Obamacare. Remember that? The one that Nancy Pelosi rammed through the House of Representatives but never read?Yeah, that law.Did you know that Obamacare is still the law of the land and had not been repealed? Give yourself a gold star.“Four in ten Americans (42%) are unaware that the ACA [Affordable Care Act] is still the...
Missing ObamaTax deadlines is nothing new for HHS Secretary Shecantbeserious, and this time it may be a blessing in disguise for any folks feeling a bit under the weather:"Under [the ObamaTax] ... government officials in charge of keeping Medicaid afloat have until Tuesday to report whether costs for the fiscally foundering...
Seems the folks in DC are not happy with the reaction to coming Obamacare rules, etc and in particular the 26 page application.BEHOLD!I give you the new application.Tomorrow morning the Administration will announce a spiffy, new 3-page application for individuals (which we’ll attach here when it becomes public).* There will be an 7-page application for families (11 including the appendix), TimeEven...
While Medicaid "patients" rack up the "free" healthcare, those actually charged with delivering that care are left holding the proverbial bag:"As many doctors struggle to keep their practices financially sound, some are buckling under money woes and being pushed into bankruptcy ... Chapter 11 bankruptcy filings by physician...
This doesn't apply just to insurance but when you offer someone an unlimited amount of something for free they are very likely to find uses in ways you never intended. For example, if I am cold and you offer me an unlimited amount of priceless framed paintings I would burn them to keep warm. My need isn't art to admire but staying warm.This thoughtful Medicaid recipient found a very affordable way...
■ Ohio: Senate Republicans, in an uncharacteristic display of competence, have put the kibosh on Gov Kasich's plan to expand Medicaid in the Buckeye State. I'm pretty sure that's a sign of the Apocalypse.■ California: Surprising exactly no one, fewer employers in the Golden State are now offering group health insurance:"The...
It seems that the White House is getting itself into a little bit of a pickle. Early this week the House GOP introduced a bill to take money from the slush fund Prevention and Public Health Fund to re-open the high risk pool. Almost immediately the White House issued a release that President Obama will veto the bill....
PPACA was passed solely by Democrats. There was not a single vote from a Republican in favor of the law and not a single vote from a Democrat against the law. One would assume that expanding access to insurance for those who are without insurance and are high risk would come from Democrats right? Right?Wrong!This week Joe Pitts...
Jeff Root hosts next week's Cav. Entries are due by Monday (the 29th).To submit your risk-related post, just click here to email it.You'll need to provide:■ Your post's url and title■ Your blog's url and name■ Your name and email■ A (brief) summary of the postPLEASE remember: ONLY posts that relate to risk (not personal finance tips and the like). And please only submit if you are willing to...
Helicopters and bumblebees have two things in common.According to aerodynamic experts, they are not supposed to fly, yet somehow they do.Come October 1, 2013 the Obamacare health insurance exchange is supposed to fly but there are folks who understand these things that say it will never get off the ground. I am neither...
We've all seen the horrific pictures of the Forum restaurant and the Lenox hotel, as well as the shattered glass from other businesses along the busy thoroughfare that was the site of the attack. Aside from the incredible human toll, though, there's a business one, too:"Companies could lose insurance payouts for property, lost income and other damage if the bombings are officially declared an act...
As maples and oaks begin to blossom, we turn our attention to another kind of tree, the much vaunted 'Pachira aquatica.' Well, knot really - ours is metaphoric in nature [ed: ISWYDT]. As I leafed through the submissions, it was easy to see where this was headed. Going out on a limb didn't appeal to me, so I decided to let the...
From Politico, this:"Congressional leaders in both parties are engaged in high-level, confidential talks about exempting lawmakers and Capitol Hill aides from the insurance exchanges they are mandated to join"Seems to me the solons have it almost exactly backwards.I think the correct move would be to exempt EVERYONE EXCEPT lawmakers, Capitol Hill aides, plus administration employees and political...
FoIB Holly R sent us this link:"Scammers Find Fertile Ground In Health Law"Interesting article, but they never mentioned the biggest scam of all.Wonder why that ...
Sen. Max Baucus (D), the one person who has their fingerprints all over Obamacare more than anyone else in DC, is not going to run for re-election.After announcing he felt that Obamacare was a "train wreck" he apparently decided to run . . . away.The senator's retirement comes as a bit of a surprise, as he'd just raised a hefty...
I've been engaged in an interesting email conversation with a gentleman who believes that we can - and should - require some sort of liability insurance for legal gun owners. Aside from the Constitutional issues, there are a number of problems with this idea.Mr Harvey has had an op-ed piece published in the online Insurance...
Okay, this one tickles me:"Looking for someone who knows they will NOT buy health insurance next year. Pls get in touch"The intrepid soul who tweeted (twitted?) this odd request is Dan Gorenstein, a reporter for Marketplace.org (which "presents news on business, economics, and money"). The request seems odd, because a quick...
We've mentioned how the ObamaTax has adversely affected college faculty by forcing incentivizing institutions to reduce hours to avoid health insurance fines taxes.FoIB Holly R reports that this trend is, in fact, picking up steam:"Maricopa Community Colleges are cutting 1,300 temporary workers back to less than 25 hours a...
■ First up, Ohio: Recently, the Ohio House put the kibosh on Gov Kasich's plan to expand Medicaid. It should be noted that this is still an ongoing battle political skirmish, but it highlights the fact that this is far from a "done deal."■ Next, uber-wonk Avik Roy reports that legislators in the Wolverine State have also voted to turn aside their Governor's plan to expand Medicaid in that state.Ohio's...
I wish they knew how to stop.Here’s a recent example from the April 19 Wall Street Journal Page B4. [subscription required]In its 6th paragraph, the article states:“The Medicare Advantage plans at issue typically combine basic Medicare benefits with extras, such as gym memberships.”This statement trivializes Medicare Advantage by failing to describe the real importance of Medicare Advantage plans. ...
"U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today assured yet another congressional panel that the [ObamaTax] exchanges will be opening on schedule."Okey-dokey, Kathy.If you say so...
In theory, the ObamaTax requires that, beginning next January, every American (citizen) must buy health insurance, or pay a penalty tax. The problem is that the penalty tax is rather inconsequential:"95 Tax Penalty Begins in 2014 Yet Most Say They Are Unswayed ... The tax penalty for not purchasing health insurance will start...
The latest firm to fight back against the birth control convenience item mandate imposed by Ms Shecantbeserious is Eden Foods, which makes and markets soy-based drinks (among other products). They don't find the mandate particularly healthful, and are seeking to opt out of it. As Eden's CEO puts it:"I'm not trying to get birth...
According to the current regime, RomneyCare (of Massachusetts fame) begat Obamacare. If RomneyCare had not been such a raving success (albeit thanks to federal Medicaid waivers) thanks at least in part to over $1 BILLION in federal tax dollars.If Obamacare is to work as well as RomneyCare, where will the money come from? If...
Two-and-a-half (2 1/2) years ago, Mike noted that "Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus, who wrote most of the [ObamaTax] ... is telling me not to worry about all the rattles I hear in this Cadillac he sold me (that I can't afford)"Fast-forward to today:"[Senator Max Bacus (D-Montana)] who helped write President Obama's...
Wednesday was a tough day for me. One of my long time group clients has a small union division. I am very close personally and professionally with both sides of the negotiating table. They have trusted my recommendations and know that I have always stepped up to make sure that everything that is done is in the best interest of both parties.The employee (Jim) who heads up the union representation has...
From the "Careful What You Wish for Files," Cato Institute's Michael Cannon tips us that "[a] labor union representing roofers is reversing course and calling for repeal of the federal health law, citing concerns the law will raise its cost for insuring members."This from the folks at The United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers who worry that the ObamaTax "could lead members to lose...
It's easy to pick on folks like San Fran Nan who admonished her fellows to pass the bill to learn what's in it, but what excuse do these rocket surgeons have?"House Republicans are moving quickly on a new bill to strengthen ObamaCare's temporary insurance plan for people with pre-existing conditions ... The measure seeks to...
