General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsObamacare: It's Obama's signature achievement
It turns out that there has, in fact, been no such rush to reduce work hours. Indeed, numbers released last week reveal that precisely the opposite is taking place.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of part-time workers in the United States has fallen by 300,000 since March of 2010 when the Affordable Care Act was passed into law. Whats more, in the past year alonethe time period in which the nation was approaching the start date for Obamacarefull-time employment grew by over 2 million while part-time employment declined by 230,000.
And it gets even more interesting.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/03/18/1285643/-Every-Democrat-who-wants-to-win-should-memorize-Rick-Ungar-s-piece-on-the-FACTS-about-Obamacare
Under Obamacare, Disney World Will Promote Its Part-Time Workers To Full-Time Status
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023767654
STUDY: Average Obamacare Plans Are Cheaper Than Employer-Sponsored Ones
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024415004
CBO: Guys, We Didn't Say Obamacare Would Cost 2.5 Million Jobs
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014723823
Obamacare boosting household income and spending
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024606074
The heatlh care law also raised the payroll tax for high income earners and taxed investment income.
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 individuals wages, Railroad Retirement Tax Act compensation, and self-employment income that exceeds a threshold amount based on the individuals 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
Health Insurers Will Be Charged to Use New Exchanges
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/01/health/health-insurers-will-be-charged-to-use-new-exchanges.html
Obamacare also improved the Medicaid drug rebate program, which is one of the best.
<...>
The Medicaid Drug Rebate Program is a partnership between CMS, State Medicaid Agencies, and participating drug manufacturers that helps to offset the Federal and State costs of most outpatient prescription drugs dispensed to Medicaid patients. Approximately 600 drug manufacturers currently participate in this program. All fifty States and the District of Columbia cover prescription drugs under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program, which is authorized by Section 1927 of the Social Security Act.
The program requires a drug manufacturer to enter into, and have in effect, a national rebate agreement with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in exchange for State Medicaid coverage of most of the manufacturers drugs. When a manufacturers markets a new drug and electronically lists it with the FDA, they must also submit the drug to the Drug Data Reporting (DDR) system. This ensures that states are aware of the newly marketed drug. In addition, Section II(g) of the Rebate Agreement explains that labelers are responsible for notifying states of a new drugs coverage. Labelers are required to report all covered outpatient drugs under their labeler code to the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program. They may not be selective in reporting their NDC's to the program. Manufacturers are then responsible for paying a rebate on those drugs each time that they are dispensed to Medicaid patients. These rebates are paid by drug manufacturers on a quarterly basis and are shared between the States and the Federal government to offset the overall cost of prescription drugs under the Medicaid Program.
http://www.medicaid.gov/Medicaid-CHIP-Program-Information/By-Topics/Benefits/Prescription-Drugs/Medicaid-Drug-Rebate-Program.html
The ACA increased the Medicaid rebate percentage.
http://www.medicaid.gov/AffordableCareAct/Timeline/Timeline.html
<...>
Best Price. A third argument is that it makes sense for Medicare to receive the best price available for prescription drugs, just like Medicaid and the VA. In Medicaid, the drug manufacturer provides the federal government discounts for drugs, which are shared with the states. The discount is either the minimum drug amount or an amount based on the best price paid by private drug purchasers, whichever is less. Current law requires drug companies to charge Medicaid 23 percent less than the average price they receive for the sale of a drug to retail pharmacies. Drug companies also must provide another discount if a drugs price rises faster than the rate of inflation (Thomas and Pear, 2013)...Medicaid rebates, if applied to Part D, would save the federal government money. According to a 2011 study conducted by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Medicaid rebates were three times greater than the discounts negotiated by Part D for 100 brand name drugs. In 68 of these drugs, Medicaid rebates were twice as high as rebates granted by the drug companies for Medicare drugs (OIG HHS, 2011; Hulsey, 2013). Similarly, a 2008 study of drug pricing information by the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform found that Part D paid, on average, 30 percent more for drugs than Medicaid (Hulsey, 2013).
- more -
http://www.ncpssm.org/PublicPolicy/Medicare/Documents/ArticleID/1138/Issue-Brief-Medicare-Drug-Negotiation-and-Rebates
The ACA contains several important improvements to the Medicare program, many of which are already helping seniors today.
1) Closing the donut hole
a. Medicare Part D covers the cost of medications up to a certain point. Between that point, and a catastrophic coverage threshold, the older adult must pay out of pocket for medication (this gap in coverage is often called the Part D donut hole). One in four beneficiaries fall in this gap, and end up paying an average of $3,610 out of pocket on drug expenses.
b. The ACA requires drug manufacturers to reduce prices for Medicare enrollees in the donut hole. Beginning in 2011, brand‐name drug manufacturers must provide a 50% discount on brand‐name and biologic drugs for Part D enrollees in the donut hole. By 2013, Medicare will begin to provide an additional discount on brand‐name and biologic drugs for enrollees in the donut hole. By 2020, Part D enrollees will be responsible for only 25% of donut hole drug costs.
c. This is a benefit seniors are getting now, and will continue to get as a result of this decision.
2) Improving seniors access to preventive medical services
a. Prior to the ACA, Medicare beneficiaries were required to pay a deductible and 20% copay for many preventive health services.
b. The ACA eliminated cost‐sharing for many preventive services and introduced an annual wellness visit for beneficiaries.
c. The ACA also eliminated cost‐sharing for screening services, like mammograms, Pap smears, bone mass measurements, depression screening, diabetes screening, HIV screening and obesity screenings.
d. This is a benefit seniors are getting now, and will continue to get as a result of this decision.
<...>
Medicaid Long Term Services and Supports Improvements
Several provisions in the ACA will make it easier for seniors to get long‐term services and supports at home and in the community. Medicaid provides funding for long‐term care services in institutions, such as nursing homes and in the community. Seniors prefer to receive care in their homes, and it is generally less expensive, however, most states spend their Medicaid primarily on institutional care. The ACA includes incentives to encourage states to shift Medicaid spending from institutions to the community, so that individuals who require long‐term care services may receive care in least‐restrictive environment. These incentives are not directly impacted by the Courts decision to limit the Medicaid expansion. Elements of the ACA that enhance home and community long‐term care include:
1) Community First Choice Option (CFCO) provides participating states with a six percentage point increase in federal Medicaid matching funds for providing community‐based attendant services and supports to individuals who would otherwise be confined to a nursing home or other institution.
2) Balancing Incentive Payment Program targets increased federal matching funds to states that spend less than half of their Medicaid long‐term care expenditures on community‐based care. This spring, six states received grants to improve their community‐based care.
3) Extending Medicaids spousal impoverishment protection provisions to spouses of individuals who seek long‐term care in the community. This rule goes into effect in 2014.
- more -
http://www.ncpssm.org/Portals/0/pdf/aca-analysis.pdf
Obamacare fulfilling promise to older Americans
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/02/18/1278514/-Obamacare-filling-promise-to-older-nbsp-Americans
How Obamacare Could Revolutionize Addiction Treatment
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2013/09/12/2609501/obamacare-revolutionize-addiction-services/
New Federal Rule Requires Insurers to Offer Mental Health Coverage
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/21/health/new-federal-rule-requires-insurers-to-offer-mental-health-coverage.html
Obamacare Insurance Must Now Cover Gay Spouses, Too
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/obamacare-gay-spouses
More Doctors, Hospitals Partner to Coordinate Care for People with Medicare
http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2013pres/01/20130110a.html
Dental Services Are Coming Back For California's Low-Income Adults
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024538225
Multi-State Plan Program and the New Health Insurance Marketplace
http://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/multi-state-plan-program/#url=Factsheet
New Loan Program Helps Create Customer-Driven Non-Profit Health Insurers
http://www.cms.gov/CCIIO/Resources/Grants/new-loan-program.html
Obama just launched single-payer in America
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024088437
Uh... we should be thanking *Bernie Sanders and Ron Wyden* for single payer in America.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024088636
Uninsurance Rate Falls To Five-Year Low As 3.3 Million Enroll In Obamacare
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2014/02/12/3284581/uninsurance-rate-year-obamacare-enrollments/
UPDATE: ACA Signups: Lots of Stuff Happened Today
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024689326
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022853977
Thanks President Obama. Thanks for fighting harder than anyone else to benefit every American.
spanone
(135,833 posts)ucrdem
(15,512 posts)p.s. to MrScorpio
ProSense
(116,464 posts)Crickets.
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)but a significant milestone towards healthcare financing has been reached.
adirondacker
(2,921 posts)1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)was ever President Obama's healthcare financing end point ... Just a step on the path.
adirondacker
(2,921 posts)1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)Not to folks that were/are actively engaged in community organizing around social justice; where the strategy is/has always been, "take what you can get and push forward ... it really is about movement, no matter how, frustratingly, slow or slight."
Orsino
(37,428 posts)ucrdem
(15,512 posts)But let's not diminish a phenomenal accomplishment, one that PBO doggedly pursued through a political minefield like none I've seen. I remember the day the SC ruling came down in June '12. I heard it on NPR and thought wow, history has been made. And it has!
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)Naw ... you got the wrong guy here.
Yes, history was made ... though too many have missed it; but will sing its praise later ... But President Obama ain't done ... and neither are Democrats.
treestar
(82,383 posts)Would athletic contests be better if there were none?
But at any rate, it's better to cheer something on rather than cut everything down all the time.
People complain the voters aren't "excited" enough and that's why they don't vote, yet the same people cut down "cheerleading." They are against drumming up positive feeling and excitement.
If we are positive about this and make it work, it will lead to single payer. Cutting it down enables those who would get rid of it and go backward. They are the enthused who can "excite" the passive voters.
ProSense
(116,464 posts)Let someone else be against a law that benefits every American.
treestar
(82,383 posts)If they want single payer, how do they think the voters will get enthused about having that while they trash the ACA? It is unrealistic to be so negative about everything and then expect progress.
JoePhilly
(27,787 posts)... spend all of their time on DU screaming about how Democrats suck and aren't worth voting for.
I had one claim that low Democratic turn out would mean that "Dems are waking up".
I honestly hope these folks stay here on DU whining in a closed box, and never go outside as part of a GOTV effort.
Your last sentence is dead on. We use the ACA to get punblic options and single payer at the state level. Then the dominoes start to fall.
treestar
(82,383 posts)Those calling it not good enough want more and how do they expect to get it by constantly complaining and leaving Republicans plenty of fodder to work with! They are dampening enthusiasm for single payer, which they claim they want.
hfojvt
(37,573 posts)JoePhilly
(27,787 posts)I've found through DU, that there is a segment who is always pessimistic and angry. Always.
The predict doom at every opportunity. And when doom does not occur, they shrug it off. They were still right, doom is still going to happen, it just got delayed.
UE goes up ... Bad. UE goes down, also bad.
Market down ... bad. Market up, also bad.
DADT will never end ... DADT ends, meh .. Obama didn't want it to end.
Aca is the same. If ti didn't pass, bad (because the old system would have remained). Wait, it did pass ... that's really bad.
sheshe2
(83,770 posts)I wish some of that negative energy would be put to better use.
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)They NEVER talk down Democrats anywhere except among their Democratic friends! That's what they say.
Taking them at their word (that they can't in one moment be hyper-critical and enthusiastic supporters, in the next) ... it would seem they are oblivious to their enthusiasm dampening effect they have on their unenthused Democratic friend.
hfojvt
(37,573 posts)is when it takes bad policy and dishonestly spins propaganda that it is really good policy.
ProSense
(116,464 posts)"the main thing wrong with cheerleading is when it takes bad policy and dishonestly spins propaganda that it is really good policy."
...where is the "bad policy" in the OP? Is it help for seniors?
The problem with silly spin is that all it takes is someone to say anything.
hfojvt
(37,573 posts)I did not apply it to this OP
But here is one example from the 600 mile long OP
if you really want one.
How Obamacare Could Revolutionize Addiction Treatment
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2013/09/12/2609501/obamacare-revolutionize-addiction-services/
To say that Obamacare is great and to "prove" that by an article talking about what Obamacare 'could' do is a very weak sort of proof.
It's a little bit like trying to prove Bill Self is a great coach by writing about how KU 'could' win it all this March, or to argue that he's a bad coach by writing that KU 'could' lose in the first round of the big dance.
It ain't over until it's over. Any number of things 'could' happen.
And "all it takes is for some one to say anything."
You mean like an "argument" that begins by declaring any contrary argument to be 'nonsense'?
treestar
(82,383 posts)without cheering about how we "could" win on something? !!!!!
Gloom about how the ACA is not good enough only dampens enthusiasm.
And it's the same people claiming we should "excite" the voters and give them something to vote for. The possibilities are what they can get excited about.
How Obamacare Could Revolutionize Addiction Treatment
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2013/09/12/2609501/obamacare-revolutionize-addiction-services/
To say that Obamacare is great and to "prove" that by an article talking about what Obamacare 'could' do is a very weak sort of proof.
...that's your example of "bad policy"? Because the article said "could"?
The fact is that the Obamacare did expand drug treatment.
How Obamacare Is Changing Addiction Treatment Coverage
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/04/obamacare-addiction-treatment-coverage-aca_n_4896388.html
you asked for a 'bad policy'
and I gave you, instead, an example of a 'bad argument' for supporting a policy.
But if your 'proof' that a policy is good includes a whole bunch of 'bad arguments' then that does tend to make the policy suspect. Otherwise, why not use good arguments to defend it?
ProSense
(116,464 posts)"if your 'proof' that a policy is good includes a whole bunch of 'bad arguments' then that does tend to make the policy suspect. Otherwise, why not use good arguments to defend it?"
...this doesn't make sense. I mean, proposals are not "bad arguments."
treestar
(82,383 posts)But then why would not anyone cheerlead what one thinks is a good thing?
I can't see any honest argument that the ACA makes it worse, harder to get eventually to a goal of single payer.
And I have this nagging feeling that even a single payer system would have imperfections causing the usual gloom crowd to call it a disappointment and betrayal anyway.
hfojvt
(37,573 posts)of the invasion of Iraq
and the Bush tax cuts
Some people believed in them. Some were paid to push for them. Others believed in them after they got persuaded by those who were paid to push for them.
When policies line somebody's pockets they can fund some propaganda to support such policies.
treestar
(82,383 posts)one will cheerlead what one believes in. Which is why it's so odd that it is considered bad to cheerlead some progress on health care payment systems in a liberal Democratic environment. And proper to dampen all enthusiasm for progress in that area.
hfojvt
(37,573 posts)and it is considered bad when people will not listen to facts and reason about policies because they just wanna cheer on their dreamy hero.
treestar
(82,383 posts)with being in total agreement with you as the only acceptable thing and that is never going to happen in the real world.
Is there a serious argument that we would be closer to single payer with no ACA?
I could as well call whoever you want to win to be your dreamy hero. That kind of talk is just being mean. Maybe people really do want this person in the office and want him to succeed as well as possible and want to set the ground so as to make more progress in the future under the next D President? Maybe they really think that cheerleading on the D President could lead to more D midterm voters and a Congress that will vote for more progress? The D Senate we had wasn't progressive enough for a public option. We should have cheered Obama for wanting one and blamed the Republicans that we can't have it, and that way we'd get more Dem voters out to vote for a Senate that might allow for it.
Just blaming the D president as "weak" didn't work. It did not pull one Dem leftward. It just got them out of office in favor of Republicans.
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)Are you saying that all those political wonkie folks are onto something with their Presidential favorability numbers/midterm elections predictive models?
JoePhilly
(27,787 posts)Will you promote it as a good starting point that we should work to build on, adding public options at the state level, and single payer at the state level, and using those to push a federal PO into the federal exchanges? That this is why every Dem should get up and go vote on election day?
Or ...
Will you claim the ACA sucks, Dems suck, and that we're going to lose in 2014 so there's really no reason to get up on election day?
Well?
hfojvt
(37,573 posts)at which point I have to say what I actually think.
I'm not gonna say it's a good starting point, if that is not what I think.
And my own motivation to vote is not based on some optimism about our chances of winning. It is based on my desire to do what I can to defeat a bad governor named Brownback and to defeat a bad congressperson named Jenkins.
JoePhilly
(27,787 posts)She's 17 and the ACA has improved her life immensely and will ultimately save her life.
Her view of the ACA is very encouraging.
hfojvt
(37,573 posts)that's not a very niece thing to say
and also it is always possible that somebody who hates Obamacare will connect better with somebody who is ambivalent about Obamacare than they will with somebody who is all zippadeedooda about a policy they hate.
But yeah, when I was doing GOTV in 2008 with this attractive black woman, I was trying to convince this black guy to go to the polls and take his mother too, I was trying to wave her over because I figured she would be more persuasive than I was.
But really, neither of us got anybody to the polls, in spite of driving 40 miles and walking two.
But at the end of the day, I tried. I tried.
I wish she had walked down that long driveway and tried too.
treestar
(82,383 posts)Brownback and Jenkins to be worth talking up, cheering for (and in that state they are likely to be rather conservative Democrats). Getting people enthused to vote for them?
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)"Cheer-leading" is saying anything positive about this President or certain Democrats, especially in the face of the ever pessimistic, ever angry's "it's all bad ... if not now, then it will be."
hfojvt
(37,573 posts)cheerleading is saying anything positive about this country.
We are the evil empire and Obama = Khrushchev
ProSense
(116,464 posts)1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)And those that criticize "cheer-leading" seem to ignore that "cheer-leading" and "Booing" are different sides of the same coin, i.e., expressing support or displeasure.
Lastly, those critical of "cheer-leading" seem to have no problem when the "cheer-leading" is for their politico of choice, i.e., "We just need more like {Insert politico of choice} ... What? {politico of choice} supported said legislation? ... CRICKETS."
treestar
(82,383 posts)"I love that woman!"
"Bernie for President!"
And yet it's wrong to cheer for Obama who actually is President, to get as much as he can out of Congress, especially one that is so intent on opposing him just for him and not even out of policy!
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)"It's not about him ... it's about his policies!!!", yelped the dog the rock hit.
ProSense
(116,464 posts)http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024695722
uponit7771
(90,339 posts)ProSense
(116,464 posts)http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/03/20/1286156/-Scott-Brown-gets-an-awkward-lesson-about-nbsp-Obamacare
Iliyah
(25,111 posts)ProSense
(116,464 posts)He's toast.
Cha
(297,240 posts)elephant.. he got a taste of the lime light in the Senate and he doesn't understand what a useless tool he is.
ProSense
(116,464 posts)Cha
(297,240 posts)like SB go down for the 2nd time.
sheshe2
(83,770 posts)ProSense
(116,464 posts)By Scott Keyes
RACINE, Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) has been one of the primary architects of the GOPs ongoing crusade to repeal and replace Obamacare. Most recently, the Budget Chairman has indicated that Republicans will attempt to pass individual reforms to roll back the health laws provisions piece by piece....On Wednesday, the Republican congressman was confronted by one such voter at a town hall in southeast Wisconsin.
ACA subsidies are a good thing, Michael Martincic, 64, of Oak Creek told Ryan, criticizing his Partys repeated attempts to get rid of the health reform law.
Martincic works as a roofer and is currently paying $700 for his health insurance through his union. However, upon browsing Healthcare.gov it was so easy to get on the site; the whole thing only took 15 minutes, Martincic told ThinkProgress afterward he found that he qualified for subsidies and could be paying as little as $200 for coverage.
Martincic also told Ryan about others who had been helped by Obamacare as well, including a friend with leukemia whose out-of-pocket expenses had been cut in half. At several points, the crowd clapped and cheered for him.
Nonetheless, Ryan defended his partys repeal votes 51 in total noting that some of them only aimed to chip away at particular parts of Obamacare. We didnt have 51 votes to repeal it altogether 51 times, Ryan said. Thats sort of this urban legend there are many pieces of this law that we went after.
Watch it:
- more -
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2014/03/20/3416783/paul-ryan-constituent-obamacare/
sheshe2
(83,770 posts)Republicans think that repeal votes in Congress are going to stop people from wanting access to health care.
Cha
(297,240 posts)Cha
(297,240 posts)an "awkward lesson" about Obamacare in New Hampshire.
Richardson was injured on the job and was forced to live on his workers' comp payments for an extended period of time, which ultimately cost the couple their house on Williams Street. The couple had to pay $1,100 a month if they wanted to maintain their health insurance coverage under the federal COBRA law.
Richardson said he only received some $2,000 a month in workers' comp. payments, however, leaving little for them to live on.
"Thank God for Obamacare!" his wife exclaimed.
Now, thanks to the subsidy for which they qualify, the Richardsons only pay $136 a month for health insurance that covers them both.
thanks PS
ProSense
(116,464 posts)mountain grammy
(26,621 posts)but I will say yes to the ACA and am relieved that my family is covered. This is a huge, positive move forward.
ProSense
(116,464 posts)mountain grammy
(26,621 posts)You've educated me more than once and I rarely disagree with your conclusions.
ProSense
(116,464 posts)ProSense
(116,464 posts)http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024702695
Iliyah
(25,111 posts)There is nothing positive coming from the corporate media. MSM always reporting negative about Dems but nothing about GOPs. GOPs have no good ideals nor a viable alternative, including, Obamacare. GOPers only ammunition is the blame game and lies coupled with tons of money. GOPer trolls are out in full force on every progressive site spewing talking points.
Jamaal510
(10,893 posts)had me ing. I didn't see that thread until just today, but I was (somewhat) amazed that such a misguided post got over 100 recs on here. Luckily, a handful of DUers set the OP straight on that thread.
ProSense
(116,464 posts)ProSense
(116,464 posts)Jamaal510
(10,893 posts)like "la la la....I can't hear you" on the outrage threads whenever you and others give people the links and quotes to check out.
ProSense
(116,464 posts)http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024699353
steve2470
(37,457 posts)IADEMO2004
(5,554 posts)No that is what I call a damn fine "Original Post"