Posted on 03/26/2010 9:37:09 AM PDT by RobinMasters
Congress passed the bill without knowing what was in it. Barack Obama signed it without reading it. Now it looks as though the Associated Press reported on ObamaCare without comprehending its content. Readers will have to scroll far down to discover that the elimination of a key tax break that kept retirees on company prescription-medication plans will mean dumping millions of seniors onto Medicare — and that the AP ignored it until now:
The health care overhaul will cost U.S. companies billions and make them more likely to drop prescription drug coverage for retirees because of a change in how the government subsidizes those benefits.
In the first two days after the law was signed, three major companies — Deere & Co., Caterpillar Inc. and Valero Energy — said they expect to take a total hit of $265 million to account for smaller tax deductions in the future.
With more than 3,500 companies now getting the tax break as an incentive to keep providing coverage, others are almost certain to announce similar cost increases in the weeks ahead as they sort out the impact of the change.
Figuring out what it will mean for retirees will take longer, but analysts said as many as 2 million could lose the prescription drug coverage provided by their former employers, leaving them to enroll in Medicare’s program.
(Excerpt) Read more at hotair.com ...
Well we had to pass the bill to learn what was in it....
I’ll make one comment on your statement. It wasn’t long ago the common thought,probably still prevailing,was if you were good at what you did you worked in the private sector,not as good,the government. Now all i read is how much they make working for the feds and it seems the world is upside down.
RE: “The WSJ had an interesting op-ed today about the new privilege class. They had a side by side table showing the difference now between the private sector (salaries, benefits, pensions) and the government/union sector. In every instance the govt/union sector win out! On top of that, they never leave their jobs once there. Almost all have job security no matter their work record.”
*************
Yes! I know some slackers who got govt. jobs early in life and hung on just for the future benes. These people couldn’t make it in private industry if their life depended on it — but now, even though things are BAD all over and even govt. types and losing jobs, they will retain those extremely rich benes, at no cost, for life. That includes ‘free’ health care and the pensions that have bankrupted us.
One lazy school district employee, tenured for some 37 years, is being let go at age 59 and was directed to go to the local public employment retirement system office to get her benes started. This person worked a four day week, supposedly with longer hours each day but she never showed up on time, plus took two hour lunches and went home —
Her pay was never quite as high as it might’ve been in private industry but she will get her last annual salary, about $50K, every year for the rest of her life!!!!! And whose tax dollars are paying for that??? Mine, and yours, if you live in CA.
Most of the rest of us are lucky to get social security (ha) and whatever pittance is left of our 401K programs. Only a very few companies did not convert to 401K from defined benefit retirement plans but the govt jobs, oh OF COURSE their unions kept the old style plans.
So in this instance, the person who cried poor her whole working life will now be sitting pretty while the rest of us pay for it. I had to end my friendship with this person long ago — a lifelong braindead Dem who voted Dem all the way because mommy and daddy voted dem. Brilliant!
Better?
RE: “Dental insurance:
1. Does ObamaCare, once it is fully in place, include Dental Insurance?
2. Example: If I suddenly have a toothache, will ObamaCare allow me to immediately go to any dentist I choose, or will I have to pay for the dentist visit out of my own pocket?
3. If ObamaCare includes dental insurance, when will it go into effect: In six months or much later, like not until 2014?
4. If ObamaCare includes dental insurance, will it pay for yearly routine visits for the entire family and pay for such things as tooth removal and tooth fillings?”
**************
A lot of dentists with established practices do not accept many, if any, insurance plans. My own limits dental plans to two or three and most of us pay him cash — it’s great — good discounts, etc. The premium costs would outweigh the benefits. Dental care is generally not like medical care because the scary ‘what if?’ factor doesn’t tend to exist.
I haven’t carried dental insurance in 10 years and am glad of it.
RE: “...the required seizure of assets would need to be so great, and so rapid, that a popular backlash would be unavoidable.
The backlash would, by definition, come after the fact. Once the assets are gone, they cannot be gotten back................”
*****************
Yes! And that is why I am bit by bit taking cash out so I don’t lose everything down the line — we’ve been called crazy tinfoil hat types but planning ahead now is important and more people are ‘getting it.’
Food, water, arms, cash/or other viable goods for barter, are all important. Hopefully nothing dramatic will happen but we don’t want to be sitting here unprepared if it does.
“...viable goods for barter...”
-
Two words: toilet paper.
Really what’s stupid is anyone thinking that anyone currently serving in Congress is smart enough to read and understand almost 3,000 pages of legislation.
That in itself should outrage every American.
All it is to many people is like a football game, they rah-rah for the dems, and love to see the republicans lose, despite the fact they’re going to be screwed over by their dear dem leaders just like the GOP supporters.
bump
“If we like the plan we currently have, we can keep it”
“In the first two days after the law was signed, three major companies — Deere & Co., Caterpillar Inc. and Valero Energy — said they expect to take a total hit of $265 million to account for smaller tax deductions in the future.”
Where the “H” were the big employers when the fight was being waged in Washington?? Cowering under their desks for fear of offending their regulatory masters. Big Corporations have one philosophy - appease Big Government and hope they will amend socialist legislation to screw the little guy more, thereby eliminating competition.
I KNEW he was in there somewhere ....
LOL!
earlier today, a story on CNN, stated that the averagage retired coulple from 65 to the end of their lives, would have to have $250,000 dedicated to health care expenses.
a liberal(he said he fully supported obammie’s bill) commented, that he was confused: how could someone have to have that much money, when “we” just passed comprehensive health care reform.
still shaking my head over that one.
stephenjohnbanker: Before we are done, Obama will be cleaning toilets.
What makes you think he’s qualified to do that?
Doctors need to stop taking Medicare and insurance parents, just go to direct pay or some special plan they work out with the individuals or their employers.
Medicare is already being cut & gutted $523 BILLION it can NOT take on this many more and survive.
OBAMACARE—CASTRO APPROVED!
Obama has no more than average intelligence. If he spritzes
a big wad of Lysol Disinfectant foam on his tongue, and swishes around,taking great care to lick the whole exterior of the bowl, he should be okay........
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.