Do you want the bad news first or the bad news first?

When President Obama signed his health-care reform last month, he declared it would "lower costs for families and for businesses and for the federal government." So why, barely a month later, are Democrats scrambling to pass a new bill that would impose price controls on insurance? In now-they-tell-us hearings on Tuesday, the Senate health committee debated a bill that would give states the power to reject premium increases that state regulators determine are "unreasonable." Currently, 27 states have some form of rate review in the individual and small-business markets, but they generally don't leverage it in a political way because insolvent insurers are expensive for states and bankruptcies limit consumer choices. One exception is Massachusetts.  Governor Patrick is now using this regulatory power to create de facto price controls and assail the state's insurers as cover for the explosive costs resulting from our ObamaCare prototype.  Please note that the insurance companies he is controlling are not-for-profit companies seeking to cover their costs. Rationing is intrinsic to price controls in any market.  In health care this will be rationing and denial of care - already starting in Massachusetts; soon to follow nationwide. Call Senator Brown immediately to urge him to vote against this bill which imposes price controls that will ration care to patients and cause insurances companies to go out of business. 317 Russell Senate Office Building Washington D.C. 20510 (202) 224-4543 Now for the bad news! Last week President Obama nominated Donald Berwick as administrator for the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), the CMS administrator defines the quality of health care for every insurance plan in the country, sets reimbursement rates for physicians in Medicare and Medicaid, and decides what treatments are more "valuable" than others. For the past 15 years Berwick has consulted for - or, in his words, been "starry-eyed" over - Britain's National Health Service. In 2008, at a 60th anniversary of  NHS, he told a UK crowd, "I am romantic about the NHS; I love it. All I need to do to rediscover the romance is to look at health care in my own country." Berwick complained the American health system runs in the "darkness of private enterprise".      PLEASE SUPPORT OUR LIFE SAVING WORK

Forward email This email was sent to mcfl.blogpost@gmail.com by mcfl@masscitizensforlife.org. Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Email Marketing by MCFL | 529 Main Street | Boston | MA | 02129

Glad wishes for our friend Hadley Arkes

We are all so grateful to Hadley for all he has done for us and for the pro-life movement.  He has celebrated an important moment in his life.  For that we rejoice with him.  If you would like to send him greetings, I would be glad to forward them.                                                                                                     Anne    April 26, 2010 The operation of divine grace on Hadley Arkes Evelyn Waugh described his masterpiece Brideshead Revisited as a story about "the operation of divine grace on a diverse but closely connected group of characters."  Yesterday, I had the profoundly moving experience of witnessing the operation of grace on a particular person and a diverse group of people who were connected to each other through him.  That person, Hadley Arkes, the Edward Ney Professor of Jurisprudence and American Institutions at Amherst College, was received into the Catholic Church in a beautiful ceremony in the chapel of the Catholic Information Center in Washington, D.C.  Enveloped in the love of his many friends and admirers, Hadley was baptized, confirmed, and received his first communion. Hadley is an outstanding political philosopher and constitutional theorist who has dedicated much of his professional life to defending the dignity and rights of the child in the womb.  In remarks after the service yesterday, he explained that his faith in Christ had come through the Church.  The Church's moral witness, especially on the sanctity of human life and on marriage and sexual morality---a witness that has in our time made the Church a "sign of contradiction" to the most powerful and influential elements of the elite sector of contemporary western culture---persuaded him that the Church is, despite the failings of so many of its members and leaders, fundamentally "a truth-teaching institution."  In teachings that many find to be impediments, Hadley found decisive evidence that the Church is, indeed, what she claims to be. Speaking of his Jewish identity, Hadley said that he neither would nor could ever leave the Jewish people.  His entry into the Church was for him, he stated, a fulfillment of his Jewish faith, and in no way a repudiation of it.  Invoking the testimony and authority of the late Cardinal Lustiger of Paris, he declared that he was and would always remain a Jew, though a Jew who, like the earliest Christians, had come to accept Jesus as "the Christ, the Son of the living God."    Hadley's sponsor was Michael Novak, who read aloud some charming verses he had composed for the occasion.  The other speakers were Daniel Robinson of the Philosophy Faculty at Oxford University, Michael Uhlmann of the Political Science Department at Claremont Graduate School, David Forte of the Cleveland State University Law School, and your humble correspondent.  The chapel was overflowing with people who had come from all over the country.  The spirit of joy was extraordinary.  Part of the reason for that, I believe, is that every person in the room had become a better Christian as a result of Hadley's friendship, long before Hadley himself entered the Church.  More than a few people credited Hadley for their own conversions (or reversions).  Like G.K. Chesterton, he spent years leading others into the Church before he walked through the door himself.      PLEASE SUPPORT OUR LIFE SAVING WORK

Forward email This email was sent to mcfl.blogpost@gmail.com by mcfl@masscitizensforlife.org. Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Email Marketing by MCFL | 529 Main Street | Boston | MA | 02129

Obama: "privacy and bodily integrity, core Constitutional values"

President Obama will be nominating a Justice to the Supreme Court (SCOTUS) in the coming days.  What does he look for? 2008, Obama: "You know, I taught constitutional law for 10 years at the University of Chicago. I feel very strongly that a right to privacy is part of the overarching structure of the Constitution. I think a Supreme Court justice who did not believe in that right, as well as the implications for gender equality, would not have the kind of judicial philosophy that I generally believe in." 2010, April 21, Obama: "You know, I am somebody who believes that women should have the ability to make often very difficult decisions about their own bodies and issues of reproduction. Obviously this has been a hugely contentious issue in our country for a very long time. I will say the same thing that every president has said since this issue came up, which is I don't have litmus tests around any of these issues. "But I will say that I want somebody who is going to be interpreting our Constitution in a way that takes into account individual rights, and that includes women's rights. And that's going to be something that's very important to me, because I think part of what our core constitutional values promote is the notion that individuals are protected in their privacy and their bodily integrity, and women are not exempt from that." By wide margins, the American public strongly supports the traditional approach to judging followed by these Justices. In a recent Rasmussen poll, for example, 60% responded that the Supreme Court should make decisions based on "what's written in the Constitution and legal precedents" as opposed to its "sense of fairness and justice." Would we want to have a litmus test for Supreme Court appointees?  No, we want justices who will interpret the Constitution as written and not be "activist" ie try to make it say what they want. Please write or call Senator Brown to ask him to actively oppose any nominee who does not strictly interpret the Constitution. 317 Russell Senate Office Building Washington D.C. 20510 (202) 224-4543 Thanks, Anne     PLEASE SUPPORT OUR LIFE SAVING WORK

Forward email This email was sent to mcfl.blogpost@gmail.com by mcfl@masscitizensforlife.org. Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Email Marketing by MCFL | 529 Main Street | Boston | MA | 02129

Republican Convention: further clarifications

We at MCFL have been afraid that certain political happenings would make people draw logical but incorrect conclusions. Yesterday I sent out the explanatory email, which is below this one, where I tried to be polite and subtle. Some people say they are confused, so let me be more specific. Dr Mildred Jefferson is giving a nominating speech for Christy Mihos for governor. This would lead you to the logical but incorrect conclusion that Mihos is pro-life and supported by Mass. Citizens. Mihos takes a pro-abortion position with the exceptions that I copied and pasted from his web site. Mass. Citizens does not support him. Some very reputable people are supporting Karyn Polito saying she is a "stellar pro-family" candidate. The term "pro-family" developed in 1980 and meant "pro-life plus..." This would lead you to the logical but incorrect conclusion that Polito is pro-life. Polito has a perfect pro-abortion rating from NARAL based on her voting record. Mass. Citizens does not support her. I hope this helps. Anne The Republican Nominating Convention is tomorrow. There are some facts I think you need to know. I hope they will help to keep you from drawing any incorrect conclusions. Best, Anne 1) Dr. Mildred F. Jefferson will make a nominating speech for Christie Mihos for Governor. You know Dr. Jefferson's stature in the Massachusetts Pro-Life Movement.  Yet you may remember from past races that Mihos supports a woman's right to choose. He has no voting record. This is all his 2010 web site says: "Christy supports the use of adult stem cells in scientific research. However, he opposes embryonic stem cell research,which are harvested living embryos, a process that destroys the embryo. Christy opposes the Massachusetts proposed legislation that would expand to 35 feet, the so-called "buffer zone" around abortion clinics. This violates the first amendment freedom of speech for sidewalk counselors. Christy opposes the use of public funds for abortions." 2) State Representative Karyn Polito is running for Treasurer.  Victor Pap has left Catholic Citizenship to run her campaign. An email from Chanel Prunier at Massachusetts Independent PAC, says, "Many of you know Karyn Polito as a stellar pro-family candidate, who has voted in defense of traditional marriage and championed Jessica's Law, a statute protecting our children from sex offenders." NARAL has supported Polito, giving her a pro-abortion rating.   According to Marie Sturgis, MCFL Executive and Legislative Director, these were the votes during her tenure as State Rep: "Rep. Karyn Polito supported the Buffer Zone expansion to 35 feet, voted for the anti-life life science bill, voted for the artificial creation of human embryos and for funding of embryonic stem cell research. She did support Governor Romney by voting to prohibit lab workers from donating eggs and the exploitation of women for their eggs. She voted against restoring the original law that defined life as beginning at the moment of conception. She supported contraceptive coverage."     PLEASE SUPPORT OUR LIFE SAVING WORK

Forward email This email was sent to mcfl.blogpost@gmail.com by mcfl@masscitizensforlife.org. Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Email Marketing by MCFL | 529 Main Street | Boston | MA | 02129

Republican State Convention: points of clarification

The Republican Nominating Convention is tomorrow. There are some facts I think you need to know. I hope they will help to keep you from drawing any incorrect conclusions. Best, Anne 1)  Dr. Mildred F. Jefferson will make a nominating speech for Christie Mihos for Governor.  You know Dr. Jefferson's stature in the Massachusetts Pro-Life Movement.  Yet you may remember from past races that Mihos supports a woman's right to choose. He has no voting record.  This is all his 2010 web site says: "Christy supports the use of adult stem cells in scientific research. However, he opposes embryonic stem cell research,which are harvested living embryos, a process that destroys the embryo. Christy opposes the Massachusetts proposed legislation that would expand to 35 feet, the so-called "buffer zone" around abortion clinics. This violates the first amendment freedom of speech for sidewalk counselors. Christy opposes the use of public funds for abortions." 2)  State Representative Karyn Polito is running for Treasurer.  Victor Pap has left Catholic Citizenship to run her campaign. An email from Chanel Prunier at Massachusetts Independent PAC, says, "Many of you know Karyn Polito as a stellar pro-family candidate, who has voted in defense of traditional marriage and championed Jessica's Law, a statute protecting our children from sex offenders." NARAL has supported Polito, giving her a pro-abortion rating.   According to Marie Sturgis, MCFL Executive and Legislative Director, these were the votes during her tenure as State Rep: "Rep. Karyn Polito supported the Buffer Zone expansion to 35 feet, voted for the anti-life life science bill, voted for the artificial creation of human embryos and for funding of embryonic stem cell research. She did support Governor Romney by voting to prohibit lab workers from donating eggs and the exploitation of women for their eggs. She voted against restoring the original law that defined life as beginning at the moment of conception. She supported contraceptive coverage."   PLEASE SUPPORT OUR LIFE SAVING WORK

Forward email This email was sent to mcfl.blogpost@gmail.com by mcfl@masscitizensforlife.org. Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Email Marketing by MCFL | 529 Main Street | Boston | MA | 02129

Congressional Research Service: Congress cannot keep coverage under Obamacare!

The New York Times reports today, "In its painstaking analysis of the new law, the research service says the impact on Congress itself and the intent of Congress are difficult to ascertain," but it sure does seem as though members and staff (like so many other Americans) will not be able to keep the insurance they like, and may lose it even before there are any alternatives for them."  We may soon have some unexpected allies in the fight to replace (incumbents), defund, repeal, and rewrite - the 3 R's. And among the general public, support for repeal is up to 58%!   Last August, when I first starting asking you to contact your congressmen, you probably thought, "This is Massachusetts for goodness sake".  Look at what you accomplished! We got two votes for Stupak restrictions, one vote against the health care in the house, and Scott Brown - all from Massachusetts, for goodness sake.   Now we look at November and you know what - we'll do it again!    FYI, Scott Brown will be the speaker at the Boston College Law School Commencement.  BC Law does have the best speakers, don't they?   Speakers such as Fr Nic who spoke at our Convention.  Helen Cross has put his talk on YouTube.  You will love it as much as the people who were there did.   Enjoy the good news about Congress and the good talk by Fr Nic!   Anne       PLEASE SUPPORT OUR LIFE SAVING WORK

Forward email This email was sent to mcfl.blogpost@gmail.com by mcfl@masscitizensforlife.org. Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Email Marketing by MCFL | 529 Main Street | Boston | MA | 02129

Stevens, Stupak, and saying prayers

John Paul Stevens is the last member of the Roe v Wade Supreme Court.  In the press accounts of his retirement he is called the dean of the liberal forces. Certainly at the time of the infamous abortion decisions, Catholic William Brennen was the brains behind the scenes and the justice who pulled the strings.   Again, some of the press are claiming that Obama used up so much political capital with the health care fiasco that he will have to pull back and nominate someone who is not too extreme.  That would be ironic and lovely but highly unlikely.  We have to hope the Republicans are "getting " the polls and will fight. The talk has been about Stevens and Justice Ginsburg both retiring.   Highly creditable sources maintain that she loves the job, feels that what she does is very important, and will die with her boots on.  We need to pray for her return to good health so that she will live to see another president.   And while you are at it, I hope you will join me in a prayer for Bart Stupak.  I cannot imagine what it must be like for him to have to live with himself!    The Convention yesterday was wonderful!   I'll be sending out copies of our presenters' power point slides and videos etc.   Best, Anne     PLEASE SUPPORT OUR LIFE SAVING WORK

Forward email This email was sent to mcfl.blogpost@gmail.com by mcfl@masscitizensforlife.org. Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Email Marketing by MCFL | 529 Main Street | Boston | MA | 02129

Mass Citizens commends Bishop Tobin, again

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   Massachusetts Citizens for Life commends Bishop Thomas Tobin of Providence, Rhode Island, for removing his hospital from membership in the Catholic Health Association because of CHA's active support for the health care "reform", the most pro-abortion piece of legislation since Roe v Wade.   According to Anne Fox, President of MCFL, Tobin stated exactly what her members found when they lobbied in DC in the days immediately preceding the March 21st vote when he told the CHA,   "Your enthusiastic support of the legislation, in contradiction to the position of the Bishops of the United States, provided an excuse for members of Congress, misled the public, and caused serious scandal for many members of the Church".    MCFL members were told, in every office where the Congressman planned to vote for the bill, that such a vote was justified by the support of the CHA.  When the pro-lifers tried to cite the USCCB instead, they were told it was only their view that the USCCB was the group actually speaking for the church.   The CHA, which stands to profit from health care reform, pledged a large sum of money last July to the Obama administration to help ease passage of the overhaul, well before the final draft of the bill materialized.   Bishop Tobin also expressed hope that the CHA "will review its mission and will find new opportunities to renew its commitment to human life, including that of unborn children." MCFL honored Bishop Tobin at its Assembly for Life, January 24, 2010, for his courageous stand in defense of life when he explained to Congressman Patrick Kennedy that health care that includes abortion is unacceptable, no matter how laudable its aspirations. Massachusetts Citizens for Life is the oldest and largest right to life organization in the state and the only one working exclusively on the right to life issues.       PLEASE SUPPORT OUR LIFE SAVING WORK

Forward email This email was sent to mcfl.blogpost@gmail.com by mcfl@masscitizensforlife.org. Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Email Marketing by MCFL | 529 Main Street | Boston | MA | 02129

Worcester: BLessed Sacrament Pro-Life April 10

Apr 10 Sat 8AM-Noon Sidewalk counseling seminar with Ann Scheidler. Blessed
Sacrament Church Parish Center.  She's on the DVD we've been pasing around, on
the Chicago Method of sidewalk abortion counseling. .  RSVP if you can please,
but we'll still welcome all comers. $20.  Sponsored by LALM

Abby Johnson speaks about Planned Parenthood - http://blip.tv/file/3372786

Apr 10 Sat 9AM-4PM MCFL Statewide convention Boston College Law School
Apr 14 Wed 11AM TEA Party Express in Boston with Sarah Palin
Apr 16 Fri – keep your kids home from Publich school's homosexual promoting Day
of Silence - http://www.illinoisfamily.org/news/contentview.asp?c=34794

40 Days for Life Keep God in America - http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=926

Apr 24 Sat 9:30AM St. Martha's Church Enfield, CT, NE Traditional Catholic
Conference, http://conference.stmartha-ct.org/

Komen for the Cure Breast Cancer group makes close ties with Planned Parenthood
http://www.lifenews.com/nat6213.html

9/12 Project - http://www.meetup.com/The-Western-Mass-912-Project/

The Power of Prayer

Someone has said if Christians really understood the full extent of the power we
have available through prayer, we might be speechless.  Did you know that during
World War II there was an adviser to Churchill who organized a group of people
who dropped what they were doing every day at a prescribed hour for one minute
to collectively pray for the safety of England, its people and peace?

There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here in America . If
you would like to participate:  Every evening at 9:00pm Eastern Time (8:00pm
Central) (7:00pm Mountain) (6:00pm Pacific), stop whatever you are doing and
spend one minute praying for the safety of the United States, our troops, our
citizens, and for a return to a Godly nation.  If you know anyone else who would
like to participate, please pass this along.

Our prayers are the most powerful asset we have.

A Response to the New York Times    [Fr. Raymond J. de Souza]
The New York Times on March 25 accused Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope
Benedict XVI, of intervening to prevent a priest, Fr. Lawrence Murphy, from
facing penalties for cases of sexual abuse of minors.
The story is false. It is unsupported by its own documentation. Indeed, it gives
every indication of being part of a coordinated campaign against Pope Benedict,
rather than responsible journalism.
Before addressing the false substance of the story, the following circumstances
are worthy of note:
 • The New York Times story had two sources. First, lawyers who currently have a
civil suit pending against the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. One of the lawyers,
Jeffrey Anderson, also has cases in the United States Supreme Court pending
against the Holy See. He has a direct financial interest in the matter being
reported.
 • The second source was Archbishop Rembert Weakland, retired archbishop of
Milwaukee. He is the most discredited and disgraced bishop in the United States

Thanks and God Bless,
Jay G.
http://www.dtf-jayg.blogspot.com/

Prayer Needs;
http://dtf-jayg.blogspot.com/2009/08/latest-prayer-needs.html

Health and spiritual needs: Ava born to Lilli at Visitation House, To keep
Planned Parenthood out of Fitchburg, Dorene, Deacon Bill Griffin's son Billy in
ICU, Dorothy, Ethel, and Katherine, Stella; David; Urgent:Anne, Katherine, and
Dorothy, Jeanne, Louise who's son Marcello just passed away, Gracie, Juliette,
Victor, Dora,  Katie O'Connell, Isabel Stankus, Cheryl's mom Barbara H.,Carol;
Flo- high blood pressure; Bill Clinton- heart problems, Pat H., has stage 4
cancer, Irene's dad with Throat cancer and cousin with broken back, Update -
Edward Joseph Parker-Gagne born prematurely weighing only 1lb.14oz doing better
but pray his eye get well if it be God's will, Jim Call currently in hospital &
headed for pallative care, Barbara Hoaglund in hospital, Paul Ann & Kevin,
George's nephew Joey's wife (Elaine's daughter-in-law) cancer and had surgery,
Michele and Alicia, Haiti, Bob Chernisky Jr. leukemia, Bob M. serious cancer,
Chloe born 13 weeks premature, grieving family of Nathan N., 3-year old Matthew
in ICU with flu/pneumonia, Helen Wright - brain aneurysm;Mark- employment; Ed
heart, Jim, Caroline needs a job to make ends meet while she short-sells her
home, Ashley and her family;  Ken W. who is dying;  Sara M.- battling 2 cancers;
Raymond with heart problems; Cheryl G.- in Thanksgiving to Saint Joseph for
answered prayer, Jessica 21 has 15 month old son and has MRSA and only has 8
months to live (her sister is at Visitation House), Deacon Bob Conner who lost
his mother and brother recently, Little Edward Joseph, Jack McGuirk leukemia,
Bob recently widowed, with two boys to raise, Peachie with Sjögren's
disease/Lupus, Barbara R.- URGENT as she is dying NOW;   Brian N.- cancer;
David- whose wife left family with 3 children; Lisa- who left husband and 4
children- that they reunite and the children and Dad find strength, comfort, and
faith, and that the Mom returns home, Ron's sister with brain tumor …

Recently Deceased: Irene Johnson, Marcello, Laurel, Darrell "Shifty" Powers,
Lisa Lauring Kennedy just passed away after a long battle with lung cancer,
Susan the cab driver's wife who recently accepted Jesus but as a Protestant has
no one to pray for her soul, Shirley Somadelis, Ian H's family after his
mother-in-law found dead under suspicious circumstances, David Cross, David
Scott, Janesse Hoaglund, Patrick Swayze, 19 year old Brittany was in i.c.u., Ted
Kennedy, Skip, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Al Thoman, Patty G., John Bellione, Bob
DeMarco 51 father of three boys, Georga's father, …

Obamacare Implementation Timeline

We know terrible things in healthcare are coming, and, indeed, have started.  Probably you will not be able to read this all at once or you will be sick.  It is important for you to know the facts so that you are able to convince people of the need to repeal it.  Even if someone does not get upset about abortion funding, you'll be able to find something else which they find offensive.   The media is now claiming there is no way to fight Obamacare in the courts.  Hear the real story of the constitutionality of Obamacare at the Mass. Citizens Convention  this Saturday. Hope to see you there!  Anne       Timeline of the Democrats Healthcare Package by  Human Events 04/01/2010   Rep. Dave Camp, ranking Republican of the House Ways and Means Committee, has compiled this list of when different aspects of the recently passed healthcare legislation will go into effect. 2009 · 2-year tax credit (total cap of $1 billion) for new chronic disease therapy investments · Medicare cuts to hospitals begin (long-term care (7/1/09) and inpatient and rehabilitation facilities (fiscal 2010)) 2009 2010 · States and federal officials review premium increases · FDA authorized to approve "follow-on" biologics · Increase brand name pharmaceutical Medicaid rebate (from 15.1% to 23.1%) · Medicare payments to physicians in primarily rural areas increase (2 years) · Deny "black liquor" eligibility for cellulosic biofuel producers credit · Tax credits provided to certain small employers for health care-related expenses · Increase adoption tax incentives for 2 years · Codify economic substance doctrine and impose penalties for underpayments (transactions on/after 3/23/10) · Provide income exclusion for specified Indian tribe health benefits provided after 3/23/10 · Temporary high-risk pool and high-cost union retiree reinsurance ($5 billion each for 3.5 years) (6/23/10) · Impose 10% tax on indoor UV tanning (7/1/10) · Medicare cuts to inpatient psych hospitals (7/1/10) · Prohibits lifetime and annual benefit spending limits (plan years beginning 9/23/10) · Prohibits non-group plans from canceling coverage (rescissions) (plan years beginning 9/23/10) · Requires plans to cover, at no charge, most preventive care (plan years beginning 9/23/10) · Allows dependents to stay on parents' policies through age 26 (plan years beginning 9/23/10) · Provides limited protections to children with pre-existing conditions (plan years beginning 9/23/10) · Hospitals in "Frontier States" (N.D., Mont., Wyo., S.D., Utah) receive higher Medicare payments (fiscal 2011) · Hospitals in "low-cost" areas receive higher Medicare payments for 2 years ($400 million, fiscal 2011) 22011010 2011 · Medicare Advantage cuts begin · No longer allowed to use FSA, HSA, HRA, Archer MSA distributions for over the counter medicines · Medicare cuts to home health begin · Wealthier seniors ($85k/$170k) begin paying higher Part D premiums (not indexed for inflation in Parts B/D) · Medicare reimbursement cuts when seniors use diagnostic imaging like MRIs, CT scans, etc. · Medicare cuts begin to ambulance services, ASCs, diagnostic labs, and durable medical equipment · Impose new annual tax on brand name pharmaceutical companies · Americans begin paying premiums for federal long-term care insurance (CLASS Act) · Health plans required to spend a minimum of 80% of premiums on medical claims · Physicians in "Frontier States" (N.D., Mont., Wyo., S.D., Utah) receive higher Medicare payments · Prohibition on Medicare payments to new physician-owned hospitals · Penalties for non-qualified HSA and Archer MSA distributions double (to 20%) · Seniors prohibited from purchasing power wheelchairs unless they first rent for 13 months · Brand name drug companies begin providing 50% discount in the Part D "donut hole" · 10% Medicare bonus payment for primary care and general surgery (5 years) · Employers required to report value of health benefits on W-2 · Steps towards health insurance administrative simplification (reduced paperwork, etc) begins (five year process) · Additional funding for community health centers (five years) · Seniors who hit Part D "donut hole "in 2010 receive $250 check (3/15/11) · New Medicare cuts to long-term care hospitals begin (7/1/11) · Additional Medicare cuts to hospitals and cuts to nursing homes and inpatient rehab facilities begin (fiscal 2012) · New tax on all private health insurance policies to pay for comp. eff. research (plan years beginning fiscal 2012) 2012 · Medicare cuts to dialysis treatment begins · Require information reporting on payments to corporations · Medicare to reduce spending by using an HMO-like coordinated care model (Accountable Care Organizations) · Medicare Advantage plans with a 4 or 5 star rating receive a quality bonus payment · New Medicare cuts to inpatient psych hospitals (7/1/12) · Hospital pay-for-quality program begins (fiscal 2013) · Medicare cuts to hospitals with high readmission rates begin (fiscal 2013) · Medicare cuts to hospice begin (fiscal 2013) 2013 · Impose $2,500 annual cap on FSA contributions (indexed to CPI) · Increase Medicare wage tax by 0.9% and impose a new 3.8% tax on unearned, nonactive business income for those earning over $200,000 or $250,000 for families (not indexed to inflation) · Generally increases (7.5% to 10%) threshold at which medical expenses, as a percentage of income, can be deductible · Eliminate deduction for Part D retiree drug subsidy employers receive · Impose 2.3% excise tax on medical devices · Medicare cuts to hospitals which treat low-income seniors begin · Post-acute pay for quality reporting begins · COOP Program: Secretary of Health and Human Services awards loans and grants for establishing nonprofit health insurers · $500,000 deduction cap on compensation paid to insurance company employees and officers · Part D "donut hole" reduction begins, reaching a 25% reduction by 2020 2014 · Individuals without government-approved coverage are subject to a tax of the greater of $695 or 2.5% of income · Employers who fail to offer "affordable" coverage would pay a $3,000 penalty for every employee that receives a subsidy through the Exchange · Employers who do not offer insurance must pay a tax penalty of $2,000 for every full-time employee · More Medicare cuts to home health begin · States must have established Exchanges · Employers with more than 200 employees can auto-enroll employees in health coverage, with opt-out · All non-grandfathered and Exchange health plans required to meet federally mandated levels of coverage · States must cover parents /childless adults up to 138% of poverty on Medicaid, receive increased FMAP · Tax credits available for Exchange-based coverage, amount varies by income up to 400% of poverty · Insurers cannot impose any coverage restrictions on pre-existing conditions (guaranteed issue/renewability) · Modified community rating: individual or family coverage; geography; 3:1 ratio for age; 1.5:1 for smoking · Insurers must offer coverage to anyone wanting a policy and every policy has to be renewed · Limits out-of-pocket cost-sharing (tied to limits in HSAs, currently $5,950/$11,900 indexed to COLA) · Insurance plans must include government-defined "essential benefits " and coverage levels · OPM must offer at least two multi-state plans in every state · Employers can offer some employees free choice vouchers for health insurance in the Exchange · Government board (IPAB) begins submitting proposals to cut Medicare · Impose tax on nearly all private health insurance plans · Medicare payment cuts for hospital-acquired infections begin (fiscal 2015) 2015 · More Medicare cuts to home health begin 2016 · States can form interstate insurance compacts if the coverage with HHS approval (2016) 2017 · Physician pay-for-quality program begins for all physicians · States may allow large employers and multi-employer health plans to purchase coverage in the Exchange. · States may apply to the HHS secretary for a limited waiver from certain federal requirements 2018 · Impose "Cadillac tax on "high cost" plans, 40% tax on the benefit value above a certain threshold: ($10,200 individual coverage, $27,500 family or self-only union multi-employer coverage)   PLEASE SUPPORT OUR LIFE SAVING WORK

Forward email This email was sent to mcfl.blogpost@gmail.com by mcfl@masscitizensforlife.org. Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Email Marketing by MCFL | 529 Main Street | Boston | MA | 02129