Posted by Tina
Major health insurers are leaving Obamacare in even greater numbers leading many in the investment community wondering if Obamacare will collapse before lawmakers can repeal the law. Add speculation about Congress dragging it’s heels to “repeal and replace” and nervous anticipation sets in. What’s the big hold up? Fake news stories give the impression that nobody’s doing a thing. But that’s not true. There are plans, several of them, that must be reconciled. There is also the little sticking point of delayed votes for Trumps appointees. And of course there’s the rules that govern congress. s Eeyore would say, “Oh bother!”
But the wheels of progress are turning. That’s why I’m happy to direct your attention to an article featuring Rand Paul and the members of Freedom Caucus that will shed some light on the process and the steps that need to happen to get the job done. I advise anyone whose concerned about healthcare repeal and replace to read the article.
The thing that’s personally interesting about the replacement part of this deal is the features of proposed replacement bills. The primary intent behind it is to restore healthcare decisions to the people and their physicians and to make it possible for insurers to offer a variety of plans at lower costs to consumers. Some features that people demanded prior to Obamacare, like coverage for those with preexisting conditions, will remain in new legislation. Other great features include:
1. Portability – The patient owns his/his families insurance. He will keep that coverage even if he changes jobs. The ability to purchase across state lines means that if your job takes you to a new state your coverage continues.
2. Healthcare Savings Accounts – These accounts allow people to pay for their healthcare with tax free dollars.
3. Variety – The people will be able to choose from a variety of plans and pricing to find one that works best for them.
4. Expanded Group Plans – The law will be structured to allow individuals and families to band together in groups to give them greater purchasing power. (As seniors can through AARP, AMAC, or ASA).
All of these features will give consumers more control. They will also act as incentive for Insurance companies to compete again for our insurance dollars.
As we all know, they are also subject to Congress reaching agreement. We would do well to urge our congress critters to come together and get this done ASAP. While you’re at it remind them that tax cuts are important to get done too.
new features? more money to the rich, less healthcare for your dollar
Single Payer is the only way to stop this mess
Single payer is fascistic Dewey…total government control of our healthcare. A government monopoly with the power to raise our taxes to pay for it whenever they want. A government monopoly with an unelected bureaucracy making your health decisions and tells doctors to treat all patients the same no matter their need.
What would make you relinquish liberty and embrace a fascistic solution with such zeal? What would cause you to surrender the responsibility to direct your own healthcare decisions with the advice of your trusted doctor?
Off topic, but check out the cost to states for illegals.
State by State: The Cost of Illegal Immigration Infographics:
April 16, 2016
“Wondering how illegal immigration is affecting your pocket book? In 2013, taxpayers shouldered $100 billion in state spending on illegal aliens!
Below are state-by-state detailed infographics on how much illegals burden you and your state:
http://drrichswier.com/2016/04/16/state-by-state-the-cost-of-illegal-immigration-infographics/
California’s:
http://www.fairus.org/DocServer/state_infographics/California2014.pdf
Incredible, Peggy.
The lefties really believe in that mythical well of cash, don’t they?
The poster showing Mexico’s laws should give them pause…but no. They want power and control and see our broken system as a means to both.
Yes it is incredible. This state has been run by children for decades who have spent our money on “goodies” instead acting like adults and making sure we are safe with life’s necessities.
‘This is the worst I have seen’: California’s roads are in dire shape, says former Caltrans director:
“In more than four decades as a top transportation planner in California, Will Kempton says the state’s roads have never been in as bad condition as they are right now.
Kempton, 69, who is retiring as executive director of the advocacy group Transportation California, said he is “frustrated and disappointed” that California has failed for decades to agree on a plan to pay for a $136-billion backlog of repairs on state highways and local roads. Gov. Jerry Brown and legislative leaders said they will take another crack at reaching a deal during the next two months, which Kempton said is welcome news.
“This is the worst I have seen,” he said of street conditions in California.
Kempton, a former Caltrans director, thinks the seriousness of the issue has sunk in with state leaders and residents to the point where action might finally be taken this year. He said he is encouraged by recent comments by Brown and lawmakers who set an April 6 deadline for reaching a transportation funding deal.
But Kempton said reaching a deal that includes raising taxes and fees will not be easy, even though the situation is dire.
“The transportation system is in bad shape,” he said. “We have just underinvested in our transportation infrastructure for decades, and it’s coming home to roost. Particularly after the recent storms, our roads are in very, very bad shape.”
http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-will-kempton-california-roads-20170212-story.html
Peggy they shouldn’t need to raise taxes. Californians pay through the nose at the pump. Those taxes are supposed to pay for our roads and bridges But the state has been “borrowing” from those funds for a long time to pay for outrageously generous salaries and pensions and you can’t repair or build roads and bridges with IOU’s.
In addition the more fuel efficient cars and the alternative fuel cars have cut back the amount of revenue collected. Gas tax revenues were expected to be in the $4.5 billion range for 2016 but the figure has been falling the last few years. (Can’t dismiss the lousy economy, people that don’t have jobs also don’t drive much.)
So lawmakers are looking at alternative ways to tax us:
More more more! They know nothing else! How about they do some cutting for a change. How about they respect the taxpayer and manage that money better! It’s not too much to ask.