So, here’s a quandary. From day one, the GOP’s main argument against ObamaCare (or BaucusCare, as we like to call it) has been that the individual mandate, which requires people above a certain income threshold to purchase health insurance, is unconstitutional. But years later, as it debates immigration reform, Republicans are realizing that allowing uninsured immigrants to stay in the country could be a massive financial drain on the health care system. That confronts the party with an awkward choice: Either accepting that financial drain, or impose an individual mandate on undocumented immigrants. We’re very curious to see how this will play out; will Republicans end up voluntarily defanging their own strongest argument against the Affordable Care Act? source
Jan Brewer, liberal hero? The Republican Governor of Arizona—traditionally no friend to the left—has pledged to veto every bill that lands on her desk until her fellow Republicans agree to implement the Medicaid expansion in Obamacare. Yesterday, she made good on the threat, vetoing five bills in quick succession and repeating demands that Republicans in the state house approve the expansion. A local wing of the GOP is putting enormous pressure on Republican state legislators to oppose the expansion, which would provide coverage to an estimated 50,000 low-income Arizonans. (Photo credit: AP) source
The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office has released a comparison of the budgets offered by President Obama, House Republicans, and Senate Democrats. They’re a lot similar than you’d expect given how much the two parties are at each others’ throats about things like Social Security and taxes, huh? Anyway, for those who enjoy charts and graphs, the CBO’s blog post on its budget projections will not disappoint. (h/t Ezra Klein) source
Accounting for Ryan’s surplus
House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) says his budget proposal would eliminate the deficit within a decade. How does he close the gap?
Whaddya guys think? We’re gonna be talking about this for a bit even if it doesn’t happen, so we might as well get acquainted. At least Ryan used a pleasant body copy font on his budget plan so it’s easy to read even if it pisses you off.
While the federal government is committed to paying 100 percent of the cost, I cannot in good conscience deny Floridians that needed access to health care. We will support a three-year expansion of the Medicaid program under the new health care law as long as the federal government meets their commitment to pay 100 percent of the cost during that time.Florida Gov. Rick Scott • Discussing his decision to expand his state’s Medicaid program via the Affordable Care Act, despite previously suggesting he would not. Scott, a former medical industry executive, was a staunch critic of the Affordable Care Act, and his decision puts him in conservative crosshairs. But his decision was partly personal — his mother recently died, and the reminder of her struggle to raise him and his siblings on a low income had given him a new perspective on the matter. “Losing someone so close to you puts everything in a new perspective, especially the big decisions,” he said.
Well that didn’t take long. Do you think the White House should have heard out House Republicans before shooting down Speaker Boehner’s idea?
We can’t afford [Obamacare], and we can’t afford to leave it intact. That’s why I’ve been clear that the law has to stay on the table as both parties discuss ways to solve our nation’s massive debt challenge.Speaker of the House John Boehner • In an opinion piece published by the Cincinnati Enquirer on Wednesday, revealing that the GOP isn’t quite ready to abandon the fight over The Affordable Care Act. The Ohio Republican has said, in no uncertain terms, that he expects President Obama to be willing to negotiate over some/all of the law’s provisions if a “fiscal cliff” deal is to be reached. source
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#FMMDI (at 30 Rockefeller Plaza)
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Unfortunately, the comments of this franchisee, who represents less than 1 percent of our system and who owns restaurants in other concepts, has been portrayed as reflective of the entire Denny’s brand. I am confident his perspective is not shared by the company or hundreds of franchisees/small business owners who make up the majority of the Denny’s community. Specifically, his comments suggesting that guests might reduce the customary tip provided to their server as an offset to his proposed surcharge are inconsistent with our values and approach to business throughout our brand.Denny’s CEO John Miller • In a statement addressing the controversy surrounding Denny’s franchisee John Metz’s comments about The Affordable Care Act. A number of Denny’s locations around the country have faced boycotts and/or barrages of angry phone calls from people outraged by Metz’s suggestion of adding a “5 percent surcharge for Obamacare” to menus at locations he owns. source
A federal court denied Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.’s request for a preliminary injunction against offering health insurance coverage of “morning after pill” and “week after pill.” Attorneys for the company plan to appeal this decision.
Without the injunction, Hobby Lobby will have to pay fines up to $1.3 million dollars a day beginning in January if it does not provide the pills, the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty said.
Hobby Lobby filed a lawsuit against the section of the Affordable Healthcare Act in September that mandates coverage of “abortion pills,” citing the religious beliefs of the Green family, which owns it.
It will be interesting to see how far this case goes — and if, in fact, Hobby Lobby will have to eventually give in.
“Papa” John Schnatter, Papa John’s founder and CEO, is back in the headlines once more for his assertion that there’s no way on God’s green Earth he can afford to provide health care for a portion of his employees, as mandated by the Affordable Care Act. Now, Schnatter hasn’t been hurting for…
On the Papa John’s tip, Meg sends along 15 cents in a letter to the man himself. Be sure to click for more.
1) The pizza is terrible. 2) The guy above wants to raise prices and cut worker hours as a result of Obamacare. 3) They mass-text-spammed people in the middle of the night, leading to a $250 million class-action lawsuit. 4) “Papa John” Schnatter owns this house. 5) They don’t have lava cakes. 6) Namesake competitor Jimmy John’s is bringing back sprouts soon, and they deliver, too. (EDIT: Though, as it turns out, #2 applies to Jimmy John as well.)
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