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Tara McGuinness, The White House : Health Care costs

06/24/2013 Nativegrl77

Hi, all!

We wanted to share some really good news for consumers about health care costs so that you can also help to get out the word.

First, health insurance premium rebates, which average nearly $100 per family, are on their way to 8.5 million Americans. That is because the Affordable Care Act now holds health insurance companies accountable to consumers and ensures that American families receive value for their premium dollars. If an insurance company spends less than 80 percent (85 percent in the large group market) of your premium on medical care and efforts to improve the quality of care and instead spends it on overhead and corporate salaries, they must rebate the portion of premium that exceeded this limit. Thanks to the law, millions of Americans will get savings from their insurers.

The law is protecting consumers from rate hikes that don’t go to care. It, along with other provision of the Affordable Care Act, has already helped consumers save a total of $3.9 billion in 2012, and $5 billion counting the 2011 rebates.

Second, Americans know health care prices for decades were skyrocketing, but the health law is changing that. This week, we learned that the official measure of health care prices, the medical price index, fell in May. The average for the last year was the lowest it has been in over four decades — a sign that health care is getting more affordable.

And third, a new report demonstrates this good news will continue. A new PriceWaterhouseCooper report projects that medical cost growth will be lower in 2014 than in 2013. As they say: “defying historical patterns.” The report points to how the ACA, though its policies to promote value, reduce unnecessary care, and cut waste from the system, is driving down the cost of health care for all of us.

Meanwhile, we received a number of questions in response to our last email. Here are a couple answers:

If the pre-existing limitations are no longer allowed can an insurance company still decline to cover an applicant?

No. No new applicants may be denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition starting in 2014, and permanently thereafter. Insurance companies will also be prohibited from charging more or carving out health benefits due to a pre-existing. Charging women more will become a thing of the past. And you won’t pay more based on the type of work you do or your family’s health history.

How does the ACA help people on Medicare?

People with Medicare now have free checkups and preventive services – you don’t have to be sick to see your doctor to stay healthy. They have a new discount on their prescription medicine in the so-called “donut hole” that’s already saved over six million seniors more than $700 each. The increases in their monthly Medicare premiums, like those for private insurance, have slowed down – with the Medicare Trustees projecting that they may actually drop in 2014. And, the part of the law that prevents insurance companies from spending premium dollars on overhead not care will begin in the Medicare Advantage next year, thanks to the Affordable Care Act.

We’ll tackle more of your questions in future emails, so be sure to let us know what’s on your mind.

Thanks!

Tara

Tara McGuinness Senior Communications Advisor The White House

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ThinkProgress

06/24/2013 Nativegrl77 1 Comment



IN ALL BUT SIX STATES, YOU CAN BE FIRED FOR BEING A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE


WHAT’S REALLY BEHIND PAULA DEEN’S RACIST REMARKS					HUNDREDS OF TEXANS STAND UP AGAINST ANTI-ABORTION BILL

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The Daily Traveler

06/24/2013 Nativegrl77

Stunning Natural Bridges and Arches
John A. Roebling and Joseph Strauss designed impressive spans in their time, but Mother Nature has engineered some equally awe-inspiring structures…

Black History

the Senate considers S.744,Border Sec. &Econ Op the Senate CONGRESS the House

06/24/2013 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands in adjournment until 12:00pm on Monday, June 24, 2013.
Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of S.744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act. The time until 5:30pm will be equally divided and controlled between the two Managers’ or their designees.
During Friday’s session of the Senate, cloture was filed on the Leahy amendment #1183, as modified. As a result, the filing deadline for all 2^nd degree amendments to the bill is 4:00pm Monday.
At 5:30pm, there will be a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Leahy amendment #1183, as modified (by the Corker-Hoeven language regarding border security) to S.744.

As a reminder, last week Senator Reid filed cloture on the Leahy amendment #1183, as modified. That cloture vote will occur at 5:30pm today. If cloture is invoked there would be up to 30 hours for debate prior to a vote on adoption of the Leahy amendment, as modified (late Tuesday night/early Wednesday morning if all time is sued).

The filing deadline for second degree amendments to Leahy amendment #1183, as modified, is 4:00pm today. If your senator has a germane second degree amendment, please send a signed copy of the amendment to the cloakroom prior to the deadline so that we may file it at the desk for you.

Today Senator Reid filed cloture on the committee-reported substitute amendment to S.744, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill, and the underlying bill. Under the rule, the filing deadline for 1^st degree amendments to the committee reported substitute, as amended, is 1:00pm tomorrow, Tuesday, June 25. Barring any further agreement, the cloture vote on the committee reported substitute amendment, as amended, would occur 1 hour after the Senate convenes Wednesday. If cloture is invoked on the substitute, there would be an additional 30 hours for debate prior to a vote on adoption of the substitute. Upon disposition of the substitute, the Senate would then proceed to vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the underlying bill, as amended. There would then be another 30 hours of post-cloture debate.

Senator Reid also filed cloture on the underlying bill.

5:34pm The Senate began a 15-minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Leahy amendment #1183, as modified (with the Hoeven-Corker border security language)

5:34pm The Senate began a 15-minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Leahy amendment #1183, as modified (with the Hoeven-Corker border security language);

Invoked: 67-27

The Senate is in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each, with the exception of 20 minutes for Senator Inhofe and 15 minutes for Senator Portman. The time counts post-cloture.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTE

1) Motion to invoke cloture on the Leahy amendment #1183, as modified (with the Corker-Hoeven language regarding border security) to the committee-reported substitute amendment to S.744; Invoked: 67-27

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.184, Recognizing refugee women and girls on World Refugee Day.

Adopted S.Res.185, a resolution to authorize representation by the Senate Legal Counsel in the case of R. Wayne Patterson v. United States Senate, et al.

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

June 2013
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16	17	18	19	20	21	22
23	24	25	26	27	28	29
30

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Last Floor Action: 6/20
5:05:16 P.M. – The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order.

The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on June 24, 2013.

11:00:15 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
11:00:20 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Andy Harris to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
11:00:43 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
11:02:05 A.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
11:02:09 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
11:03:20 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on June 25, 2013.