Expanding health insurance would provide substantial benefits.
Reported by Huffington Post 1 day ago.
Instead Of Deporting The Undocumented, President Trump Should Insure Them
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"It’s A Mammoth Task"- Senate Faces Thursday Vote Showdown In "Most Critical Week" For Tax Reform
In what is shaping up as a critical week for the future of Trump's and the GOP's tax reform, Senators return from Thanksgiving break, *and look ahead to a marathon debate this week with the aim to hold a floor vote as early as Thursday *according to Bloomberg, which notes that should the vote pass, Republican leaders will have to hammer out a compromise between different provisions in the House and Senate bills.Without a single major legislative victory for the Trump administration and Republicans, it is hard to understate just how critical a tax bill victory would be with year end fast approaching, abd amid concerns that the Democrats could triumph in the Alabama election, there’s a real sense of urgency.
For now, Republican lawmakers told Bloomberg they are still committed to finalizing the bill by Christmas as Senator Scott noted “I hope we can get it done by Christmas…if not, we’ll be here through Christmas, looking at the end of the year”.
Unfortunately for Republicans, it won't be that easy.
As a reminder, the Republican leadership can afford to lose no more than two votes with Politico reporting over the weekend that as many as six Republican Senators are still withholding their support. Or rather one: Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson said last week that he will not vote for the bill. The problem is that there are many other potential names who are still on the fence: *Senators Susan Collins of Maine, Jeff Flake of Arizona, John McCain of Arizona, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Bob Corker of Tennessee have yet to say whether they'll support the measure. *Overnight, Steve Daines of Montana was also been added as per Axios: *‘He hasn't gone public with his concerns, but is withholding his support for the bill because he believes it favors corporations over other types of businesses.*’
As Bloomberg also notes, "the bill’s path to passage isn’t clear yet. *Three Republicans -- Tennessee’s Bob Corker, Arizona’s Jeff Flake and Oklahoma’s James Lankford -- have raised concerns about the measure’s effects on the nation’s debt, and Corker has said he won’t support legislation that adds to the deficit. *He has said he’d allow for “reasonable” estimates of economic growth."
GOP Senator John Thune of South Dakota said on “Fox News Sunday” that even a small uptick in growth “would cover the cost” of the tax bill. But so far, he and other Senate leaders lack official findings to back their assertions.
Murkowski had been seen as a potential “no” vote on the tax legislation because of its proposal to end the “individual mandate” from the Obamacare law that requires people to purchase health insurance or pay a fine. But last week, she wrote in an op-ed for Alaska’s Daily News-Miner newspaper that she would support ending the mandate.
Doing so would raise roughly $318 billion by 2027, according to CBO estimates, because some 13 million people would drop their individual insurance -- and wouldn’t tap federal subsidies to help pay for it. Murkowski’s acceptance of the Obamacare provision in the tax bill may clear the way for her support, though Senator Susan Collins of Maine has also said she has concerns about the health-care provision.
Clearly, if any of these Senators go against the bill, then tax hopes will tank in the Senate, the same way the Senate scuttled Trump's attempt to repeal Obamacare with the blessings of JOhn McCain. Understandably then, there is a lot of working going on behind the scenes to prevent such a scenario as Citi observes. Trump hinted as such in his latest tweet: ‘*Back in D.C., big week for Tax Cuts and many other things of great importance to our Country. Senate Republicans will hopefully come through for all of us. The Tax Cut Bill is getting better and better. The end result will be great for ALL!*’
On Sunday afternoon, the Washington Post reported that Senate Republicans are seriously considering several last-minute changes to their tax legislation in an effort to mollify wavering members, according to four people familiar with the discussions.
Back door deals aside, here are the next steps:
· *On Tuesday, the Senate Budget Committee is scheduled to meet on the tax legislation at 2:30 p.m. The panel, which has 12 Republicans and 11 Democrats, could decide to send the tax bill to the Senate floor. Trump is also scheduled to attend the regular policy lunch held by Senate Republicans.*
· If all goes well for GOP leaders, the Senate may begin floor debate, which would culminate perhaps Wednesday or Thursday in a “vote-a-rama”-- a chaotic session in which any senator can offer an amendment to the bill. *Democrats would be expected to offer a variety of amendments designed to damage, delay or derail the measure -- which may lead to some political fireworks. *The voting would probably take place overnight.
· If Republicans have the 50 votes they need, Senate leaders may call for a floor vote on Thursday or Friday.
* *
Trump will also be busy, selling his tax proposal – on Monday he will have lunch with the Senate Finance Committee to talk about tax reform today, and meet with Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, Paul Ryan, and Mitch McConnell to discuss the year-end spending deal on Tuesday.
Given the high stakes, Senate Republicans & Trump administration will do everything they can to get the tax bill through. *Still, with six unknowns, "it’s a mammoth task" according to Citi. *Markets seem cautious about tax bill hopes. USD positioning in the last week has been characterized by selling and squaring, while Monday’s price action so far has seen USD offered across the board. Thus one can argue that there’s more room for a rally on positive tax bill developments than a sell-off on negative news. Watch the flashing red headlines.
Finally, from a market standpoint, recall that according to Goldman the passage of the tax bill means all the difference between a 2,850 year end price target for 2018, and a quick plunge back to 2,400. Reported by Zero Hedge 21 hours ago.
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Congress has two months to act or 75,000 kids and pregnant women in Colorado will lose health insurance
More than 75,000 children and pregnant women in Colorado could lose their health insurance under the state's Child Health Plan Plus program if Congress does not act by Jan. 31 to renew the federal Children's Health Insurance Program.
Reported by Denver Post 20 hours ago.
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The next 2 weeks could make or break Trump's first year as president
**· *With 12 legislative days left in 2017, pressure is mounting on President Donald Trump and Republican leaders to come through with legislative wins.*
· *This week will be defined by the Senate fight over the GOP's tax code overhaul, a necessary step to deliver a legislative victory for the GOP.*
· *On the heels of the tax fight is a battle to avoid a government shutdown on December 8, which could also lead to a slew of policy battles on everything from Obamacare, to the border wall, to the NSA's spying powers.*
--------------------As the first calendar year of Donald Trump's presidency comes to a close, the next two weeks will be jam-packed with legislative battles that could define the administration for the rest of the term.
On the legislative docket, among other things, is the Republican push to overhaul the tax code; a government funding bill to prevent a partial shutdown; the reauthorization of the Children's Health Insurance Program; various healthcare bills; and the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
The pile of deadlines and priorities will be difficult for Trump and congressional Republicans to navigate for Trump, as there are only 12 days on Congress' schedule left for 2017.
*First thing's first: the Senate tax bill*
The first week of the grueling two-week stretch will be keyed on the passage of the GOP's massive tax bill, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), in the Senate.
The TCJA is expected to be rolled out on Tuesday for debate and amendments on the Senate floor after clearing the Finance Committee before Congress' Thanksgiving recess. A vote is expected by the end of the week — and passage will be imperative to deliver on Trump's promise of a tax bill signed into law by the end of the year.
While Trump has been able to claim a series of regulatory and judicial wins in his first year, the president does not yet have a major legislative victory to call his own. Passing the tax legislation would serve as that victory and ease pressure on Republicans heading into the 2018 midterm elections.
"The Republican Party exists as a species to cut taxes — this is what they do," Chris Krueger, an analyst at Cowen Washington Research Group, said in a note to clients last month. "In control of the Presidency, House, and Senate for the first time since 2006, what good are they if they can't deliver on taxes? This is a bit of a derivative from the self-preservation thesis, but we hear it constantly as one more data point in the tax reform inevitability argument."
But passing the bill, even with the mounting pressure, is no guarantee. Already Republican Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin has said he'll vote against the current iteration of the bill. Other Republicans with concerns include Sens. Susan Collins, Jeff Flake, and Bob Corker.
The push will also serve as another test of Trump's dealmaking prowess, a skill he touted in his run to the White House. The self-described "closer" was unable to help shepherd a bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act through the Senate in July and September. And after public battles with many lawmakers, the tax fight could reveal the degree to which Trump holds sway over lawmakers.
Trump is expected to meet with Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee at the White House on Monday and the full GOP Senate conference on Tuesday at their weekly luncheon, with the goal of shoring up votes.
"The Tax Cut Bill is coming along very well, great support," Trump tweeted Monday. "With just a few changes, some mathematical, the middle class and job producers can get even more in actual dollars and savings and the pass through provision becomes simpler and really works well!"
*Then comes the shutdown fight*
On the heels of the possible Senate vote on the tax plan is a fight over government funding. The current funding legislation, signed in September after Trump made a deal with Democratic leaders, expires on December 8, after which the government would go into a partial shutdown absent new legislation.
Both Democrats and Republicans are likely to try and include other legislative priorities into the funding package, likely complicating the dynamics ahead of votes. Here's a quick list of things that could be bolted on to the bill:
· *CHIP funding:* The funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which helps children and pregnant women access healthcare, ran out at the end of September. Some states could begin to ration care unless the program is funded this month.
· *DACA and the border wall:* Congress has until March 5, 2018, to authorize the controversial Obama-era policy that shields from deportation nearly 800,000 young immigrants. By adding it to the shutdown bill, Democrats could pressure GOP members to support preserving the program. Trump has suggested that funding for Trump's long-promised wall along the border with Mexico must be included on any DACA compromise.
· *The Alexander-Murray Obamacare stabilization bill:* The bill would extend funding for critical cost-sharing reduction payments and include measures designed to shore up the Obamacare markets. Despite having enough support in the Senate to pass, the bill has not been brought up by Republican leadership.
· *More disaster relief:* The White House requested an additional $44 billion to help recovery efforts from natural in Texas, Puerto Rico, Florida, and the US Virgin Islands.
· *Reauthorization of the **Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act:* Section 702 of FISA, which allows the National Security Agency to survey communications without a warrant expires at the end of the year.
· *National Flood Insurance Program:* The program's authorization was kicked until December 8 but needs to be renewed. A long-term extension of the NFIP was passed by the House on November 14.
Krueger said each one of these issues comes with its own difficult political calculus, so pressure on Trump and GOP leaders will be high. Democrats, on the other hand, will do their best to extract policy victories of their own in the shutdown fight.
"And it is not just one issue — any one of the issues mentioned could be the catalyst for a shutdown; many of which have no real middle-ground and/or politically tenable compromise," Kreuger wrote Monday. "Which is sort of why they have waited so long."
*SEE ALSO: The GOP tax plan got a triple whammy of brutal reviews*
Join the conversation about this story »
NOW WATCH: White House photographer Pete Souza tells the story behind one of Obama's most iconic photographs visiting injured veterans Reported by Business Insider 18 hours ago.
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States ready to drop children's health program
A federal program providing health insurance to low-income children and pregnant women has an increasingly grim prognosis. Minnesota became the first state to run out of federal portion of its funding for the Children's Health Insurance program, reports Governing magazine. Oregon might have to tap into state funds to keep the program running. Gov. Kate Brown authorized the Oregon Health Authority to ensure there are no gaps in its program for the next five months, The Portland Business Journal…
Reported by bizjournals 18 hours ago.
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In Win For White House, Rand Paul Says He Will Vote 'Yes' On Tax Reform
In a surprising reversal that President Donald Trump will undoubtedly tout as a major victory, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul has publicly confirmed that he will be voting ‘Yes’ on the GOP tax plan when the senate votes on it later this week.Paul says he will vote ‘yes’ even though the tax overhaul “isn’t perfect” and he’d like to see a larger cut. In an opinion piece published on Fox News’s website, Paul explained the reasoning behind his change of heart in greater detail.
Ultimately, Paul said, he is voting ‘yes’ because the US tax code, which has 97 different federal taxes, must be simplified. Congress can always authorize more cuts at a later date. In fact, Paul says if the public will is strong enough, Congress could authorize a new tax cut every year.
*Currently, there are at least 97 different federal taxes. The tax code that instructs people how they must hand over their hard-earned money to government spans some 74,000-plus pages.*
This is absurd, and so is the fact that government will collect over $3 trillion from taxpayers next year but still is not satisfied.
One of the main differences between Republicans and Democrats is that Republicans, in general, favor less government and more tax cuts. *That’s why I’m pleased to see us moving forward on a plan for tax cuts, and why I hope to vote to pass such a cut in the coming weeks.*
Paul said he supports the Senate proposal to end Obamacare’s individual mandate penalizing people who don’t have health insurance, and that he would like to see preservation of some state and local tax deductions.
He also applauded his fellow senators for abandoning the concept of revenue neutrality, saying he’d like to see the tax cuts eliminate even more than the $1.5 trillion in revenues expected over the next 10 years, according to an analysis by the CBO. Paul said he’d be comfortable with a reduction in revenue of up to $2.5 trillion.
I spoke out all year against the GOP leaders’ initial plan to make their tax reform “revenue neutral” — meaning not really a cut. *I’m pleased to see my point of view has prevailed, and the current tax plan calls for a $1.5 trillion cut over the next ten years. I would have liked to see more — in fact, I offered an amendment to move it up to $2.5 trillion — but I’ve stated many times that as long as it is a real cut, I’ll vote for it, even if it isn’t as large as I would prefer.*
I’m also pleased to note that, in part by my urging, the Senate tax-plan writers have included repeal of the ObamaCare individual mandate in the tax plan. The mandate is clearly a tax, a fact that was established by the Supreme Court when it upheld ObamaCare. So including it in the tax bill only makes sense. *In addition, with CBO scoring it as a $350 billion savings, repealing the mandate helped pave the way for increased middle-class tax cuts, like an expanded child tax credit.*
Winning Paul's vote has been a top priority of President Trump, who has often expressed admiration for the Kentucky senator even though Paul has, until this point, been one of the most obstinate opponents of the Trump agenda.
However, his support doesn’t guarantee passage for the tax plan: At least five other senators have either said they’re not voting for the bill, or that they’re on the fence. However, Fox News is reporting that a deal is in the works to add more deductions to the bill to help win over Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson, who said two weeks ago that he would vote 'no' on the bill. However, Susan Collins, Jeff Flake, Bob Corker and John McCain remain on the fence. And while Montana's Steve Daines has raised hackles about the bill because, he says, it favors corporations over small businesses, he recently touted a "productive" conversation with Trump, and appears to be leaning toward a yes.
We now await Trump’s congratulatory response to Paul’s decision. It should be coming any minute now.
GOP leadership says they will bring the bill to a vote on Thursday. But of course, if they fail to rally support from Republican holdouts, that could change. Reported by Zero Hedge 17 hours ago.
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Pollster on MSNBC Charges Republican Party a ‘Domestic Terror Group’
Pollster Fernand Amandi, on Saturday’s AM Joy on MSNBC, reacting to supposed Republican resistance to extending a health insurance program for children:
Reported by CNSNews.com 15 hours ago.
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Congress Is Bracing For A "Nightmare" December
Since President Donald Trump took office in January, the GOP Congressional leadership has repeatedly failed to corral the votes needed to transform the president’s legislative agenda into law, largely thanks to the Republicans’ razor-thin majority in the senate, which has bred factionalism and encouraged senators to play hardball to try and strong-arm the leadership into concessions.This gridlock has persisted all year. But with roughly 15 legislative sessions left between the House and the Senate, lawmakers are facing a seemingly insurmountable list of legislative priorities. Though the legislative battles could push their deadline closer to Christmas.
In any case, the pressure is on for the GOP's Congressional leadership to deliver, or suffer an embarassing black eye that could hurt their chances in next year's midterm election.
The fundamental question now is: Will this force intransigent lawmakers to drop their opposition to key issues like tax reform and passing another short-term spending resolution (or even an omnibus spending bill)? Or will this end in yet another embarrassing legislative defeat?
Concerning Republicans’ top priority – tax reform - Republican lawmakers told Bloomberg they are still committed to finalizing the bill by Christmas as Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina noted “I hope we can get it done by Christmas…if not, we’ll be here through Christmas, looking at the end of the year”.
To have a realistic chance of adhering to Republicans’ self-imposed deadline, the senate will need to pass its version of the bill by the end of the week:
Back in D.C., big week for Tax Cuts and many other things of great importance to our Country. Senate Republicans will hopefully come through for all of us. The Tax Cut Bill is getting better and better. The end result will be great for ALL!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 27, 2017
*Unfortunately for Republicans, it won't be that easy. And the likelihood that members of Congress will be able to spend the holidays at home with their families is looking increasingly remote.*
Though at least one senator believes the looming deadlines could force the holdouts to surrender.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said the looming deadlines could be just what Republicans need to get things accomplished.
*“I think that’s maybe the only way we can get it done,” *he told The Hill. *“We’re the ultimate do-your-homework-at-the-last-minute crowd."*
However, tax reform isn’t the only issue on the agenda: Democrats are pushing to preserve an Obama-era directive sparing undocumented immigrants who were brought to the US as children from deportation. Members of both parties are seeking to reauthorize a federal flood-insurance program needed to help repair some of the damage from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
*If the Republican-controlled conference fails to pass a bill to keep the government funded past December, we could see Congressional leaders declare an emergency session that could result in the same type of brinksmanship seen in 2011 and 2013 as lawmakers waited until the last minute to reach a compromise to avert a government shutdown.*
As the end-of-year deadline looms for many of these provisions, here’s a rundown of the various legislative battles the public should expect to see play out over the next four weeks, per the Hill:
*Tax Reform:*
Senate Republicans are rushing to pass their tax plan this week, after it was voted out of the Senate Finance Committee along party lines.
They have a narrow path to getting the bill through the Senate. With 52 seats, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) can only afford to lose two GOP senators, if every Democrat votes no; Vice President Pence could break a tie.
*Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) became the first Republican senator to say he couldn’t currently support the House or Senate bills, arguing they don’t do enough to help “pass-through” businesses.*
*Meanwhile, several GOP senators have raised concerns about the impact the tax plan could have on the deficit. The Senate plan can add up to $1.5 trillion to the debt over the next decade. If the Senate is able to pass its own bill this week, Republicans will still need to work out a deal in conference committee and pass the final legislation.*
*Health Care:*
Tied closely to the tax plan is a renewed fight over health care.
The Senate GOP plan would repeal ObamaCare’s individual mandate, which requires most Americans to buy health insurance or pay a penalty.
But GOP Sen. Susan Collins (Maine), a key vote on the tax plan, is warning that linking the mandate repeal and the tax fight is a mistake that could make it harder to get a bill through Congress.
"My concern is that if we combine the health care issues with tax reform we make it far more controversial," she told reporters before lawmakers left town for Thanksgiving.
*The Trump administration is signaling that it’s open to dropping the ObamaCare provision. Mick Mulvaney, Trump’s budget chief, told CNN the White House is “okay with taking it out” if it is an “impediment” to passing the overall legislation.*
As part of a trade off, Senate GOP leaders have signaled they are prepared to pass legislation from Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) that would provide two years of funding for ObamaCare’s cost-sharing reduction (CSR) payments.
*Government Funding:*
One of the first deadlines lawmakers face is Dec. 8, when government funding will expire.
With Congress returning on Nov. 27, they’ll have less than two weeks to craft legislation to a void a shutdown. In the Senate, tax reform is expected to consume much of the first week.
Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) has floated that lawmakers might need to pass a short-term continuing resolution (CR) to give appropriators more time to reach a long-term agreement.
*But Ryan said the stopgap bill would only last a few weeks. He wants to pass a full 2018 fiscal year funding bill by the end of December.*
Complicating the timeline for passing a long-term funding bill are the spending caps.
*Current spending levels are higher than the 2018 caps set by the 2011 Budget Control Act. Without a deal to raise the caps, across-the-board spending cuts would be triggered automatically in late January.*
Congressional leaders are eyeing a deal to raise budgetary caps by as much as $200 billion over two years, but the agreement is still being ironed out.
*Immigration:*
The fate of an Obama-era immigration program has emerged as one of the largest hurdles to getting a government funding deal.
The Trump administration is nixing the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which allows undocumented immigrants brought into the country as children to work and go to school without the fear of deportation.
*The deadline for deciding what to do about DACA isn’t until mid-March, but Democrats are demanding that Congress take action before the end of the year.*
*Trump and Senate Republicans decided during a closed-door meeting last month immigration would not be part of the spending bill, but House Democrats plan to force the issue.*
Without Democratic support, it could prove difficult for House Republicans to pass legislation preventing a government shutdown. Several liberal senators are also pledging to oppose a funding bill without a DACA agreement.
*Intelligence Reforms (per The Hill):*
Another item on the agenda is the reauthorization of Title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), including the controversial Section 702.
The current authorization for Section 702 expires on December 31, and it’s the first time Congress has faced this reauthorization since Edward Snowden’s earth-shattering disclosures about the National Security Agency’s mass surveillance apparatus. Committees in the Senate and House have competing proposals to reauthorize the program. But with the clock running out, Congress once again appears to be poised to jam through reauthorization.
*Passed in 1978, FISA allows federal intelligence agencies to collect the electronic communications of foreign persons to surveil for certain illicit activities, including terrorism. But not all of the electronic communications collected by the National Security Agency (NSA) are those of foreign persons.*
According to a 2014 Washington Post report, 90 percent of account holders whose communications were collected were not the intended targets.
Given the discord within the Senate, where moderates, committed conservatives, deficit hawks and Trump-aligned populists have embraced disparate visions for what should be included in the administration’s tax-reform, health-care and government spending legislation.
Meanwhile, Democrats have been steadfast in their refusal to break ranks to support the president’s agenda.
With this in mind, the administration’s ability to accomplish all – or even some – is questionable at best. At worst, the failures could tank the stock market and further dampen business leaders’ and consumers’ hope for a boost to economic growth during the coming years. Reported by Zero Hedge 16 hours ago.
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On children's health coverage, Congressional inaction has brought us to the 'nightmare scenario'
Child healthcare advocates have been warning, and warning, and warning that Congress’s delay on reauthorizing funds for the Childrens Health Insurance Program places health coverage for as many as 9 million children and pregnant women at risk. But since the funding expired on Sept. 30, there has...
Reported by L.A. Times 11 hours ago.
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Health insurance giant UnitedHealth trims profit outlook
MINNETONKA, Minn. (AP) — UnitedHealth Group Inc. trimmed its profit outlook slightly for next year when the nation’s largest health insurer will face a reinstated federal health insurance tax. The Minnetonka, Minnesota-based insurer said Monday that it expects to earn between $10 and $10.30 per share, or between $10.55 and $10.85 per share when one-time […]
Reported by Seattle Times 11 hours ago.
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The 4th Annual Animaltarian of the Year Award Contest Kicks Off From PetPartners, Inc.
Recognizing and Celebrating Those Who Support Animal Welfare and Advance Human-Animal Bond, Winner Will Receive a $5,000 Award
RALEIGH, N.C. (PRWEB) November 28, 2017
PetPartners, Inc. today announced the annual Animaltarian of the Year Award Contest. In its 4th year, the contest was created to raise awareness and award extraordinary individuals and groups who support animal welfare throughout the country. The winner will receive a $5,000 award.
“We are so excited to launch the 4th annual Animaltarian of the Year Contest, just in time for the holidays,” said John Wycoff, Chief Operating Officer of PetPartners, Inc. and the creator of the contest. “Being in the pet health industry, we encounter so many dedicated individuals and organizations doing amazing works who are often the unsung heroes of the community. Especially this year, we’ve witnessed so many Animaltarians step up above and beyond during the devastating hurricane season. We want to raise their profiles through the Contest and spotlight their great efforts and commitment and in turn, lend our support in advancing their work.”
Examples of an Animaltarian include veterinarians who donate their services, animal rescues and organizations, shelters and individuals who go above and beyond to ensure animal welfare and safety.
Candidates can enter the Contest by going to the PetPartners Animaltarian website at http://www.PetPartners.com/Animaltarian and submitting a photo or video that captures and demonstrates the theme of compassion, welfare, and advocacy coupled with the passion of caring for animals. In addition, the candidate must provide a written description of how it or its nominee benefits animals and how the prize money will be used to support animal advocacy. An individual may nominate a candidate on their behalf. Submissions will be accepted from November 27, 2017 through January 3, 2018.
The public is invited to vote for their favorite submission from January 5, 2018 through January 24, 2018 through the PetPartners Animaltarian website. The top eight submissions that receive the highest number of votes will proceed to the finalist voting phase.
New for this year, the Contest will implement a panel of five judges, all of whom are experts in the animal welfare field, to judge the eight finalists. The public is also invited to vote for their favorite finalist from January 26, 2018 through February 4, 2018 through the PetPartners Animaltarian website. The finalist with the most votes from the public and the judges is the winner of the Animaltarian of the Year Award and will be announced on February 6, 2018.
Rick Faucher, President of PetPartners, Inc., adds, “As the Contest name explains, ensuring animal welfare and recognizing the wonderful animal-human bond is our utmost goal for our Animaltarian of the Year Award. Since the Contest’s inception in 2014, the entries we’ve received have humbled and motivated us to continue supporting the dedicated animal welfare community. We look forward to meeting even more outstanding candidates this year.”
For Official Contest Rules, or to submit an entry or nominate a candidate, please visit http://www.PetPartners.com/Animaltarian. Additionally, follow Animaltarian of the Year via Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AnimaltarianOfTheYear throughout the Contest period.
For more information on the Animaltarian of the Year Award Contest or PetPartners pet health insurance, please contact Jeena Choi at 917-882-0960 or Jeena.Choi(At)IHCGroup(dot)com.
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About PetPartners Inc.
PetPartners provides pet health insurance in all 50 United States, offering products to individuals and groups (such as associations, companies and credit unions). Since 2002, PetPartners has been the exclusive provider of pet health insurance protection to registrants of the American Kennel Club through the AKC Pet Insurance brand. In 2006, PetPartners was selected by the Cat Fanciers' Association, one of the largest registry of purebred cats, to provide health insurance to CFA registrants. Founded by Sir John D. Spurling, a leading British innovator in pet insurance who remains on its Board of Directors, PetPartners became a member of The IHC Group in 2017. For more information, please visit http://www.PetPartners.com. Reported by PRWeb 2 hours ago.
RALEIGH, N.C. (PRWEB) November 28, 2017
PetPartners, Inc. today announced the annual Animaltarian of the Year Award Contest. In its 4th year, the contest was created to raise awareness and award extraordinary individuals and groups who support animal welfare throughout the country. The winner will receive a $5,000 award.
“We are so excited to launch the 4th annual Animaltarian of the Year Contest, just in time for the holidays,” said John Wycoff, Chief Operating Officer of PetPartners, Inc. and the creator of the contest. “Being in the pet health industry, we encounter so many dedicated individuals and organizations doing amazing works who are often the unsung heroes of the community. Especially this year, we’ve witnessed so many Animaltarians step up above and beyond during the devastating hurricane season. We want to raise their profiles through the Contest and spotlight their great efforts and commitment and in turn, lend our support in advancing their work.”
Examples of an Animaltarian include veterinarians who donate their services, animal rescues and organizations, shelters and individuals who go above and beyond to ensure animal welfare and safety.
Candidates can enter the Contest by going to the PetPartners Animaltarian website at http://www.PetPartners.com/Animaltarian and submitting a photo or video that captures and demonstrates the theme of compassion, welfare, and advocacy coupled with the passion of caring for animals. In addition, the candidate must provide a written description of how it or its nominee benefits animals and how the prize money will be used to support animal advocacy. An individual may nominate a candidate on their behalf. Submissions will be accepted from November 27, 2017 through January 3, 2018.
The public is invited to vote for their favorite submission from January 5, 2018 through January 24, 2018 through the PetPartners Animaltarian website. The top eight submissions that receive the highest number of votes will proceed to the finalist voting phase.
New for this year, the Contest will implement a panel of five judges, all of whom are experts in the animal welfare field, to judge the eight finalists. The public is also invited to vote for their favorite finalist from January 26, 2018 through February 4, 2018 through the PetPartners Animaltarian website. The finalist with the most votes from the public and the judges is the winner of the Animaltarian of the Year Award and will be announced on February 6, 2018.
Rick Faucher, President of PetPartners, Inc., adds, “As the Contest name explains, ensuring animal welfare and recognizing the wonderful animal-human bond is our utmost goal for our Animaltarian of the Year Award. Since the Contest’s inception in 2014, the entries we’ve received have humbled and motivated us to continue supporting the dedicated animal welfare community. We look forward to meeting even more outstanding candidates this year.”
For Official Contest Rules, or to submit an entry or nominate a candidate, please visit http://www.PetPartners.com/Animaltarian. Additionally, follow Animaltarian of the Year via Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AnimaltarianOfTheYear throughout the Contest period.
For more information on the Animaltarian of the Year Award Contest or PetPartners pet health insurance, please contact Jeena Choi at 917-882-0960 or Jeena.Choi(At)IHCGroup(dot)com.
#
About PetPartners Inc.
PetPartners provides pet health insurance in all 50 United States, offering products to individuals and groups (such as associations, companies and credit unions). Since 2002, PetPartners has been the exclusive provider of pet health insurance protection to registrants of the American Kennel Club through the AKC Pet Insurance brand. In 2006, PetPartners was selected by the Cat Fanciers' Association, one of the largest registry of purebred cats, to provide health insurance to CFA registrants. Founded by Sir John D. Spurling, a leading British innovator in pet insurance who remains on its Board of Directors, PetPartners became a member of The IHC Group in 2017. For more information, please visit http://www.PetPartners.com. Reported by PRWeb 2 hours ago.
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Health insurance brands can help millennials understand coverage
Constant instability is the not-so-new normal in today’s America, and millennials have never known anything but this way of life. They came of age in the long shadow of 9/11 and the Great Recession, witnessing countless disasters — from Hurricane Katrina to the BP oil spill to gun violence. Further, fiscal and security issues as well as disagreements on climate change mire the political climate with tension and contradictions, which in turn affects consensus on paths leading to progress. Facing…
Reported by bizjournals 2 hours ago.
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Don’t Let The High Cost Of Prescription Drugs Cost You Your Health, Warns The Senior Citizens League
The continued high cost of prescription drugs remains a concern for Americas aging population. People with Medicare coverage should take time now during the Medicare Fall Open Enrollment period, which ends December 7th, and compare drug prices carefully before picking a plan.
WASHINGTON (PRWEB) November 28, 2017
For older Americans, the high cost of prescription drugs is a leading deterrent to filling prescriptions or taking required medications as directed, warns The Senior Citizens League. “People with Medicare coverage should take time now during the Medicare Fall Open Enrollment period to learn about the changes in their Medicare drug coverage for 2018 and to shop for a better plan,” urges The Senior Citizens League’s Medicare policy analyst, Mary Johnson.
“Because Medicare is forbidden by law from negotiating Part D drug prices, there is no consistency in drug pricing among drug plans,” Johnson says. “There can be dramatically large variations among what different plans charge for the same drug.”
Over the past 12 years, Johnson has worked as a volunteer Medicare “navigator” helping family, friends, and neighbors to compare drug and health plans and make better choices about their coverage for the following year. Earlier this year, Johnson performed a study comparing the highest and lowest costs of ten of the nation’s most frequently prescribed drugs among the 23 drug plans. The study included the cost of monthly premiums and deductibles, just as one would find when shopping for a Part D plan on the Medicare drug plan finder. Johnson found that the highest drug prices averaged 7.5 times more than the lowest, which varied widely from plan to plan. “There was no single drug plan that won an award for low prices for all the pharmaceuticals in this study,” she says.
For example, a 30 - day supply of levothyroxine, the generic for Synthroid a common thyroid drug, ranged from $17 ($0 co-pay, plus the $17 monthly premium) in the lowest costing plan, to $151.50 in the highest costing plan. Asthma drug Advair Diskus ranged in cost from $85.50 to $856.25. Diabetes drug Lantus Solostar ranged in cost from $77.75 to $682.00. “This is why it pays to compare plans,” Johnson notes.
The Senior Citizens League strongly recommends that every person with Medicare coverage do a drug plan comparison using Medicare’s “Drug and Health Plan Finder” at http://www.Medicare.gov. “You might find other price comparison tools online, but Medicare’s tool will show all the options in your zip code and county,” Johnson says. Other online tools may not be as complete or show all the options.
Go to http://www.Medicare.gov and click on “find drug and health plans.” The search is customized to your zip code, county of residence, whether you are enrolled in original Medicare with a Part D plan, or a Medicare Advantage plan that includes Part D coverage, all the drugs you currently take on a regular basis, and pharmacy choices. (There is a video to help you get started.) It’s important to do a search based on all the drugs you normally take. Have a complete list with correct spelling of drug names, dosages, and quantity you use per month.
If you have difficulties, free help is available. Contact your State Health Insurance Program, which operates through many local agencies on aging and senior centers. Or call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116. But make an appointment now, because Open Enrollment ends December 7th.
The Senior Citizens League supports legislation that would allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices. The Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act (S. 41, H.R. 242) and the Improving Access to Affordable Prescription Drugs Act (S. 771, H.R. 1776) would both reduce prescription drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries by allowing the government to negotiate lower prices.
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With 1.2 million supporters, The Senior Citizens League is one of the nation’s largest nonpartisan seniors groups. Its mission is to promote and assist members and supporters, to educate and alert senior citizens about their rights and freedoms as U.S. Citizens, and to protect and defend the benefits senior citizens have earned and paid for. The Senior Citizens League is a proud affiliate of The Retired Enlisted Association. Visit http://www.SeniorsLeague.org for more information. Reported by PRWeb 1 hour ago.
WASHINGTON (PRWEB) November 28, 2017
For older Americans, the high cost of prescription drugs is a leading deterrent to filling prescriptions or taking required medications as directed, warns The Senior Citizens League. “People with Medicare coverage should take time now during the Medicare Fall Open Enrollment period to learn about the changes in their Medicare drug coverage for 2018 and to shop for a better plan,” urges The Senior Citizens League’s Medicare policy analyst, Mary Johnson.
“Because Medicare is forbidden by law from negotiating Part D drug prices, there is no consistency in drug pricing among drug plans,” Johnson says. “There can be dramatically large variations among what different plans charge for the same drug.”
Over the past 12 years, Johnson has worked as a volunteer Medicare “navigator” helping family, friends, and neighbors to compare drug and health plans and make better choices about their coverage for the following year. Earlier this year, Johnson performed a study comparing the highest and lowest costs of ten of the nation’s most frequently prescribed drugs among the 23 drug plans. The study included the cost of monthly premiums and deductibles, just as one would find when shopping for a Part D plan on the Medicare drug plan finder. Johnson found that the highest drug prices averaged 7.5 times more than the lowest, which varied widely from plan to plan. “There was no single drug plan that won an award for low prices for all the pharmaceuticals in this study,” she says.
For example, a 30 - day supply of levothyroxine, the generic for Synthroid a common thyroid drug, ranged from $17 ($0 co-pay, plus the $17 monthly premium) in the lowest costing plan, to $151.50 in the highest costing plan. Asthma drug Advair Diskus ranged in cost from $85.50 to $856.25. Diabetes drug Lantus Solostar ranged in cost from $77.75 to $682.00. “This is why it pays to compare plans,” Johnson notes.
The Senior Citizens League strongly recommends that every person with Medicare coverage do a drug plan comparison using Medicare’s “Drug and Health Plan Finder” at http://www.Medicare.gov. “You might find other price comparison tools online, but Medicare’s tool will show all the options in your zip code and county,” Johnson says. Other online tools may not be as complete or show all the options.
Go to http://www.Medicare.gov and click on “find drug and health plans.” The search is customized to your zip code, county of residence, whether you are enrolled in original Medicare with a Part D plan, or a Medicare Advantage plan that includes Part D coverage, all the drugs you currently take on a regular basis, and pharmacy choices. (There is a video to help you get started.) It’s important to do a search based on all the drugs you normally take. Have a complete list with correct spelling of drug names, dosages, and quantity you use per month.
If you have difficulties, free help is available. Contact your State Health Insurance Program, which operates through many local agencies on aging and senior centers. Or call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116. But make an appointment now, because Open Enrollment ends December 7th.
The Senior Citizens League supports legislation that would allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices. The Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act (S. 41, H.R. 242) and the Improving Access to Affordable Prescription Drugs Act (S. 771, H.R. 1776) would both reduce prescription drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries by allowing the government to negotiate lower prices.
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With 1.2 million supporters, The Senior Citizens League is one of the nation’s largest nonpartisan seniors groups. Its mission is to promote and assist members and supporters, to educate and alert senior citizens about their rights and freedoms as U.S. Citizens, and to protect and defend the benefits senior citizens have earned and paid for. The Senior Citizens League is a proud affiliate of The Retired Enlisted Association. Visit http://www.SeniorsLeague.org for more information. Reported by PRWeb 1 hour ago.
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Ascensia Diabetes Care and Health2Sync Announce Collaboration to Bring Digital Diabetes Management Solution to Patients in Asia
BASEL, Switzerland and TAIPEI, Taiwan, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascensia Diabetes Care and Health2Sync today announced a collaboration that aims to improve diabetes care by bringing an integrated digital management solution to patients in Asia. As part of this collaboration, the companies will create a combined offering for people with diabetes that comprises of the CONTOUR^®PLUS or CONTOUR^®TS blood glucose monitoring systems from Ascensia, the Health2Sync app and a loyalty program for users, known as the Ascensia Customer Care Program.
Once the combined offering is launched, when people with diabetes purchase the CONTOUR^®PLUS or CONTOUR^®TS systems, they will be able to join the Ascensia Customer Care Program after registering for an account in the Health2Sync mobile app. Membership benefits include discount coupons for test strips, promotions and educational materials about diabetes. By using the Health2Sync app, people with diabetes will be able to log their blood glucose readings, track their blood glucose values, and make decisions related to diabetes management based on the analyses provided. A Bluetooth^® wireless technology enabled dongle from Health2Sync is also available. This dongle connects to the meter and allows data to be directly downloaded from the meter to the app.
"This collaboration with Health2Sync will enable us to bring an effective digital management solution to people with diabetes in Asia" explained Michael Kloss, CEO, Ascensia Diabetes Care. "By bringing together the accuracy and user friendly features of our meters with the innovative software capabilities in the Health2Sync app, we are able to provide significant value for people with diabetes in this region."
"We are thrilled to be partnering with Ascensia to bring our app-based diabetes management system to more patients." said Ed Deng, CEO of Health2Sync. "The credibility and heritage of Ascensia in diabetes care ideally complement our expertise in innovative software solutions, and we are confident that this combined offering will provide an integrated solution that helps people with diabetes better manage their condition."
Under the terms of the agreement, the bundled package will initially be made available in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan, with potential for additional countries and regions to be added. Health2Sync and Ascensia are also exploring innovative approaches to delivering the combined solution via health insurance providers for people with diabetes.
The Health2Sync diabetes management mobile app and patient management platform are designed to make blood glucose tracking and management more meaningful. The app enables people with diabetes to easily log blood glucose, blood pressure, weight and daily activities to allow them to have a better understanding of their health. The app helps users interpret data they logged and provides customized feedback and reminders that assist users to improve diabetes control. The app also allows people with diabetes to invite friends and family members as partners in the app to support them in managing diabetes together. For healthcare providers, Health2Sync's web-based patient management platform enables more efficient tracking of patients and care provider follow-up.
The CONTOUR^®PLUS BGMS offers easy-to-use blood glucose monitoring with proven accuracy that meets ISO 15197:2013. A range of features are designed to help people with diabetes to effectively monitor their blood glucose, including Second-Chance® Sampling, which allows an individual to add more blood when the first sample isn't enough. The CONTOUR^®TS BGMS is a lightweight, simple to use system that has also been shown to meet ISO 15197:2013.
For further information about Ascensia Diabetes Care, visit: http://www.ascensia.com.
For further information about Health2Sync, visit: http://www.health2sync.com.
For more information, please contact:
Joseph Delahunty, VP, Global Head of Communications
Ascensia Diabetes Care
E-mail: joseph.delahunty@ascensia.com
Phone: +41-79-422-9286
Jenny Kao
Health2Sync
E-mail: PR@health2sync.om
Reported by PR Newswire Asia 44 minutes ago.
Once the combined offering is launched, when people with diabetes purchase the CONTOUR^®PLUS or CONTOUR^®TS systems, they will be able to join the Ascensia Customer Care Program after registering for an account in the Health2Sync mobile app. Membership benefits include discount coupons for test strips, promotions and educational materials about diabetes. By using the Health2Sync app, people with diabetes will be able to log their blood glucose readings, track their blood glucose values, and make decisions related to diabetes management based on the analyses provided. A Bluetooth^® wireless technology enabled dongle from Health2Sync is also available. This dongle connects to the meter and allows data to be directly downloaded from the meter to the app.
"This collaboration with Health2Sync will enable us to bring an effective digital management solution to people with diabetes in Asia" explained Michael Kloss, CEO, Ascensia Diabetes Care. "By bringing together the accuracy and user friendly features of our meters with the innovative software capabilities in the Health2Sync app, we are able to provide significant value for people with diabetes in this region."
"We are thrilled to be partnering with Ascensia to bring our app-based diabetes management system to more patients." said Ed Deng, CEO of Health2Sync. "The credibility and heritage of Ascensia in diabetes care ideally complement our expertise in innovative software solutions, and we are confident that this combined offering will provide an integrated solution that helps people with diabetes better manage their condition."
Under the terms of the agreement, the bundled package will initially be made available in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan, with potential for additional countries and regions to be added. Health2Sync and Ascensia are also exploring innovative approaches to delivering the combined solution via health insurance providers for people with diabetes.
The Health2Sync diabetes management mobile app and patient management platform are designed to make blood glucose tracking and management more meaningful. The app enables people with diabetes to easily log blood glucose, blood pressure, weight and daily activities to allow them to have a better understanding of their health. The app helps users interpret data they logged and provides customized feedback and reminders that assist users to improve diabetes control. The app also allows people with diabetes to invite friends and family members as partners in the app to support them in managing diabetes together. For healthcare providers, Health2Sync's web-based patient management platform enables more efficient tracking of patients and care provider follow-up.
The CONTOUR^®PLUS BGMS offers easy-to-use blood glucose monitoring with proven accuracy that meets ISO 15197:2013. A range of features are designed to help people with diabetes to effectively monitor their blood glucose, including Second-Chance® Sampling, which allows an individual to add more blood when the first sample isn't enough. The CONTOUR^®TS BGMS is a lightweight, simple to use system that has also been shown to meet ISO 15197:2013.
For further information about Ascensia Diabetes Care, visit: http://www.ascensia.com.
For further information about Health2Sync, visit: http://www.health2sync.com.
For more information, please contact:
Joseph Delahunty, VP, Global Head of Communications
Ascensia Diabetes Care
E-mail: joseph.delahunty@ascensia.com
Phone: +41-79-422-9286
Jenny Kao
Health2Sync
E-mail: PR@health2sync.om
Reported by PR Newswire Asia 44 minutes ago.
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Women Business Enterprises Call for Healthcare Solution that Works for Businesses of All Sizes
In survey of WBEs, the Women’s Business Development Center and Smart Policy Works learn what matters most in healthcare reform, identifying key protections and considerations for future reform
CHICAGO (PRWEB) November 28, 2017
The Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) and Smart Policy Works released today a survey exploring the need for healthcare reform that works for businesses of all sizes in 2018.
The survey, which received consultative input from national, non-profit small business advocacy organization Small Business Majority, was conducted with the WBDC’s network of certified women business owners from its nine-state region, including responses from businesses with operations in Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, Minnesota, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska and North Dakota. The survey was intended to give a voice to these employers’ and gauge their perspectives on the ongoing healthcare debate.
“The findings are clear – women business owners view offering affordable, quality health insurance to their employees as a top priority,” said Emilia DiMenco, President and Chief Executive Officer at the WBDC. “To keep small business employers competitive and protect entrepreneurship, we must make it easier and more affordable for the millions of small businesses operating in our communities to have and provide health coverage.”
Survey findings of note include:· 87% of respondents want to offer health insurance coverage to their employees;
· 96% of respondents say it is important to them that their employees have access to affordable coverage, regardless if that coverage is offered as a group health benefit or purchased elsewhere;
· 83% of respondents say it is extremely important for recruiting and retaining employees;
· 96% of respondents say access to a variety of health plan choices is important;
· 100% of respondents believe offering coverage to people with pre-existing conditions is important, with 67% of respondents indicating it is “Extremely Important;” and,
· 85% of respondents who launched their own business (43% of all surveyed) said access to health coverage was important to their decision to start their business.
Beyond simply the desire to offer coverage, the majority of survey respondents also reported an interest in continuing certain protections under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including essential health benefits (75%) and those for individuals with pre-existing conditions (86%).
According to Small Business Majority, which served as an advisor on this project, this is especially important to note at this time during open enrollment. Small business owners are roughly three times more likely to enroll through the health insurance marketplaces created under the ACA, per the U.S. Department of Treasury.
“Small businesses generate two out of three new jobs in the United States and contribute to the strength of our economy,” said Geraldine Sanchez Aglipay, Outreach Manager of the Midwest Region and Greater Chicago for Small Business Majority. “That’s why it is so important that we take into account their opinions on policies that can preserve and improve upon the healthcare law and help their businesses. There is so much at stake for small businesses – and our overall economic health as a nation – if we ignore this incredibly valuable population.”
Small Business Majority supplemented the survey findings with interviews with self-selected survey respondents who agreed to follow up calls. The individuals selected for the informant interviews volunteered to be contacted in the online survey and provided additional context to their responses and feedback on potential reforms.
This is the second survey produced by the Women’s Business Development Center and Smart Policy Works, formerly Health and Disability Advocates. The previous survey was conducted in November – December 2016 with the same pool of participants. The new survey findings present several common themes, including a desire for greater cost protections and conscious decisions by lawmakers to address the growing uncertainty in the healthcare landscape.
“The survey underscores the support small business owners have for health insurance reforms started under the ACA,” said Barbara Otto, CEO of Smart Policy Works. “It is my hope legislators take the opinions of these business owners into account so we can get beyond politics and focus more on building policy solutions that work for businesses.”
The current Open Enrollment Period for the Individual Health Insurance Marketplace is from November 15 to December 15, 2017.
###
About the Survey
Building upon a previous healthcare survey by the WBDC and Smart Policy Works (formerly Health and Disability Advocates) in late 2016, the WBDC partnered again with Smart Policy Works to reengage its list of certified women business owners to gain their perspective on the ongoing conversation about healthcare reform. The new survey, titled “What Small Business Owners Want from Healthcare Reform,” received 127 unique responses in 8 Midwestern states (Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and North Dakota), predominately concentrated in the urban centers of Chicago, St. Louis, Milwaukee and Minneapolis-St. Paul. There were 21 participants in the follow up informant interviews.
About the WBDC
Since 1986, the Women’s Business Development Center’s mission has been to support and accelerate business development and growth, targeting women and servicing other underserved communities and veterans in order to strengthen their participation in and impact on the economy.
About Smart Policy Works
Since 1992, Smart Policy Works (formerly HDA) has been helping businesses and organizations respond to the rapidly changing health policy environment by providing strategic analysis, research & technical support, tools and training. Reported by PRWeb 23 hours ago.
CHICAGO (PRWEB) November 28, 2017
The Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) and Smart Policy Works released today a survey exploring the need for healthcare reform that works for businesses of all sizes in 2018.
The survey, which received consultative input from national, non-profit small business advocacy organization Small Business Majority, was conducted with the WBDC’s network of certified women business owners from its nine-state region, including responses from businesses with operations in Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, Minnesota, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska and North Dakota. The survey was intended to give a voice to these employers’ and gauge their perspectives on the ongoing healthcare debate.
“The findings are clear – women business owners view offering affordable, quality health insurance to their employees as a top priority,” said Emilia DiMenco, President and Chief Executive Officer at the WBDC. “To keep small business employers competitive and protect entrepreneurship, we must make it easier and more affordable for the millions of small businesses operating in our communities to have and provide health coverage.”
Survey findings of note include:· 87% of respondents want to offer health insurance coverage to their employees;
· 96% of respondents say it is important to them that their employees have access to affordable coverage, regardless if that coverage is offered as a group health benefit or purchased elsewhere;
· 83% of respondents say it is extremely important for recruiting and retaining employees;
· 96% of respondents say access to a variety of health plan choices is important;
· 100% of respondents believe offering coverage to people with pre-existing conditions is important, with 67% of respondents indicating it is “Extremely Important;” and,
· 85% of respondents who launched their own business (43% of all surveyed) said access to health coverage was important to their decision to start their business.
Beyond simply the desire to offer coverage, the majority of survey respondents also reported an interest in continuing certain protections under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including essential health benefits (75%) and those for individuals with pre-existing conditions (86%).
According to Small Business Majority, which served as an advisor on this project, this is especially important to note at this time during open enrollment. Small business owners are roughly three times more likely to enroll through the health insurance marketplaces created under the ACA, per the U.S. Department of Treasury.
“Small businesses generate two out of three new jobs in the United States and contribute to the strength of our economy,” said Geraldine Sanchez Aglipay, Outreach Manager of the Midwest Region and Greater Chicago for Small Business Majority. “That’s why it is so important that we take into account their opinions on policies that can preserve and improve upon the healthcare law and help their businesses. There is so much at stake for small businesses – and our overall economic health as a nation – if we ignore this incredibly valuable population.”
Small Business Majority supplemented the survey findings with interviews with self-selected survey respondents who agreed to follow up calls. The individuals selected for the informant interviews volunteered to be contacted in the online survey and provided additional context to their responses and feedback on potential reforms.
This is the second survey produced by the Women’s Business Development Center and Smart Policy Works, formerly Health and Disability Advocates. The previous survey was conducted in November – December 2016 with the same pool of participants. The new survey findings present several common themes, including a desire for greater cost protections and conscious decisions by lawmakers to address the growing uncertainty in the healthcare landscape.
“The survey underscores the support small business owners have for health insurance reforms started under the ACA,” said Barbara Otto, CEO of Smart Policy Works. “It is my hope legislators take the opinions of these business owners into account so we can get beyond politics and focus more on building policy solutions that work for businesses.”
The current Open Enrollment Period for the Individual Health Insurance Marketplace is from November 15 to December 15, 2017.
###
About the Survey
Building upon a previous healthcare survey by the WBDC and Smart Policy Works (formerly Health and Disability Advocates) in late 2016, the WBDC partnered again with Smart Policy Works to reengage its list of certified women business owners to gain their perspective on the ongoing conversation about healthcare reform. The new survey, titled “What Small Business Owners Want from Healthcare Reform,” received 127 unique responses in 8 Midwestern states (Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and North Dakota), predominately concentrated in the urban centers of Chicago, St. Louis, Milwaukee and Minneapolis-St. Paul. There were 21 participants in the follow up informant interviews.
About the WBDC
Since 1986, the Women’s Business Development Center’s mission has been to support and accelerate business development and growth, targeting women and servicing other underserved communities and veterans in order to strengthen their participation in and impact on the economy.
About Smart Policy Works
Since 1992, Smart Policy Works (formerly HDA) has been helping businesses and organizations respond to the rapidly changing health policy environment by providing strategic analysis, research & technical support, tools and training. Reported by PRWeb 23 hours ago.
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"Make Or Break": Senators Push For Sweeping Changes To Tax Bill As GOP Leaders Struggle To Vote It Out Of Committee
With roughly 14 sessions of Congress left before the New Year break, the GOP’s chances of passing comprehensive tax reform by the end of the year – as the White House has promised to do - are looking increasingly remote. So far, the biggest obstacle – as with the Republicans disastrous failure to repeal and replace Obamacare – is the Senate, where disparate groups of lawmakers are opposing the bill for different, and sometimes contradictory, reasons.*
*
In what has been called a "make or break" marathon negotiating session, at least two Senators have come out against the bill in its current form, sending the administration scrambling to hammer out a compromise on the pass-through rate that would entice Wisconsin’s Ron Johnson and Montana’s Steve Daines to vote ‘yes’.
But according to Bloomberg, *the bill could get held up in committee, largely thanks to the opposition of the two senators named above, who are working to block it even as the leadership desperately tries to secure passage by end-of-day*. To keep up with Mitch McConnell’s timetable, which would see a floor vote on Thursday, *Republicans must successfully shepherd it through the budget committee by early Wednesday at the very latest.*
As Bloomberg explains, normally the Senate Budget Committee vote on the tax legislation would be a mere formality. However, given Republicans’ razor-thin majority on the committee a single dissenting senator could block the bill. So far, two of the 12 Republicans on the committee have expressed serious reservations about the bill that they say will prevent them from voting on it. *Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin wants a deeper tax cut for pass-through businesses - and says he won’t vote for the bill as written. Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee wants a provision that would impose tax increases if the bill doesn’t generate enough economic growth to cover the $1.4 trillion in revenue losses it’s estimated to produce over 10 years.*
*“I’m not exactly sure what’s going to happen in committee, we’re working diligently to fix the problem,” *Johnson told Wisconsin reporters on Monday, according to his office. *“If we develop a fix prior to committee, I’ll probably support it but if we don’t, I’ll vote against it.”*
As of Monday night, no deal had emerged. “We’re still negotiating, let’s put it that way,” said Senator John Thune, the chamber’s third-ranking Republican leader.
*In a last-ditch attempt to whip up votes, President Trump will lunch with Republican senators today just before the committee convenes to debate the bill, and possibly hold a vote.*
But even if the bill manages to clear the budget committee on Tuesday, there appears to be enough opposition to render a floor vote dead in the water, as the WSJ reports.
One group, including Ron Johnson (R., Wis.) and Steve Daines (R., Mont.), wants deeper tax cuts for so-called pass-through businesses such as partnerships and S corporations that pay taxes on individual rather than corporate tax returns. Both said they want to prevent large corporations from deducting state and local taxes, freeing up money to drive down rates for pass-through firms. They said they would like to support a tax bill but can’t do so yet.
*Another group, including Bob Corker (R., Tenn.), Jeff Flake (R., Ariz.) and James Lankford (R., Okla.), is concerned about the $1.4 trillion addition to budget deficits the bill would cause, and these senators are wary that it won’t generate enough economic growth to pay for itself.*
*A third group, including Susan Collins (R., Maine) and John McCain (R., Ariz.), helped kill the Republican health-care bill earlier this year and could pose resistance over a variety of provisions, including plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act’s health-insurance mandate as part of the tax bill.* Mr. McCain said Monday that he is still undecided and had “a lot of things” he is concerned about.
As we noted yesterday, without a single major legislative victory for the Trump administration and its Congressional allies, it is hard to understate just how critical a victory on tax bill is with year-end fast approaching - especially amid concerns that the Democrats could triumph in the Alabama election, which has given the fight an added sense of urgency. Passing tax reform is enough to keep Republicans occupied until year end. Unfortunately, they’re also facing a “nightmare” list of legislative priorities that could great serious problems for the administration – including a federal government shutdown – if they aren’t handled accordingly.
Of course, even if the senate does pass the bill, the reconciliation process presents another grueling challenge because the House and Senate plans have many major differences.
Back door deals aside, here are the next steps:
· On Tuesday, the Senate Budget Committee is scheduled to meet on the tax legislation at 2:30 p.m. The panel, which has 12 Republicans and 11 Democrats, could decide to send the tax bill to the Senate floor. Trump is also scheduled to attend the regular policy lunch held by Senate Republicans.
· *If all goes well for GOP leaders, the Senate may begin floor debate, which would culminate perhaps Wednesday or Thursday in a “vote-a-rama" - a chaotic session in which any senator can offer an amendment to the bill. Democrats would be expected to offer a variety of amendments designed to damage, delay or derail the measure - which may lead to some political fireworks. The voting would probably take place overnight.*
· If Republicans have the 50 votes they need, Senate leaders may call for a floor vote on Thursday or Friday.
· That said, at least one group of Wall Street strategists believes the Senate could still pass their version of the bill by the end of the week. The team at Goldman Sachs, led by chief economist Jan Hatzius, maintained in a research note published Tuesday that tax reform legislation looks likely to pass the Senate by the end of the week.
· *“In a preliminary step, we expect the Senate Budget Committee to pass the bill tomorrow (11/28), with a procedural vote on the Senate floor Wednesday (11/29), votes on amendments on Thursday (11/30), and a vote on final passage Friday (12/1).”*
However, even Goldman – which has persistently touted strong odds of passage (perhaps in a nod to their former leader, Gary Cohn, who has helped manage the bill and who will likely shoulder some of the blame if it fails) - admits that if the Senate can’t pass it by the end of the week, “enactment by year end will become more difficult."
If that happens, Republicans will probably be forced to table the issue until next year. Luckily, President Donald Trump has already tested a few excuses, after all "it took the Reagan administration months to pass tax reform."
But will investors accept Trump’s reassurances in good faith, given the administration’s embarrassing failure to repeal and replace Obamacare? Indeed, if investors pull the rug out from under the Trump administration, it will likely become even more desperate to pass the bill. At that point, we wouldn't be surprised *if Trump offers Democrats major concessions *to try and win a handful of votes from the opposition – even if it’s ultimately a bluff to coax intransigent Republicans to fall in line. Reported by Zero Hedge 22 hours ago.
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Thor Industries, UnitedHealth Group Tech Data Corp and more - AFTER HOURS
It was a mixed finish on Wall Street on Cyber Monday with the Dow Jones closing higher but the Nasdaq and S&P 500 finishing in the red. A riser after hours was vehicle maker Thor Industries Inc (NYSE:THO), which surged near 10% after the New York bell to US$149.86 each. It came after the group recorded record earnings and revenue, which beat Wall Street expectations. Elsewhere, UnitedHealth Group Inc (NYSE:UNH) shares lost 1.54% to US$209.12 each after the health insurance firm revealed a lighter-than-expected earnings forecast for 2018. Meanwhile, Tech Data Corp (NASDAQ:TECD), added over 4.5% to US$97.50 after the bell, after the IT distribution company posted third-quarter financial results. Last but not least, shares in Iqvia Holdings Inc (NYSE:IQV) shed over 1% to US$101.50 after hours after the biopharmaceutical development and commercial outsourcing services provider announced a new share-buyback program.
Reported by Proactive Investors 22 hours ago.
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HealthSherpa.com Enrolls One Million in ACA Coverage
A family is getting enrolled every second through HealthSherpa at peak traffic
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (PRWEB) November 28, 2017
HealthSherpa.com, the premier health insurance enrollment company, today announced the major milestone of one million Americans enrolled in Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage since the company’s founding in 2014. As the December 15th deadline for ACA coverage approaches, one household is getting enrolled every second through HealthSherpa.
“I am immensely proud of our team and grateful to our customers for the trust they have placed in us. A great deal of hard work and a fair amount of good fortune went in reaching this major symbolic milestone,” said George Kalogeropoulos, founder and CEO of HealthSherpa. “Thank you to our investors for their faith and support, and to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for their principled approach to fostering innovation. We are completely committed to helping people find, enroll in, and use affordable health coverage, and are very excited about what the future holds. Onward to 10 million!”
The technology advancements spurring this tremendous growth include HealthSherpa’s invention of Single Site, the predecessor technology to Direct Enrollment Proxy (DEP) in January 2014. HealthSherpa is one of only a few companies approved to use DEP by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Studies (CMS), the division of the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that operates Healthcare.gov.
Under Direct Enrollment Proxy (DEP), approved companies can accept a full Healthcare.gov health insurance application entirely on their website, similar to how Turbotax® handles tax returns for consumers. This new approach makes it faster and easier for consumers to sign up, and makes it possible for technology companies to ‘build the last mile’ connecting eligible populations including part-time employees, freelancers and early retirees to Marketplace coverage.
Kathleen Utecht, managing partner of Core Innovation Capital and member of the HealthSherpa Board of Directors said, “We’ve always been impressed by the HealthSherpa team’s rare combination of technology leadership and deep commitment to its mission of providing people with access to healthcare. With so many Americans financially vulnerable, it is more important than ever that people are able to find the right, affordable healthcare plan to meet their needs. HealthSherpa makes that process simple and easy, and this milestone is a reflection that consumers, employers, agents, and carriers agree.”
Mitch Kapor partner of Kapor Capital, founder of Lotus Development Corporation, and investor in HealthSherpa, said, “We invested in the HealthSherpa team because we strongly support the good they are doing by enrolling individuals and families in affordable health coverage. Ensuring affordable access to high quality healthcare is one of the defining social problems of our time, and the HealthSherpa team is making major progress in addressing this need.”
About HealthSherpa
HealthSherpa is the best way to get individual health coverage, with experience in enrolling over one million people. HealthSherpa partners with large employers, insurers, as well as insurance agencies and agents to support consumers searching for, enrolling in, and utilizing high quality, affordable health insurance coverage. Backed by leading investors, including Core Innovation Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, Founders Fund, Redpoint Ventures and the Kapor Center for Social Impact, HealthSherpa's mission is to help every American feel the comfort and security of having health coverage. The company delivers innovation, technology, and customer service by real people to make coverage easier to understand, faster to sign up for, and simpler to use. Learn more at http://www.HealthSherpa.com. Reported by PRWeb 20 hours ago.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (PRWEB) November 28, 2017
HealthSherpa.com, the premier health insurance enrollment company, today announced the major milestone of one million Americans enrolled in Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage since the company’s founding in 2014. As the December 15th deadline for ACA coverage approaches, one household is getting enrolled every second through HealthSherpa.
“I am immensely proud of our team and grateful to our customers for the trust they have placed in us. A great deal of hard work and a fair amount of good fortune went in reaching this major symbolic milestone,” said George Kalogeropoulos, founder and CEO of HealthSherpa. “Thank you to our investors for their faith and support, and to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for their principled approach to fostering innovation. We are completely committed to helping people find, enroll in, and use affordable health coverage, and are very excited about what the future holds. Onward to 10 million!”
The technology advancements spurring this tremendous growth include HealthSherpa’s invention of Single Site, the predecessor technology to Direct Enrollment Proxy (DEP) in January 2014. HealthSherpa is one of only a few companies approved to use DEP by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Studies (CMS), the division of the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that operates Healthcare.gov.
Under Direct Enrollment Proxy (DEP), approved companies can accept a full Healthcare.gov health insurance application entirely on their website, similar to how Turbotax® handles tax returns for consumers. This new approach makes it faster and easier for consumers to sign up, and makes it possible for technology companies to ‘build the last mile’ connecting eligible populations including part-time employees, freelancers and early retirees to Marketplace coverage.
Kathleen Utecht, managing partner of Core Innovation Capital and member of the HealthSherpa Board of Directors said, “We’ve always been impressed by the HealthSherpa team’s rare combination of technology leadership and deep commitment to its mission of providing people with access to healthcare. With so many Americans financially vulnerable, it is more important than ever that people are able to find the right, affordable healthcare plan to meet their needs. HealthSherpa makes that process simple and easy, and this milestone is a reflection that consumers, employers, agents, and carriers agree.”
Mitch Kapor partner of Kapor Capital, founder of Lotus Development Corporation, and investor in HealthSherpa, said, “We invested in the HealthSherpa team because we strongly support the good they are doing by enrolling individuals and families in affordable health coverage. Ensuring affordable access to high quality healthcare is one of the defining social problems of our time, and the HealthSherpa team is making major progress in addressing this need.”
About HealthSherpa
HealthSherpa is the best way to get individual health coverage, with experience in enrolling over one million people. HealthSherpa partners with large employers, insurers, as well as insurance agencies and agents to support consumers searching for, enrolling in, and utilizing high quality, affordable health insurance coverage. Backed by leading investors, including Core Innovation Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, Founders Fund, Redpoint Ventures and the Kapor Center for Social Impact, HealthSherpa's mission is to help every American feel the comfort and security of having health coverage. The company delivers innovation, technology, and customer service by real people to make coverage easier to understand, faster to sign up for, and simpler to use. Learn more at http://www.HealthSherpa.com. Reported by PRWeb 20 hours ago.
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House Warms to Tax Bill Obama Mandate Repeal
The House's chief tax-writer says ending the "Obamacare" requirement that everyone have health insurance — an element of the Senate bill — is a move the House also is likely to accept.
Reported by Newsmax 15 hours ago.
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Top Democrats "Abruptly" Pull Out Of White House Meeting After Trump Twitter Attack
Following this morning's tweet, in which Trump said that he was meeting with top Democrats Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi to keep the government open, but because "they want illegal immigrants flooding into our Country unchecked", he *"doesn't see a deal*", and which sent the T-Bill market turmoiling as mid-December government shutdown odds surged, *moments ago the top two Democratic leaders in Congress pulled out "abruptly" (in AP's words) of the previously scheduled meeting with President Donald Trump.*Instead of meeting Trump, Schumer and Pelosi shot back with a statement asking for talks with top GOP leaders in Congress. The top democrats said they’d skip a “show meeting” at the White House and instead ask for a meeting with their Republican counterparts, House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
*“Given that the President doesn’t see a deal between Democrats and the White House, we believe the best path forward is to continue negotiating with our Republican counterparts in Congress instead,”* House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a joint statement.
Some Democrats have called for any year-end spending deal to include legislation that would codify an Obama administration policy providing protection against deportation for young undocumented immigrants brought to the country as children. Trump, who announced in September he was ending the program, has said any deal protecting the so-called “Dreamers” should be paired with funding for a border wall and legislation that would reduce legal immigration.
*If Democrats and Republicans do not reach a deal on spending by Dec. 8, the federal government could face a partial shutdown. *Trump’s meeting with the Congressional leaders, which will also include Republicans House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, is scheduled for 3 p.m.
As a reminder, the Dec. 8 deadline was set in a deal Schumer and Pelosi struck with Trump - against the wishes of Ryan and McConnell - to avoid a government shutdown and debt default in September. They agreed to fund the government at current levels and suspend the debt limit for three months.
As Bloomberg reminds us, since that deal was struck, Congress has focused mostly on a tax overhaul and has made little progress reaching a spending deal to keep the government open. Other issues have also piled up, including the fate of cost-sharing subsidies that help defray deductibles and coinsurance payments for low-income patients with Obamacare insurance policies. Trump stopped paying the subsidies.
The negotiations also include efforts to lift legislative caps on military spending, raise the debt limit, provide more funding for disaster assistance, and extend a children’s health insurance program and an intelligence surveillance program. Several of those issues face year-end deadlines and may end up in a huge spending plan that requires votes from both Republicans and Democrats.
The Trump administration does not want to include immigration as part of the year-end spending deal to keep the government open, White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said on Monday. “We hope that the Democrats aren’t going to put our service members abroad at risk by trying to hold the government hostage over partisan politics, and attaching that,” Sanders told reporters on Monday.
Markets reacted favorably to the news, with stocks jumping on speculation that a meeting between the top Democrats and Republicans will be more productive than the "show meeting" between Trump and the democratic duo.
While stock euphoria is predictable, those curious if the government's shutdown odds are rising are urged to look at the Dec. 7-Dec. 21 Bill spread which, ominously, continues to blow out. Reported by Zero Hedge 17 hours ago.
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