Merry Christmas, and thanks to all Democrats who stood by and supported the health care law.

[ProSense]

I'm personally grateful for their vocal support to help low-income, uninsured Americans.

The bottom 26 percent of income earners are eligible for Medicaid under the expanded rules. That's nearly 17 million newly eligible people, and millions more will qualify for subsidies. There is a new tax on high-income earners and the wealthy to help pay for the law.

Reported when the law passed in 2010:

A big chunk of the money to pay for the bill comes from lifting payroll taxes on households making more than $250,000. On average, the annual tax bill for households making more than $1 million a year will rise by $46,000 in 2013, according to the Tax Policy Center, a Washington research group. Another major piece of financing would cut Medicare subsidies for private insurers, ultimately affecting their executives and shareholders.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/24/business/24leonhardt.html

It's the law, 2013:

Net Investment Income Tax

A new Net Investment Income Tax goes into effect starting in 2013. The 3.8 percent Net Investment Income Tax applies to individuals, estates and trusts that have certain investment income above certain threshold amounts. The IRS and the Treasury Department have issued proposed regulations on the Net Investment Income Tax. Comments may be submitted electronically, by mail or hand delivered to the IRS. For additional information on the Net Investment Income Tax, see our questions and answers.

Additional Medicare Tax

A new Additional Medicare Tax goes into effect starting in 2013. The 0.9 percent Additional Medicare Tax applies to an individual’s wages, Railroad Retirement Tax Act compensation, and self-employment income that exceeds a threshold amount based on the individual’s filing status. The threshold amounts are $250,000 for married taxpayers who file jointly, $125,000 for married taxpayers who file separately, and $200,000 for all other taxpayers. An employer is responsible for withholding the Additional Medicare Tax from wages or compensation it pays to an employee in excess of $200,000 in a calendar year. The IRS and the Department of the Treasury have issued proposed regulations on the Additional Medicare Tax. Comments may be submitted electronically, by mail or hand delivered to the IRS. For additional information on the Additional Medicare Tax, see our questions and answers.

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Affordable-Care-Act-Tax-Provisions

California Obamacare Enrollment Tops 400,000

More than 400,000 Californians have enrolled in health coverage under Obamacare as of Sunday, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The numbers are preliminary. State officials said enrollment had spiked with the approaching Monday deadline for signing up for coverage that starts in January: 27,000 people enrolled Sunday -- more than HealthCare.gov, which is serving 36 states, signed up in all of October.

The Obama administration has repeatedly pledged that enrollment would spike ahead of this week's deadline. President Obama said last week that more than 500,000 people enrolled through HealthCare.gov in the first three weeks of this month alone -- more than doubling the total enrollments that the federal website saw in October and November combined.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/california-obamacare-enrollment-400k

100,000-plus Kentuckians sign up for health insurance

FRANKFORT, KY. — More than 100,000 Kentuckians can mark another item off their shopping lists: medical coverage.

Kentucky’s state-operated online insurance marketplace has had a rush of people signing up for policies over the past month so that they would receive coverage beginning Jan. 1.

Gwenda Bond, a spokeswoman for the Kentucky Health Benefit Exchange, said officials had geared up for the anticipated surge.

<...>

As of Monday afternoon, 74,054 people had enrolled in Medicaid and 26,042 in private health insurance plans.

- more -

http://www.courier-journal.com/viewart/20131223/BUSINESS/312230053/100-000-plus-Kentuckians-sign-up-health-insurance

Total ACA Enrollments actually closer to 8 Million.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024216660

2 Million People Visited HealthCare.gov Ahead Of Deadline

Two million people visited HealthCare.gov on Monday, the ostensible deadline to sign up through Obamacare for health coverage that starts in January, according to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

The administration announced Monday, though, that anyone who enrolled in coverage by the end of the day Tuesday would still be covered on Jan. 1. After Tuesday, the earliest that one's coverage would start would be Feb. 1.

The high volume forced CMS to deploy the website's queueing system, which asked a total of 129,000 people to come back later to complete their application.

CMS said that traffic remained high Tuesday, though not as high as Monday, and the queueing system had not been activated.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/obamacare-website-hits-december-deadline

[Kath1]

1. Yes!

This is a good law which benefits millions of Americans, despite the propaganda of the Republicans and the Fox News blowhards.

[decrepittex]

23. Absolutely!

My grandson, who has numerous health problems, most since his teens, now has insurance.
Without the ACA he would be at the mercy of the Emergency Room where he already owes
$$$$$$$$$$ thousands. You can bet your ass Faux will not be covering anyone like him in
their anti Obamacare rants.

[Kath1]

25. I'm glad for your grandson, decrepittex.

He is one of millions who will benefit from this legislation. And yes, success stories such as his will get absolutely no coverage by Faux news.

[ProSense]

2. Wendell Potter on Obamacare

Wendell Potter on Obamacare

by teacherken

in an interesting piece at Reader Supported News dated yesterday and titled Obamacare: What's in It for You? Plenty, So Take Time to Find Out.

He notes a number of things that most Americans do not seem to know, in large part because of how the media has covered the roll-out, starting with this: the average increased in premiums of 4% much lower than the average of the past decade.

Here's a few more things people don't seem to know:

- 3.1 million young adults have been added to the insurance rolls because they cabn stay on their parent's policy until age 26

- $1.2 billion in rebates in 2011 and $2.1 billion in 2012 from insurers who did not spnd the requisite 80% of premiums upon benefits

- $7 billion saved on prescription drugs by Medicare beneficiaires as a result of closing of the "Doughnut Hole" in Part D

- > 25.4 million people on original Medicare program receiving at least one preventive service at no cost to them during just the first eleven months of 2013

We know the numbers of those enrolling are surging.

It is unfortunate there have been glitches in the rollout, in the sign-up procedures.

But the Affordable Care Act is working, and providing real benefits.

Now, if only the media would do its job and tell the WHOLE story.

Peace?

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/12/25/1265241/-Wendell-Potter-on-Obamacare#

[Kath1]

29. Yes!

The ACA is working and providing real relief and benefit to millions of Americans. Yes, I love Obamacare!

Thanks for the informative post and, as always, Peace.

[ProSense]

30. Thanks.

Happy Holidays.

[Tobin S.]

3. kick

[sheshe2]

4. This!

Is what we are about. Standing together for the low income and the uninsured. It is about Right not Privilege.

Merry Christmas ProSense and thank you.

[ProSense]

6. Merry Christmas, sheshe2.

Thanks

[freshwest]

20. And a Merry Christmas to you who has kept us informed. There are many who never heard of DU who are

living, or living berter lives, since the ACA became law in 2010. I know a number personally who are among them who have had their hearts eased by finally being recognized a people, and not by the size of their wallets. As I have said many times, their lives - and being alive - matters.

One example not covered by media:

The truth about the ACA, from 2010! What media refused to show!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/110219820

Naturally, we don't know the stories of the millions grateful for the ACA. That was one family, photogenic and middle class, with something to lose.

There are millions who are not so situated, poor, disabled and always disadvantaged with chronic health problems, or unpopular diseases.

They had to make the decision of going to see a doctor but said no because it meant financial catastrophe including homelessness for their survivors. Or just because they knew after being sent away, they were not going to get help, no matter how they begged. Their lives were not valued more than money.

As a matter of policy, save some of our great, but aging bleeding hearts like Bernie, we've not been valuing the lives of people we don't know. And as I have said, there are many out there most people cannot imagine, and in many cases don't want to know.

So they're hated or totally ignored. Obama holds a belief in the equality of all, even the unpopular, poor or considered to be of no economic use. I thank him and Bernie and all those like them who understand this truth..

Have a great New Year, ProSense, you certainly deserve it. Thanks.

[ProSense]

26. Thanks. Via Daily Kos, a great summary of the moving goal post:

UPDATE: New Silly ACA Attack: "But how many have actually PAID???"

by Brainwrap

I included this as an update to my previous diary, but decided that given how often I'm hearing this new attack lately, it deserved it's own diary.

First it was "No one can get on the website!"

Then it was "OK, the site is loading but no one can create an account!"

Then "OK, you can create an account but no one can view the plans!"

Then "OK, you can view the plans but no one can fill out their application!"

Then "OK, you can apply but no one can actually enroll!"

Then "OK, it works now, but no one bothering to do so anymore!"

Then "OK, (a lot of) people are enrolling, but none of the data is being transferred to the insurance companies!"

And now that we've hit over 1.8 million private enrollments, the new attack is:

"FINE, a lot of people have ENROLLED, but how many have actually PAID???"

- more -

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/12/25/1265346/--But-how-many-have-actually-PAID

Next, well they paid, but how many actually have the money in the bank.

I wouldn't be surprised if a Republican suggests drug testing applicants.

[Kath1]

28. Yes indeed, she!

This is what we are all about - standing up for the disenfrachised and marginalized. That is what ACA is.

"It is about Right not Privilege." - Damn right!

Peace and joy to you during this season.

[riqster]

5. And the same to you!

[ProSense]

7. .

Thanks.

[mountain grammy]

8. K & R Thanks! "just the facts, maam, just the facts"

My 63 year old husband will be insured as of 1/1/2014 as will my 25 year old daughter (who qualifies for Medicaid.)
So my daughter and I (Medicare, happily 66) will enjoy single payer with tiny deductible and no limits on coverage.
My husband has a decent policy for $250/month with dental. He will have a $5000 deductible but there's a cap on out of pocket expenses ($6000) and no cap on coverage but, having NO insurance for a 63 year old man is a risk we are happy to no longer have to face. Since he's a veteran, that was always our back up plan, but the VA is overburdened and doesn't have the capability for many health issues.
We are just happy (and lucky) the ACA has provided a subsidy that allows us to afford insurance. Of course we want single payer, but this is working and is such a huge step in the right direction. I have many friends earning just above the poverty level and they are qualifying for Medicaid. Several have proudly shown me their new insurance cards effective 1/1/2014.
A few million Americans will face the new year with a huge weight lifted off their shoulders. THANKS OBAMA!!

Now, if we can just get to work on raising the ridiculously low minimum wage, we just might lift up a few million more people.

HALLELUJAH!!

[ProSense]

12. Congratulations.

Thanks for sharing those stories.

Happy Holidays.

[JaneyVee]

9. Hi! Vocal supporter here! Merry Christmas to you too!

Amazing isn't it, we have a president willing to bend over backwards to bring affordable healthcare and easier access to millions yet the media treats him like he's starting an illegal war.

[ProSense]

14. Yup, in the

"Amazing isn't it, we have a president willing to bend over backwards to bring affordable healthcare and easier access to millions yet the media treats him like he's starting an illegal war."

...the media's twisted attempt to shill for Republicans: health care for tens of millions of Americans = illegal war.

[freshwest]

21. And it's a race war and a class war. At last those less wealthy get to live, it's a revolution. n/t

[Kath1]

31. Another vocal supporter here, too!

I am so happy that we have a President with the courage to extend affordable access and affordable heath care to millions by way of the ACA. And, yes, his predecessor, instead of working for the people, was busy starting an illegal and immoral war based on lies which cost billions and caused untold pain and suffering for millions of people.

Yes. I love Obamacare. (Got the bumper sticker and the button to show support. Soooo refreshing to have a President focused on people's needs instead of war.

Merry Christmas and peace and joy to you, JaneyVee!

[BlancheSplanchnik]

10. two million kicks and recs!!

This is really amazing! Great news!!! Thanks for posting this ProSense.

[RoccoRyg]

11. I support the law as much as you fine fellows...

But I have a problem. I have a right-leaning friend in New York who says she can't afford health insurance on the state exchanges because her rent is $25,000 a year and she makes too much for subsidies. She has to pay the fine. I've checked and the N.Y. rates are pretty high, while my IL rates are less than half that. What should I tell her, besides move somewhere reasonable?

[TBF]

13. It's a start -

I know we discussed once that it would be cool if Tricare could be expanded. Hoping to see that down the road but at least at the moment more people than before are getting coverage.

[Phentex]

34. That's how I feel...

it's not perfect but it's a start.

[Iliyah]

15. K & R

The gawd fearing GOPers do nothing for the working class and the poor because they are soulless greedy sobs.

So glad the Dems pushed it and although it far from "perfect" its a start and lord behold it will help millions, figure that.

[ProSense]

16. Yup.

Happy Holidays.

[great white snark]

17. What could be more important than saving & improving the quality of life?

I too thank the Democrats and President Obama.

Very Merry Christmas to you and yours dearest ProSense.

[Cha]

18. What a wonderful thread, ProSense and

reminder of what we stood up for!



Merry Christmas, ProSense~

[ProSense]

19. Thanks.

Merry Christmas.

[Kath1]

32. Yes, Cha!

This is what we stood up for and voted for in 2008 and 2012. So wonderful to see it becoming a reality and helping people!

[JI7]

22. we are going to be seeing some huge gains on this next year

[decrepittex]

24. I would think that

is the very thing the GOP fears most. They know if the ACA is successful that it's a huge black
eye for them. Some people will not forget who fought it tooth and nail when they step into the
voting booth. My greatest wish is that it comes back to bite Ted Cruz in his arrogant dumb ass.

[RBInMaine]

27. This is ANGUS KING, our very good US Senator from Maine.

[ProSense]

33. Kick! n/t