COVID-19 & Healthcare

Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research poll: Democrats should go on the offense on ‘ObamaCare’

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Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

A Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research poll of "battleground" congressional districts for the Women's Voices, Women Vote Action Fund and Democracy Corps released on Thursday recommends that Democrats go on the offensive on "ObamaCare." Are you listening Reps. Barber and Sinema? New WVWVAF Poll: Affordable Care Act Remains Popular with Rising American Electorate:

Survey Shows Unparalleled Support for Women’s Economic Agenda

WASHINGTON, DC – December 12, 2013 – The Affordable Care Act remains incredibly popular with people of color, unmarried women and other members of the Rising American Electorate, and a plurality in Republican districts and a majority in Democratic districts still support implementing “Obamacare” over repealing it. Those are some of the key findings of a major new poll (PDF) sponsored by Women’s Voices Women Vote Action Fund and conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research for Democracy Corps.

“Despite all the noise over the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, our polling shows that it remains popular among African Americans, Latinos, unmarried women and other members of the Rising American Electorate,” said Page Gardner, founder and President of Women’s Voices Women Vote Action Fund. “They realize that the reform law will improve their lives and ensure that they have affordable and reliable health care. These often economically-vulnerable Americans make up nearly 54 percent of the voting-eligible population, and these are the voters who decide elections.”

Motion to Dismiss in AZ AHCCCS expansion case to be heard today

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Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The Arizona Republic reports, Medicaid battle heads to court:

The battle over Medicaid expansion in Arizona moves to the courtroom today[.]

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Led by Senate President Andy Biggs, R-Gilbert, and House Speaker Andy Tobin, R-Paulden, all but two of the lawmakers who were on the losing side of the June vote sued to challenge one of the biggest public-policy changes in Arizona in decades.

They are joined by two residents and the director of the Arizona branch of the limited-government advocacy ["Kochtopus"] group Americans for Prosperity. [The "Kochtopus" Goldwater Institute is providing the lawyers.]

The case revolves around whether the Legislature had the authority to approve the funding plan that would be used to pay the state’s share of expanded Medicaid coverage.

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The GOP lawmakers and allies argue that because the tax vote fell short of the two-thirds supermajority needed to approve a tax, the move was unconstitutional.

They also argue that Brewer’s plan violates the separation of powers because it allows an executive-branch agency, AHCCCS, to set that rate, rather than the Legislature.

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Brewer, along with her supporters, is asking Judge Katherine Cooper to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that none of the plaintiffs have proper legal standing to challenge the policy move.

Questions for Martha McSally: Jim Nintzel doesn’t get an answer either – again

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Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

In this new series, "Questions for Martha McSally," we pose questions to the McSally campaign about her positions on current hot topics — I am not going to give her a free pass until after the GOP primary like our local media did in 2012.

ChickenbunkerJim Nintzel of the Tucson Weekly and host of the Arizona Illustrated political roundtable tried to get Martha McSally to take a position on the current hot topic of gay marriage and "ObamaCare" and – suprise! – McSally is still hiding in the bunker with no ready answer to substantive questions. This is one incredibly ill-informed and ill-prepared candidate for someone who has been running for office since 2010. In Sickness and in Health:

What about gay marriage? Are you evolving on that at all?

Am I evolving on that?

A lot of people seem to be evolving on that. You said last time out that you supported a constitutional amendment to limit marriage to one man and one woman. Now we have it in all these states.

I believe it's primarily a state issue. When you're answering these surveys, sometimes it's a "yes/no" question when really it should be an essay answer that's appropriate.

HHS: The Health Insurance Marketplace: What You Need to Know

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Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services posted this blog post to assist consumers with HealthCare.gov at http://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/facts/blog/2013/12/marketplace-what-you-need-toknow.html.

The Health Insurance Marketplace: What You Need to Know

Posted December 4, 2013

Since it launched in October, we have made dramatic improvements to HealthCare.gov, taking it from a system that didn’t perform nearly as well as it should, to one that can help you learn about your new health insurance options, create an account, learn about financial help you may be able to receive, compare your options and select a plan.   If you’ve tried HealthCare.gov and been unsatisfied with your experience, or if you’ve been wondering if you’re eligible for a more affordable option under the health care law, here are some tips for you.  Remember, you MUST enroll in a plan by December 23, and pay your premium, to get coverage on January 1, 2014.   

Haven’t tried yet?  Review your options.

See Plans Before I ApplyWe have added a new feature to healthcare.gov that lets you “window shop” for the types of coverage as well as discounts on premiums and other costs that might be available to you.  Log on to healthcare.gov and click “See Plans.”  You’ll only need to answer a few simple questions to see detailed information about each Marketplace health insurance plan offered in your state – before you apply.  Using this new tool you can compare plans, understand covered benefits, review physician and hospital networks, and more – before you login or complete an application.