White House Blog: We’re Listening to Businesses about the Health Care Law

[cali]

From the start, this Administration has encouraged an ongoing dialogue with the leaders of our nation’s businesses, large and small. There’s more to do, but working together we’ve helped rebuild our economy. Businesses have added 6.9 million private-sector jobs in the past 39 months and we’ve helped strengthen the middle class. Today, most Americans get their health insurance through their jobs and that will be the case moving forward.

To help restore middle class security, we are making health care more affordable to businesses, government, and American families through the Affordable Care Act. While major portions of the law have yet to be implemented, it’s already a little more affordable for businesses to offer quality health coverage to their employees. A recent report suggests that medical cost growth will be lower in 2014 than an already low rate in 2013, both “defying historical patterns.”

<snip>

First, we are cutting red tape and simplifying the reporting process. We have heard the concern that the reporting called for under the law about each worker’s access to and enrollment in health insurance requires new data collection systems and coordination. So we plan to re-vamp and simplify the reporting process. Some of this detailed reporting may be unnecessary for businesses that more than meet the minimum standards in the law. We will convene employers, insurers, and experts to propose a smarter system and, in the interim, suspend reporting for 2014.

Second, we are giving businesses more time to comply. As we make these changes, we believe we need to give employers more time to comply with the new rules. Since employer responsibility payments can only be assessed based on this new reporting, payments won’t be collected for 2014. This allows employers the time to test the new reporting systems and make any necessary adaptations to their health benefits while staying the course toward making health coverage more affordable and accessible for their workers.

<snip>

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2013/07/02/we-re-listening-businesses-about-health-care-law

so why was the original law so flawed and why haven't they ironed out the kinks already? They've had the time.

And why is the individual getting stuck with fines for non-compliance while big business gets a buy?

Lastly, this gives businesses the opportunity to dump health care insurance and dump employees onto the exchanges.

[NRaleighLiberal]

1. there is a strong smell of bullshit in the air, isn't there?

[cali]

3. yes, and it's ovewhelming the aroma of your lovely tomatoes.

[Mojorabbit]

7. Yes, they have had plenty time to prepare for this. nt

[bowens43]

2. Again we see that the administration

Doesn't give a shit about the people

[leftstreet]

4. We are all about to get free proctology exams n/t

[Fumesucker]

5. Listening to stakeholders is what responsive politicians do

Corporations are people too, my friends.

[ProSense]

6. Because

"so why was the original law so flawed and why haven't they ironed out the kinks already? They've had the time. "

...any massive implementation takes time.

Krugman:

No doubt there will be problems, as there are with any large new government initiative, and in this case, we have the added complication that many Republican governors and legislators are doing all they can to sabotage reform.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022907399

Krugman: Obamacare Will Be A Debacle — For Republicans
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022896115

Medicaid launched in 1966, but Arizona resisted the program until 1982.

<...>

Medicaid got a chilly reception when it launched in January 1966. It was up to the states to decide whether to participate and only six initially signed up: Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota, North Dakota, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania. Twenty-seven followed suit later that year. Across the country, governors weighed the boon of new federal dollars — Washington would foot half of Medicaid’s bill — against the drawback of putting state money into a new program.

Nascent Medicaid programs quickly faced threats: Republican legislators in the New York introduced a bill in 1967 calling for the state to “live within its means” and repeal its Medicaid program.

<...>

Over time, however, the lure of federal dollars proved strong enough to win over resistant states. Eleven joined the program in 1967. Another wave of eight, largely Southern states came on board in 1970. Arizona proved the last holdout, not joining Medicaid until 1982.

- more -

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/wp/2012/07/09/six-governors-say-they-will-opt-out-of-medicaid-how-long-will-they-hold-out/

From the WH link:

First, we are cutting red tape and simplifying the reporting process. We have heard the concern that the reporting called for under the law about each worker’s access to and enrollment in health insurance requires new data collection systems and coordination. So we plan to re-vamp and simplify the reporting process. Some of this detailed reporting may be unnecessary for businesses that more than meet the minimum standards in the law. We will convene employers, insurers, and experts to propose a smarter system and, in the interim, suspend reporting for 2014.

Second, we are giving businesses more time to comply. As we make these changes, we believe we need to give employers more time to comply with the new rules. Since employer responsibility payments can only be assessed based on this new reporting, payments won’t be collected for 2014. This allows employers the time to test the new reporting systems and make any necessary adaptations to their health benefits while staying the course toward making health coverage more affordable and accessible for their workers.

Just like our effort to turn the 21 page application for health insurance into a 3 page application, we are working hard to adapt and to be flexible in employer and insurer reporting as we implement the law.

Meanwhile, here is a quick review of what small and big businesses need to know about the health law and how it will work:

• If you are a small business with less than 50 workers, the law’s employer shared responsibility policies does not apply to you. Instead, you will gain access to the Small Business Health Options Program that gives you the purchasing power of large businesses. In fact, you may be eligible for a tax credit that covers up to half the cost of insurance if you offer quality coverage to your employees
  
  
• If you own a business with more than 50 workers that already offers full-time workers affordable, quality coverage, you are fine – we’ll work with you to keep that coverage affordable.
  
  
• And if you are a company with more than 50 employees but choose not to offer quality affordable coverage, we have provided as much flexibility and transition time as possible for you to move to providing affordable, quality coverage to your workers.

We are full steam ahead for the Marketplaces opening on October 1. For more information on what is coming check out: HealthCare.gov

[cali]

9. lol. what a crock. they had plenty of time.

and using Krugman in such a dishonest manner doesn't do shit for your argument.

[ProSense]

11. Evidently

"lol. what a crock. they had plenty of time. and using Krugman in such a dishonest manner doesn't do shit for your argument."

...you're not the only one outraged.

Republicans Attack Obama For Not Implementing Health Care Reform Quickly Enough
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023160767

Krugman said what he said, and it applies to the implementation of the health care law.

No doubt there will be problems, as there are with any large new government initiative, and in this case, we have the added complication that many Republican governors and legislators are doing all they can to sabotage reform.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022907399

[ananda]

8. Well, as long as businesses get what they want..

.. who cares about the real people affected.

[City Lights]

10. The US is a nation of, by, and for the corporations.

The people are irrelevant.