The PPACA will extend Medicaid benefits to anyone earning 133% of the federal poverty level (FPL). The majority of this increase in coverage will be paid for by the Federal Government, with States contributing a smaller share. Continue reading “More Medicaid and the PPACA”
Category: Government and Politics
Cost Sharing and PPACA Subsidies
Insurance Exchanges
The PPACA sets up “American Health Benefit Exchanges” where various health insurance plans can be purchased. The plans will fall into one of five categories: Continue reading “Cost Sharing and PPACA Subsidies”
Paying for the Postal Service
Last Wednesday, August 1, the U.S. Postal Service defaulted on a $5.5 billion dollar payment for future retiree health benefits. They predict in their Quarter II Financial Report that they will also not be able to pay the required $5.6 billion in prefunding payment for retiree health benefits due by September 30, 2012. The Postal Service is also required to pay approximately $1.3 billion to the Department of Labor for workers’ compensation, in addition to normal operating expenses. Continue reading “Paying for the Postal Service”
Granny and the Cliff
There has been much talk of the two Presidential candidate’s approach to Medicare. One view has the Ryan proposal pushing granny off of a cliff. The other view is that Obama’s plan ignores granny as she speeds downhill toward a cliff. The question is whether there is any clear plan that would prevent the elderly from falling off the cliff of financial ruin? Continue reading “Granny and the Cliff”
The Lucrative Life of a Georgia Legislator: How much do lobbyists really pay out?
What are a few Braves tickets among friends? Well, about $17,418 in the first quarter of 2012, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. This number represents the amount of money Georgia lawmakers received in the form of free sports and events tickets from lobbyists Jan. 1 through March 31, 2012. Continue reading “The Lucrative Life of a Georgia Legislator: How much do lobbyists really pay out?”
Public disclosure vs. outright lobbying caps
Most people don’t take kindly to politicians who get a free new car and then push some legislation to give the car manufacturer a big tax break. Transparency in government has proved time and time again to be a great deterrent to corruption. However, the main requirement for this to work is an educated citizenry. Additionally, government officials have gotten good at hiding things in plain sight. Continue reading “Public disclosure vs. outright lobbying caps”
A Rose by another Name
“Political Language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable.” George Orwell Continue reading “A Rose by another Name”
Let Them Pay Taxes
Obama’s recent announcement to allow young illegal immigrants a reprieve from deportation has certainly stirred the pot. Now that the topic is back out in the forefront, one must ask; should undocumented illegal immigrants be allowed to obtain work visas in exchange for documentation and taxes? Continue reading “Let Them Pay Taxes”
Less Guns More Murder
The claim that gun control laws reduce murder and suicide rates is simply factually inaccurate. There has consistently been evidence showing that there is no positive correlation between increased gun control and reduced murder rates. If anything, there is a correlation between an increasingly armed population and a reduction in violent crime rates. Continue reading “Less Guns More Murder”
Ban the Bullets
Well, we can’t make cars illegal, so we’ll just outlaw gas. This is a tactic being used by gun control activists who are targeting munitions controls instead of outright gun bans. A bill that would ban the sale of high-capacity magazines (more than 10 rounds) has been introduced in the U.S. Senate. Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) added an amendment to a Cybersecurity Bill which would ban such magazines. Continue reading “Ban the Bullets”
Ronin Pen 