More than half of House members cosponsor bill to repeal premium tax

From: Humana Health Reform News
A majority of House members have now signed on as cosponsors of legislation to repeal a provision of the health reform law important to the health insurance industry: the premium tax. The premium tax is set to go into effect in 2014. Its purpose is to help pay for reforms that improve access to health care coverage, including subsidies for people below a certain income level to buy insurance, and the expansion of the Medicaid program. The tax will contribute $8 billion to the costs of health reform when it goes into effect in 2014, will rise to $14.3 billion by 2018, and thereafter will increase annually based on premium growth.

But as studies by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the Joint Committee on Taxation have shown, this tax on the health insurance industry will result in the opposite of what the reform law intended – it will increase the cost of health insurance rather than cut costs or slow cost growth. As the CBO wrote, the tax "would be largely passed through to consumers in the form of higher premiums for private coverage."

Of course, even if the Republican-led House votes to repeal the tax, the legislation is unlikely to become law as long as Democrats control the Senate and President Obama remains in office.

Top Ten Excuses

Which Do You Prefer Dental Insurance or Discount Dental Plans (Fee for Service)?

Good dental health, as well as correcting dental problems, is essential to overall health. Many Americans are finding themselves without effective dental coverage to treat and maintain their dental needs. This is due in part to businesses increasingly cutting-back or offering inferior dental coverage for prices many can’t afford. So what are people to do? As a result, people have started looking for alternatives for their dental coverage needs especially online. The #1 question people are asking is, “What’s the difference between Dental Insurance and Discount Dental Plans?"

There are distinct differences between the way dental insurance plans and “discount dental plans work. Usually, dental insurance is used by large groups and businesses to cover their employee’s dental care. Dental insurance is true insurance where monthly premiums are paid for defined coverage. Dental insurance is not readily available to individuals and families, unless provided by their employer. The pitfalls of dental insurance include annual benefit maximums, deductibles, waiting periods for procedures, and limitations and exclusions. There are also claims forms to fill out and submit. Dental insurance a lot of times doesn’t even cover the cost of preventative measure until deductibles are met. You are able to use any dentist but the monthly premiums for dental insurance may be as much as $30 per month for individuals and over $100 per month for family plans.

Discount dental plans or “fee for service" plans, on the other hand, are available for everyone whether or not you are covered by a group plan. Fee for service plans are designed to provide clients dental networks at reduced rates or better yet, pay a certain amount and only that amount for services performed. Discount dental plans are affordable and are the most widely available dental programs for individuals and families. These discount plans work differently than dental insurance plans, yet provide consumers with real and substantial savings on most dental procedures. Discount dental plans are membership-based programs that usually provide coverage on an annual basis. Consumers pay a membership fee in exchange for secured discounts on most dental services, such as dental exams, routine cleanings, fillings, extractions, root canals, dentures, crowns, and braces. These plans typically save the consumer ten to sixty percent off most standard out-of-pocket fees when visiting a participating network provider. Most discount dental plans provide a “fee schedule" with the discounted fees listed out in the membership materials to ensure consumers will receive their promised savings.

While there are several differences between traditional dental insurance plans and discount dental plans, they can also be used together in certain situations to maximize savings. Gulf Breeze Insurance Inc. offer both plans but prefer to off the fee for service plan for the basic fact our clients like to save money and most need dental coverage now with no waiting period or stipulations on the money they spend. The fact that you know exactly what you are getting and saving is enough to prefer these plans over any other. Many dentists will even tell you at the time you checkout how much you have just saved.You can even visit http://www.gulfbreezeinsurance.com to see if one of these plans is available in your area and how much it can help you.

Raul Ramirez is a licensed agent in the state of Florida. He owns and operates Gulf Breeze Insurance Inc. an independent insurance agency. Please feel free to use this article on your site so as you include name of author and website.
http://www.gulfbreezeinsurance.com

Check this out! Gave me chills:

Glorious Rebellion - Don't Dip The Pen In Company Ink (Official Video)

Favorite Movies and Worst Movies

I added a favorite movies list and worst movies list because last night I wasted 2 hours of my life since I wasn't sleepy and watched Red Riding Hood with Gary Oldman and Virginia Madsen and could only think about what they were thinking when reading the script and then filming the movie, Gary Oldman more than the latter.

My goodness this was an awful film.  The young actors were awful with the gel in their hair that didn't move on windy days on a set that is dated back in the 1500's or something.  Just God awful!!  The acting was pitiful but I do believe it is representative of the Hollywood of today.  All of the damn good actors are getting few and far between and being replaced by these talent less hacks.

The new screenplays are just as awful too!!  Why do you think we always come out with remakes of old classics with most of them being ruined.  Leave the classics alone...I do have an exception and that was True Grit.  Decent remake and Jeff Bridges did awesome I think.

Anyway I will do my movie reviews of ones I see and update the list according to my opinion. Would love to hear your best and worst movies you have seen recently or in the past.  I added Zookeeper to the worst too!! Love Kevin James in King of Queens but he needs to pick some better screenplays.

Ram (out)!!

Wedding

Sorry haven't had time to post anything really.  Trying to finalize wedding for the 31st of December and hearing a countdown everyday does not help...lol.  Yes I am a procrastinator but am going to get it all finalized this week.  Still stressing over the band though.  She has an awesome engagement ring though it is on her finger 700 miles away and trying to find the right band to match it but think I have finally found one.

Thank goodness it is going to be a wedding about us and not the pomp and circumstance regarding how many people are there and what they are going to eat and drink. Just a small wedding and have a lot of fun and memories. Wish me luck!!

Ram out!!

Tebow Hater?

For all the Tebow Haters and I was one of the them when he was at Florida but have to give him credit!! A win is a win not matter how it is done.

The BCS debacle

As a sports fan first then a Big 12 fan second, I can't help but think I have been jabbed in the eye twice.  I live in Florida surrounded by SEC fans and yes it is a good conference but the best conference, hmmmmmm maybe and then again maybe not.  I was so ticked off when number 3 was announced it actually made my stomach churn, not because I am an ate up sports fanatic but mostly because of the unfairness of the system. 

A national title game determined by votes and not the field of play.  LSU does deserve to be there by their record but Alabama was voted in...period. I don't care who you root for Ok State is getting the shaft.  If you don't believe that go tell Butler or ValP or Rhode Island they don't deserve to be in March Madness.  That is what makes March Madness the best system because of the sports drama of the little school showing up and taking it to Duke or Kentucky or North Carolina and winning the whole thing.

The best team shows up to play everyday they are asked to play.  Give these guys a chance to show what they are made of and stop cowing to the all mighty SEC.  Remember:  Utah vs Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.  No one gave Utah a prayer...let me know how that worked out for you!