Tag Archives: Affordable Care Act

What is Project AWARE?

Shortly after President Obama discussed new policy proposals to reduce gun violence, there were quite a few news articles about something called Project AWARE. What is it? After doing some research, it appears to be the name of the plan to help make mental health care more accessible to people who need it. Recently, I posted a blog that discussed part of the Obama Administration’s plan to reduce gun violence. Since this is the Special Needs Blog, I focused on the parts that related to improved access to mental health care. Today, I saw several news article about something called … Continue reading →

What’s New at HealthCare.gov?

If you haven’t visited HealthCare.gov recently, you will want to go back and take another look. There have been many changes made. Previously, the website was a resource to learn more about upcoming changes in insurance. It still is, but the focus has shifted to helping people get ready for the health insurance Marketplace. HealthCare.gov was specifically mentioned in a recent post by Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services. The post first appeared on HealthCare.gov, and also can be read at the White House Blog. The post is titled Countdown to Affordable Health Insurance. It has information about … Continue reading →

Arizona Will Expand its Medicaid Program

This was really unexpected! The Governor of Arizona, Jan Brewer, has announced that the state of Arizona will be expanding its Medicaid program. The federal funding that comes with the decision appears to be a primary motivating factor. If the Arizona Congress passes this initiative, it would greatly benefit the citizens of Arizona. Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, a Republican, has a track record of opposing the Affordable Care Act. She decided that Arizona would have a federally run health insurance exchange, something seen by many other Republicans as “opting out” of participation in the Affordable Care Act. Arizona was also … Continue reading →

Wendy’s Franchise in Nebraska Cuts Hours

A Wendy’s franchise owner in Nebraska has decided to cut hours specifically to avoid having to offer an employer sponsored health insurance plan to many of his workers. The owner feels that he cannot afford to provide health insurance to all of his employees and still stay in business. Typically, owners of restaurants that make this type of announcement face public backlash. Starting in 2014, a portion of the Affordable Care Act will begin. It will require businesses to offer an affordable health insurance plan to all full-time workers. Those that choose not to do so will have to pay … Continue reading →

Bachmann Introduces Bill to Repeal Affordable Care Act

The very first bill that was introduced to the brand new 113th Congress came from Representative Michele Bachmann. The purpose of the bill is to repeal the Affordable Care Act. The same type of bill was presented to the 112th Congress 33 times. None were voted into law. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was signed into law by President Obama on March 23, 2010. It is, without a doubt, the biggest set of regulations on health reform and health insurance that has ever been passed. The name is often shortened to Affordable Care Act, or ACA. Some refer … Continue reading →

Triune Health Group Receives Temporary Injunction

There has been another court case filed in regards to the birth control mandate. The owners of Triune Health Group are Roman Catholic and felt that contraception coverage in employer sponsored health plans violated their own, personal, religious beliefs. A judge has granted the company a temporary injunction from the birth control mandate. To me, this is a rather odd court case! The first unexpected thing about it is the company that the case involves. Triune Health Group describes itself as “experts in Health Care Management”. They have been helping people for 20 years to improve their health and wellness … Continue reading →

Another Court Grants Temporary Injunction

A United States District Court has granted a temporary emergency motion to the business owned by Tom Monaghan. He is the former owner of Domino’s Pizza. The injunction is not for the pizza chain, but is for his office park. This halts his requirement to adhere to the birth control mandate until his case makes it through all the courts. In 2012, Tom Monaghan, (former owner of Domino’s Pizza), sued the federal government over the birth control mandate. According to the Christian Science Monitor Tom Monaghan is Catholic, and feels that contraception isn’t health care but a “gravely immoral” practice. … Continue reading →

Court Grants Temporary Injunction from Birth Control Mandate

The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in Chicago, has granted a temporary halt to enforcement of the portion of the Affordable Care Act called the birth control mandate to a construction firm called Korte & Luitjohan Contractors. This particular case is expected to continue in the 7th Circuit. In October of 2012, the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of a company called Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc., in regards to the birth control mandate. In short, the birth control mandate requires all health plans (including employer sponsored health plans), to cover … Continue reading →

Affordable Care Act Benefits that Began in 2012

Without a doubt, the most talked about, most controversial, biggest health insurance law is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. It is often referred to as the Affordable Care Act. Some people call it Obamacare. 2012 was a big year for the ACA. Here’s a quick review of some of the highlights. On June 28, 2012, the United States Supreme Court revealed its decision about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The Justices decided 5 to 4 that the Affordable Care Act would stand and would continue. In other words, it was declared to be constitutional. It was … Continue reading →

Hobby Lobby and the Birth Control Mandate

Hobby Lobby has been in the news quite a lot lately. The reason has to do with the court cases that the company has filed in regards to the birth control mandate. Here are the facts of the situation. * Hobby Lobby is a Christian chain of stores that sell craft supplies. There are 525 Hobby Lobby stores across the nation. The CEO is David Green. According to Forbes, David Green has a net worth of $4.5 billion. * As of August 1, 2012, all health plans are required to cover women’s preventative health care without charging for a co-pay, … Continue reading →