March 5, 2014

Another Affordable Care Act success story!

Starting next month, I'll have health insurance with a $250 deductible and $500 annual maximum for under $35/month! I'll finally be able to afford to see my oncologist again.

February 15, 2014

Obamacare Gives Workers Freedom Conservatives Demanded!!

A few quotes from Greedy Obstructionist Party:

“A lot of people change their jobs. So the tax benefit should change and go with them, and not be attached to their jobs. We want to address job lock. So, the key question that ought to be addressed in any health care reform legislation, is are we going to continue job lock, or are we going to allow individuals more choice, and portability to fit the 21st century workforce?” (Paul Ryan 5/20/09)

“Of course there are a number of things that I like in health care reform that I’m going to put in place…. I also want individuals to be able to buy insurance, health insurance, on their own as opposed to only being able to get it on a tax advantage basis through their company.” (Mitt Romney 9/9/12)

“[T]he employer-based system leads to ‘job lock,’ whereby people are afraid to leave their jobs if they fall ill on the job, because switching plans could mean higher premiums or denial of coverage.” (Avik Roy, former health care adviser to Mitt Romney 2/7/12)

http://thinkprogress.org/health/2014/02/04/3249671/obamacare-job-lock/

February 5, 2014

Why do Universities resist closing during bad weather?

At least two Universities in Kansas took their sweet time closing despite the governor declaring a state of emergency, public transit not running, and all other schools in the area being closed. Topeka Kansas ended up with over a foot of snow and Washburn University insisted on staying open for morning classes. Emporia State University didn't seem to notice that all other schools in the area were cancelled and the city transit wasn't running and stayed open for morning classes as well. It has been reported that several ESU students were taken to the hospital by ambulance due to injuries from falling. When some government offices and all other schools are closed due to bad weather, colleges should be closed. When there's no public transit, colleges should definitely be closed. Not all students who live off campus can afford cars. To make matters worse, many college professors have strict no excuse attendance policies. I guess Kansas college students are expected to walk to school during winter storm warnings? Are Universities in other states this resistant to closing due to bad weather?

January 28, 2014

Three GOP senators finally have a replacement for ACA!

http://news.yahoo.com/three-republican-senators-offer-obamacare-alternative-212631387--sector.html

Let's make patients responsible for a HIGHER PORTION of their medical bills. GET RID OF SUBSIDIES and BRING BACK PREEXISTING CONDITIONS so everyone can assume personal responsibility for their health care. People should be 100% personally responsible for maintaining continuous coverage since they have total control over their bosses and can guarantee they will never ever lose their jobs. Those poor insurance companies should never have to cover preexisting conditions. Health insurance should be just like car insurance. It's not like there's any difference between a car not getting fixed after a preexisting accident and someone DYING because they have a preexisting condition. Oh, and nobody that isn't a mother, a child, or "frail" can have Medicaid, even if their incomes are under 138% FPL.

January 7, 2014

Get rid of Affordable Care Act's family glitch without Congress by calling this number!!

Sue-Jean Kim or John B. Lovelace at (202) 622-4960. According to a person I spoke with from the IRS, if enough people call and complain about the family glitch, the IRS has the power without Congress to change the way they calculate the 9.5% affordability test. That means instead of basing what is considered affordable health insurance on the worker's premium alone, it could be based on the premium of the entire family instead, which would result in many more low income families being eligible for the subsidies and cost sharing they so desperately need. For those unfamiliar with the family glitch, here's the problem it poses: Under the PPACA, employer provided health insurance is considered affordable if the premium costs no more than 9.5% of household income. If employer provided health insurance passes this test, workers and their families are ineligible for health insurance subsidies on the exchange. Unlike the exchange, employer provided health insurance is not subsidized according to income. Unfortunately, the IRS is only counting the employee's portion of the premium in the affordability test, not the family premium. The family members, despite not being counted, are still ineligible for subsidies. I specifically asked the person I spoke with if the IRS could change this without Congress and was told yes. The number to call is (202) 622-4960 and the individuals to speak with are Sue-Jean Kim or John B. Lovelace.

This is the link I got the names and number from.


https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2013-21157.pdf