We are concerned..
We have many concerns over the course the country is on; we believe that these concerns can be addressed by putting aside ideology, focusing on the facts, and developing common sense solutions to problems, and we call on those who are unaffiliated with any Party to help us.
Here are ten benefits which come online following the President's signature on the health care bill:
Adult children may remain as dependents on their parents’ policy until their 27th birthday
Children under age 19 may not be excluded for pre-existing conditions
No more lifetime or annual caps on coverage
Free preventative care for all
Adults with pre-existing conditions may buy into a national high-risk pool until the exchanges come online. While these will not be cheap, they’re still better than total exclusion and get some benefit from a wider pool of insured.
Small businesses will be entitled to a tax credit for 2009 and 2010, which could be as much as 50% of what they pay for employees’ health insurance.
The “donut hole” closes for Medicare patients, making prescription medications more affordable for seniors.
Requirement that all insurers must post their balance sheets on the Internet and fully disclose administrative costs, executive compensation packages, and benefit payments.
Authorizes early funding of community health centers in all 50 states (Bernie Sanders’ amendment). Community health centers provide primary, dental and vision services to people in the community, based on a sliding scale for payment according to ability to pay.
AND no more rescissions. Effective immediately, you can't lose your insurance because you get sick.
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US and Russia Sign New Nuclear Arms Reduction Treaty
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Student loan reform
Student loan reform is a major victory for all those parents and their children who are planning higher education. The legislation
1.Ends subsidies for special – interest private lending companies
2.Doubles funding for Pell Grants to help more students afford a college education
3.Will cap a graduate’s annual student-loan repayments at 10 percent of his or her income
4. Helps an additional 5 million Americans earn degrees and certificates over the next decade, by revitalizing programming at our nation’s community colleges
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Wall Street Reform Bill Passes Amidst Widespread Media Diversion
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Economic recovery
The NY Times on July 27 highlighted a
new study, conducted by Alan Binder (former vice chair of the Federal
Reserve) and Mark Zandi (chief economist for Moody's Analytics and a
former McCain adviser). It concludes, among other things, that economic
recovery measures by President Obama and Congress saved 8.5 million jobs
and boosted our national GDP by 6.5 percent.
http://my.barackobama.com/page/m/55c10b75/6c5a08f6/8c434998/11880368/33033207/VEsH/
The full study is a bit long but can be found at;
http://www.economy.com/mark-zandi/documents/End-of-Great-Recession.pdf
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Auto industry 'growing strong' after bailout
http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/07/30/obama.auto.recovery/?hpt=T2
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US Troop Withdrawal From Iraq Remains on Schedule
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The Lily Ledbetter Act for equal pay
For Women, What a Difference a Year Almost Made
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Obama signs emergency bill to halt teacher layoffs
Only two republicans for for it in Congress!
http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-general/20100810/US.Jobs.Bill/
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President Obama signs U.S. Manufacturing Enhancement Act of 2010 into law
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Senate approves $600 million in border security funds
http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/08/12/pol.senate.border.funding/?hpt=Sbin
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To be continued...