POL Obamacare Health Mandate has gone into effect for businesses, Wednesday, 1 August 2012

[Magdalen]

Lest we forget amidst all the other brew-ha-ha that swirls around us, the Obamacare health mandate went into effect yesterday, Wednesday, 1 August 2012. Employers are now required, at the next renewal date of their company’s health insurance policy, to provide insurance which includes coverage for some procedures and medications whose use are unconscionable to many people.

“The new regulations require all insurance companies to cover well-woman visits, gestational diabetes screenings, domestic and interpersonal violence counseling, FDA-approved contraception, breastfeeding supplies, HPV DNA testing, sexually transmitted infection counseling, and HIV testing without additional co-pays. The rules take effect at the following insurance renewal date on or after Wednesday.”

Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2012/08/01/obamacare-contraception-mandate-takes-effect/#ixzz22QheTycq

“The “preventive services” regulation was finalized in February and is part of the Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”). Under Obamacare, businesses with more than 50 full-time employees must provide their employees with health-care coverage or face a fine of about $2,000 per worker per year.”

From: http://cnsnews.com/news/article/aug-1-death-knell-religious-freedom-say-conservatives

There is a one year reprieve for those employers which can pass the 4 part test found here: http://cciio.cms.gov/resources/files/Files2/02102012/20120210-Preventive-Services-Bulletin.pdf

1. The organization is organized and operates as a non-profit entity.
2. From February 10, 2012 onward, contraceptive coverage has not been provided at any
point by the group health plan established or maintained by the organization, consistent
with any applicable State law, because of the religious beliefs of the organization.
3. As detailed below, the group health plan established or maintained by the organization
(or another entity on behalf of the plan, such as a health insurance issuer or third-party
administrator) must provide to participants the attached notice, as described below, which
states that contraceptive coverage will not be provided under the plan for the first plan
year beginning on or after August 1, 2012.
4. The organization self-certifies that it satisfies criteria 1-3 above, and documents its selfcertification in accordance with the procedures detailed herein.

But in the end, they must comply if the law stands as written. I believe there is a group of Republican senators (or representatives?) who are working to get the bill rescinded.

On the judicial challenge front, there are 25 lawsuits pending, and one current case in Colordo resolved in favor of the family business fighting the mandate. See Dennis’ thread at http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/show...tores-faith-to-the-system&highlight=obamacare for details.

A Google search of “Obamacare August 1” results in 7 positive, 2 fairly neutral, and 3 negative hits on the first page. They are heavily weighted towards the benefits of Obamacare with headlines like:

“5 Obamacare Provisions You Can Already Take Advantage of”
“The 8 Ways Obamacare Helps 47 Million Women Starting August 1”
“Obamacare Rebates to Hit By Ausut 1”
"How Obamacare Preventive Health Coverage Protects Lesbian And Bisexual Women"

Just a reminder and food for thought.

magdalen

 

[FREEBIRD]

Keep in mind the mandate also covers chemical (as opposed to surgical) abortions, and sterilizations (for women only, including "women" as young as 12).

Let's see, "free" contraception, birth control, and sterilization. How is that not a government population-control program? Given the century-long link between the progressive movement and eugenics (look it up), this is not surprising, and it is not going to end well.

 

[West]

There goes that extra help and more jobs. This just makes for another wall against employers. Or put another way, A $100,000 penalty/tax for growing your business to 50 full time employees.

 

[Magdalen]

It is interesting how they put the most objectionable provision (FDA-approved contraception) in the middle of the list and leave out the most horrific of all, as though to mitigate the effect in the minds of the reader and mollify the less than attentive. I'm keeping an ear to the ground to hear what the official response will be from our local Catholic hospital and the Conference of Bishops.

magdalen

 

[banana.republic.us]

If I had 55 employees July 1 I would have 49 August 1. Or I would pass along a nice price increase if I had that command of the market.

This type of Phuckery will not stand and our eCONomy will certainly suffer mightily for it.

 

[Amazed]

We got a letter on this from our insurance company and we have just one employee - me - and I work 15 hours a week.

 

[Kook]

We got a letter on this from our insurance company and we have just one employee - me - and I work 15 hours a week.

Need any help? ;-{)>

 

[Ambros]

Thanks to our fed.gov our company won't be hiring because we can't afford it...

 

[dstraito]

Now we will start to see the "Law of Unintended Consequences" in action.

Ironically, we will also see the cost of Health Care skyrocket and the number of uninsured increase. Why did we need this again?

 

[Josie]

And don't forget that the increased cost will pass on to the consumers.

Yeah, this is a superb plan....

 

[rodeorector]

This is the end of religious freedom in the US. America died a quiet and peaceful death. Welcome to the new Amerika.