Joel C. White, president of the Council for Affordable Health Coverage, and Grace-Marie Turner, president of the Galen Institute, have written to members of Congress seeking oversight of the Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan (co-op) program. All but one of the 22 co-ops created under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) have produced negative net income, despite $2.4 billion in … [Read more...] about Letter to Congress Re: Co-Ops
Families brace for steep hikes: Opposing view
USA TODAY invited us to respond to the lead editorial in today’s paper, “Don't believe Obamacare stories: Our view.” The editors argue that premium increases will “likely be modest” next year, despite “scattered double-digit rate hikes.” We disagree and explain that millions of Americans will be facing higher premiums, sometimes much higher premiums, for insurance many don't like. Here is our … [Read more...] about Families brace for steep hikes: Opposing view
Medicare’s Birthday: A Failed Centralized Program Turns 50
Fifty years ago, President Lyndon Johnson traveled to Independence, Mo., to sign legislation creating Medicare and Medicaid in the presence of fellow Democrat and former President Harry Truman, who during his presidency led unsuccessful efforts to establish a national health insurance system. The battle over the legislation was long and bruising, with conservatives including then-General … [Read more...] about Medicare’s Birthday: A Failed Centralized Program Turns 50
Congress Focuses On Oversight And Investigation Of ObamaCare Failures
After the Supreme Court’s bizarre decision validating the IRS’ illegal ObamaCare rule, Congress is opening a new chapter in the debate over the health overhaul law by focusing on oversight and investigations to protect taxpayers and the rule of law. Action is underway in Congress: The Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee is holding a hearing this Friday to examine … [Read more...] about Congress Focuses On Oversight And Investigation Of ObamaCare Failures
Women Need Dignity More Than Sex Without Consequence
The New York Times: Room for Debate Providing government-funded contraception, especially through a program keyed to poor teenage girls, is extremely controversial, as evidenced by the Colorado legislature's refusal to commit taxpayer dollars to continue the privately funded contraceptive program. Issues of ethics and religious liberty must be respected, especially when government funding is … [Read more...] about Women Need Dignity More Than Sex Without Consequence
54 Changes To ObamaCare: Latest Additions
By our count at the Galen Institute, more than 54 significant changes have been made to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act since it was enacted in 2010 – at least 34 that the Obama administration has made unilaterally, 17 that Congress has passed and the president has signed, and three by the Supreme Court. Our latest count has added two more changes made by the Obama administration … [Read more...] about 54 Changes To ObamaCare: Latest Additions
Small Businesses Threatened With $36,500 IRS Fines For Helping Employees With Health Costs
Small businesses that reimburse employees for the cost of premiums for individual health insurance policies or pay their health costs directly will be fined up to $36,500 a year per employee under a new Internal Revenue Service regulation that takes effect July 1, 2015. According to the notice, an employer arrangement that reimburses or pays for employee individual health premiums is considered … [Read more...] about Small Businesses Threatened With $36,500 IRS Fines For Helping Employees With Health Costs
ObamaCare Co-ops: Cause Célèbre or Costly Conundrum?
Overview The Affordable Care Act created a new kind of “cooperative” health insurance arrangement heralded by supporters of health reform. The co-ops were founded on the idealistic belief that community members could band together to create health insurance companies that would be member-driven, service-oriented, and would not have to answer to shareholders or turn a profit. But the 23 co-ops … [Read more...] about ObamaCare Co-ops: Cause Célèbre or Costly Conundrum?