This article discusses some of the current problems with the Affordable Care Act and how we might move forward. My top two priorities would be to (1) cover those individuals who were “missed” when many Republican governors refused to expand Medicaid in their states; and (2) fix the out-of-network charges that patients incur through no fault of their own (and often without knowledge of the situation until it’s too late).
Driving a New Bargain on Health Care
New York Times | October 19, 2013
A companion piece explains with problems with out-of-network charges in more detail.
Out of Network, Not By Choice, and Facing Huge Health Bills
New York Times | October 18, 2013
Health Informatics | Medical Communications | Health Policy |Social Equity
Showing posts with label Congress. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Congress. Show all posts
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Just *Who* Do House Republicans Think They’re Hurting?
In another sign that House Republicans don’t understand the the Affordable Care Act or the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) decision to allow members of Congress to receive a benefit to which they’re entitled, House Republicans have crafted a bill to end the government shutdown but deny themselves $5,000-$11,000 in the process.
A little background: Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) sponsored the original amendment requiring lawmakers and staffers to enter the health benefit exchanges, but he said he didn’t intend for them to lose the employer subsidy paid by the federal government. [What he was really trying to do was get the Democrats to vote against the ACA.] The government contributes $5,000 towards an individual’s health insurance coverage and $11,000 towards family coverage for a married employee. According to Grassley, he just wanted Congress and its staffers to “go through the same red tape” as Americans enrolled in the exchanges. Yeah, right!
The Grassley Amendment did a great disservice to Congressional staffers, who don’t get paid very well. So OPM stepped in and arranged to pay the employer contribution to members of Congress and their staffers. [Unlike any other group of people covered by an employer health plan, Congress excluded itself from its employer subsidies.]
In the House’s latest effort to end the shutdown, they’ve added language to deny themselves the employee subsidy while allowing their staffers to receive it. I say MORE POWER TO THEM. They don’t need the money, so let’s save the government some money . . . at the expense of these stubborn people who don’t understand the ACA nor do they want to understand it.
House Outlines Alternative to Senate Leaders’ Fiscal Deal
New York Times | October 15, 2013
A little background: Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) sponsored the original amendment requiring lawmakers and staffers to enter the health benefit exchanges, but he said he didn’t intend for them to lose the employer subsidy paid by the federal government. [What he was really trying to do was get the Democrats to vote against the ACA.] The government contributes $5,000 towards an individual’s health insurance coverage and $11,000 towards family coverage for a married employee. According to Grassley, he just wanted Congress and its staffers to “go through the same red tape” as Americans enrolled in the exchanges. Yeah, right!
The Grassley Amendment did a great disservice to Congressional staffers, who don’t get paid very well. So OPM stepped in and arranged to pay the employer contribution to members of Congress and their staffers. [Unlike any other group of people covered by an employer health plan, Congress excluded itself from its employer subsidies.]
In the House’s latest effort to end the shutdown, they’ve added language to deny themselves the employee subsidy while allowing their staffers to receive it. I say MORE POWER TO THEM. They don’t need the money, so let’s save the government some money . . . at the expense of these stubborn people who don’t understand the ACA nor do they want to understand it.
House Outlines Alternative to Senate Leaders’ Fiscal Deal
New York Times | October 15, 2013
Friday, September 27, 2013
What an Ill-Informed Moron
Ted Cruz has a bad habit of only hearing the part of a story he wants to hear.
Student Cited by Ted Cruz Cruz As Proof of Obama's Failure Is Actually Grateful For Obamacare
The Huffington Post | September 27, 2013
Student Cited by Ted Cruz Cruz As Proof of Obama's Failure Is Actually Grateful For Obamacare
The Huffington Post | September 27, 2013
Thursday, September 26, 2013
All This Would Be Funny If It Wasn't So Crazy
Just maybe I had a little something to do with this blog post and the on-air segment on The Rachel Maddow Show later that night. Ya never know . . .
'All this would be funny if it wasn't so crazy'
The Maddow Blog | September 26, 2013
GOP Fears American Appreciation of Obamacare
The Rachel Maddow Show | September 26, 2013
'All this would be funny if it wasn't so crazy'
The Maddow Blog | September 26, 2013
GOP Fears American Appreciation of Obamacare
The Rachel Maddow Show | September 26, 2013
Would Ya Stop it Already?
You’re not going to “defund” the ACA nor will a government shutdown affect the implementation of the health exchanges. Now can we please stop all the budget and debt-ceiling bluster and GET BACK TO WORK!
Government Shutdown Won't Stop Obamacare
Yahoo News | September 26, 2013
Government Shutdown Won't Stop Obamacare
Yahoo News | September 26, 2013
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Barack and Bill, Together Again . . . for Healthcare
The last two Democratic presidents got together for a little healthcare discussion.
Obama, Clinton promote healthcare reform ahead of October 1 start
Reuters | September 24, 2013
Obama, Clinton promote healthcare reform ahead of October 1 start
Reuters | September 24, 2013
Friday, September 20, 2013
It‘s About Time Someone Acknowledged It
What every intelligent political or
ACA observer has realized for a long time:
GOP Desperate to Defund ObamaCare Now Because They Know Its Popularity Is About to Skyrocket
Huffington Post | September 20, 2013
GOP Desperate to Defund ObamaCare Now Because They Know Its Popularity Is About to Skyrocket
Huffington Post | September 20, 2013
Monday, August 26, 2013
Say What???
Will GOP Lawmakes Get Coverage Through Obamacare?
The Maddow Blog | August 26, 2013
The Maddow Blog | August 26, 2013
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