Saturday, April 10, 2010

Today's health care bill reading

See sidebar on right side of page for a collection of all health care bill readings.

Yesterday we had some questions about what bill is used and how you can find it online. I spoke to Keith Plunkett in Congressman Harper's office and he was very helpful. I'm going to give you the link but in an effort to show you how hard they have made trying to find a bill, here are the steps: Go to www.thomas.gov, click on H.R. 4872 Reconciliation Act of 2010 - its on the top of the page, Under related bills click on H.R. 3590, click on text of legislation, it will then say "7 versions of the bill" - click on version five, that is the one that is the health care reform bill, then click on "select .pdf". The reconciliation act itself is what you read after the HR 3590. That is why its so hard to find the bill as it was buried in a bunch of versions and amendments online. NOW, here is today's reading.

Page 80. Subtitle C- Quality Health Insurance Coverage for All Americans.

Page 80. Part I- Health Insurance Market Reforms

Page 81. Section 2704: Prohibition of Preexisting Condition Exclusions or Other Discrimination Based on Health Status. This one is pretty straightforward: "A group health plan and a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage may not impose any preexisting condition exclusion with respect to such plan or coverage." You've heard about it, here it is. Doesn't matter what the condition is, the insurance plan can't deny coverage based on the condition.

Page 82: Section 2701: Fair Health Insurance Premiums. Section (a) bans so-called discriminatory premium rates. Section (a)(1) limits the ability of health insurance companies to charge different rates based on risk and other factors. It can discriminate based on age but it can't vary it by more than 3:1 for adults. Obama even helps out his fellow smokers as they get a pass: Health insurers can adjust premiums for tobacco use but they can not vary by more than 1.5:1. Then there is the implementation of Ratings Areas.

Section 2 on page 83 deals with rating areas. The law requires each state to establish at least one rating area. If the state does not meet the Secretary's satisfaction, then he can establish the rating areas. Ratings can be based on age, tobacco use, and that is it. This section destroys the models used by insurance companies for setting rates and coverages by removing risk from the factors considered. Alcoholic? Drug addict? Doesn't matter. Insurance company can not factor your risky behavior into determining your coverage and premium, oh, that's right, the law already tells the insurance company what the minimum coverage is and removes limits on annual and lifetime benefits. Still think we will have health insurance companies in ten years?

Page 85. Section 2702: Guaranteed Availability. "Each" health insurer offering coverage in a state "must accept every employer and individual in the State that applies for such coverage." The only restriction allowed to health insurers is to limit applications for insurance to "open or special enrollment periods." Of course the Secretary will regulate enrollment periods.

Page 86. Section 2703: Guaranteed Renewability of Coverage. Policies must be renewed.

Copy of bill

3 comments:

Paul Mitchell said...

If I make a very public display of supporting President Obama, can I start smoking and drinking heavily now and get Tom Delay to pay for my liver transplant? It would be really helpful if they would add verbiage to demand that a particular individual would have to pay for my own irresponsibility. Jimmy Carter, get prepared to pay through the nose.

This is seriously some of the worst legislation that I have ever contemplated. There is not one thinking individual in the world that thinks otherwise.

Anonymous said...

Yes, we will still have insurance companies in ten years. The new law will guarantee them a steady strem of revenue.

The health insurance industry supported both the individual mandate and the ban on denying coverage based on preexisting conditions. The reason the health insurance industry opposed the overall plan was because of insufficient cost control.

Anonymous said...

We must have insurance companies. If we don't then who will feed the trial lawyers?



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Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
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