Many State Insurance Regulators Uncertain About Obama’s Fix to Health Insurance Promise

By and Curtis Skinner | November 17, 2013

  • November 18, 2013 at 1:37 pm
    jack says:
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    It’s not a “FIX”! It’s just so he can blame the big bad insurance company when they can’t undo what he already f’d up. There will still be a doctor shortage and a trillion dollar tax bill for the middle class to deal with. PERIOD!

    • November 18, 2013 at 1:47 pm
      Celtica says:
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      Obama already took the blame. Perhaps you just cannot recognize it when someone owns up to it — after all, Bush never did take responsibility.

      As for the insurance companies, it’s like any other business. Some will do the right thing and others will use it to drop customers that they didn’t want.

      • November 18, 2013 at 2:14 pm
        jack says:
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        Celtica- you are a useful idiot for the left. PERIOD

        • November 18, 2013 at 2:30 pm
          Agent says:
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          Jack, Celtica is one of the few last holdouts supporting this abysmal mess. Even Libby realizes it was a huge mistake and that is saying a lot. Celtica can rant and blame Republicans all she wants and she will not make any headway.

      • November 19, 2013 at 9:44 am
        George W. says:
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        Hiya, Celtica!

        It’s your old pal G W Bush here! Just wanted to thank you for constantly bringing me into every conversation about Obama! While I haven’t been president for close to 6 years now, it’s nice that you remember me so fondly. I’ll do you a favor and say “hey” to your good buddy Dick Cheney for you the next time I see him…he asks about you every time we get together to reminisce about how bada$$ we were and how we secretly caused 9/11 and lied to the world about WMDs in Iraq under the false pretense of trying to rid the world of evil just so we could make money. Good times, good times…

        Enjoy the hope and change and God bless!
        –GWB

        • November 19, 2013 at 5:32 pm
          Agent says:
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          Hey George W. Invite Celtica to go hunting with Cheney. Should be a good trip for her.

  • November 18, 2013 at 1:46 pm
    Scott R says:
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    Caesar Obama can’t change the law by executive fiat. Like it or not it IS the law, passed solely by democrats, they own it. DemocratCare is their failure, if they want to “fix” it then change the law.

    • November 18, 2013 at 1:49 pm
      Celtica says:
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      Yes, the Democrats own it lock, stock and barrel. The only ones who want to deprive Americans of medical care and coverage for pre-existing conditions are the Republicans. Care to own that? I’m guessing no.

      • November 18, 2013 at 2:19 pm
        Mark says:
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        Nobody wanted to deny Americans health insurance. It’s just that Americans wanted to have health care and have somebody else pay for it. The reason that policies with exclusions for pre-existing conditions is because Americans demanded through their purchases polices that were cheaper. And the only way to keep health insurance affordable amid the soaring cost of health care procedures was to start dropping coverage elements. If political leaders really wanted to do something about the high cost of health insurance they should have STARTED with a way to bring down the cost of health care itself (like maybe start with tort reform to reduce defensive medicine costs, and so on). But rather, they decided to blow up the messenger and not deal with the message itself.

      • November 18, 2013 at 2:26 pm
        perplexed says:
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        Celtica. Unfortunately that’s life and we can’t make life rosey for everyone. People of faith and that have a hope of better things at the end of their lives aren’t as worried about coverage for pre-existing conditions and being deprived of medical care. I assume that you have no understanding of that though. Not too many people in the US are completely deprived of medical care. I know some people that don’t have insurance because they don’t want it or have diabetes or another illness or disability and can’t afford the ins. premiums. They seek care and get it. Then they pay the local county hospital and doctors back. They will not repay the hospital or doctor in the amount of time that an insurance company could pay it but they do pay make those payments every month and they have NEVER been refused care. I think that it’s probably the same every where. Millions these days go to hospitals with never a thought that they will pay them for their services. Somehow it’s owed to them. That’s the type of person you’re so worried about. If they don’t want to take responsibility for their needs we shouldn’t be the ones to pay. Very few in America have no options unless they’ve created the situation that leaves them with no option.

        • November 18, 2013 at 4:49 pm
          PM says:
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          Perplexed, it seems the libs have no idea what county health is or its not good enough for them. There is no reason for BO Care, because there is a system in place that covers those without insurance, regardless of the reason.

          Many complain that they increase the cost of insurance because they don’t pay in. Now they will be added to insurance, have smaller premiums, increase govt debt dramatically and raise our premiums.

          Why are prices higher with BOCare than without if this is such a great service? I know, because BO does not care, he stinks!

          • November 19, 2013 at 8:18 am
            jw says:
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            PM, when you say “county health” what does that mean?

        • November 19, 2013 at 8:17 am
          jw says:
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          perplexed, just wanted to let you know that in some cases, care can be refused. I worked for a For Profit hospital (a long time ago) and the hospital’s policy was that anyone not an emergency must pay up front. Seriously, I had send someone home because he couldn’t pay for a lab test ordered by his doctor. Now, his doctor could have run the test himself, but he decided the hospital should eat those charges instead. The doctor called and I told him to get over it. (that’s a summary of the conversation-the details are not pretty)

          • November 19, 2013 at 10:42 am
            Perplexed says:
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            JW – I know what you’re talking about. We have two hospitals where I live. One will turn people away that have no money or insuance. The other one is owned by the Baptists (not publicized like it was 40 yrs ago) and doesn’t turn anyone away. The ER is full of unemployed, or people that use them as their primary care – indigents, people that don’t work and don’t file for medicaid or disability and rely on that hospital for everything. There are assistance programs for them, but they just don’t apply because of lack of motiviation. Not the ideal situation, but a lot of hospitals in Texas are the same way, they used to be called county hospitals and they didn’t refuse to treat anyone. My 40 yr. old son has experienced debilitating health problems for the past 4 months. That hospital has enrolled him in a resource program and they are charging him greatly reduced rates, the doctors that have their own private practices but use that hospital are seeing him and allowing him to arrange payments to repay. What a blessing that has been. This hospital allows all kinds of people to pay monthly and as long as you meet your agreement you are good to go.

          • November 19, 2013 at 12:03 pm
            Mark says:
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            Just to clear this up….there is a federal law called EMTALA (The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act) that requires ALL hospital ERs to not refuse treatment for anybody having a legitimate medical emergency or for women in active labor. For anything else, an ER can refuse treatment if the patient cannot pay. In most situations where an indigent person is being treated in an ER under EMTALA, the ER will work to stabilize the patient and then refer them elsewhere for additional care.

          • November 19, 2013 at 1:43 pm
            jw says:
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            Mark, as you said EMTALA is for EMERGENCIES that present at an EMERGENCY ROOM. I was referring to a walk in lab patient that has an order from their doctor. ANYONE can use the lab and radiology departments of a hospital with a doctors order. Those are NOT emergencies.

      • November 18, 2013 at 2:38 pm
        FFA says:
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        I thought it was OBama Care getting policies cancelled. Wasn’t it Obama that told everyone they could keep what they got?

        • November 18, 2013 at 3:49 pm
          Agent says:
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          FFA, It was the intention of Obama and his administration to get the policies cancelled so they would have a ready market eager to get his coverage. The only problem with their thinking was that #1 the website didn’t work and still doesn’t and for those who did get on,#2 the premiums were not affordable and #3, there is no security of the site and ID theft will be rampant. This is the whopper of all lies told to the American People and it should be an Impeachable Offense. Did you see that he said he would veto the bill the Republicans passed if it gets to his desk? He just wants to be Emperor to tell the companies what to do. I am reminded of history about Nero fiddling while Rome burned. That is what we have now.

          • November 19, 2013 at 8:22 am
            jw says:
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            Agent, just in case you really care, you should read the “Fact Checker” article (on the WashingtonPost.com) about the website security. Turns out, it’s not what those politicians said it was.

            Now, you have the option to not believe what that research discovered. That is why we were given free will, right?

          • November 19, 2013 at 9:47 am
            Agent says:
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            And you jw, should be paying attention to the real news. It came out this morning that warnings were given to Sebelius and CMS and the White House Technology head that the website was in trouble back in March, a full seven months prior to launch and they kept on saying everything was fine and Sebelius famously said they would be open for business 10-1. Why didn’t they bring in real experts back then to clean it up and make sure it would work or just do a redesign by experts and demand their money back from the crony company and all those subs that screwed it up.

          • November 19, 2013 at 10:08 am
            jw says:
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            Agent, I happened upon a bit of information and shared. That’s all. I noticed an article referencing what was known in March, too. I wasn’t talking about that. I was ONLY talking about the security of the current web site. It’s pretty much common knowledge the site is buggered. So, there really isn’t much point in saying that over and over.

            Admonishing me to pay attention to the real news is a waste of your typing time.

          • November 19, 2013 at 12:04 pm
            Ron says:
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            jw,

            It is virtually impossible to have a reasonable debate or conversation with Agent due to his poor reading comprehension skills.

            He constantly misinterprets posts then labels and admonishes others without evidence.

          • November 19, 2013 at 1:37 pm
            bob says:
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            I’m curious Ron,

            With all the insulting you say I do.

            What was the purpose of your comment about Agent?

            I have one of two answers for you:

            You’re a bad person, and need to feel better.
            You’re a bad person, and you like insulting people.

            At least I admit when I have crossed lines. You just cross them and pretend other people do.

          • November 19, 2013 at 2:35 pm
            bob says:
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            Ron,

            By the by, have you liked all the links recently?

            I never post them though.

            I would love to show you just how wrong you are about my methodology and sources, and about me just pulling things out of a hat.

          • November 19, 2013 at 2:36 pm
            bob says:
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            Ron,

            Or do I need a source quote for my stating that your comment to Ron was condescending?

            Source quote:

            http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2013/11/17/311508.htm/?comments#comment-357945

            Some things just don’t need source quotes Ron.

            I’m still going to hammer that home after you told me I needed to source quote common sense concepts.

            I source quote laws.

            I don’t source quote concept.

      • November 19, 2013 at 1:25 pm
        bob says:
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        Celitca,

        Only that’s a lie. Republicans have never been against health care or pre existing conditions.

        http://m.us.wsj.com/articles/SB124277551107536875?mobile=y

        The patient’s choice act of 2009 covered pre existing conditions. So did the other CBO rated plans. Democrats killed it on arrival, they wouldn’t allow it to go up for vote.

        $5,000 debit card, $2,300 tax credit, $5,700 for families.

        Reagan signed the law that required care be given.

        Bush W signed medicare expansion part d, and a law expanding assistance to kids with no insurance.

        Republicans created the 401k, the Roth IRA, tax credits for the poor for investing into 401ks.

        Republicans created the Patient’s Choice Act, and tried to do the alternate methods of retirement that would not only grow tax deferred, but would not be taxed as income at withdrawal.

        All of these are not just good for the poor. They are #@%@ing good for the poor.

        The only thing your party has done in the last 60 years is establish medicare, and social security. Tell me, which would you rather have, a 12.2% tax on your income, (your boss could pay you more in the absence of a 12.2% tax, therefore even though you don’t directly pay the full rate, you do get charged it. Part of Paul Ryan’s plan for those who chose to, they could put that full 12.2% into a special 401k instead) or a tax return on your investment dollars, and for them to grow tax free at the average 9% that the DOW has averaged since the great depression? Do you realize that even 100 a month matched by your employer at 100 turns into $1,000,000? You would then be getting $90,000 a year, assuming inflation adds 3.5 times the amount by the time you are retired over 35 years, then you have a solid income of $25,700 in today’s dollars if you take out just what the $1/m earns per year to spend without reducing the size of your 401k. You would die with $1/m dollars doing that. So on a $22,000 earner’s income, they would now have $2,728 automatically going into their investment accounts per year and would come out TWICE AS WELL OFF as social security which I will explain below how I come to that number. Do you know what the average payout on social security is right now? Roughly $1,100 dollars. Right now, you don’t even get minimum wage in social security benefits on the average. There is a reason: The government doesn’t grow money. It spends it.

        If we took the same tax dollars we had now and invested it into an account automatically for all the minimum wage workers, they would retire with an income slightly surpassing their annual income accounting for inflation. If we do social security, they won’t have an income even matching minimum wage.

        SO: One of the parties wants to give you a crap for beans wage.

        Paul Ryan wants to have those tax dollars go toward your fair retirement.

        These are good ideas for the poor. There isn’t some rich scheme to get rid of taxes because it helps them.

        It is to get rid of taxes and bad programs because it hurts the middle class.

        Get over it. Admit it. Grow up. Move on.

        • November 19, 2013 at 1:55 pm
          jw says:
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          So, who would be in charge of the special 401K using what would have been the social security tax?

          • November 19, 2013 at 2:03 pm
            bob says:
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            The consumer. They would choose which company to work with.

            As a side comment: All your questions have been asked and directed before.

            Look up the path to prosperity.

            Also, your concern here is if some big company messes up with the money of all americans. See my other spot where I said that concern could be directed with a lesser tax to be used for those who have low balances at retirement. An insurance tax. The safety net would then apply to well, those who fall outside of the normal net (ergo safety net).

          • November 19, 2013 at 2:44 pm
            jw says:
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            No, actually, my concern was if the government would be in charge of all that money. Then we’d just end up with the social security stupidity we have now.

            (you really oughtn’t try to assume where my brain is going on any post – my husband says I have my very own way of thinking that he still can’t follow after 20+ years)

          • November 21, 2013 at 6:04 pm
            bob says:
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            JW:

            You’re right. I shouldn’t assume. I did a bit of a role reversal there myself.

            Generally I express my anti trust for government. Not business. To me, the investing of the funds in this scenario the business issues is a greater concern.

          • November 21, 2013 at 9:11 pm
            jw says:
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            bob, as the kids in my office would say, “I gotcha.”

        • November 19, 2013 at 5:05 pm
          Agent says:
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          So Ron, you have been strangely silent for a while since you had no websites to post how rosy everything is with Obombacare. Have you been visiting Aunt Nancy or Uncle Harry? Have you bothered to read the amazing story of how the Healthcare.gov is only partially built after 3 1/2 years and $634 Million spent and rising? No pay plans, no security and no hope. I see you couldn’t resist coming out and criticizing me for calling out the left for their lies and deceptions.

      • November 19, 2013 at 1:29 pm
        bob says:
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        And let me emphasize Celitica,

        Them taking that 12.2% a year, $2,728 for the income I mentioned, is $2,728 that the person in that income class can not invest.

        That is huge. This income class has no money as is, and now only has the option to be taxed at 12.2% and to get under minimum wage at retirement.

        We cannot have both a 12.2% tax, and an investment program that takes that same money and puts it into investments, and then gives a tax credit of another $1,200 to be invested.

        By the by: That would then be $3,928 per year, also known as: $1.6 million in 35 years. You could then withdraw $40,000 in today’s dollars per year and still have 1.6 million left over.

        Which plan do you think is better?

        Also before you say what if the market does bad: Set up a tax that would provide insurance for those collecting social security in a down market, ba da boom, ba da bam, fo’get about it!

      • November 19, 2013 at 1:35 pm
        bob says:
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        Also Celitica,

        You know another side affect of putting these dollars into investment accounts?

        Permanent low interest rates, and a plethora of capital.

        The investments would go to banks. The banks would have tons of money. Now we wouldn’t need programs like QE spending more than 2.4 trillion over 4 years to lower interest rates. Now we don’t need the government to pump money into the system. The system would be doing that itself.

        The path to prosperity. Read up on it. It would do you some good.

        • November 19, 2013 at 1:47 pm
          jw says:
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          bob, I saw the perfect t-shirt for you this weekend. I got a catalog from “Catalog Favorites” in MA. On the last page I saw a red t-shirt that says:

          Of course I’m right.
          I’m Bob.

          I am not joking. I laughed and thought of you. Instead of “here’s your sign,” I’m saying “here’s your shirt”!

          • November 19, 2013 at 2:00 pm
            bob says:
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            JW:

            I am not entirely sure what to say to this.

            I guess the best way is to say:

            You’re wrong if you think I think I’m always right.

            But then again, that just fits the shirt.

            I have never found someone who is quite like myself. These posts aren’t about being right “all the time”.

            When someone, like celitica, has done such poor research she literally states that republicans never offered pre existing conditions, when it was included in every plan, I point out how wrong they are.

            When it comes to kids, I daily am surprised and take after my wife. She takes lead. When someone has knowledge exceeding my own, I steal it. They take lead.

            I have a nutritionist friend, a psychologist friend, as well as many others. I make a point of knowing when to take lead.

            My posts while you see it as thinking I always think I am right, I simply only take an argument online, on an absurd message board, when I know my facts.

            I don’t post assuming I am wrong. No one does. Not one person on this site acts very much different than me, other than their style/tact.

            You really need to get over the adverse reaction most people have in being course corrected by me in this site so to speak. Many of these same people are taking open opportunity to swing.

            Have you noticed libby grabbing at any opportunity to say that Agent is wrong 100% of the time, insult him, degrade him, etc? Ron is even doing the same. His reply to you was what exactly?

            I’m no different than any other person. I just show it differently.

          • November 19, 2013 at 2:36 pm
            jw says:
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            bob, you’re funny. Enjoy the laugh and drive on. No big deal.

            I grant you, everyone thinks they are right and anyone disagreeing is wrong. That’s life. I just found something funny and wanted to share.

          • November 19, 2013 at 2:39 pm
            jw says:
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            By the way, I think it’s funny because it’s a pre-made shirt, not one you can personalize. Of all the names to pick, this t-shirt company picked Bob. Don’t you find that hilarious?

          • November 21, 2013 at 6:04 pm
            bob says:
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            JW:

            At first I didn’t realize that I’m Bob was actually truly on the shirt.

            In retrospect, it is funny.

          • November 21, 2013 at 9:09 pm
            jw says:
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            bob, glad you found your sense of humor. I was beginning to wonder if you have one.

        • November 19, 2013 at 4:54 pm
          Agent says:
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          Yes Bob, the QE done by the Fed is a big house of cards doing artificial low interest rates and printing money by the trillions. The taxpayers are holding trillions of debt on the Treasuries along with China, Japan and other countries. This house of cards can come tumbling down at any time.

        • November 21, 2013 at 2:14 pm
          Sargeant Major says:
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          Bob,
          Good posts, but I wouldn’t hold my breath on a response from Celtica. She won’t be able to figure out what you said and I don’t see anything she can blame on George Bush.

          • November 21, 2013 at 6:15 pm
            bob says:
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            Thanks Sargeant.

            What is truly sad in this is that these types of ideas are so covered up by the media that even the majority of republicans are unaware of them.

            Spread the word!

            We need to get republican voters to realize what they are supposed to be all about!

  • November 18, 2013 at 2:02 pm
    Old One says:
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    Anyone who thinks that Obama and company intended ACA to be anything other than another redistribution of wealth does not understand the mechanics of insurance. In theory, they were depending on “voluntary” participation by the young and healthy to fund the aging population that has medical problems which are expensive. In fact, it simply will not work without massive injections of federal dollars. The simple solution would have been an “Assigned Risk” plan with the uninsured paying a standard premium similar to others in their age group who are healthy and the government funding the difference. The cost would probably be less than it will cost to get the internet portal for Obamacare working.

    • November 19, 2013 at 12:09 pm
      Agent says:
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      Sorry jw, I have a hard time figuring out whose side you are on and whether you realize what a travesty this all is. You have agreed with Libby so much in recent articles, I thought you were all for this until recently when your stance changed some. I certainly don’t have time to scan all newspaper articles from across the country about a myriad of subjects. What is plain as day is that elitist Democrats seriously misjudged how complicated this would be and were too lazy to do anything about it before it imploded on them. Of course, the taxpayers/policyholders will pay the price of a billion dollar website that still doesn’t work, meanwhile they say that people must enroll by 12-15 in order to get coverage by 1-1 or they have a loss of coverage. How do you think they will spin this now? Blame the Republicans or the Insurance Industry or both?

      • November 19, 2013 at 2:07 pm
        jw says:
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        Agent, I’ll summarize:

        1. I do not/did not believe the ACA would be the answer to our health care issues. I hoped it would work since we were stuck with it, but I did not expect much.

        2. Yes, I agree with Libby on many things. Mostly social issues such as equal rights for ALL citizens.

        3. I don’t understand your comments about “progressive socialism,” I don’t want to add to the spending. The government spends too much money on too many programs.

        4. I just want equality. It doesn’t have to cost anything.

        5. I don’t fit into any specific label. I am considered conservative in some ways (by liberals, especially). I am also considered liberal (by conservatives, not surprisingly). My opinions are all over the spectrum. Do not try to put me on a “side.”

        • November 19, 2013 at 2:30 pm
          bob says:
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          I think if you looked into things a little more you would realize how much you have been weaned into believing what you do about republicans on social issues.

          There are drones on either side. Republican drones who hate people is a common occurrence. It does not reflect on the “rights” issues of either party. In fact, republicans got women the right to vote, rebelled against slavery, and more of them voted for civil rights. Heck, a republican basically really hammered on affirmative action (Nixon).

          Women’s rights are something that is an absurd argument by the left as usual to label the right. Anything they can grab eh?

          We regulate just about everything. I showed you a study recently on suicide rates and women who had abortions. There is reason to restrict abortion, especially in the early months. There is reason to restrict abortion, especially in later months. Birth control I believe is your only concern, and if it is then you are in luck: Republicans are ok with it.

          Gay marriage: We passed the law here, and republicans only had two amendments on their version of the bill that democrats wouldn’t let pass: Require a public vote, and remove the law that allowed for discrimination lawsuits against churches that charged a fee for ceremony services (as in flying your priest to Hawaii.).

          There are no civil rights that republicans are behind in, nor social issues.

          Ultimately, one does have to choose a side, or the other side exploits the lack of conviction. Right now, republicans are the ones to choose. It’s just the way it is. If the democrats decide to change, then choose them.

          But don’t lack conviction in the name of polarized politics, and definitely don’t try to find the answer to social stigmas in politics.

          • November 19, 2013 at 2:55 pm
            jw says:
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            bob, you keep forgetting that I’m in the south. The republicans here are not like those in your state. I accept that you don’t understand why I see the republicans as against all the issues I find important. It’s because the republicans in my state (and a couple to the south of me) ARE against all those issues. I’m talking about people telling me themselves what they believe. And the politicians, yeah, they tow the party line down here.

            For example, spouse benefits for national guard members. Our adujunt general (super conservative) accepted the decree from the sec def to fall in line and advised our govenor to allow the NG units to process the paperwork. There are state reps and state senators throwing a fit because the governor and TAG are complying. Then, look at those states that have REFUSED to let the guard process the paperwork. In their minds, just letting federal employees (because yes, the guard full timers are federal employees) process the paperwork in a state owned building using state owned computers is against the law. So, now do you see why I lump all conservatives as anti-equality?

          • November 19, 2013 at 2:58 pm
            jw says:
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            I have preferences, not sides. I know there is no politician on the planet who will meet every one of my preferences. Therefore, I settle for the lessor of the evils. Who ever is closest to my beliefs gets my vote. Some times it’s a republican. Most of the time it’s not.

          • November 19, 2013 at 3:00 pm
            jw says:
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            I just noticed I negleted to state the spouse benefits are for gay service members who are legally married (in a state/district that allows it).

          • November 19, 2013 at 3:12 pm
            jw says:
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            Ok. A couple comments on republicans and gay marraige:

            Explain Liz Cheney.

            Explain the states with laws that forbid gay marriage.

            Why are civil rights (and this is a rights issue) something people can vote to give or not give?

          • November 19, 2013 at 4:44 pm
            Agent says:
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            Hey jw, did you know that student health plans for college are being cancelled just like the regular individual market because they don’t conform? Colleges have been offering these low cost plans for many years to defray costs of going to the infirmary for injuries and illnesses. We musn’t let them have this coverage, right? I am sure all the young guys on these plans will want maternity, abortion, birth control pills on their plans.

          • November 21, 2013 at 6:13 pm
            bob says:
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            JW:

            To explain the states that forbid gay marriage:

            The majority of those states favor gay “unions”.

            Gay marriage presents problems with discrimination laws.

            I will have to look into the Cheney chick.

            Also: The 12.4% social security tax, and sticking someone with less than minimum wage at retirement is a much MUCH bigger problem than whether or not a gay couple can say they are married. I’m sorry JW. It just is. You simply cannot deny that what I said would be insanely good for everyone. Insanely, ridiculously, good.

            On spouse benefits: Are you referring to spousal benefits for gay couples? Otherwise it wouldn’t make sense.

            You are aware that in your case, I am sure that if you looked up the republicans who are against “equal benefits” are also for a plan to put forward benefits that make sense.

            The majority of republican senators who are against “equal” spousal benefits see a big difference between a man / woman marriage (kids are nearly 100% happening) than a gay marriage (usually about the same as a gay couple non-marriage in almost all areas) and they want to make benefits that make sense. Should we give one of the members of the gay couple maternity leave for example? Does it even make sense to do so?

            Moving on:

            If you are in Texas, as it sounds you may be, stop paying attention to the “games” the politicians play to pander to idiot voters. I can tell you that even in more conservative states senators have put forth civil unions. And if you attempt to state that southern states are doing things differently, well, the majority are not southern states. The majority of the republicans are not as you say they are.

          • November 21, 2013 at 9:00 pm
            jw says:
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            Agent – I think you’re a tad off base. I never said anything good about the ACA.

            bob – I’m in Kentucky. If republicans want my vote they will support gay marriage (and all the benefits afforded by marriage) and ENDA. The economy is important, but what I want doesn’t cost anything. Therefore, I can’t see the harm in supporting my issues. If conservatives/republicans/whoever will do that, I’ll trust them with the economy. That’s my opinion. Do not argue, I am not apologizing for my belief that people matter.

          • November 21, 2013 at 9:05 pm
            jw says:
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            Oh, bob, one more thing. All that pandering that politicians do cannot be ignored. If a politician can’t stand up to the radicals in their party, they don’t want my vote.

        • November 19, 2013 at 4:49 pm
          Agent says:
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          Ok jw, I will summarize. You do have equal rights guaranteed by the Constitution by the way. Do women have to be more equal than men? Who has taken away your rights? I think Roe v Wade gave you abortion. No one has taken it away. I do think women have taken it too far to want employers to pay for their birth control and to get an abortion whenever they get into trouble, particularly late term. This is a big cost and many employers don’t think it is right. There are about 200 lawsuits pending on just these issues.

          • November 21, 2013 at 9:06 pm
            jw says:
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            I have no problem ending the mandated coverages. I only point things out because I happen to like stirring the pot (or, as my friends like to say – I enjoy poking the bear)

        • November 22, 2013 at 12:01 pm
          bob says:
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          JW:

          So pandering on the left, is perfectly ok (Blocking Keystone Oil for activists, Green Energy Tax credit for activists, carbon tax for activists, doing a gay marriage bill that intentionally has clauses against churches to gain some gay voters who go HAH we got the religion back!)

          Whereas telling your republican voters that you don’t agree with Gay marriage (when you don’t) in order to pander to anti gay voters totally shouldn’t earn your vote eh? That’s a softcore pander. They still put forth civil union bills, as well as benefits for gays that are fair. If anything, that type of pandering is the right type of pandering, because like it or not, and let me all bold this because you need to stop with the “equality band wagon (that democrats use to own you)

          GAY MARRIED COUPLES ARE NOT THE SAME AS HETEROSEXUAL IN THEIR BENEFIT NEEDS. And they should not receive equal benefits either.

          Again: You are not aware of how politics work and are turning a blind eye against the right.

          I am not one to leave criticism off the left. Every piece of crap thing republicans do, democrats do better ;)

          That was a play on a certain song.

          • November 22, 2013 at 12:25 pm
            jw says:
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            bob, don’t put words in my mouth. Pandering is not ok by any candidate. Unfortunately for the conservatives, I find the equality issues more important.

            Ok, I have to ask because this just blows my mind. How do gay couples NOT NEED the same benefits?

        • November 22, 2013 at 12:03 pm
          bob says:
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          I meant to say I’m not one to leave out criticisms on the *right*

          And just in case you thought my all caps was saying that they don’t deserve equal benefits, let me clarify that not deserving and not needing are two entirely different phrases.

          They have different benefit needs. Simply transferring over the same married benefits to gay couples is quite frankly extremely arrogant, foolish, and ignorant. It is only done by democrats to pander. Which you just said would dis-sway your vote.

          • November 22, 2013 at 12:27 pm
            jw says:
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            bob, please explain the difference. By the way, I follow many authors and bloggers who disagree with your belief that they have different NEEDS. I am curious what you deem different.

          • November 22, 2013 at 12:28 pm
            jw says:
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            Oh, is it “pandering” if they follow through with the promise?

          • November 22, 2013 at 3:13 pm
            jw says:
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            JW:

            Does a gay couple NEED a child tax credit, or do they want one?

            In a marriage you will have kids, most assuredly.

            In a gay marriage, you may not want kids. You may want tax credits though, for having children, and to get the state assistance that comes with it.

            You may say that heterosexual couples also ride that ticket. Yes. They do. But they also have a need in regards to children that far out weighs the people who take advantage of it for a free ride. Gay couples have a choice in terms of children, it will not just happen. Should they get the benefits that come with having kids, such as assistance with college, tax credits, food stamps, etc? Are you aware that you can collect more on food stamps than I spend on food if you have even 2 kids anywhere close to minimum wage? Married couple child tax credits should be evaluated.

            Does a gay couple need birth control for that matter? Should the state give equal benefits on that one? Birth control being mandated is more or less for people who are married (as you yourself believe, while Agent believes it is for open legged females and foolish guys)

            Should a gay couple have the same structure for alimony?

            Again, their children are a choice, for married couples it is not. In the absence of children, alimony just plain doesn’t make sense. Yes, alimony exists in scenarios it shouldn’t as well for straight couples who divorce before they have children. Should we also pass those same screw ups on to gay marriage as well?

          • November 22, 2013 at 3:49 pm
            Libby says:
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            jw #2 – where do I even begin with your bigoted post?

            1) “Does a gay couple NEED a child tax credit, or do they want one?” Yes, if they have children. I am heterosexual and do not get a child tax credit because I DON’T HAVE CHILDREN.

            2) “In a marriage you will have kids, most assuredly.” Uh, no. I’ll say again, I am heterosexual and do not have children. And a good many of my friends are in similar situations.

            3) “In a gay marriage, you may not want kids. You may want tax credits though, for having children, and to get the state assistance that comes with it.” That’s the stupidest statement I have ever heard. Did you have kids for the tax credit? And considering gay couples usually have to have a surrogate or adopt, it will cost them much, much more to have a child than any tax credit they will receive.

            4) “Should they get the benefits that come with having kids, such as assistance with college, tax credits, food stamps, etc?” Why not? Those benefits are for the children, not the couple.

            5) “Does a gay couple need birth control for that matter? Should the state give equal benefits on that one? Should the state give equal benefits on that one?” They need it about as much as this 55 year old needs it, but it’s still covered in my plan. Since when does the State provide birth control as a benefit?

            6) “Birth control being mandated is more or less for people who are married.” What? Birth control is for people that do not want to get pregnant. It has nothing to do with their marital status.

            7) “Should a gay couple have the same structure for alimony?” Why shouldn’t they? Alimony is spousal support and has nothing to do with children. You’re getting that mixed up with child support. And you’re not eligible for child support if you don’t have children.

            8) “Again, their children are a choice, for married couples it is not.” What in the hell are you talking about? Children are always a choice whether gay, married, or single.

            Just what is everyone’s problem with gay marriage? I just don’t get it.

            And Bob, it has nothing to do with protecting churches. When I married my first husband his priest wouldn’t do it because we wanted to be married outdoors and not in the church. It is a church’s perogative to choose who they will marry and who they won’t. Just because gays have the right to marriage doesn’t mean a church HAS to marry them.

        • November 22, 2013 at 3:20 pm
          jw says:
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          JW:

          You mean unfortunately for republicans, democrats lie better and pander better on emotional issues for you.

          Republicans are not worse in social issues.

          They got women the right to vote, blacks freed, blacks affirmative action, blacks civil rights.

          You believe they are. And you are wrong.

          Gay marriage is not equal rights. In my state, it is pro gay anti church. Democrats pander on religious issues and damn gays. You mean to say on that one that unfortunately for republicans, you are perfectly ok with screwing over churches, because you don’t have an emotional attachment there (which to me is just as bad as not having one for gays. Churches are comprised of people as well. People who do not enjoy being dominated).

          You mean to say you are ok with the unfairness for men, but not women. Equal rights for women such as equal health premiums even though they use the system more? So who is paying for that? Is that really equal? Men die younger as a result. Men also collect less medicare as a result. Obama’s plans, as I posted in this post, do not cover EKG’s for men, don’t cover basic heart health, yet they cover your birth control, pre natal, and delivery care, no deductible. They also cover your mammograms, and well visits.

          So while you get birth control, the one you said is no big deal, and we should just all pay for it (for democrats ability to pander) us men are DYING and basic heart attack prevention isn’t covered, all in the name of pandering. It is lucky for democrats you focus on these emotional issues. Very lucky indeed, that you don’t see the pandering as damaging, when men are out there dying, paying for your healthcare, all in the name of “women’s rights” which sounds pretty but is ugly as hell.

          Or how about the lilly ledbeter act? (SP) which gave the ability to sue a company even if you didn’t perform the discrimination. Say they were underpaid for 10 years. Then they sue you for punitive damages, and get $10/m in re coup for $10,000 per year of lost income so to speak. The person who discriminated against the woman isn’t punished. The new owners are, and the employees of the company. But that’s a good act right?

          Disregard studies that show that the jobs men take actually have less flexibility, require them to move, have more hours, they are in the “same” job getting paid a higher wage which just isn’t fair right? So let’s do some “equal” rights there. Pandering, and getting you riled up, so you want a “equal” rights bill passed. As long as it is good for you right?

          Lucky for republicans, you’re emotional and out for you. Well, touche then JW, because us men are beginning to be out for us. Why do you think we lean conservative now?

          • November 22, 2013 at 3:57 pm
            Libby says:
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            Bob – quit hiding behind jw’s moniker. It’s deceitful and dishonest.

            And you will get no agreement or sympathy from me on how downtrodden the American male is. Put on your big boy pants and get over it.

        • November 22, 2013 at 3:31 pm
          jw says:
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          JW:

          Or here’s a good one to test who really has social stigmas in the government screwing them over, and where rights issues actually lie:

          If I said we would give free condoms on an insurance policy to men, what do you suppose the public reaction would be?

          On one level, men would be called pigs by feminists, you likely, and democrats, most assuredly.

          On another, I guaranteed those same groups would ask why the F these lazy dead beat guys aren’t paying for their own birth control measures. I mean, condoms are for them after all right?

          On yet another: If guys said we just want to have sex with our wife and not get pregnant, would the come back women use for men that “the condoms would just be used in marriage” be used?

          With all the “equal” rights we already have, I don’t want any more as a male. At all.

          • November 22, 2013 at 3:56 pm
            Libby says:
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            Bob – I think condoms should be provided by the handfuls and would have no problem with them being covered by insurance. Not only do they help prevent pregnacy, they help prevent the spread of disease. A worthwhile preventive medicine expense.

        • November 22, 2013 at 6:23 pm
          bob says:
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          Libby,

          I directed your other comment, which is sheer ignorance, and your ending is incorrect but I forgot to put my name.

          Also, I am not posing as JW. That was me putting the reply name in the wrong box.

          All I really have to say is you are a vindictive, incorrect, . And I’m not bleeping that out.

          I won’t rewrite what I wrote, which line by line showed why you are a , and why you were wrong, mistaken, and completely vindictive on each line.

          I’m not going to think for your pathetic ass. You’re a divider. Not a proactive activist. You have this desperation to believe you’re on the side of good, getting the bad guy. It is exactly your problem, and you’re pathetic.

          You’re obsessed with these gay haters because you need one to hate yourself. And it’s trashy as all hell.

          You’re pathetic.

          • November 25, 2013 at 9:02 am
            Libby says:
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            I’M pathetic??? You’re the one that’s the bigot, which in and of itself is divisive.

            I think it was I that addressed YOUR intolerant, bigoted post line-by-line. Showing YOU are the hateful, pathetic one.

            YOU are the one obsessed with gays. I see them as just another person. Equal to me in every way.

            Go crawl back under your rock.

  • November 18, 2013 at 2:08 pm
    Texas Agent says:
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    Celtica, we had insurance just fine before the democrats screwed this up. Don’t blame the republicans. The Democrats have screwed up the system for 85% of the population so accomodate 15% of the population. Explain to all of us how that can possibly make sense even to someone who supports this fool (liar) of a president. Don’t you see what he is trying to do? Won’t you open your eyes.

    • November 18, 2013 at 3:27 pm
      youngin' says:
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      Our health insurance system was most certainly not “just fine” before Obamacare. Give me a break.

      • November 18, 2013 at 5:59 pm
        Agent says:
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        Yes Youngin, we took a system that at least worked for most and substituted the worst system of all time and got 5 million policies cancelled in the first month. So much for expanding healthcare choices across the country. We are due to constrict healthcare substantially under this failed scenario. Thousands of doctors are no longer in network. Can you say the word “rationing” youngin?

    • November 18, 2013 at 3:45 pm
      Celtica says:
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      Agent — your health insurance may have been “just fine” for you — and proably still is under the ACA — and actually is improved (although I don’t expect you to admit that). But it wasn’t “just fine” for many Americans.

      Pre-existing conditions are now included.
      No lifetime caps on chronic or life threatening conditions such as cancer.

      A healthy America is a better America.

      • November 18, 2013 at 4:11 pm
        Mark says:
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        But I don’t think you understand that you can’t have that for free. Sure a healthier America is a better America but that does not come without cost….a very, very big cost. A cost that might tip the balance from a safe and secure America to one that is very different from that and there are many people who would have preferred to fix the system in a way that did not compromise security, which was certainly doable.

        • November 19, 2013 at 11:41 am
          Always Amazed says:
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          Last I heard Europe’s ecomony was still in the toilet. They have socialized healthcare. Get a clue.

          • November 19, 2013 at 11:55 am
            Agent says:
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            Always, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Belgium,Denmark, Sweden. Need I go further?

          • November 21, 2013 at 11:11 am
            Always Amazed says:
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            Yes, all of Europe is in the tank. And that’s exactly where we are headed. Have you all heard that the unemployment numbers back in 2012 were all padded to make Obama look the savior that the media portrayed him to be? Disgusting! The bloom has finally fallen of the rose with the approval rate of 31%. People have finally woken up and it took you long enough

      • November 19, 2013 at 1:39 pm
        bob says:
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        Both were offered on republican plans.

        Plans that did not raise premiums, but in fact were cbo rated to lower them.

        Plans that despite giving subsidies like democrat plans, didn’t require insurance to be bought, and didn’t raise the deficit as much as the democrat plans.

        This fight you have in your head that it was either democrat healthcare or everyone would die, is exactly the problem with America.

        • November 19, 2013 at 6:01 pm
          Agent says:
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          Bob, please explain the difference between a tax credit to buy insurance and a subsidy to buy insurance. Republicans offered a tax credit to buy and Democrats say they will give a subsidy to buy. Are we splitting hairs? If we don’t buy, Obama will charge a tax penalty. I don’t think the Republicans proposed a tax charge if the insurance was not bought.

          • November 21, 2013 at 6:13 pm
            bob says:
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            Agent,

            I know right? I was thinking the same thing when I saw that article.

  • November 18, 2013 at 2:16 pm
    Nan says:
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    Another phony concern. Those of us who were paying attention for the past several decades saw that it was possible for the banking industry to take “Investment” banks and morph them into commercial holding banks on a SUNDAY… to give them TARP tax dollars. If they want to fix a little thing like allowing one more annual renewal that should be a piece of cake.. unless of course their politics get in the way. Give me immigrants and give me refugees! They understand the wonderfulness of America.

    • November 18, 2013 at 2:21 pm
      Mark says:
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      It’s not that simple. You can’t just ‘renew’ policies that will have a bunch of new nuances, like a different mix of policyholders and a dramatic amount of uncertainty over what to pay for and how long they will be on the hook for the potential liabilities.

      • November 18, 2013 at 3:57 pm
        Celtica says:
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        Mark – seriously? Since they wrote the policy, the insurers DO have an exact idea of liabilities under their current terms. There are no new nuances – it’s the same old coverage at the same old price.

        • November 18, 2013 at 4:14 pm
          Mark says:
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          Not at all. You might want to know something about insurance before making blanket statements about it. The pool of people who might be buying the ‘continued’ coverage is going to be completely different than those who had it in the previous term. Healthier people may drop out, finding other coverage elsewhere that is cheaper. If that happens, the remaining pool would be much more expensive. It might be coverage that continues but the price to provide that same coverage is very likely going to be much more than before. You are making some fatal assumptions about what you’ve read.

          • November 18, 2013 at 4:46 pm
            FFA says:
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            Mary Says – ” Healthier people may drop out, finding other coverage elsewhere that is cheaper”.

            If you hear of someone actually finding it cheaper, please do share.

          • November 18, 2013 at 5:09 pm
            Celtica says:
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            I know quite a bit about insurance — including the cost of “free” coverage when people go to the emergency rooms as their primary source of care — and by those employers who do not offer medical benefits and have employees with back strains first thing Monday morning in the form of a WC claim.

            You cannot have it both ways — chirping about policies being cancelled and chirping about those policies being reinstated.

          • November 19, 2013 at 11:49 am
            Integrity Matters says:
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            Mark: Save your breath. Nan and Celtica are obviously clueless when it comes to insurance company operations and the regulatory issues this nightmare of a “fix” Obama has dictated.

            Celtica: Once again, you are getting distracted with other crap that is inherent with society. Obamacare is not going to fix the Monday morning WC claim. Fraud is still going to exist because the person committing it is not wanting to pay their deductible under their healthcare. The bottomline is that we ALL pay for it in one form or another. The previous system had it allocated (hidden) via our taxes. Obamacare is forcing it in front of our faces.

            Separately, no one is asking the real question…what happens next year when the “blessing” expires and when the group coverage starts to be cancelled?

          • November 19, 2013 at 1:42 pm
            bob says:
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            Celitica,

            Oh boy, let’s have fun. What is the cost to people for those $0 dollar hospital visits?

            I do know the answer. You don’t.

            How much per year to hospitals absorb after collections bills don’t pan out?

            Give me the answer. Because I know it. And it is not the source of high premiums.

            Then answer how much premiums are written in the health insurance industry.

            Here’s a hint: We are talking about lower than single digits percentage points.

            We are talking billions of dollars eaten hospital costs, versus trillion dollars of insurance cost.

  • November 18, 2013 at 2:33 pm
    Russ says:
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    Once again, it shows how inexperienced this administration is when it comes to business decisions. they think they can wave a magic wand and everyone will fall into line at their command. A broad announcement doesn’t change anything in the business world until the proposal had been thoroughly vetted. But, as we’ve seen here, the administration operates in the opposite direction: first, you announce a sweeping change, then call a meeting of experts if that change doesn’t simply occur. And these people are running our country? More precisely, they are ruining our country.

    Oh, and Celtica, the fact that Bush did or didn’t own up to anything doesn’t make it right that anyone else doesn’t own up to something they did. Again, two wrongs do not make a right. And, where the evidence that Republicans want to deprive anyone of medical care? Don’t tell me it’s because the Republicans opposed Obamacare – that is not a valid reason and it sounds more like a Democratic talking point. Maybe they just want handle that situation differently. But the majority party won’t even listen to their proposals or discuss any options. Remember that Obamacare was passed into law by Democrats without any Republican votes or even engaging in any debate with the party (except for a one night dog-and-pony show on TV). We are not a one-party country nor is that the way this country is supposed to work. Healthy debate and arrival at compromises is what built this country starting with all the compromises that were made during debate over the very formation of our country. People who refuse to debate likely have little truth or verifiable facts on their side that will hold up to scrutiny.

    • November 18, 2013 at 3:51 pm
      Celtica says:
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      Russ, the experienced busienssman Bush ran the Texas Rangers and the U.S. into the ground. In that order.

      As for that input during the bill making process, the GOP staunchly refused to participate. But I see that old GOP revisionist playbook is currently being passed around.

      • November 18, 2013 at 4:03 pm
        FFA says:
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        Didn’t he (Bush) hire Nolan Ryan???

        • November 18, 2013 at 5:53 pm
          Agent says:
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          Yes, he brought Nolan in when he was leaving and Nolan really turned the team into a winner. They couldn’t quite get the World Series ring, but came within an out of doing it. I hope they can get back again soon if they can pick up a couple of good arms. Sargeant said Detroit will probably not part with Scherzer since he is the Cy Young winner. That guy is tough and almost unhitable when he is right.

      • November 18, 2013 at 5:40 pm
        Agent says:
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        Celtica, your mind is diseased and you need help. The Texas Rangers are one of the most solid teams in baseball and draw over 3 million each year and have been profitable. By the way, the US was not run into the ground nearly as bad as your Messiah has run it. Progressive Socialism and the big spenders you love so well are responsible for the economic malaise in this country.

        • November 18, 2013 at 6:02 pm
          Celtica says:
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          Agent — yeah, about that Texas Rangers bankruptcy thingy….

          • November 19, 2013 at 12:09 pm
            Mark says:
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            Did you mean like $14-trillion in debt bankruptcy thingy like the US is?

      • November 19, 2013 at 11:56 am
        Integrity Matters says:
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        And the inexperienced, corrupt, community organizer has trampled over the Constitution and made things worse than Bush and all the Presidents before him. Obama has divided the country and diminished the global respect we had as a Nation!

        • November 19, 2013 at 2:42 pm
          Integrity Matters says:
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          For all of you who disliked my comment, please explain what I said was not true?

          Obama is inexperienced, corrupt and has trampled over the Constitution. Things are worse than ever (which was caused by a President and we have little respect globally.

          Stop hiding behind your “dislike” and prove me wrong.

          • November 19, 2013 at 3:06 pm
            jw says:
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            Wasn’t me, Integrity Matters.

          • November 19, 2013 at 4:36 pm
            Agent says:
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            Hey Integrity, did you see or hear about the Oprah Winfrey interview accusing the country of racism for criticizing Obama? Everything is race these days and we musn’t ever criticize bad policy or bad governing with him in the office. Oprah did this interview in England and was stupid enough to not realize it would make it back to the US. She should just go ahead and move to Europe. Her OWN network is on the ropes and may shut down soon. Lack of advertising, poor programming should doom it just like other Progressive Networks. By the way, the report I saw on Al Jazeerah showed them with 13,000 viewers even though they bought rights on numerous cable networks. Gee, I wonder why they aren’t more popular.

        • November 19, 2013 at 4:31 pm
          Agent says:
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          Actually Mark, we just zipped past the $17 Trillion mark in debt. A trillion here, a trillion there and pretty soon, you are talking about serious money.

  • November 18, 2013 at 3:04 pm
    jack says:
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    This is the crap you get when a man that’s never had a real job his entire life thinks he’s smarter than the rest. He’s been given a participation trophy all his life! The middle class will pay for his incompetence for years to come. Welcome to the 1% club middle class, now lean forward!

  • November 18, 2013 at 3:51 pm
    TxLady says:
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    My assumption is that the vast majority of people who comment on the IJ stories are in the insurance industry. Given that, I would think the the complexities of reversing the cancellations would be understood, from pricing, billing, reinstating, updating systems, getting doctors back in networks, etc and performing all these things in a few short weeks. Just because the our President says do it, does not make it so. It is a very complicated process with many moving parts. Once again, Mr Obama did not consult with anyone who knows what’s involved until AFTER his pronouncement. Pretty much par for the course for him, and yes, that is a golf pun.
    Celtica, do you actually work in this industry? If you do, you certainly have not gained much understanding of it. You constantly amaze me.

    • November 18, 2013 at 3:55 pm
      Celtica says:
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      TX Lady — who in their right mind not in the industry would be reading this? Yes, cancellations are so complex that they can never, ever be rescinded — or policies extended. Maybe that is why you think your coverage is “just fine” — you just don’t know what you don’t know.

      • November 19, 2013 at 8:39 am
        jw says:
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        Celtica, have you not read anything sent out by the NAIC? Insurance commissioners are against this “fix.” The laws in several states have to be changed. Do you have ANY idea how that process works? Some states (like Kentucky) don’t have full time legislators. They’re only doing state work 3 – 4 months a year. The rest of the year they have JOBS. Some are lawyers, some are doctors, and some are even insurance agents. I’d like to see you drag them back to the state capital to undue everything they did over the past 3 years. In less than 60 days.

        • November 19, 2013 at 8:39 am
          jw says:
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          *undo*

          I’ll have another cup of coffee now.

        • November 19, 2013 at 12:12 pm
          Mark says:
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          My state just announced this morning they are NOT going to go along with the ‘fix’ because we already had guaranteed renewability anyway but the ‘new’ policies will still have to be ACA compliant (read: more expensive).

          • November 19, 2013 at 5:19 pm
            FFA says:
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            Mark, what state?

    • November 19, 2013 at 9:39 am
      Agent says:
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      Hey TxLady, How about a new golf term?

      The new term for a bad lie is an “Obama”.

      • November 19, 2013 at 12:01 pm
        Integrity Matters says:
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        LMAO, ROFL, Agent!! I have not heard that one yet. I guess Obama thinks he can use a Mulligan on this. I can’t imagine what his real golf score is. I doubt he ever takes a penalty stroke.

        • November 19, 2013 at 12:29 pm
          jack says:
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          He just blames his poor shots on the white secret service agent standing beside him.

          • November 19, 2013 at 2:44 pm
            Integrity Matters says:
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            Actually, Jack. He probably redistributes the “wealth” of his strokes to the other less fortunate golfers.

          • November 19, 2013 at 2:45 pm
            Integrity Matters says:
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            Not to mention all the Bushes!

        • November 19, 2013 at 4:28 pm
          Agent says:
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          I have seen the swing before Integrity. Butch Harmon could give him private lessons for a year and he still couldn’t break 90. He picks up 6 footers, shanks don’t count, drives into the trees don’t count and he gets a mulligan a hole. He does miss fast though. Secret Service doesn’t want him to stay in one place too long. I wonder if he uses a dozen balls a round. Probably has the Presidential Seal on them and some member finds them in the bushes later and then can brag about it in the clubhouse and mounts it on a plaque.

  • November 18, 2013 at 4:09 pm
    FFA says:
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    Celtica, I am beginning to think your on OBamas payroll doing the robo blog thing. You constantly defend this guy even though he has proven himself to be the compulsive liar that he is. YEA YEA YEA Bush…. we all know that. You have pounded that into our heads. Yes, he lied. The Syrians are smart enough to build them on their own.
    OBama needs to step down so we can see what the good ole boy Binden has to offer.

    • November 18, 2013 at 5:03 pm
      Celtica says:
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      FFA — So someone finally admits Bush lied? Astounding — but a step in the right direction. Obama isn’t stepping down over the ACA — any more than Bush did when no WMD weren’t found.

      The ACA isn’t perfect. Obviously. But if we can nationbuild Iraq and Afghanistan, we sure as hell can provide basic medical coverage for Americans.

    • November 19, 2013 at 9:56 am
      Agent says:
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      FFA, Did you hear the story that was reported by Fox last night about the young single mother from Washington state that wrote the President and he quoted her in one of his speeches about how happy she was to get affordable care with his law. Supposedly, she went on the Washington exchange and got coverage for $169 per month.

      Well, there seems to be a reality problem. The Washington Exchange did not have the correct rates when it was quoted and her premium ended up being so high, she couldn’t afford it and will now have to go without and pay the tax. She says now that she feels terrible that her name was given out on national TV by the President and wants to crawl under a rock. That would probably be a good place for Celtica as well.

      • November 19, 2013 at 10:55 am
        Celtica says:
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        Agent — got a link to that story? And are you like 12-13 years old — and does your daddy know you are playing with his keyboard? You seem unable to distinguish the difference between debate and personal attacks.

        • November 19, 2013 at 11:48 am
          Agent says:
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          Celtica, you won’t see it on Media Matters or Moveon.org. You should try the real news sometime. They interviewed the guy from Washington state who told them what happened to this poor lady. She got a reality check. Too bad you haven’t had one yet. Go play with your OWS friends in the basement.

          • November 19, 2013 at 12:23 pm
            Celtica says:
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            Agent, make up your mind — did Fox interview the woman or a man who related a “story” ???

            And I read a variety of sources including Fox. They have very good weather reports, by the way. But I don’t depend on Fox to tell me what to think. You should try not to either.

        • November 19, 2013 at 2:07 pm
          perplexed says:
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          Celtica, look up Drudge Report.com and you’ll see the article about the woman that Agent mentioned above. You might find more stuff there that you won’t like, but try it :)

      • November 19, 2013 at 10:59 am
        Connie says:
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        I saw that story about the single mom from Washington. I have a feeling, though, that because it was reported by Fox News, the libs here won’t give it any credibility or pay any attention to it.

        • November 19, 2013 at 11:51 am
          Always Amazed says:
          • November 19, 2013 at 2:29 pm
            Celtica says:
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            Dear Always — and others who take delight in the misfortune of this woman — schadenfreude on you. You say she is embarrassed and yet you use her to further your stance. You say nothing is wrong with the current healthcare system and yet this woman was not able to get insurance under the current environment. However, you would have been pissed if she was given a subsidy to help her.

          • November 19, 2013 at 3:20 pm
            Connie says:
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            Celtica – I would say what’s embarrassing is that OBAMA was wrongly and deceitfully using this woman to further HIS stance.

          • November 19, 2013 at 4:32 pm
            Mark says:
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            While you have to feel for this woman because of the broken promises made to you more than once….there are a lot of people who are single moms who would give just about anything to have a job that pays $50,000 a year.

          • November 19, 2013 at 4:48 pm
            Mark says:
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            Celtica…..maybe you also don’t realize that this woman not only is not going to get the coverage she wanted but it is just this very type of person who is going to be depended on to pay a lot into the system to pay for the care of others who make much less than her. She wanted a subsidy when she makes more far more than the average person….exactly the type of buyer that the ACA intends to mandate to purchase expensive coverage that will be used to pay for others who can’t.

          • November 19, 2013 at 8:44 pm
            Celtica says:
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            Mark, I appreciate your reasonable approaching in discussing this.

            First, I think that the exchanges need to stand by their quote as any entity would when quoting.

            Second, this women was one of the ones who needed insurance for her son — so she intended to use the system — and rightly so.

            Third, $50,000 a year seems to be a bundle — but not necessarily for a single parent raising a teenage son.

            Fourth, the $95 penalty she will be required to pay will go towards the overall funding. Is this fair? No. But suppose she or her son are in an accident and require emergency care. Who pays for that? We all do. Is that fair? Not really.

            Finally, since her son has ADHD, socieity would be better off if he was productive and received his prescription. But the GOP will never go there as they want the entire ACA to fail. However, there is no going back to excluding pre-existing conditions, et al.

            Baby steps at a time, baby steps at a time.

          • November 21, 2013 at 11:17 am
            Always Amazed says:
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            You are one piece of work. I do not find anything amusing about someone being told that they were approved for the ACA and then finding out that they are not. That is a cruel trick and you can thank Obama for it too. And please do not put words in my mouth. IF anyone should be embarrassed by this situation it should be all the democrats who let this happen not only to this poor woman/photo opp that backfired, but the millions of others that are going to be in the same situation. I think YOU should be embarrassed for even thinking that any of us would be that crass. Shame on you.

      • November 19, 2013 at 1:26 pm
        FFA says:
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        I watched the Pat get beat… Ron Rivera – a former Bears that was on lovies staff a D coordinators. Lovie ran him out of town making wise cracks. I didn’t get that. The man knows his Defense. Look what he did to Brady last night.

        • November 19, 2013 at 5:43 pm
          Agent says:
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          That was a good game FFA. The kid QB for Carolina has grown up now and he was thrilled to beat Brady. Carolina is a legit threat now and will be a match for anyone. Dallas has had issues with defensive coordinators as well. New Orleans welcomed the one they let go and he turned the Saints defense around as well. Another really good game. The cream is rising to the top now. Dallas will be lucky to beat out the Redskins for last place in the NFC East with what they have to work with.

    • November 19, 2013 at 5:50 pm
      Agent says:
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      Hey FFA, Did you see Scott Walker on Fox & Friends today? I forgot how impressive he was since the mess in Wisconsin has subsided after he kicked the union butts up there in their ill advised recall campaign. This guy is a true leader and chief executive material. I don’t know when he will make his move, but some of the others considering had better keep an eye on him. I think Wisconsin has come back a lot from the abyss of how it was before.

      • November 19, 2013 at 6:24 pm
        FFA says:
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        Scotts got it going on that’s for sure… I did not see what happened today. I will look for it. I saw something that Paul Ryan is in consideration for the next Republican Nomination.

        • November 19, 2013 at 8:46 pm
          Celtica says:
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          But Ryan cannot beat Hillary. When will you guys listen and get better (electable) candidates?

          • November 21, 2013 at 11:21 am
            Always Amazed says:
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            There are about 3 incumbents that would smoke Hillary right now. But “what difference does it make”. That should be her legacy. She should be ashamed of herself but then can someone who has no soul be ashamed?

          • November 21, 2013 at 6:27 pm
            bob says:
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            Paul Ryan is hands down the best choice for the economy.

            The sooner you democrats admit it the better.

            You know nothing about his plans. Quote to me Paul Ryan’s plans. Quote one.

            The guy would be the best thing to happen to America in the last 50 years.

          • November 22, 2013 at 7:39 am
            Ron says:
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            The more I hear from Paul Ryan the more appealing his is to me as a candidate. If he were the Republican nominee in 2012 I would have voted for him over President Obama and I believe he would have won. I just did not trust Romney.

          • November 22, 2013 at 8:00 am
            jw says:
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            Romney didn’t bother me until he started pandering to the extremists. I would have voted for him & Ryan; in fact, when I answered a polical poll about 18 months before the campaigning began, I said I would vote for Romney. I liked him. Then in the primaries he just put me off. Stand for something or sit down. (my vote didn’t matter because Ky is an all or none electoral state and Romney carried the state easily)

            I’ll keep an eye on Ryan and see how that goes.

          • November 22, 2013 at 12:07 pm
            bob says:
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            JW:

            In which way did Romney pander to extremists, that Obama himself did not do?

            Romney was against gay marriage. Then for it. Then against it. Then for it? Civil unions is likely the reason.

            Obama was against gay marriage himself. Then for it.

            For Romney plus one pander, for Obama…Just what, he had an awakening?

            Romney didn’t pander to any extremist group in his campaign. He was if anything, too moderate in appearance and needed to pander. Right leaning republicans didn’t want him. I doubt Agent liked him much for example. He probably considers him a rhino.

          • November 22, 2013 at 12:31 pm
            jw says:
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            bob, I didn’t vote for Obama.

          • November 22, 2013 at 3:03 pm
            jw says:
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            I’m not saying you did. I’m directing the pandering not the voting.

            :)

  • November 18, 2013 at 5:21 pm
    FFA says:
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    We had health insurance. All he did was 2x the problem with a huge price tag. Agents were able to make money off of it. Looking like I am cutting hours of one of my recent hires as we wont be able to sell OfnBama Care. So, one is getting cut to part time three days a week instead of full time. OBama lied to us as agents when he stated that we would be able to market this cause we cant.

    • November 18, 2013 at 5:49 pm
      Agent says:
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      FFA, I am sorry to tell you that Obombacare was not intended for agents to sell. It was all an online scheme from the start to sell direct to the low information voters who cannot discern what a deductible is, out of pocket expense is or notice their doctor is not in network. All they want is some more free stuff only it is proven not to be free. The ones who will wait patiently to get coverage are the sick who are losing their coverage and they are truly desperate. Thank you Obama for screwing the American People once again.

      • November 18, 2013 at 5:56 pm
        Celtica says:
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        Only a right winger would think that Americans are being screwed for getting more healthcare coverage.

        • November 18, 2013 at 6:04 pm
          Agent says:
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          Only a left winger would sing the praises of a law that is screwing millions of Americans out of coverage and imposing high premiums, high deductibles, high out of pocket maximums on the middle class. I don’t know why they didn’t just name it Obamacaid since that is where most are going.

          • November 18, 2013 at 6:19 pm
            Celtica says:
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            Agent: Isn’t there a tea party rally for you to attend somewhere?

          • November 18, 2013 at 7:49 pm
            Celtica says:
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            You must be completely unaware company benefitis have also experienced higher out of pocket maximums, higher premiums and higher deductibles and has trended this way for the last decade, not just since the ACA was passed.

          • November 19, 2013 at 12:16 pm
            Mark says:
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            But nobody forced anybody to buy employer sponsored policies that had those elements. An employee could simply turn down the employer policy and go and buy one with all those things that you did wants and just pay the premium for it. But wait….then they would actually have to PAY FOR IT!!!! But why support employer sponsored coverage when you can just trash that system and make everybody buy the government run system that gives it away for free.

        • November 19, 2013 at 11:40 am
          FFA says:
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          Celtica, if people were actually getting more and better and affordable coverage, this thing would have the support of the people. I am picking up BC & Maternity which I don’t need. Only Adverse Selection people will see a decline in Premium.

        • November 19, 2013 at 1:02 pm
          FFA says:
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          Celtica, how about the best Doc In America?

          http://moneymorning.com/ob-article/obamacare-ben-carson.php?code=t-oc-carson

          • November 19, 2013 at 2:36 pm
            Celtica says:
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            FFA: Yeah, I noticed the Washington Times article did not carry a byline. I also noted that on July 8, 2013, Carson joined The Washington Times as a weekly opinion columnist.

            FFA — I am dissapointed in you — I thought you could do better than that.

          • November 19, 2013 at 4:19 pm
            Agent says:
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            Celtica, Are you a racist for disliking Dr. Ben Carson? He is very brilliant, doesn’t need a teleprompter and just the kind of man we need in charge. I hope he runs for high office soon.

          • November 19, 2013 at 4:35 pm
            FFA says:
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            Celtica – you talking to my wife??? A week in Marco Island and she wanted more…

            Just got a dose of the boss on the way back from an appointment. I do believe in the Promised Land. Obama aint taking us there. He has proved it all night

          • November 22, 2013 at 7:58 am
            Ron says:
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            Agent,

            I am still waiting for Dr. Carsons qualifications to be the President of the United States. Aren’t6 you one of the people who said President Obama was elected by low information voters based solely on his speaking ability and high intelligence?

            What are Dr. Carson’s economic, foreign policy, and military credentials? Not his words, I want to know what he has actually done. I belieeve we have had enough with an inexperienced President. I would much prefer Paul Ryan as the Republican nominee.

        • November 21, 2013 at 6:30 pm
          bob says:
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          Celitica,

          My brother just went to apply. EKG’s and other heart preventative care is not covered, but he’s forced to pay for your birth control, delivery, and pre natal care.

          So we have to die, so that Obama can buy the woman’s vote? Screwed for better coverage?

          Where do you think the money comes to keep premiums even the same? All studies have said that in the absence of the subsidy the increase in premiums is outlandish.

          The subsidy comes from, ding ding ding YOU and everyone else.

          Being forced to pay for health care insurance, then having that insurance doubled, then having a subsidy that comes right back out of your pocket in an attempt to hide the cost is the definition of insanity, lady.

          • November 22, 2013 at 4:05 pm
            Libby says:
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            Just what kind of health insurance plan does NOT cover EKG’s? I’ve had several and every one was covered. What other heart preventive care are you talking about? If your brother needs an EKG, he probably already HAS heart problems. So what and how would he prevent it other than diet and exercise (both free BTW.)

  • November 18, 2013 at 5:22 pm
    FFA says:
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    BTW, anyone see Pelosi on Face the Nation yesterday??? Came across looking like a cross between Moe, Larry & Curley with a little Benny Hill.

    • November 18, 2013 at 5:44 pm
      Agent says:
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      Yes, I saw her and she must be the aunt of Celtica and thinks things are just fine and the Democrats are staunchly behind the President even though 39 voted with Republicans on the bill last week. I saw a new name that fits this law. “Obombacare”. Fits since it has really bombed us, hasn’t it?

      • November 18, 2013 at 6:00 pm
        FFA says:
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        Maybe Celtica is Pelosi??? Spinning and deflecting… Tactic being used by both.

        • November 18, 2013 at 6:20 pm
          Celtica says:
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          Obombacare is actually funny.
          But you better leave my Aunt Nancy out of this!

          • November 21, 2013 at 6:31 pm
            bob says:
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            Nancy is quite literally one of the worst politicians out there, bar none.

            If you actually are trying to say she’s a good politician, you are not at all credible. Even most democrats admit she is terrible.

          • November 22, 2013 at 8:04 am
            jw says:
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            Celtica, I have to agree with bob on this. Nancy is a useless piece of something.

          • November 22, 2013 at 12:09 pm
            bob says:
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            JW:

            She’s almost as bad as Boehner.

            I’m not sure who is worse in both their presentation style, (us versus them comments) or their pandering style (Nancy to the poor, Boehner to conservative republicans)

            It’s a toss up. What do you think?

          • November 22, 2013 at 12:35 pm
            jw says:
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            bob, I don’t know. I actually don’t know much about Boehner. Other than seeing his picture online next to some comments he made during the shutdown. I know more about Nancy, quite by accident.

  • November 18, 2013 at 9:35 pm
    Nell says:
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    The insurance companies are being told to “put up or shut up.” They’ve been complaining to customers that the ACA won’t let them keep policies in force. Now they have to own up to what they are doing — canceling policies and trying to force customers into policies that will cost more than policies on the exchanges.

    • November 19, 2013 at 9:08 am
      jack says:
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      Nell- Do you understand what a risk pool is? Do you understand the cost associated with the carriers changing everything they have done in the past to meet the new laws? Do you understand the cost associated with undoing everything done in the last 3 years? Do you understand who has to pay for it? The customer and the taxpayer are the only two people that will foot the bill in this equation Nell. The sooner you accept the facts about this, the sooner you will wake up to the fact the middle class got screwed by the ACA!

    • November 19, 2013 at 10:12 am
      jw says:
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      Nell, the insurers can’t make those changes until the states change their laws.

      • November 19, 2013 at 4:16 pm
        Agent says:
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        And the State Insurance Commissioners have to live by the laws of the states or they are gone. Some State Legislatures only meet every two years and are in hiatus like Texas is currently. Are we supposed to have a special session called by the Governor to address this issue?

    • November 19, 2013 at 11:42 am
      FFA says:
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      Nell – Its the OBama Way. Screw everyone and blame it on someone else.

  • November 19, 2013 at 9:55 am
    ralph says:
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    I think it’s time for me to agree with Celtica for a change…The expansion of the ACA has been nothing but good for me. For instance, I just got notice from my Primary Care Provider that it’s time for my mammogram, pap smear, and pregnancy test (since I’m apparently “late” this month). Since I’m a guy, can anyone tell me if any of these are going to hurt?

    • November 19, 2013 at 10:49 am
      Perplexed says:
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      Good one Ralph! Can’t quit laughing:)

      • November 19, 2013 at 11:43 am
        FFA says:
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        Think that’s a good one – second Opinion for a Rectal exam – the Doc uses two fingers!

        • November 19, 2013 at 12:15 pm
          Agent says:
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          Good one FFA. How long will you have to wait for a rectal exam with the skinnied down networks of doctors? Can you say rationed care that we foresaw on the horizon when this travesty was passed? How about a nurse or PA snapping on that glove and say bend over? Obama said for us to bend over because he isn’t through yet.

    • November 19, 2013 at 12:30 pm
      jack says:
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      Wait til you have the abortion.

      • November 19, 2013 at 2:20 pm
        jw says:
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        LOL – now I need the brain bleach. I can’t get that picture out of my mind.

  • November 19, 2013 at 1:35 pm
    LiveFree says:
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    In my opinion the public backlash coming from the ACA recently regarding the website and the cancellations, although understandable, are misguided. I agree they are not good situations at all but they are just small symptoms of a larger issue. The larger issue is that the ACA is going to lead to insolvent insurance companies and more tax payer debt. Anyone with a basic understanding of the principles of indemnity through insurance knows that this bill violates close to all of them. Insurance companies will go insolvent because of these new laws. The website could be perfect and people could be able to keep their old policies and the ACA would still be a terrible bill causing the healthcare industry to destruct which of course will lead to the Feds “saving the day” with a single payer system.

    I know some are of the belief that a single payer system would be best for the country (I disagree) but do those people really believe that crippling the current system to leave no other option is the way to do it? How democratic is that?

  • November 19, 2013 at 3:52 pm
    perplexed says:
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    Latest from the healthcare.gov hearings today. Henry Chao, the top IT manager, said that entire system is 60-70% away from being complete! At one point he seemed to say that the system is only 30-40% away from being completed, but then later confirmed his 60-70% estimate. $600,000,000 and 3 years later…2/3 of the system isn’t built. They haven’t built the payment systems, and consumers within the exchanges will be required to have made their first payments to insurers by 12/15 in order to be covered on 1/1/14.

    • November 19, 2013 at 4:12 pm
      Agent says:
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      Yes Perplexed, I saw that as well. I guess 3 1/2 years and $600 Million+ isn’t enough time and money to build a site. Did you see the story a week or so ago that some young geeks in SF built a working healthcare site in a week? Perhaps it might have to be tweaked some to fit this model, but ok, we give them 3 months and they could roll out the whole deal with payment options etc. I don’t know if Chao is brain dead or brainwashed like Celtica. He certainly doesn’t know what he is doing, that is for sure. How bad does this have to get before heads roll? Sebelius, Chao & the woman from CMS should all be sent packing.

      • November 19, 2013 at 5:23 pm
        Perplexed says:
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        Agent, I did read about the geeks. A second reading of the Henry Chao thing said that healthcare.gov is built but the backroom systems aren’t built yet. That’s accounting, payments, etc. Astounding and it just proves that a bunch of amateur hoods are running this country. How do 42% of the people polled still love him though? They are uninformed. Shameful that mainstream media lets him get by with it too. CBS radio is reporting today that the website is at 99%! 99% of what, I’m not sure.

  • November 19, 2013 at 10:43 pm
    stupid here says:
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    Love the part of this article where it says certain states don’t even know what Obama is talking about. That makes them, AND OBAMA.

  • November 19, 2013 at 10:52 pm
    stupid here says:
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    It’s a comedy show at this point. This dream about things working November 30 is hilarious. These IT guys will be blowing out early for Thanksgiving, stuffing themselves full of turkey, potatoes and beer, then dragging into work on ….oh, look…November 30 is a SATURDAY. Next Thursday is Thanksgiving, the 28th. I’m sure they’re off on Friday and never work Saturday, so basically by next Wednesday it’s supposed to be cruising along. But they’ll all be mentally gone for the holidays by Wednesday, so I see Tuesday as the last hope. And so by Monday they’ll be going “OH F”. It’s like the real world hit them. These guys don’t use calendars.

  • November 21, 2013 at 11:23 am
    Always Amazed says:
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    Way to go, the site wasn’t even completed before it was launched. The accounting function – you know the one where people acutally pay the premium hasn’t even been designed. How do you suppose agents who are seeling this stuff are getting paid? Guess what? They’re not. What a mess.



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