The Obama democrats scream "equality" in healthcare matters and then quietly issue waivers and exemptions for special interests ...
UPDATE: 12-07-10 "The Obama Administration has quietly granted even more waivers to one provision of the new federal health reform law, doubling the number in just the last three weeks to a new total of 222." <Source> As of 12-3-10.
Original Blog Entry
Obviously the Obama Administration created a Orwellian healthcare system where some people are more equal than others. At least those with the attorneys and legislative knowhow to obtain exemptions.
Look at the number of insurance companies, unions, food service and agribusiness concerns contained within this “waiver” list.
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What is Section 2711 …
Basically stated Section 2711 provides that there are “No Lifetime or Annual Limits” to Insurance Coverage under the Public Health Service Act as added by Section 1001 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
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SEC. 1001. AMENDMENTS TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT. Subpart II—Improving Coverage SEC. 2711. NO LIFETIME OR ANNUAL LIMITS. (a) PROHIBITION.— (1) IN GENERAL.—A group health plan and a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage may not establish — (A) lifetime limits on the dollar value of benefits for any participant or beneficiary; or (B) except as provided in paragraph (2), annual limits on the dollar value of benefits for any participant or beneficiary. (2) ANNUAL LIMITS PRIOR TO 2014.—With respect to plan years beginning prior to January 1, 2014, a group health plan and a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage may only establish a restricted annual limit on the dollar value of benefits for any participant or beneficiary with respect to the scope of benefits that are essential health benefits under section 1302(b) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as determined by the Secretary. In defining the term ‘restricted annual limit’ for purposes of the preceding sentence, the Secretary shall ensure that access to needed services is made available with a minimal impact on premiums. (b) PER BENEFICIARY LIMITS.—Subsection (a) shall not be construed to prevent a group health plan or health insurance coverage from placing annual or lifetime per beneficiary limits on specific |
Bottom line …
There is no doubt that Obamacare is an ill-conceived, job-killing tool of the far-left democrats whose legislation was crafted, in part, by special interest groups who had much to gain and/or much to lose based on the provisions of the bill. The bill was crafted behind closed doors without Republican input but with consideration of proposals offered by the insurance industry, the pharmaceutical industry, the suppliers of durable medical equipment and diagnostic testing devices. In short, the bill was corrupt and flawed from the day it was drafted.
Worse yet was the admission of legislators who claimed that they had not read the bill, nor understood all of its provisions before voting on an act that would affect a majority of American citizens. Of course, the drafters exempted members of Congress and Congressional staff members from the effects of the act.
In the final analysis, this legislation needs to be repealed and those who perpetrated this fraud on American citizens investigated and punished for their criminal actions.
And while we know that this is an unlikely scenario, we still can reform the healthcare system by eliminating the fraud, waste and mismanagement in the current system; primarily by removing insurance companies as mediators in the healthcare delivery system and to quit incentivizing them to work against their premium-paying members. Of course, the two biggest reforms that they most resist: widening the coverage pool to a nation-wide basis and tort reform, must be implemented before any meaningful and systemic cost reductions can be achieved.
We need to elect “honest brokers” to serve “We the People.” It appears that progressive democrats are responsible for this healthcare catastrophe and should bear the brunt of the scrutiny and punishment for what they have done to American citizens.
-- steve
Quote of the day …
"All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others." — George Orwell (Animal Farm)
Reference Links …
“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words
“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw
“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”
“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS "The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius “A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell “Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar “Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS