GOP: Felons Could Be 'Navigators' Under ObamaCare

A program designed to help people enroll in ObamaCare could accept convicted felons as "navigators" and give them access to confidential health information, GOP lawmakers charged Thursday.

Republican senators redoubled their attacks on the "navigator" program in a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, arguing the effort is dangerous to consumers and a waste of taxpayer money.

The lawmakers also demanded a long list of details on the program, including the minimum requirements for becoming a "navigator" and any training materials distributed to would-be participants. 

They also asked whether "navigators" will have access to confidential tax documents and what steps the Obama administration has taken to protect consumers against potential fraud.

"The unreasonably low standard for becoming a navigator not only undermines the state’s ability to ensure consumers are protected but raises questions about the appropriate use of federal resources and the protection of highly sensitive consumer information," the lawmakers wrote.

Under the Affordable Care Act, "navigators" will help consumers understand their coverage options in the new insurance exchanges.

Some of the counselors are required to be affiliated with nonprofit groups, but none has to be licensed as an insurance agent or broker.

"Navigators" are not permitted to select a plan for their clients and do not determine individuals' eligibility for federal subsidies.

Supporters say the program is necessary to help underserved communities gain access to ObamaCare coverage.

The Health and Human Services Department has set aside $54 million for the effort and says any participants will have to demonstrate expertise in health insurance and take a 20-30 hour online course on ObamaCare.

Thursday's letter was signed by Senate Finance Committee ranking member Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Sens. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), John Thune (R-S.D.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas).

View Comments

View the original article here

Goring's syndrome

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

View the original article here

Orrin Hatch

(Difference between revisions)[[Image:Hatch.jpg|right|150px]][[Image:Hatch.jpg|right|150px]]'''Orrin Hatch''', born March 22, 1934 (age {{age|1934|3|22}}), is a [[Republican]] [[United States Senator]] from [[Utah]]. He was elected to the [[United States Senate]] in 1977 as a [[conservative]] but has moved to the [[Left]] ever since, as in December 2010 when he failed to vote against the repeal of [[don't ask, don't tell]].  He has repeatedly won reelection in the past, but will likely face a [[conservative]] challenger in 2012. He proved himself to be a RINO without a doubt when he expressed support for civil unions for homosexuals.http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/56112240-90/civil-com-gay-hatch.html.csp'''Orrin Hatch''', born March 22, 1934 (age {{age|1934|3|22}}), is a [[Republican]] [[United States Senator]] from [[Utah]]. He was elected to the [[United States Senate]] in 1977 as a [[conservative]] but has moved to the [[Left]] ever since, as in December 2010 when he failed to vote against the repeal of [[don't ask, don't tell]].  He has repeatedly won reelection in the past, but faced a [[conservative]] challenger in 2012 who came somewhat closer to winning, making him go into a runoff. He proved himself to be a RINO without a doubt when he wrote the [[DREAM Act]], voted for [[Eric Holder]], and expressed support for civil unions for homosexuals.http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/56112240-90/civil-com-gay-hatch.html.cspWhen he first ran for Congress, he criticized his opponent as a career politician who was in office for too long. Now he has been in office for a very long time.Before he entered politics, Hatch  worked as an attorney in [[Pittsburgh]] and [[Salt Lake City]]. He received a [[J.D.]] from the [[University of Pittsburgh]] in 1962.http://hatch.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Biography.FastFacts  He was a candidate in the 2000 Presidential primary, but lost to [[George W. Bush]]. A Man of Faith, The spiritual journey of George W. Bush, by David Aikman, 2004, p. 1, Before he entered politics, Hatch  worked as an attorney in [[Pittsburgh]] and [[Salt Lake City]]. He received a [[J.D.]] from the [[University of Pittsburgh]] in 1962.http://hatch.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Biography.FastFacts  He was a candidate in the 2000 Presidential primary, but lost to [[George W. Bush]]. A Man of Faith, The spiritual journey of George W. Bush, by David Aikman, 2004, p. 1,

Orrin Hatch, born March 22, 1934 (age 79), is a Republican United States Senator from Utah. He was elected to the United States Senate in 1977 as a conservative but has moved to the Left ever since, as in December 2010 when he failed to vote against the repeal of don't ask, don't tell. He has repeatedly won reelection in the past, but faced a conservative challenger in 2012 who came somewhat closer to winning, making him go into a runoff. He proved himself to be a RINO without a doubt when he wrote the DREAM Act, voted for Eric Holder, and expressed support for civil unions for homosexuals.[1] When he first ran for Congress, he criticized his opponent as a career politician who was in office for too long. Now he has been in office for a very long time.

Before he entered politics, Hatch worked as an attorney in Pittsburgh and Salt Lake City. He received a J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh in 1962.[2] He was a candidate in the 2000 Presidential primary, but lost to George W. Bush.[3]

? http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/56112240-90/civil-com-gay-hatch.html.csp? http://hatch.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Biography.FastFacts? A Man of Faith, The spiritual journey of George W. Bush, by David Aikman, 2004, p. 1,

View the original article here

Mario Diaz-Balart

(Difference between revisions) U.S. Representative from Florida's 25th District
From: January 3, 2013 - present U.S. Representative from Florida's 21st District
From: January 3, 2011 - January 3, 2013 U.S. Representative from Florida's 25th District
From: January 3, 2003 - January 3, 2011 None (New district created after 2000 Census)

Mario Diaz-Balart (born September 25, 1961, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida), a Republican, is the United States Representative for Florida's 25th congressional district. He was first elected to the House in 2002 to represent the newly created 25th district. In 2010 he was elected to fill the seat vacated by his brother, Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, representing the 21st district, before returning to the 25th in 2013. He is a member of the House Committee on Appropriations.[1]

View the original article here

Scott Rigell

(Difference between revisions)'''Scott Rigell''' (born May 28, 1960 in Titusville, Florida) is a car dealership owner and the [[Republican]] U.S. Representative-elect from [[Virginia]]'s 2nd congressional district, defeating [[Democrat]]ic incumbent [[Glenn Nye]].'''Scott Rigell''' (born May 28, 1960 in Titusville, Florida) is a car dealership owner and the [[Republican]] U.S. Representative-elect from [[Virginia]]'s 2nd congressional district, defeating [[Democrat]]ic incumbent [[Glenn Nye]].He is a supporter of gun control and was one of the few Republicans who didn't vote to hold [[Eric Holder]] in contempt of Congress. http://www.libertynews.com/2013/03/republican-congressman-from-virginia-joins-democrats-in-calling-for-gun-control/[[Category:Representatives-elect]][[Category:United States Representatives]]

Scott Rigell (born May 28, 1960 in Titusville, Florida) is a car dealership owner and the Republican U.S. Representative-elect from Virginia's 2nd congressional district, defeating Democratic incumbent Glenn Nye. He is a supporter of gun control and was one of the few Republicans who didn't vote to hold Eric Holder in contempt of Congress. http://www.libertynews.com/2013/03/republican-congressman-from-virginia-joins-democrats-in-calling-for-gun-control/

View the original article here

User:Shinglelady84

View the original article here

Will Obamacare Hurt Jobs? It's Already Happening, Poll Finds

"I can't say that the fears appear overstated, because the potential for big problems seems rather large," Friedman said about law's implementation.

"We don't know until 2014 and beyond what the impact of the ACA will be on businesses," he said. "There is tremendous fear that the premiums will be much higher, for small businesses especially. At this point we can't look a client straight in the eye and say, 'Don't worry about it. Everything will be fine.' "

(Read More: A Reason for Conservatives to Love Obamacare)

In addition to restricting hiring or cutting jobs, small companies are considering other ways to mitigate the expected financial fallout. Twenty-four percent are weighing whether to drop insurance coverage, while 18 percent have "reduced the hours of employees to part-time" in anticipation of the ACA's effects, the poll found.

Gallup Chief Economic Dennis Jacobe said small business owners' answers in the poll "is consistent with owners' tendency to be more Republican than Democratic, higher-income, more against big government, more conservative and less optimistic than Americans overall."

One group that favors Obamacare for small businesses said the findings reflect misconceptions about its true effects as well as the need for continued outreach by reform advocates to the small business community.

"We need to do more educating about the law," said Rhett Buttle, vice president for external affairs for the Small Business Majority, an advocacy group that has run informational meetings for owners about Obamacare.

"We think small business owners stand to benefit under the ACA," Buttle said. "We think small business owners, as they learn more [about the ACA] ... will save money in the long run."

—By CNBC's Dan Mangan. Follow him on Twitter @danpostman.

View the original article here