Barack Obama

#Obamacare Affecting Light Blue States – Minnesota Trainwreck and Michigan City Budget Explodes

Feb 022014

Cut retirees off? Slash Dependent Coverage? The exact opposite things of what we were promised about #ACA.

ObamaCare’s New Mandates Have Raised Insurance Costs For The City Of Midland, Michigan. “The Affordable Care Act has raised insurance costs for the City of Midland. The act set minimum coverage requirements that have caused adjustments in the city’s plans, such as adding contraceptive coverage, adding coverage for children up to age 26 and limiting annual out-of-pocket expenses for covered plan members.” (Tony Lascari, “Health Care Reform Raises City Of Midland’s Costs,” Midland Daily News, 1/30/14)

“Costs Are Up $218,970 For Active Employees” And “Could Go Up An Additional $378,450.” “Costs are up $218,970 for active employee health care because of the ACA changes, Paula Whittington, Midland assistant city manager, recently told the Midland City Council. If traditional plans are eliminated and retiree plans lose their current exemptions, costs could go up an additional $378,450.” (Tony Lascari, “Health Care Reform Raises City Of Midland’s Costs,” Midland Daily News, 1/30/14)

Minnesota’s State-Run Exchange has been a nightmare. The State Of Oregon’s Website does not work and they are having to take applications by hand:

Fourteen People In Charge Of Minnesota’s ObamaCare Exchange Website Collected $26,000 In Bonuses After The Website Went Live. “Fourteen people who managed the troubled MNsure online health insurance exchange were collectively paid bonuses of more than $26,000 just after its launch, state officials said.” (“14 MNsure Managers Paid More Than $26,000 In Bonuses Just After Exchange’s Launch,” The Associated Press, 1/30/14)

The Bonuses Were Approved By Then-MNsure Director April Todd-Malmlov. “The exchange’s former director, April Todd-Malmlov, approved the bonuses, said MNsure spokesman John Schadl, which were made for work done before the launch.” (“14 MNsure Managers Paid More Than $26,000 In Bonuses Just After Exchange’s Launch,” The Associated Press, 1/30/14)

“Software Problems Have Plagued The Website, Which Overwhelmed An Mnsure Call Center In St. Paul After The Exchange Went Online Oct. 1.” (“14 MNsure Managers Paid More Than $26,000 In Bonuses Just After Exchange’s Launch,” The Associated Press, 1/30/14)

Upon Launch, The Website Functioned Sporadically And Insurers Received Error-Ridden Enrollment Data. “But in recent weeks, even as many of the problems with the federal exchange seemed to ease, problems with MNsure were multiplying. In addition to a sporadically functioning website and hard-to-reach call center, state insurance companies complained that data on enrollees from MNsure were filled with inconsistencies and errors. About 1,000 people learned they had to re-enroll after being notified that they did not qualify for federal tax subsidies, when they actually did.” (Patrick Condon, “Even In Willing States, Health Law’s Rollout Rocky,” The Associated Press, 12/21/13)

30,000 To 40,000 Applicants To Minnesota’s ObamaCare Exchange “Were Incorrectly Denied Premium Subsidies Or Coverage On Public Programs.” “State and county officials are double-checking 30,000 to 40,000 applications filed this fall on the MNsure health insurance exchange to determine if people were incorrectly denied premium subsidies or coverage on public programs. While most determinations on the exchange were correct, a few of them wrongly denied people access to benefits to which they are entitled next year, MNsure spokeswoman Jenni Bowring-McDonough said. ‘We are working to ensure that everyone who is eligible receives the right assistance in the right program beginning January 1, 2014,’ she said.” (Jeremy Olson, “MNsure Will Get A Discount Double-Check,” Star Tribune, 11/27/13)

MNsure’s Director Resigned Amidst Ongoing Website Problems And An Ill-Timed Exotic Vacation

April Todd-Malmlov Resigned “Amid Mounting Criticism Of Her Leadership And The Troubled Rollout Of The New Health Care Program.” “The embattled director of the state’s fledgling health insurance exchange resigned Tuesday amid mounting criticism of her leadership and the troubled rollout of the new health care program. MNsure executive director April Todd-Malmlov left her $136,000-a-year post during a closed-door meeting with the program’s executive committee. The board named Scott Leitz, the state’s assistant commissioner of health care, to the newly created position of interim CEO while it conducts a national search for a permanent chief executive. ‘MNsure must do better,’ Leitz said. ‘If there are problems or mistakes, we will acknowledge them and fix them.’” (Baird Helgeson And Jackie Crosby, “Embattled Mnsure Director Resigns Amid Increasing Criticism,” Minneapolis Star Tribune, 12/18/13)

Democrat Governor Mark Dayton Defended Malmlov’s Work And Her Costa Rican Vacation Despite The Website’s Ongoing Problems. “On Thursday, Gov. Mark Dayton defended Todd-Malmlov’s right to take a pre-scheduled vacation. He made no attempt to defend MNsure’s ongoing problems. ‘I know that the executive director worked extraordinarily hard for months now, probably all of last year and my understanding was this was a long-planned vacation where financial commitments were made,” Dayton said. “I don’t know enough of the details, but it was obviously a critical time for MNsure and it is ultimately her responsibility.’” (Jennifer Brooks, “Dayton Defends MNsure Chief’s Vacation,” Star Tribune, 12/17/13)

#Obamacare Trainwreck: Premium Increases Breaking the Bank

Barack Obama, Health Care Reform Comments Off

Feb 022014

No one listened to Romney. Now America is listening.

For Many Americans, ObamaCare Is “Driving Their Premiums Way Up – In Some Cases Doubling Them, Or More.” “The few people who made it through the website are seeing their options for the first time, and some are not happy about what they’re seeing. Those with lower incomes are eligible for substantial subsidies, but middle income folks making 400 percent of poverty or more don’t get a thing, and the new insurance market rules are driving their premiums way up — in some cases doubling them, or more.” (Brett Norman and Jonathan Allen, “ObamaCare Headaches: More Than The Website,” Politico, 10/28/13)

The Middle-Class Faces “Hefty Increases On Their Insurance Bills” Due To ObamaCare. “These middle-class consumers are staring at hefty increases on their insurance bills as the overhaul remakes the health care market. Their rates are rising in large part to help offset the higher costs of covering sicker, poorer people who have been shut out of the system for years.” (Chad Terhune, “Some Health Insurance Gets Pricier As ObamaCare Rolls Out,” Los Angeles Times, 10/26/13)

The Losers Under ObamaCare Are “Relatively Healthy Middle-Income Small-Business Owners, Consultants, Lawyers And Other Self-Employed Workers Who Buy Their Own Insurance.” “If the poor, sick and uninsured are the winners under the Affordable Care Act, the losers appear to include some relatively healthy middle-income small-business owners, consultants, lawyers and other self-employed workers who buy their own insurance. Many make too much to qualify for new federal subsidies provided by the law but not enough to absorb the rising costs without hardship. Some are too old to go without insurance because they have children or have minor health issues, but they are too young for Medicare.” (Ariana Eunjung Cha and Lena H. Sun, “For Consumers Whose Health Premiums Will Go Up Under New Law, Sticker Shock Leads To Anger,” The Washington Post, 11/2/13)

For Americans That Have Had Their Health Plans Cancelled Because Of ObamaCare, They Must Now Purchase More Expensive Policies. “The growing backlash involves people whose plans are being discontinued because the policies don’t meet the law’s more-stringent standards. They’re finding that many alternative policies come with higher premiums and deductibles.” (Ariana Eunjung Cha and Lena H. Sun, “For Consumers Whose Health Premiums Will Go Up Under New Law, Sticker Shock Leads To Anger,” The Washington Post, 11/2/13)

Many People Who Had Plans Cancelled Due To ObamaCare Will See “Sticker Shock” Through Higher Deductibles. “Many policyholders whose old plans were canceled because they don’t meet the coverage standards of the health law are facing higher prices in the exchanges. ‘They’re seeing sticker shock’ in transitioning to the more-comprehensive coverage, and ‘once they start to use the policy, they will see a second sticker shock’ of high deductibles, said Jamie Court, president of public-interest group Consumer Watchdog in California.” (Leslie Scism And Timothy W. Martin, “High Deductibles Fuel New Worries Of Health-Law Sticker Shock,” The Wall Street Journal, 12/8/13)

ObamaCare Will “Accelerate” Health Insurance Premiums By Nearly 3 Percent. “Improved coverage for those who currently have individually purchased insurance is also expected to influence higher spending growth. On a per enrollee basis, growth in private health insurance premiums is expected to accelerate to 6.0 percent, up from 3.2 percent in 2013.” (Sean P. Keehan, et al, “National Health Expenditure Projections, 2012–22: Slow Growth Until Coverage Expands And Economy Improves,” Health Affairs, no. (2013)

#Obama: Creating Impoverished Youngsters

Barack Obama Comments Off

Feb 012014

In debt and unemployed. This demographic that voted strongly for Obama is the hardest hit.

Average Student Loan Debt For College Graduates Has Increased By 6 Percent Yearly Since 2008 Reaching $29,400 In 2012. “The average debt load for the class of 2012 was $29,400, according to a report released Wednesday by the Institute for College Access & Success’ Project on Student Debt… At the same time that debt has been going up, colleges across the country have been hiking tuition and fees and families’ incomes have been shrinking, student loan debt has risen at an average rate of 6% per year from 2008 to 2012, the report found.” (Blake Ellis, “Average Student Loan Debt: $29,400,” CNN’s Money, 12/3/13)

Seven In Ten College Seniors Graduate With Student Loan Debt. “Seven in 10 seniors graduated with student loan debt, and a fifth of that debt was owed to private lenders, which often charge high interest rates.” (Blake Ellis, “Average Student Loan Debt: $29,400,” CNN’s Money, 12/3/13)
Americans Now Owe $1 Trillion In Student Debt.“Americans now owe around $1 trillion in student debt, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.” (Josh Mitchell, “Student-Loan Debt Slows Recovery,” The Wall Street journal’s Real Time Economics, 12/30/13)

12 Percent Of All Student Debt Was Delinquent By The Third Quarter Of 2013 Up From 7.6 Percent In 2008. “Defaults on those loans are rising. Nearly 12% of all student debt was delinquent by the end of the third quarter, up from 7.6% five years earlier, according to the New York Fed.” (Josh Mitchell, “Student-Loan Debt Slows Recovery,” The Wall Street journal’s Real Time Economics, 12/30/13)

Americans Over 25 With A Bachelor Degree Have Seen Median Incomes Fall By $2,923, In 2012 Dollars, Since Obama Became President. (U.S. Census Department, Accessed 1/24/14)

Today, 18-34-Year-Olds Account For 46 Percent Of All Unemployed Americans. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, Accessed 1/23/14)

Unemployment Rate Was 13.5 Percent In December For Those Under 25. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, Accessed 1/23/14)

That is the U3 number that does not count people working part-time or those that have given up. The Total U3 number is 6.7%, the Total U6 number is 13+% and over 20% for the youth.

#Obamacare Trainwreck: Youngsters Not Signing Up!

Barack Obama, Health Care Reform Comments Off

Feb 012014

Just the facts – quotes are from a ton of left-leaning media sources:

The Obama Administration “Released Demographic Data For ObamaCare That Shows Only 24 Percent Of Those Who Have A Selected Plan Are In The Critical 18- To 34-Year Old Age Group.” “The Obama administration for the first time Monday released demographic data for ObamaCare that shows only 24 percent of those who have selected a plan are in the critical 18- to 34-year-old age group.” (Jonathan Easley, “One-Quarter Of ObamaCare Signups Were Young People, Administration Says,” The Hill’s Health Watch, 1/13/14)

The Number Of Younger Enrollees Is Well “Below The Level That Health Care Experts Say Is Required” For ObamaCare To Work. “That’s well below the 40 percent benchmark embraced by the administration, and is below the level that healthcare experts say is required for the law to function well.” (Jonathan Easley, “One-Quarter Of ObamaCare Signups Were Young People, Administration Says,”The Hill’s Health Watch, 1/13/14)

The White House Goal Was To Have 2.7 Million Young Americans – Approximately 40 Percent Of Enrollees – Enrolled In A Health Plan In The First Year. “This is below the White House’s target. The Obama administration has previously said that if 7 million people enrolled in coverage as expected, 2.7 million of them — or about 40 percent — would have to be young adults.” (Sarah Kliff, “One In Four ObamaCare Enrollees Are Young Adults. That’s Below The Target,” The Washington Post’s Wonk Blog, 1/13/14)

ABC’s Josh Elliott: Young Adult Enrollment Data Creates New Worries About Rising Premiums From ObamaCare. JOSH ELLIOTT: “New worries about ObamaCare and rising insurance premiums. Enrollment among young adults is far lower than the Obama administration’s target. People under age 35 make up less than a quarter of those enrolled thus far. That is a concern because young and healthy people generally pay more into the system than they take out, thus, subsidizing older adults.” (ABC’s “Good Morning America,” 1/14/14)

CBS’s Scott Pelley: ObamaCare Signups Fall Short On Young, Healthy Enrollees. SCOTT PELLEY: “Today, the Obama administration put out new numbers about who is signing up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. 2.2 million Americans have now enrolled in policies that will be subsidized by the government. Young adults— 18 to 34 years old— make up only 24 percent of the total so far. The system needs to sign up more young healthy people— closer to 40 percent— to subsidize older, sicker Americans.” (CBS Evening News, 1/13/14)

The Enrollment Numbers Are “Disappointing For ACA Advocates.” “Of the 2.2 million people who have enrolled in the insurance exchanges so far, one in four are younger than 35. That’s a disappointing for ACA advocates, who have been nervous about how many young people will be persuaded to buy coverage even if they don’t use it much.” (Paige Winfield Cunningham, Politco’s Pulse, 1/14/13)

“The Administration Continues To Play Catch-Up.” “The administration continues to play catch-up. Originally, officials hoped to sign up more than 3.3 million people through the end of 2013, nearly halfway to the goal of 7 million enrollments by the end of March. Instead, enrollment as of Dec. 31 was not quite 2.2 million.” (Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, “Health Care Signups: More Older Americans So Far,” The Associated Press, 1/13/14)
ObamaCare Continues To Sputter With Lackluster Enrollment Goals Amongst The Young. “But in the latest sign of the law’s sputtering start, the figures remain short of the administration’s enrollment targets, particularly among young people.” (Arlette Saenz and Devin Dwyer, “ObamaCare Sign-Ups See December Boost, But Youth Sign-Ups Lag,” ABC News’ The Note, 1/13/14)

The Recent Enrollment Numbers Lag Behind The Obama Administration’s Goals To Sign Up Young Adults. “The figures mean that the proportion of young adults is lagging behind what both government and outside health policy analysts have said will be required for the exchanges to remain stable. Analyses have concluded that, to prevent health plans’ premiums from rising and some insurers from potentially dropping out, roughly two in five Americans in the plans should be young adults.” (Amy Goldstein and Sandhya Somashkehar, “Health-Insurance Sign-Ups By Young Adults Are Off Pace Seen As Key To New Law’s Success,” The Washington Post, 1/13/14)

Young Adult Signup Numbers Are “Falling Below What Experts Have Called The Ideal Proportion” Of Signups In The ObamaCare Exchange. “About one-quarter of those who signed up for ObamaCare by the end of 2013 were between the ages of 18 and 34, the Obama administration reported Monday, falling below what experts have called the ideal proportion of young adults in the new health insurance marketplace.” (Stephanie Condon, “ObamaCare Sign-Ups Among Young Adults Off To Slow Start,” CBS News, 1/13/14)

Marketing Director For A Wisconsin Health Plan: “This Is Concerning To Us That We’re Seeing This Portion Come In So Old.” “‘This is concerning to us that we’re seeing this portion come in so old,’ said Marty Anderson, marketing director for the Wisconsin-based Security Health Plan, which serves rural counties in the state.” (Louise Radnofsky and Christopher Weaver, “Health Sign-Ups Skew Older, Raising Fears Over Costs,” The Wall Street Journal, 1/13/14)

Deloitte Actuary On The Enrollment Data: “I Would Be Quite Concerned.” “Before the health-law rollout, fewer than 20% of enrollees in individual and family coverage were over age 55, said Jim Whisler, an actuary for Deloitte LLP, citing an analysis of health-plan data, including Deloitte clients. ‘I would be quite concerned’ about the new federal enrollment figures, Mr. Whisler said, but ‘it doesn’t mean it is a disaster.’” (Louise Radnofsky and Christopher Weaver, “Health Sign-Ups Skew Older, Raising Fears Over Costs,” The Wall Street Journal, 1/13/14)

The Obama Administration Moves The Goal Posts On Young Enrollees

The Obama Administration Has Moved The Goal Posts On Young Enrollee Signups. “The White House is scaling back another self-imposed standard for Obamacare’s success—and it’s one the administration has spent months promoting. White House officials consistently—and accurately—argue that the most important metric for ObamaCare’s success this year is the mix of young and old enrollees. But they’re backing away from their own goals for that mix.” (Sam Baker, “White House Moves ObamaCare Goalposts Again,” National Journal, 1/14/14)

The Target For The Obama Administration “Was For Young Adults To Make Up 38 Percent Of ObamaCare Enrollees.”“Administration officials previously said their target was for young adults to make up about 38 percent of ObamaCare enrollees. Now that standard is down to about 30 percent. Or maybe even 24 percent—where the mix stands now.” (Sam Baker, “White House Moves ObamaCare Goalposts Again,” National Journal, 1/14/14)

The Obama Administration Is Now Ditching 38 Percent Of Young Enrollees To “Anything That’s Good Enough To Avoid A Total Collapse.” “But, once again, administration officials are lowering their own standards for success—ditching targets they set or embraced, and redefining success as anything that’s good enough to avoid a total collapse. It was the White House that set the initial target of 38 percent enrollment for young adults. But officials wouldn’t stand by that figure this week.” (Sam Baker, “White House Moves ObamaCare Goalposts Again,” National Journal, 1/14/14)

ObamaCare Allies Worried About Enrollee Mix

Retiring Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA) Warned There May Not Be Enough Young, Healthy Enrollees In ObamaCare. “The White House on Monday dismissed concerns by retiring Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.), who in a radio interview on Monday said he didn’t think enough young, healthy consumers would purchase ObamaCare policies. Moran told WAMU that millennials ‘are less likely to sign up’ for health insurance on the federal exchanges.” (Justin Sink, “WH Sees ‘Surge’ In Young O-Care Enrollees,” The Hill, 1/27/14)

Moran: “I Don’t Think We’re Going To Get Enough Young People Signing Up To Make This Bill Work As It Was Intended To Financially.” “‘I think they feel more independent, I think they feel a little more invulnerable than prior generations,’ Moran says. ‘But I don’t think we’re going to get enough young people signing up to make this bill work as it was intended to financially.’ Healthcare experts have warned of a so-called ‘death spiral’ if too few young, healthy adults buy into the ObamaCare marketplace to offset the costs of insuring older and sick Americans.” (Justin Sink, “WH Sees ‘Surge’ In Young O-Care Enrollees,” The Hill, 1/27/14)

Poverty Statistics, Unemployment Statistics Are Horrific Example of #Obama Economy

Barack Obama Comments Off

Jan 312014

20.55 Million Americans Are Unemployed, Underemployed, Or Are Only Marginally Attached To The Labor Force. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, Accessed 1/27/14)

10.4 Million Americans Are Unemployed. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, Accessed 1/27/14)
7.8 Million Americans Are Working Part-Time For Economic Reasons. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, Accessed 1/27/14)
2.4 Million Americans Were Marginally Attached To The Labor Force. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, Accessed 1/27/14)

The Labor Force Participation Rate Fell By 347,000 Falling To 62.8 Percent, The Lowest Rate In 36 Years. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, Accessed 1/10/14)

528,000 Manufacturing Jobs Have Been Lost Since Obama Became President. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, Accessed 1/23/14)

721,000 Construction Jobs Have Been Lost Since Obama Became President. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, Accessed 1/23/14)

Los Angeles Times: Jobs Growth Was “Measly” And “The Lowest Jobs Number In About Three Years And A Major Disappointment.” “U.S. employers added a measly 74,000 new jobs last month, the government said Friday. That was the lowest jobs number in about three years and a major disappointment after a recent string of positive economic signs pointed to stronger growth.” (Don Lee, “Job Growth Tumbles In December,” Los Angeles Times, 1/10/14)

Politico Headline: “Jobs Report Disappoints” (MJ Lee, “Jobs Report Disappoints,” Politico, 1/10/14)

Last Month, 58 Percent Of Americans Disapproved Of Obama’s Economic Stewardship. “In a Bloomberg National Poll last month, 58 percent of Americans disapproved of Obama’s economic stewardship, his worst showing since September 2011. Surveys by the Wall Street Journal/NBC News and Quinnipiac University show similar results.” (David J. Lynch, “Obama Can’t Shake Economy’s Downside Amid Signs Of Growth,” Bloomberg, 1/23/14)

49 Percent Of Voters Blame “Policies Of The Present” For The Economic Problems, Versus 41 Percent Of Voters Who Blame “Policies Of The Past.” “By 49 percent to 41 percent, voters now blame “policies of the present” rather than “policies of the past” for their economic problems, a reversal from a year earlier, according to David Winston, a Republican pollster.” (David J. Lynch, “Obama Can’t Shake Economy’s Downside Amid Signs Of Growth,” Bloomberg, 1/23/14)

10.4 Million Americans Are Currently Unemployed. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, Accessed 1/23/14)

13.1 Percent Of Americans Are Either Unemployed, Marginally Attached To The Workforce Or Working Part-Time For Economic Reasons. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, Accessed 1/23/14)

Under Obama, The Labor Force Participation Rate Declined To A 36 Year Low Of 62.8 Percent In December 2013. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, Accessed 1/23/14)

FLASHBACK: The Labor Force Participation Rate Was 65.7 Percent When Obama Became President. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, Accessed 1/23/14)

Huffington Post Headline: “Unemployment Is Falling For All The Wrong Reasons” (Mark Gongloff, “Unemployment Is Falling For All The Wrong Reasons,” The Huffington Post, 1/10/14)

528,000 Manufacturing Jobs Have Been Lost Since Obama Became President. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, Accessed 1/23/14)

721,000 Construction Jobs Have Been Lost Since Obama Became President. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, Accessed 1/23/14)

Today, 18-34-Year-Olds Account For 46 Percent Of All Unemployed Americans. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, Accessed 1/23/14)

Unemployment Rate Was 13.5 Percent In December For Those Under 25. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, Accessed 1/23/14)

The Average Weeks Unemployed Has Nearly Doubled Since Obama Became President – From 19.8 Weeks In January 2009 To 37.1 Weeks In December 2013. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, Accessed 1/23/14)

“Almost 4 Million People Have Been Out Of Work For More Than Six Months, Three Times The Pre-Recession Average.”(David J. Lynch, “Obama Can’t Shake Economy’s Downside Amid Signs Of Growth,” Bloomberg, 1/23/14)

“One-Third Of Black Men Aren’t Even In The Labor Force, The Highest Mark Since Records Began In 1972.” (David J. Lynch, “Obama Can’t Shake Economy’s Downside Amid Signs Of Growth,” Bloomberg, 1/23/14)

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