Affordable Care Act: personal stories

I know most of the people in the video below, and even count one or two of them as friends.  That doesn't lessen the impact of their stories of how the Affordable Care Act, popularly known as Obamacare, has helped them; it deepens that impact.

We all know someone whose life has been made just a little bit better by the ACA - maybe those of us who just can't afford a decent policy on the private market, maybe a child who is able to be part of their parents' insurance until age 26, maybe a neighbor or friend with a preexisting condition - and those people shouldn't be sacrificed on the altar of frustration with a website that wasn't perfect from the start.

Affordable Care Act forums and town halls

...of the "real" variety, not the Republicans' "half-truths, misleading statements, and outright lies" variety...

First, the forums -

Other forums, also involving the LD19 legislators above -

Date: Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013 
Time:  6 to 8 p.m.  
Place: Desert West Community Center, 6501 W. Virginia Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85035
 

Date: Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013

Time: 6 to 8 p.m.

Place: City of Tolleson Building, Parks and Recreation Center, multi-purpose room, 9555 W. Van Buren St., Tolleson, AZ 85353 

Other events can be found here, at the website of Cover Arizona.

Now, the town halls (actually, tele-town halls).  Info courtesy State Rep. Andrea Dalessandro (D - LD2) -

Call-in information:
Call 559-726-1200 and use the code 322773. 

Please note: this call is not toll free. Long-distance charges may apply.

Tele-Town Hall (English)

Date: Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Times: 11:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Herb Schultz, the regional director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will join Dalessandro for both calls on Dec. 3.


Tele-Town Hall (Spanish)

Date: Thursday, December 5, 2013
Times: 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Dr. Betsy Thompson and Roberto Diaz with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will be available for both calls on Dec. 5.


These events are open to the public and the press. To RSVP, email adalessandro@azleg.gov or call 1-800-352-8404, ext. 65342.

If at first you don't succeed, give up...at least, if we are talking about healthcare reform

There have been glitches in the rollout of Obamacare, so the Republicans in Congress, aided and abetted by 39 Democrats, have moved to completely gut healthcare reform.

Because, ya know, any problem with something new means that we should end that something new.

If the Congress in 1895 had the same mentality that it has now, America would have the best horse-and-buggy-based transportation system in the world.

From Ohio History Central -

World's First Automobile Accident

The world's first automobile accident occurred in Ohio City, Ohio in 1891.

Throughout most of the twentieth century, the city of Detroit, Michigan, was synonymous with American automobile manufacturing. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, that was not the case. Instead, Ohio innovators in Cleveland and elsewhere were at the forefront of this new form of transportation technology.

 As most people are aware, that accident didn't stop the development of the automotive industry.

Per the US Department of Transportation, as of 2011 (a mere 120 years later), there were more than 253 million motor vehicles on US roads.


...Of course, if buggy makers had a PAC in 1895...

Open enrollment in healthcare exchanges starting next week...

Despite the many, and increasingly desperate, efforts of Congressional Republicans to stop it, enrollment in state-based health insurance exchanges created as part of the Affordable Care Act starts October 1st.

There are still many questions about the exchanges and the process of enrolling in them.

Courtesy Healthcare.gov, some answers to some questions (more information at each link) -

What is the Health Insurance Marketplace?

The Marketplace is a new way to find quality health coverage. It can help if you don’t have coverage now or if you have it but want to look at other options.

With one Marketplace application, you can learn if you can get lower costs based on your income, compare your coverage options side-by-side, and enroll.

-- Arizona-specific information:

Health Insurance Marketplace in Arizona

If you live in Arizona, you’ll use this website, HealthCare.gov, to apply for coverage, compare plans, and enroll. Specific plans and prices will be available on October 1, 2013, when Marketplace open enrollment begins. Coverage can start as soon as January 1, 2014.

How do I get help enrolling in the Marketplace?

The Marketplace will offer several kinds of assistance to help you apply for coverage and choose a plan that meets your needs.

• online questions and answers
• online chat — available now
• a toll-free call center—available now
• people in your community trained to help you apply and enroll

Find local help

In all states, there will be people trained and certified to help you understand your health coverage options and enroll in a plan. They will be known by different names, depending on who provides the service and where they are located. All will provide similar kinds of help:

• Navigators
• Application assisters
• Certified application counselors
• Government agencies, such as State Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Offices

Insurance agents and brokers can also help you with your application and choices.

-- Find help in your area at Localhelp.healthcare.gov.

 

What if I have job-based insurance?

If you have job-based health insurance you like, you can keep it. You're considered covered. You may be able to change to Marketplace coverage if you want to.

Any job-based health plan you currently have qualifies as minimum essential coverage. You don't need to change to a Marketplace plan in order to avoid the fee that uninsured people may have to pay for 2014. If you'd like to explore Marketplace coverage options you can, but there are several important things to consider.

How can I get lower costs on Marketplace coverage?

When you use the Health Insurance Marketplace you may be able to get lower costs on monthly premiums or out-of-pocket costs, or get free or low-cost coverage.

3 ways to save on health care coverage

You can save money in the Health Insurance Marketplace 3 ways. All of them depend on your income and family size.

1. You may be able to lower costs on your monthly premiums when you enroll in a private health insurance plan. These plans all cover essential health benefits and pre-existing conditions.
2. You may qualify for lower out-of-pocket costs for copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.
3. You or your child may get free or low-cost coverage through Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program CHIP. Some states will be expanding Medicaid eligibility in 2014, so you may qualify even if you have been turned down for Medicaid in the past.

What do small businesses need to know?

Small businesses may get health coverage in the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Marketplace. No employers are required to offer health coverage.

Starting in 2014, businesses with 50 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees can use SHOP to offer coverage to their employees. This applies to non-profit organizations as well. You control the coverage you offer and how much you pay toward premium costs.

Health coverage through SHOP starts as soon as January 1, 2014. Open enrollment begins October 1, 2013. You can sign up and begin offering coverage any time during the year.

Do I qualify for Medicaid?

You qualify for Medicaid based on income and family size. If you're eligible, you get free or low-cost care and don't need to buy a Marketplace plan.

Medicaid basics

Medicaid provides health coverage for some low-income people, families and children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Medicaid programs must follow federal guidelines, but they vary somewhat from state to state.

== AHCCCS eligibility requirements here.

What if I'm self-employed?

If you're self-employed with no employees, you're not considered an employer. You can use the individual Marketplace to find coverage that fits your needs.

How to know if you’re "self-employed"

If you run an income-generating business with no employees, then you're considered self-employed (not an employer) and can get coverage through the Marketplace. You’re not considered an employer even if you hire independent contractors to do some work.
If you have employees (generally, workers whose income you report on a W-2 at the end of the year) you’re considered an employer. Then you could get coverage for yourself and your employees through the SHOP Marketplace. Learn more about how to determine if you have employees.

New options for the self-employed

If you're self-employed, you'll have more health coverage options in 2014.

Starting October 1, 2013, you can use the Marketplace to find health coverage that fits your budget and meets your needs. You can compare important features of several plans side-by-side, all of them offering a full package of essential health benefits. You can see what your premium, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs will be before you decide to enroll.

You can't be denied coverage or charged more because you have a pre-existing health condition.
If you currently have individual insurance--a plan you bought yourself, not the kind you get through an employer--you may be able to change to a Marketplace plan. Learn more about changing individual insurance plans.

What if I have a pre-existing health condition?

Starting in 2014, health insurance plans can't refuse to cover you or charge you more just because you have a pre-existing health condition. (Emphasis added here)

How does the health care law protect me?

 Part 1.

Rights & Protections

Part 2.

The Health Insurance Marketplace

Part 3.

Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions

Part 4.

Summary of Benefits and Coverage

Part 5.

Cracking Down on Frivolous Cancellations

Part 6.

Doctor Choice & Emergency Room Access

Part 7.

Young Adult Coverage

Part 8.

Free Preventive Care

Part 9.

Ending Lifetime & Yearly Limits

Part 10.

Rate Review & the 80/20 Rule

Part 11.

Your Right to Appeal Coverage Decisions

And if you were wondering about the section on death panels?  There isn't one, because they don't exist outside of the Koch-fueled fantasies of certain Republicans.

AHCCCS holding a series of community meetings on Medicaid restoration

The meeting schedule from the publicity flyer:

AHCCCS Community Forums
 
General - Sessions for Families, Advocates, and Community Partners
 
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
1 - 3 p.m.
Casino del Sol Conference Center
5655 West Valencia Road
Tucson, AZ 85757
RSVP: ForwardTucson@AZAHCCCS.gov
 
Friday, October 11, 2013
1 - 3 p.m.
Flagstaff Medical Center - McGee Auditorium
1200 North Beaver Street
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
RSVP: ForwardFlagstaff@AZAHCCCS.gov
 
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
1 -3 p.m.
3:15 - 5 p.m.
The Disability Empowerment Center
5025 East Washington Street, Suite 200
Phoenix, AZ 85034
RSVP: Both sessions full
 
Monday, November 4, 2013
1 - 3 p.m.
The Disability Empowerment Center
5025 East Washington Street, Suite 200
Phoenix, AZ 85034
RSVP: ForwardPhoenix@AZAHCCCS.gov
 
 
 
Tribal - Sessions for Tribal Stakeholders
 
Monday, September 16 and September 23, 2013
1 - 3 p.m.
Native American Community Service Center
4520 North Central Avenue, 6th Floor Conference Room
Phoenix, AZ 85012
RSVP: ForwardPhoenix@AZAHCCCS.gov
 
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Casino del Sol Conference Center
5655 West Valencia Road
Tucson, AZ 85757
RSVP: ForwardTucson@AZAHCCCS.gov

Friday, October 11, 2013
10:30 a.m - 12:30 p.m.
Flagstaff Medical Center - McGee Auditorium
1200 North Beaver Street
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
RSVP: ForwardFlagstaff@AZAHCCCS.gov


If you plan to attend one of the meetings and speak, you can download a Speaker Slip here.

More information from AHCCCS on Medicaid restoration here.

Health care reform: Can improved financial access to health care services also improve geographic access to health care services?

On Friday, Government Executive, essentially a business newspaper for people whose "business" is government agency operations, published an "insider baseball" sort of article.  It relates to areas that are designated as "medically underserved areas" (MUAs).

Federal employees are covered covered under slightly different health insurance reimbursement rules when they work in MUAs.

From the article, written by Eric Katz -

The statute that governs the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program requires OPM to determine which states have “critical shortages of primary care physicians.” Employees in these states -- known as “medically underserved areas” -- receive reimbursement for covered services by any licensed provider in the state.

 The next lines in the article are the ones that caught my attention (emphasis added) -

OPM [the federal Office of Personnel Management, basically the federal government's version of an HR department] calculates which states are underserved using data from the Health and Human Services Departments, as well as the Census Bureau. If at least 25 percent of the state’s population lives in a “primary medical care manpower shortage area” -- as determined by HHS -- the state is considered underserved.

The 12 states that will receive the distinctive consideration in 2014 are Alabama, Arizona, Idaho, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Wyoming.

After first noticing that most of the states listed are "red" states (hey, this is *political* blog, not a *medical* one...), I noticed that most of the states listed, other than Illinois, are known as being very rural.

Which sent my thoughts off on a tangent (hence, this post.  :) )

Health care reform, commonly known as Obamacare, is all about making health care more financially accessible for the average American.

While it is still in its infancy, so to speak, it does seem to set to do just that, notwithstanding the BS storm stirred up by President Obama's haters.

What is doesn't seem set to do, directly anyway, is address the issue of people who face physical/geographic impediments when trying to access health care services.

As noted above, Arizona is one of the states that medically underserved enough so that it is subject to the slightly different reimbursement rules for federal employees.

A map of specific areas within the state that are designated as MUAs, courtesy Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) -

Looking at the map, we can see that most of the MUAs in AZ are rural, Native American tribal lands, or urban areas with high concentrations of racial or ethnic minorities, or high concentrations of poverty.

Obamacare directly addresses some of the economic inequities that raise barriers to access to health care.  The geographic inequities still raise barriers to access to health care.

Take the examples of the municipalities of Scottsdale and Holbrook, here in Arizona.

A search of the license database of the Arizona Medical Board shows 776 licenses issued to medical doctors with a Scottsdale address.  With a population of 219,713 people, that works out to one medical doctor for every 287 residents.

Scottsdale has three general hospitals, with 3.8 hospital beds per 1000 residents.  Additionally, there are a number of other health care facilities, such as assisted living and skilled nursing facilities.

Scottsdale is located in heavily populated Maricopa County and is bordered by Phoenix (2263 licensed doctors, multiple hospitals, multiple skilled nursing facilities) and Tempe (111 licensed doctors, 1 hospital, 2 skilled nursing facilities).  It takes less than 20 minutes to drive to the closest areas

In contrast, a search of the same AZ Medical Board database turns up all of two licenses issued to medical doctors in Holbrook, a town of 5,038 people in northeastern Arizona.  That works out to 1 physician for every 2519 residents.  Holbrook has no health care facilities.

Holbrook is located in sparsely Navajo County and the nearest towns for seeking health care services are Snowflake and Taylor, and both are more than 30 minutes away.

Snowflake has no health care facilities and three licensed doctors; Taylor has no health care facilities and no licensed doctors.

Not to be ignored in this is the fact that Scottsdale's median income is more than twice that of Holbrook, meaning that not only are there significantly more people in Scottsdale, the average person in Scottsdale has far more money to spend on health care, and doctor's offices are business operations as well as health care operations.

Interesting factoid:  AZ Medical Board records show that there are more licensed cosmetic surgeons in Scottsdale (6) than there are licensed medical doctors in Holbrook, Snowflake, and Taylor combined (5).

Speculation time:

Now, HCR won't change the basic economics of the health care provider industry as it relates to population density - doctors and other primary care providers will still be concentrated where human population is concentrated.  However, where it could, and should, be able to help with MUAs is to ameliorate the economic disparity.

With the implementation of HCR and its increased financial access to health care insurance (aka - $ for health care), establishing a medical practice in rural or other underserved areas should become a more fiscally feasible proposition.


Snark time:

So why is some of the strongest opposition to Obamacare in Arizona coming from federal and state legislators whose districts have many constituents living in medically underserved areas?  And why do voters in those areas support candidates and officeholders who actively work against their constituents' interests?


Scottsdale demographic data here, courtesy Arizona Department of Health Services.
Holbrook demographic data here, courtesy ADHS.

Data on other AZ municipalities can be found here, also courtesy ADHS.

Information on medically underserved areas from the US Department of Health and Human Services is available here.

Obamacare: At least the Republicans are consistent. (Part 1)

...Consistently *dishonest*, but consistent nonetheless...

The Republican/corporate opposition to health care reform (HCR), known as Obamacare, has a three-step strategy for generating public opposition to HCR:

Step 1.  Lie.

Step 2.  Lie some more..

Step 3.  If steps 1 and 2 don't produce a satisfactory amount of public opposition to health care insurance coverage for the vast majority of Americans, lie even more.


The latest (renewed) GOPer lie "talking point" is to claim that Congress is "exempt" from the provisions.

Dranias is a senior operative at the corporate lobbying firm "free market think tank", while the person who retweeted Dranias' updates, Antenori, is one of the leaders of efforts to turn back Medicaid restoration via the ballot.

The story that Dranias links to, from Politico.com, is here.

I'm guessing that Dranias (and Antenori) are hoping that people don't actually read the story that they cite in support of their contention that Congress is exempt from the provisions of Obamacare.

The story doesn't support their contention.  Instead, it clearly points out that Congress is *required* to participate in HCR.

From the story, written by John Bresnahan and Jake Sherman (emphasis added) -

Lawmakers and staff can breathe easy — their health care tab is not going to soar next year.

The Office of Personnel Management, under heavy pressure from Capitol Hill, will issue a ruling that says the government can continue to make a contribution to the health care premiums of members of Congress and their aides, according to several Hill sources.

{snip}

The problem was rooted in the original text of the Affordable Care Act. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) inserted a provision which said members of Congress and their aides must be covered by plans “created” by the law or “offered through an exchange.” Until now, OPM had not said if the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program could contribute premium payments toward plans on the exchange. If payments stopped, lawmakers and aides would have faced thousands of dollars in additional premium payments each year. Under the old system, the government contributed nearly 75 percent of premium payments.

In essence, members of Congress and their aides have health insurance coverage through their employers (you know, *us*) and after the implementation of Obamacare, will still have health insurance coverage through their employers.  And in both instances ("before" and "after"), there is an employer contribution toward defraying the cost of the insurance coverage.

Hardly an "exemption".

FactCheck.org has a full explanation, dated May 3, 2013 - 

Q: Is it true that there are bills in Congress that would exempt members and their staffs and families from buying into “Obamacare”?

A: No. Congress members and staffers will be required to buy insurance through the exchanges on Jan. 1. But reportedly there is concern about whether federal contributions to premiums can continue without a change.

FULL QUESTION

Is it true that there are bills in the House and Senate that will exempt members and their staff and families from buying into Obamacare?

FULL ANSWER

Several readers have asked us about Congress attempting to exempt itself from the requirements of the Affordable Care Act. A few said that a Facebook post claimed that President Barack Obama, Sen. Harry Reid and Democrats in Congress were trying to “get themselves exempted from Obamacare,” in the words of one reader.

But there is no bill in Congress calling for an exemption from the health care law. In fact, members of Congress and their staffs face additional requirements that most Americans don’t have to meet.

Under the health care law, their insurance coverage will have to switch from the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, the group of private insurance plans that cover 8 million federal employees and retirees, to the exchanges created by the law. Those exchanges are meant for those who buy coverage on their own, the currently uninsured and small businesses. Members of Congress and their staffs would be the only employees of a large employer in the exchanges, which are set to begin offering insurance in January.

So, why is the false “exempt” claim making the Facebook rounds? There is reportedly concern on Capitol Hill that the Office of Personnel Management, which administers the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, won’t be able to smoothly transition members and their staffs into an exchange. The concern, as a Roll Call story explained, was that the government wouldn’t be able to make contributions toward the federal employees’ premiums, at least at the beginning of 2014. That would mean employees would pick up the whole tab for their insurance policies. Right now, the government pays 72 percent of premiums on average.

The “exempt” claims were sparked by a Politico report on April 24 that said secret talks were being held by lawmakers to change the requirement to get insurance through the exchanges because of this concern. The headline on the story said “Lawmakers, aides may get Obamacare exemption.”

After the story was published, a spokesman for Sen. Harry Reid said there hadn’t been any discussions to exempt Congress from “provisions that apply to any employees of any other public or private employer offering health care.” And Democratic Rep. Henry Waxman of California told Politico that lawmakers and their staffs will indeed get insurance through the exchanges. “[T]he federal government will offer them health insurance coverage that they obtained through the exchanges because we want to get the same health care coverage everybody else has available to them,” he said.

We contacted the Office of Personnel Management and received this statement from an administration official: “Members of Congress will not receive anything that is not available to the public. The law doesn’t allow them to get insurance from FEHB, they are going to get insurance on the market place, just like uninsured individuals and small businesses.”

We can’t say what did or didn’t happen in any secret meetings. But we can say that no bill has been introduced to exempt members of Congress from the Affordable Care Act — and they were never exempt in the first place. Even if, hypothetically, Congress were to nullify the provision requiring members and their staffs to get insurance on the exchanges, it still wouldn’t amount to an exemption from the law. Lawmakers and staffers would be subject to the mandate to have health insurance or pay a fine, just as everyone else is.

The law provides a few exemptions from the requirement to have insurance, but only for those who earn too little to file taxes, those with financial hardships, those who can’t find affordable coverage, and some religious groups that qualify for Social Security exemptions, mainly Mennonite or Amish.

An Old Falsehood

Bogus claims about Congress being “exempt” date back to early 2010, when different health care bills were still being debated. Some Republicans claimed that Americans, except for members of Congress, would be forced into the government-run “public option” (which wasn’t part of the final bill that became law) or state-based exchanges (which are part of the law).

As we said previously, members of Congress get private health insurance through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, which actually served as a model for the exchanges. Federal workers pick from among many health plans. The exchanges would operate in the same way — like a marketplace for those shopping for private insurance.
But some Republicans pushed the idea that if the exchanges were good enough for other Americans, they should be good enough for Congress. So, an amendment by Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa was added to the Senate bill requiring that the federal government offer only health plans that were part of an exchange to members of Congress and their staffs. The law’s final language on this, written by Sen. Tom Coburn, says that: “the only health plans that the Federal Government may make available to Members of Congress and congressional staff with respect to their service as a Member of Congress or congressional staff shall be health plans that are — (I) created under this Act (or an amendment made by this Act); or (II) offered through an Exchange established under this Act.”

Congressional “staff” is defined as “all full-time and part-time employees employed by the official office of a Member of Congress, whether in Washington, DC or outside of Washington, DC.” As we reported before, Coburn said the provision wouldn’t apply to those working for committees or leadership staff, and a Congressional Research Service report agreed that could be the case.

In other words, the Affordable Care Act places on lawmakers and their staffs additional requirements that don’t pertain to other Americans with work-based insurance.
– Lori Robertson

Sources

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Public Law 111–148. 111th Congress
The Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program. OPM.gov. accessed 3 May 2013.
Ethridge, Emily. “Health Insurance Anxiety on Capitol Hill.” 25 Apr 2013.
Robertson, Lori. “Congress Exempt from Health Bill?” FactCheck.org. 20 Jan 2010.
Jackson, Brooks. “Health Care for Members of Congress?” FactCheck.org. 25 Aug 2009.
Bresnahan, John and Jake Sherman. “Lawmakers, aides may get Obamacare exemption.” Politico. 24 Apr 2013.
Baker, Sam. “Dems won’t seek ObamaCare exemption.” The Hill. 25 Apr 3013.
Henig, Jess. “More Malarkey About Health Care.” FactCheck.org. 19 Apr 2010.

Upcoming AHCCCS/Medicaid restoration actions

First, learn about the governor's proposal at a training session on Thursday -

AHCCCS Training Session on The Governor’s Medicaid Coverage Plan

PURPOSE: The future of Medicaid is at a critical time. Support for the

Governor’s Plan is needed to ensure that over 60,000 people

do not lose coverage. Learn more about how YOU can help! 

DATE: Thursday, May 9, 2013; 6:00-7:30 p.m.

LOCATION: Disability Empowerment Center (DEC), 5025 E. Washington St., Suite 202, Phoenix, AZ 85034

RSVP to: Info@azahcccs.gov

REASONS TO ATTEND:

-Become an expert on the Governor’s Medicaid Plan

-Learn how to write a Letter to the Editor

-Identify your elected officials and how to contact them

-Lead Civic Academies in your communities 

Then take your newly-acquired knowledge to a rally at the State Capitol on Wednesday, May 15.

The Medicaid Restoration Coalition is holding a rally to let legislators know that there is a large amount of support for the governor's proposal on the House lawn at 11 a.m.  Arrive early for good parking.  The best spots in the parking lots of the Executive Tower and Wesley Bolin Plaza will go quickly.

Summary:

What: Rally for Restoration

When: 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 15

Where: House Lawn, Arizona State Capitol

Schweikert two-stepping all over his constituents

From an op-ed written by Congressman David Schweikert and  published in the East Valley Tribune on March 11, 2011 -

"I remain committed, as I have always been, to protecting seniors..."

From Section 501 of H. Con. Res. 34 (page 58 of the linked .pdf), aka "the Ryan budget" that Schweikert voted for a little more than a month later, April 15, 2011 -

(2) For future generations, when they reach eligibility, Medicare is reformed to provide a premium support payment and a selection of guaranteed health coverage options from which recipients can choose a plan that best suits their needs.

Schweikert is holding a "listening session" today.

At a police station in Tempe.

Just guessing here, but if his rationale behind meeting with the residents of CD5 while surrounded by the police is to intimidate dissenters from attending, perhaps he should reexamine his reasoning - his tea party supporters are the ones who think that "disorderly conduct" and "public discourse" are synonymous.

Trying to hide from legitimate dissent by hiding in a police station will only accomplish two things -

1.  His most ardent supporters will have to stay away for fear of picking up a charge or two, which would hurt Schweikert's reelection chances - if you get convicted of a felony in AZ, you lose your voting rights unless they are restored.

2. His strongest dissenters, who tend to know a few things about how to conduct themselves in public and can make their points without getting arrested, will have an easy time locating him.

They're not going to find it difficult to find him and make him aware of their displeasure at the way he has thrown the nation's, and the district's, seniors under the bus.

Still, this whole "first step one way then step the other way" routine is good basic training for his post-Congress gig -

A third-tier celebrity also-ran on "Dancing With The Stars."

David Schweikert's vote to repeal health care reform: Impacts on his "constituents"

Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2, a bill to repeal last year's health care reform legislation, by a vote of 245 - 189.  All Republicans, including AZCD5's David Schweikert, voted in favor of the bill.

The bill, the debate, and the vote were a triumph of ideology over reality, because if health care reform is repealed, it will increase the federal deficit and harm people all over the country, including thousands here in CD5.

From the Minority Staff of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce -

This analysis describes the impact of repeal of the Affordable Care Act in the 5th Congressional District of Arizona, which is represented by Rep. David Schweikert. It finds that repeal of the health reform law would have significant consequences in the district by:


Allowing insurance companies to deny coverage to 122,000 to 320,000 individuals, including 8,000 to 36,000 children, with pre-existing conditions.

Rescinding consumer protections for 469,000 individuals who have health insurance through their employer or the market for private insurance.

Eliminating health care tax credits for up to 15,700 small businesses and 143,000 families.

Increasing prescription drug costs for 10,100 seniors who hit the Part D drug “donut hole” and denying new preventive care benefits to 84,000 seniors.

Increasing the costs of early retiree coverage for up to 11,600 early retirees.

Eliminating new health care coverage options for 4,000 uninsured young adults.

Increasing the number of people without health insurance by 43,000 individuals.

Increasing the costs to hospitals of providing uncompensated care by $50 million annually.

Repeal of Protections Against Insurance Company Abuses

Repeal would eliminate the ban on discrimination on the basis of pre-existing conditions. Under the health reform law, insurance companies can no longer deny coverage to children with pre-existing conditions and will be banned from discriminating against adults with pre-existing conditions in 2014. There are 122,000 to 320,000 residents in Rep. Schweikert’s district with pre-existing conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or cancer, including 8,000 to 36,000 children. Repeal would allow insurance companies to refuse to insure these individuals if they seek coverage in the individual or small-group markets. The consequences would be particularly acute for the 18,000 to 48,000 individuals in the district who currently lack insurance coverage and who would be unable to purchase individual policies if the law is repealed.

Repeal would eliminate the ban on annual and lifetime limits. The health reform law prohibits insurance companies from imposing annual and lifetime limits on health insurance coverage. This provision protects the rights of everyone who receives coverage from their employer or through the market for private insurance. If this protection is repealed, insurers would be able to impose coverage limits on 469,000 individuals in the district with employer or private coverage.

Repeal would eliminate the ban on rescissions. The health reform law prohibits insurers from rescinding coverage for individuals who become ill. Repeal would allow insurance companies to resume the practice of rescinding coverage for the 48,000 district residents who purchase individual health insurance.

Repeal would eliminate other consumer protections. The health reform law protects individuals from soaring insurance costs by requiring reviews of proposed rate increases and limiting the amount insurance companies can spend on administrative expenses, profits, and other overhead. Repeal would deny these new protections to tens of thousands of district residents who either buy their own insurance or receive coverage through employers who do not self-insure.

Repeal of Benefits for Individuals and Families

Repeal would eliminate the requirement that insurance companies provide free preventive care. The health reform law promotes wellness by requiring insurance companies to offer free preventive care as part of any new or revised policies they issue after September 23, 2010. Repeal would allow insurance companies to charge for these essential benefits, which would increase out-of-pocket costs for 98,000 district residents.

Repeal would eliminate health insurance options for young adults. The health reform law allows young adults to remain on their parents’ insurance policies up to age 26. In Rep. Schweikert’s district, 4,000 young adults have or are expected to take advantage of this benefit. Repeal would force these young adults to find other coverage or return to the ranks of the uninsured.

Repeal would eliminate tax credits for buying health insurance. Starting in 2014, the health reform law gives middle class families the largest tax cut for health care in history, providing tax credits to buy coverage for families with incomes up to $88,000 for a family of four. Repeal would deny these credits to 143,000 families in the district.

Repeal would increase the number of uninsured. When fully implemented, the health reform law will extend coverage to 94% of all Americans. If this level of coverage is reached in the district, 43,000 residents who currently do not have health insurance will receive coverage. Repeal would mean these residents would lose their health insurance.

Repeal of Benefits for Seniors

Repeal would increase drug costs for seniors. Beginning in 2011, the health reform law provides a 50% discount for prescription drugs for Medicare beneficiaries who enter the Medicare Part D “donut hole” and lose coverage for their drug expenses. The law then increases the discount to Medicare beneficiaries each year until 2020, when the donut hole is finally eliminated. There are 10,100 Medicare beneficiaries in Rep. Schweikert’s district who are expected to benefit from these provisions. Repeal would increase the average cost of prescription drugs for these Medicare beneficiaries by over $500 in 2011 and by over $3,000 in 2020.

Repeal would deny seniors new preventive care and other benefits. The health reform law improves Medicare by providing free preventive and wellness care, improving primary and coordinated care, and enhancing nursing home care. The law also strengthens the Medicare trust fund, extending its solvency from 2017 to 2029. Repeal would eliminate these benefits for 84,000 Medicare beneficiaries in the district and cause the Medicare trust fund to become insolvent in just six years.

Repeal of Benefits for Small and Large Businesses and Health Care Providers

Repeal would eliminate tax credits for small businesses. The health reform law provides tax credits to small businesses worth up to 35% of the cost of providing health insurance. There are up to 15,700 small businesses in Rep. Schweikert’s district that are eligible for this tax credit. Repeal would force these small businesses to drop coverage or bear the full costs of coverage themselves.

Repeal would increase retiree health care costs for employers. The health reform law provides funding to encourage employers to continue to provide health insurance for their retirees. As many as 11,600 district residents who have retired but are not yet eligible for Medicare could ultimately benefit from this early retiree assistance. Repeal would increase costs for employers and jeopardize the coverage their retirees are receiving.

Repeal would increase the cost of uncompensated care born by hospitals. The health reform law benefits hospitals by covering more Americans and thereby reducing the cost of providing care to the uninsured. Repeal would undo this benefit, increasing the cost of uncompensated care by $50 million annually for hospitals in the district.

Repeal of Benefits for Taxpayers

Repeal would increase the long-term debt by over $1 trillion. The health reform law reduces the nation’s debt by eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse in the health care system, reducing the growth of health care costs, and preventing excessive profit-taking by private insurers. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the bill will reduce the deficit by over $200 billion over the next ten years and by over a trillion dollars in the decade after that. Repeal would eliminate these cost-cutting measures, adding more than $3,000 to the national debt for each American, including the 680,000 residents of the district.

Of course, while Schweikert has enthusiastically worked to reduce his constituents and their families' access to health care, he has no problem accepting taxpayer-funded healthcare coverage for himself and his family, nor does he have a problem with shielding from public scrutiny the members of his own caucus who have done the same.
 
 

David Schweikert: Health care hypocrite

To be fair to our Foreclosure Dave though, it's not like he was alone.

On Wednesday, the new Republican majority in the U.S. House passed all sorts of new rules for the 112th Congress.  Some of them are really interesting, but we'll save those for another day.

The highlight of the rules package was one that *didn't* make it into the package.

Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-NY) proposed a rule that would have required members of Congress to disclose whether or not they take advantage of the taxpayer-funded and government-run health care offered to members.

The proposal was defeated on a party-line vote, 191 - 238.

Huffington Post has a full report here.

Now, I could criticize all 238 Republicans who voted to defeat transparency, but they aren't the elected representatives of Arizona's 5th Congressional District.

David Schweikert is.

David Schweikert is the one, who on his website, stated "the liberal politicians in Washington continue to support government run healthcare that will effectively dismantle our healthcare system."

He's pledged to work for the repeal of health care reform and coverage for the average American...

Yet on the same day that he voted to conceal his and other members' acceptance of taxpayer-funded health insurance, he also voted to pass H. Res. 26, providing for next week's consideration of H.R. 2, the Republican scheme to repeal the health care reform and coverage for the average American.

So Schweikert is a *conservative* politician in Washington who supports "government run healthcare" for people who will "dismantle" healthcare for average Americans.

Something tells me that this won't be the last example of shameless hypocrisy coming from Schweikert.

PSA time - a side-by-side comparison of the House and Senate health care reform proposals

The National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare has put together a side-by-side comparison of the health care reform, available here.

It shows that while there are some significant differences between the two, there are also some strong similarities.

...Thanks to correspondent Gary B. for the heads-up on the comparison...

Later...