It’s a ‘step toward giving consumers more choices and expanding access to lower cost insurance that better fits their individual needs’
WASHINGTON, DC, Oct 20 – President Trump is hard at work trying to keep the Republican promise of providing Americans with a better way of accessing healthcare, says Dan Weber, president of the Association of Mature American Citizens [AMAC].
“But you wouldn’t know it if you listen to leftist rhetoric alleging the president is ‘sabotaging’ the Affordable Care Act. The fact of the matter is that his executive orders aimed at tweaking the healthcare system we are forced to live with under Obamacare was recently described by Michael Tanner, a Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute as ‘a step toward giving consumers more choices and expanding millions of Americans’ access to lower cost insurance that better fits their individual needs’,” according to the AMAC chief.
Weber points out that contrary to what is being widely reported, Mr. Trump’s executive order “far from unilaterally sabotaging the affordable care act, will permit federal agencies to use means, consistent with current law, to increase market competition and drive down the cost of health care”
For example, Weber points out that the order directs the Departments of Treasury and Labor and the Department of Health and Human Services to expand the flexibility and use of HRAs [Health Reimbursement Arrangements provided by employers] funded with pre-tax dollars.
The order also directs the departments to propose regulations to expand access to health care coverage by allowing employers to join and form Association Health Plans, to extend the duration of the current Short Term Limit Duration Insurance (STLDI) from three months back up to one year, and to purchase coverage across state lines. These changes would help lower the cost of plans whose premiums, under the Affordable Care Act will increase dramatically in 2018. “In fact, the Miami Herald recently reported that Obamacare premiums will rise by nearly 45% next year in Florida,” says Weber.
The president has already issued an order getting rid of the ACA mandate that required employers – including religious institutions – to pay for contraceptives and so-called abortion solutions such as the morning after pill.
ABOUT AMAC
The Association of Mature American Citizens [http://www.amac.us] is a vibrant, vital senior advocacy organization that takes its marching orders from its members. We act and speak on their behalf, protecting their interests and offering a practical insight on how to best solve the problems they face today. Live long and make a difference by joining us today at http://amac.us/join-amac.
I guess that’s about all Trump can due while congress drags ass in foggy bottom.
Does anyone know if AMAC members might be allowed someday to purchase insurance as an association under the new regs – or is that still to be determined?
What is most troubling to me is the lack of an honest press. I and many other people take no issue with criticism of the White House and/or its policies, however, not reporting factual happenings because they “may” afford their adversary, in this case, the President, a fair assessment of his efforts is simply wrong and intellectually dishonest.
Someone needs to step up and report FACTS, then let the people decide what is good or bad for them.
Obama was a puppet for the far left with his actions or lack of actions leaving a long-lasting negative mark on the future of our Country. Congress is typically complicit with anyone championing the status quo because it fits their personal agenda of retaining power over the people. Pretty sad state of affairs when the people have few options in selecting their representatives.
Boy, do you have it right. Beautifully done!
Until the President and/or the Republicans in Congress fulfill THEIR PROMISE to the American people and COMPLETELY REPEAL OBAMACARE IN ITS ENTIRETY they can EXPECT the electorate to look upon them as LIARS!!! … Why is it in politics that to “lie” is okay and normal? … If I can’t get away with living my normal life with lying, why is it okay for politicians? … Has our society degenerated to such a despicable low degree that lying is looked upon as normal behavior for politicians? … I say it’s time to breakaway from these professional liars, form a new, independent Conservative Party and PROMISE the American people to be HONEST, TRUSTWORTHY and LOYAL in ALL THEIR WORDS AND ACTIONS. … Oh, and most importantly, NO ATTORNEYS ALLOWED!!! … Right now, I see no difference between Democrats or Republicans. …. People’s behavior won’t change unless you force them to change. Politicians today must feel that We the People are so stupid and so gullible that they can say and do anything and get away with it. And don’t expect the people, on their own, to just wake up and vote them out. They haven’t proven yet that the general populace can do that and I think the time is ripe for Conservatives to break away, educate and inform the people as to why this is necessary and point out and promise how they will be different from what we now perceive politicians to be!!! … I believe the time is ripe for change otherwise it’s just politics as usual. No wonder people are so apathetic in turning out to vote!
Actually there are only about 3 Senators blocking the repeal and replace ObamaLackOfCare! Don’t blame those who voted for the repeal!
“Replace” is the main reason for blocking it. Repeal totally is what Rik was requesting, not repeal and replace.
Rik;
Both parties unanimously signed a bill into law that prohibits any candidate from suing another for libel or slander for any statements made during the course of campaigning. That should tell “we the people” that 99% of campaign rhetoric are lies. They are too lazy to fact check and think we are too stupid to do so. So, that goes right back to exactly what PaulE posted above. Do your due diligence in turning over rocks and vetting every candidate.
Now, if only President Trump would sign an E O banning all lobbyists from contact with our elected employees that would be a terrific start to draining the cesspool he refers to as “the swamp:.
All PAC’s and campaign money should be banned. Social media is free and will get any candidate’s message out. That would allow “outsiders” to run for public office and prevent any of them from being bought. Talk about term limits….look how long the Roosevelts, the Kennedys, the Clintons and the Bushes were around. Pay attention to what Paul E has just said and Do Your Job!!!
Lincoln, I respect what PaulE says more than any other person who comments. I do my job, I’m just frustrated with the stupid masses who don’t seem to have any clue and who knows how they come to the conclusions they do? I don’t like being accused as guilty when I don’t agree with any Rino’s. It just doesn’t make sense to me to keep doing the same thing over and over again and expect a different result. If I’m going to lose, I would rather it be backing a true Conservative.
I have been an advocate of removing this one profession from the halls of both houses for some time now. Lawyers are literally killing our nation because of their lack if understanding regarding our Constitution. Too many Bar Partners in D C now. We need real business people to run forvoffice and clean the bunch of collusion addits out.
The problem with having to rely on executive orders is that can be completely reversed with any new President. That can be a very good thing, as in the case of ALL of Obama’s executive orders which all had a common theme of undermining the country from within, or they can be a very bad thing, as should a Democrat ever inhabit the White House again in the future. That is why actual Congressional legislation that ends up being signed into law is so vitally important. It creates a permanence, that is not so easily reversed or repealed with the simple changing of control over who occupies the White House. As for the article, what Trump has done is by his own admission a Band-Aid, because Congress has refused to do their job as they promised for seven long years. So while a Band-Aid may slow the bleeding for some in the short run, it is not the necessary surgery required to completely remove the malignant disease known as Obamacare from our healthcare system. That requires Congress to do their job.
If you want a true end to Obamacare and achieve at least a partial restoration of a sane and affordable healthcare insurance system in this country again, then Congress has to do their job. If they won’t, then the members that won’t need to be replaced with people that will fully rescind all aspects of Obamacare. That means the People need to do their job and primary out every single one of the members of Congress who stand in the way or have your states initiate recall elections to remove those that were re-elected in 2016. You all know who they are, so please no useless comments asking for lists of who these people are. If you haven’t been paying attention to date, then you are part of the problem. You can research the voting records of virtually any member of Congress via Google. So if you can access this site via your computer, you already have the means to do the necessary research yourself. Stop expecting to be spoon fed everything and take some initiative, if you care enough about the direction of our country.
Also please no more useless calls for term limits. We have term limits and it is called voting. So learn to make better, more informed decisions. Stop relying on 30 second TV ads and what some newspaper editorial says is the candidate you should be voting for. Think! Members of Congress are NOT going to pass any voluntary legislation that would put an end to their gravy train. There is NO incentive that you can threaten them with that would get them to do it, because they know the only way they get removed from office is by the public voting them out and so far too many Americans just keep mindlessly sending back the same incompetent and corrupt people over and over again. Again make better, more informed decisions when you vote in both the primaries and the general election. Please no useless comments about a COS, because that won’t play out like you think it will either. The left would love a COS, as that would provide them with a golden opportunity to shred our Constitution at an accelerated pace. All you’ll ultimately end up doing with a COS is further eroding the remaining safeguards the Constitution provides against what they federal government is prohibited from doing to the citizens of this country.
Anyway, have a wonderful weekend.
PaulE, your explanation of the problem is spot on. So filled with common sense that I fear it will go over the heads of those casual info voters, but with a little common sense expressly understandable. You have defined both the problem and the solution. Good job.
PaulE
Thank you for explaining about the COS. I remember asking you about this and you say that they are no better. I didn’t know much about this and then
you came out with a better answer. Thanks for the more information.
While it’s true, PaulE, that millions of voters “…keep mindlessly sending back the same incompetent and corrupt people…”, doesn’t this make the case for term limits? Most people DON’T do the research into candidates, and continue to pull the lever for any “D” or any “R”. In fact, the ballot in our last election removed the party-line option of voting for “All Democrats” or “All Republicans”. I used to call term limits “voting”, but now I see it as an opportunity to get fresh blood into the system.
HI Kim,
My third paragraph explained quite well why the call for term limits won’t work and why NO majority of currently serving politicians will ever enact any such legislation. Put simply, there is NO incentive for currently serving politicians to do so. As long as a significant number of Americans continue to mindlessly vote as they currently do, the polticians rightfully calculate the risk of the public voting them out is slim to none. History has shown them that is a valid assumption on their part for decades now. Bottom line, if the American people won’t take the effort to get better representation in Washington, it is unrealistic to expect the inept or corrupt politicians serving in Washington to help them oust these same politicians from the best Jobs they will ever have.
Our Founding Fathers understood the republic would only survive as long as it had an engaged and informed electorate. When that ceased to be the case, as it clearly has for quite a few years already, the government would cease to represent the people. Instead the government would seek to rule the people. If millions of American voters decide to continue their current mindless routine, because they are either too lazy or stupid to do otherwise, then they and the rest of us will continue to be governed by “the swamp”.
At the end of the day, the American people get the government they deserve. Laziness and stupidity do have real consequences after all. History is littered with numerous examples of once great nations that fell into decline from the apathy and ignorance of a people too indifferent to prevent the rise of corrupt and ultimately authoritarian rule. We still have some time to prevent that fate from becoming ours, but time is growing very, very short before that window of opportunity is closed for good.
Hi PaulE–
Absolutely, we get the government we deserve.
Senator Ted Cruz, a man of conviction (who said he would do what his constituents want him to do), is currently circulating a petition for term limits–in essence, a pink slip for himself–so, if legislation passes, he’ll go back to his private life most likely after one more term. I believe this is what the framers of the Constitution had in mind; after all, the president and vice president serve limited terms, and many other offices, from mayor to governor, do likewise.
Those who insisted that Donald Trump sell off his business interests were misguided in their understanding of how it was supposed to work …because they see this cushy government job as a life-long career with great benefits. By force of personality, whether or not we are comfortable with it, President Trump has turned us into a nation of believers. No, not that kind. I’m talking about results from a person who is capable of delivering rapid-fire improvement in our economy and in our optimism. If he is satisfied with his performance as Chief Executive, he will run again in 2020. And then go back to his old life. That’s something I wish more than half our Congressmen and women would do—just go away. But the establishment has nine lives. And the voters who mindlessly bring back the dead wood with each election are doing their part in maintaining the swamp. This is a scary thought, considering the Millennial mindset. Until voters are educated in the consequences of their choices, I’m willing to accept Congressional term limits and a faster churning of our politics.
Fully agree with your first 2 paragraphs. Winning primaries is the key and small groups of energized, informed conservatives can make a difference.
However, I disagree with your third paragraph. We have an ongoing constitutional convention everyday in all three branches but particularly the Courts and Admin Agencies of the Exec branch. No elections can realistically turn that back. COS is the only real answer to restoring our Republic. The current COS effort is limited to amendments on terms limits and limiting the size and scope of the Federal Government. We should not be afraid of our state legislatures exercising their Constitutional power to propose amendments, which will still require 38 state legislatures to ratify. If we really believe in Federalism, we should embrace Article 5 COS. Runaway Leftist COS is impossible.
Hopefully, Trumps actions will show the way on how we can reform government. Just don’t rely on mainstream media as a political barometer.