Apparently St. Jude is not politically influential enough because it isn't one of the 111 (so far) companies/union groups that are exempted from having to obey the new federal healthcare law for their employees. I thought we believed in the rule of law in America. Apparently not because the federal government has taken upon itself the task of deciding who WILL and who WILL NOT be subject to federal law. If this health care law was supposed to be so great why is the federal government allowing over 100 companies to not abide by it? I see this as an acknowledgement that the law is detrimental to business and to our economy and I recall being told the opposite by this president earlier this year. But what do you expect from a bill that freakin' nobody reads and even our then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi admitted "We have to pass this bill so you can find out what's in it"?
In the meantime, as of January 1, my out-of-pocket maximum increases, my ER co-pay increases and my monthly premium increases by 20%. I'd be surprised if the same doesn't happen for you.
Random thought 2 - Sarah Palin makes me want to throw up. Really, it's gotten to where I can't even look at her anymore without having a nauseating physical reaction. The thing about Bristol Palin being on Dancing With the Stars can be explained by the fact that she's young and dumb and she sees an opportunity to cash in on her infamous recognition factor. That's fine, that's what young and dumb people do. But Sarah Palin on a reality TV show? I really wish she would dissociate herself from the conservative movement because she's a huge liability to getting qualified, credible, competent candidates elected who espouse good old-fashioned conservative values. I think she's been corrupted by fame, fortune, and popularity. I think she had potential waaaaaay back in the beginning but as soon as the machine got ahold of her and she tasted one sweet morsel of fame, as soon as she stood in front of applauding and cheering audiences she started saying obnoxious things and speaking in Republican soundbites. She's a quitter. She quit on the people of Alaska and became nothing more than a political cheerleader for anybody who calls themself a conservative. So she tours the country talking about "mama grizzlies" and saying "you betcha" and "by golly" and basically reveling in her own shallow influence. Now she sees an opportunity to make more money and be more famous and loved (by mindless kool-aid drinkers) by having a camera in her face while she fishes and hunts and cooks dinner and whatever else she wants us to see her doing. I'm sure she'll do plenty of talking about God and Bibles on her show. Well I don't have cable so, no, I didn't watch Sarah Palin's Alaska on TLC. I wouldn't have watched it regardless but alot of people did and that's frightening. Why do we continue to validate this type of person in America?
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Not going to touch the health care thing, that would be a long argument I think.
ReplyDeleteI too wish Sara Palin would go away. Over exposure anyone?
No, touch the health care thing. Explain why it's okay that we're not all equal under the law. I'm interested in hearing a justification for this.
ReplyDeleteWell, for one I would have to read way more of the bill than I would like in order to see how and why exceptions may be granted and I honestly don't have the time for that right now. Second, I already despise corporate "America" and seeing more preferential treatment would likely just make me even madder than I already am at the inequalities in this country. Third, I was mainly referring to health care in general, an area in which I doubt we are in agreement, due to fundamental differences in points of view.
ReplyDeleteYes, this isn't a general thing about health care. A blog is no place for such a complicated conversation. However, after looking into why these waivers are being granted I'm still baffled. So lots of these companies were threatening that they would drop health insurance for their employees altogether rather than comply with the law's requirement that they raise the minimum annual benefit included in their employee's health plans. This portion of the law is meant to keep employees from having to pay for all of their health care once they reach a preset coverage cap.
ReplyDeleteOn the one hand I can see where the administration is backed into a corner here. By not issuing waivers then the companies would drop health coverage which would make the president look like his promise that the new health care law wouldn't cause you to lose your existing coverage. On the other hand I can understand why companies would threaten to drop their health care plan altogether for certain employees because the law requires these companies to provide a minimum of $750,000 in basically part-time employees' low-cost health plans next year and rising to $2 million in 2013; unlimited coverage in 2014. Put this way I'm not as upset that the government has opted to offer time-restricted waivers. But if the point was to create a health care law with some teeth, a law that would require private companies to offer more reasonable coverage to their employees then it seems that the congress and this administration have failed miserably because here they are now backing down at the first threat by companies to be non-compliant. I guess it's great that these 1,000,000 million employees aren't going to have their coverage dropped but what has the health care bill accomplished if some of its key components meant to protect consumers are being diluted by a government's unwillingness to stand up to corporate interests?
I'm only touching what the TSA is allowed to touch. :) Sorry, it's the only thing truly making me mad these days. Post about that, and I'll comment. Hahaha...with that said, our next votes goes to however does something about the TSA going crazy. If that would meaning having to vote for Sarah Palin, I'd do it. Though I doubt she'd be actually capable of any real change. Can't stand her either, and find it very worrisome how popular she's becoming. There are still thinks I like about Obama, and I still think he was/is a better choice than McCain would have been. But, I'm getting less excited as times goes by as well.
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