Open Thread: Obamacare Waivers Top 1,000
The milestone is as telling as it is grim. The Hill reported Monday that after the latest bout of waivers awarded by the Department of Health and Human Services, the number of businesses and unions lucky (or connected) enough to avoid the law's onerous coverage requirements now stands at 1,040 - and the number of Americans exempted at roughly 2.6 million.
HHS posted 126 new waivers on Friday, bringing the total to 1,040 organizations that have been granted a one-year exemption from a new coverage requirement included in the healthcare reform law enacted almost a year ago. Waivers have become a hot-button issue for Republicans, eager to expose any vulnerabilities in the reform law.
In order to avoid disruption in the insurance market, the healthcare overhaul gives HHS the power to grant waivers to firms that cannot meet new annual coverage limits in 2011. The waivers have typically been granted to so-called "mini-med" plans that offer limited annual coverage — as low as $2,000 — that would fall short of meeting the new annual coverage floor of $750,000 in 2011.
"We don't want to take away people's health insurance before they have some realistic other choices,” HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in an interview with The Hill earlier this year.
Republican lawmakers have seized on the waivers as proof that the law they want to see repealed is flawed, and they have accused the administration of giving them waivers as gifts to union allies. The administration has rejected both claims as Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee have asked HHS for in-depth details about every waiver decision and request.
The Hill says Republicans are "eager to expose any vulcerabilities in the reform law," but it seems the law itself is doing a fine job exposing its own vulnerabilities without help from the GOP.
Thoughts on the new numbers?
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Comments
Since all these organizations are exempt
Submitted by Thunder Lizard on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 10:45am.
Does that mean that the rest of us are going to be forced to pony up even MORE than originally projected to cover the costs of running this clunker?
I'm going off topic!
Submitted by billb on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 10:46am.
I have a suggestion that may help some of our budget problems. WARREN BUFFETT! He has spoken many times about "giving back" some of his wealth in the form of taxes .My plan kills many birds with one shot (didn't mean to get violent there)
He's recognized the world over as being a very astute investor...especially railroads. Why doesn't he take offer AMTRAK! We would be out from under that dog, and if he is as good as everyone says he is, I bet we'd be riding for free soon, and he could "give back!"
Amtrak
Submitted by Gothampc on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 11:28am.
I've thought long and hard about Amtrak because I love train travel. I love sitting back and watching the scenery whiz by. But as long as there are bleeding heart liberals in the US, Amtrak will have problems.
If Amtrak were to operate as a completely private company, they would have to cut routes out to remain profitable. The US is just too big of a territory to support train service everywhere. Democrats would then get poor Sadie Smith, who is in a wheelchair, has a thyroid condition, lost her husband in a mining accident, lost her son in Katrina, lives on social security and hasn't seen her grandchildren in five years, up on tv to whine how evil Republicans have cut her train service.
Since Amtrak has to accept government money, they have to play by government rules. And we all know that when government tries to run things, it never turns out right.
When we finally build the
Submitted by billb on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 10:50am.
When we finally build the "high speed rail", where will the fireman sit and will it have a caboose?
cabooses are a thing of the past
Submitted by SouthJersey1953 on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 11:59am.
The railroad got rid of the fireman and caboose an long time ago....
(I love riding the rails and have made a few trips across the country on Amtrak. The further west you go, the better the trains and the service.)
So, how is "social justice" served
Submitted by johnsonl on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 11:06am.
if 10% of the population is exempt from Obamaocare? I mean, isn't that how social justice works? Someone needs to bring Van Jones up to date on this.
Something cool I found yesterday
Submitted by Blonde on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 11:28am.
Photos of the OId West...wagon trains, gold miners, indian village, Comanche the horse (only survivor of Custer's debacle).
Enjoy!
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Thank You, Blonde
Submitted by CommanderTaya on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 12:31pm.
These photos are absolutely compelling. I've immensely enjoyed!
Thanks for sharing those pics
Submitted by Seashell on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 12:47pm.
Thanks for sharing those pics Blonde. In regards to the pic of Comanche I really appreciated the fact that "It was a regimental order that the 7th Cavalry cared for the animal 'as long as he shall live'" Very nice and as it should have been.
Ladies
Submitted by Blonde on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 1:10pm.
The UK Daily Mail is one of my guilty pleasures (I'm a Waity Katy fan)....but they do have the most incredible photo-essays there, and other cool items of interest (archaeology and such) that we never see here. Highly recommend for cheap fun.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Thanks
Submitted by ricklail on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 4:47pm.
My passion is studying that period of our history from the 1850-1900, the civil war and the settling of the west.
Seashell
Submitted by ricklail on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 4:54pm.
I think I told you one time I served in the 7th Calvary. Got a big sticker on the back window of my truck with the flag and the unit crest. I didn't know that about the 7th. Thanks. I was proud to have been able to serve with one of the great units of history-Garryowen.
Will Obama Tap Oil Reserve?
Submitted by Gothampc on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 11:35am.
Will Obama tap the oil reserve in an effort to ease soaring oil prices?
This doesn't sound like such good policy.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110306/pl_nm/us_usa_energy_reserves
How about allowing us to
Submitted by Radical1979 on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 11:39am.
How about allowing us to drill on U.S. territory? Obviously it won't help in the immediate situation, but in the long term..
And new refineries
Submitted by jon_torlin on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 12:43pm.
As well as new refineries and upgrade/update existing ones. And stop making that GD ethanol!
-Jon
Nancy Pelosi was on the money
Submitted by motherbelt on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 11:43am.
Nancy Pelosi was on the money when she said "There are a lot of things he was for....on the campaign trail."
I came across this a while ago, and I think it perfectly sums up the entire Obama administration's perspective on health care reform.
Nice Find, MB
Submitted by stratman on Tue, 03/08/2011 - 2:50am.
Unfortunately the joke is on us.
Hopefully this will change soon.
New Topic: WWI vet Frank Buckles
Submitted by mang on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 11:46am.
Anyone have any idea why Boehner is blocking the effort to have Mr. Buckles lie in the Capitol rotunda? I think it would be the right thing to do. I just wrote Boehner an email asking him to allow it. I'm sure he'll never read it since I'm not in his district, but it's worth a shot. I just think it's pretty elitist and pompous to reserve the rotunda for presidents and elected officials, especially since Mr. Buckles has been through more than most elected officials could ever dream. The Rotunda has been used for prominent citizens like Rosa Parks, for example, whom I believe is worthy of the honor. But to say Mr. Buckles is not as worthy doesn't make any sense. His passing marks the end of an era and should be memorialized.
Mr. Buckles....
Submitted by thescoots on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 12:26pm.
is a WWI era vet...he is not a war veteran. I full understand not having him lie state in the Rotunda. Longevity is not in and of itself grounds for this special display. Thousands of wartime veterans are buried in Europe...and there they will stay. Suitable alternatives which themselves are well beyond that which the average citizen could get have been offerred to the family. These include the use of special honor guards with all the trimmings at the tax-payor expense. The family rejected these alternatives. That is their prerogative. But Boehner isn't to blame for this. Nor is Obama as far as that goes.
It is the right decision.
What am I missing here?
Submitted by SickofLibs on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 12:46pm.
WWi ended in November 1918. Mr. Buckles enlisted in the US Army in August of 1917, and served in France and England, before the armistice.
So how is he just a WWI era vet and not a war veteran?
He was a war vet, SoL---
Submitted by matthewdean on Tue, 03/08/2011 - 2:56am.
he just didn't happen to be a combat veteran. The problem I would have with NOT honoring him with a bit of time in the Rotunda because he wasn't in combat, is that sort of diminishes any and all service members, past, present, and future, who have, do, or will make it possible for our combat arms to function properly. I believe it takes around eight support personnel to provide for one person involved in actual combat. A soldier is a soldier, a veteran is a veteran, and they should be honored for serving, period. Obviously not all can be honored by having their casket in the Rotunda, but hell, this guy should not only be honored as the last of an era, he should receive special honors for surviving as long as he did.Uh....wait, what??
Submitted by jon_torlin on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 12:55pm.
Gee, this is a surprise.....NOT!
White House promotes Muslim help against terrorism.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_MUSLIM_HEARINGS?SITE=AP&SECTIO...
It mentions examples of how the Muslim community came forward but honestly, do they really do that or was it something else? Because I don't see too many news saying "A terrorist attack by a Muslim extremist was thwarted by the FBI today after being informed by an anonymous Muslim tip."
-Jon
Obamacare waivers
Submitted by NVRAT on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 1:06pm.
Yep, that means that the rest of us are going to have to "pony up" as one commentator said and pay the extra money for the waived cronies. I`m about to join a Union just to get a break and set on my ass for money from the tavpayers. Will Obama open the domestic oil spigots? only if it benifits him for re-election and/or he is forced to. And, I also support Mr. Buckles memorialization. Everyone have a great day... after Nov 8, 2012, when we say good bye to the great one Obama/mama.
Allen West's Constituent Newsletter
Submitted by Blonde on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 2:24pm.
Thought I'd share the highlights of his weekly screed (emphasis mine). Love this guy!
The U.S. Senate MUST pass HR 1 as it is. As I stated to Judy Woodruff on a PBS interview, click here: PBS Interview, this week, in light of the revelations of the GAO report, the $61B of spending cuts in HR 1 are quite miniscule. To be blunt,only a collection of fools would debate the necessity of HR 1. What the Senate should actually do is INCREASE the spending cuts to include the duplicitous programs identified in the GAO report. We should also cut the State Department program which sends U.S. taxpayer dollars overseas to rebuild mosques under the ill-conceived belief that it will lead to building a positive relationship.
Therefore, I make myself clear. I will not support anything less than HR 1 as it was sent forward to the Senate. Nor will I support another two week Continuing Resolution. Alexander the Great once stated, "Fortune favors the bold." The American people are looking for principled and bold leadership. I understand "political maneuvering" but the time has come to engage in the battle for the fiscal responsible future of America. I shall take my position on the frontlines.
The most appalling event of this week, one which truly angers me, was the Islamic terrorist attack in Frankfurt, Germany against our men and women in uniform resulting in four being shot, two Airmen losing their lives. I follow the news and see that this did not even sustain a 24 hour news cycle. I listen for a response from our Commander-in-Chief and see again, weakness, just as in the previous week when four Americans were executed by Islamic terrorists at sea.
.
I watched our President abdicate his responsibility for the safety of our Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol agents to Mexican President Calderon by stating that they will not be allowed to carry weapons in Mexico. President Obama also reiterated that our men and women charged with securing our border will use "bean bags" against the threat of invasion along our Southern boundary.
Yet, I hear commentators such as Chris Matthews praise the President for the job he is doing. I am starting to believe that I reside in a parallel universe. Heck, here is the leader of the Democrat Party who has not even called for the cowards in his party who ran from their duties in Wisconsin to return.......and that is leadership?
There's more, of course, he is on the Armed Services Committee, and sounds like he's really enjoying that assignment. Also, he attended the Congressional Black Caucus meeting (kind of quiet on that one, which I find to be humorous)...and many other activities.
Nothing that is more tagworthy than what he sent two weeks ago. But I have to say I so totally look forward to his weekly note in my in-box. Woot!
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
I would think the CBC members
Submitted by stratman on Tue, 03/08/2011 - 3:05am.
I would think the CBC members are scared witless by Colonel West. There is little they could do to manipulate him to an advantage. West is living inthe minds rent free.
Ohio seems to have an experienced conservative senator in Rob Portman. I need to learn more about him but so far so good. He was OMB Director for a year in the GW Bush administration, so he knows about the nuances and graft in the budget. I hope Portman and West get together to cut the budget.
Thanks for another inspirational installment of Letter To Home, by Senator West. They're great! :-)
Glad you enjoyed it, strat
Submitted by Blonde on Tue, 03/08/2011 - 3:27am.
They always make my day. I can tell Allen writes them himself, he has a certain je ne sais quoi that just shines through (don't blow smoke up my butt, Mr. CAIR!).
Actually, what Allen said was that he was co-sponsoring some bill to honor Shirley Chisolm, which I think is great, nice and neutral and a cute bone to throw at the CBC.
Oh, speaking of the CBC....did you see than another erstwhile legislator from South Florida, none other than the impeached former federal judge and perpetually re-elected democrat shill (my other word of the day), Alcee Hastings, is being sued for sexual harrassment? ROTFLMAO. Of course, he's denying (a mere hint would cause a Republican to resign).
I can't wait until we run all of these scum in DC out on a rail. 2012 won't be here soon enough for me.
Ciao, baby!
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
FBI arrests Sarah Palin stalker (update)...
Submitted by PrairieSky on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 4:30pm.
http://nation.foxnews.com/politics/2011/03/07/palin-stalker-collared-fbi
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2011/03/fbi-collars-sarah-palin-stalke.html
Thank goodness they've got this loon...I don't want to see another Gabby Giffords situation.
Update...Politico is reporting that this story is not quite accurate...Strange.
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0311/FBI_No_arrest_in_Palin_stalker_case.html?showall
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan
All these bs waivers are one of the big reasons why...
Submitted by PrairieSky on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 4:03pm.
I think Obamacare will be ruled unconstitutional by the SCOTUS. You can't mandate this law for some and let others off the hook...That's complete bs, and I don't think it will stand.
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan
Prairie....as the Florida judge said
Submitted by Blonde on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 4:07pm.
...."if this law requires one to purchase health care insurance, then it's perfectly legal to require everyone to buy broccolli", or words to that effect.
Which I loved. It's almost as good as the Critter who shot down the democrats "already saved $41 billion by not passing Obama's budget is like saying my daughter wanted a pony, but I didn't buy it for her, thereby saving all those pony expenses".
Democrats are delusional.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Blonde...Exactly...
Submitted by PrairieSky on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 4:12pm.
And that $41 billion "savings" crap that the Dems tried to pull was just priceless...Delusional (as you aptly said), but priceless.
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan
Obama to resume military trials at Gitmo...
Submitted by PrairieSky on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 4:08pm.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/03/07/obama-resume-military-trials-guantanamo-source-says/
I wonder what prompted this...Hmmm...Thoughts??
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan
Um, George Bush was right?
Submitted by Blonde on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 4:11pm.
Of course, you'll never here Bamster say THAT!
You know this has to be infuriating his base, along with Secretary Gates saying we'll be in Afghanistan until at least 2014.
Hey there lefties, how's that Hope & Change thing working out for ya?
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
You betcha...
Submitted by PrairieSky on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 4:16pm.
Ol' GW's lookin' smarter every day, isn't he??
"The One's" base must be going apes%$t right about now...tee hee...Between this and what Gates said, it's not a good day for the lefties.
I love it.
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan
John Rosemond is a
Submitted by ricklail on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 5:08pm.
John Rosemond is a welcomed relief from Dr. Spock or the new Dr. Spock, T. Berry Brazelton. I really liked this week's column
Noonan's moment of clarity
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 7:43pm.
Maybe she's free of her meds, but Peggy Noonan wrote an excellent article on the Teachers Union
Couple This With ...
Submitted by LibertyAtStake on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 9:00pm.
... the bogus "flexibility" (Flex is all Leftward) with state exemptions, and is it not obvious they have a stealth single-payer agenda?
d(^_^)b
http://libertyatstake.blogspot.com/
"Because the Only Good Progressive is a Failed Progressive"
Hope everyone has a great Fat Tuesday
Submitted by Boudin on Tue, 03/08/2011 - 1:34am.
Well ask for you