The Supreme Court Upholds Health Care Law

In a historic decision, the Supreme Court today largely upheld the critical component of President Obama’s Affordable Care Act, the individual mandate. The individual mandate is the requirement for all Americans to acquire health insurance which many consider to be the “heart” of the law.

The decision was 5 – 4,surprisingly with Chief Justice John Roberts siding with the liberal justices and writing the majority opinion. The court ruled that the federal government does have the power to require all Americans to acquire insurance if the “fine” imposed on those who don’t is considered a tax.

The court however found fault with one major provision of the law, which would have expanded Medicaid coverage.

On Sept. 20, 2009, President Obama insisted that the insurance mandate in his health care bill was not a tax. Today, the Supreme Court said it was.

Mitt Romney declared on Thursday that he would “act to repeal Obamacare” if he is elected president, saying that he agrees with the dissenting justices on Thursday’s Supreme Court ruling.

President Obama said: (here follows an exact transcript) 

“Good afternoon.  Earlier today, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act — the name of the health care reform we passed two years ago.  In doing so, they’ve reaffirmed a fundamental principle that here in America — in the wealthiest nation on Earth – no illness or accident should lead to any family’s financial ruin.

I know there will be a lot of discussion today about the politics of all this, about who won and who lost.  That’s how these things tend to be viewed here in Washington.  But that discussion completely misses the point.  Whatever the politics, today’s decision was a victory for people all over this country whose lives will be more secure because of this law and the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold it.

And because this law has a direct impact on so many Americans, I want to take this opportunity to talk about exactly what it means for you.

First, if you’re one of the more than 250 million Americans who already have health insurance, you will keep your health insurance — this law will only make it more secure and more affordable.  Insurance companies can no longer impose lifetime limits on the amount of care you receive.  They can no longer discriminate against children with preexisting conditions.  They can no longer drop your coverage if you get sick.  They can no longer jack up your premiums without reason.  They are required to provide free preventive care like check-ups and mammograms — a provision that’s already helped 54 million Americans with private insurance.  And by this August, nearly 13 million of you will receive a rebate from your insurance company because it spent too much on things like administrative costs and CEO bonuses, and not enough on your health care.

There’s more.  Because of the Affordable Care Act, young adults under the age of 26 are able to stay on their parent’s health care plans — a provision that’s already helped 6 million young Americans.  And because of the Affordable Care Act, seniors receive a discount on their prescription drugs — a discount that’s already saved more than 5 million seniors on Medicare about $600 each.

All of this is happening because of the Affordable Care Act. These provisions provide common-sense protections for middle class families, and they enjoy broad popular support.  And thanks to today’s decision, all of these benefits and protections will continue for Americans who already have health insurance.

Now, if you’re one of the 30 million Americans who don’t yet have health insurance, starting in 2014 this law will offer you an array of quality, affordable, private health insurance plans to choose from.  Each state will take the lead in designing their own menu of options, and if states can come up with even better ways of covering more people at the same quality and cost, this law allows them to do that, too.  And I’ve asked Congress to help speed up that process, and give states this flexibility in year one.

Once states set up these health insurance marketplaces, known as exchanges, insurance companies will no longer be able to discriminate against any American with a preexisting health condition.  They won’t be able to charge you more just because you’re a woman.  They won’t be able to bill you into bankruptcy. If you’re sick, you’ll finally have the same chance to get quality, affordable health care as everyone else.  And if you can’t afford the premiums, you’ll receive a credit that helps pay for it.

Today, the Supreme Court also upheld the principle that people who can afford health insurance should take the responsibility to buy health insurance.  This is important for two reasons.  First, when uninsured people who can afford coverage get sick, and show up at the emergency room for care, the rest of us end up paying for their care in the form of higher premiums.

And second, if you ask insurance companies to cover people with preexisting conditions, but don’t require people who can afford it to buy their own insurance, some folks might wait until they’re sick to buy the care they need — which would also drive up everybody else’s premiums.

That’s why, even though I knew it wouldn’t be politically popular, and resisted the idea when I ran for this office, we ultimately included a provision in the Affordable Care Act that people who can afford to buy health insurance should take the responsibility to do so.  In fact, this idea has enjoyed support from members of both parties, including the current Republican nominee for President.

Still, I know the debate over this law has been divisive.  I respect the very real concerns that millions of Americans have shared.  And I know a lot of coverage through this health care debate has focused on what it means politically.

Well, it should be pretty clear by now that I didn’t do this because it was good politics.  I did it because I believed it was good for the country.  I did it because I believed it was good for the American people.

There’s a framed letter that hangs in my office right now.  It was sent to me during the health care debate by a woman named Natoma Canfield.  For years and years, Natoma did everything right.  She bought health insurance.  She paid her premiums on time.  But 18 years ago, Natoma was diagnosed with cancer.  And even though she’d been cancer-free for more than a decade, her insurance company kept jacking up her rates, year after year.  And despite her desire to keep her coverage — despite her fears that she would get sick again — she had to surrender her health insurance, and was forced to hang her fortunes on chance.

I carried Natoma’s story with me every day of the fight to pass this law.  It reminded me of all the Americans, all across the country, who have had to worry not only about getting sick, but about the cost of getting well.

Natoma is well today.  And because of this law, there are other Americans — other sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers — who will not have to hang their fortunes on chance.  These are the Americans for whom we passed this law.

The highest Court in the land has now spoken.  We will continue to implement this law.  And we’ll work together to improve on it where we can.  But what we won’t do — what the country can’t afford to do — is refight the political battles of two years ago, or go back to the way things were.

With today’s announcement, it’s time for us to move forward — to implement and, where necessary, improve on this law.  And now is the time to keep our focus on the most urgent challenge of our time:  putting people back to work, paying down our debt, and building an economy where people can have confidence that if they work hard, they can get ahead.

But today, I’m as confident as ever that when we look back five years from now, or 10 years from now, or 20 years from now, we’ll be better off because we had the courage to pass this law and keep moving forward. Thank you.  God bless you, and God bless America.”

We will soon report further on what exactly this means to the American public and especially what ONE LA and their member organizations’ next step is here in Los Angeles.

California health insurers to raise average rates 8% to 14%

The LA Times reported last week that California’s largest health insurers are raising average rates by about 8% to 14% for consumers with individual coverage. Government figures show that costs of good and services associated with medical care grew just 3.6% nationally as opposed to the much faster growth of premiums in California.

Insurers tried to justify the hikes saying they are based on their experience with consumers and not just the broader rate of medical inflation. Other factors quoted as contributing to the rate hikes were the economy and members dropping out as premiums rose, which left behind a group of policy holders who have higher average costs.

Insurers justified their rate hikes saying they are based on their claims experience with the customers they insure and not just the broader rate of medical inflation. They also blamed the dropping out of healthier members out of the individual market as premiums rose and the economy worsening in recent years, leaving behind a group of policyholders who have higher average costs.

“Consumers should be outraged that premiums continue to grow faster than underlying costs,” said Gerald Kominski, director of the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. “There’s help on the horizon for millions of Californians from health reform, but things may get worse before they get better.”

In Los Angeles, ONE LA, a non-profit organization along with various member organizations such as Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills are also fighting for change. During the week-end of March 23rd and 24th  2012 at Temple Emanuel and Temple Beth Am the conversation continues. Click on this link for further information under upcoming events and feel free to join us.

For information about what ONE LA and its member organizations are doing with regards to Health Reform please contact Diane Vanette at this address: Diane.Vanette@mac.com.

 

‘Obamacare’ to the rescue?

In this article (see the link below), a women who campaigned for President Obama and subsequently felt that he had let her down, writes how President’s Obama’s Healthcare plan has probably saved her life. In this article below she issues a public apology – and I quote:- 

” Fortunately for me, I’ve been saved by the federal government’s Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan, something I had never heard of before needing it. It’s part of President Obama’s healthcare plan, one of the things that has already kicked in, and it guarantees access to insurance for U.S. citizens with preexisting conditions who have been uninsured for at least six months. The application was short, the premiums are affordable, and I have found the people who work in the administration office to be quite compassionate (nothing like the people I have dealt with over the years at other insurance companies.) It’s not perfect, of course, and it still leaves many people in need out in the cold. But it’s a start, and for me it’s been a lifesaver — perhaps literally.
Which brings me to my apology….”  Click on the link below for the remainder of the article.

Obamacare to the rescue.

ONE LA and Temple Emanuel, along with other community partners and institutions, are hard at work on Health Care Reform here in California. If you want to join us please click on SOCIAL JUSTICE INTIATIVES AT TEMPLE EMANUEL OF BEVERLY HILLS – at the top of the page and complete the short form to indicate your interest.

 

 

 

Youth-led Activism.

Young people across the nation are leading their communities in activism for social change. When I entered “teens and social justice” in Google I came up with a long list of youth organization across the USA that engage in all kinds of activities to help make this world a better place.

From youth parenting groups providing education on how to help the young parent and child survive the high school years, to a non-profit dedicated to positive organizing among Latino youth gangs. New York also has a citywide network of young activists staffed by youth from the age of 15 to 19 and primary of color. Their mission is to organize around the issues that impact on the quality of life of young people in NYC with a focus on counter-military recruiting and other social justice issues. Yet another group organizes around issues such as reproductive freedom, privacy and police brutality. Serious issues that many of these youngsters have sadly encountered at a young age and decided to do something about it in a civil and peaceful way.

In Boston, the mission of the Center for Teen Empowerment is to realize the potential of inner-city youth to build healthier and safer communities and schools. They hire and train urban youth, including at risk youth, to be community organizers. Their programs are based on the belief that urban youth represent a valuable, untapped resource and can significantly contribute to the rejuvenation of neighborhoods and local institutions.

“DOSOMETHING” is one of the largest organizations in the world that provides guidance and information for young people who want to contribute to causes they care about. DoSomething.org is a driving force when it comes to creating a culture of volunteerism, and is on track to activate two million young people in 2011. By leveraging the web, television, mobile, and pop culture, DoSomething.org inspires, empowers and celebrates a generation of doers: young people (25 and under) who recognize the need to do something, believe in their ability to get it done, and then take action.

What inspires these young people to sacrifice their leisure-time schedules to participate in volunteer activities? Their motivations are as diverse as their choice of cause; from inspiration coming from watching their parents, to having survived heart-breaking experiences such as child hunger and feeling the need to do something so that other children are spared the same pain or are provided for, where they weren’t.  Some commented that it is the right thing to do because you are “human.” One young lady commented that initially she felt sorry for for “those people” but after several conversations discovered that they were all the same – underneath the differences.

EXPERIENCES SUCH AS THESE—”if they don’t just expose them to a situation of need but if they ensure real, genuine interaction with the people they serve”—can really help young people “get into social justice,” says University of Iowa graduate Peter Swanson.

Social Justice generally refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights and that recognizes the dignity of every human being.

One of Judaism’s most distinctive and challenging ideas is its ethics of responsibility reflected in the concepts of simcha (“gladness” or “joy”), tzedaka (“the religious obligation to perform charity and philanthropic acts”), chesed (“deeds of kindness”), and tikkun olam (“repairing the world”).

At Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills social justice has a central place and there is a program especially for young activists called MATCH – Money And Teenagers Creating Hope. This innovative program, beginning its fourth year, invites the teenagers of the congregation (ninth through twelfth graders) to become the board of an endowment fund of $250,000 that generates approximately $10,000 per year that the teenagers have to decide how to distribute. Each teen who participates “buys” a seat on the Board for $72 and commits to meet five times a year to study about tzedakah, create a mission statement for the Foundation, choose the issues and areas that ought to be funded, meet with philanthropists, research organizations, and ultimately advocate for his or her particular passion. Over the past three years the teenagers have distributed funds to local, national, international as well as Israeli organizations making a real difference in the world.

At a recent meeting, the teens gathered in small groups to create massive lists of organizations related to health (their topic for the year, chosen by the executive committee of 12th graders) that could benefit from the help that they will be able to offer by way of this program. From health services to the hungry and homeless to preventative sex education for teens, the lists that our youth created suggested just how passionate they are about the problems in our world that need solving.  How empowering for them to be able to come together and offer a concrete way to begin making a difference!

What better way to ensure our future leaders are well-informed about social justice issues and have first hand experiences on how to address these issues and motivated to work in areas much-needed in our communities.

The Impact of New Health Insurance Exchange

During the long campaign to enact our nation’s new health reform law, President Barack Obama and other supporters of the legislation repeatedly promised Americans that they could keep their existing health care coverage if they liked it. This commitment was intended to reassure the overwhelming majority of Americans who already have good coverage that they would not be adversely impacted as coverage was expanded to the uninsured. The Affordable Care Act, they were told, would provide new options for obtaining health insurance but would not undermine existing employer-sponsored health care plans that currently cover most Americans.  Read more.. http://ow.ly/6vPsU

Poverty can be bad for your health http:

Poverty can be bad for your health http://ow.ly/6uO9s

Blue Shield keeps their promise to refund their customers

Blue Shield keeps their promise to refund their customers http://ow.ly/6uHYA

Employers, Individuals and Families Statewide to Receive Premium Credits in October

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Credits ranging from 10 percent to 30 percent of one month’s premium will appear on October bills as Blue Shield of California fulfills its pledge to limit its net income to 2 percent of revenue.  That pledge committed Blue Shield to return the difference collected above 2 percent to customers and the community.

Starting this week, letters will be mailed to subscribers and group customers who are eligible to receive a credit as part of the pledge giveback. The letters will alert them to the fact that their October bill will reflect the credit, and will list the amount of their credit, which is based on their dues/premiums from May 2011.

“As a mission-based, not-for-profit health plan, we made this commitment to help keep coverage affordable for our members.  While these credits will help our customers, every player in the healthcare industry must do more to reduce the cost of care,” said Bruce Bodaken, chairman and CEO of Blue Shield of California…. click on link for more information.