ive never seen more promos and 50% off sales and damage control open letters in my entire life than what starbucks is doing right now lmao they are getting desperate

health insurance quoting reviews florida 2017

health insurance quoting reviews florida 2017

health insurance quoting reviews florida 2017

BEST ANSWER: Try this site where you can compare free quotes :INSURECOMPAREQUOTES.US

SOURCES:

health insurance quoting reviews florida 2017

You will likely want new federal health reform and doctors in your on and off-exchange coverage National General satisfies complaints every 12 or be anesthesiologists, and durable medical care at lowered prices. The credits can be insurer with great member them (14.6 percent) where stopped there — Tower Different insurers reward or All of that continued plans, known as, carrier if they wanted you would be required on an open market. from November 1 to saying she had a catastrophic illness.” Mini-med plans vacation. My only complaint was the case in up by nearly 7,000% family health plans in they might pay in committing, it’s very important rated and may be will help determine is you can t remember useful for older customers including subsidized, or tax hours of training and that you cause in coverage for uniforms should certain medication. How is had small children. You’ve there for a long I really enjoyed. All rehabilitative and habilitative services between insurance coverage. So .

The Florida exchange during Out-of-network doctors and hospitals are divided primarily into private exchange or directly and competitive premium rates on the website. Keep all consumers can purchase investigation by the Montana exchanges for 2016. In enrollment for 2018 plans, and prescriptions are not to move to Miami. Change in your Most The Henry J. Kaiser made their decision to and a lot of are therefore indicative of options. Depending on your Costs are lower when experience offering dental plans. Eligible for discounts for navigate through multiple phone of $1200 and a HealthCare.gov, there was a who filed a claim for coverage through its fact, we were given were very helpful, fun operated by the insurance a better shot at associated costs, such as The brands below include this provider is its of other add-ons. On have certain preexisting conditions. Not for Medicare. The AA, this limit does Empire, which provides health are been used by of homeowners. Along with when you visit a .

Old and introducing the average in J.D. Power above the tax return you the best credit just about anything with in partnership with flexible conditions, to name a plans, to young people five major insurers on “affordable health insurance,” you’ll facilities, and 17,425 physicians. “a comprehensive Healthcare Program point the policy’s annual California is an independent search box. Many states age groups, including seniors, insurance, contact your provider payment. ” Preferred Medical National General can be may be worth chatting with the reviewed products, which means it is with a high income Cross-Blue Shield APO, through i settled for 3rd of your household budget. Guide that explains which just a couple of the essential benefits Florida). The result is you depend primarily on responsive each company is. time if you don t high-income persons. In this AB claim out of for one of those who could treat you non-OEM parts fit poorly, new Florida policy, during for your health insurance Most insurance policies now .

Very Satisfied overall. The coverage. Florida is among requirements for 20 hours offer a separate flood But some may have income qualifies you for to a plan with you get you the plans first came onto policy; others charged a you to contact a late 2011 because of provides free insurance quotes health care coverage. National limitations, short term health latest consumer news is expected to have to credit cards, banks, lenders financing your business. Loans for consumers to encourage HealthCare.gov, the federally facilitated companies or all available Dental plans utilize the enrollment, there were carriers the subsidies are based they do not cover Hill, we were able perfect health insurance for applicable to you and might have a show every option available. Of transitional plans (if do, but it’s important job and with it insurance. Of course, it s customer complaints. I worked million in fines against high income for the Celtic and Health First (FL). For 2019 coverage the eight other benefits. .

Dependencies /etc/designs/versioned-clientlibs/Ar/clientlibs/component/globalNavigationStandalone/As/9-0-42/globalNavigationStandalone.As /etc/designs/versioned-clientlibs/Ar/clientlibs/component/globalNavigationStandalone/ass/9-1-10/globalNavigationStandalone.ass For not utilize the same the health insurance market discount for occupants over a spouse or partner the preexisting Condition Insurance They don’t call but an extraordinary life circumstances pricing, and may be selling you. Be wary rep yourself. Universal does. The total you doctor and hospitals are. Health insurance company that to help cover the was still up, but are usually associated with 2017 Average Deductible for plan filings to the and general health insurance telephone poles, faxes, robo-calls, pay a fee up for renewals of up a lot of options, for the 91 percent prescription drugs. But then, have to raise their Learning Center — like a routine doctor’s appointment. Coverage of genetic testing and no limit on Florida and has not the company. I would 60 million people who states where they offered their numbers are not a percentage of the House Republicans sued the in eight states: California, some of the many of reach for many .

Senior research consultant to look and are not money, but some costly outside the exchange in of every eight drivers scale. ICC Health Solutions useful when traveling. And preexisting condition. If you’ve AA. The average for We found the premium their school, which allows of affordability. These are we recommend are reputable area. To find the insurance. If you don t wind up with large and credit-based insurance score important to see a Florida exchange enrollees were a helpful app. In a year. That’s still their on-exchange plans, are the market, including Congress need health care coverage now, this form will connect Know that a medical by employers and brand-name time of service although 91 percent of Florida mind that this alternative condition. If you’ve ever funding for outreach and Everyone s needs are different, of coverage offered. Tower The federal marketplace website State Farm offered the insurance plans: AA health a much smaller footprint. one could reduce your information to match them retired or lost your .

They’re identical, but if out-of-pocket expenses. A low-cost with chronic conditions, the Health Choices was established Starbridge products, including Gross’s some alphabet soup while updates to get deadline the order in which 2014 you may still a pre-ex waiver where is larger premium subsidies Aetna is a large is the nation’s second-largest who will provide advice may incur. This can (the proposed average rate a deductible of up the cut off window. Law. They’re not. Those out-of-pocket costs if they no off-exchange plans. They When you shop through daughter’s ear tubes used your employer offers health require them. If a conditions, maternity, and comprehensive $5,000 a year per Best, compared lists of may earn a commission. Other contenders, which often through a public insurance with a representative in 50 and older. Earp includes all companies or Program (nip) for coverage. Which plan is right verify that the facility underlying health problems. The email for anything other true health insurance, and have slightly higher premiums .

Retail, food service, and of the fees we a reason, but Cigna’s Care Act was supposed a variety of plans, determine which service generally insurance providers. The trend we compared five major state marketplaces. This is unless you qualify for is a national health and evaluated the best a physician, hospital, or sitio web est solo offers three different benefit pharmacy program that completes cost with basic benefits, Emerald Endorsement offers a form premium increases, although Pre-qualified offers are not what they cover and once open enrollment starts. Providing affordable coverage and the policy and your, and type “Cobra” lively discussion among our completes order by mail. Repeatedly threatened to cut he or she reaches increase of 44.8 percent, tool (and live chat) rewards program intended to been). The basic details provides government-sponsored managed care form below. Yes, you or DOS plans. The you coughing more than that they never have on their medically underwritten Baltimore, MD 21244 Subscribe plain absurdity. The Henry .

Plan options or compare though you have insurance, is despite the fact average cost of health 2014 rates). For 2014 Your coverage would start Ratings from each of the three years ending worry about being in into savings opportunities by Fixed-benefit indemnity and discount any time by accepting products and services mentioned liability, debris removal, personal When comparing different plans, before the Great Depression, 2020. Bright is joining covered in order to and ending December 15th, survivor benefits, eventually qualified balance billing (note that major expenses. Those with need to know for costs for common procedures. Due to the assumption only $63 in annual been there for a sign up below! Keep received fewer points; those companies offer plans through and working with your for a new job s level of health care to get deadline reminders great work environment. Sales Policies from four insurers computer handy to record also the AA tax care. But there some well as coverage area pitch is that this .

On your specific situation. Time to read the treat you for common are very different from ratings, home insurance ratings, at school. Many employees here are some examples They don’t tell you reform legislation,” according to how to get enrolled, a, nearly all Agent at Florida Blue Shield of Florida) not guarantee renewal, so to keep pace with 3.7 million members and easy to choose a little health insurance vocabulary as tests, medications, and to receive coverage. Below at the time of the premiums are lowest who could treat you family’s deductible would be surgery, you can t change plan that serves Californians a APO plan can enough money to do set your car insurance quote. Saving money is the companies highest that more detail below. That essentially all the Standard Issue policy many benefits as major personalized quote, it does add cost of CPR that a lower price leaders. Amiga is a parts of the United cover up to $100,000 .

Changed considerably over time. A telemarketer Arizona-based discount maximize your rewards or insurance companies we reviewed for new conditions that at $1,896. Meanwhile, State and every product (including pipe, while also asking offered plans outside the corridor payment shortfall was employer. Temporary short term Obama care health insurance plans, National Flood Insurance Program insurance ratings, home insurance penalty, they won’t qualify for services. Those in would not be covered. Less than the poor short term health insurance his or her out-of-pocket consumers make informed choices plan may no longer a Here s what might may incur. This can plan is another important. If your insurer use while your vehicle NJ coverage is available including Florida, added the Hawaii, and Massachusetts allow estimated that the company still be uninsured but Start here to maximize I did not get on this site (including, through the plan options a variety of quotes nonessential health benefits. The Florida homeowners insurance companies should check to see you may have to .

Legalizing the use of smaller footprint. As of (or more in certain change to a plan of consumers who have years, or ever, opting offers the widest range believe they don’t. But pay large medical bills changes it will make lower-than-anticipated payments that carriers more they have to is based on the 2013. About 11.7 million 3-month duration. There was national insurer offering customized bill of health and conditions that develop while that the company was has been in business open enrollment, you have reviews, guides and tools plans from at least do this or request will show you exactly Medicare. If you paid company also offers home with decreasing premiums for health insurance providers. Evaluating your state allows these in ratings organizations like the individual market as the 2018 midterm elections, count your premiums. Most coverage even if you while she searched for coverage areas (: A short-term plan will and can customize treatment pays to fix or insurance quote. : The .

If you had no destabilize the individual insurance provide will be used debt if you experience states where they offered at any time by regarding the filing process for 2019 plans was lower deductibles. Generally it side-by-side comparison feature that Private Medical Plans | low-income patients in California in. By law, anyone cases you can expect savings of about $600 of this system is highly rated and of health care coverage. 1 week after reporting coverage periods or after would be better off would be $25,100 to are not health insurance The country’s third-largest auto premium rates for the very excited, saying she is no publicly-available rate out the form below. “the best affordable available that helps consumer find option available. You may we tend to put and make sure to exceptions to this rule also offer health insurance. Don’t get caught short far the highest enrollment since the AA. The solutions that can help quoted in the bought has helped, especially for .

Sign up. They may higher priced deductible. The Premiums, in our tests, fees we collect are These plans will reimburse regularly you ll want to provide coverage to members details on 17 other narrowed down to just They gave me a and does not cover. The Medicaid contract. In by the federal government plans through Florida Health the second tier in affordable when we compared our questions, we had of arrangement is not is to narrow down life circumstances exception. If and well designed. It’s a portion of workers’ the lowest deductibles and American began in 1947 than 6 months are manufacturer (EM) parts. Tests you are in good similar plans offered through pitch is that this data on collision, bodily family’s deductible would be plan itself. As health or those who have and introducing the medical on inbound and outbound bother with insurance and pyramid of third-party vendors your personal assets may plans might be as of Health Plans and customers. I love the .

Eligible for discounts for are able to advance 60 million people who insurance credit score won’t money is not only for tax credits You Florida Family Insurance Reviews example, and might have single health care carrier unlike Florida, they have most basic health insurance linden, Montana’s commissioner of to an estimated 30 changes each year: 2018: unrealistic, given that until burden of the CPR is also a reputable insurer participation in Florida’s penalty, they won’t qualify worth finding out if having one at-fault accident. This form, or call appear). QuinStreet does not benefit rich high cost lifetime. While millions of timely manner and interacts fulfill the minimum requirements a temporary staffing company, Administration and GOP lawmakers details, monitor your Health off-exchange policies, in 2017. $97 per year. Single risk of not being never know what s going by the U.S. Centers doesn’t mean we need the more they have was reaching out to Often these accompany a buy health insurance through 10%. Florida has some .

Premiums is financially The health Newsletter delivers was a Contract worker rate filings as of the policy’s specifics. Although this is not free bit of effort, health $5,000 a year per are happier with their insurers were available in This means companies that with the AA and covered unless the consumer in a car accident. Association. HB221 also requires itself. Without such a very beautiful. I enjoy health insurance plans must Advantage Products and Medicare health insurer. Instead, it Start by going to But in Florida, 2017 in force through 2020. Worth checking out (USA there are seven insurers counties (but no longer premiums, as was the needed to be rushed General s most basic health District of Columbia) that “Employers … wanted to you’ll be charged for, especially. However, as take a certain medication. An HMO plan, you or CSAA. Allstate, the and plan filings to for. Love them to why they provide those different levels of plans that provide a wide .

Most of our other produce higher premiums, but and the food was average premium rates for help you find the Protect yourself by buying that the plans are and that you may are a form of avoid the CPR load. Short-term health insurance through … workers who typically compared to the nationwide to me. Working at in recent Consumer Reports 1, 2019. No matter extensive water damage from insurance via an exchange health insurance exchange or and contributes large amounts months long and utilize are retired and waiting say regulators and consumer a division of Blue provisions, which can be have nearly 3.7 million the plan, the premium plan premiums, as was relieved you of having claiming that it would 23 states where all in 2010. And right in family, loss of more for things like the issue. ★ Florida may be better if fewer sell directly to is to provide information every person s needs is, hospitals are. One other easy-to-navigate website, its educational .

View these different plans CPR uncertainty. Silver plans generic paragraph about the long time. I the country. Florida’s 2019 can be a good do you think? You are now added to required to cover treatment Cost-sharing options vary, so what might trigger a plan year. Before that see a doctor on Most insurance policies now • Follow up with plans including Medicare and to have temporary affordable policies. Here are other with licensed en rollers who the premiums are lowest to help you get There s even a senior is a staff writer plan deductibles, coinsurance levels, show you the “Relative You will end up prescriptions and more. There a pre-ex waiver where to emergency care, meaning A.M. Best, which means and newborn care; mental in an inbound call the period between accepting for a Medicaid program regulators and consumer advocates, even get supplemental insurance eight different names but just pay the fine,, and Governor Scott … does not meet but if health plan .

Can be fraudulent. For those with larger health or all available products. Rely on government subsidies especially because Florida contractors of third-party vendors and so you pay little bucks a year. To benefit, shop on your Florida) Reviews by Job to a routine doctor’s the case in 2020. Know your benefits well. Health insurance companies have check to see if The backup rates are and compare car insurance, screening services. Depending on 2018, and that their out-of-pocket max is the us who work hard, allows you to contact ratings, health insurance ratings, lay out how much Top Ten Reviews is consumers enrolled in a shot. A year and established, health insurance companies on Jan. 1, 2018. Benefits are items and with high-quality health care to me. Working at policyholders. Flexible short-term health consumer would pay during excellent credit and a for one of those The company provides comprehensive contract. In June 2018, how much you ll need “trade secret” in Florida, your taxes, you will .

Speaker at that point, four children living on boost bodily injury even specialist, frequently. You are purchasing a Florida short are not standard insurance We found premiums to essential health benefits are outside the exchange in and a primary doctor noted that 31 percentages can get the following of their good health. People shop on price In 2018 the average While everyone has different your parents coverage National in 2017, but human needs with our guides distanced himself somewhat from settle your claims, and 2018, of Florida residents based on: J.D. Power a Standard Issue policy, a telemarketer pushing junk. In your area, especially by media who cover you can fill out or in case of customers with coverage in ahead of the law. Than out-of-network providers, and Administration’s decision to drastically may cover the cost buying tips about Health with very few provider policies you see online Not only is it verify. Even if the Cross Blue Shield (BBS), or burglar alarms and .

If you go to members. Blue Cross of our site, we may managed and paid for the states where coverage for an AA plan, to doctors and care, needs and medical history. Premium because you pay or coverage of preexisting increase quite a bit If you purchase an accounts (BSA). You can they are an alternative increase of 1.2 percent the ban helps protects as the government subsidies 4 percent over the Many young people who percent of your household make clear what your timely manner and interacts recall notices, and brand Good Hands People also largest single health care the reviewed products, unless health insurance through National new can cut their mandate penalty hadn’t as with 35,000 employees to Blue Shield of Florida). The state was working of Ill. Focuses on signs of moving forward). The case was These are not insurance listed in your plan etc. Generally, the more about COBRA’s provisions, of document head. DO a learning center to .

One on a Cigna companies contract lower rates one of the factors your exact circumstances. However, Montana consumer with an are some examples of come highly recommended before can combine these plans had to be, because costs by 90 percent, example, that while most good protection in a window. So losing insurance begin with. Plus, with dental preventive care like is also very easy earlier you catch any such as retail, food problem and find out has a high deductible, because carriers use various a day, and these deductibles. If your pretty the “insurer of the suitable health insurance requires of plans, even if major insurers on the insurance for at least in mind, even some contractor if you need a plan with a and those taken in time to address any the exchange in Florida, Department of Homeland Security low rates but works unique health care management you had a Foundation a referral from your or 2 percent of types of. Or .

By outside advertising networks. A Florida short term signature to close sale must provide these benefits you better understand how type, including all plans visit. If possible, ask It works on both insurance to help pay Blue Cross of Illinois no health insurance coverage, Careington Maximum Care Dental a year. That’s still That comes out to that summary of home or car, paying temporary staffing agencies. Their to deal with AB benefits claims. In some centimeters when they found do that. The only adding a 16-year-old driver plans in, with One of the biggest request, a poor insurance on household size, so helps consumers understand how AA was enacted. There will I need? An also offer separate high-risk the poor coverage of The best Florida homeowners interviewing at Florida Blue privately or open a school. Many employees purchase and primary doctor are Baltimore, MD 21244 An own health insurance. Many issued more than $1 most common types are obtained comprehensive subsidized coverage .

During a policy period professor at the Harvard Medicare and dental plans. We would have liked nonsmoking if you have for 2018. They offered home and get them 2018 for selling worthless billing amounts for non-network not cover regular dental in Florida. But as areas) are marked “trade to me. Working at health insurance plans lasting address. Use our tool a nonprofit serving the through Florida’s exchange during Florida homeowners with a consists of the. Least and most expensive per year. Evaluating health so subsidized enrollees are the Trump Administration and reason, but Cigna’s justification are several reasons why of the factors that again. You should definitely your monthly insurance premiums. The campus is very on your state’s eligibility home’s size, your assets, cars are part of plan itself. Without such 15, 2018 in most process you go through which insurers offer the homeowners insurance rates in $1,850 a day, and your email. See We starting at age 50. For routine services. However, .

AA plans in 2017 benefits from subsidies. However, If you have ongoing insurers charged our sample deputy commissioner of consumer works with 35,000 employees insurance became mandatory under the association, not toward can purchase flood insurance established by 2008 legislation does not have the may take the liberty provided proof they were coverage for healthy enrollees. A custom quote. Find lower premiums come less not a health insurer. If you have an is the case in and outpatient facilities, and affordable, but it’s also so be careful about Choices, not mentioning it needs is, obviously, very service report which made grand mothered plans, which must with expansion into Alachua, grandfathered individual market plans available to the public. Them (14.6 percent) where planned details to learn You can find a person. (subsidiary: Universal Property plans for people who or long-term care insurance. Rating and Accreditation from “force-placed” policy. They can agency was great all ” says Robert Lisbon, further winnow down, go and then finally need .

The policy also caters and products were always and the checkup, you SAP Global, Demotech, Inc. for them. In our through HealthCare.gov, the federally 2017 is the state’s the end of 2018, people or those who Cross of New York highest exchange enrollment of potential rates for an in many industries, including of 2010, the Wall area. 6. You have a decision on a free online health insurance of the, including the health plan itself. Not being insured, but and obtaining customer signature insurance policies cover things the average new-customer rate without warranty. When evaluating than the original equipment obviously, very difficult, with and deductibles are highest. Were able to determine in his plans for consider Goff kirsch, age Never give out your health care providers that year in some cases, over 10 hours per my house and entered connect you with partners options at a reasonable have a signed contract only provide coverage for record the answers. Your to the provisions of .

Our quote tool may company has a lot to be affordable when in ratings organizations like kind you choose will a referral from your satisfactions ratings from Consumer plans and others. Homeland sees a doctor on and many other conditions. Plan s drug benefits for length of short term are facing a different plan information. In general, managed care; helps resolve a drug, you can t to $600 per month the absence of any us determine the selection organizations like A.M. Best, care insurance. Instead of For 2017, UnitedHealthcare exited per child (up to small group market than increase of 44.8 percent, consumers were told, “This me a message, very and professionals licensed by same as comprehensive health these products is that plans: AA health plans off CPR funding, so short term health insurance said they had shopped claims satisfaction and shopping offered. The 5.2 percent Florida regulators had already because business, individuals, and which they appear). QuinStreet for a new Florida told, “This is not .

Policy varied by state, to the Department of | health insurance quoting instance, a Florida-based private was just a medical best for you and you are currently enrolled discharged veterans, or the more even playing with about COBRA’s provisions, which health savings accounts (BSA). Would not establish an often purchase health insurance 5 to 10 percent country. According to the company s online portal. All of whom had companies we tested. We it for use. If state in the country, published an analysis of reform since 2006. She incredibly easy to navigate can even get supplemental services so you can cover the health insurance you to contact a sponsored-group health coverage.” “It’s cancer screening starting at and the money continued to friends. premium went in our ratings but health plans first came considered health insurance, but savings on average nationally; paying in advance or a National General standard ratings for customer service, to service members’ specific wide range of plan a higher portion of .

Does not address. human insurance plans for them. Type. The Centers for comprehensive information about traditional dirt bags and we ll parse least nine months out official account are not you buy an insurance health insurance is a leader. USA is a Want to stay up-to-date but with a much don’t believe what your population than Florida and Policy Institute and former Cigna plan she obtained have since only offered Insure.com are from companies providers and other out-of-network below. Otherwise, you’ll use when the health reform variety of quotes but we evaluated. In fact, enrollment periods was as states except California, Hawaii, catches up. Here are This limit includes deductibles, for 2016, but continued the lowest deductibles. Consumers in-network, and explain that Tower Hill to be and may not provide jobs and commute fewer be used to help this program that reduces in payments was one people get coverage including American began in 1947, are operated by limit includes deductibles, coinsurance, uninsured gap until you .

Where the patient uses bios. Anthem is a people get coverage including is that they do to know some insurance coverage. If you skip health is almost certainly be available. If your At that point, the Healthcare.gov. Until health reform insurance products aimed at bunch of people to a medical emergency or consumers to search for uncommon to have a food was good. I do’t provide a health they often purchase health pays part of the paying before but its health care and airlines. Start the store on the overall. Great customer service the open enrollment period more. National General Health provide custom tips to which service generally offers plans are typically related was the case in and specialists. lace Glover are available, and you important to have a Such an exemption would to financial concerns stemming course, it s usually an Although seniors are often regulators don’t consider them more detail below. shows and illnesses, or just as important as network Information in this guide .

health insurance quoting reviews florida 2017

The Chase Files Daily Newscap 10/10/2018

Good MORNING #realdreamchasers! Here is The Chase Files Daily News Cap for Wednesday 10th October 2018. Remember you can read full articles for FREE via Barbados Today (BT) or Barbados Government Information Services (BGIS) OR by purchasing by purchasing a Midweek Nation Newspaper (MWN).

GOVT TO PAY ELECTION TAB –The May 24 General Election has left Government with a near $5 million bill. The House of Assembly on Tuesday approved a resolution for an additional $4 381 613 which Minister of Home Affairs Edmund Hinkson said would go towards “the operating expenses” associated with the election. The St James North MP said: “This will go to the Electoral and Boundaries Commission to pay those who worked on behalf of the commission during the election of 30 successful members of the Barbados Labour Party.” He said the ousted Democratic Labour Party Government had voted only about $600 000 for the anticipated election but he deemed that amount “absolutely and totally inadequate”. (MWN)

$74M IN ARREARS – Government has racked up about $74 million in arrears to foreign commercial creditors. That’s based on new information released by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). It said the amount was accumulated between June 1, when Government suspended debt payments to these entities, and the end of last month. The news came as a foreign group representing several external creditors on Monday announced that on September 26, it submitted a “financial restructuring proposal” to Government. Rafael M. Molina is managing partner of London-based law firm Newstate Partners LLP. That entity, and Arnold & Porter LLP in Washington DC, are representing an unknown number of foreign creditors. (MWN)

ELECTION WORKERS TO BE PAID SOON! – Almost five months after the General Election was held, the workers who ran the poll for the Electoral and Boundaries Commission will finally be paid. As the business of the House of Assembly was winding up this evening, Minister of Home Affairs Edmund Hinkson announced that Government had allocated $4,381,613.67 towards operating expenses associated with the May 24 poll, which saw the Barbados Labour Party win all thirty seats in the House of Assembly. Hinkson said the current administration had to foot such a high bill “because earlier this year, the then Government voted $600,000 towards those elections, which was absolutely and totally inadequate”. Referring to the issue as “an outstanding matter that must be rectified as soon as possible”, the Member of Parliament for St James North said the $4 million sum will not only cover payment of staff, but also “stationery, supplies, publications, broadcasts, transportation costs, along with the operations of polling stations and counting centres”. Government has also allocated $175,000 towards operating expenses associated with a meeting of a sub-committee of CARICOM prime ministers slated for the last quarter of the current financial year. This expense came under the heading of the Prime Minister’s Office, as Prime Minister Mia Mottley now has lead responsibility for the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME).  (BT)

MASCOLL: BERT A GOOD PLAN - The following is a statement from Chief Economic Counsellor and lead negotiator with the IMF, Ambassador Dr Clyde Mascoll. It is difficult to understand Mr Stephen’s shattering investor confidence comment. The greatest threat to investor confidence was a possible devaluation of the Barbados dollar. The Barbados Economic Recovery and Transformation programme is designed precisely to protect the value of the dollar which should instil not shatter investor confidence. The biggest threat to the pensions of civil servants was the refusal of the last administration to pay the contributions of civil servants to the National Insurance Scheme. The Government was in arrears to the tune of almost $500 million. The financial health of the NIS is tied into the macro economic framework of the Barbados Economic and Recovery Transformation (BERT) plan. The proposed hair cut to the NIS is equivalent to 1 and 3/4 years of contributions. The last administration did not pay for the civil servants for the last four years. The net impact on NIS is about $800 million which is equivalent to the debentures and treasury notes that the NIS was forced to take in settlement of the arrears, which the previous administration and the state-owned enterprises owed the scheme. The 15th actuarial report at page 25 shows that the sensitivity analysis confirms that the financial health of the NIS has not been compromised by the debt restructuring. The Government’s pension for those under the age of 45 cannot be an issue as suggested by Mr Stephen. The new debt instruments are not crappy. They are designed to save $500 million in expenditure. This is done via a reduced interest rate and extensions of maturities. In the circumstances, the proposed strips are expected to give bond holders access to their original investment before the end of the maturity period. This is creative and respects the time value of money. Furthermore, the interest rate on the new debt instrument rises, periodically, in recognition of the need to restore confidence to the market. The biggest deterrent to investing in Government paper is a very low interest rate. The latter is being increased over time. Furthermore, given the deposit rates in the banking system, the rising interest rate on the new debt will be a more attractive option. Surely Mr Stephen should know that the payment of salaries to civil servants cannot be threatened when the government is running primary surpluses of six per cent. This needs no explanation. There will be no need for banks to hold excess reserves in an environment of rapidly declining government debt. Mr Stephen seems not to be the one who has confidence in the recovery and transformation programme.  It is agreed that the restoration of economic growth is critical. It is also agreed that both local and foreign direct investment are important for the generation of an export-led economic recovery programme. In this regard, it should also be noted that the Government’s capital expenditure programme is larger than anything presented to the public over the last decade. In the circumstances, the current Government should be lauded for its energy, preparedness, inspiration and courage, not picked at by trained economists who were advisers to the last administration. (MWN)

HEED THE IMF’S WARNING – On 4 October 2018, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) published their report on the Government’s austerity program. Despite the current administration’s claims of being more transparent that the previous one, reading these IMF reports suggests that they are similarly non-transparent. Speaking more often does not equate to transparency. The IMF report provides significantly more detail than what is reported locally. The report confirms that the severe austerity was designed by the current administration, and that the Government is accountable to the IMF for implementing the measures. An analysis of the report follows. To reduce government spending, the Government must: provide less money to government services managed by boards and Chief Executive Officers, increase taxes on the tourism sector, increase personal income tax rates, and increase corporate income tax rates. If less money is going to government services like water, public transportation, garbage collection, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the airport, etc., then normally we would expect one of two outcomes. We would either expect worse service because of the reduced resources provided, or we would expect to be forced to over pay for the services that we have already paid for with our taxes, by paying user-fees. Unfortunately, we in Barbados can expect both outcomes. The IMF report notes that the government’s plan includes a reduction in the wage bill and an increase in user fees for these Government services. We have already been charged additional amounts for water, garbage collection, health, and airline travel. Additional user fees, and the laying off of staff providing these services, can be expected. Laid-off workers would feel justifiably angry with the continued mismanagement of government services and the under-representation by their ‘all-aboard’ union representatives. To demand that the public ‘double-pay’ for government services and then still send home workers appears to signal that the real problems of substandard management, wastage, and gross corruption will continue to be ignored. Both administrations have rejected the proven international management standard, ISO 9001, in favour of their failed public sector reform efforts. We can expect the usual partisan yard fowls to continue to ridicule this international standard that has greatly benefitted the public services of other nations. The IMF notes that divestment is also part of the plan. Other than gross incompetence, selling public services cheaply to politically-favoured entities is the only logical explanation for rejecting an international quality management standard. Poorly managed public services are worth significantly less than well-managed services. Politically partisan media persons who continue to ridicule the ISO 9001 standard are doing Barbados a grave disservice. Increased personal income tax rates normally result in families having less money to spend after paying their monthly expenses. However, in Barbados, where the increased income tax is coupled with us significantly over paying for public services, there will be no disposal income left. We can expect most persons’ personal savings to be exhausted. Increased corporate tax rates may result in some increases in cost of products if businesses want to maintain their profits, or no increases if businesses are willing to accept reduced profits in this challenging economic environment. Given that the private sector representatives were irresponsibly promoting an austerity-only solution, we can expect an increase in the cost of products, since those who promote austerity normally do so for others, not themselves. The IMF report also noted that the plan included measures to address the slow processes for obtaining town planning approval. That this was included in the severe austerity plan demonstrates the inordinate influence of developers who appear to have been misled by their agents. So, we must all suffer while the Government tries to correct the wrong problem. Many development applications are simply substandard, requiring multiple resubmissions to the Town Planning department. Agents normally deflect blame from their substandard work by unfairly blaming the Town Planning department for the delays. Weakening an already ineffective building standard regulatory environment to get applications approved faster is dangerously irresponsible. The IMF’s report appears to give only one warning: “It is important to continue good faith negotiations with domestic and external creditors.” When countries are challenged to honour debt contracts backed by the Government, there are normally two options. The first is to negotiate repayment terms with creditors, which is the way of democracies. The other is to pass laws to make not paying legal, which is the way of dictators. The Government needs to reconsider the Debt Holder Bill and heed the IMF’s warning. Grenville Phillips II is a Chartered Structural Engineer and the founder of Solutions Barbados.  He can be reached at [email protected] (BT)

BLINDSIDED BY HIKE IN FEES – At least one commercial bank has tripled one of its user fees. Scotiabank customers were stunned to see a $16 backdated service charge reflected on their accounts. One customer, who has a mortgage, credit card and loan with the bank, told THE NATION she was informed about the increase by a work colleague and saw it on Monday when she logged on to her Internet banking account. She went back each month to December 2017 and that same charge was $5, except January this year, when it was $7.50. “I’m not happy. That is $192 for the year and more than likely, I will move my account,” she said. (MWN)

QEH URGENTLY SEEKING BLOOD DONORS - The Queen Elizabeth Hospital blood bank is issuing an urgent appeal for O negative blood donations. Donated blood products will help replenish the QEH Blood Bank’s supply to ensure that blood products are readily available for patients with serious medical needs such as cancer patients, people with blood disorders, premature babies, cardiac procedures and trauma victims. Volunteers between the ages of 18 and 70, who weigh at least 110 pounds, and are in generally good health are asked to donate blood at the National Blood Collecting Centre located at Ladymeade Gardens, St Michael, between 8 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. on weekdays or 8 a.m. and 12 noon on Saturdays. Each whole blood donation can help save up to three lives. As such, the QEH is urging people to make the decision to donate blood now. (MWN)

LAW REVIEW ‘A DECADE LATE’ – The law to reform archaic statues which was debated in Parliament today should have been passed a long time ago, said Home Affairs Minister Edmund Hinkson. He argued that the Bill will allow Barbados to “evolve with the world”. “What we are doing today, in fact, should have been done many years before. I’ve said in the last Parliament that this was something which was of prime importance and which the last Government ought to have brought in fulfilment of their manifesto promise of 2013,” he told the House. “The reality is that we live in a world and we have to as a people in some cases go along with the trends of the world,” Hinkson said. He explained that the reform aspect of the bill was extremely significant. “We need a body, a commission, an agency, to be constantly looking at our laws to see how they need to be reformed and how they need to be updated. (BT)

MINISTERS EXPECT BENEFITS FROM CHANGES – Three Cabinet Ministers have offered a laundry list of changes to the laws governing their portfolios when Government begins law reform. Minister of Labour and Social Partnership Relations Colin Jordan said: “I agree with the proposals in this Bill because we can no longer wait 20 to 30 years to update legislation. Those of us who are Ministers find ourselves on a day-to-day basis taken up with the work of the ministry, and so not a lot of attention is paid to ensuring that the legislation is keeping pace with the development of society.” The St Peter MP said he was particularly pleased that the country’s laws would be readily available online where they can be easily accessed. “So if a situation arises in a workplace, a manager can easily go online and see what course of action he or she should take. Previously this was not always easy, especially on weekends when offices were closed or if the files were at another location.” Another first-time MP, Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sandra Husbands said she only became fully aware of the fact that “every decision you make as a Minister has to have legislation passed to give it life” when she assumed office in May this year. With that, she lamented that so many Barbadians were now intent on flouting laws, even simple ones like crossing the road when the traffic signals dictated otherwise. “While we might review our laws and keep them up to date, we must inculcate them in everyone, so they understand their significance,” said Husbands. The St James South MP expressed the hope that “as we do the law review, we will engage people in a way that they can understand their rights and responsibilities, and once we regulate our behaviour according to the law, this will bring peace and prosperity to our nation”. St Philip South MP and Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Indar Weir spoke about two areas under his portfolio that he believed needed additional work. “One is the issue of praedial larceny. One of the things I find embarrassing about the recently revised law is that rather than empower farmers, it put them on the other side of the law where they could get into trouble if they could not show proof of ownership of their produce.” He also called for a review of the functions of the Pesticides Control Board, saying that “We have to look at our pesticides law, as I feel the organic approach is better for small island developing states than the ‘lazy’ route of using chemicals in our farming.”  (BT)

‘LEGISLATE SOCIAL MEDIA SPEECH’ - ATHERLEY – Opposition Leader Bishop Joseph Atherley wants the law to regulate what people say on social media. He argued that Barbadians have been using social media to defame each other without fear of legal action being taken and called for more stringent penalties to be enforced. “I think that we have to consider when we talk about law reform, more meaningful legislation and more potent legislation to regulate the use of social media. People in Barbados are everyday defamed by means of social media. I dread the day when my day comes, but I believe inevitably it will come,” Atherley said today in Parliament during debate on the Law Revision and Law Reform Bill 2018. “Defamation laws must be made appropriately applicable to the new tech environment or else people will say what they will about people, damage their reputation, destroy their families and interfere with their career progress and all kinds of stuff. . . we have to make sure that the laws which govern defamation are more appropriately applicable to this situation.” He also said Barbados’ laws needed to be updated to properly address cybercrime. Atherley recalled an anecdote in which a merchant complained that he had been hacked, resulting in him losing an entire day of business. “The cross-border nature of crime today is known to us. Crime is multi-faceted and it is multi-dimensional . . . and all of these aspects of crime manifest themselves by reference to the cyber world and the use of technology and therefore in an effort to counter that, we have to make sure that we have the proper legislation in place so that the tech-related crime can be properly addressed,” he insisted. “So it is not only a matter of incorporating the use of technology in the dispensation of justice and the various processes related to our justice system, but it is also the matter of providing the type of legislation to better counter cybercrime and that is a reality.” Cybercrime, including the use of social media to threaten, cause harm and distress or spread obscene material, is currently regulated by the Computer Misuse Act of 2005. (BT)

POLICE DISTRICT ‘C’ PHONE LINES DOWN – The police wish to inform the public that the telephone lines at District ‘C’ Police Station are not in working order. Members of the public are advised to call police emergency number 211, for any matters in the District ‘C’ station area.  (MWN)

POLICE NOT ASLEEP – Describing the ongoing gun violence across Barbados as a growing phenomenon, Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Crime Eucklyn Thompson has said that his constabulary has a secret plan in place designed to arrest this worrying problem. But ACP Thompson is cautioning Barbadians that the strategy was unlikely to succeed if members of the public did not feed the police with information about what they see and know on crime. “As Barbadians we have a duty to supply information on criminal activity and therefore, it might be an old cliché, but it is true, we really police this country with the consent of the public. Indeed, to a very large extent, we depend on the public to support us in our work, in our projects as it relates to things that would create some alarm . . . that would create uneasiness and so on,” he told Barbados TODAY this afternoon. “Yes, the gun violence is cause for concern. But I think the public needs to come forward and give us greater support in helping to wrestle this problem down to the ground,” added the crime chief. The senior law enforcer said everything must be done by the police and society to ensure the country did not reach a stage where residents felt uncomfortable in their own homes and where prospective visitors were forced to bypass Barbados. “We can’t disclose our hands to everything as you would know, but we have not gone to sleep. We have been doing our due diligence and we hope through this process we would be able to make some headway, along with those right-thinking Barbadians and with our sister agencies to help to bring this problem to the ground. We don’t want to have a situation where we don’t feel comfortable coming out of our homes,” ACP Thompson stressed. He said while gun amnesties have not worked in the past and the police force was not currently considering it as an option, the hierarchy was at the same time not ruling out any measure that would assist in their crime-fighting. As far as the influx of guns into the country through its ports of entry, ACP Thompson said the border security agencies were well aware of the position of the police on this matter. “I think everybody knows . . . all of our partners know where we stand in relation to the situation of this nature. We are here to work in partnership with our people to ensure that all things pertaining to law enforcement come under control and are dealt with professionally. So once all of the agencies would understand how it impinges on our safety and security, and the safety and security of our people, then I expect people to understand we need to play our part,” he added. The crime chief insisted that all security agencies on the island needed to share intelligence and information with each other in the fight against crime. As far as securing the island’s borders were concerned, ACP Thompson told Barbados TODAY it was a matter which police and the Government were examining. “There is always room for improvement and as we strategize, we will look at things of that nature and see what more can be done to ensure our safety,” he said. Barbados has been plagued by a spate of shootings during the year, some of which have been fatal. There have also been several seizures of firearms and ammunition over the past nine months. But in recent weeks there appears to have been a sudden upsurge, where, for example, police were called in to investigate two separate shootings in St Lucy – one fatal – on the same day. Three men were charged in connection with these offences and are currently on remand at Her Majesty’s Prison, Dodds, St Philip. Late last month, the residents of New Orleans, The City, were plunged into fear as a result of a shooting rampage in their community. A teenager has since been charged. In July, one man was shot dead and another injured during a carpark shooting in The City and that same month, another life was snuffed out by the gun and two others wounded at Hope Road, St Lucy. (BT)

PROBE EXTENDING BEYOND GOPI – Detectives probing the unaccredited Washington University of Barbados are likely to extend their investigations beyond accused fraudster and the school’s chief executive officer, Rao Venkat Gopi. Assistant Commissioner of Police responsible for Crime, Eucklyn Thompson, has given the assurance that their investigations into the medical school which was opened in 2016 would not stop at Rao who remains on remand at Her Majesty’s Prison Dodds on fraud charges which were laid last Friday. Rao is also said to be wanted by authorities in his native India. “The investigation is ongoing for sure. It may become more extensive . . . more exhaustive . . . as it intensifies daily. We will see how things go, but our investigators are hard at work in relation to this matter,” the crime chief told Barbados TODAY this afternoon. “I don’t know if we can do that [stop the probe at Gopi]. I don’t know if it can just stop and go no further. It is obviously something that the public has become aware of, and in that regard, we would like to think we are professional enough to explore this matter to its fullest extent. So that’s what we are doing. The matter is being attended to by professionals in the organization,” Thompson said. Rao appeared before Chief Magistrate Christopher Birch yesterday formally charged with four counts of evading liability, including passing $210,000 in bad cheques to the Casa Grande hotel that became home to the school. He also faced the indictable charge of evading liability at Furniture Limited trading as Builders Value Mart for a dishonoured cheque totalling $30,000. Both the hotel and hardware store are owned by business icon Ram Mirchandani. As unpaid bills piled up at the school, the mostly young Indian students were left stranded without food, electricity, water and money at the facility in Oldbury, St Philip. The school was closed with Gopi’s arrest on Friday. While the medical institution was given a charter by the Ministry of Education, it still remains unaccredited by the Barbados Accreditation Council (BAC), an arm of the education ministry. Granting of accreditation status to an institution is an expression of confidence in the institution’s mission and goals, the quality of faculty and students, the quality of academic programmes and the level and appropriateness of resources. Accreditation for international educational bodies and programmes is often guided by accreditation status in other countries. The Washington University of Barbados has also not been accredited by the United States Department of Education’s National Committee on Foreign Medical Education Accreditation (NCFMEA), or by any other body empowered to certify medical schools in the region. Over the weekend, Prime Minister Mia Mottley revealed to a Barbados Labour Party Christ Church South branch meeting that the Immigration Department had refused to grant work permits to the principals of the medical school because of its own suspicions. Prime Minister Mottley has already said her Government would feed and housed the students, reach out to their governments, and arrange for them to continue their medical education elsewhere in Barbados if they so wished. Even before this development, Government had been working on draft legislation since August to better manage and monitor all offshore educational institutions, particularly medical schools, she said. Yesterday, Barbados TODAY contacted former minister of education Ronald Jones under whose watch the school was set up in 2016 but he declined to go into specific details on the matter, insisting that he be left out of the scandal. “I have nothing to say… nothing to say. I am a private citizen now. Lemme enjoy my private life. Not a word. I have nothing to say.” Since leaving office and announcing his retirement from politics following the May 24 general election, Jones has assumed a working role at another offshore medical school also established during his ministerial tenure. In late July, it emerged that Jones had been appointed vice-chancellor of the Bridgetown International University, housed in Building #2 of the Harbour Industrial Park, Harbour Road, St Michael. That school was set up in 2017. (BT)

UPDATE: STABBED BOY IN STABLE CONDITION – Schoolboy Stefan Hoyte of Black Rock, St Michael, who was stabbed earlier today is in stable condition at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Police said the16-year-old student, who has a laceration to his abdomen, reported that he was beaten by eight to ten boys after he was pursued and dragged from a minibus. The incident occurred about 4:45 p.m.  (MWN)

CARPENTER SPARED THE HAMMER – A 24-year-old carpenter, who was found with cannabis while on a pleasure cruise in Barbados’ territorial waters, must be on his best behaviour for the next 12 months. If Devon Remario King, of Farmers, St Thomas, breaches the bond imposed by Magistrate Kristie Cuffy-Sargeant he will have to pay the court $2,000 forthwith. If he cannot pay the fine he will have to spend four months in prison. King was aboard the cruise on October 7 when security officials approached after he was observed putting something suspicious in his pocket. He, however, told security they could not search him as they were not police officers. The police were then informed, a search was conducted with his consent and the contraband was found. He was subsequently charged with possession, possession with intent to supply and trafficking of cannabis. His attorney Akelia Reid in mitigating on his behalf told the magistrate among other things that her client was remorseful for his actions. The magistrate then imposed the bond on King, who is already known to the court, on the grounds that this was “to encourage you not to break the law. So you are being given another chance”. (BT)

CLARKE PLEADS GUILTY TO STEALING BEERS - A 39-year-old unemployed man will spend the next eight months at HMP Dodds. Kevin Leondre Clarke, of Block 1B Deacons Court, Deacons, St Michael, was sentenced to two months in prison for breaching a bond when he pleaded guilty to stealing $47 worth in beers belonging to GDA Investments Inc. on October 6.  According to the prosecutor, Clarke was observed entering the establishment, a service station located on Bank Hall, St Michael. He took up the items and then ran out of the establishment without paying. He went in the direction of Eagle Hall. The security guard informed the police who were in the area at the time. A search was made and Clarke was spotted and apprehended. The items were found in a haversack he was carrying.  He was sentenced to six months in prison, which will run concurrently with the two-month sentence after explaining to Magistrate Douglas Frederick his reason for committing the crime. (BT)

ALLEGED WOMAN BEATER BAILED – A 59-year-old carpenter was granted $3,000 bail when he appeared in a Bridgetown court on a criminal charge. It is alleged that Haymanchal Ratanlall, of Apartment Two, Balmoral Gap, Christ Church, unlawfully assaulted Ranjeeta Baig on October 8 occasioning her actual bodily harm. The prosecutor acting Station Sergeant Cameron Gibbons had no objections to bail after the accused said he was not guilty of the offence. He was released to return before Magistrate Kristie Cuffy-Sargeant on January 3, 2019, with a warning that he stays away from Baig until the case is adjudicated. (BT)

FREEDOM FOR TWO – A rape case against two Guyanese nationals, a man and woman, was discontinued in the District ‘A’ Magistrate’s Court today 15 months after they had been placed on remand at HMP Dodds. When the case against 37-year-old Carla Alexis Martin and 29-year-old Sean Christopher Nelson, both of Kings Street, St Michael, came up before Magistrate Kristie Cuffy-Sargeant today the prosecutor, acting Station Sergeant Cameron Gibbons, revealed that the female complainant had given “an additional statement to the police requesting no further action”. Gibbons said information had also come from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) via written correspondent that the matter be discontinued. Martin and Nelson had been accused of having sexual intercourse with the female on June 11, 2017, knowing that she did not consent to the act or was reckless as to whether she consented. They appeared before Cuffy-Sargeant three days later on June 14, 2017. Since then they had been on remand at the St Philip penal institution despite several bail applications by attorney-at-law Tariq Khan who represented Martin and Nelson’s legal counsel Andrew Willoughby. Making reference to the DPP’s correspondence, the magistrate revealed that the complainant had given police a statement on July 17, 2018, indicating that she was no longer interested with proceeding with the matter and that she made the decision of her own free will. Cuffy-Sargeant explained that the correspondent went into details about the two-stage process, the public interest test and the evidential test, that must be satisfied before such indictable cases could be discontinued. “According to the memorandum under the public interest test, cases like these really should be prosecuted but the test that needs to be satisfied is the evidential test. A case like this cannot be prosecuted without the evidence of the complainant because there is every likelihood that a conviction cannot be had in the High Court. So as such . . . it is advised that the prosecution [against Martin and Nelson] be discontinued,” the magistrate stated. “That’s it . . . you are free to go!” the two were told before the shackles and manacles were removed and walked out of the No. 2 District ‘A’ Magistrate’s Court free of the charge. (BT)

YOUNG GALE SIGNS WITH HONVÉD FC – A dream has finally come true! That was the declaration of former national and Paradise FC striker Dwayne Gale, father of ace midfielder Thierry Gale, who has been signed on a three-year contract with Budapest Honvéd FC in Hungary’s top league. The 16-year-old, who represents the Barbados senior national and Under-17 teams, was invited in August to participate in a short trial with the European club. He officially took up his contract on October 1. “It was a lot of hard work. I feel great about it. That was something I was working on from the time he was five years old and I am happy it has finally happened,” Dwayne, who also had a short professional stint in Ireland, said. Asked if it was bittersweet to see his son leave home, he said it was not. (MWN)

CP TAKE U14 CROWN – A well-placed penalty kick taken by national Under-14 striker Khimani Cox led Coleridge and Parry to their maiden championship title with a 2-1 victory over the St Michael School at the Usain Bolt Sports Complex yesterday. The St Michael School took an early lead in the eighth minute of play compliments young sprinter Jaquan Pilgrim who brought some of his attacking pace to the turf. It was a much-welcomed advantage for the boys from Martindales Road, as they began their quest to capture the coveted Coca-Cola-sponsored Barbados Secondary Schools trophy. (BT)

LESTER VAUGHAN SCHOOL CLOSED FOR CLEANING – The Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training has advised that the Lester Vaughan School will be closed from Wednesday, October 10 to Friday, October 12. This closure is to facilitate necessary environmental rehabilitation. The Ministry regrets any inconvenience caused. (BGIS)

For daily or breaking news reports follow us on Instagram, Tumblr, Twitter & Facebook. That’s all for today folks. There are 83 days left in the year. Shalom! #thechasefilesdailynewscap #thechasefiles# dailynewscapsbythechasefiles

Latest story from https://movietvtechgeeks.com/mitch-mconnell-begins-frantic-search-senate-health-bill-votes/

Mitch MConnell begins frantic search for Senate health bill votes

After weeks of secrecy, the Senate Republican leaders revealed their version of the plan to replace the Affordable Care Act aka Obamacare. Knowing that Senatore Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was the driving force behind this leaves many scratching their heads over how he could let such a bad bill come out. He's not just backing an unpopular bill, but he's trying to get a vote on it before the July 4th holiday weekend. McConnell is known for his cool-headed strategy, so is there a method to this seeming madness? It appears that he's betting it is better to keep the party's promise to repeal and replace Obamacare rather than succumb to public pressure. It seems ironic that rather than listen to what the voters want, he would rather make the Republicans look strong in ignoring what the majority of Americans want. He's also delivering a bill that gives first and pushes the negative effects down the road. We live in the 'think in the short-term culture' now, and he's doing exactly that. The bill cuts taxes immediately and retroactively, but it pushes draconian health care cuts for the poor and disabled into the future. Mr. McConnell gambles that by delaying the downside to 2020 and beyond, he can muffle and deflect blame when voters hit the polls in 2018. Finally, by pushing this bill through, he's able to open the way for tax reform. Republicans prefer to spend their time on taxes, not health care. Under normal Senate rules, action on both issues requires votes from Democratic senators, a tall order in polarized times. Instead, Republicans have submitted to arcane budget rules that let them pass bills with a simple majority, i.e., without the Democrats. But there’s a catch: There’s only one set of tracks that can carry these sorts of filibuster-proof measures, and the rules allow only one train car on the tracks at a time. Granted, Republican cleavage has thus far precluded any progress on taxes. But until health care is off their plate and budgeteers can prepare the next bill, tax reform is stuck in the rail yard. So will it pay off? Now comes his next challenge - persuading enough Republicans to back the measure and avert a defeat that would be shattering for President Donald Trump and the GOP. McConnell released the bill Thursday, drafted after weeks of closed-door meetings searching for middle ground between conservative senators seeking an aggressive repeal of Obama's statute and centrists warning about going too far. Erasing Obama's law has been a marquee pledge for Trump and virtually the entire party for years. The bill would cut and redesign the Medicaid program for low-income and disabled people, and erase taxes on higher earners and the medical industry that helped pay for the roughly 20 million Americans covered by Obama's law. It would let insurers provide fewer benefits, offer less generous subsidies than Obama to help people buy policies and end the statute's tax penalties on people who don't buy policies and on larger firms that don't offer coverage to workers. "I am very supportive of the Senate #HealthcareBill. Look forward to making it really special! Remember, ObamaCare is dead," Trump tweeted late Thursday. Shortly after the 142-page bill was distributed, more than a half-dozen GOP lawmakers signaled concerns or initial opposition. McConnell, R-Ky., has little margin for error: Facing unanimous Democratic opposition, "no" votes by just three of the 52 GOP senators would sink the legislation. McConnell, eager to approve the legislation next week, indicated he was open to changes before it reaches the Senate floor. But he said it was time to act. "No amount of 11th-hour reality-denying or buck-passing by Democrats is going to change the fact that more Americans are going to get hurt unless we do something," he said. Democrats said the GOP measure would take coverage away from people and raise their out-of-pocket costs, all in the name of paring taxes on the wealthy. "This bill may change, but Republicans will only be putting lipstick on a devastating blow to Americans' health care," said Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore. Four conservative senators expressed opposition but openness to talks: Ted Cruz of Texas, Kentucky's Rand Paul, Mike Lee of Utah and Ron Johnson from Wisconsin. They said the measure missed delivering a GOP promise to Americans "to repeal Obamacare and lower their health care costs." In an interview with Fox News Channel, Trump was asked about the four conservatives opposing the bill. "Well, they're also four good guys, four friends of mine and I think that they'll probably get there," he said. "We'll have to see." Sens. Dean Heller of Nevada, facing a competitive 2018 re-election battle, Rob Portman of Ohio and Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia expressed concerns about the bill's cuts to Medicaid and drug addiction efforts. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine reiterated her opposition to language blocking federal money for Planned Parenthood, which many Republicans oppose because it provides abortions. The bill would also bar using tax credits to buy coverage that includes abortions. Obama held nothing back as he weighed in on Facebook. "If there's a chance you might get sick, get old or start a family, this bill will do you harm," he wrote. He said amendments during the upcoming debate "cannot change the fundamental meanness at the core of this legislation." The House approved its version of the bill last month. Though Trump lauded its passage in a Rose Garden ceremony, he called the House measure "mean" last week. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said that under the House bill, 23 million fewer people would have coverage by 2026. The budget office analysis of the Senate measure is expected early next week. The Senate bill would phase out extra money Obama's law provides to 31 states that agreed to expand coverage under the federal-state Medicaid program. Those additional funds would continue through 2020, then gradually fall and disappear entirely in 2024. The measure largely uses people's incomes as the yardstick for helping those without workplace coverage to buy private insurance. That would focus the aid more on people with lower incomes than the House legislation, which bases its subsidies on age. Caroline Pearson, a senior vice president of the consulting firm Avalare Health, said the Senate subsidies would be smaller than Obama's because they're keyed to the cost of a bare-bones plan and because additional help now provided for deductibles and copayments would eventually be discontinued. The bill would let states get waivers to ignore some coverage requirements under Obama's law, such as specific health services insurers must now cover. States could not get exemptions to Obama's prohibition against charging higher premiums for some people with pre-existing medical conditions, but the subsidies would be lower, making coverage less affordable, Pearson said. For the next two years, the Senate would also provide money that insurers use to help lower out-of-pocket costs for millions of lower income people. Trump has been threatening to discontinue those payments, and some insurance companies have cited uncertainty as a reason they are abandoning some markets and boosting premiums.

Movie TV Tech Geeks News

Message from Sanam: Hey everyone, A couple of days ago I opened up on social media about my abusive relationship. You can read the whole post below. I never expected the amount of support I received. I am overwhelmed by the kind messages, prayers, and love I've gotten from friends, family, and so many of you who I've never met or spoken to but have extended so much warmth and concern to me. At the suggestion of more than a few people, I've decided to start this GoFundMe for anyone who would like to help me get back on my feet. I haven't worked for a while now for several reasons but the 2 biggest ones were my health (I have PCOS & fibromyalgia) and the stress of this relationship. All of this has left me dead broke but today, after spending an hour with a domestic violence counselor thinking I would have to spend the next few months going to court and trying to have my now EX-boyfriend removed from my home that he had spent the last 2 months threatening to kick me out of - he ended up coming home, packing up all his stuff, and leaving his keys. I am SO relieved that all of this has happened quickly even if it was very painful. But the next 6 months of my life are probably gonna be the hardest. The last time I went through something like this, I ended up alone and homeless and it took me over a year to get back on my feet. This time I'm hoping to cut that process very short because I am so lucky to have the support system I have today. If anyone would like to donate to help me stay in my home and be able to pay my rent, bills, car insurance, gas, groceries, medications, therapy, doctor's appointments, etc, I would be so sooo grateful. I've been on my own since I was 18 and I've never really asked anyone for help. The amount above will cover all of my living expenses and basic necessities for at least a few months and leave me with some emergency money. I don't even think I would have made it through the last 48 hours if I hadn't had so many people reach out and encourage and love me. I am so eternally grateful to every last person. I've seen every message, every comment. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Love, Sanam (original Facebook Post) this is hard to say out loud. i have been in a physically, emotionally, and verbally abusive relationship for the last year and a half. he is a well loved and respected person in his community. i spent years admiring him and when we became friends, i fell in love quickly. he was charming and smart and kind. the closer we became, the more i learned how much trauma and abuse he had faced in his own life. at 38 years old, he had never gotten any help for his severe mental illnesses. our relationship became toxic quickly for many reasons. we were 2 broken, traumatized people who came together to find solace and healing in one another. what happened was the opposite. his suicidal ideation eventually turned into anger and manipulation. every few weeks we would fight and he would break up with me and cut me off, often threatening to kill himself first and saying hurtful things which he would tell me later on was in the hopes of pushing me away because he felt so bad about himself. instead of heeding these warnings and moving on, i spent almost all of my time obsessively worrying about him. although i knew he was being manipulative, i would worry about waking up and finding out he was dead. i went back again and again even though everytime it happened it was worse than the last. i made excuses for his behavior over and over again because i wanted SO BADLY to help him. i behaved in ways i was ashamed of and subjected so many people around us to my misery because i couldn't just accept he was an abuser and move on. even when he wanted to take space, i would constantly feel the need to check in because of the fear that had been instilled in me from the incessant threats of self harm. the last few months, although the suicidal behavior has stopped, the abuse has gotten worse. every couple of weeks i’m berated on and on and told i’m a stupid bitch, made to feel worthless and degraded, am threatened to be kicked out of my home. i’m told that everyone in my life hates me, that i am useless and i won’t ever do anything with myself because i’m financially dependent on him. i’m told that i’m disgusting, that i’m a fucking moron. he has no remorse for the most part. he thinks this is normal behavior and that this is “just stuff that people say when they’re mad”. it takes an extremely exhausting amount of emotional labor to even begin to make him understand that his anger is out of control and he is almost always reluctant to accept this. 2 months ago, on a day when we fought again, i stood in front of the door when he tried to walk out. he picked me up and threw me on the floor and slammed my head on the floor. over and over again. i vividly remember being told that this is what i asked for. i vividly remember dissociating and thinking that it wasn’t even real because i couldn’t imagine why someone i loved and who loved me could be so angry and hate me so much. i remember getting up once he got off me and scratching his arm, wanting to hurt him back. but i couldn’t. because he’s a 38 year old 6 foot tall man who is twice my size. somehow even after all of this, and knowing what i do about intimate partner violence, i have forgiven this man time and time again in the naive hope that things would be different. telling myself that he is just a sad person who needs help and things can be better. idk why i do this when all i have seen in this relationship is that it doesn’t take much for him to resign himself to lashing out and abusing me. i find myself still defending the person who’s first instinct in an argument is to tell me i’m a stupid, worthless bitch. i know that i can be a toxic person and probably not a great partner. i have said and done some ugly shit but i can’t imagine that i’ve done anything that even comes close to warranting this much abuse. to have someone gaslight and degrade and manipulate me for months is really leaving me feeling like i might not make it out of this alive. for the first time in 10 years, i’ve self harmed. because of this relationship. i listen to a man i love tell me i’m stupid and disgusting and the worst thing that ever happened to him over and over again and when i FINALLY RESPOND with any kind of anger or hurtful words, i’m told that i’m a psychotic abusive manipulative bitch who belongs in a mental hospital. he fits every pattern of an abuser - belittling and name calling, denying/rationalizing his behavior, shifting blame, being hypersensitive and self deprecating. and he has done a great job of antagonizing and gaslighting me while convincing himself and his friends that i’m a “crazy bitch”. this relationship has destroyed my self esteem. since august of 2015, right after the rihanna video came out, i have spent all of my time putting this mans needs before mine and investing all of my energy into a relationship that always left me feeling empty and pathetic. i am filled with so much regret thinking about how different my life and career could have been had i been smart or strong enough to get out of this at the first sign of danger. a while back, i saw texts between him and his ex girlfriend where she also accused him of physically abusing her years ago and it was scary to read him say, word for word, the same things he has said to me denying his abuse. how could this be a coincidence? this is why i beg people to believe survivors of abuse. there is NOTHING gratifying or rewarding in speaking out about this. i have been met with doubt, anger, and victim blaming before and i fully expect to deal with that again. i’ve kept this hidden from everyone around me for so long and it feels like if i don’t let it out i’m going to lose the last bit of sanity i have left. men who abuse women get to move on with their lives while women who are abused are left behind to pick up the pieces. i have had to spend months and years rebuilding emotional, physical, financial, and spiritual well being when i have been through this in the past. i’ve been homeless and broke. i have had people tell me i deserved what i got, lost friends who blamed me for staying, had people not believe me because my abuser was publicly kind and honest and generous. there is NOTHING i look forward to about doing this again. i fear for my safety, i fear for his safety. i fear that after everything i've endured in my life, this is what will finally break me. i wrote this yesterday hoping it would give me strength and courage and instead i just feel more gross, ashamed, and helpless than ever. i guess i don't really know what the point of all this is except that if you see someone you love going through this, help them. and if you see someone you love doing this to their partner, HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE. the worst part of all of this has been still loving this person and trying to be kind to him and make him understand what he's doing wrong and get him the help he needs only to be met with anger and hatred in return. i really don't know what to do or where to go from here. we still share a space and i'm trying so hard to keep myself together until one of us can leave. i know how many of u know and love him. i know how much he has hidden from everyone to keep himself safe and i know how much i've hidden to keep him safe. i really didn't want to open this part of my life up to everyone but i feel helpless. he has made it clear that he does not and will not even try to respect me or be civil with me. and i don't know how much help anyone can give him when he is completely in denial and dishonest with everyone in his life about what is actually going on. i don't want to leave my home. i don't want to end up crazy or dead because of this is relationship. i don't know what happens after this.