Tag Archives: insurance

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$#!^@#%!


GOP Takes Obamacare Meltdown To A Whole New Level

A mere seven days remain for Congress to pass a spending bill in order to avoid a government shutdown. But Republicans are farther away than ever from agreeing to a reasonable plan that would keep the government open.

On Friday, the House GOP continued its march toward shutdown by passing a bill that ties keeping the government open to–surprise!–fully defunding Obamacare. Once again, Republicans refuse to do the hard work of actual governing in favor of playing political games that threaten to sabotage the economy. But while the vote only solidified the GOP’s ideological and dangerous strategy, it opened the floodgates for more infighting among its owns members. Here is what a number of key GOP players and establishment thinkers have to say about the “defund at all costs” plan:

  • GOP Sen. John McCain (AZ): “I can tell you that in the U.S. Senate, we will not repeal or defund Obamacare. We will not. And to think we can is not rational.”
  • GOP Strategist Karl Rove: The GOP defunding strategy is “self-defeating…It is an ill-conceived tactic, and Republicans should reject it.”
  • Fox News Host Bill O’Reilly: Defunding Obamacare is “fanaticism on the right,” O’Reilly says. “There’s no way Obamacare is going to be defunded. It’s not gonna happen.”
  • GOP Sen. Tom Coburn (OK): “Tactics and strategies ought to be based on what the real world is, and we do not have the political power to do this.”
  • GOP Sen. Rand Paul (KY): “I’m acknowledging we can’t probably defeat or get rid of Obamacare.”
  • GOP Sen. Kelly Ayotte (NH): “I don’t believe they should shut down the government to [defund Obamacare], and I don’t think that is a strategy that is good for America.”
  • GOP Sen. Johnny Isakson (GA): “It’s total atrophy. We’re earning our 11 percent popularity. It’s easier to talk about Obamacare than the major sources of our problems.”
  • Wall Street Journal Editorial Board: “Kamikaze missions rarely turn out well, least of all for the pilots… The kamikazes could end up ensuring the return of all-Democratic rule.”

Now, they all may just be trying to protect their party’s interests. But they seem to know what most Americans already do: the extreme demands by the GOP to push a narrow ideological agenda are out of touch. A new bipartisan CNBC poll released today proves that point. Almost six in ten Americans oppose defunding the health care law if it means a government shutdown, while just 19 percent support. A poll released last week found that only 23 percent of Americans want to make the health care law fail.

BOTTOM LINE: Republicans’ political games are threatening our nation’s economic recovery. Americans don’t want to shut down the government and want an end to the hostage-taking political tactics that place ideology over practical solutions for stability and growth.

~ my 2cents ...

ACA is a job creator


click on ACA

The Affordable HealthCare Law resolves health care and jobs issues.

 If you believe in moving into the 21st Century, believe in health care being accessible to all , if you believe it is a right not a privilege or that the overhaul is long overdue; then you are on the right side of history. Please do not believe how some are portraying ACA, as a law for the poor.  I do not believe that parents with kids in college would say they are poor nor rich and these days most families have two or more in college at the same time. Therefore, having children covered until 26 is a relief to some families

The fact is over 32mil people will now have access to an improved health care system that will need more doctors, PA, and those great nurses who we usually see when we feel bad. Think about it, what does it take to run a Hospital? Our current workforce cannot possibly handle that many new customers and will need to hire more folks from the so-called bottom up such as grounds, parking lots, security, maintenance, janitors to gardeners to receptionists, and more.  I have no idea how many people go to the doctor each day, but if you have an appointment during the workday, your child is in school, goes to daycare or you take them with you … most people do not; bam more jobs needed.

I cannot begin to list the impact of 32million more people added to the health care system, but the proof of it being a jobs bill is obvious.

 In Solidarity …

Information : from www.Whitehouse.gov

For a comprehensive overview of the Affordable Care Act, visit WhiteHouse.gov/HealthReform and HealthCare.gov.

Let’s take a look at what this ruling means for the middle class:

A major impact of the Court’s decision is the 129 million people with pre-existing conditions and millions of middle class families who will have the security of affordable health coverage.

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Small business and ACA
Calvin W. Goings Regional Administrator Calvin W. Goings

The Affordable Care Act, Part 3

The U.S. Small Business Administration is committed to educating small business owners about the facts surrounding the Affordable Care Act, so that you can make an informed decision about what makes sense for your business – including whether you choose to apply for a tax credit.

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, small businesses are benefitting from improved accountability and affordability in the health insurance market. As you prepare for the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Marketplaces to begin open enrollment on October 1, it is important that small businesses, who offer health insurance to their employees, remember that you may also be eligible for a tax credit. This can significantly offset the cost of providing insurance, by crediting a percentage of small business owners’ premium contributions.

Through 2013, to qualify for a small business tax credit of up to 35 percent (up to 25 percent for non-profits) of your premium contributions, you must meet all of the following criteria:

·         Have fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees

·         Pay average annual wages below $50,000

·         And, contribute 50 percent or more toward your employees’ self-only health insurance premiums.

Beginning in January 2014, this tax credit increases to 50 percent (35 percent for non-profits) and will be available to small businesses who meet the criteria listed above and who purchase coverage through the new SHOP Marketplaces (also known as Exchanges). This enhanced credit can be claimed for any two consecutive taxable years beginning in 2014 (or beginning in a later year) through the SHOP.

To determine whether your small business or tax exempt organization qualifies for the credit, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers a helpful step-by-step guide. Visit http://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/ and search for the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit. If you have additional questions about the tax credit, or need assistance completing the necessary forms, call the IRS Business Help Line at 1-800-829-4933.

Once you’ve determined that you qualify for the credit, your tax professional can help guide you through the necessary steps to claim the credit which include:

·         Carrying the credit back or forward to other tax years.

·         Obtaining a refundable credit if you are a tax-exempt employer. (Note this is a federal tax credit. You may also be eligible for additional health care tax credits from your state.)

·         Using Form 8941, Credit for Small Employer Health Insurance Premiums, to calculate the credit. It’s also important to know that eligible small employers can claim the credit and still take a business expense deduction for the remainder of their premium contributions.

The Affordable Care Act allows small employers to offer health coverage in a way that makes sense for their business and works for their bottom line, and the SBA is committed to leveraging our resources and federal partnerships to connect you with the facts and resources you need to understand the law.

To learn more, visit www.sba.gov/healthcare.
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Small business and ACA


Hangout with the SBA and Cover Oregon to find out
The third in a series of three Google+ Hangouts brought to you by the SBA and Cover Oregon will discuss what small businesses need to know about Oregon’s Health Care Marketplace, Cover Oregon, and how they will access coverage through the web portal. Cover Oregon will address specific small business needs including:

  • How to request real-time carrier quotes including available plans and rates
  • The process to search for and select a medical plan and dental plan for employees
  • How to set up the open enrollment period for employees
  • The process for e-signature and carrier submission

Have additional questions about how the health care law will impact your business in Oregon? Watch the earlier Hangouts that covered specific topics of the Affordable Care Act like the Marketplace and the Small Business Tax Credit.

The first Hangout described the new Health Care Marketplace in Oregon, Cover Oregon. Through Cover Oregon, employers and individuals will be able to shop for health insurance plans and access financial assistance to help pay for coverage. The second Hangout covered the small business tax credit available under ACA and the eligibility requirements to qualify for it.

Join us September 17, 2013, 12:00 – 12:30 p.m. and learn how Cover Oregon can help you.

Registration is not required for these Hangouts.  Simply click on SBA’s YouTube channel www.youtube.com/sba or Google+ Page www.google.com/+sbagov and tweet your questions using the hashtag #CoverOregon.
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Young adults without insurance


Policy and Action from Consumer Reports

In six weeks, getting older may get a bit easierYoung adults historically are the biggest group of uninsured Americans. If you fall in this group, or know someone how does, we want to hear your story. It will help us make sure the new insurance marketplaces debuting Oct. 1 work for you.

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In about six weeks, health reform will unveil one of its biggest improvements for Americans in need of health insurance.

And if you’re a young adult who doesn’t have coverage – either because you are too old to be on your parents’ policy, your job doesn’t offer insurance, you’re in school, or you just think insurance is a drag – we want to specifically hear from you.

Are you a young adult without insurance? Share your story and help us make sure this new change works for you.

Starting Oct. 1, Americans without coverage can now find health insurance policies offered in their state in one spot on the Internet – and compare them by price and types of coverage. These online ‘marketplaces’ will also spell out who can get financial assistance to pay for their insurance, and how to get that help.

Why are we interested in hearing specifically from people age 19 to 29? Because this group historically is uninsured at higher rates than any other age group. Most don’t have access to insurance – they’re part-time workers, self-employed, or trying to find that first steady job with benefits.

Obamacare already helped 3 million young adults get coverage by requiring insurance companies let their parents keep them on their policies until age 26. Now, the marketplaces should help millions more find coverage and help those struggling pay for it.

If you are young and uninsured, or know someone who is, we need to hear about it. The reasons why you can’t get insurance will help us track whether the law meets your needs.

Even if you don’t fit this age group, you probably have a son or granddaughter who does. Please forward this email to anyone you know who is young and uninsured so we can hear from them.

Sincerely, Blake Hutson, Consumers Union Policy and Action from Consumer Reports