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Posted on 09/30/2010 4:51:18 PM PDT by GOP_Lady
The Obama administration said Thursday that its top health official will "exercise her discretion" in enforcing a new health-law requirement, a move that could prevent McDonald's Corp. and other employers from disrupting their health-care policies for hourly workers.
The announcement Thursday followed a report in The Wall Street Journal that McDonald's warned federal regulators it could drop its health-insurance plan for nearly 30,000 restaurant workers unless regulators waive a new requirement of the health overhaul. The requirement, known as the minimum medical loss ratio, concerns the percentage of revenue received from premiums that must be spent on benefits.
McDonald's is among the retailers and restaurant chains that offer a "mini-med" limited benefit. Most of these plans don't meet a 2011 requirement that they spend 80% to 85% of premiums on medical benefits instead of overhead expenses.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
“The Obama administration said Thursday that its top health official will “exercise her discretion” in enforcing a new health-law requirement, a move that could prevent McDonald’s Corp. and other employers from disrupting their health-care policies for hourly workers.”
Translation: calling in the thugs to threaten McDonald’s to STFU.
Arbitrary uses of authority, pretty much what we expected.
Hmmm. Interesting. Wonder if it could be discretionized effectively out of existence with the right Congress.
“McDonalds May Cut Healthcare for 30,000 Workers”
“Obama Administration Takes Steps to Save Healthcare for 30,000 McDonalds Workers”
“McDonalds Lays Off 30,000 Workers”
“Obama Administration Takes Steps to Save Job of 30,000 McDonalds Workers”
“McDonalds Announces Closing of 600 Restaurants, 45,000 Jobs Lost”
“Obama Administration Takes Steps to Prevent Closing of McDonalds Restaurants”
“McDonalds Declares Bankruptcy in the United States, Moves International Operations to Japan”
“Burger King may cut Healthcare for 20,000 Workers”
“top health official will ‘exercise her discretion’”
In other words Barry, Jarrett and Axelrod have devised another tool to blackmail major corporations. If McDonalds makes a generous donation to the DNC then the “top health official” will make an exception for them to maintain their current health plan. If no payments are forthcoming the Administration will destroy your business.
I was thinking along the lines of colorado tanker when I read this, and it wasn’t making sense. Your scenario is definitely the correct one!
In this example “discretion’ means a Government gun.
Secretary Kathleen Sebelius will be able to allow certain waivers to the requirement, but that it was too early to confirm they will. She must wait for guidance from state insurance commissioners, and the administration doesn’t expect to release the agency’s final guidance until December. The agency said the law gives Ms. Sebelius discretion to apply the requirement.
“Secretary Kathleen Sebelius will be able to allow certain waivers to the requirement, but”
Yep, that creates a level playing field for the rest of restaurant industry. Way too much power in one person’s hands.
Or with the right Administration. The new Health Care Commissioner has almost unlimited authority. Under a Republican president it means that things could change quite a bit.
And I’m quite sure all these little problems will go away once McDonalds agrees to implement a new, healthier menu more in line with the vision of our Dear Leader and his Sainted Wife.
Exactly. I realized it was under the authority primarily of the administration, but Congress is going to change hands first, so I was thinking there might be stuff they could do, like refusing to fund enforcement efforts and so on.
Nonsense. If the law was clear and everyone had to obey it equally, there would be no opportunities to slip your money to their cronies, punish their enemies, and solicit political baksheesh.
I loathe the POS CongressRats we have in power right now. And that goes for The One and his useless, angry, bitter, soulless wife as well...
Yes, I think you appear qualified for a "waiver."
BINGO!
it is going to become an influence based ecconomy not a success ecconomy.
Many years ago in GM, a hilarious spoof article was passed around about GM buying a fast food chain and having the UAW organize the work staff. Of course quickly resulting in a total business collapse.
I need to scan my copy and post it up some time.
It was titled “GM Burgers”
“In other words Barry, Jarrett and Axelrod have devised another tool to blackmail major corporations”
The Chicago way I guess...
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