the price of insurance on an "Exchange established by the State." Because 36 states opted to allow the federal government to operate their exchanges, Cato and the plaintiffs in King v. Burwell argue that those exchanges were not technically "established" by the states. And because of that, the subsidies people in those states are getting are illegal.
If the Court agrees with Cato, opponents believe Obamacare will collapse. And there is good reason to believe it would. But where would that leave us? In a market that might indeed be "free" for insurers to pick and choose whom they want to sell coverage to. And a market that would be devastating for a large and growing percentage of the population. Reported by Huffington Post 3 hours ago.
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What's The Difference Between My Health Insurance Deductible And Out-Of-Pocket Max?
What's The Difference Between My Health Insurance Deductible And Out-Of-Pocket Max?
Reported by ajc.com 4 hours ago.
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AmeriLife® Featured Tree Raises $2,500 at UPARC Festival of Trees
As Presenting Sponsor, AmeriLife donated $20,000 to support UPARC and the 2014 Festival of Trees, in addition to decorating the featured tree that auctioned for $2,500. The company also helped to bring life to this year’s Candyland Christmas theme by designing and printing various marketing materials and signage.
Clearwater, FL (PRWEB) November 25, 2014
As the centerpiece of the Live Auction of UPARC Foundation’s Festival of Trees, Tampa Bay Premiere Night on Friday, November 21, 2014, AmeriLife’s ‘Mischief in the Candy Castle’ featured tree raise an astounding $2,500 to benefit UPARC.
AmeriLife, the premiere annuity, life and health insurance marketing group in America, partnered with UPARC, a not-for-profit corporation that provides services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as the Presenting Sponsor for this year’s 30th annual Festival of Trees celebration. Building on the success of last year’s 9 foot featured tree, which sold for $2,300, AmeriLife was showcased again as the event’s featured tree, which is custom-decorated, donated to the event and auctioned off to benefit UPARC.
Drawing the attention of the over 9,000 people that visited this year’s Festival of Trees, Tampa Bay event from November 21-23, 2014, AmeriLife’s beautiful 10 foot Christmas tree was decorated by a team of employees from AmeriLife and its subsidiaries (Kathy Blais, Kelly Atkinson, Megan Brannigan, Anne LaConte-Polz, and Morgan North). Whether they were swinging from licorice or trying to find their way into a gumball machine without the proper change, the elves on this year’s tree could also be spotted with chocolate-covered hands or sneaking away with cupcakes and ice cream.
As Presenting Sponsor for this year’s event, AmeriLife donated $20,000 to support UPARC and the 2014 Festival of Trees. The company also helped to bring life to this year’s Candyland Christmas theme by designing and printing various marketing materials and signage.
“This is what the holidays are all about,” said AmeriLife CEO, Timothy O. North, “Giving back to our local community and supporting such a great organization! We’re proud to have served as Presenting Sponsor for this year’s Festival of Trees event and thrilled with the money we helped to raise both as a sponsor and in decorating the featured tree.”
Renowned in the Tampa Bay area as a holiday festival in a family-centered fantasyland and a signature event supporting UPARC, Festival of Trees allowed guests to stroll through the colorful streets of Candyland as The Long Center gymnasium was transformed into a whimsical winter forest lined with candy treats. Showcasing over 150 trees and wreaths, as well as vendor booths to help guests start their holiday shopping early, Festival of Trees also offer photos with Santa and the opportunity for youngsters to enjoy special activities in the Children’s Village.
About Festival of Trees and UPARC Foundation
Established in 1984, the Festival of Trees has raised more than $1 million and welcomed more than 10,000 people each year to become the traditional opening of the holiday season in Tampa Bay.
UPARC is a not-for-profit corporation that demonstrates excellence in providing services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Founded in 1958, UPARC operates residential group homes and adult day services in Clearwater, Tarpon Springs and a unique art studio in Safety Harbor. People served by UPARC range from having mild to moderate developmental disabilities to severe, profound disabilities, such as autism, Prader-Willi Syndrome and dually diagnosed behavioral intensive disorders.
About AmeriLife
AmeriLife is the nation’s premier insurance marketing group. Founded in 1971, AmeriLife represents more than 30 national insurance carriers, has 15 individual national marketing organizations, 33 career agency branch locations and works with thousands of independent insurance agents across the country.
For additional information about UPARC Foundation or Festival of Trees, please call Madison Hauenstein at 727-797-8712 or email Info(at)UPARCFoundation(dot)org. For more information about AmeriLife or its involvement with UPARC and the Festival of Trees, please email Media(at)AmeriLife(dot)com. Reported by PRWeb 4 hours ago.
Clearwater, FL (PRWEB) November 25, 2014
As the centerpiece of the Live Auction of UPARC Foundation’s Festival of Trees, Tampa Bay Premiere Night on Friday, November 21, 2014, AmeriLife’s ‘Mischief in the Candy Castle’ featured tree raise an astounding $2,500 to benefit UPARC.
AmeriLife, the premiere annuity, life and health insurance marketing group in America, partnered with UPARC, a not-for-profit corporation that provides services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as the Presenting Sponsor for this year’s 30th annual Festival of Trees celebration. Building on the success of last year’s 9 foot featured tree, which sold for $2,300, AmeriLife was showcased again as the event’s featured tree, which is custom-decorated, donated to the event and auctioned off to benefit UPARC.
Drawing the attention of the over 9,000 people that visited this year’s Festival of Trees, Tampa Bay event from November 21-23, 2014, AmeriLife’s beautiful 10 foot Christmas tree was decorated by a team of employees from AmeriLife and its subsidiaries (Kathy Blais, Kelly Atkinson, Megan Brannigan, Anne LaConte-Polz, and Morgan North). Whether they were swinging from licorice or trying to find their way into a gumball machine without the proper change, the elves on this year’s tree could also be spotted with chocolate-covered hands or sneaking away with cupcakes and ice cream.
As Presenting Sponsor for this year’s event, AmeriLife donated $20,000 to support UPARC and the 2014 Festival of Trees. The company also helped to bring life to this year’s Candyland Christmas theme by designing and printing various marketing materials and signage.
“This is what the holidays are all about,” said AmeriLife CEO, Timothy O. North, “Giving back to our local community and supporting such a great organization! We’re proud to have served as Presenting Sponsor for this year’s Festival of Trees event and thrilled with the money we helped to raise both as a sponsor and in decorating the featured tree.”
Renowned in the Tampa Bay area as a holiday festival in a family-centered fantasyland and a signature event supporting UPARC, Festival of Trees allowed guests to stroll through the colorful streets of Candyland as The Long Center gymnasium was transformed into a whimsical winter forest lined with candy treats. Showcasing over 150 trees and wreaths, as well as vendor booths to help guests start their holiday shopping early, Festival of Trees also offer photos with Santa and the opportunity for youngsters to enjoy special activities in the Children’s Village.
About Festival of Trees and UPARC Foundation
Established in 1984, the Festival of Trees has raised more than $1 million and welcomed more than 10,000 people each year to become the traditional opening of the holiday season in Tampa Bay.
UPARC is a not-for-profit corporation that demonstrates excellence in providing services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Founded in 1958, UPARC operates residential group homes and adult day services in Clearwater, Tarpon Springs and a unique art studio in Safety Harbor. People served by UPARC range from having mild to moderate developmental disabilities to severe, profound disabilities, such as autism, Prader-Willi Syndrome and dually diagnosed behavioral intensive disorders.
About AmeriLife
AmeriLife is the nation’s premier insurance marketing group. Founded in 1971, AmeriLife represents more than 30 national insurance carriers, has 15 individual national marketing organizations, 33 career agency branch locations and works with thousands of independent insurance agents across the country.
For additional information about UPARC Foundation or Festival of Trees, please call Madison Hauenstein at 727-797-8712 or email Info(at)UPARCFoundation(dot)org. For more information about AmeriLife or its involvement with UPARC and the Festival of Trees, please email Media(at)AmeriLife(dot)com. Reported by PRWeb 4 hours ago.
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Federal Eye: Health plans open season for feds until Dec. 8
The holiday season also means Open Season for federal workers, retirees and their families.
This open season does not refer to the potshots critics often aim at the workforce. It is the time when federal employees can pick health insurance coverage. Reported by Washington Post 2 hours ago.
This open season does not refer to the potshots critics often aim at the workforce. It is the time when federal employees can pick health insurance coverage. Reported by Washington Post 2 hours ago.
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Zane Benefits, Inc. Announces New eBook: How Employer Health Insurance is Ruining American Healthcare
New eBook Helps Employers and Brokers Understand the Changing Health Insurance Landscape, and Take Action
Salt Lake City, Utah (PRWEB) November 25, 2014
Today Zane Benefits, the leader in individual health insurance reimbursement for small businesses, announced new eBook, "How Employer Health Insurance is Ruining American Healthcare."
According to Zane Benefits, health insurance in America is undergoing a dramatic transformation. Rising healthcare costs are driven mostly by employer health insurance and are punishing our nation on multiple fronts.
For individuals and families, rising healthcare costs mean less money in their pockets and hard choices about balancing children’s education, food, rent, and needed care. For companies, rising healthcare costs make it more expensive to add new employees and reduces budgets available for marketing, customer service, and product development. For the government, rising healthcare costs lead to reduced funding on other priorities such as infrastructure, education, and security.
Click here to read the full article.
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About Zane Benefits
Zane Benefits, the #1 Online Health Benefits Solution, was founded in 2006 to revolutionize the way employers provide employee health benefits in America. We empower employees to take control over their own healthcare, while helping employers recruit and retain the best talent. Our online solutions allow small and medium-sized businesses to successfully transition to a health benefits program that creates happier employees, reduces costs and frees up more time to serve their customers. For more information about ZaneHealth, visit http://www.zanebenefits.com. Reported by PRWeb 2 hours ago.
Salt Lake City, Utah (PRWEB) November 25, 2014
Today Zane Benefits, the leader in individual health insurance reimbursement for small businesses, announced new eBook, "How Employer Health Insurance is Ruining American Healthcare."
According to Zane Benefits, health insurance in America is undergoing a dramatic transformation. Rising healthcare costs are driven mostly by employer health insurance and are punishing our nation on multiple fronts.
For individuals and families, rising healthcare costs mean less money in their pockets and hard choices about balancing children’s education, food, rent, and needed care. For companies, rising healthcare costs make it more expensive to add new employees and reduces budgets available for marketing, customer service, and product development. For the government, rising healthcare costs lead to reduced funding on other priorities such as infrastructure, education, and security.
Click here to read the full article.
--
About Zane Benefits
Zane Benefits, the #1 Online Health Benefits Solution, was founded in 2006 to revolutionize the way employers provide employee health benefits in America. We empower employees to take control over their own healthcare, while helping employers recruit and retain the best talent. Our online solutions allow small and medium-sized businesses to successfully transition to a health benefits program that creates happier employees, reduces costs and frees up more time to serve their customers. For more information about ZaneHealth, visit http://www.zanebenefits.com. Reported by PRWeb 2 hours ago.
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