VI included in Health Care Bill

STxbob, I'll take a closer look tomorrow, but right off the top you need to add that
1)the government has never been good at running anything
2)that they overrun initial cost estimates by huge amounts
3)that they want power and control of our lives
....e.g. The goverment has never demonstrated it could run anything of this magnitude successfully so why would we hand this over to a failure ? Would you hire a demonstrated failure to run your business?
4) i don't accept the premise that other countries have good health care. Well maybe that is subjective. Is good, good enough? We have the best now. Why would we want to lower our standards. Why do you think relatives of the leaders of other countries come here for their care? because it is the best. Period. After "Obamacare" - named as such Anita, to feed his massive ego....our medical care will erode significantly. Talk to me in 10 years, although I take no joy in I told you so's.

whatever you call it, we will survive it, i am sure just as we survive everything else. the public is certainly footing the bill for the president, congress, the senate, and all government officials by their taxes, paying for them to have the best health care around. wish i could get into that class without having to give up my current gig, which i love. so there's your socialized medicine. how's that workin' for ya? unless you are in that rarified class, it may not be working at all. as an employee who receives health care from my job, when all is said and done, my employer's contribution will eventually count as "income" and i will be taxed on it. so the rich will not be the only ones paying for me to be part of this program. to be president of the united states (or your high school class) you have to have some ego. i've got a bit of it myself, kinda like it. it makes me sassy! 😎

OK,OK. Lets try to add a little humor to this subject we have no control over.

Flying on the Presidents plane.

The President looked at Oprah,chuckled and said, "You know I could throw a $1000.00 dollar bill out the window and make somebody very happy". Oprah shrugged her shoulders and said " I could throw out 10,$100.00 dollar bills and make 10 people happy". Michelle then added,I could throw out 100,$10.00 dollar bills and make 100 people happy".
The Pilot hearing their exchange,rolled his eye's and said to his Co Pilot,"Such big shots back there" I could throw them all out and make 56 million people very happy.

November soon come.

A Davis,
Sassy or Full of yourself:P

stt007: That's at least the third time on this thread that I've read the claim that congress exempted themselves from the plan. Can somebody please explain, or provide a reference to back up the claim?

STXBob, Google it. It is easier to look for yourself rather than post the many articles written about congress being exempted as well as labor unions. The "rumor" got started when someone started an email chain letter and when Obama refused to answer the question. Some articles are calling it a "rumor" and saying that it isn't true. Others are citing facts and offering proof. Like the health care bill itself you have to muddle through and figure it out for yourself. Since the deed is done I am researching how the passage of the bill will affect my business and my family. It is not good for me, my employees or my business. It will significantly impact my way of life.

The Heller Amendmment 2
http://republicans.waysandmeans.house.gov/tally sheet/heller e.htm

Lizard, that link goes nowhere. Also, can you briefly describe what the page says?

Try this

republicans.waysandmeans.house.gov/tally sheet.heller 2.htm

Did congress exempt themselves from Obamacare?

The opposition has graciously allowed me to research the answer all by myself. Thank you for that plum!

The answer is “No.”

From http://mediamatters.org/research/201003250022

QUOTE
Media falsely claim Obama and staff are "exempt" from health care reform
March 25, 2010 11:06 am ET
Media have falsely claimed President Obama, members of his administration, and certain congressional staff are "exempt" from the recently enacted health care bill. In fact, the bill subjects the White House, members of Congress, and their staffs to the same reforms and requirements as the rest of the American people.
UNQUOTE

From http://www.whitehouse.gov/realitycheck/491

QUOTE
Congress did not vote to exempt themselves from reform
…
There is no exemption and there has not been any such vote. To the contrary, reform gives all Americans access to an insurance exchange much like the one Congress has enjoyed, and just like Congress, Americans will be free to make their own choices.
UNQUOTE

I’m just kidding. The answer is not exactly Yes or No. But the opposition should do their own research to support their side.

I am sure the answer is out there somewhere. Next time some of us common people ask him maybe the president will "answer" the question.

On July 16 Rep. Dean Heller (R) offered an amendment to include members of congress to enroll in the gov-run health care program. This amendment was defeated 21-18.

The Health care reform bill was tweaked from the original bill as submitted that anyone insured by a qualified health care plan would have the "Option" to join the new Gov-run plan. Congress has a qualified plan. It's all in the magic how it's written. Lets see if our leaders choose to drop there plan and go for the Gov-run plan.:-o

The plan was never my concern because of how it was originally written (confusing.) I thought that more time would be needed to trim it down that the average bear could read it and understand it. The bill was passed in haste not for the people but for political reasons. When our elected by the people officials don't do the will and work of the people we have bigger problems than health care. Long live the Republic whats left of it.

I fail to see how they can require the insurance companies to insure everyone,even if they have preexisting conditions and be required to pay 85 % of their profits. Can you envision every health insurance company going out of business and no one in control of anything but the Government ?

I wonder which insurance company the Gov bailed out,will be the first to close it's doors ? Why not take our tax dollars and run ?

I think that is the idea chockman. Our option will only be the government option. A private company cannot compete with a government run company. If a private company runs out of money they have to close. If the government run company runs out it just holds out it's hand and we pay more taxes.

Dougtamjj,that sounds about correct from what I see and hear. This is a slow complete take over of the health care system. Did you notice how the Pres appointed the 15 positions on Saturday. He claimed the people won't wait,so he bypassed the Senate and did what he wanted to anyway.

The only thing I can think of is his security.This approach of his, will tempt some idiot,to make an attempt on his life. We don't want or need the things this will bring,but I do fell it is inevitable. I'M not going to hold my breath but maybe living on a island may not be a bad place to be,there will be way to many nut cases running loose on the Continent.

I fail to see how they can require the insurance companies to insure everyone,even if they have preexisting conditions and be required to pay 85 % of their profits. Can you envision every health insurance company going out of business and no one in control of anything but the Government ?

I wonder which insurance company the Gov bailed out,will be the first to close it's doors ? Why not take our tax dollars and run ?

Here is something I quoted earlier:

From [www.walletpop.com] :
“[With health care reform,] Insurers will also face a profit cap. Insurers will be required to spend 85% of premiums collected in the group marketplace and 80% of premiums collected from individuals and small group markets on clinical services and quality or provide rebates to customers. They will need to report their medical loss ratio beginning in 2010 and be required to provide rebates if they make too much money starting on January 1, 2011.”

It doesn't say they have to pay 85% of their profits, it says they have to pay 85% of their premiums collected. For example, if they collect $100M in premiums, they have to spend at least $85M of that on clinical services and quality (I guess that means healthcare benefits), and they can use the remaining $15M on overhead (salaries, office space, advertising, etc) and profit.

Insurance companies just have to be more efficient now and make sure that 85% of premiums are used for benefits for their customers.

Also, I think the insurance companies can still charge whatever they want, so free-market rules should work, resulting in the "correct" market prices for insurance. The companies which are more efficient, and offer the best customer service, should prevail.

Are any insurance companies complaining about Obamacare? They'll get millions of new customers, and they will all have to compete on the same new terms (minimum benefits, pre-existing conditions are OK, etc.), so no company should feel at a disadvantage vs. any other.

Did you notice how the Pres appointed the 15 positions on Saturday. He claimed the people won't wait,so he bypassed the Senate and did what he wanted to anyway.

Bush bypassed congress during recess too. Oh well, presidents will be presidents.

Congress is not exempt from Obamacare.

From http://mediamatters.org/research/201003250022

QUOTE
From H.R. 3590, the health care bill signed by President Obama on March 23:

(D) MEMBERS OF CONGRESS IN THE EXCHANGE.-

(i) REQUIREMENT.-Notwithstanding any other provision of law, after the effective date of this subtitle, the only health plans that the Federal Government may make available to Members of Congress and congressional staff with respect to their service as a Member of Congress or congressional staff shall be health plans that are-

(II) offered through an Exchange established under this Act (or an amendment made by this Act).
(ii) DEFINITIONS.-In this section:

(I) MEMBER OF CONGRESS.-The term ''Member of Congress'' means any member of the House of Representatives or the Senate.

(II) CONGRESSIONAL STAFF.-The term ''congressional staff'' means all full-time and parttime employees employed by the official office of a Member of Congress, whether in Washington, DC or outside of Washington, DC.
UNQUOTE

Bob is it really a free market if I dictate how you will spend your money ? Right, wrong,who knows ? But it does not sound like the land of the free.

Dougtamjj. How many people do you employee ? I ask this because I am starting my own business on St Croix. My plan includes me doing a lot of the work and keeping pay roll to a minimum. I do hope to employee some great,honest local folks who want to work and want to come to work. I have incentive ideas that I believe no one else is doing. I just wonder how the bottom line will effect me,I don't think the pay roll number will ever reach more than 10 employee's . I also had some ideas of doing work to support local children who actually need the help. I wonder how this health care issue will effect my willingness to follow through on the issue.

I am actually giving up the things we discuss here on this thread,I guess you might say I'M going to see how the other half live without health care and I am not the spring chicken I once was. I have never had a get rich quick scheme but I can't help but wonder how long I can keep the doors open, supporting the rest of the country ? Will my prices be so high that no one can afford a night out ? That will not work and it will not help me keep some people employed.

If I were lucky enough to make more than say $300,000.00 per year,I would not really have an issue of paying in a little extra for health care for whoever it might pertain to. A little extra does not mean $20,000.00 extra a year. How in the hell is this going to effect me,the one who pays the bills ?

I remember watching the news on CNN the day before Katrina hit. A Reporter asked a women with two children how come she didn't bring any food or toiletries with her. This interview was done if front of the stadium. Her answer was the Gov will take care of that.

Entitlements ? What can you give me ? I can give you a credit card and you can use it to go to the Strip joint. Don't worry about your basic survival stuff,Uncle Sam will see to it. If you have it,hide it under your mattress because someone will come to collect it. 16500 possible new jobs created, under all of this new reform. To bad it is 16500 more people to scour the country and take that which you have earned.

All of the great education bills coming on line. Who will build all the buildings for these over educated people to work in ? who's going to fix your electric car ? Where are all of these people going to fit into the working society ? That's what we have immigration status for,they can do all the work the over educated Americans refuse to do. The dream is dead,we can only hope to just survive now. All of this will happen after I am gone, and thank goodness I leave no children behind. They are the ones who will have to live the nightmare.

Entitlements ? What can you give me ? I can give you a credit card and you can use it to go to the Strip joint.

If you're talking about the Federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program (SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps), it's more like a debit card, and it's not legal for typical purchases in a strip joint.

http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/faqs.htm

QUOTE
What foods are eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits?
Households CAN use SNAP benefits to buy:

Foods for the household to eat, such as:
-- breads and cereals
-- fruits and vegetables
-- meats, fish and poultry; and
-- dairy products
Seeds and plants which produce food for the household to eat.

Households CANNOT use SNAP benefits to buy:

Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes or tobacco
Any nonfood items, such as:
-- pet foods;
-- soaps, paper products; and
-- household supplies.
Vitamins and medicines.
Food that will be eaten in the store.
Hot foods
UNQUOTE

Chockman.......I know restuarant types are a little different on pay...but check into using a payrolling service to "employ" your people..if the numbers work... such as temp service... you can negotiate your pay for each individual and the temp/payrolling service handles all the required paperwok such as Health insurance ,workmens comp,drug testing,appearance standards ,etc.... You can bring your own people to them and they HIRE them to work for you....for a fee.... usually add a few bucks an hour for all this . all you do is keep track of their hours and they get their check from the service....This will give you some insulation from other hiring//firing issues as well...This approach has worked well for me, so I thought I'd pass along an idea... I'm sure there will be other ways businesses will think up to save themselves from directly or indirectly taking this hit from that BIG SUCKING sound coming from DC.*-)

No we're not talking about food stamps. It was after Hurricane Katrina,people who were being interviewed. It follows Lizards last post. Some people just need a hand up and I am all for helping them to better themselves. Those that want nothing more than a handout will always be there and they can kiss my you know what. Some people don't want to lift a finger to help themselves,they depend and expect the Gov to take care of them. It is just more American history and shows how low we have sank as a Nation. Who's fault is it ? Who knows but I can honestly say, I expect nothing that I don't work for but that's just the way I grew up. I will exclude those who can not help themselves,be it their mental capacity.

poorthang, which temp agencies offer health care??

Poorthang. Thanks for the info. With all of this new health care reform coming up,I am not sure I can afford to pay anyone any extra services. I however will leave no rock unturned. Thanks.