Obamacare Cons Essay

Even though ObamaCare does a lot right, it does have some consequences for specific groups of Americans. ObamaCare does hurt a small percentage of small businesses, has had a negative effect on insurance premiums and has made some reforms that have hurt some medical industries and their workers. Here are some of the cons of the healthcare bill: ObamaCare Cons: Taxes on Small Business  2% of firms in the US have over 50 full-time employees and will have to choose to insure full-time workers or pay a fine. To avoid this some businesses will cut employee hours or not hire. Some things worth noting are that the fine isn’t paid for your first 30 workers. Also, many businesses are coming up with solutions that don’t hurt the workforce such as passing the extra costs onto consumers. Please be aware that when politicians say, â€Å"small business† they are also referring to the top 3% of small businesses who include Hedge Funds which use loopholes to pass as small businesses. ObamaCare Cons: Religious Beliefs There is some argument over ObamaCare funding women’s health services like contraception. There are exceptions built into the law to refuse to provide these services to women based on religious grounds, but this has non the less been causing issues on the ground, in the political arena and in the courts. ObamaCare Cons: Rising Premiums ObamaCare doesn’t raise premiums itself. In fact, it reforms the insurance industry, finding ways to drive down costs, make the quality of insurance better and prevent insurance company abuses like . Unfortunately, many provisions of ObamaCare that offer protections to consumers do not go into law until 2014. In the meantime, premium rates have been rising at alarming rates. ObamaCare doesn’t offer a protection beyond allowing states to enact the provision against price gouging. Many States are enforcing this, while  others aren’t. ObamaCare Cons: ObamaCare Insurance Exchanges Another con of ObamaCare is that 21 states planning to or are opting out of the State Run Exchanges, letting the federal government run their exchanges for them. The claim is that this is a cost cutting measure for the State, however the truth is much more complicated. This provision was meant to be in the bill, but it is being abused as a way to avoid providing subsidies to low and middle income Americans and forcing the Federal taxpayers to take care of anti-ObamaCare state’s constituents. This has resulted in a 3.5% fee for insurance companies to sell insurance on the federal exchange. Learn more about the State Run Insurance Exchanges. ObamaCare Cons: Tax for Not Buying Insurance Come 2014, you must purchase insurance or pay a â€Å"penalty income tax†. The first year it is $95 or 1% of your income. In order for the program to work at its best ideally everyone would have insurance resulting in affordable quality insurance for all, the tax helps offset the estimated 6 million people will pay the fine in the first year instead of purchasing insurance. ObamaCare Cons: Big Business Taxes Medical device taxes and â€Å"drug innovator† taxes dig into the profits of some of the power houses in their respective industries. These taxes are a reaction to the large profit margins these companies have and the hold they have over the competition. They drive up the cost of health care, thus they are taxed to help pay for health care reform. However, taxes on large businesses may have unintended consequences in the job market and in aspects of the health care industry. We don’t have proof of their effects yet. ObamaCare Cons: Taxes on the 2% The top 2% of businesses and individuals in the US will pay some extra taxes.  You could argue that are closer to the 3% will get hit the hardest because the have the least extra cash to stay in the game with so it hurts them more. However, the most vocal opponents and the ones who fund the anti-ObamaCare campaigns are the big businesses who don’t like regulation, entitlement programs or any tax or program that affects their bottom line. Aside from the above mentioned consequences its important not to make their interests our own. ObamaCare Cons: ObamaCare Hurts Medicare ObamaCare cuts $716 billion from Medicare and reinvests the money back into the program. Since there is such a big overhaul ObamaCare set up a committee to oversee spending and effectiveness. Due to the sheer volume of reforms some of them, even though well intentioned, are sure to have unintended consequences and need adjusting. Although ObamaCare has already helped tens of millions of seniors save money on drugs and get access to better health care, there are some caveats. ObamaCare is projected to cost $1.1 trillion over the next ten years, and in order for the program to work as intended this is going to include funding from the tax payers and from the States. However, the end result of ObamaCare’s spending is a $200 billion dollar reduction of the deficit over the next decade, states also receive between 90 – 100% of funding for most ObamaCare related programs they set up. A few states, including Nevada and Michigan, have done studies that show how the States can save billions with ObamaCare. Health Insurance companies stand to make billions, despite a loss on profit per plan, since they will be insuring millions of new Americans.

Enough – creative writing

William Peterson rapped his knuckle against the hollow ply-board and gathered the familiar stench of damp cigarette stubs and oil into his lungs. The finger-stained door flapped open carelessly and the soft sound echoed round the concrete walls. A hand appeared, thrusting some worn keys towards William. It belonged to Janet. She was only fifty-ish, but the fifteen years spent doing nothing in the fumes had eroded her eyes deep into her face and had buried her personality even further down. William didn't even nod in acknowledgement; speaking to Janet would have been like conversing with a piece of machinery. The door closed. William was late, as usual, but didn't hurry. He walked casually across the bus station, passed a small line of irritated passengers, and then clambered aboard the number 51 bus. Once in the driver's seat, William removed his coat slowly, much to the annoyance of the passengers, who were either looking purposefully at their watches or directing quick, sour glances in his direction. They started to board. First in the queue was a young mother carrying a chubby baby awkwardly on her narrow hips. Her face was sallow, and she wore a frown that was accentuated by two smooth streaks of black lip-liner. An old lady sidestepped up next, balancing a puffed ball of grey hair precariously on her head. She spent several minutes counting out the exact fare in five pence pieces, before falling into the nearest seat in one robotically arthritic movement. Following her was William's friend Sam, a tall black man. He was wearing a brand new baseball cap that aged him considerably. After greeting William and paying for a return ticket, Sam turned and beamed at the chubby baby, and then climbed the clammy steps to the top deck. Then three teenage girls giggled their way on to the bus, just finishing their conversation. â€Å"Oh-my-God, did you hear what happened?!† â€Å"I know, she's such a bitch.† Their self-absorbed world of mobiles and Bacardi Breezers swept its way to the back seats and settled. Only a few more people climbed aboard and the bus was not even a quarter full. William checked his watch, and tried to start the engine. It wheezed for a few seconds and then stubbornly staggered into silence once again. This bus' reliability had ventured beyond temperamental. Cursing inwardly, William gingerly twisted the key for a second time†¦ It started – thank God. The 51 pulled out of the concrete hovel into mellowing autumn sunshine. The bus groaned, stretching its filthy bodywork as it picked up speed. It was late afternoon. The girls at the back laughed some more and rearranged their bulging shopping bags. William visibly relaxed and sank deeper into his seat. The soft pad had moulded itself perfectly to the shape of the buttocks that had occupied it for so many years. For a moment, William almost regretted that he had decided to retire in two month's time, but this absurd feeling quickly passed as he recalled how much he hated the job. The sweet-sour smell of cigarette smoke wafted down the steps. â€Å"No smoking!† shouted William over his shoulder, though he felt utterly hypocritical as he did so; he smoked like a chimney himself. As he turned back round, William looked with horror at the road ahead. Directly in front of him was a young girl, staring up at him, frozen with fear. William screeched on the 51's protesting brakes and prayed for the first time in his life†¦ Final Chapter A crushing semi-silence had descended on the courtroom. The second-hand of a clock was jumping round somewhere above William's head. In front of him, he could see Carla Greene walking sedately. Still sporting the same hideous shade of lip-liner, she stepped up to the witness box. The dark curves round her mouth buckled and puckered as she started to speak, and William fixed his eyes on them, though he did not hear what she said. He was transported back to the day when Carla's lip-liner had formed a great oval, and when her mouth had issued piercing screams as she pointed at a small, lifeless mound in the road. He had been haunted by that image ever since, and saw her face almost every time he closed his eyes. William's chest tightened and he took a deep, choked breath that brought him back from the verge of breaking down into tears. The sound of it made several people look over at him. William dipped his head down to avoid their stares. He knew the girl's parents would be looking, and he couldn't face them. The pain of this guilt was worse than anything he had felt before. He dared not look up. Instead, he pretended to be engrossed in picking a callous on his thumb. After a while, Carla's voice stopped, and the sound of the clock ticking could be heard again. William ventured a glimpse up, and was relieved to see Rose's parents were looking at the judge. He studied their faces: the mother, despite her show of strength today, could not hide the devastating grief she obviously still felt. Though quite young, her skin appeared dull in the harsh light, her eyes were puffy and her brow was lightly wrinkled. The father, who was receiving counselling along with his wife, looked vacant and bewildered. Though William had told himself countless times it had been an accident, blame had engulfed him during the past few months. A part of him still couldn't accept that a moment's lapse in concentration could destroy a young life, and ruin the lives of a whole family. William had wanted the court case to be over, so that he could put this all behind him, but now, actually sitting in the court room, confronted with so many sad faces, he felt that he would never be able to do that. Somehow a sentence of community service – the norm for a charge of driving ‘without due care and attention', wasn't enough to heal the wounds left by the accident. The court was adjourned for the day, and some window blinds were opened as they all stood, letting thick shafts of sunlight into the room. The general mood lifted slightly and a low hum of conversation developed. William saw Cynthia up in the gallery and also noticed Thomas peering over the high railing, his cool blue eyes darting around inquisitively. After a few moments, Cynthia turned and smiled at him. At least, William thought, he had people around who cared for him. William walked out of the courtroom, staring at the green carpet tiles beneath his feet as he did so. Once in the corridor, Mr O'Brien walked over and spoke to him briefly. The conversation passed completely over William's head. â€Å"I think you're going to get away with a relatively short sentence of community service, Mr Peterson. The evidence the girl gave was hardly incriminating.† â€Å"Mmmm†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"So, I'll see you tomorrow then.† â€Å"Uh, yes.† William could see through into the foyer where Cynthia and Thom were waiting, and he willingly broke off the stilted conversation to hurry off and meet them. â€Å"Hi dad!† Cynthia said, kissing him on the cheek, â€Å"How've you been?† â€Å"Oh, I'm fine†¦I see you didn't manage to find anyone to look after Thom, then.† â€Å"No, but he was fine up in the gallery – didn't hear a squeak out of him!† â€Å"No, but a court is no place for a child.† Cynthia fell silent at her father's criticism, but readily took his arm as they walked outside. The Crown Court was a Sixty's building, and through the door they were greeted with a typical concrete courtyard, complete with matching shallow flowerpots in which some thoughtful person had planted beautiful purple pansies. Their colour pinpricked the otherwise monotone surroundings. William and Cynthia stopped so that Thom, who was playing on the steps, could catch up. It was then that William saw Rose Eliot's parents exiting through the doors behind them. They were walking slowly as Mrs Eliot was obviously heavily pregnant, a fact which had escaped William until then. He watched as they came down the steps past Thom, and saw them look at him. Suddenly, William found himself walking over towards them. He didn't really know why. He just realised that he desperately needed to speak to them, to tell them how sorry he was, to tell them he would never forgive himself†¦ Mr and Mrs Eliot looked quite shocked at first, but as William drew closer, they just looked expectant, as if they had wanted to speak to him as well. When he had reached them, William said the only thing he felt that he could, the only thing he wanted to say, and the only thing, it seemed, they wanted to hear. â€Å"I'm so, so sorry.† That was all. That was enough. That said more than a whole court case could say, or a huge bunch of flowers sent to a funeral could say. It was enough.

Obesity Is Not a Personal Problem

Obesity is Not a Personal Problem As the obesity wave crashes over the United States, more Americans are paying out of pocket to flourish the $33 billion commercial diet industry (Spake 283). As American’s waistbands continue to expand, they immerse themselves in one of the largest, most scandalous consumer markets: the weight loss industry. Amanda Spake, author of â€Å"Rethinking Weight†, addresses the question as to who should cover the overall cost of weight loss programs. Spake challenges that insurance companies should pay for the expenses that obese people encounter. This, she states, is due to the fact that obesity is a biological â€Å"disease† and it should be treated and paid for like any other critical illness (283). In this article, Spake does not present the importance of physical activity, only discussing unsuccessful dieting experiences and bad genetic makeup. Although Spake briefly suggests that exercising is an advantage to those who are obese, she puts the solitary blame for obesity on the genetic aspect. From 1986 to 2000, the number of people who are severely obese–which is identified by having a body mass index of 40 or more–has quadrupled, from about 1 in 200 adults to 1 in every 50. This startling statistic has caused more people to be aware of this rising occurrence that has swept over the United States. Obesity has medical professionals worrying; not only are the numbers of overweight people continuing to rise but weight-related medical costs are soaring. Healthcare costs for illnesses due to obesity have now exceeded those related to both smoking and alcoholism. The obesity epidemic is a big contributor to skyrocketing health care costs in the United States, partly due to the weight-related diseases that come hand-in-hand with obesity. Ailments such as type II diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and high cholesterol are closely connected to obesity and an alarming 80 percent of obese adults suffer from one of these life-threatening diseases (Spake 283). Many research foundations are now connecting obesity to a person’s genetic makeup, calling it a biological development that an individual cannot control. Spake suggests that insurance companies should cover the costs of obesity as it is a genetically and biologically determined disease thus the individual does not have the ability to lose weight on their own. As a result, researchers suggest that including the treatment of obesity in health care plans might bring science and sanity to the anarchy of weight loss (Spake 286). Many researchers do not identify obesity as a disease in fear that unhealthy weight-loss programs will someday be considered acceptable treatment and ultimately mandated to be covered by insurance. Although Spake validates her assertions by backing up her words with credible opinions and statistics, she weakens her argument by not addressing the importance of physical activity. Maria Pfisterer is an obese mother who Spake claims has tried every weight-loss strategy imaginable. However, nowhere does it say that in addition to the drugs and â€Å"quick-weight-loss fads† Pfisterer had attempted to include an exercise regime. She claimed that all of the programs she tried resulted in a few pounds lost and quite a few more gained; always returning to the same 197 to 202 pound range. Being overweight is the result of one thing: eating more food than one burns (Spake 285). Nowhere in the article does Spake suggest that physical activity is a effective, healthy and inexpensive way to lose weight, choosing to put forth the idea that weight loss comes only from high-priced dieting programs. In her article, Spake claims that genetics are the sole factor for obesity in America. There are many other factors mentioned in the article that play into someone’s weight including the food they eat, their level of physical activity, and societal factors such as advertising. Also, Spake quotes Arthur Frank, director of George Washington University’s Weight Management Program, â€Å"So saying to an obese person who wants to lose weight, ‘All you have to do is eat less,’ is like saying to a person suffering from asthma, ‘All you have to do is breathe better’† (284). Obesity and asthma are two very different things therefore should not be compared. An individual who is overweight can take control of their weight-gain by taking more personal responsibility and making healthier choices. However, asthma is an inflammatory disorder that can strike at any time which causes an individual to wheeze or gasp for air where an individual cannot control its effects. Not everyone agrees that obesity should be considered a disease, some stating that the obesity epidemic can be overturned by individuals taking more personal accountability for their wellbeing and opting to make healthier lifestyle choices (Spake 283). In an alarmed attempt to make readers believe that obesity should be considered a disease and insurance companies should cover the cost of the individual’s expenses, Spake fails to provide enough evidence to support her claim. She maintains that overweight people have a genetic flaw that causes them to be susceptible to weight gain. Physical exercise, which is seldom mentioned in Spake’s article, is an important weight loss tool that helps to burn the extra calories an individual’s body does not burn on its own. Spake portrays a defective argument that invalidates her main purpose. People with health insurance should look to see what is covered and seek healthier, less-expensive alternatives to fix the things that are not included. Regardless of what â€Å"Rethinking Weight† suggests, overweight individuals have an equal opportunity to replace their existing lifestyle with healthier habits. Works Cited Spake, Amanda. â€Å"Rethinking Wight. † Writing and Reading for ACP Composition. Eds. Thomas E. Leahey and Christine R. Farris. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2009. 282-88. Print.

Public University Funding Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Public University Funding - Assignment Example There is problem in acquiring funds from private entities/foundations such as 'auxiliaries' that are affiliated to these public universities. The problem does not arise from acquiring funds. The problem arises when such 'auxiliaries' affiliated to the universities are not legally bound to disclose where they get funds from and are also exempt from any disclosure of their accounts. Such anomaly can lead to grave consequences for the universities. Instances have been quoted where certain 'auxiliaries' have not been as forthcoming as they were expected to be. A foundation affiliated with Sonoma State University lent money to a former member of its board. They then got stuck with a bill when he could not pay the money back. And a former chancellor of San Francisco City College has been indicted on charges that include allegedly diverting money from a foundation account to pay for a club membership, liquor and other expenses (Instructions). These malpractices cannot be allowed to go unchecked just because Californian Public Records Act does not cover foundations. There is a gap in the law if such malpractices are allowed to occur with impunity. The current financial scenario is fraught with ignoble implications and any gap in the legal process could even mean playing into the hands of terrorists. Californian Senator Leland Yee's legislative bill SB-218 deserves "swift and overwhelming approval" by the legislature. The bill will ensure transparency and accountability. In order that honest and bona fide "auxiliaries' are not discouraged from fund raising on the university's behalf, SB-218 has a provision for such donors to remain anonymous (Senate Judiciary Committee). There are legitimate and principled ways of raising funds. Sometimes it is easier to raise funds than disburse them. Universities must be as careful in their disbursements as they are when raising funds. Conclusion Accountability and transparency in financial affairs promote goodwill and developmental activities. People in general and donors in particular want to see funds utilized judiciously and donate in greater measure when funds are invested honestly and purposefully. Besides, universities are noble institutions and are expected to uphold exemplary standards of funds utility. Source: Instructions, Order No. 316961, Academia-Research.com Senate Judiciary C

Information Tech. and the Canadian Economy Essay

Information Tech. and the Canadian Economy - Essay Example The people who were providing labor force in Canada are retiring while there are no new people to fill up their positions. The number of hours per capita from the senior citizens does not help the economy. The young men and women should, therefore, get an education. They should also have the desire for change to be able to achieve the required amount of labor force to move Canada’s economy (Miner, 2013). Immigration is one of the ways to improve the labor force. There has been a debate on the type of training and preparation the next generation should go through to ensure there are enough people for the jobs in future. In order to prepare the next generation for the labor force, the level of education attainment in the country should be increased (Clever, 2012). The level of education for the young men and women should go beyond high school. It should be through to getting diplomas, degrees, apprenticeship, industry qualification, certificate, etc. The different institutions b eyond high school help the young people acquire skills and education for different parts of the labor force. There has been major progress since 2010 as the number of high schools graduations have gone up every year. The high school graduations increase means the rise in enrollment to post-secondary education. The progress has reduced the estimates for the needed labor force in the country. It is both good and bad news for the young men and women in Canada. The reduction of the need for labor force is right in that the shortage of workers in Canada reduces significantly. It is bad in that it slows down the economic recovery and growth with Ontario, New Brunswick, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and PEI being the ones to take most of the pain. The cities named above economies suffered the most when the economy of Canada went down (Miner, 2013). The labor force in the above locations relatively went down because of its population consisting mainly of senior citizens who