‘House of Cards’ Catch Up: Everything You Need to Know Before Season 3 Premiere

February 26, 2015, 7:25 pm

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Democracy is overrated, according to Kevin Spacey’s Frank Underwood, but Netflix’s highbrow hit “House of Cards” arrives this Friday with critical praise and delirious fanfare pinned to its lapel.

Murder, backstabbing, intrigue and lots of lingering stares will be made available on Feb. 27 at midnight, but before you binge, TheWrap offers some reminders on past events and things to look for in the new season, which  also stars Robin Wright, Molly Parker, Mahershala Ali, Derek Cecil and Jimmi Simpson.

*Also Read:* ‘House of Cards': 19 Lives Destroyed by the Underwoods (Photos)

Major SPOILERS ahead …

At the close of Season 2, we see Frank fulfill a promise hinted at in the pilot: He’s sabotaged President Garrett Walker into resignation, taking the highest office of the land for himself and for Claire, the nation’s new first lady.

Some loose ends for Frank:

*Raymond Tusk*: The Missouri billionaire and longtime confidant of Walker was Underwood’s nemesis in the second season. In last year’s finale, Tusk admits to laundering Chinese money into Super PACs that benefited both the Democrats and Republicans all under the watchful eye of Walker. While the President resigned leaving VP Underwood to take his place, we have no indication of Tusk’s fate. We imagine jail time, but this is a billionaire we’re talking about.

Some loose ends for Claire …

*Gillian Cole*: Cole was a fringe do-gooder who offered access to drinkable water in remote regions throughout the world. Her tech-forward spirit, boho chic and Ivy League education made her a prime acquisition for Claire’s polished but toothless non-profit the Clean Water Initiative. Their union was doomed from the start. After boycotts, threats and walkouts, Cole was finally wrestled down by Claire withholding her health insurance — at six months pregnant. In efforts to squash a lawsuit, Claire hands over the CWI to Cole no strings attached, confident she would have the much bigger office she now occupies in the White House. That doesn’t mean Gillian won’t use the well-positioned office as a bully pulpit to chase after Claire.

*Also Read:* 8 TV Shows That Keep Facebook Fans Hooked — ‘Scandal,’ ‘Girls,’ ‘American Horror Story,’ ‘OITNB’

Loose ends for the First Couple …

*Edward Meechum*: The adorable and devout Secret Service agent to the Underwoods has a considerable secret of his own: he slept with both of them — at the same time. The Frank-Claire-Meechum threesome (“Threechum”) was easily the biggest water-cooler moment of Season 2. Now that they’re all under the White House roof, can we expect a ménage à trois in the Lincoln Bedroom?

And then there’s the problem of …

*Doug Stamper*: Chief of Staff Stamper once said, “Upward mobility has a ceiling with the Underwoods. I’m the ceiling.” Right as he may be, he still dropped the ball by obsessing over former call girl Rachel Posner — a young lady employed to assist in taking down season one character Peter Russo. After she plays her part, Posner becomes a liability for Team Underwood, and Stamper is charged with hiding her out. He does so to major consequences, as his caretaker role gives way to a dark obsession. In the Season 2 finale, Stamper tries to relocate Posner once again. She jumps out of their getaway car while at a stoplight, leads Stamper into the woods and knocks him out with a rock. It’s very likely he’s dead. Which begs the question …

*Where is Rachel Posner, you* *guys*? Posner is seriously missing, driving a car registered to Stamper and chock full of information about Underwood’s misdoings. Is there any place for her to hide?

*Also Read:* In ‘House of Cards’ Trailer, Claire Underwood Starts to Question ‘All of It, Francis’ (Video)

*And what of the democratic leadership?* House majority whip Jackie Sharp was instrumental in delivering the presidency to Frank. What role will she play now? She seems primed for a serious title bump, in the ranks of fellow Underwood ally Cathy Durant, secretary of state. Then there’s Remy Danton — the shadowy figure previously employed by Raymond Tusk who agreed to switch sides in exchange for a White House gig. And Seth Grayson, the Underwood’s press secretary. Will he assume the same title in the Underwood administration?

*And most importantly*: Are the Underwoods still smoking? And they were avid runners, are they circling the White House lawn now?

“House of Cards” Season 3 is available on Netflix Friday, Feb. 27 at 12 a.m.

 
*Related stories from TheWrap:*

'Sesame Street' Turns 'House of Cards' Into Piggy Parody (Video)

'House of Cards' Season 3 Poster Features Kevin Spacey With Air Force One (Photo, Video)

'House of Cards' Season 3 Trailer: Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright Are 'Murderers' (Video) Reported by The Wrap 4 hours ago.

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Target's data breach cost the company $162 million

February 26, 2015, 9:53 pm

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In 2013, Target had a massive data breach in which 70 million customers had their credit and debit card information stolen.

Today, the company has finally revealed the losses it took from the breach, a staggering $162 million.

In 2013, the company booked a $61 million gross loss and $191 million for 2014. Cyber attack insurance covered $90 million over the two years. Those figures could get larger in 2015 as the retailer faces a number of class action lawsuits.

In recent months, attacks on retailers and other companies have escalated, culminating with a breach by Anthem Health, one of the largest health insurance companies in the U.S.

Source:
Crunch

Permalink | Comments

-------------------- Reported by AfterDawn.com 2 hours ago.

How to handle health insurance on your taxes

February 27, 2015, 12:54 am

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This is the first time Americans will experience the complex connections between the Affordable Care Act and taxes. Reported by Seattle Times 23 hours ago.

What percentage of Ohioans still lack health care coverage?

February 27, 2015, 3:35 am

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Ohio is doing a pretty good job when it comes to its residents with health insurance. A new Gallup study shows just 10.5 percent of Ohioans in 2014 lacked health care coverage, which is among the low side nationally. Ohio's rate fell from 13.9 percent in 2013. Not surprisingly, states that expanded Medicaid saw larger drops in uninsured rates. Under the originally passed Affordable Care Act, states were required to expand their Medicaid programs – which provide health insurance to the poorest… Reported by bizjournals 20 hours ago.

Flat Iron Technologies, LLC Launches Specialized HIPAA Risk Assessment Tool and Compliance Policies for U.S. Covered Entities and Business Associates for 2015

February 27, 2015, 3:19 am

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North American businesses identified as either a Covered Entity (CE) or Business Associate (BA) must become compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which means obtaining the very best HIPAA documents and forms, and that’s from Flat Iron Technologies, LLC.

North American businesses identified as either a Covered Entity (CE) or Business Associate (PRWEB) February 27, 2015

North American businesses identified as either a Covered Entity (CE) or Business Associate (BA) must become compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which means obtaining the very best HIPAA risk assessment forms & documents, and that’s from Flat Iron Technologies, LLC. Visit hipaapoliciesandprocedures.com to learn more today and immediately download the very best HIPAA compliance material found anywhere today. Forget about spending thousands of dollars and hundreds of internal man-hours on high-priced consultants for sourcing – and authoring – HIPAA documents and forms as it’s just not needed. The quick and simple solution is to visit hipaapoliciesandprocedures.com and instantly download one of the many available toolkits today from the healthcare leaders.

Compliance mandates are very serious in today’s world of ever-growing cyber security threats, which means it’s time to download the very best HIPAA documents and forms found anywhere today, and that’s from hipaapoliciesandprocedures.com. As a Covered Entity or Business Associate, can you really afford to suffer a data breach or loss of PHI – of course not – so get compliant today!

Data breaches of Protected Health Information (PHI) will happen, it’s just a sign of the times, as untold numbers of healthcare providers are not serious about the controls and supporting policy documentation needed for ensuring the safety of PHI. Protect your business by getting serious about information security, which starts by downloading HIPAA documents and forms today from hipaapoliciesandprocedures.com.

No company really likes the thought of spending hundreds of operational man-hours authoring information security policy documentation, and it’s why Covered Entities (CE) and Business Associates (BA) turn to the proven and trusted experts who’ve been helping them since 1999, and that’s Flat Iron Technologies, LLC. Reported by PRWeb 21 hours ago.

Anxiety over head lice among Miami parents as surge in head lice cases reported by local lice removal company Lice Troopers

February 27, 2015, 4:02 am

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Anxiety mounts among parents in southern Florida as Lice Troopers, a local lice removal company, reports a surge in cases of head lice in the area.

Miami, FL (PRWEB) February 27, 2015

If there is one thing that drives parents into a frenzy, it’s the mere suggestion of a head lice outbreak at their child’s school. While head lice are not particularly dangerous, getting rid of this persistent parasite is nothing short of a nightmare for many parents as they see the bugs passed back and forth among their children, or within their child’s classroom. Just when they think the problem is under control, one of the kids starts scratching again.

Local lice removal company, Lice Troopers, reports that cases of head lice within the Miami-Dade area are indeed on the rise. Naturally parents are frantic to find out how they can either avoid it altogether or get rid of it quickly and effectively if their children have already been affected.

According to Lice Troopers owner and operator Arie Harel, there’s no need to panic, but there are some steps parents can take to deal with the problem: “Parents will often run to the drug store for a pesticide treatment. The problem is, these are highly toxic and rarely effective; in some cases, they can even make the bugs stronger and more resistant. The best approach is always the all-natural one: nitpicking. When a child is treated with our chemical free approach, they walk away with a lice free guarantee. No more bugs. And the problem is over in about an hour. It’s fast, it’s simple, it’s safe.”

If parents suspect one or more of their children may have been exposed to lice, the next step is a screening to confirm it. Parents can come to one of two Lice Troopers locations in southern Florida, 2100 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Coral Gables, Florida, 33134 or 1005 Kane Concourse, Suite 212, Bay Harbour Islands, FL 33154. Or parents can schedule a house call and let the professionals come to them.

Lice Troopers is the all-natural, guaranteed Head Lice Removal Service™ that manually removes the head louse parasite safely and discreetly in child-friendly lice salon settings, or other chosen location. Providing safe solutions for frantic families, the Lice Troopers team has successfully treated thousands of families nationwide, with services widely recommended by pediatricians and reimbursed by many major health insurance carriers, flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts.

For more information, contact:
Jennie Harel, President
licetroopers(at)gmail(dot)com
800.403.5423 Reported by PRWeb 20 hours ago.

AIDS Foundation of Chicago complains about insurers' high drug prices

February 27, 2015, 4:34 am

≫ Next: Parents frustrated as selfies continue to contribute to the spread of head lice in Miami according to the largest Lice Removal Service in Miami called Lice Troopers

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Two major insurers are charging much more than others for several common HIV and AIDS medications in Illinois, drawing complaints from AIDS advocates that the companies may be trying to discourage high-cost patients from choosing their plans on the federal health insurance marketplace. Reported by ChicagoTribune 19 hours ago.

Parents frustrated as selfies continue to contribute to the spread of head lice in Miami according to the largest Lice Removal Service in Miami called Lice Troopers

February 27, 2015, 5:06 am

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Selfie photographs continue to contribute to the spread of head lice cases in the Miami-Dade area leaving parents and teachers frustrated. Lice Troopers, a local Miami Lice Service, has conducted a recent study on the spread of lice by Selfies.

Miami, FL (PRWEB) February 27, 2015

Local lice removal service reports that cases of head lice are on the rise, particularly in the areas of Pinecrest, Key Biscayne, Coral Gables, Miami Beach and Aventura, and parents are naturally frantic and frustrated as they attempt to isolate and eradicate the problem.

Among tweens and teens, it seems that the common “selfie” photograph may be partly to blame. As kids put their heads together for smartphone photos, they create the kind of head-to-head contact that can allow for the spread of head lice. According to a Jan. Health24.com article, selfies could have some itchy consequences.

According to Lice Troopers owner and operator, Arie Harel, smartphones, and the selfies kids take on them, have contributed to the rise in cases of head lice in recent years. While parents will probably not be able to stop kids from taking these pictures of themselves, they can help avoid the nightmare of head lice by encouraging kids to keep a little bit of distance from each other when they huddle in for the photograph. Keeping long hair tied back in braids, a ponytail or a bun is another easy way to prevent the kind of contact that allows the bugs to pass back and forth.

If kids do end up with a case of lice, early detection and removal is key to keeping the problem at bay and getting rid of it as soon as possible. Parents in southern Florida can seek the professional lice screening and all-natural head lice removal at one of two Lice Troopers locations: 2100 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Coral Gables, Florida, 33134 or 1005 Kane Concourse, Suite 212, Bay Harbour Islands, FL 33154. For added convenience, Lice Troopers also provides treatment in-home, or on-site at another chosen location.

Lice Troopers is the all-natural, guaranteed Head Lice Removal Service™ that manually removes the head louse parasite safely and discreetly in child-friendly salon settings, or other chosen location. Providing safe solutions for frantic families, the Lice Troopers team has successfully treated thousands of families nationwide, with services widely recommended by pediatricians and reimbursed by many major health insurance carriers, flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts.

For more information, contact:
Jennie Harel, President
licetroopers(at)gmail(dot)com
800.403.5423 Reported by PRWeb 19 hours ago.

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Security firm finds link between China and Anthem hack

February 27, 2015, 5:15 am

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A Northern Virginia cyber security firm says it has uncovered links between Chinese government-sponsored researchers and the hack of health insurance giant Anthem.Malicious software used in the Anthem hack conclusively matches malware that was used to target a small U.S. defense contractor and that the FBI has said originated in China, said Rich Barger, chief intelligence officer of ThreatConnect. Reported by Washington Post 19 hours ago.

LTC Consumer Explains Why Julianne Moore’s Oscar Win is Good for Long Term Care

February 27, 2015, 6:07 am

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According to a recent study by Age Wave, the number one reason people plan ahead for long term care is that they don’t want to burden their family

Portland, Oregon (PRWEB) February 27, 2015

Julianne Moore took home an Oscar for Best Actress at Sunday’s Academy Awards for her part in the film Still Alice and shed light on an important topic in the long term care industry. In the film, she portrays a professor at Columbia University who is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

The film paints a very real picture of the emotional, physical and financial struggles that a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, especially at the young age of 50, can bring to a family. Awareness is key in a film like this, as Moore stated in her acceptance speech, “I’m so happy, I’m thrilled actually, that we were able to hopefully shine a light on Alzheimer’s disease.” By bringing more awareness to this disease we can hopefully be closer to finding a cure.

Alzheimer’s disease is one of the leading reasons for needing long term care, and much of the cost associated with it, such as Home Health Care and Memory Care Facilities, are not covered by Medicare or health insurance. When it comes to paying for, or providing, care many people think they could rely on a family member. Often times when they start to see the physical, emotional and financial cost of providing care, many are forced to pay for professional help. According to a November 2010 study by Age Wave, the number one reason people plan ahead for long term care is that they don’t want to burden their family. http://www.agewave.com/research/GWFamilyMatters101210-reduced.pdf

For a lot of people, purchasing long term care insurance is a great option and many people are unaware of how affordable it can be.

“Alzheimer’s Disease affects millions of people today and will grow even more as Americans age. Planning today for even the simple things like family members knowing login names and passwords to use for financial accounts so they may gain access can make a huge difference,” says Nathan Sanow, Executive Director and co-found of LTC Consumer. “Planning in your late 40's and early 50's on how to manage and pay for a long term care event is a critical part of a financial plan.”

You can see an estimated monthly cost for long term care insurance by using LTC Consumer’s Instant Quote tool at https://ltcconsumer.com/instant-quote/default.aspx

LTC Consumer is an independent free online service for information on long term care insurance, whose website offers education on what long term care insurance is, when to buy it, and how much it costs – all without having to speak to a commissioned sales agent. Users can choose to be put into contact with a professionally licensed LTC Consumer specialist who can answer questions, help them with the process of evaluating specific policy features and carriers, and assist them in completing an application. Reported by PRWeb 18 hours ago.

In Alaska, Republican lawmakers challenge governor on Medicaid expansion

February 27, 2015, 6:38 am

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JUNEAU -- The Republican-controlled House is poised to strip funding to expand the Medicaid health insurance program from Gov. Bill Walker's budget, the first shot in what's expected to be a contentious debate over one of Walker's central campaign planks.

The Walker administration says expanding Medicaid would give more than 40,000 low-income, uninsured Alaskans access to health coverage, bring to the state more than $1 billion in federal spending over the next six years, and reduce annual state spending by millions of dollars -- even in a few years from now, when the federal government's contribution to the expanded program scales back to 90 percent from full coverage.

In a news conference Thursday morning, Republican legislators said they want Walker to introduce a standalone Medicaid bill as a substitute for his current proposal, which would expand the program through changes to the state operating budget. Rep. Mike Hawker, R-Anchorage, dismissed the projected savings by the Walker administration as "gratuitous assertions."

"I'm very concerned that those claims can be substantiated," Hawker said.

Those comments come in advance of a Friday morning committee meeting in which Republican leaders are expected to strip money tied to Medicaid expansion from the health department budget submitted by the governor.

*READ MORE AT ALASKA DISPATCH NEWS* Reported by Huffington Post 17 hours ago.

South Florida Parents Put Pressure on Schools to Perform Lice Screenings to Prevent Spread of Lice According to One Miami Lice Removal Company Called Lice Troopers

February 27, 2015, 7:07 am

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With head lice cases on the rise throughout schools in southern Florida, parents call for school-wide screenings to help contain the problem. Lice Troopers has gained a number of schools recently due to pressure from parents on school administrators to conduct school lice screenings.

Miami, FL (PRWEB) February 27, 2015

With cases of head lice on the increase in the Miami Dade area, concerned parents look to school administrations to help prevent the spread of head lice with regular head lice screenings. Though head lice is a common parasite that passes easily among children and teens, getting rid of it is a nuisance, causing parents and teachers significant distress.

The answer may be found in performing regular lice screenings at the school. This would allow parents and teachers to immediately discover who is suffering an infestation, so that the problem can be contained, and effective treatment obtained immediately.

While an infestation is often associated with a persistent itchy scalp due to the welts left by the lice biting into the scalp, as well as the sensation of crawling on the head, these symptoms may take several weeks to appear and may not manifest at all. All the while, the individual is potentially spreading head lice to others without realizing it.

According to Lice Troopers owner and operator, Arie Harel: “Our partnerships with local schools are part of our commitment to the community. By having a systematic approach to school-wide screenings, as well as a follow up plan for safe, all-natural, removal treatment, we help guarantee that if there is a head lice outbreak, it is quickly contained and eradicated.”

If lice are discovered, parents then have the option of visiting one of the Lice Troopers treatment centers in the Miami area: 1005 Kane Concourse, Suite 212, Bay Harbour Islands, FL 33154, or their newest center in Coral Gables located at 2100 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Coral Gables, Florida, 33134. Lice Troopers also provides head lice removal treatment by house call.

Lice Troopers is the all-natural, guaranteed Head Lice Removal Service™ that manually removes the head louse parasite safely and discreetly in child-friendly salon settings, or other chosen location. Providing safe solutions for frantic families, the Lice Troopers team has successfully treated thousands of families nationwide, with services widely recommended by pediatricians and reimbursed by many major health insurance carriers, flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts.

For more information, contact:
Jennie Harel, President
licetroopers(at)gmail(dot)com
800.403.5423 Reported by PRWeb 17 hours ago.

7 things to do with your money when you get your first real job

February 27, 2015, 7:31 am

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Your first regular paycheck will probably buy you and your friends a round of drinks.

With the second one, though, you have a prime opportunity to start setting yourself up for success.

"I think it's a big transition," says financial planner Michael Solari. "Especially coming from college, not making any money, to coming home with a paycheck. People's heads spin about what they should do."

However, a regular paycheck and a steady income provide exactly what you need to start making good financial decisions for the future.

Here, find seven smart steps you can take with that money to start building wealth right away.

-1. Take stock of your student loans.-

First things first: If you have student loans, you aren't doing yourself any favors by waiting to see if your lender notices you've graduated.

Some loans have what's called a "grace period," or a six-month gap after you're finished with your education, ostensibly to allow you to set up an income. The thing about grace periods, though, is that interest continues to accumulate — so if you can start making payments immediately, it can ultimately save you money.

"Figure out whether you have private or federal loans," advises Solari, "and if you have federal, figure out how to consolidate them, and whether you qualify for programs like PAYE. If you have private loans that you took out when your credit score was lower, there's the potential to refinance at lower rate."

-2. Get an idea of your cash flow.-

If you're making $60,000 a year, you aren't depositing $5,000 a month into your bank accounts. Most people have taxes, some retirement contributions (more on that later), and insurance payments taken from their paycheck before they ever see it.

That's the money coming in. But what about the money going out?

The other half of your cash flow is the money you're spending, and with apps like Mint and LearnVest, which allow you to connect all of your accounts and keep track of the activity for you, keeping an eye on your outflow is easier than ever. As long as you're bringing in an amount equal to or more than you're spending, you should be able to stay out of debt.

-3. Set up a budget-

Don't panic — a budget is just a plan for how you'll spend your money. There's nothing worse than realizing $300 evaporated into burritos and phone cases, and setting a budget is a way to pre-empt that disappointing phenomenon. Once you have an idea of your cash flow, setting up a budget is simple. Use these tips to get on the right path, and check out this example of how one 20-something set up his budget.

-4. Start funding a retirement account.-

Solari admits that for many young clients, retirement is so far away that it's an afterthought.

Ironically, young people are best-positioned to save most effectively. That's because retirement accounts are invested and benefit from compound interest, which means when you wait to start saving, you'll have to contribute a disproportionate amount of cash to catch up to the early birds. And if you're lucky enough that your employer both offers a 401(k) and matches your contributions — that is, contributes the company's money to your account up to a given percentage of your own contributions — declining to use the account is essentially giving up free money.

Aside from the employer-provided 401(k), the two most common alternate forms of retirement accounts are the IRA and Roth IRA. This interactive tool can help you choose which form of IRA might be right for you.

Once you start auto-depositing a little money into your retirement account — and maybe even increasing it each time you get a raise — you're better positioned to start using your money to achieve the things you want most in the (nearer) future.

-5. Figure out your financial goals for the next few years.-

Right now, your paycheck might cover rent and brunch, but what about five years from now? Ten? You don't need to know exactly where you'll be or what you'll be doing, but thinking about some of life's biggest and most expensive milestones now gives you time to start turning them into a reality.

Do you want to buy a house? Have a wedding? Have a child? Take a trip to Bali? Setting aside some money each month towards those goals for the next few years will make them a lot less intimidating when it comes time to act.

-6. Set up auto-transfers into a savings account.-

The problem with money that goes into savings is that it feels like cash you don't get to spend, and that's not a whit of fun. But there's a way to trick yourself out of that separation anxiety: auto-transfers from your checking account into your savings. "It's easier to save what you don't think you have than to try and save what you know you have," Solari explains.

Plus, he suggests, it's a handy trick to get yourself used to living on your available cash even before you start saving a considerable amount — like if your employer requires a year's tenure before you can contribute to the company 401(k). "If you can set up an auto-transfer initially, even if you can't transfer the money into a to 401(k), have it go to an IRA as soon as possible," he says. "That way it's easier to make that transition later."

Setting it up is simple — usually, you can do it through your bank's website or with a quick phone call to customer service, and you can always change the amount sent to savings.

-7. Get the insurance you need.-

Insurance is boring until you take a trip to the hospital. Then, it's the best thing you've ever bought.

Beyond the health insurance that's hopefully subsidized by your employer (and dental and vision, if you're lucky!) there are also some worst-case-scenario insurances.

"Two things that young professionals don't really think about are potentially becoming disabled, or passing away," Solari says. "Many employers will offer some type of group life and group disability insurance, so it's affordable and cheap enough that they should be grabbing a minimum of what their employer offers. Insurance is important because it's a low probability, but it can be a really high risk it something were to happen."

Even if you're young, healthy, and single without dependents or even a mortgage, Solari would still recommend signing on, but not supplementing your coverage with a private policy outside of your employer. "That's more for people who have a home purchase, or they're married, or they might have some kids," he says.

*SEE ALSO: How To Choose Investments For Your Retirement Account*

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: 14 things you didn't know your iPhone headphones could do Reported by Business Insider 17 hours ago.

Elizabeth Warren Attacks GOP, Calls For Reform

February 27, 2015, 9:13 am

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Elizabeth Warren Attacks GOP, Calls For Reform
Elizabeth Warren and Elijah Cummings Launch 'Middle Class Prosperity Project'
Elizabeth Warren Slams GOP: 'Talk Is Cheap'
Elizabeth Warren Slams GOP, Calls For Reform
Elizabeth Warren Slams GOP: 'Talk Is Cheap'
Politics
Elijah Cummings, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Elizabeth Warren, GOP, Democratic, Democrats, Republicans, Reform, Tax Code,
Has Been Optimized

Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren has recently called-out and attacked Republicans who claim they want to help the middle class. Her remarks were made during a forum on Tuesday, where she was launching the “Middle Class Prosperity Project” alongside Elijah Cummings, Democratic Representative for the state of Maryland.

According to the Huffington Post, her remarks have already been viewed over 1 million times on a video on Facebook. Here is what she had to say:



“Recently Republicans seem to have discovered the struggles of America's middle class. Out of nowhere, they're suddenly talking about this problem. Well that's great, but talk is cheap and when it comes to action, these Republicans seem to have amnesia about what they've actually done to hard-working Americans. Republican trickle-down policies created tax breaks and loopholes for the wealthy while leaving working families to pick up the pieces. I'll believe Republicans care about what's happening to America's middle class when they stop blocking legislation that would require billionaires to pay taxes at least at the same rate that teachers and firefighters do. Republican trickle-down economics blocked increases in the minimum wage that would have lifted 14 million people out of poverty.

I'll believe that Republicans care about what's happening to America's working families when they stop blocking minimum wage increases and agree that no one, no one in this country should work full time and still live in poverty. Republican trickle-down economics squeezed billions of dollars of profits out of people who had to borrow money to go to college. I'll believe Republicans care about what's happening to America's future when they agree to refinance student loans.

I could go on, but the point is the same: Talk is cheap. It's time for action -- action that will strengthen America's middle-class families and build a strong future, action that will produce good jobs now and in the future. It is time to put up or shut up. I have a message for my Republican colleagues: You control Congress. Stop talking about helping the middle class, and start doing it.”



Warren is not one to shy away from expressing her frustrations with the Republican-led Congress. Warren wrote an article for the USA Today explaining what the Middle Class Prosperity Project is.

“That's why this week we're launching a new Middle Class Prosperity Project to give a voice in Washington to those who need it most — hard-working people across this country. On Tuesday, we will hold the first in a series of forums to examine economic policies threatening the middle class, and we'll hear from leading economists about how to help families rebuild economic security. After the Great Depression, Congress enacted progressive policies to build and expand the middle class. But Washington became captive to powerful interests that game the system at the expense of the middle class. This is one of the most urgent issues this generation faces. So we'll work together to do what Congress should be doing — promoting policies to ensure that the best days of America's middle class are still ahead.”

Warren expressed her optimism in the economy, explaining that we are moving in the right direction but still have much room for improvement. “The stock market and corporate profits are at all-time highs. Worker productivity is skyrocketing. Unemployment is falling. Inflation remains low. The deficit is shrinking and many families have health insurance for the first time,” she wrote. “Good news — but not the whole story.”

Warren called for a reform of our tax code that she claims is “riddled with loopholes” and is designed in a way to help the rich get richer.

“It's time to change that system. We must free our government from the grip of armies of lobbyists and the corruption of corporate influence.”

Sources: Huffington Post, USA Today     Photo Source: Flickr

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OV in Depth:  Reported by Opposing Views 15 hours ago.

A.M. Best Briefing: Commercial Segment Remains Important to Revenue Expansion; Margins Under Pressure

February 27, 2015, 9:39 am

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OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Overall growth for insurers in the commercial market segment is being driven by enrollment gains in individual products, primarily due to the implementation of the health insurance marketplaces, according to a new Best’s Briefing. The briefing is titled, “Commercial Segment Remains Important to Revenue Expansion; Margins Under Pressure.” This overall growth has partially offset membership losses in the employer-based group business segment. In addition, large and Reported by Business Wire 14 hours ago.

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The Next ACA Battle: Extending the Children's Health Insurance Program

February 27, 2015, 10:39 am

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The Next ACA Battle: Extending the Children's Health Insurance Program Reported by ajc.com 13 hours ago.

Flat Iron Technologies, LLC Launches HIPAA Omnibus Policies & Procedures Toolkits for North American Healthcare Providers, Covered Entities and Business Associates

February 27, 2015, 11:09 am

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The compliance experts at Flat Iron Technologies, LLC have launched the HIPAA Omnibus policies & procedures toolkits for helping Covered Entities and Business Associates with today’s growing HIPAA compliance mandates.

Dallas, TX (PRWEB) February 27, 2015

The compliance experts at Flat Iron Technologies, LLC have launched the HIPAA Omnibus policies & procedures toolkits for helping Covered Entities and Business Associates with today’s growing HIPAA compliance mandates. With dozens of mandated HIPAA “standards” and “implementation specifications” for which healthcare organizations must comply with, the HIPAA Omnibus policies & procedures toolkits contain all the essential documentation for ensuring rapid and comprehensive compliance with HIPAA.

Businesses will receive the following templates and forms when downloading the HIPAA Omnibus policies & procedures toolkits today from hipaapoliciesandprocedures.com:·     HIPAA Information Security Policies and Procedures Manual
·     HIPAA Information Systems Hardening Checklists
·     HIPAA Disaster Recovery Plan
·     HIPAA Handbook & Reference Manual
·     HIPAA Security Awareness Training PowerPoint (PPT) Presentation
·     HIPAA Security Awareness Training Manual & Employee Quiz
·     HIPAA Security Rule & Privacy Rule Checklist & Readiness Assessment
·     HIPAA Risk Assessment Template
·     Essential HIPAA Forms
·     Additional HIPAA Policies and Procedures
·     And much more!

Becoming compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) can be a time-consuming and challenging undertaking, but with the HIPAA Omnibus policies & procedures toolkits, compliance is now easier than ever. Reported by PRWeb 13 hours ago.

Obamacare at Age Five: Access to Care

February 27, 2015, 11:52 am

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Now that Obamacare (the Affordable Care Act or ACA) is just turning five years since its enactment in 2010, it is time to assess its progress and shortfalls. This is the first of three posts that will deal with its experience toward its major goals -- expanding access to care, cutting costs and making care more affordable, and improving the quality of care. A fourth post will follow that deals with the takeaway lessons from this five-year experience.

The initial goal of the ACA was to extend health insurance to 32 million more people by 2019, about one-half of that number through expansion of Medicaid. Online insurance exchanges were to be set up by states or the federal government to allow people to comparison shop for new coverage. Most uninsured with incomes above 138 percent of federal poverty level (FPL) would be required to purchase insurance or face penalties. In order to help them to afford new coverage, those with incomes between 138 and 400 percent of the FPL ($32,913 to $95,400 for a family of four) would receive federal subsidies. New requirements were to be established for insurers, including prohibiting them from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions, requiring them to cover 10 categories of defined benefits, requiring them to cover at least 60 percent of health care costs (actuarial value of the bronze plan, leaving patients responsible for the remaining 40 percent of costs), requiring insurers to accept every individual and employer that applies for coverage and others.

Now, five years after the ACA's enactment, these are some of its major accomplishments so far:
· Federal health insurance exchanges have been set up in 37 states through the HealthCare.gov. marketplace, together with state exchanges in the other states.· After the first enrollment period ended in February 2014, there were 9.5 million fewer uninsured, with the uninsured rate among adults dropping from 20 percent to 15 percent; the uninsured rate for people in poverty fell from 28 percent to 17 percent in states that expanded Medicaid, but from only 38 percent to 36 percent in non-expanding states. (1)· In the second open enrollment period ending in February 2015, about 11 million people signed up, three-fourths in federal exchanges and the others through state-run exchanges; this number, however, includes many who were automatically re-enrolled from the first year and will likely drop a bit in coming months for failure to pay premiums, as occurred after the end of the first enrollment period. (2)· About 85 percent of the newly insured are expected to be eligible for subsidies, unless the U.S. Supreme Court rules them out, in which case, it is expected that as many as eight million will drop coverage in a chain reaction that would send premiums soaring. (3)
Although these sign-ups reflect significant progress, the ACA will fall far short of its goals, as shown by these examples:
· At best, there will still be at least 30 million uninsured in 2019, plus unknown millions more, especially those in the young adult 18-34 age range who find the costs of insurance too high.· As a result of 22 states choosing not to expand Medicaid, almost five million people fall into the "Medicaid coverage gap," earning too much to be covered by existing Medicaid and too little to be eligible for subsidies (4); most non-expanding states require parents to earn less than 50 percent of the FPL (11,925 for a family of four) in order to be eligible for Medicaid (5), while some are even more restrictive (e.g. Alabama, which cuts off Medicaid eligibility at incomes of just 18 percent of FPL, just4,293 for a family of four). (6)· Small businesses with less than 50 full-time employees, though eligible to purchase coverage through the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP), have shown little interest in doing so, with many instead dropping previous coverage and offering raises to employees as they seek coverage on the exchanges. (7)· As insurers seek to contract with lower-cost hospitals and physicians, they disrupt many patients' choices and relationships with them. Networks are shrinking all over the country, with many patients unaware of whether their doctors and hospitals are in-network, vulnerable to high out-of-network deductibles and out-of pocket costs, and often having to change physicians.· With a shortage of at least 45,000 primary care physicians, and with only 20 percent of U.S. physicians practicing primary care, it is difficult for many people newly insured under the ACA to gain access to comprehensive care; a 2013 study found that only two-thirds of U.S. primary care physicians would accept new Medicaid patients, partly due to low reimbursement rates (8); and a December 2014 report found that one-half of 1,800 physicians listed by 200 private Medicaid plans in 32 states would not accept new Medicaid patients or were unavailable at their last known address. (9)· In order to gain eligibility for subsidies, most people signing up for coverage on the exchanges select "silver" plans with actuarial values of 70 percent; but that still leaves them responsible for 30 percent of their health care costs, which pose a financial hardship for many.· For many patients insured through the exchanges, constant changes in coverage and networks often result in surprise bills that are so confusing that they avoid going to the doctor. (10)· While the ACA requires coverage of "pediatric services," they are so poorly defined that most states exclude coverage of children with special health care needs. (11)· The ACA has been very friendly to the health insurance industry, allowing them wide latitude to game expanded markets in their pursuit of profits. These examples make the point--permitting insurers to exclude 70 percent of essential community providers from their networks, allowing them to market limited benefit plans that pay a one-time cash benefit of as little as 10,000 or 20,000 upon diagnosis of a critical illness, and protecting them from losing money through a "risk corridor" program.
Based on the above, together with trends going forward, it is clear that the ACA has failed to remedy the nation's access to care problem. In the next post, we will see how well it is doing in containing costs and making health care more affordable.

Visit John at: www.copernicus-healthcare.org and www.johngeymanmd.org_____
*References: *

1. Collins, SR, Rasmussen, PW, Doty, MM. Gaining ground: Americans' health insurance coverage and access to care after the Affordable Care Act's first open enrollment. The Commonwealth Fund, July 10, 2014.

2. Pear, R. Obama cites health plan tally of 11.4 million. New York Times, February 17, 2015.

3. Alonzo-Zaldivar, R. As sign-up deadline nears, a new risk for Obama health law. Associated Press, February 13, 2015.

4. Rau, J. Some seeking insurance told they didn't qualify, others balked at cost, poll finds. Kaiser Health News, January 29, 2015.

5. Glied, S, Ma, S. How states stand to gain or lose by opting in or out of the Medicaid expansion. The Commonwealth Fund, December 2013.

6. Dispatches. The Progressive Populist, February 15, 2015, p. 22.

7. Janofsky, A. Small businesses spurn health exchanges. Wall Street Journal, January 8, 2015: B4.

8. Decker, SL. Two-thirds of primary care physicians accepted new Medicaid patients in 2011-12: A baseline to measure future acceptance rates. Health Affairs 32 (7): 1183-1187, 2013.

9. Pear, R. Half of doctors listed as serving Medicaid patients are unavailable, investigation finds. New York Times, December 8, 2014.

10. Rosenthal, E. Insured, but not covered, New York Times, February 7, 2015.

11. Grace, AM, Noonan, KG, Cheng, TL et al. The ACA's pediatric essential health benefit has resulted in a state-by-state patchwork of coverage with exclusions. Health Affairs 33 (12): 2136-2143, December 2014.

Adapted in part from my new book, Geyman, JP. How Obamacare Is Unsustainable: Why We Need a Single Payer Solution for All Americans. Friday Harbor, WA. Copernicus Healthcare, 2015. Reported by Huffington Post 12 hours ago.

UC Davis Study Finds Undocumented Farmworkers Use Medicaid Half as Often as Documented Farmworkers

February 27, 2015, 2:23 pm

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Undocumented farmworkers are half as likely as those who are documented to use Medicaid, the federal health insurance program available to low-income individuals and families, according to a new study from UC Davis Health System.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (PRWEB) February 27, 2015

Undocumented farmworkers are half as likely as those who are documented to use Medicaid, the federal health insurance program available to low-income individuals and families, according to a new study from UC Davis Health System. The research also shows that the greatest predictor of farmworker use of Medicaid, which provides coverage for prenatal, pediatric and emergency care regardless of documentation status, was having children.

“Undocumented agricultural workers are using Medicaid at about half the rate of documented immigrants and citizens, and they appear to be using it in accordance with the law,” said J. Paul Leigh, senior author of the study, professor of public health sciences and researcher with the Center for Healthcare Policy and Research. “There’s a perception that undocumented farmworkers are overusing Medicaid resources, but our findings indicate the opposite.”

In conducting the study, which is published online in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Leigh analyzed records from the U.S. Department of Labor’s National Agricultural Workers Survey (NAWS) on 41,324 farmworkers from 1993 through 2009, about half of whom were migrants working without residency, citizenship or visas.

Because the NAWS database is the only nationally representative sample of undocumented workers, it is a rare source of information on demographics and income at both individual and household levels for this often elusive group. Given that almost 50 percent of Medicaid recipients are children, the data on households rather than individual adults was particularly relevant to the current study.

Leigh found that undocumented farmworker heads of household were 52 percent less likely to use Medicaid than their documented counterparts: 22.6 percent of documented farmworker heads of household and only 12.2 percent of undocumented farmworker heads of household reported that one or more family members received Medicaid services over two-year intervals during the 16-year study period.

The odds of receiving Medicaid benefits for documented heads of household with one child were 6.57 times greater than that of documented heads of household with no children. One-child undocumented heads of household were 8.4 times more likely to utilize Medicaid than childless documented heads of household.

“Simply having children is the best determinant of Medicaid use,” said Leigh. “Use by undocumented, unmarried males appears to be extremely rare.”

The seemingly disproportionate effect of children on undocumented versus documented heads of household may be explained by access to non-government health insurance options, according to Leigh. Documented workers are much more likely than undocumented workers to have employer-sponsored health insurance, which families typically prefer over Medicaid. Undocumented heads of household, even those with children who are U.S. citizens, rarely have that choice.

“Undocumented workers don’t have any other place to go for health insurance,” Leigh said. “As soon as they have a child in the family, undocumented workers are much more likely to use Medicaid.”

Higher income, either for individuals or families, was associated with lower odds of Medicaid use for both documented and undocumented heads of household. There were also variations by region, with California having the highest odds of Medicaid use.

This is one in a series of studies of health-care utilization prepared by Leigh, an expert in economics and occupational illnesses. Next in the pipeline is a study of those who use food stamps and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, which provides supplemental foods, health-care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income women and young children who are deemed at nutritional risk.

“Medicaid Use by Documented and Undocumented Farm Workers” was co-authored by Yoon-Kyung Chung of the Korea Energy Economics Institute in Seoul and Ph.D. graduate of the UC Davis Department of Economics. It was supported by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (grant number 2U54OH007550-11). The study is available online at http://journals.lww.com/joem/Abstract/publishahead/Medicaid_Use_by_Documented_and_Undocumented_Farm.99079.aspx.

Information about UC Davis Health System is at http://www.healthsystem.ucdavis.edu and the Center for Healthcare Policy and Research is at http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/chpr/ Reported by PRWeb 10 hours ago.

Bill could allow Hawaii Health Connector to offer large group health coverage

February 27, 2015, 5:10 pm

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A Senate bill that would allow the Hawaii Health Connector to offer large group coverage to health insurers is headed to the Hawaii state House of Representatives. Senate Bill 1338 passed the Judiciary and Labor and Ways and Means committees Friday, with amendments. The legislation would revise the current definition of "small employer," from a business of at least 50 to 100 employees to expand the online health insurance exchange's "potential small businesses market." The bill states that offering… Reported by bizjournals 7 hours ago.