Ryan's Vouchers Purchase a Private Insurance Plan

Example of the Ryan Voucher (Coupon) Program trying to purchase an actual Private Insurance Program from a State Managed Plan.

Who is the Health Reinsurance Association (HRA)?

The Connecticut Health Care Act of 1975 created the Health Reinsurance Association (HRA) to make available to eligible individuals in Connecticut a comprehensive health care plan designed to help meet medical costs of non-occupational injuries and diseases.

HRA is a non-profit association comprised of all private insurance companies and PPOs that provide health insurance in Connecticut.

Rates for the PPO Plan Follow:

60-64 year old male health insurance costs $1,829.01 a month times 12 months or $21,948.12 a year. If the Paul Ryan Budget in the "Path to Prosperity" Medicare voucher or coupon pays the equivalent of $15,000 a year. The citizen is short a minimum of $6,948.12 each year for the rest of his life. (If the Medicare voucher or coupon is equivalent of $11,000 then the citizen is short $10,948.12 each year for the rest of his life. )

Add his annual deductible of $1,500 to his voucher deficiency and he is now out of pocket at least $8,448.12 per year each year for the rest of his life. (If the Medicare voucher or coupon is equivalent of $11,000 then the citizen is short $12,448.12 each year for the rest of his life). Remember that this plan only covers 80% of in-network charges. So your also out of pocket for 20% of every charge above and beyond your annual deductible.

There is a 12 month waiting period for preexisting conditions.

Out of Pocket Maximum- Only out-of-pocket expenses for covered services count toward the out-of-pocket maximum.

• In-Network $7,500 per Individual
• Out of Network $15,000 per Individual

Annual Deductibles- The amount you pay out-of-pocket for covered services before the plan begins to reimburse you.

• In-Network $1,500 per Individual
• Out of Network $3,000 per Individual

Physicians Services In-Network Out of Network

• Office visits 80% after deductible 60% after deductible
• Inpatient surgery 80% after deductible 60% after deductible
• Outpatient surgery 80% after deductible 60% after deductible

Hospital Services

• Inpatient 80% after deductible 60% after deductible
• Outpatient 80% after deductible 60% after deductible
• Emergency Room 80% after deductible 60% after deductible
• Skilled Nursing Facility 80% after deductible 60% after deductible
• 120 day maximum 120 day maximum
• Occupation/Speech Therapy  80% after deductible 60% after deductible

Think I'm kidding - Full details found here!

Tell Mr. Paul Ryan, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Wisconsin's 1st district that his plan is NOT in the best interest of any American Citizen!

Approaching $9,000.00 less in assistance than present medicare program provides. (If his Medicare voucher or coupon is equivalent of $11,000.00 then the elderly man is approaching a $14,000.00 shortage each year for the rest of his life).

Tax Expenditures

Tax expenditures in simple terms, are spending programs implemented through our tax code.

These programs offer businesses and people special tax treatment: credits, deductions, exclusions, exemptions, deferrals, and preferential rates.

These special treatments support various government policies such as helping people pay for a college education, buy a home or save for retirement; or entice business to invest new plants and equipment, in green energy technologies or drill for oil or gas; and more.

The government uses both tax expenditures by taking all taxpayer dollars and giving them to others to spend for a specific purpose. It uses tax expenditures to accomplish the same goals as direct spending (giving money), but it instead transfers money by lowering taxes for an individual or company.

Tax expenditures are not subject to the same annual appropriations process as other forms of spending. This means they are less likely to be scrutinized.

Do you hear any serious discussion on reducing tax expenditures?

Why?

Members of Congress tend to pursue their priorities through tax expenditures because they appear to the American People as tax cuts instead of spending increases.

The cost of tax expenditures has dramatically increased over the last 20 years partly because they are excluded from the budget process and because they pretend to be tax cuts.

Tell your congressperson you want tax expenditures subject to the annual budget evaluation process. And that you desire Congress to report annually of the costs and the benefits of each tax expenditure (spending) so one can consider which tax expenditures are worthy of keeping and which ones need to be eliminated.

Spending programs delivered through tax expenditures should be subject to the same level of scrutiny as direct spending programs. Tax expenditures need to be delivered efficiently and if they don't work they need to be cut the same as ineffective spending programs.

US Government 2009 Agriculture Subsidies

USDA subsidies in the United States totaled $16.3 billion in 2009
Total USDA - Subsidies by state, 2009

How many GOP supporters who talk about the socialism receive these benefits?

Look up states which receive the greatest benefits from our countries agriculture policies:

Click Here!

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Bi-Partisan Proposed Cap on Federal Spending

Proposed Cap on Federal Spending Would Force Deep Cuts in Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security

Remember how we got here?

This solution is a shirk of responsibility. Easy way for politicians.
A means to avoid or neglect their duty or responsibility.


Click Here to Effects of The Proposed Cap!

• Capping Spending at or Below the Historical Average Would Necessitate Even More Severe Cuts in Future Decades
• Cap Would Drive Substantial Cuts in Medicare, Medicaid, And Social Security Over the Next Decade
• Historical Spending Averages Bear Little Relevance for the Future

• Cap Would Require Radical Restructuring of Medicare and Medicaid
• Eliminating Traditional Medicare
• Block-Granting Medicaid
• Spending Cap Would Likely Require Repeal of Major Coverage Elements of Health Reform
• Spending Cap Would Require Large Cuts in Social Security Over Both the Near and Long Term

Think Bigger Than Self

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

Margaret Mead

Think Bigger Than Self, Click Here - If Everyone Cared, Must Read Sub-titles:

The New Colossus - The Statue of Liberty Poem


"Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed,

sunset gates shall stand a mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command the air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame. "Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she with silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"


*** Think Bigger than Self! ***

Expansion of Sum: (1+x)^n=1+nx/1!+(n(n-1) x^2)/2!+⋯

Ryan Budget Plan Boasts Bigger Better than Reality

Ryan Budget Plan Produces Far Less Real Deficit Cutting than Reported.

Fact is the Plan’s $4.3 Trillion in Program Cuts, Offset by $4.2 Trillion in Tax Cuts, Yield Just $155 Billion in Deficit Reduction

Read full story here!

Small Business Owner & Government Regulation

I am a small business owner who provides business consulting services to other business owners.

I don't see many small business owners who use business models or operating systems where efficient methods to perform said tasks do not already exist (in compliance with government regulations).

• If I am an excavation company there are tools and equipment to dig safely while protecting equipment, employees and the environment.

• If I am a coal mining operation, there are tools and equipment to mine safely while protecting equipment, employees and the environment.

• If I am an electrician, there are tools and equipment to install, upgrade or maintain electrical systems safely while protecting equipment, employees and the environment.

• If I am a grocery store owner, there are there are tools and equipment to operate a convenience store safely while protecting product, equipment, shoppers and employees.

Historically regulations are enacted as a result of major economic harm caused to our countries gross national production by a private industry activity (meaning GDP dollars are being wasted causing harm rather than doing work).

This might be employee safety, environmental safety, food safety and other major segments of our economy.

Small business operations benefit from government regulations.

If we went without environmental health and safety regulations the cost to do business would surely be greater. The cost to insure business operations would clearly be more expensive. And there would likely be more business owners in bankruptcy due to the inability to properly manage the operational risk of their company.

Regulations help business owners to know the most dangerous operations of their chosen career and provides a road-map to successfully navigate the dangers inherent in their businesses. Regulations also reduce the cost of illness, injury and law suits which would result from a lack thereof.

Government regulations, thank you for helping new small business owners successfully navigate their business most dangerous operations allowing them to succeed and grow to hire their fellow citizens.

Think about it in a different way: A tort, in common law jurisdictions, is a wrong that involves a breach of a civil duty (other than a contractual duty) owed to someone else.

A person who suffers a tortious injury is entitled to receive "damages", usually monetary compensation, from the person or people responsible — or liable — for those injuries.

WIKIPEDIA REFERENCE MATERIAL TO UNDERSTAND THE SUPPORTING FACTS

Tort law defines what is a legal injury and whether a person may be held liable for an injury they have caused.

Legal injuries are not limited to physical injuries. This may include emotional, economic, or reputational injuries as well as violations of privacy, property, or constitutional rights.

Tort cases comprise topics such as auto accidents, false imprisonment, defamation, product liability (for defective consumer products), copyright infringement, and environmental pollution (toxic torts), among many others.

Again I say small business operations benefit from government regulations.

The cost to insure business operations would clearly be more expensive.

Law suits from people claiming fraud, misrepresentation, breach of contract would be greater.

And there would likely be more business owners in bankruptcy due to the inability to properly manage the operational risk of their company.

Tell the GOP Their Plans are Unacceptable

 Let's review what the George W. Bush Presidency with Republican Congress (6 of 8 years) did for America from 2000 - 2008:

• Cut taxes to starve (GOP Perceived Big) government.
• Deregulate to bring unfettered free market principles back to business
• Create Government Budgets which do not account for all government spending (GOP never budgeted for off balance sheet expenditures like Middle East Wars) widening deficits.
• Create larger and larger government deficits with full knowledge our citizens were aging and therefore would be cashing in on the insurance programs the people paid for during their entire working life. (GOP failing to properly budget for and fund for an entire decade)
• Allow corporations to damage the environment and our financial system then prevent subpoena power to congressional oversight committees entrusted by our constitution to protect the people from such acts.
• Now, today call for further tax cuts and tax cut extensions due to the depressed economy brought upon the nation by the very same policies they call to action today.

In short the activities which caused our problem today were imprudent tax cuts when our government officials ought to have been planning to secure the benefits citizens paid for their entire working life rather than offering corporate socialism and fighting unpaid for wars should now be corrected by offering more tax cuts and the sacrifice of benefits by citizens whom have already paid for the benefits of the insurance plans for their entire working life.

MEDICARE Premiums Paid for Service to Be Rendered at retirement.

• 30 year old paid insurance premiums for at least 10 years
• 35 year old paid insurance premiums for at least 15 years
• 40 year old paid insurance premiums for at least 20 years
• 45 year old paid insurance premiums for at least 25 years
• 50 year old paid insurance premiums for at least 30 years
• 55 year old paid insurance premiums for at least 35 years
• 60 year old paid insurance premiums for at least 40 years
• 65 year old paid insurance premiums for at least 45 years

The George W. Bush temporary tax cuts have been in place over 10 years and business had so much certainty we created a depression, we created no jobs, we lost great value in the dollar, our standard of living for the Average American dropped, some of us went bankrupt, lost our house and our savings.


Tell your elected official the Republican Parties solution for our countries economic problems are unacceptable to you as a citizen of the United States of America.

GOP Political Euphemism (s) - Fast Facts #6

GOP Quote: "America needs tax cuts not tax increases to create jobs,"

Factual Response: Tax cuts have been provided to the economy for the past 11 years. Only the top income earners in America are now being asked by President Barack Obama to contribute a little more toward the whole of the nation after prospering greatly over the past decade.

During the 8 years George W. Bush held Office as President of the United States, 6 of those 8 years having a Republican controlled congress, we had miserable job growth. So when the GOP says we need tax cuts or tax cut extensions for certainty and for job growth, well, the facts prove otherwise.

Job losses from the masterful leadership of our Republic colleagues continued for more than one full years after George W. Bush left office. Remember, as a result of the recession left to our nation after 8 years of Republican leadership, millions of people lost their jobs, millions of people lost their homes and millions of people tapped into or lost their retirement nest eggs.

Say no to Republican Politicians Use of Class Ware-fare, do not accept the false idea that tax-cuts creates certainty and jobs. We've been there and done that before. The results were not good!

Tax and Expense as Percentage of GDP

Obama received a country in a deep depression from the GOP. As economies fall into recession government expenses rise dramatically as average American households get hurt and need financial assistance while government revenues dramatically drops as economic activity stalls denying tax revenue to governments.

This raises the expense to GDP ratio while dropping the tax to GDP ratio.

So we now enjoy an economy struggling to equalize from a severe disruption. We lost 8 - 10 million jobs and have many citizens under employed for their education and experience.

Home values having lost an average of nearly 35% for an average American homeowner.

Personal bankruptcies rose from 800,000 in 2007 to 1,600,000 in 2010.

Mortgage foreclosures at the worst were 1 in every 200 homes.

The Republican party controlled the Whitehouse from 2000-2008. They also controlled both houses of congress at the start of 6 out of 8 of those George W. Bush years.

DO YOU THINK THE REPUBLICAN PARTY DID A GOOD JOB FOR AMERICA?

The tax cuts first delivered to us by George W. Bush & the GOP Congress on a temporary basis in 2001 and again in 2003 sure did good creating certainty in the economy, created jobs and did nothing but good for America. "What a joke" as they continue to sing the same old song, I'm not buying it and neither should you!

Hawaii - A Matter of Perspective!

Hawaii - An island with many climate microcosms (micro-climates). "Oahu Palm Reaching for the Sky"

 

Effective Government Action - Spending/Tax Cuts

Ask Speaker Boehner "Where are the Jobs?"

What we do have is a result of the productive stimulus funds spent by our government.

See the chart for the least effective stimulus funds (favored by republican elected officials) spent by our government.

Are you ready for a large wave of municipal bond failures?

The Republican Party is Bankrupting America

The Current Tax Rate as a percentage of our Gross Domestic Product is Bankrupting America

• Lowest in 60 Years!
• Lower than 30 Year Average by 3.4% points!
• Lower than the Highest Rate by Almost 6% points!

Please thank the #GOP for four very important contributions to America.

1. Our recent recession-Deregulation & Failure in Government Oversight of the Financial Industry
2. Our recent deficits-Deficit Spending & Starvation of Tax Revenue to a Growing Aging Population & Country 
3. A road-map that displays their utter disdain for the Average American citizen
4. For recommending we fix the problems they blessed us with on the very backs of the people they harmed the most with their first two contributions - Middle America

 
GOP STRATEGIC MARKETING PLAN FOR AMERICA

Ryan's Radical Budget Priorities

The Ryan Budget's Radical Priorities Provides Largest Tax Cuts in History for Wealthy, Raises Middle Class Taxes, Ends Guaranteed Medicare, Privatizes Social Security, Erodes Health Care


Strip Away all the "Euphemisms" and read the paragraph titles below for a sound understanding of the GOP playbook for America.

• Reports of Plan’s Fiscal Soundness Rest on Misunderstanding of CBO Analysis
• Radical Changes in Health Coverage
• Sweeping Changes in Social Security
• Cutting Taxes for the Wealthy While Raising Taxes for the Middle Class
• Failing to Avert the Rise in Debt
• Eroding Employer-Sponsored Health Coverage
• Plan Lacks Adequate Reforms for Private Insurance Markets
• Expansion of High-Risk Pools Unlikely to Have Much Impact
• Exchanges Would Be Too Weak to Keep Premiums Affordable
• Ending Medicare As We Know It
• Abolishing Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program
• Privatizing Social Security
• Risking Costly New Federal Bailouts
• Incentives for People to Elect Privatization, at the Treasury’s Expense
• Limiting Other Federal Spending

Citizens visit the site linked above - you need to have an open mind to all ideas but knowledge is power - be well informed.

Hurt by Wall Street's Financial Fraud?

Check out the Value of Your Home Here: Zillow.com

Just type in the street address name, street address number, city and state to see the present value of your home. Look at historical chart to see value over recent years.

Be sure to thank your Democrat and Republican elected officials.

Almost all of this was enabled by a chain of Federal actions which substantially deregulated finance and real estate business practices. The most important of these probably were the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999, which repealed the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933, the Commodity Futures Modification Act of 2000, relaxation of SEC rules in 2004, and maintenance of the Federal Funds Rates at an artificially low rate following recovery from the dot-com bust a decade ago.

Couple this with George W Bush and a Republican Congress laser focus on tying the hands on any government oversight of industry and here we are!

How do you like the value of your home today?

Crescent Moon Venus and Jupiter

Picture taken in Connecticut on December 1, 2008