News Round-Up: October 23, 2017

(via Instagram)

Some news items you might have missed:

• When you just really don't want it to be Monday (above).

• Trust and believe the Trump administration will point to low open enrollment numbers for Obamacare to prove the program is "imploding." What they won't tell you is the administration cut the education & outreach budget for enrollment awareness by 90% in an effort to sabotage sign ups.

• We celebrated Las Vegas Pride this weekend - check out tons of pics from the Pride Festival via The Advocate.

• Scottish tourist Jamie Harron was ordered to spend 3 months in jail in seriously homophobic Dubai for barely touching a man’s hip as he carried a drink through a crowded bar. After losing his job and spending thousands in legal fees, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum ordered Harron to be released. Think twice before traveling to Dubai.

• The upcoming Thor Ragnorak will feature not one but two LGBT characters.

• Russian singer Zelimkhan Bakaev was allegedly arrested and tortured to death by authorities in Chechnya due to “suspicions of homosexuality.”

• Out actress-pop singer Hayley Kiyoko's new single “Feelings” made a splash on TRL last week. Check out the video below.

U.S. Senate: Bipartisan Agreement Emerges To Stablize Obamacare

The Hill is reporting that Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) have announced a bipartisan agreement to stabilize the Affordable Care Act.

The deal would extend key Obamacare payments to insurers for two years and give states more flexibility to change Obamacare rules.

President Trump had announced he was cutting off the payments last week, a move that many said would raise ObamaCare premiums and lower enrollment.

More from the New York Times:

“This takes care of the next two years,” Mr. Alexander said. “After that, we can have a full-fledged debate on where we go long-term on health care.”

The deal between Mr. Alexander, the chairman of the Senate health committee, and Ms. Murray, the panel’s top Democrat, is an important step for lawmakers hoping to shore up insurance markets after Republicans’ failed efforts to repeal the health law.

Mr. Alexander told reporters on Monday that Mr. Trump had encouraged him to reach a deal with Ms. Murray.

But it remains to be seen whether conservative-leaning Republicans will get on board with the agreement, and whether the House will entertain it. Some Republicans have said they do not wish to provide what they describe as a bailout to insurers.

Trump Considers Plan B: Repeal Obamacare Now, Replace Later

Throughout the 2016 campaign and after his election, Donald Trump has told Americans that he would lead Congressional Republicans to "repeal and replace" Obamacare.

Many times, on camera, he said it would be simultaneous, or at least on the same day or week. Specifically, he told us that it wouldn't be months apart.

But today, we get this from Trump:

If Republican Senators are unable to pass what they are working on now, they should immediately REPEAL, and then REPLACE at a later date!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 30, 2017

Now, while he considers this option, let's take a trip on the "way-back machine."

Check the 1:50 mark:

According to CNN, just repealing the Affordable Care Act without no replacement would have a devastating effect.

That move would probably leave 18 million more people without coverage in the first year after its enactment and 32 million more by 2026, according to a Congressional Budget Office report that looked at an earlier GOP bill to repeal Obamacare.

It would also cause premiums on individual market policies to increase by up to 25% the first year and to nearly double by 2026.

All this would happen mainly because the individual mandate -- which requires nearly all Americans to get coverage or pay a penalty -- would be repealed. But some insurers would also likely pull out of the market, the CBO said. The remaining carriers would likely raise rates dramatically because the remaining enrollees would tend to be older and sicker.

Oops - Conservative Super-PAC Runs Ads Thanking GOP For Repealing Obamacare

Oops.

The Republican super-PAC, American Action Network, prematurely bought air time to congratulation House Republicans for keeping their promises to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.

Except - as we all know - the House GOP failed to pass their own legislation yesterday.

In fact, there wasn't even a vote.

NCAA basketball fans were probably confused when these ads ran in several markets last night.

This really is amateur hour, isn't it?

Basketball fans around the U.S. treated to prematurely-bought ads congratulating Republicans for repealing Obamacare https://t.co/voB1PTWfud pic.twitter.com/L6SaU6T4lJ

— Deadspin (@Deadspin) March 25, 2017

Poll: 54% Of Americans Support Obamacare

While Congressional Republicans are moving quickly to push their "repeal & replace" of the Affordable Care Act (also known as "Obamacare"), a new poll shows the 2010 health care legislation has hit it's highest level of support yet.

According to Pew Research, 54% approve of the health care law passed seven years ago by Barack Obama and Congress, while 43% disapprove

This past December, the numbers were much closer - 48% approved versus 47% disapproved.

Of course, the results fall right down partisan divisions: Democrats show 85% approval for the ACA, while Republicans disapprove to the tune of 89%.

A slight majority of Independents (53%) approve, with 45% giving a thumbs down.

Here's The Bullet Points On The New Republican Healthcare Plan

(Photo: Gage Skidmore)

Everyone is talking about the newly released Republican plan to "repeal and replace" the Affordable Care Act.

Here's the bullet points you should know about how this will change healthcare legislation:

• The Individual Mandate would be gone, as would the Employer Mandate. No more penalty paid for not having healthcare. No requirement of large businesses to provide health insurance for employees.

However, while there would be no individual penalty for not having healthcare (which would have gone to fund public hospitals, etc...), insurance companies will be allowed to tack on a 30% surcharge to restart your insurance should you let it lapse.

Instead of paying a penalty into a system that would fund public health services, you would pay a fine to a private company. Sound better to you?

• The A.C.A. premium subsidies would be replaced by tax credits for individuals making $75K or less ($150K for households). Folks under 30 would get tax credits of $2,000, with the amount going up to $4,000 for those over 60.

But, these are tax credits, so you have to pay for your insurance out of pocket first, then utilize the credits later when you pay taxes. If you are lower income wage earner, you may not make enough money to pay for health insurance out of pocket on a monthly basis.

• The plan would lift the limits for tax-free Health Savings Accounts. However, if you are lower-income earner, you may not have any money after your monthly bills to put into an HSA. This may be something that could help wealthier Americans, but those on a tight budget would probably not see much benefit here.

• The proposed plan would defund Planned Parenthood, removing a vital source of healthcare for millions of Americans.

• The proposed plan would prevent Americans from using their tax credits to pay for any health insurance plan that includes abortion. So, if you take the tax credits, any abortion procedures would have to be paid out of pocket, not by your health insurance.

• The proposed plan would allow insurance companies to charge older Americans up to 5 times as much as younger. Currently, Obamacare limits the difference to only 3 times the cost of younger Americans.

Three popular components of Obamacare will remain:

• No denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions

• No lifetime coverage caps

• Young people will be able to remain on their parents’ health plans until age 26

Thoughts? Leave your comments below.

Matt Baume On How The Repeal Of Obamacare Would Affect LGBTs

From super-smart guy Matt Baume (via Huffington Post):

If the ACA is repealed, as Republicans are trying to do, not only would 32 million people lose health care, according to the Congressional Budget Office, but LGBTs would be disproportionately affected. And “disproportionately affected” is a phrase which here means “get sick and die.”

For example, HIV treatment can cost thousands of dollars per month. Insurance companies that don’t want to pay for that treatment could just refuse to cover all gay people on the basis that gay men are more likely to be HIV positive. Or they could raise monthly premiums just for gays. Or they could create a lifetime cap, so you pay into their system and then as soon as you need expensive treatment, they drop you. All this was legal until the ACA banned it.

Donald Trump: Obamacare Will Be Repealed & Replaced "Essentially Simultaneously”

So now we know - President-elect Trump said at his press conference this morning that the repeal and replacement of Obamacare will be "essentially simultaneously."

Rumors had been swirling that the "repeal" aspect would happen very soon after Trump's swearing in as president, but there's currently no plan that Congress agrees on for the "replacement" component.

Trump suggested today that the repeal and replacement could possibly take place within the "same hour."

Trump on Obamacare replacement: “It will be repeal and replace. It will be essentially simultaneously.” https://t.co/bbVYuQ1HLh

— MSNBC (@MSNBC) January 11, 2017

Man Celebrating Repeal Of Obamacare Finally Realizes He's On Obamacare

A true idiot.

Read the thread below from Imgur.

At least he had the good sense to stopping responding.

Woman To FL Gov. Rick Scott: "You're An A**hole!"

Florida Gov. Rick Scott gets an earful from one of his constituents about his actions to cut Medicaid in order to block Obamacare.

Via Raw Story:

“You cut Medicaid so I couldn’t get Obamacare,” said the woman, who identified herself as 39-year-old Cara Jennings. “You’re an a*shole. You don’t care about working people. You should be ashamed to show your face around here.”

The face-off, captured on video by a witness, took place after Scott entered a Starbucks in Gainesville. Jennings is seen shushing another woman as she assails Scott, who responds that his administration has created one million jobs.

“A million jobs? Great, who here has a great job?” Jennings asks. “Or is looking forward to finishing school? Do you really feel like you have a job coming up?”

It turns out the woman who tried to shush Jennings was the governor's spokeswoman.

President Obama Vetoes Congress' Attempt To Repeal ObamaCare

After more than 60 attempts, Republicans in Congress finally managed to pass legislation which would repeal Obamacare and defund Planned Parenthood.

The bill passed in the House by a vote, along party lines, of 240-181.

President Obama quickly vetoed the legislation.

From CNN:

In his veto message, Obama stressed the number of times congressional Republicans have tried to "repeal or undermine the Affordable Care Act."

"Rather than re-fighting old political battles by once again voting to repeal basic protections that provide security for the middle class, members of Congress should be working together to grow the economy, strengthen middle-class families, and create new jobs," Obama wrote.

"Because of the harm this bill would cause to the health and financial security of millions of Americans, it has earned my veto," he added.

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan promises to waste more of the chamber's time by holding an override vote rather than focus on the people's work, in spite of the fact that he lacks the votes to overcome the veto.

#Fail

Cartoon Of The Day

Affordable Care Act - Five Years Later

Just a reminder. As a cancer survivor, I was well aware that no other carrier would take me if I ever wanted to leave my insurer (who I pay myself, thank you).

These four points alone are important. The law can always be tweaked to be better, but that's been the same regarding Medicare and Social Security. The law is passed then constantly improved.

I, for one, am happy this first important step was taken.

#Forward.

President Obama Takes A Victory Lap After SCOTUS Ruling For Obamacare

After a 6-3 ruling in favor of Obamacare, President Obama takes a victory lap.

It should be noted that had the law been gutted by an unfavorable ruling, over 6 million Americans - primarily in red states - could have lost their health insurance.

Most red states refused to set up their own state exchanges to make health insurance plans available, telling their citizens to use the federal exchange which was the target of the SCOTUS lawsuit.

Obamacare Wins At SCOTUS

Major win for the Obama administration; Supreme Court upholds #Obamacare subsidies: http://t.co/RKGLU2WDdb #SCOTUS http://t.co/TtwcMs2vGT

— The Situation Room (@CNNSitRoom) June 25, 2015

The Supreme Court has upheld the Obamacare subsidies for more than 6 million Americans with a 6-3 vote in the King v. Burwell decision, handed down moments ago.

This means that individuals who get their health insurance through an exchange established by the federal government will be eligible for tax subsidies.

Six voting for Obamacare are Chief Roberts, Kennedy, Ginsburg, Breyer, Sotomayor, and Kagan.

Of course, Scalia dissents.

Not only is this good news for the millions who rely on those subsidies to be able to afford health care insurance, but good news for the Republican Party, who, while demonizing the law all the way to court, would have faced the reality of being responsible for those millions losing their coverage, without having any plan in place to fix the law.

SCOTUS Adds Friday To Rulings Schedule

SCOTUSblog, my expert source for all things U.S. Supreme Court theorizes that the Obamacare ruling could happen Friday, and same-sex marriage decision could come down on Monday.

June 26th is the 12th anniversary of Lawrence v. Texas (overturning all sodomy laws), and the 2nd anniversary of Windsor v. US (requiring federal recognition of same-sex marriages).

Coincidence?

Odds are that SCOTUS will decide Obamacare this Friday and same-sex marriage next Monday.

— SCOTUSblog (@SCOTUSblog) June 22, 2015

No Same-Sex Marriage Ruling From SCOTUS Today

The court has added this coming Thursday to the calendar for releasing decisions.

Possibly the two biggest rulings of this term, same-sex marriage and Obamacare, have yet to be released.

This could well go to Monday, June 29th. SCOTUS loves to draw out the drama on big rulings.

10AM as usual.

SCOTUS will next issue opinions at 10a ET Thursday.

— SCOTUSblog (@SCOTUSblog) June 22, 2015

Sen. Ted Cruz Signs Up For Obamacare

RT to congratulate Ted Cruz on being one of millions to sign up for insurance through the Obamacare exchanges: http://t.co/iwqES3BNrU

— The Democrats (@TheDemocrats) March 24, 2015

Illinois: Married Gay Couple Featured In Obamacare Ad

Jake and Allen, married couple from Illinois, share their experience with signing up for Obamacare.

(h/t JMG)

President Obama Takes A Shot At Stephen Colbert's Job

President Obama dropped by The Colbert Report last night telling Stephen Colbert, "You've been taking a lot of shots at my job, I've decided to take a shot at yours."

He then took over the next segment - The Word - and "read" Colbert's comments on Obamacare. The bit was a cute way to encourage young viewers to sign up at Healthcare.gov, and along the way took a few funny hits from Colbert in the form of witty phrases that appeared next to him on screen. Via Raw Story:

“There are things that people from both parties like about Obamacare,” the president said, as the screen told viewers, “Everything but the ‘Obama.’”

The program, Obama said, had enrolled more than 1 million people within the past few weeks (“So, half as popular as [a] Grumpy Cat video”). But, though, Republicans could still pass bills to repeal it once they take control of the Senate on top of the House.

“If I know that guy, he is willing to use it,” Obama-as-Colbert said. “And let’s face it, even if Republicans managed to repeal it, they’d have to replace it with their own health-care plan. And once they touch it, they own it. Then, if anything goes wrong, suddenly everybody will be complaining about Mitch McConnellcare.”

Cute.

The video may get yanked, so watch while you can.