SC

SC Lawmakers Want “Obamacare Off Ramp”

GROUP ARGUES FOR STATE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF INSURANCE MARKETPLACE || By FITSNEWS || Forty-three South Carolina lawmakers have signed a letter to their “Republican” leaders in Washington, D.C. urging them to provide an “Obamacare Off-Ramp” enabling the Palmetto State to regain control over its health insurance marketplace. The letter (.pdf…

GROUP ARGUES FOR STATE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF INSURANCE MARKETPLACE

|| By FITSNEWS || Forty-three South Carolina lawmakers have signed a letter to their “Republican” leaders in Washington, D.C. urging them to provide an “Obamacare Off-Ramp” enabling the Palmetto State to regain control over its health insurance marketplace.

The letter (.pdf here) was sent in anticipation of a forthcoming U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Obamacare’s subsidies – a ruling which could (and should) effectively shut down the socialized medicine law in states which did not set-up state-run exchanges for Obamacare.

Obamacare specifically stated that its subsidies (and the taxes that pay for them) applied only in the states that created their own exchanges. The Internal Revenue Service is ignoring that part of the law though, attempting to impose the provision on all fifty states – including thirty-six states which refused to establish exchanges.

(To read our report on the big U.S. Appeals Court ruling that led to this decision, CLICK HERE. To read our report on the underlying legal issues in the case, CLICK HERE).

Basically, if the court rules against the administration of Barack Obama the only way to maintain the law is through hundreds of billions of additional dollars in deficit spending – which our nation clearly cannot afford.

The case is also a critical test of the “rule of law.”

“We are sympathetic to HealthCare.gov exchange enrollees currently receiving subsidies the Court may deem illegal,” the letter states.  “It is unfortunate those patients, and our neighbors, might be put into yet another difficult position because of an ill-conceived, poorly-written law and the IRS’s poor interpretation of it.”

“Should the Court rule in favor of King, we know the Obama Administration and its allies will put incredible pressure on states to bail out Obamacare,” said Ellen Weaver of the Palmetto Promise Institute.  “But given the horrible track record of state-based exchanges that we see in other states, there is no reason why South Carolina should cave to the pressure and follow their example. We commend these House leaders for standing up for the best interests of patients and taxpayers in the Palmetto State.”

Weaver’s group – which promoted the letter – said states should “demand more flexibility for themselves and more control for the patients in their borders,” and that lawmakers should focus on “state-based innovations that lower costs, increase access and put patients in charge of their health care decisions.”

We concur.

Hopefully the Supreme Court won’t drop the ball this time …

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56 comments

FastEddy23 June 1, 2015 at 10:13 am

So far, I see only two provisions of ObamaCare that are worth keeping. Out of state competition for local health care insurance providers and the “equal treatment” of patients, regardless of “pre-existing” conditions. (I’m talking all states here, not just South Carolina or Taxifornia.)

Otherwise ObamaCare is just another tax sucking Gran Phaloone, inspired by greedhead, power hungry “progressive” Fascists ….. … In my opinion :-/

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syntwistsuglydog June 1, 2015 at 10:19 am

Agree.excellent points.Obamacare was created to EXPAND the Democrat Party voter base by EXPANDING free health insurance, Medicaid.

Taxpayers were fleeced.

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SYNTwist June 1, 2015 at 11:13 am

I also like the ability to keep your children on your health insurance longer while they are in college. Of course, that expires at a certain age, but it is longer under Obamacare than in general. Otherwise, I can’t think of anything I like about it with the exception of the two points you make above.

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FastEddy23 June 1, 2015 at 12:06 pm

“… keep your children on your health insurance longer while they are in college. …”

One can do that now. Just pay the premium. I guarantee that No Health Care Insurer will turn down that business.

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SYNTwist June 1, 2015 at 12:14 pm

I need to look up what changed, but you can’t just keep your children on your health insurance indefinitely, even if they are going to college. I “think” ACA raised the age limit, but I need to revisit that – I am talking a couple years back. Make no sense to me, but I had to find another insurance plan when my child reached a certain age.

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FastEddy23 June 6, 2015 at 5:26 pm

Yup. Raised it to 26 years of age. But you or anyone could have continued to pay your children’s premium without an ACA mandate (which also happens to be Un-Constitutional as it interferes with private business transactions between insurance customer and insurance provider.

THIS is for insurance purposes ONLY and has nothing to do with actual health care.

SYNTwist June 6, 2015 at 5:51 pm

As I have said numerous time, I don’t like Obamacare overall- the only people who are going to make money off this plan are the insurance companies IMHO. Having said that, there are a few elements of Obamacare I do like, one is that age raise. No, you cannot continue to pay the premiums for your child, UNLESS it is a private plan, even then I question that ability. They want to put them on their own policy, the option to continue coverage is not granted, insurance is cancelled when they reach the age limit.

SYNTwist June 1, 2015 at 12:23 pm

“Community college students stand to benefit greatly from the new no and low-cost health insurance options that will be
available. These options include: the ability to join a parent’s plan until age 26;”

http://health.younginvincibles.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/ACA-Toolkit_Helping-Students-Understand-Health-Care-Reform-and-Enroll-in-Health-Insurance.pdf

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FastEddy23 June 6, 2015 at 5:30 pm

What “great” benefit? Reduced insurance costs? Fewer checks to sign by the customer? Less confusion? Less paperwork? Fewer Gruberment mandates? Not at all.

This is health Insurance only and has nothing to do with actual health care.

SYNTwist June 6, 2015 at 5:55 pm

I think you are replying out of context of the thread that you originated. You mentioned a couple things you liked about it, I mentioned one that I did. I do believe it will hurt health care, but that was not what we were discussing. Here is your comment that I was adding to:

“So far, I see only two provisions of ObamaCare that are worth keeping. Out of state competition for local health care insurance providers and the “equal treatment” of patients, regardless of “pre-existing” conditions. (I’m talking all states here, not just South Carolina or Taxifornia.)”

euwe max June 1, 2015 at 10:16 am

No with a red slash through it is Yes.

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FastEddy23 June 1, 2015 at 10:25 am

Typical! Lefty Loosey est-hole newspeak spew = semantic errors do not make or prove a negative case.

“… and the guy in the rear burned his driver’s license …”

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euwe max June 1, 2015 at 1:18 pm

somewhere in South Carolina, a cotton trailer overturns.

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FastEddy23 June 6, 2015 at 5:31 pm

Always with the joke. I love it. Keep ’em coming.

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TroubleBaby June 1, 2015 at 10:20 am

“state-based innovations that lower costs”

I’m not advocate or fan of Obamacare in any way, shape, or form- but the reality is that it is crushing the crony SCDOI here in state and hence I don’t give a shit.

BCBS and the other board members have been killing any chance for real competition here in state, so another larger cockroach(the Feds) coming in to step on them doesn’t mean jack shit to me.

If anything, I have schadenfreude.

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VernaBMontero June 2, 2015 at 1:02 am Reply
Jonny Logic June 1, 2015 at 10:26 am

Wow, trying to provide healthcare to everyone is soooo evil!!!! All of those other counties that are able to pull it off are the spawns of Satan himself. Murica!!!!!

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FastEddy23 June 1, 2015 at 10:31 am

Yes.

(Of note: the oldest socialized “universal” healthcare system, that of Sweden, has now been almost completely converted to the private sector, making Sweden the EuroTrash country of choice for decent doctor and hospital care.)

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Jonny Logic June 1, 2015 at 10:40 am

WTF are you talking about?!?!? Do you just make this sh!t up as you go along, or is there a special GOP reality-denial site like Faux News that you get your lies from?

‘The Swedish health care system is mainly government-funded and decentralized, although private health care also exists. The health care system in Sweden is financed primarily through taxes levied by county councils and municipalities.’ – Wikipedia

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lulz! June 1, 2015 at 11:23 am

He’s suggesting Sweden’s system is the tops, let’s copy theirs! You guys think Obamacare is left wing, you are going to flip your lids when you get actual liberal healthcare reform!

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syntwistsuglydog June 1, 2015 at 11:00 am

Healthcare is NOT being provided to EVERYONE-even if you have it. Those enrolling on the Obamacare expanded Medicaid can’t find a doctor that will take this FREE insurance that pays the physician pennies on the dollar.

It is a debacle with drug and grocery stores adding health clinics that are staffed by a nurse if you are lucky.

One of the reasons ER visits are skyrocketing under Obamacare.

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SYNTwist June 1, 2015 at 11:26 am

Ohmigosh, you didn’t go there….systwistsugly dog? At least we “mostly” agree in this case.

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Unoriginality June 1, 2015 at 11:42 am

Pogo is ripping off of the user “grandtangosuglydog” and directing it against you. In other words you and grandtangosuglydog are in pogo’s warped and empty head. Congratulations on pissing off the troll!

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SYNTwist June 1, 2015 at 11:51 am

LMAO!

mama June 1, 2015 at 11:59 am

can I have a can of spam son?first of month and get off the fucking computer!

Rocky June 1, 2015 at 1:47 pm

Hi Flip! Still using fake accounts?

fred farkel June 1, 2015 at 12:01 pm

syntwistisuglydog come now give us facts and numbers instead your ignorant comment. FACTS PLEASE. You sound like a typical republican trying to do away with “obamacare” and not come up with a solution to replace it.

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syntwistsuglydog June 1, 2015 at 12:05 pm

I just gave you facts:

“You have a card saying you have health insurance, but if no doctors take it, it’s almost like having one of those fake IDs,” he said. “Your medication is all paid for, but if you can’t get the pills, it’s worthless.”

http://www.nj.com/healthfit/index.ssf/2015/02/where_will_400k_new_nj_medicaid_patients_get_care.html

Contrary to goals, ER visits rise under Obamacare

http://www.usatoday.com/…/emergency…visits-rise…/26625571/

USA TodayMay 4, 2015 – Three-quarters of emergency physicians say they’ve seen ER patientvisits surge since Obamacare took effect — just the opposite of what …

I only deal in facts!

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fred farkel June 1, 2015 at 3:39 pm

What facts? I’m talking dollars and cents. Hell there are some doctors that don’t take Medicare?? You are getting your so-called facts from the media, which are NOT FACTS. I trust you understand what facts are and not just hear say, but perhaps I’m a bit overly optimistic about your IQ????

Jonny Logic June 1, 2015 at 12:11 pm

I said TRYING to provide healthcare to everyone. The system is not perfect, but at least its a start, and could a ton better if the special interests in the GOP would shut up.

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Bible Thumper June 1, 2015 at 10:29 am

Awkward Truth 7
Fits uses the Labor participation rate, but over looks the Employment-Population Ratio which only includes people with jobs and not those searching.
When Nikki Haley took office SC had the third worst EPR. Now SC has passed 4 other states to rank seventh. Still a long way to go, but it’s progress.

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SYNTwist June 1, 2015 at 11:10 am

I need to go dig up those BLS links you posted, because I recall the Labor Participation Rate looking much better. Better than anyone in the Southeast, that I can recall off the top of my head. I may have been looking at EPR, but I’m fairly certain LPR also showed tremendous improvement.

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Bible Thumper June 1, 2015 at 11:31 am

I put it in Excel and sorted by rank. SC is tied 13th for gain in LPR and 14th for gain in EPR. Remember though that those gains had to occur against the head wind of a faster population growth rate than 40 other states.

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SYNTwist June 1, 2015 at 11:44 am

I was just looking at the data it is trending positive. I haven’t exported any spreadsheets, but you can see the number of people participating in the workforce is growing, even if unemployment is higher than I would like, likely due to faster population growth – at a glance.

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Bible Thumper June 1, 2015 at 11:53 am

Unemployment doesn’t count discouraged workers. They now have hope and are looking for work thus they now count as unemployed. In a sense, higher unemployment is a good thing if employment is also rising.

SYNTwist June 1, 2015 at 12:02 pm

I agree unemployment doesn’t count discouraged workers, but difficult for me to wrap my mind around the idea that higher unemployment is a good thing, even if employment is rising. I do agree, rising employment is a better benchmark. I would still like to see those discouraged workers, working ;)

Bible Thumper June 1, 2015 at 12:06 pm

It means that discouraged workers are at least hopefull about finding a job. That’s good.

SYNTwist June 1, 2015 at 12:19 pm

It would also be interesting to see the data on the number of retirees who are moving here, that are self sustaining, and then deduct that from the number of unemployed. I haven’t looked on BLS but I imagine they do have it broken down by age, should I find the time to go dig it up…

Guest June 1, 2015 at 1:10 pm

Obama’s numbers. Nobody with a real brain uses a proven liar’s.

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Jerry Maguire June 1, 2015 at 10:31 am

Wait a minute!! You saying that they WROTE A LETTER? Whoa…it’s totally on now!

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a face in the crowd June 1, 2015 at 10:47 am

As if South Carolina lawmakers are able to do anything correctly. They object to Obama and then look for a reason.

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syntwistsuglydog June 1, 2015 at 10:56 am

Only because he is white.His mother was white so people don’t like him

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a face in the crowd June 1, 2015 at 12:05 pm

Wouldn’t that make him mixed race? Sounds like you’ve been watching one of the inane Fox News programs.

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syntwistsuglydog June 1, 2015 at 12:07 pm

His mother gave birth.He is white.Mans sperm doesn’t count…plus his dad was a communist.

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a face in the crowd June 1, 2015 at 12:08 pm

You may be the new record-holder for ignorance. And that is no small task.

syntwistsuglydog June 1, 2015 at 12:15 pm

What did I say that was false? Can a man stop a woman from having an abortion? Proves a mans sperm doesn’t count. Obama’s dad was a communist.

I only deal in facts!

a face in the crowd June 1, 2015 at 12:20 pm

Dam — Communist sperm again!

Bless your heart.

fred farkel June 1, 2015 at 11:55 am

The simple fact folks that the Affordable Care Act aka “obamacare”is working. But I’m waiting for Jeff Duncan’s solution, as Jeff knows all.

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syntwistsuglydog June 1, 2015 at 12:01 pm

hahahahahhahahhahahahh
Just like Obama is a Christian!

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idiotwind June 1, 2015 at 2:00 pm

holy shit, what a logical and rhetorical train wreck this one is. try sitting down and thinking about this a while Fits. while keeping in mind that medical care is not like other goods. people don’t choose to buy it.

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nitrat June 2, 2015 at 9:02 am

If there is one single issue that shows just how ignorant the Libertarians really are about all ‘markets’ free and otherwise, it is how the various healthcare businesses operate.

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We Are Being Fleeced June 1, 2015 at 4:15 pm

BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD … my rates went up, my coverage was cut. Now, I read that BCBS is about to raise rates again by as much as 100%!!!!

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We Are Being Fleeced June 1, 2015 at 4:17 pm

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama issued a letter that announced the change in rates for the 2015 calendar year … increases.

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We Are Being Fleeced June 1, 2015 at 4:17 pm

Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield announced today that it has determined the 2015 requested rates it will file with the Iowa Insurance Division …

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We Are Being Fleeced June 1, 2015 at 4:18 pm

BlueCross BlueShield rates rising in 2015 Posted … The State of Tennessee has agreed to let BlueCross BlueShield and other marketplace insurers raise rates.

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9" June 1, 2015 at 10:23 pm

ACA isn’t much of a factor in SC.Haley’s refusal of Medicaid money is.ACA is working in other states…

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