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GOP slams Obamacare rollout, works to repeal law
The rollout of a new national health care program is sure to hit some bumps in the road. But after one of the Affordable Care Act's authors and proponents called the implementation a potential train wreck, Republicans in Congress seized the opportunity to point out the law's shortcomings and revive their arguments for repealing it.
After Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., who helped draft the health care law, used the phrase "train wreck" to characterize the potentially rocky implementation, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., on Thursday penned an op-ed for Reuters arguing that President Obama should explain to the public the what hardships they'll face after the law is implemented.
McConnell: Stop Obamacare "train wreck"
"The president must step into the breach and explain to the public that skyrocketing premiums and a raft of new taxes, penalties and fees are coming their way," he wrote.
McConnell's op-ed highlights some of the law's legitimate downsides, it exaggerates others and omits the law's upsides -- proving how politically sensitive the Affordable Care Act still is.
It's true, for example, that health insurance premiums are expected to rise for some people. McConnell fails to note, however, that subsidies will offset that increased cost for some. Millions of Americans, meanwhile, will have access to health insurance that was previously unavailable. And while the Affordable Care Act did include several new tax provisions -- and raises taxes for some -- most Americans won't see any direct tax increases.
McConnell suggests that Mr. Obama should deliver a "major address... laying out what Americans can expect... Families and businesses across America need time to prepare -- and that means they need to know the facts."
Recent polling shows that Obamacare does remain controversial, and most Americans aren't exactly sure how the law will impact them. The Health and Human Services Department is conducting outreach to remedy this ahead of Obamacare's next big milestone -- the opening of the state-based health care exchanges. The exchanges will be online marketplaces where consumers can purchase a private insurance plan. Open enrollment for 2014 coverage is slated to start in October.
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Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has appeared before multiple congressional committees this month, assuring congressmen that HHS officials "understand that people have a lot of questions and are deploying as many resources as we can to answer those questions and get folks ready to engage in open enrollment on October 1st."
Part of the rollout of the exchanges, in fact, means dispatching "navigators" -- specially-trained people who will be able to help answer questions about the exchanges in their own communities.
When Congress passed a bill last month to fund the government for the rest of the year, it
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"What's amazing is the bill which just passed a few weeks ago which pretty much ensures that genetically modified foods are protected".
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UNLUCKY replies: "Genetically modified food is fine".
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Yes, GM foods are the devil's spawn from Monsanto, and all anyone needs to do is watch the movie "Food, Inc." to find out what they've been doing to us with the government's protection all along!
Do some research!
Your hospital Medicare admittance has just changed under Obama Care. You must be admitted by your primary Physician in order for Medicare to pay for it! If you are admitted by an emergency room doctor it is treated as outpatient care where hospital costs are not covered. This is only the tip of the iceberg for Obama Care. Just wait to see what happens in 2013 & 2014!
At age 72, today, I went to the Dr. for my monthly B12 shot that I have been getting for a number of years. The nurse came and got me, got out the needle filled and ready to go then looked at the computer and got very quiet and asked if I was prepared to pay for it. I said no that my insurance takes care of it.
She said, that Medicare had turned it down and went to talk to my Dr. about it. 15 minutes later she came back and said, she was sorry but they had tried every-thing they could but Medicare is beginning to turn many things down for seniors because of the projected Obama Care coming in. She was brushing at tears and said, "Some day they too will get old", I am so very sorry!!
At age 76 when you most need it, you are not eligible for cancer treatment page 272."
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Hi Cutie!
: )
How dare you not do as I say. I am Mortar the great and powerful. I am a god myself.
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Which explains why you feel it's ok to forgive your own sins!
Nice to see you being honest for once, Mortar!
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The poor soul. Not intelligent at all.
Please explain TTE?
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But sooooo many people whined when Michelle Obama suggested the same... I don't think everyone will agree on anything in this country, the way it is.
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I think people don't like the way she presented her ideology on it. We all know the mass food producers are a huge problem.
I'd like to hear that explanation, too.
The quote is all the lines of "Democracy is a very poor form of government, but all others are much worse."
You sound like a the trained parrot of the feudal lords.