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March Madness! Day 2

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 12:23:18 PM EST
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A bit late with this, but Scout's honor, these are my investments today:

Eastern Kentucky +14 over Kansas, Kentucky -6½ over Kansas State, Oklahoma State -3 over Gonzaga, Iowa State -8 over NC Central, Memphis -4 over George Washington, UL Lafayette +14 over Creighton, Wichita State -16 over Cal Poly S.L.O., North Carolina -4 over Providence, Tulsa +8½ over UCLA, Virginia -20½ over Coastal Carolina, Stephen Austin +6½ over Va Commonwealth, Baylor -4 over Nebraska, Mercer +14½ over Duke, Tennessee -5½ over Massachusetts, New Mexico -3 over Stanford, Weber State +20 over Arizona.

Open Thread.

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    March Madness! Day 2 | 108 comments (108 topical)

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    Kobe says (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by ragebot on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 01:25:23 PM EST
    Obama could play for the Lakers.  Not sure if this says more about how bad the Lakers are or how delusional Kobe is

    link

    For all of the President's considerable ... (none / 0) (#12)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 02:59:02 PM EST
    ... skills on the basketball court, it should be noted that he was never a starting player on his high school team at Punahou in Honolulu. But then, the Buff-and-blue were also the three-time defending state champions at the time, so there was no lack of talent on that roster. Further, two members of their starting lineup later started for the Div. II Chaminade team which upset No. 1 Virginia in December 1982.

    Parent
    Hmmmm (none / 0) (#62)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 11:12:18 AM EST
    You just described his talents on display while dealing with Putin.

    Definitely second string.

    Parent

    You guys (5.00 / 1) (#89)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 03:37:28 PM EST
    are hysterical. First it's all the love letters to Putin and then it's resurection of the Bush Doctrine.

    Really. Conservatives should get in the comedy business.

    Parent

    Or GWB's talents on display ... (none / 0) (#96)
    by Yman on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 06:50:38 PM EST
    ... while doing pretty much anything.

    Actually, second string would be a couple of tiers up ...

    Parent

    Donald (none / 0) (#75)
    by ragebot on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 01:01:32 PM EST
    Jerry Ford was an Eagle Scout at 15, All-State on his high school football team, All-American, captain, and MVP of the University of Michigan national champion football team, and a first round draft pick of the NFL's Detroit Lions.

    Ford was also a non smoker.

    Time to wake up and smell the coffee, whatever one thinks about Obama he is no athlete.

    Parent

    Good for Ford (none / 0) (#97)
    by Yman on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 06:55:30 PM EST
    Did someone say you had to play Division I or professional ball  to be considered an athlete?  Because that would be a silly statement.

    Parent
    Do you believe in Mercer-cles? (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by kdog on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 01:31:30 PM EST
    The nation rejoices, the heated Blue Devils go down!

    Nice pick BTD, hope you had 'em on the moneyline too!

    Glad I took them out of my F4 bracket (none / 0) (#3)
    by ruffian on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 01:47:54 PM EST
    on the advice of my brother! He is good for something after all ;-)

    Parent
    Heated s/b Hated btw... (none / 0) (#7)
    by kdog on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 02:08:22 PM EST
    Btw Squared...2014 Concert Series continues tonight with The London Souls & Trombone Shorty teaming up on a nifty double bill.  Woo-Hoo Paaaarty Time;) Wish you were here!

    Good luck in the bracket Ruff!

    Parent

    Saw Sting and Paul Simon together (5.00 / 1) (#26)
    by ruffian on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 03:56:52 PM EST
    last weekend. Great music, but not as fun crowd as Rat Dog in general, and the kdog clan in specific!

    Parent
    Not to brag, but I had Mercer beating Duke ... (none / 0) (#10)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 02:49:41 PM EST
    ... in my bracket. No reason why, other than a strong personal hunch formulated on the sole basis of what I saw during conference tourney play last week. and for all the ESPN pundit class's wishful thinking about Duke and Kansas going to the Final Four, I saw those two teams primed instead for a first weekend exit. One down, one to go.

    Parent
    Nun Rock (5.00 / 2) (#9)
    by jbindc on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 02:47:03 PM EST
    You go sister!

    (Play with CC for English subtitles)

    Fun to watch (none / 0) (#19)
    by MO Blue on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 03:37:18 PM EST
    especially the faces of the judges after their chairs turned around.

    Parent
    Since corporations are people too now... (5.00 / 1) (#15)
    by kdog on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 03:21:05 PM EST
    add this person to the list that is very happy with the ACA, Wellpoint Inc.  

    Mo' money, Mo' money, Mo' money!

    I think this is good news (none / 0) (#17)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 03:30:43 PM EST
    Weeping and wailing not withstanding it is a for profit system the law is based on like it or not.   For the law to work these companies need to make money.  Which has, I believe, been Vic's point in recent threads.  

    Hope I am not putting words, or anything else, in anyone's mouth.

    Parent

    If I'm reading it right... (5.00 / 4) (#20)
    by kdog on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 03:39:56 PM EST
    and it's very possible I'm not because I loathe Wall St and don't totally get the lingo...but 8.20 net income per share that could go to care is hardly what I'd call "good news".

    But yes, as designed the ACA was supposed to be an economic stimulus package to the health insurance industry, and it appears it's working as intended on that end...big time.

    Making money is ok, but what's wrong with say
    $ 2.00 net income per share, and 500k a year for the CEO plus a 100% incentive-based bonus instead of 1.25 mill a year and 300% incentive bonus, and lower rates to customers?  That's the sh*t that pisses me off, not making a reasonable profit for services rendered.  

    Parent

    Clearly you have a point (5.00 / 1) (#21)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 03:43:38 PM EST
    But it is a much larger one than the healthcare industry.

    Parent
    No doubt... (none / 0) (#24)
    by kdog on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 03:48:41 PM EST
    the same goes for energy and food and shelter and no-frills clothing...all life's essentials.

    I don't give a f&ck how much you rip people off selling the aforementioned tv's, cocaine, or even my beloved concert tickets and reefer...cuz nobody needs that stuff.

    End rant, it's time to rock.  Laters!

    Parent

    Add... (5.00 / 3) (#22)
    by kdog on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 03:43:46 PM EST
    if ya wan't profit margins and compensation like that sh*t, please do us all a favor and sell televisions or cocaine or something that is not life and death sh*t like health insurance and health care.

    Not to pick on insurance co's solely either, alotta the same gouging on the care side to fund opulent lifestyles of executives and pay-off the gamblers aka shareholders.

    Parent

    The aca (5.00 / 1) (#23)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 03:48:37 PM EST
    Does have a provision that sys 80 percent of premiums have to go to health care.

    Fwiw

    Parent

    I know (5.00 / 1) (#33)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 07:43:09 PM EST
    but anybody that knows accounting knows also that ledger entries can be "adjusted" and if it's run anything like the HARP program there will be nobody checking behind them to make sure they're not cooking the books.

    Parent
    More than a billion (none / 0) (#36)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 08:47:53 PM EST
    Has already been refunded.   If anyone would like some actual information on this I suggest the link below.  It is from a non profit non partisan organozation.  You can go to the "conclusion" if you are impatient.

    No patients to cut and paste.

    LINK

    Parent

    Sigh (none / 0) (#38)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 08:53:32 PM EST
    One more try

    LINK

    If that doesn't work I give up google "affordable care act can survive low enrollment" if you care.

    Parent

    Pretty sure that one is not my fault (none / 0) (#40)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 08:56:11 PM EST
    Its www - urban dot org

    Parent
    Can you do tiny urls on your ipad? (none / 0) (#41)
    by MO Blue on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 09:13:24 PM EST
    They might be easier. They do not mess up the TL site and you can just paste them into your comment. Link to tiny url site

    Parent
    That was not about my skills (none / 0) (#42)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 09:18:31 PM EST
    It's a PDF that doesn't seem to like to be linked to.   I tried I to the other computer.  

    However you can use that search line from the urban institute page that the link brings up

    Parent

    Sometimes links get tempermental (none / 0) (#45)
    by MO Blue on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 09:36:01 PM EST
    and act up. Then later they decide to cooperate. Think it has something to do with little embedded demons (the little demon part is a joke)

    Is this it? http://tinyurl.com/pfchgfo

    If you haven't ever tried tiny urls, you might want to give them a shot. They seem to work when everything else refuses to cooperate.

    Parent

    It is!! (none / 0) (#46)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 09:42:48 PM EST
    Excellent.  I have used tinyurls a lot but only for shorter links not to solve problem with links.  Thanks.

    I hope you find the PDF informative it is from dec but it seems to cover everything pretty well.  Unless of course the R's succeed in something like killing risk corridors.   And I don't think they will.

    Parent

    Just one other thought on increases (none / 0) (#47)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 09:56:53 PM EST
    Everything I have read says that if there are increases they are most likely to be older sicker people in less populated areas.
    That would be me.  As I mentioned in another thread if my premium doubled it would be 138 bucks a month.  I would still be thrilled to pay that for the coverage I have.   And I know from talking to friends and neighbors that my payment and my subsidy is very average.   At least around here.

    Parent
    On the increases - potential winners/losers (5.00 / 2) (#48)
    by MO Blue on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 11:02:56 PM EST
    It is no secret that I am not a fan of the private insurance based system that was developed. That is a definite fact. What is equally, if not more true, is that I am a big, big fan of people getting good quality, affordable health care.

    Those lucky enough to be in states that expanded Medicaid and people like you who are getting insurance at a very low rate due to subsidies appear to be benefiting from this legislation. I think that is great. I hope that you and others will get good quality, affordable care on an ongoing basis.

    Unfortunately, not everyone is experiencing the same benefit from this legislation. As you mentioned earlier there are definitely regional differences. Double digit premium increases in the higher cost regions* may be more of a hardship to people in those areas or to those who are not receiving subsidies. They might not be so thrilled.

    Then there is the potential political ramifications if double digit rate increases are announced prior to the 2014 elections. Can't believe that it won't hurt Democratic chances in the election. You know that the Republicans won't stop harping on it. Millions will be spent on so called "real" people who are being ruined by Obamacare. Won't matter how often these disaster stories are proven to be fabrications, people will just hear and believe the original lie.

    * According to the research I've read, you are not in the higher cost region.  

     

    Parent

    This is from the Hill Article (none / 0) (#53)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 08:04:38 AM EST
    Referenced in kdogs  link

    Areas of the country with older, sicker or smaller populations are likely to be hit hardest, while others might not see substantial increases at all.


    Parent
    This is from research of actual (5.00 / 1) (#55)
    by MO Blue on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 10:08:48 AM EST
    premiums on the exchange. You might find it informative.

    The 10 Most Expensive Insurance Markets In The U.S.

    If you are buying health coverage in the Colorado ski resort towns, the Connecticut suburbs of New York City or a bunch of otherwise low-cost rural regions of Georgia, Mississippi and Nevada, you have the misfortune of living in the most expensive insurance marketplaces under the new health law.

    The 10 most expensive regions also include Alaska and Vermont and large parts of Wisconsin and Wyoming. The ranking is based on the lowest price "silver" plan, which is the mid-level plan that the majority of consumers are selecting.
    Costly Insurance Markets

    These regions, created as part of the health law, range in size from a state to a single county. While many people in these regions will receive government subsidies to help pay for the premiums, the portion that they will pay will still be higher than they would have to foot in many other places.

    Also of interest:

    In Southwest Georgia, The Affordable Care Act Is Having Trouble Living Up To Its Name

    Parent

    A Little Confusing (5.00 / 1) (#60)
    by squeaky on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 11:06:37 AM EST
    What I do not understand are the contradictions between the two articles you linked to, and the
    Double digit premium increases in the higher cost regions* may be more of a hardship to people in those areas or to those who are not receiving subsidies.

    In the Kaiser article (10 most expensive ACA plans) the highest rate for a mid level silver plan is $483. for CO ski areas, and the lowest is $381. for Alaska. Rates for Southern Georgia are $423.

    The second Kaiser article about Southern GA seems to offer different numbers.

    But for those earning too much to qualify for federal financial help, the premiums can be overwhelming. A 60-year-old making $47,000 in Albany would have to pay a quarter of her income for the least expensive mid-level "silver" policy, the level most consumers are buying.

    That would put his ACA silver plan at $979/month.

    That does not jibe with the rate of $423/month stated in the first article (10 most expensive plans..)

    Also does the double digit increase mean that prior to ACA people in Southern Georgia were paying $211.50/ month for a comparable mid level plan?

    Parent

    And (none / 0) (#64)
    by squeaky on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 11:16:28 AM EST
    TeresaInSnow2 said

    The ACA brought a HUGE jump in premiums and deductibles for us, about $2,000 apiece for the two in our household. And next year, the insurance industry says the premiums will DOUBLE.

    That is more than four times the highest rate ($483. colorado ski area) which Kaiser said is the highest in the country.

    Is the Kaiser article wrong?

    Parent

    If you read that PDF (5.00 / 2) (#65)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 11:28:04 AM EST
    There are several things explained in detail that will mitigate increases including but not limited to the fact that companies can not recoup losses in 2014 by raising prices in 2015.   Additionally if they raise prices in 15 they will be less competitive for the next round of enrollments next year.   Also there are premium caps in place based on percentage of income.  
    Also it would be good to remember that that was written in December in the darkest days for sign up.  Few people then would expected we would be a 5 mil and counting at this point.  I was reading yesterday, and I guess I can find the link of I have to, that enough people, and a broad enough base of people are already signed up so that increases if they happen would most likely be small and manageable and if anything less than the 7 to 10 percent normally expected in the industry.

    Parent
    Well let's both hope that the premiums (5.00 / 1) (#66)
    by MO Blue on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 11:35:11 AM EST
    do not go up to any great extent.

    Parent
    I'll drink to that (5.00 / 1) (#67)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 11:38:17 AM EST


    Parent
    Yes (none / 0) (#69)
    by squeaky on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 11:54:28 AM EST
    Just quickly read the PDF. We'll see..  

    Apparently people across the US have been paying a lot less than I have been paying if the highest rate is $483 for silver coverage under the ACA.

    IOW if $483, which is about half of what I was paying before ACA, is double digit increase from what people were paying before, those who saw increases had a good deal, from my POV.

    double digit increases could mean 10%-99% ...

    So the range of increase is between $240 and $44/month for people in ski resorts areas. Those who previously paid $243/ month now pay $483.. (99% increase)  and those who were paying $439 now pat $483 (10% increase)

    Parent

    You are comparing apples and oranges (none / 0) (#79)
    by MO Blue on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 01:53:50 PM EST
    Teresa is not just talking about premiums. Teresa is talking about a combination of premiums and deductibles. Teresa is not talking about individual coverage. She is talking about coverage for her and her spouse.  

    For a middle age (55) couple in the highest insurance market (your criteria) the premium would be approximately $1,800 per month with a deductible of between $1,500 to $3,000 and a co insurance of between 20% to 40%.

    The premium alone is approximately 3.72 times higher than the individual rate given for someone 40 yrs. old. Add the deductible and the co insurance and you are talking about thousand more than the $483 premium.

    Parent

    Prior to ACA (none / 0) (#84)
    by squeaky on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 02:15:52 PM EST
    Apples and oranges? Really? How is the deductible and premium calculated by Teresa to arrive at $2000 per person?

    And I do not think that this is correct:

    She is talking about coverage for her and her spouse.  

    Teresa appears to be talking about individual increase not a combined $2000 increase:

    [increase of] about $2,000 apiece for the two in our household

    And apart from my question about the Kaiser average (I did not know that rates varied according to age) I still do not understand how the rates increased prior to ACA?

    And from what I have read, comparing ACA to the grandfathered plans can be deceiving as the grandfathered plans increased post ACA. Anthem grandfathered plans in CA increased up to 25%

    Parent

    Yes you REALLY were comparing (none / 0) (#88)
    by MO Blue on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 02:50:29 PM EST
    apples to oranges when you compared an individual premium to the total of the family premiums, deductibles and co insurance.

    Variables you left out that made a true side by side comparison impossible:

    Individual vs Family Coverage
    Deductibles
    Co Insurance.

    Comparing old plans to new plans is in most, if not all, cases an apples to oranges comparison since the coverage, networks and minimum requirements etal. are not the same.

     

    Parent

    OK (none / 0) (#91)
    by squeaky on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 04:21:15 PM EST
    Are you saying that those who are making claims that the ACA plans increased (or decreased) compared to health plans prior to ACA comparing apples to oranges, and therefore have no merit?

    Isn't that the gist of teresainsnow2's comment? Was she comparing apples to oranges?

    Are you?

    Parent

    What I was primarily saying is that the (none / 0) (#92)
    by MO Blue on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 05:30:35 PM EST
    assumptions (being kind here) you used in your comment (#64) to critique Teresa's comment were faulty. I was not saying that Teresa was or was not completely accurate in her comparison but based on the information that I could find there was at least a grain of truth to her claim.

    Teresa was most probably comparing apples to oranges. Any comparison using completely different criteria without adjusting for the variables is not an accurate measurement and by its very nature is an apples to oranges comparison.

    The difference is that Teresa, like many others liked her apples and their corresponding cost and did not appreciate the variances that made the oranges more expensive. She wanted apples. She did not want oranges. Now you might think that people are much better off with oranges even if they cost more and require you to change providers but I guarantee many people don't share your opinion.

    Personally I think that the minimum coverage requirements are a good thing even if they may make some policies more expensive but not everyone shares my opinion. Then again, I think the narrow networks are very bad for people who were undergoing treatment with providers they trusted and for those who may need specialized treatment now and in the future.    

       

    Parent

    Yes (none / 0) (#93)
    by squeaky on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 05:34:12 PM EST
    I agree, people do not like change, which, ironically is the one thing we can count on.

    We'll see how it plays out.

    Parent

    The difference in costs (none / 0) (#76)
    by MO Blue on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 01:15:51 PM EST
    in Southern GA would probably have to do with the age of the insured. The rates given in the 10 Most Expensive research are an average premium for customers 40 years old. For the sake of accuracy the rate for comparison purposes should be $461 and not $423. Albany, if google is correct, is in Dougherty County*.

    In second Kaiser article about Southern GA, they are quoting the premium for one individual who is 60 years old who lives in Albany. ACA does allow the insurance industry to charge more for older adults. I would not have thought the 20 years difference in age would have had that much of an impact but I ran both scenarios through the Kaiser Foundation premium calculator. The premiums were higher using the calculator since the calculator gives the premium for the 2nd. highest silver plan and the article based the premium on the lowest silver plan but the spread was similar. 40 yr. old's premium $481/month vs 60 year old's premium $1,022/month.

    *$461: Southwest Georgia. Baker, Calhoun, Clay, Crisp, Dougherty, Lee, Mitchell, Randolph, Schley, Sumter, Terrell and Worth counties.


    Parent
    Interesting (none / 0) (#82)
    by squeaky on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 02:00:53 PM EST
    In NY and VT age is not permitted to be a factor in determining premiums. So that is news to me..  

    Prior to ACA insurance companies could charge 5:1 difference in age rating bands, ACA reduced it 3:1..  

    Yet there are reports that claim that pre ACA rates were much lower than post ACA rates.

     

    Parent

    Some interesting information (none / 0) (#83)
    by MO Blue on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 02:15:12 PM EST
    regarding NY premiums on the exchange.

    New York state residents will be able to get health insurance next year on the Obamacare exchange for half the average price available in the state today.

    But the steep drop in rates in New York will likely not be mirrored in many other states. That's because New York is one of the few that already required many of the benefits of Obamacare, which left its individual market filled with a small pool of sicker residents and very high costs. Only 17,000 New Yorkers buy their own insurance right now, while 2.6 million people lack coverage.

    New York does not allow insurers to reject people with pre-existing conditions, something Obamacare also bars them from doing. And it required them to provide a standard set of deductibles, co-pays and benefits, including hospital care, lab tests and prescription drugs.

    That sent premium costs soaring. Health care costs per capita are about 18% higher in New York than nationally, state officials said.

    But under Obamacare, healthier residents are expected to flood the individual market to avoid paying the penalty. The state is expecting more than 600,000 people to enter the exchanges, with about 70% of them eligible for federal subsidies.



    Parent
    That Squares With My Experience (none / 0) (#86)
    by squeaky on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 02:22:08 PM EST
    Except this is not true pre ACA:

    And it required them to provide a standard set of deductibles, co-pays and benefits, including hospital care, lab tests and prescription drugs.

    I did not have prescription drugs on my very expensive individual policy.  Now I do under the ACA.

    Parent

    There are many reasons for GA problems. (none / 0) (#68)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 11:39:53 AM EST
    The largest being the governor.  If he would just take the Medicaid expansion money ther would probably mot be only one hospital system left

    Parent
    Well (none / 0) (#90)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 03:47:17 PM EST
    there were two but Phoebe Putnam bought out the other one. Apparently this is part of the problem but I'm not sure whether the state thought it was okay to go down to one hospital or the feds.

    Parent
    "Colorado ski resort towna" (none / 0) (#74)
    by christinep on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 12:55:41 PM EST
    The statistics about our ski resort areas could prove interesting, indeed.  The statistics would have to recognize the distinct "classes" inhabiting resort areas.  I use the word "classes," MO Blue because that reality is something that hits one square in the face from the Aspen to the Vail to the Edwards/Beaver Creek to Telluride areas.

      Kazillion-dollar palatial places to homespun/generations-old modest dwellings to the mobile home communities and quickly-put-together apts/barracks-type structures for the many who perform the service jobs to keep the resorts running.  Also: A number of young professionals bought condos in these same resorts years ago prior to the sky-rocketing late '90s.  

    So, statistics can be more than interesting ... especially when dealing with interesting demographic mixes.  What does the average tell us? The most important answer, for me, would concern those of the more modest means--as I'm sure that those who can afford a second home in the mountains would be able easily to afford any increase.  The bottom-line cost data for the human backbone of the structure -- the workers in the area-- will be significant.

    Parent

    The issue is simple (none / 0) (#80)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 01:54:58 PM EST
    There is no national market. Lump everyone together and the prices fall.

    Parent
    What that means is that (none / 0) (#54)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 10:05:25 AM EST
    the insurance company just inflates the premium to have more left over.

    100 x 80 = 80 for care 20 for other

    150 x 80 = 120 for care 30 for other

    Parent

    That is not how it works, Jim (none / 0) (#70)
    by MO Blue on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 12:08:34 PM EST
    The way the insurance industry tries to get around the 80/20 MLR requirement is to get HHS and state insurance commissioners to allow non medical expenses or staff to be classified as part of the 80%.

    HHS has not been quite as generous in this respect as the industry would like but they allowed inclusion of Quality Improvement Expenditures as part of the MLR. This is IMO the area that regulators should monitor carefully to make sure that it does not become a way to game the system.


    Parent

    MO (none / 0) (#81)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 02:00:52 PM EST
    That may be one way... But as my simple math example shows, you get the same thing with premium increases.

    Of which they have happened.

    I remain a supporter of a single payer system based on the Medicare Model paid for by a national sales tax.

    Obamacare is just welfare for the insurance companies and welfare for Obama's base.

    From the article you provided:

    "In these places, government subsidies are shielding people with low and moderate incomes from the full cost of the premiums. Randy Gray, a flower shop owner in Albany, is paying just $32 a month, with taxpayers picking up the remaining $805. "That's just too good," he said.

    But for those earning too much to qualify for federal financial help, the premiums can be overwhelming. A 60-year-old making $47,000 in Albany would have to pay a quarter of her income for the least expensive mid-level "silver" policy, the level most consumers are buying."



    Parent
    Sorry Jim (none / 0) (#94)
    by MO Blue on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 05:44:10 PM EST
    Your simple math is not correct. That is not how it works. The formula used is:

    Medical Claims + Quality Improvement
                             Expenditures
    _________________________________=  MLR

    Earned Premiums - Taxes,Licensing &
                                Regulatory Fees      

    Parent

    So increasing prices have no (none / 0) (#103)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Mar 23, 2014 at 12:16:06 PM EST
    effect on....??

    MO, you gotta know better than than.

    Parent

    National Sales Tax? Again? (none / 0) (#95)
    by squeaky on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 05:57:19 PM EST
    Disproportionately affects the poor.

    And Obama's base receiving welfare from ACA?  

    Nasty ppj...  

    Parent

    In the article, double digit premium increases (none / 0) (#31)
    by Mr Natural on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 07:26:39 PM EST
    next year, were promised by the CEO.

    Parent
    $20,000 slap on the wrist (5.00 / 2) (#28)
    by MO Blue on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 05:35:23 PM EST
    FORT BRAGG, N.C. (AP) -- The Army general at the center of a sexual misconduct case that put the military justice system itself on trial was spared prison Thursday and sentenced to a reprimand and a $20,000 fine -- a punishment legal experts, a women's group and members of Congress decried as shockingly light.

    Brig. Gen. Jeffrey A. Sinclair, 51, immediately announced his retirement, capping a humiliating fall for the battle-tested commander once regarded as a rising star in the Army. A disciplinary board could still bust him in rank and severely reduce his pension
    ...
    Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., called the sentence "laughable."

    "Even when the world is watching, the military has demonstrated their incompetence at meting out justice," Speier said in a statement. "This is another sordid example of how truly broken the military justice system is. This sentence is a mockery of military justice, a slap on the wrist nowhere close to being proportional to Sinclair's offenses."
    ...
    "I can't believe it," said retired Lt. Col. Gary D. Solis, a former military judge who now teaches law at West Point and Georgetown University. Solis said Sinclair "is an individual who should not be a general officer. He should have gone to jail and dismissed from the Army." link
    Well, we might as well play Paul (none / 0) (#56)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 10:17:32 AM EST
    Harvey and look at the rest of the story....

    The former deputy commander of the storied 82nd Airborne Division was originally brought up on sexual assault charges punishable by life in prison. He was believed to be the highest-ranking U.S. military officer ever court-martialed on such charges.

    But earlier this week, prosecutors dropped those charges midway through the trial in a deal in which Sinclair pleaded guilty to committing adultery with one woman and conducting inappropriate relationships with two others by asking them for nude pictures and exchanging sexually explicit email. Adultery is a crime in the military

    The case started to crumble as Sinclair's lawyers hammered away at the woman's credibility and raised questions about whether Sinclair's commander improperly pressed ahead with a trial because of political considerations -- namely, a desire to show the Army's resolve to combat sexual misconduct.

    Earlier this year, the lead prosecutor came to believe the woman lied under oath at a pre-trial hearing about when she found an old iPhone containing messages between her and the general. Within weeks, the prosecutor was found drunk and suicidal in a Washington hotel, distraught over a superior's refusal to drop the sexual assault charges, according to testimony. He was later removed from the case.

    Link

    Parent

    How about we look at more of the story (none / 0) (#59)
    by MO Blue on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 10:38:19 AM EST
    Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Sinclair plead guilty to the following charges:

    The married general pleaded guilty earlier this month to having improper relationships with three subordinate officers, including the captain. He also pleaded guilty to adultery, which is a crime in the military.
    ...
    Under a plea deal reached over the weekend, Sinclair admits his treatment of the captain broke military law and could have caused "mental harm or suffering during the course of an on-going inappropriate sexual relationship."

    Sinclair also on Monday admitted to abusing a government credit card he used while traveling to visit his mistress and contacting her after being told not to.



    Parent
    I didn't say he wasn't a bad (none / 0) (#61)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 11:08:43 AM EST
    actor. The question is, what should the punishment be?

    Looking at the rest of the rest of the story:

    "The former deputy commander of the storied 82nd Airborne Division was originally brought up on sexual assault charges punishable by life in prison. He was believed to be the highest-ranking U.S. military officer ever court-martialed on such charges."

    Link

    Do you think he should have spent the rest of his life in prison when:

    Earlier this year, the lead prosecutor came to believe the woman lied under oath at a pre-trial hearing about when she found an old iPhone containing messages between her and the general.

    And remember, I gave Clinton a pass for "I did not have sex with that woman" while noting that he lied but it didn't affect the country.

    Any such relationship between a superior and subordinate should not be allowed because of the force that could be actual or implied.

    Yet voters have failed to taken action in other cases.

    Parent

    I think Lt. Col. Gary D. Solis did a good job (5.00 / 1) (#63)
    by MO Blue on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 11:15:08 AM EST
    identifying what would be an appropriate punishment:

    "I can't believe it," said retired Lt. Col. Gary D. Solis, a former military judge who now teaches law at West Point and Georgetown University. Solis said Sinclair "is an individual who should not be a general officer. He should have gone to jail and dismissed from the Army."


    Parent
    The question is (none / 0) (#71)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 12:12:13 PM EST
    for how long??

    And should his punishment be more than a junior female officer who has a relationship with another female officer??

    And what was your position re the Commander In Chief??

    I agree the situation is a mess but if we are going to have laws then we must have equality for those being judged.

    Parent

    Gender should play no role in any (5.00 / 1) (#72)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 12:25:16 PM EST
    Sentence handed out when a superior rank preys upon subordinates.

    Those of similar rank are usually free to have a relationship but they can be hauled in for counseling at any time if their relationship begins to have any sort of influence on the work environment.  If you want to have a relationship that involves a senior rank you can also receive command permission for it.  That is a publicly acknowledged relationship then though, not one of these secret affair exploitative jobbers.

    Parent

    You're avoiding (none / 0) (#85)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 02:20:27 PM EST
    the subject.

    What should the punishment be??

    And what do you mean  by "similar?" I was referring to subordinate.

    I don't care who knows. The relationship causes problems. Not the least of which is the undue power that the subordinate has over the others who report to the same supervisor.

    Parent

    Jeralyn is against mandatory minimums (none / 0) (#99)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 07:10:31 PM EST
    And doesn't almost all sentencing of the convicted involve that dilemma?  What should the sentence be?

    I think YOU ignore existing reality.  You also ignore current military life reality too Jim,.  Similar rank is someone who holds the same rank that you do.  Those relationships can have any commander insert themselves too if your relationship is deemed to interfere with mission.  Some couples avoid the whole possible mess by one of them leaving service, particularly if you want a relationship with a subordinate or a high ranking officer.  

    Many intelligent folks understand the reality of all this completely.  My spouses last commander at Ft Rucker was married to someone who had been his subordinate at one time.  When they both understood they wanted a different relationship with each other, she requested being discharged, was granted it and left service quickly.  You act like all this isn't the norm, but it has been the regulation norm since I married my husband.  

    There are existing avenues to address personal relationship issues that don't require a breakdown of order and morale or breaking of any military legality.  If what you are doing skirts all of those avenues, you are probably a sexual predator no matter your gender or the light you hope to cast your wrong doing in.

    The military is not a democracy and....it is volunteer, people choose to place themselves under different rules in order to serve.   I personally want nobody in charge of munitions or the lives of our nation's youth who cannot control their britches.

    Representative from Ohio, Mike Turner, has introduced legislation for manditory minimums when found guilty while serving of sexual assault or rape.  I know J doesn't like manditory minimums but I am behind Turner's manditory minimums.

    Parent

    No MT (none / 0) (#101)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Mar 23, 2014 at 12:12:05 PM EST
    Similar rank is someone who holds the same rank that you do.

    That would be identical.

     

    My spouses last commander at Ft Rucker was married to someone who had been his subordinate at one time.  When they both understood they wanted a different relationship with each other, she requested being discharged, was granted it and left service quickly.

    No, MT. I understand it happens. I also understand that it is wrong. The relationship was fraught with problem causing situations.

    And didn't you write:

    I personally want nobody in charge of munitions or the lives of our nation's youth who cannot control their britches.

    BTW - I have no idea as to the connection you see between my and MO Blue's comments. I asked her what she considered a proper sentence.


    Parent

    You just wanna fight Jim (5.00 / 1) (#105)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Mar 24, 2014 at 08:40:01 AM EST
    Because you forgot the military is very regulated and gender and sexual preference discriminations are regulated too.  You thought you would set up some bizarre gay and female scenario (that I still don't know where you were going with and is a waste of noggin juices to want to comprehend anyhow) that would somehow prove who knows what, but all those discriminations are regulated out.

    As for rank, not all the military branches use the same rank identifiers so you must settle for similar, or not, I don't really care.  Since you were a Navy man though I would have thought that you knew rank identifiers among the branches are not the same.

    Parent

    What law ... (5.00 / 1) (#98)
    by Yman on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 07:02:06 PM EST
    And what was your position re the Commander In Chief??

    ... was violated with Clinton?  I can give you a cite for Sinclair if that would help clear up the difference for you ...

    Parent

    Well, since he didn't have sex (none / 0) (#102)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sun Mar 23, 2014 at 12:13:56 PM EST
    with that woman no law was broken...

    Besides the law of common sense...

    Thanks for the laugh.

    Parent

    Assume, for the sake of argument ... (none / 0) (#104)
    by Yman on Sun Mar 23, 2014 at 02:32:46 PM EST
    ... that he did have "$exual relations", you still can't cite a law, because there is none that applies.  The difference is it's illegal in the military but it was perfectly legal for Clinton.

    Parent
    And of course the President (none / 0) (#107)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Mar 25, 2014 at 08:44:13 PM EST
    isn't the Commander In Chief???

    lol

    Parent

    The C-in-C ... (none / 0) (#108)
    by Yman on Tue Mar 25, 2014 at 08:57:18 PM EST
    ... is a civilian.  The UCMJ applies to members of the uniformed services, not the POTUS.

    Still no cite, huh?

    Heh, heh, heh ...

    Parent

    Another Day, Another Whitewash... (5.00 / 1) (#32)
    by Mr Natural on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 07:40:50 PM EST
    F.B.I. Agent Is Cleared in Fatal Shooting of Man Tied to Boston Suspects

    "We still don't know what happened," said Carol Rose, the executive director of the A.C.L.U. of Massachusetts, "nor why explanations from those who were present at the shooting death have been inconsistent, suggesting at various times that Mr. Todashev allegedly threatened agents, including with a knife, a pipe, a stick or pole, an agent's gun, the deceased's martial arts training, or even a samurai sword."
    Looks like a good day to play Paul Harvey (none / 0) (#57)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 10:32:15 AM EST
    again....

    "During the interview, Mr. Todashev, who had lived in the Boston area before moving to Florida, said he and Tamerlan Tsarnaev were behind a 2011 triple homicide in Waltham, Mass. But Mr. Todashev said he knew nothing about the bombing plot.

    snip

    The first reports from law enforcement officials said that Mr. Todashev had attacked the agent with a knife. Later, the officials said, Mr. Todashev was unarmed. Another later report said Mr. Todashev had knocked the agent to the ground.

    While the agent tried to stand, according to that version of events, the agent drew his gun. Mr. Todashev then charged at him with a pole, and the agent fired several shots, knocking him backward.

    Despite being shot, Mr. Todashev, who had been previously arrested in connection with two violent crimes, ran at the agent again, according to the official account. The agent fired several more shots, fatally wounding Mr. Todashev.

    The agent received stitches in the back of his head from a wound he sustained during the episode.

    Link


    Parent

    So the rest of the story... (none / 0) (#100)
    by unitron on Sun Mar 23, 2014 at 11:00:10 AM EST
    ...is that they still haven't gotten their stories straight?

    Parent
    Looks like a good day to play Paul Harvey (none / 0) (#58)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 10:34:58 AM EST
    again....

    "During the interview, Mr. Todashev, who had lived in the Boston area before moving to Florida, said he and Tamerlan Tsarnaev were behind a 2011 triple homicide in Waltham, Mass. But Mr. Todashev said he knew nothing about the bombing plot.

    snip

    The first reports from law enforcement officials said that Mr. Todashev had attacked the agent with a knife. Later, the officials said, Mr. Todashev was unarmed. Another later report said Mr. Todashev had knocked the agent to the ground.

    While the agent tried to stand, according to that version of events, the agent drew his gun. Mr. Todashev then charged at him with a pole, and the agent fired several shots, knocking him backward.

    Despite being shot, Mr. Todashev, who had been previously arrested in connection with two violent crimes, ran at the agent again, according to the official account. The agent fired several more shots, fatally wounding Mr. Todashev.

    The agent received stitches in the back of his head from a wound he sustained during the episode.

    Link


    Parent

    Someone stood his ground? (none / 0) (#4)
    by ruffian on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 01:53:20 PM EST
    None of your g-dm business!

     

    On Thursday, the Florida House passed an NRA-backed proposal that includes an amendment which would expand the Stand Your Ground defense to those who fire warning shots to deter potential attacks. The bill also allows for the expunging of records in Stand Your Ground cases where charges were eventually dropped. The bill is now headed to the Florida Senate.

    As the bill makes its way through the legislative process, top Sunshine State journalists are worried that making these records unavailable to the public will damage their ability to do proper journalism.

    I know, you can scoff at the odd juxtaposition of the terms 'sunshine state journalists' and 'proper jorualizm', but still, should we all be able to see how the deaths of our fellow citicens were adjudicated?

    proper journalism.. (none / 0) (#5)
    by ruffian on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 01:54:06 PM EST
    I can't type...or even cut and paste apparently

    Parent
    From the Dept of You can't make this stuff up: (none / 0) (#6)
    by Mr Natural on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 02:07:53 PM EST
    Hawaii police urge lawmakers to let undercover cops have sex with prostitutes.

    (Sigh!) As usual, leave it to Fox News ... (none / 0) (#37)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 08:52:10 PM EST
    ... to both sensationalize and misrepresent to its readers and viewers what's actually going on out here in the islands.

    For starters, it's not "Hawaii police" who are urging state lawmakers to allow cops to have sex with prostitutes. Hawaii has no state police force, and each of the state's four counties -- Kauai, the City & County of Honolulu (which encompasses the island of Oahu and all leeward islands west of Kauai out to Midway), Maui and Hawaii -- has a fully autonomous police department which answers to their respective county governments.

    Rather, our state legislature is considering a significant overhaul of state prostitution law, and Honolulu Police Dept. officials requested that members retain an already existing immunity clause in that statute, which they insist would preclude possible prosecution of undercover officers for solicitation. Personally, I happen to disagree with that assessment, and find the provision wholly unnecessary.

    Further, and to their credit, state senators have refused to accede to HPD's request and are once again looking to repeal the existing immunity clause in its entirety, which has been on the books since 1972. So we're not talking about some new law that's being proposed. We already had a discussion going on in yesterday's open thread. where I've already said my piece in greater detail there.

    And finally, just so everyone fully understands the primary nature of your source, I'd note that Fox News appropriated whole passages from a related article in today's Honolulu Star-Advertiser (which unfortunately has a pay wall, so I can't hyperlink it), without given the local reporters any credit for the coverage.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Woo Hoo! (none / 0) (#8)
    by Zorba on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 02:19:24 PM EST
    Our neighbor just returned from a winter spent in Florida, and brought us six quarts of Florida strawberries.
    He apologized, because they were at the end of the season and not at their absolute peak.
    I thanked him profusely and thought:  "Strawberry jam!"
    We are just about out of strawberry jam from last year, too.  Going to make jam tomorrow.   Yum!

    I hope they're better than the ... (none / 0) (#39)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 08:54:43 PM EST
    ... strawberries we're seeing shipped out here from the west coast. Tasteless little buggers, they are -- and not cheap, too.

    Parent
    We tasted a couple (none / 0) (#43)
    by Zorba on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 09:21:32 PM EST
    Big, juicy, and delicious.

    Parent
    PS (5.00 / 1) (#44)
    by Zorba on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 09:22:20 PM EST
    And free.      ;-)

    Parent
    Hmm, the ones at my Farmer's Market (none / 0) (#73)
    by nycstray on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 12:38:33 PM EST
    look fab. And the price was down a little also. I predict an early peak season this year :D

    Parent
    If FedEX (none / 0) (#11)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 02:56:10 PM EST
    Doesn't deliver my fish food soon I am going to have to see if they bacon and eggs.  Or cabbage rolls or whatever else I can find in the fridge.

    Fish food arrives (none / 0) (#25)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 03:56:24 PM EST
    Happy day.  Was sure I was going to have to drive 20 miles to the fish store.

    Or see if they like dog food.

    Parent

    Sign the petition (none / 0) (#13)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 03:06:26 PM EST
    LINK

    STAND UP TO THE NRA AND SUPPORT YOUR NOMINEE FOR SURGEON GENERAL

    Woohoo (none / 0) (#14)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 03:07:13 PM EST
    First try

    In yer face IPad

    Awwwww. (none / 0) (#16)
    by Zorba on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 03:29:31 PM EST
    Didn't know you were trying to post links on iPad, Capt.
    It's definitely tricky, but can be done.  I had to figure it out, too, when I got my iPad.

    Parent
    I still (none / 0) (#18)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 03:31:53 PM EST
    Love it tho

    Parent
    kdog (none / 0) (#27)
    by CoralGables on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 05:34:09 PM EST
    Looks like the Mark Sanchez era is over. The question is...is this good or bad?

    I say it would be for the good, were only ... (5.00 / 1) (#34)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 08:06:47 PM EST
    ... the Rex Ryan era also over.

    Parent
    I think it's good for all parties... (none / 0) (#106)
    by kdog on Mon Mar 24, 2014 at 09:03:38 AM EST
    The Jets set Sanchez up to fail, I still think he can be serviceable in the right situation but it was time to part ways.  They kinda did him dirty one last time waiting so long to release him.

    On the Jets side, I'd much rather have a past his prime injury prone Mike Vick pushing Geno.  And I won't mind one bit if he wins the job in camp.

    Parent

    Another one bites the dust (none / 0) (#29)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 06:40:42 PM EST
    LINK

    Judge strikes down Michigan ban on gay marriage; state asks for a stay

    More (none / 0) (#30)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 06:44:19 PM EST
    And unlike other federal judges who have decided similar cases across the country, Friedman did not stay his ruling, prompting Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette to file an emergency stay request to prevent gay couples from marrying right away. That includes the two plaintiffs in the case: Hazel Park nurses April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse, who fought for the right to marry and adopt each other's special needs children.

    Parent
    Michigan is so broke they can't fix the roads, (5.00 / 1) (#49)
    by Mr Natural on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 01:10:12 AM EST
    which are on a downward spiral from their already unbelievably poor condition, and this is how they spend taxpayer money?

    Parent
    My brackets are in shreds. (none / 0) (#35)
    by desertswine on Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 08:44:33 PM EST
    No billion for me.

    As the Round of 64 ends (none / 0) (#50)
    by CoralGables on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 03:40:13 AM EST
    all 11 million entrants in the billion dollar challenge are now eliminated. The final 3 entries that were still alive went down when George Washington lost last night.

    Oh noooooooo (5.00 / 3) (#52)
    by MO Blue on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 04:59:22 AM EST
    And here I was wishing my oldest grandson would win so he could keep his Nana in the lap of luxury. ;o)

    Parent
    Or 8.7 million entrants (none / 0) (#51)
    by CoralGables on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 03:41:50 AM EST
    depending on the news source.

    Parent
    Cabbage " cores" (none / 0) (#77)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 01:16:15 PM EST
    Have friend for lunch and I gave him a cabbage core.  That is the white center of a head of cabbage trimmed of all the leaves until it is a white stalk rather like a radish or a parsnip kind of thing.
    It was a revelation to him so I was curious is others are fond of cabbage cores .    I love um

    I love all of the cabbage (none / 0) (#78)
    by christinep on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 01:39:48 PM EST
    But then ... I'm Polish, and it is in my genes.  Fried cabbage ... savory yum!

    Parent
    Yes (none / 0) (#87)
    by Zorba on Sat Mar 22, 2014 at 02:22:56 PM EST
    And peeled broccoli stems.  Cut them into thin sticks and eat them, or cut smaller and throw in your salad.  You can stir fry them, too, but I like them raw.
    Also, I like Romaine lettuce cores.  Whenever I cut up a head of Romaine, I like to eat the core.

    Parent
    March Madness! Day 2 | 108 comments (108 topical)

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