HHS Triples ObamaCare Waivers; GOP to Investigate
- Posted on January 27, 2011 at 4:38pm by
Meredith Jessup
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Just one week after Republicans on Capitol Hill announced plans to investigate health care reform waivers granted to certain companies and labor organizations, President Obama’s Department of Health and Human Services announced additional waivers for more than 500 other groups.
As we’ve noted, the HHS has granted temporary waivers that exempt organizations who might not be able to meet the health care law’s new requirement for annual coverage. The new waivers exponentially increase the previous number of waivers — 222. Now, according to the HHS website, 733 organizations are exempt from the law’s new regulations, now totaling more than 2 million Americans.
Republicans have previously charged that the Obama administration was using waivers to cover up the law’s apparent flaws until after the 2012 presidential election, but HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has dismissed the assertions as “pretty ludicrous.”
“The provisions in the law always gave some flexibility to me as secretary,” Sebelius told The Hill last week. Instead, the Obama administration says the waivers are designed to maintain stability in the insurance market until new state-run insurance exchanges open in 2014. (Click here for a complete list of waivers)
The timing of the HHS waiver announcements is also raising eyebrows, coming just one day after President Obama delivered his annual State of the Union address.
Fox Business Network’s Eric Bolling specifically looked at the number of labor unions receiving ObamaCare waivers Thursday, including chapters of the SEIU, an outspoken proponent of the new law:
The new Republican House majority has pledged to investigate the HHS waivers and asked the agency last week for details on the waiver application process.
“We are committed to making the waiver process transparent to the public and to make sure workers with mini-med plans are informed about the limited nature of their coverage,” Steve Larsen, director of oversight in HHS’s Office of Consumer Information and Insurance, said in a statement. “For example, we have required plans that receive waivers to inform their enrollees that their coverage is limited. HHS also helps to ensure transparency by posting a list of the plans that have been granted waivers, so stakeholders understand how they are affected.”
On the Senate side of Capitol Hill, Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, told CNSNews.com Thursday that the latest round of waivers represents a “perfect example of special interests” having influence over the Obama administration.
“You’re going to find out that by the president doing that with the secretary of HHS, he violated one of his main principles when he ran for office–and that was that special interests were not going to have an in in his administration,” the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee said. “And this is a perfect example of special interests having an in in his administration when they get those waivers.”
Meanwhile, HHS says it anticipated the recent bump in waiver requests because plans were required to file for waivers before year began. Although the agency was unable to provide the number of plans denied waiver requests, an HHS spokesman told The Hill, “It’s more than a handful, but not a big number.”
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Comments (110)
jagr1850
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 6:47pmrepeal the unconstitutional bill that was forced down the throats of citizens be a communist president
Report Post »randy
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 6:43pmWhen will there be enough evidence to force this criminal (Obama) out of office and put a few of them in prison?
Report Post »WHITE LOTUS2x
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 6:42pmMaybe healthcare is just a smoke screen for what is in the bill besides healthcare. Nancy said that it had to be passed to find out whats in it. Have they added and still adding to it. If it was so hard to understand looks like they could easily add to it. Hope they keep the original and check it ocasionaly.
Report Post »streetrodder
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 6:52pmIts more than a smoke screen, its BULL CRAP.
Report Post »Eblaze44
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 6:36pmWith all the money that’s been wasted by everyone on this Obamanation by Harry Reid and the Princess Pelosi – we could have built at least 50 hospitals, fully equipped with doctors to handle anyone for anything who didn’t have health insurance.
Report Post »WHITE LOTUS2x
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 6:47pmThis may not have anything to do with the welfare of the people. A totaly different reason. The means justifies the ends?
Report Post »Eblaze44
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 6:33pmYep, congress could undo the whole thing – just mandate that everyone is hereby waved from any requirements of the aforesaid bill. Tie it to the budget for the Executive Branch – he don’t sign it – he don’t get no pay.
Report Post »JenniferNB
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 6:24pmAnd re-election mentality is full speed ahead. Anything in the past month and from here will only be about the vote….his second term is more important than anything in the whole country. Everything is a lie. He and his administration are calculating and he will do anything,say anything to make that happen. Then we are a lost weak and broken nation because he will finish what he started. I feel so sad. I may not have liked every president that was in office. But right now, I don’t feel like I have a president. He is a vote whore! Anything for a vote, anything! WAIVERS = VOTES He is just showin the love to the unions and the businesses he screwed!
Report Post »RogueAmeritarian
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 6:19pmThe Democraps are saying that if you scrap Obamacare, we will be killing americans, nice commercial and all the trimmings, but that commercial only covers about 25 pages of the bill, it’s the other 1974 pages that are the problem !! Start from scratch, and add the 25 pages to it.
How do they expect to add 30 million people to government healthcare, knowing that the only way they have to fund it, is thru raising taxes, and from bankrupt Entitlement Programs??? Something just doesn’t add up !!!
Report Post »Miser
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 6:15pmThe progressives are following a plan. These wavers were a pay off to the unions that support them. Also, the waivers gave the appearance of giving a damn about “certain” businesses. Obama wants businesses to eventually choose not to provide healthcare coverage. The progressives will then have control of the medical care of the majority of Americans, as well as receiving the additional revenue of the “penalty” businesses will pay. Medicaid, Medicaid, and Obamacare will be rolled into one big bureaucratic department out of the touch and control of the people. Control healthcare, you controls who lives and dies. I do not want a bureaucracy having that kind of control.
Report Post »chfields62
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 8:31pmObamacare has 1 goal, to bankrupt the insurance companies so the government can “rescue us” with government healthcare, IE: rationing, death panels, etc…..
This need to be repealed before its too late………………
Report Post »Flown Over Too Long
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 6:03pmSeems to me we all ought to file for waivers……is this Obamacare not unconstitutional because of lasck of “fair and equal” protection
What a travesty the Democrats have foisted on the American people….keep the public reminded no both How and What got passed……
Report Post »pamela kay
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 6:02pmReally? The unions can be exempt and the rest of us have to pay for the union workers as well as the illegals and the welfare recipients? Spread the wealth? Hardly, union workers recieve far better pay and unbelievable benefits and retirements that only drain our economy. Does’t obama and nancy claim to be for the middle class? Like everything else the progressives have done, this will only allow the middle class to become nonexistent. We will have the very rich and the very poor. Once the progressives no longer need the support of the minorities their free funding will be taken away. Just like so many people in other counties are finding out right now.
Report Post »123gone
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 6:02pm“…new state-run insurance exchanges…” Is this what it looks like?
I could be fined by the State, and perhaps be sent to jail by the State, if I fail to buy medical insurance from the State? —– That sounds just like the IRS !!
I could be fined by the State, and possibly sent to jail by the State, if I fail to pay taxes imposed by the State.
Report Post »dcwu
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 5:56pmImpeach
Report Post »RogueAmeritarian
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 6:09pmAgree !!!
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 5:53pmHow about a waiver for everyone who held their nose and voted for McCain?
Report Post »Pray for USA
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 5:52pmInvestigate this. Also investigate ACORN and the organizations that have taken its place.
Report Post »Mister_Bill
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 5:52pmKatheryn Sebelius says the she has the latitude to decide who will comply and who will not. When ask about it she said “The provisions in the law always gave some flexibility to me as secretary,” And Marie Antoinette said if they have no bread to “Let Them Eat Cake”. This is the worst abuse of political power that I have ever seen. It is time for that revolution like in France. Vote in 2012 for the new Revolutionaries.
Report Post »RightPolitically
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 5:50pmThey are picking winners and losers. Just another step in the dismantling of America!
Report Post »NE12012
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 5:49pmAnother “Pepto Moment” from these rocket scientists
Report Post »missy8s
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 5:48pmWhatever happened to “equal” justice under the law…?
PROSECUTE!
Report Post »psst
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 5:43pmJust wait until the marxist MSM finds out about this.
Report Post »The you know what will hit the fan.
It going to be carried on the MSM Mews 25/8.
They will tell you Hussein Lied.
Nocoincidence
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 5:40pmIt’s clearly UNCONSTITUTIONAL!! We‘ve gotta stop ’em before they pummel The Constitution into pulp. How many states are now challenging this p.o.s. legislation?
Report Post »jblovesAmerica
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 5:39pmthe Law of the Land-good for me good for you.
Report Post »No one is exempt- no one.
if its bad-repeal the whole thing. not piecemeal.
RonaldoMagus
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 5:33pmShocker…. Obama lied and isn’t keeping his word???
It will be news when he does!
Report Post »BQI
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 5:33pmOh…shucks….and I thought this healthcare plan was the bomb. ooooops ….back choice of words.
http://www.blackquillandink.com
Report Post »TexasCommonSense
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 5:33pmIf it’s such a fabulous bill, why are the waivers needed?
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 5:42pmThe bill is not a good one; the only reason the wavers are being given seems to be for the supporters of the adminstration – most likely by following the money trail more answers could be found.
Report Post »TexasCommonSense
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 5:46pmSnowleopard {gallery of cat folks}, I agree. When something doesn’t make sense, look for the money. It’s the same for cap and trade. For a true scientist, the debate is NEVER over.
Report Post »HillBillySam1
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 7:26pmThis is the very question that we should ask all of our elected representatives….call them tomorrow…..your Reps and your Senators……leave messages asking about the need for these waivers. Call the next day and do the same until someone answers truthfully….be respectful but diligent….don’t except the talking points….hold them ALL accountable.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 7:26pmThat’s like asking “If the girl is really into, why do you have to get her drunk?”
Report Post »CatB
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 8:00pmEXACTLY TexasCommonSense.
Report Post »historyguy48
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 5:29pmScrap this entire nonsense called Obama Care, Then start the treason trials of these crazy marxists.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 5:35pmAgreed, the Obama-care takeover needs to be undone completely and replaced with common sense medical reform and tort reform as well.
Report Post »Curator_JDR
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 5:36pmIs there a surprise? Obama‘s biggest supporters don’t want Obamacare — which has always been about control and NOTHING MORE. Will President Madonna-bama manage to convincingly reinvents himself (evolve) like the singer?
This video of a renowned artist destroying his presidential portrait of Obama with irony and humor is called “Catharsis” and is satisfying to watch.
http://www.marcrubin.com/obama.ivnu
Report Post »MrButcher
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 5:37pm@historyguy
Scrap the HC law by all means. But its not against the law nor is it treason to be a marxist.
We don’t ban political ideas nor imprison folks for having them in America.
Relax.
Report Post »hulagu
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 5:40pmHistory Guy, What not give waivers to everyone and forget about it?
Report Post »Bring on the trials!
Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 5:41pm@MrButcher
Correct, we still do have the freedom to express our ideals and beliefs, religious, political, etc. or to not express them as we see fit. I just wish that if these people are followers or believers of the change they wish to make to America via Marxist, Communist, Radical, etc. ways and means then they should be public about it and we would know exactly what to expect of them.
Report Post »TexasCommonSense
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 5:50pmMrButcher, it stopped being just an idea when it was signed into law.
Report Post »hulagu
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 5:50pmMr Butcher, You might be right. You can have your Marxist opinion but frankly if you feel that way ,there are plenty of places you can go and live your dream. I really encourage you to do so. But if you stick around,you are my enemy. I have a right to hate you also. I mean this in the most ugly way that you can imagine with your liberal brain. Marxism is completely incompatible with our way of life.
Report Post »P C BE DAMNED
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 5:50pmWe need to see someone in high office going to jail. It would slow these detestable people down if one of them were raped in jail. Wouldn’t it?
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 5:54pmOne thing I hope the GOP will do is more than investigate; I hope any laws that are found to have been broken will result in criminal charges, any and all involved should be charged regardless of the positions they hold.
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 5:55pmGOP to investigate? hahahahahahahahahahaha
Another BS investigation of government by government?
Report Post »I remember the wrist slap that Charlie Rangle got! They should be really scared!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ironmaan
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 5:58pmThis is typical elitist BS. Obamacare is good enough for you, just not for congress or anyone whose kissed the ass of the Obama administration.
Report Post »http://guerillatics.com
DashRipRock
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 6:01pmMR BUTCHER
said
“We don’t ban political ideas nor imprison folks for having them in America.”
I guess he has never watched the main stream media talk about the right.
Idiot
Report Post »click4cheapandeasyweb
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 6:06pmThe only way to make this fair… give everyone waivers. Let us all get out from under this piece of garbage!
Report Post »DagneyT
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 6:29pmAnd don’t forget to applaud the newTEA Party congressmen for questioning the whole mess that IS obamacare, and why companies & unions want to opt out. There‘s no better way for them to highlight it’s ridiculousness!
Report Post »P C BE DAMNED
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 6:40pmIf the President will veto bills to stop Obamacare, why can’t we give everyone waivers. This will defacto destroy the legislation. There have got to be many ways to stop this low class theivery form good hard working Americans.
Report Post »chuck
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 7:07pmOcare is illegal, and the Supreme Court, if it is honest, and transparent, will strike down the key provision:
You MUST buy healthcare OR pay a tax (fine, levy).
Watch the Virginia case, although it could get held up for years, before being heard. May be too late by then, we will see.
There is also the 25 other states filing suit, and the house passed the repeal, senate will probably kill it before it reaches the floor, if not veto. But at least we get the votes, count them and know who the hell to kick out come 2012! If we make it that far…hold on to your hats, it’s might get breezy!
Report Post »uncleherbert
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 7:09pmWe have to get the government out of our lives. This being another example of favoritism to special interest SEIU and other unions who supported this law are now getting exemptions? This can not stand! The tea party is right. Get rid of big government!
Report Post »JBT
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 7:09pmImpeachment is my vote. The only citizen supporting our POTUS are foreign nations (the dictatorships he keeps bowing down for) and the simpletons who think the United Nations is an agency to oversee our interests.
Enough of his apologies for USA errancies. He needs to be a proud American (not hyphenated) or stand back and let a real American lead the people.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 7:11pmkeeping Marxist in our Govt and in places of power would be simular to a sheep herder allowing wolves to roam the same pasture as his herd. They may not have killed a sheep yet, but the wolves will always leave the spector of doom to the sheep herders livelyhood and it would only be a matter of time before they take out the herd. Does a good shepard wait until his flock is destroyed or does he act on behalf of his herd and protect?
Report Post »The Marxist beliefs are contrary to our very existance, constitution and laws.
Cobra Blue
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 7:11pmMrButcher & SnowLeopard
Keep tip towing through the tulips with this adminstration and there isn’t going to be anything left. The people have relaxed too long…that’s how we got in this mess after all these years. The LEFT is doing anything but relaxing….why should we?…I guess we need to act like good little subjects. You forget one key aspect of all this. IT IS NOT BUSINESS AS USUAL IN WASHINGTON ANYMORE. They make the rules as they go or haven’t you noticed.
Report Post »Cobra Blue
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 7:16pmThe GOP can investigate until the cows come home….all we will get is a report if we are lucky. IF you think the liberal progressives and power brokers are scared of a GOP investigation you are dreaming at this point. They just laugh when the Republicans threaten using the rule of law. Silly rabbit…the liberal progressives are making the DAMN laws…as they go. Wake up and smell the coffee.
Report Post »chuck
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 7:44pmWe also kick out all of those people making those laws, put people in that will do our bidding!
Report Post »CatB
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 8:00pmI BUY MY OWN INSURANCE .. where is my d*nmed WAIVER!
Report Post »DisillusionedDaily
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 8:16pmAll these unions and health care insurers wanted Obama so bad that they cannot wait to avoid it! Yes, I said health care insurers. There are a number of them on the waiver list along with a large number of union groups. It is good enough for us, but not for them.
Report Post »walkwithme1966
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 8:29pmYou guys are so blind – you have no idea what the waivers are for and why they have been granted. I would like it so much better if all of you were educated on the issues so we could have a real debate – guess not yet!!! http://wp.me/pYLB7-xf
Report Post »BreeZee
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 8:45pmMrButher, The problem I have with obamma and his socialist administration is their Alinsky beliefs and the CONSTANT LYING from from the Prez down to the WH janitor. The o-care was done in such an evil way and to this day those that voted for still have no idea whats in it other than the same talking points that obamma taught them puppets to say.
Report Post »NuckenFuts
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 9:09pmWhat a way to raise campagin funds for 2012. Wonder if the waivers stay in place if they support the opponent for President.
Report Post »makom
Posted on January 27, 2011 at 11:32pmYep. let’s build the gallows.
Report Post »KICKILLEGALSOUT
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 12:43amThis is just the evidence that there is something extremely wrong with Bamacare if huge numbers of waivers are being granted and even to groups that are actively supporting it! Someone spiked the Bamakoolaid with Commie juice!
Report Post »nptden
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 4:54amYep, time to OUT these Commies with the Republican majority in congress….Hearings, Hearings and More Hearings….And don’t forget the AUDITS….time some of these leeches go to jail.
Report Post »mikem1969
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 8:31amobastalinmao kill ya care needs to go. Then true reform can be done by the following.
1) Open interstate competition between health insurance companies.
2) Tort reform
3) No pre-ex denials
Wow as easy as 1 2 3.
Report Post »democratgirl
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 11:21amProphetic lesson of State of the Union: More house cleaning necessary
In the State of the Union address, the president told Americans, “But to help our companies compete, we also have to knock down barriers that stand in the way of their success. For example, over the years, a parade of lobbyists has rigged the tax code to benefit particular companies and industries. Those with accountants or lawyers to work the system can end up paying no taxes at all. But all the rest are hit with one of the highest corporate tax rates in the world. It makes no sense, and it has to change. So tonight, I’m asking Democrats and Republicans to simplify the system. Get rid of the loopholes. Level the playing field.” He also said that the wealthiest two percent of Americans should give up their tax breaks.
The president put his money where his mouth is even before the State of the Union. CNSNews reports that three Chicago chapters of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) have received waivers from participating in the new socialized health care system. The waivers allow the SEIU to limit how much they have to spend on their workers health care. In fact, the Administration has issued some 223 such waivers so far, with plans for 500 more–and at least 45 of them are labor unions–unions that gave millions to the president’s campaign. For example, the three Chicago SEIU local political action committee gave a total of $27 million in support of the president’s election.
The appearance of bribery clouds these waivers so much that Congress is going to investigate. Iowa Republican Senator Charles Grassley told CNSNews.com that these waivers are a “perfect example of special interests” having an “in” with the Administration. The president is in great error when he said that lobbyists “rigged the tax code to benefit particular companies and industries.” Nothing passes Congress without a vote, and if the tax code gives advantage to some over others, it is, in this case, the president and his own party that made it law. Leveling the playing field may mean Chicago-style cronyism to the president, but the American people should demand a higher standard.
If we have learned anything since the last election and from this State of the Union, more cleansing in Washington is needed as Isaiah 59:7 says, “Their feet run to evil, and they make hast to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths.” But we must be careful who we put in office. Jesus gave the example in Matthew 12 of when an unclean spirit goes out of a man that the spirit, “takes with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last sate of that man is worse than the first.” We must take care that we discern properly the spiritual state of those who we choose as leaders.
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