AHC Season Two

By Administrator On May 6, 2013 Business | Media 0 No Comments

AHC FB Cover 2B

America’s Healthcare Challenge Episode 13 Recap

On this week’s episode an entertaining roundtable discussion on several items making headlines. Last week, the law made national news when information surfaced about a little known provision in the Act that requires Members of Congress and their personal staff purchase their health insurance from the new federal marketplace. But there is a catch, the law does not currently apply to those who actually wrote it, namely Committee and Leadership staff. Behind closed doors inside the Capitol they are scrambling to figure it out. Sean joined the Tom Becka program last week to discuss this issue. Give it a listen for an idea just how whacky this law is. Also on the program, a discussion on Medicaid expansion and potential rate shock many Americans could face next year at their renewal.

America’s Healthcare Challenge Episode 12 Recap

This week’s episode of America’s Healthcare Challenge features Sean’s hardcore analysis, passionate rants and an indictment of our federal government. Even though he does not have a law degree, he has worked for state legislatures, the House of Representatives and on the Senate Finance Committee. While on the Committee he was the top researcher to the lead architect of the Medicare Prescription Drug bill and lead Republican negotiator for the Senate on Health Reform. When the budget would come in Sean broke it down and helped manage the amendments both in the office and on the Senate floor. If you are an American who wants an adult conversation about the federal government and its expansion then listen into this week’s show.

America’s Healthcare Challenge Episode 11 Recap

Drama, intrigue and a little humor on this week’s episode of America’s Healthcare Challenge. On the Masters Edition of AHC, find out the past winners of Sean’s green jacket for masters of healthcare reform. Who won the award this year? The field includes… HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, past champion Nancy Pelosi and President Obama is also in the running coming off a his second major of ACA 2012 in November. Acting Department of Labor Secretary Seth Harris joins as a dark horse in the race. He recently beefed up by adding over 1,000 new agents to his payroll to help enforce the health reform law. Also, listen closely to the caller in the final segment who beautifully articulates why the American business is not growing.

AG_7406_343_71k

America’s Healthcare Challenge Episode 10 Recap

How will your favorite restaurant be impacted by the healthcare reform law? Listen into this week’s episode of America’s Healthcare Challenge as the E.D. Bellis team takes a comprehensive look at how a “typical” restaurant with four locations will be affected in 2014. If this sounds like your favorite eatery, click play and find out options for Sharon the chef and Wanda the Waitress in the new marketplace as well as some ideas for Owen the Owner on how to proceed through this new maze.

America’s Healthcare Challenge Episode 9 Recap


This week’s show about healthcare reform has the pace of the best basketball games you’ve seen this March madness. Join Sean and Co. from first tip to last buzzer on America’s Healthcare Challenge. The special guest of the week is Jennifer Haberkorn from Politico who has been covering the health reform law since the earliest drafts began floating around Congress in 2009.

America’s Healthcare Challenge Episode 8 Recap


The Affordable Care Act celebrates its 3rd birthday and the Senate passes a budget for the first time in four years. Sean and a number of callers engage in lively discussion. A breakdown of the restaurant industry and March Madness-like buzzer beater moments for the ACA are also featured.

profit_adv-logo1

America’s Healthcare Challenge Episode 7 recap

The special St. Patricks day edition of America’s Healthcare Challenge the team focuses the new taxes in the law. Specifically, the taxes on passive income and the excise taxes on employers for not offering affordable coverage. Mark Holmberg, JD, MBA, a tax attorney from Hancock and Dana, PC joined the program to dissect some of the new taxes in the law and their economic impact.
America’s Healthcare Challenge Episode 6 recap

This week’s episode unpacks the complex issues of health insurance exchanges. Will there be added choice for consumer and small businesses? The CEO of a new CO-OP in the marketplace joins Sean and the E.D. Bellis thought leaders of the week to provide insight on how the numbers break down.

hd_logo

America’s Healthcare Challenge Episode 5 recap

Budget Cuts Big, Healthcare Spending Bigger. What Will ACA Compliance Be Like For Businesses? Join Sean and his thought leader of the week, Tom Lentz for how this will impact small businesses from compliance and what the sequester means to their operations.

America’s Healthcare Challenge Episode four recap

On this episode of America’s Healthcare Challenge, Sean focuses on how small businesses will be affected under the Obama healthcare bill. Telemedicine also featured as a viable solution to help solve the new strains on the healthcare delivery system in 2014. Sean interviews Janice Podsada from the Omaha World Herald and Scott Sanford from Members, MD an emerging product utilizing tele health.

BBE Logo email 24kb

America’s Healthcare Challenge Episode 3 recap

On the third episode of America’s Healthcare Challenge, Sean visits with Al Simpson, co-chair of the Presidential debt reduction task force about the financial reality of America and breaks down the new numbers from the updated Congressional Budget Office numbers on how much this will you the taxpayer.

America’s Healthcare Challenge Episode 2 recap.

On this episode of America’s Heatlhcare Challenge Sean discusses how the Affordable Care Act will impact small and mid-sized employers in the service industry. Sean is joined by the owners and operators of a 30 year old family owned business contemplating all options related to the Obama healthcare law including reducing hours.

Also, the Congressional Budget Office came out with a new cost estimate. Sean analyzes the new score which is expected to cost more than originally expected. Find out how much a health insurance premium will cost after the law is implemented. It is more than you think and you will be paying for it as a taxpayer. All of this and more on this week’s episode of America’s Healthcare Challenge



America’s Healthcare Challenge Corporate Sponsors and Thought Leaders

Logo 401K with Tighter Res

Retro Microphone

America’s Healthcare Challenge Episode 13 Recap On this week’s episode an entertaining roundtable discussion on several items making headlines. Last week, the law made national news when information surfaced about a little known provision in the Act that requires Members of Congress and their personal staff purchase their health insurance from the new federal marketplace. [...]

Read More

Health Reform Explained

By Administrator On Oct 24, 2012 Articles | Business 0 No Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

 

 

 

 

Welcome to HealthReformExplained.com, developed in May, 2011, in reaction to an abundance of disinformation about the Affordable Care Act in the media and public.  As an issue impacting all of us regardless of our politics, something must be done to address our troubled healthcare system which spends over $7,000 per person annually. To make things worse, healthcare is the number one driver of our national debt, and a constant challenge for business owners.  This site seeks to be a non-partisan resource, fact finder and truth teller about the Affordable Care Act.  The blog section offers relevant information in common language.

Founder, Sean McGuire, was there at the beginning of the Affordable Care Act as a US Senate staff member working for the Senate Finance Committee.  He has been working on the bill for over three years, and provides expertise on the origins of the ACA or Obamacare, particularly the politics behind the passage of this monumental legislation which will impact all of us from a regulatory standpoint. Sean provides exclusive information to businesses and groups of all sizes as a member of the Mid-America Speakers Bureau.

If you are having trouble determining how you may be impacted under this bill or have a question contact us today for a consultation. We have already done the research and have disseminated what it means.  E.D. Bellis Healthcare Consultants can help your business quantify the direct impact of this law on your organization.  Did you get the tax credits you are eligible for? We can help you find out.  We can prepare you for the fiscal cliff by explaining it in common language.  We can also determine which penalties your firm may be facing beginning as early as next year.  Compliance requirements begin as early as this benefit cycle so be prepared for what is coming next in America’s evolving healthcare system by contacting us today.

We can save you money:

*Preparing you for any penalties you business will face.

*Reducing staff time spent on compliance requirements.

*Strategic planning for emerging regulations.

*Locating incentives that will benefit your business.

*Ongoing consultation and cost reduction strategies.

Check out a quick primer on the ACA and its impact on business.

Still looking for more on what we do? Listen to the E.D. Bellis Commercial.


cropped-canary.png

        Welcome to HealthReformExplained.com, developed in May, 2011, in reaction to an abundance of disinformation about the Affordable Care Act in the media and public.  As an issue impacting all of us regardless of our politics, something must be done to address our troubled healthcare system which spends over $7,000 per person [...]

Read More

The IRS Under Fire

By Administrator On May 20, 2013 Articles 0 No Comments Tags: , , , , , , , ,

IRS

Everybody’s favorite agency of the federal government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), is under Congressional investigation and has the lowest approval rating and perception of trust in its 100-year existence.   The White House is dealing with a tri-fecta of scandals at the moment and this one has serious staying power.  The public has always been skeptical of this agency and this investigation will need to provide some clarity or the scandal will be exacerbated.

The accusation is unfair targeting of 501-C (4) political organizations based on political belief by exclusively targeting words like tea party or patriot in applications.   The House Ways and Means Committee held a hearing last week and heads have already rolled.  The old commissioner was relieved of duty two months before they were scheduled to retire and the new boss was already been up on Capitol Hill answering questions.

Nobody knows how high this scandal reaches but it is clearly not going away.  Some in the media have identified a troubling connection.  The same individual who was the division head of non-profit organization applications (the division under investigation) during the time in question is now heading the agency in charge of implementing the Affordable Care Act. 

This is obviously causing angst amongst conservative business owners and many have raised questions about whether their political beliefs will be considered to trigger an audit.  The Obama healthcare law has several new taxes and this agency is in charge of enforcing the new excise taxes in the pay or play mandate.
 

Many political pundits are expecting Obamacare to become a central theme of the 2014 election and this scandal adds more ammunition to the opponents of the law.  Expect opponents of the law to continue to organize and we will have much more on this  as we learn about it.  Check back regularly to Health Reform Explained.com.  Contact us today for help and check out our page

IRS

Everybody’s favorite agency of the federal government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), is under Congressional investigation and has the lowest approval rating and perception of trust in its 100-year existence.   The White House is dealing with a tri-fecta of scandals at the moment and this one has serious staying power.  The public has always been [...]

Read More

Call to action

By Administrator On Mar 20, 2013 Articles | Media 0 No Comments Tags: , , , , ,

States contemplating ACA repeal should focus on 2017

EDBellis(v2)

(Omaha, NE) Sean McGuire, host of Radio’s most listened to show on the Affordable Care Act, America’s Healthcare Challenge stated:

“State legislatures all across the United States pushing immediate repeal of the Affordable Care Act are wasting their time.  They should be focusing on innovative solutions at the state level to cover more un-insured at lower cost by 2017 instead.”

Oklahoma and others are pushing to block pieces of the Obama healthcare law but instead of expending political capital fighting the ACA, they should be focusing on state based solutions that make more sense than federal bill.  The challenge is the complexity of the healthcare system, which if not addressed, will strain the nations finances.  Soon millions of new American’s will receive tax payer subsidies to purchase a product that has been growing at a faster trajectory than inflation and wages since the 1970′s.

Here is why state innovation is paramount.

Section 1332 of the Affordable Care Act allows states to avoid provisions such as the individual mandate and the requirement employers offer affordable coverage and meet essential benefits or face a non-deductible excise tax if they can do a better job.  As small businesses all over the country begin to find out the reality of some of the new penalties in the ACA and grapple with added compliance one might begin to see new state solutions as a viable alternative.

Remember, the healthcare reform law was based conceptually off state based initiative.

“If states can pass legislation that matches or exceeds the law’s ability to cover the uninsured, maintain consumer protections, and does not add to the federal deficit, they can avoid most of the painful parts of the law,” explained McGuire.

He continued “state legislatures should be advocating their federal delegation to move up this date to 2014 because states like my home state of Nebraska could potentially self-insure their un-insured population for less than what it will cost Nebraska taxpayers under the new healthcare reform law.”

Cost of insurance is the wildcard and could be problematic in the next few months as millions suffer sticker shock when they get quoted for new insurance policies which will be mandatory for almost every American after January 1, 2014.  That is unless states can come up with a better solution first.

Sean McGuire is the Principal of E.D. Bellis, a healthcare consulting firm in Omaha Ne.  He was a research assistant in The Senate Finance Committee when the Affordable Health Care Act was developed.

America’s Health Care Challenge is broadcast form Omaha NE on 1290 KOIL and can be heard at 9:00 AM Central Time each Saturday Morning. It features national thought leaders and can also be streamed on the www.themighty1290.com and app.  Podcasts available on SoundCloud.  Stream the latest show here.

BirdDefault2

States contemplating ACA repeal should focus on 2017 (Omaha, NE) Sean McGuire, host of Radio’s most listened to show on the Affordable Care Act, America’s Healthcare Challenge stated: “State legislatures all across the United States pushing immediate repeal of the Affordable Care Act are wasting their time.  They should be focusing on innovative solutions at [...]

Read More

Another option for businesses in 2014

By Administrator On Mar 11, 2013 Articles 0 No Comments Tags: , ,

AHC FB Cover 2B
Omaha – Listen in this week to Sean McGuire, host of America’s Healthcare Challenge, radio’s only show on the Affordable Care Act.  This week’s show focuses on informing people about the new marketplaces where individuals and small businesses will be able to shop for health insurance.  They are supposed to go live in October, 2013.

Joining Sean this week is Cliff Gold, Founding Director and CEO of CoOportunity Health, a non-profit health insurer operating in Nebraska and Iowa starting in October.  The new consumer-owned CoOp is part of a federal loan program to establish an alternative to other marketplaces, with the aim to lower cost and increase benefits.

Cliff Gold, a former CEO and insurance executive for Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa and South Dakota joined the program to discuss the new health insurance marketplaces. Mr. Gold’s health insurance co-operative is an emerging trend to provide insurance choice to small companies.


bellis boys

Also, thought leaders Brian Munderloh and John Rathouz from E.D. Bellis were in the studio to further break down the new marketplaces.  Munderloh is Lead Analyst for E.D. Bellis, a healthcare consulting company in Omaha, and is knowledgeable on the ACA and health insurance.

America’s Healthcare Challenge is broadcast from Omaha on 1290 KOIL and can be heard at 9:00 AM CST every Saturday morning. It can also be streamed on www.mighty1290koil.com or the Mighty 1290 KOIL app as well as anytime on podcast through SoundCloud.

Check out all of the podcast recaps on the show page.  http://healthreformexplained/ahc.  Make sure to follow Sean on twitter @SeanMMcGuire.  You can also interact with the show all week on facebook.com/AmericasHealthcareChallenge.

 

 

 

 

bellis boys

Omaha – Listen in this week to Sean McGuire, host of America’s Healthcare Challenge, radio’s only show on the Affordable Care Act.  This week’s show focuses on informing people about the new marketplaces where individuals and small businesses will be able to shop for health insurance.  They are supposed to go live in October, 2013. [...]

Read More

Budget Cuts Big, Healthcare Spending Bigger

By Administrator On Mar 2, 2013 Articles 0 No Comments

 

 

What Will ACA Compliance Be Like For Businesses? AHC Crest B

Omaha – Listen in this week and join Sean McGuire, host of America’s Healthcare Challenge, radio’s only show on the Affordable Care Act.  This weeks’ show will focus on compliance with the law and Sean will sound off on the sequestration in Washington, why it’s good and bad, and how the billions in spending cuts are nothing compared to rising healthcare costs.

“The impact of budget cuts will be terrible for some people, but our government needs to reign in spending,” McGuire said.  “What most people don’t know, or choose to forget, is that healthcare spending is the biggest problem we need to address.”

Also, Tom Lentz, founder and owner of Profit Advantage an Omaha based HR consulting firm will be in the studio.  His company works with small and midsize businesses to take care of many of the human resource administrative details including, payroll processing, employee benefit programs, compliance, and governmental reporting, including taxes – all areas directly impacted by the ACA law.  Tom is a thought leader for the show, and based on his years of experience, will give valuable insight on ACA compliance for businesses.

America’s Health Care Challenge is broadcast from Omaha on 1290 KOIL and can be heard at 9:00 AM CST every Saturday morning. It can also be streamed on http://www.mighty1290koil.com/ or anytime on podcast using SoundCloud.

 

EC_120619_ramsey425x283

    What Will ACA Compliance Be Like For Businesses? Omaha – Listen in this week and join Sean McGuire, host of America’s Healthcare Challenge, radio’s only show on the Affordable Care Act.  This weeks’ show will focus on compliance with the law and Sean will sound off on the sequestration in Washington, why it’s [...]

Read More

‘Small Business Saturday’

By Administrator On Feb 22, 2013 Articles 0 No Comments Tags: , ,

AHC Crest B

Telemedicine will also be discussed

(Omaha, NE) Listen in this Saturday and join Sean McGuire, host of America’s Healthcare Challenge, radio’s only show on the Affordable Care Act. This weeks’ show is called “Small Business Saturday,” and will continue to lay out many of the challenges and possible solutions for businesses, including exploring innovations that add new value to health care.

Sean will interview Scott Sanford from Members MD, an Omaha-based organization committed to providing a higher standard of medical care by removing the constraints of the traditional health care model. For example, Scott and Sean will discuss how Members MD uses telemedicine as a new way for physicians and patients to interact.

“Members MD is at the forefront of change in the health care system. They are filling a void and discovering new ways to deliver quality health care in a modern context, something the industry has been slow to update. We are beginning to see the new law speed up that process, which is good,” explained McGuire.

America’s Health Care Challenge is broadcast from Omaha on 1290 KOIL and can be heard at 9:00 AM CST every Saturday Morning. It can also be streamed on http://www.mighty1290koil.com/ or on the Tune-In Radio or SoundCloud apps. Stream the latest podcast here.

 

AHC Crest B

Telemedicine will also be discussed (Omaha, NE) Listen in this Saturday and join Sean McGuire, host of America’s Healthcare Challenge, radio’s only show on the Affordable Care Act. This weeks’ show is called “Small Business Saturday,” and will continue to lay out many of the challenges and possible solutions for businesses, including exploring innovations that [...]

Read More

Adult Conversation on Debt

By Administrator On Feb 15, 2013 Articles 0 No Comments Tags: , , , , , , ,

AHC Crest B

On this week’s episode of America’s Healthcare Challenge Sean sits down for an adult conversation with former US Senator and co-chair of the Presidential debt reduction task force on the financial reality of our nation.  A nationally respected expert on public policy and the state of our economy, Mr. Simpson served in both the House of Representatives and United States Senate.  He also has a contextual understanding of other entitlement programs having served in Congress the year Medicare became law.  A nationally recognized leader on these issues, Mr. Simpson is known to many as America’s budget hawk.

The Simpson-Bowles commission was a bi-partisan committee appointed by President Obama and chaired by Al Simpson and his counterpart, Erskine Bowles, who was the last person to balance our budget as chief of Staff to Bill Clinton in the 1990s.  The commission was charged to meet regularly and identify ways to reduce government debt over the short-term.  Their recommendations acknowledged the fact that you simply cannot just cut or tax your way out of the problem.   Growing the economy and a combination of spending cuts and tax increases will ultimately be the only way out of this mess.

They received bi-partisan support but it failed to get the necessary votes in the Senate, particularly because several original proponents recanted their support.  Since then, Simpson has made hundreds of appearances and interviews discussing the financial reality of the nation and encouraging American’s to wake up and start paying attention to these issues.

Some of the issues being discussed

What is the Simpson-Bowles commission and what did they find.

What are the facts related to US debt.

How does the Obama healthcare bill fit into all of this?

What does this mean for younger American’s who are going to be footing the bill.

How does the Obama healthcare law related to it and what are he facts.

 

 

 

CBO_-_Revenues_and_Outlays_as_percent_GDP

On this week’s episode of America’s Healthcare Challenge Sean sits down for an adult conversation with former US Senator and co-chair of the Presidential debt reduction task force on the financial reality of our nation.  A nationally respected expert on public policy and the state of our economy, Mr. Simpson served in both the House [...]

Read More

Previewing AHC

By Administrator On Feb 8, 2013 Media 0 No Comments

EDBellis(v2)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 08, 2013

30 year old business with 100 employees considers every option including downsizing due to Affordable Care Act.

(Omaha, NE) Sean McGuire, Omaha, NE and host of Radio’s only show on the Affordable Care Act “America’s Healthcare Challenge” announced today that on Saturday’s show he will be interviewing the owners of a 30 year old family owned business who are considering all their options including a cutting employees as a result of provisions in the healthcare reform law.

“Small companies all over the country are struggling to understand all of their options related to the law. America’s Healthcare Challenge at times is a weekly on air live intervention in the hopes of presenting listeners, many of whom are small business owners, with every possible piece of correct information to avoid a shutdown or drastic changes like firing workers or shifting to a part-time workforce” explained McGuire.

“It’s scary to think about what could happen to this business and all other small to medium size businesses in America and their employees should they remain uninformed. I hope that this week’s show will be heard by many who are in their predicament. The purpose of my show is to educate and inform.  I truly believe that this is a simple law once you understand all of its complexities “McGuire added.

America’s Health Care Challenge is broadcast form Omaha NE on 1290 KOIL and can be heard at 9:00 AM Central Time each Saturday Morning. It can also be streamed on  http://www.mighty1290koil.com/ or on the tune in radio app. Stream the latest podcast here.


Sean McGuire is the Principal of E.D. Bellis, a healthcare consulting firm in Omaha Ne.  He was a research assistant in The Senate Finance Committee when the Affordable Health Care Act was developed. Read his work on http://www.healthreformexplained.com

BirdDefault

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 08, 2013 30 year old business with 100 employees considers every option including downsizing due to Affordable Care Act. (Omaha, NE) Sean McGuire, Omaha, NE and host of Radio’s only show on the Affordable Care Act “America’s Healthcare Challenge” announced today that on Saturday’s show he will be interviewing the owners [...]

Read More

AHC Season Two Episode One

By Administrator On Feb 8, 2013 Articles | Media 0 No Comments

AHC FB Cover 2B

Back and better than ever, America’s healthcare Challenge returned to the air on February 2, 2013 on the KOIL, Omaha.  Re-branded with the intention of  providing valuable insight into implementation of the Affordable Care Act and preparing decision makers for looming penalties and taxes in the law.  “This is currently the only radio show of its kind in the US. “

Business owners are clamoring for credible information and answers to their questions like how employees’ benefits will change next year and what innovative ways exist to curb rising healthcare costs constantly squeezing bottom lines all over the country…I was a part of the research team for the Senate Finance Committee five years ago.  The law originated conceptually in the Senate and I have read the bill multiple times.  It is my desire to bring my listeners information they need to know as if they were Members of Congress.”

On this week’s episode we dive in with what you need to know since we last spoke.  Our thought leader of the week, Brian Munderloh gave an over-view of some of the challenges business owners are facing under the Affordable Care Act commonly referred to as the Obama health bill.

Did you know you can reduce your premiums and save yourself a lot of money?  The second guest was Katherine Woodfield, the Author of Don’t Buy THAT Health Insurance.  She is America’s first healthcare consumer advocate and had an abundance of useful information on how you can save money by being a smart shopper. She also explains the difference between a brand and a generic drug and provides a common-sense tip that will save you money.

Three takeaways Sean wants you to know (from monologue).

“Number one, 2012 was ALL politics.  After the republican candidates cannibalized each other the general election was drawn out WAY too long.  Several Billion was spent for the exact same outcome as last time. 

 Both candidates were so exhausted that specific policies AKA the Affordable Care act and other important issues joined the witness protection program in lieu of manufactured talking points and weak questions from the media.

Two: new regulations on the Affordable Care Act were not released for 11 out of 12 months in 2012.  The regulatory dam burst on November 23rd releasing several new rules for the employer mandate, essential benefits, individual mandate, wellness programs and other issues all which will be discussed later.

Finally, so many people are completely out of touch on this issue.  52% of American’s do not think this law has even passed.  It is a LAW and it is being written as we speak.  It begins in a few short months and it is bringing transformational change to the economy and healthcare delivery system.”

 Tune in tomorrow for more clarification and conversation about the biggest issue facing America today.

America’s Healthcare Challenge is pleased to be affiliated with our corporate sponsors and thought leaders who will be contributing to the content for the show and guidance for the audience during a busy 2013.

Logo 401K with Tighter Res

profit_adv-logo1

BBE Logo email 24kb

hd_logo

AG_7406_343_71k

MarkRyanCo_Header1000px153px

Retro Microphone

Back and better than ever, America’s healthcare Challenge returned to the air on February 2, 2013 on the KOIL, Omaha.  Re-branded with the intention of  providing valuable insight into implementation of the Affordable Care Act and preparing decision makers for looming penalties and taxes in the law.  “This is currently the only radio show of its [...]

Read More

Healthcare Reform Year in Review

By Administrator On Dec 28, 2012 Articles 0 No Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Obama healthcare reform law had its share of fireworks in 2012. Here are a few columns resources to catch you up to speed if you are behind

The Obama healthcare reform law had its share of fireworks in 2012. Here are a few highlights to catch you up to speed.

 

 

 

 

This site was developed to be a fact finder and truth teller about one of the largest laws passed in United States history.  Right now, the Affordable Care Act is still being fine-tuned by the executive branch making it a moving target.  Many rules were written over the course of 2012 but only recently were they released.

Additional regulations will be coming in the future and expect a volatile 2013 as small businesses all over the country struggle to disseminate said regulations.

Fortunately for you, E.D. Bellis has your back.

Step one is arming yourself and your organization with the right information to make the appropriate decisions.  Some of these decisions are integral for the future of your business and one cannot count on generic sources like those found in the media because there is a lot of myth out there and the law looks at every business differently based upon several demographics.

If you are short on time, here are a few tidbits to get you caught up on what transpired this year with healthcare reform.  If you like the content take a moment to subscribe to our mailing list and click through the site for other relevant articles on this issue.

Primary season

Early 2012 was dominated by media coverage of the Republican primary and legal challenges to the ACA.  Every four years the election season seems to drag on and this cycle was the longest and most expensive to date.  GOP candidates sparred over their opposition to Obamacare but none were able to articulate an alternative solution to the country’s troubled healthcare system.  Furthermore, the strung out process diminished the republican brand and their eventual nominee, Governor Mitt Romney was unable to recover.

For more on this topic check out the following articles…

http://healthreformexplained.com/gop-candidates-need-polish-on-health-care/

http://healthreformexplained.com/2012-another-year-of-changes/

State of Health Reform

The president kicked off the new year making the case for health reform in his annual State of the Union Address but avoided specifics.  Meanwhile, his administration spent much of 2012 writing key rules and regulations but in seclusion and aside from a few like the contraception mandate, most flew under the radar until the damn burst after the presidential election.

More on this topic featured in the following articles…

http://healthreformexplained.com/the-state-of-health-reform-2/

http://healthreformexplained.com/more-cost/

Supreme Court Upholds ACA

In a shock to almost everybody except for this writer, in the decision of the century the Supreme Court upheld the Obama health reform law by a contentious 5-4 decision finding in the end the individual mandate was a tax.  The court threw a curveball, however, by allowing states to opt out of the costly Medicaid expansion.  This has been tightened recently by the feds who are now saying states cannot receive grant funding unless they participate in the expansion.

 

scotus

More reading on this topic check out the following articles and interviews…

http://healthreformexplained.com/decision-of-the-century/

http://healthreformexplained.com/interview-with-charles-grassley/

General Election Season

One would expect this issue to be in the forefront of a presidential campaign especially because of the differences between parties on the favorability question.  The problem for the Republicans and Mitt Romney is he was unable to contrast himself from President Obama because his plan was perceived to be similar to the ACA.  This is incorrect.

Here is why…

http://healthreformexplained.com/election-special-commentary/

http://healthreformexplained.com/americas-healthcare-challenge-election-special/

ACA Absent During Debate

The healthcare reform law and its merits joined the witness protection program during the presidential debates.  Instead talking points about Big Bird surfaced instead of the true issues like funding growing entitlement programs like Medicare and Medicaid.  The loser in all of this is the American electorate who were not given adequate information on this issue.

http://healthreformexplained.com/brass-tacks-debate-takeaways/

http://healthreformexplained.com/big-bird/

Obama wins now what?

Implementation moves full-speed ahead.  On November 20, 2012 the regulatory damn burst and several important rules were finally released.  The year was devoid of direction from the federal government who opted to hold their cards until after the election. Now for the first time there is guidance on critical components in the law like health insurance exchanges and essential health benefits.

The President Wins & the ACA Survives

The President Wins & the ACA Survives

Further information on post-election developments…

http://healthreformexplained.com/obama-wins-re-election-now-what/

Most states punt on health insurance exchanges

State governments were handed a tremendous responsibility by the federal government when it comes to setting up health insurance exchanges.  The intent of the law was for them to be run at the state level but as we began to learn more specifics it became evident that these projects will have a huge cost, particularly for the technology to make them operate.  As a result, most states have opted for a federal exchange.  This introduces questions of whether the government can execute their plans by the October 1, 2012 date.  It will also raise challenges for some states over federal government control and could introduce opportunities for a public option plan which was a deal breaker for members of both sides during ACA debate.

More educational resources…

http://healthreformexplained.com/exchange-deadline/

Fiscal Cliff

HealthReformExplained.com has been all over the fiscal cliff since July, 2012.  Our  first column was featured in the health policy wonk review and describes the true driver to this fiscal mess.   It is not what you may think and unless we can get a handle on rising healthcare costs, do a better job at managing chronic diseases and changing health behavior we will be in a fiscal quagmire as a nation.

Impress your friends on this important topic with these articles…

http://healthreformexplained.com/fiscal-cliff-latest/

http://healthreformexplained.com/fiscal-cliff/

http://healthreformexplained.com/fiscal-cliff-explained/

Predictions and reflections

I implore everyone reading this to save your last paycheck stub from December, 2012 and put it in a safe place.  I would like you to compare it to your stub next year to see what differences there are with regards to taxes.  There is a good chance you will be paying more next year.   If you do not have insurance you will be required to purchase a health insurance policy or pay a new tax.  This will be troubling for employees of small businesses who may drop coverage.

This is just the beginning of change coming from a law that will challenge all of us as individuals and make things difficult for thousands of small businesses who are already under-water trying to survive a weak economy.

The lack of coverage in the media for this law is astounding.  My only explanation is because of the complexity and few people have taken the time to read it and really try to understand it.

This law means transformational change in our economy and society and there are sections in the law which will require millions of small businesses to seriously consider their business models.  This is because the law now looks at full-time workers at those individuals who work for more than 30 hours per week.  Firms with more than 50 full-time workers now have to provide health insurance, a benefit many small businesses no longer can afford to offer.

This business now faces a penalty of $2,000 per full-time worker for not providing coverage.

How will this impact our economy?  For that answer, check back next week and follow us on Twitter @AmericasCanary for the latest healthcare reform information in real-time.

 

 

What is next and new taxes coming in 2013

There are nearly 20 new taxes beginning in January ranging from taxes on health insurers and pharmaceutical companies to a strangling excise tax on medical device manufacturers.  There will be serious economic impact in the first quarter and experts have already predicted jobs will be lost due to the device tax and others.

The new tax on high wage earners and their un-earned income is the first  law to tax income that is un-earned in American history and this very progressive move from a policy perspective opens up door to all kinds of new revenue streams for the federal government to tax down the road.

More information on this topic…

http://healthreformexplained.com/a-direct-impact-of-the-aca-on-the-economy/

http://healthreformexplained.com/the-hidden-tax-on-businesses/

http://healthreformexplained.com/interview-with-senator-john-barrasso/

 

The Obama healthcare reform law had its share of fireworks in 2012. Here are a few columns resources to catch you up to speed if you are behind

        This site was developed to be a fact finder and truth teller about one of the largest laws passed in United States history.  Right now, the Affordable Care Act is still being fine-tuned by the executive branch making it a moving target.  Many rules were written over the course of 2012 [...]

Read More
Next Page »

Fiscal Cliff Countdown

Latest Information

Recent Posts

Subscribe to our Newsletter

To subscribe to our weekly newsletter simply add your email below. A confirmation email will be sent to you!