2821

I will happily back up StGabe’s assertion that Kaiser is awesome. I was born into Kaiser, and both of my parents are still under their healthcare. The only remotely negative experience I ever had were long waits for some appointments, this was in the 90s when Kaiser because extremely popular in California before they started expanding. They’ve taken care of my dad’s heart surgeries, my mom’s tumor, my own medical issues, without any issues. More hospital systems should be following their model.

2822

So does he use a different pen for each letter? It’s gotta wind up looking like this:

Barack Obama

2823

Obama is the 9th left-handed president. :D In fact, all the presidents since Ford, except Carter and George W, have been Lefties.

2824

Joe’s good for capturing the mood.

Fucking A’

I prefer this to the normal Washington posture that makes people seem like robots.

Robert Gibbs concurs.

2825

Yep. One pen per letter. Watch more West Wing. ;)

I assume they get pretty good at making the signature look reasonable even doing it that way. Dunno.

2826

Does anyone know exactly when the 19 year old to 26 year old change takes effect? My son will be 19 next week, and Kaiser already notified me that his premiums will go up. I’ll probably try calling them about this later this week but in case someone had seen something, I’d appreciate it.

2827

Immediately, is my understanding. This part affects us directly, too.

2828

Also, the situation for us used to be (dunno if this is California Law or specific to our insurance) that my folks insurance would cover me until 23 IF and only if I was a full time student. I’m no longer a full time student, and I am turning 24 rather soon. Does anybody know if this change has any similar stipulations? Or can I freeload?

2829

According to the Senate version’s summary, the dependent provisions kick in in 6 months (http://dpc.senate.gov/dpcdoc-sen_health_care_bill.cfm). That’s a pro-reform site (Democratic Policy Committee), but with regards to the basic facts like this stuff, that shouldn’t matter.

I haven’t found the detailed reference yet, but as I understand it, eligibility to stay on your parents plan does have restrictions based on, for example, your income and whether you have access to an employer plan. Basically, if you reasonably can get insurance on your own, you’re expected to do so. I suspect it’s pretty much the same general rules that govern whether you’re a dependent on taxes. But again, big grain of salt here, as I haven’t tracked down the actual language. Anyone else have a link?

From the same site (the section-by-section analysis), there’s this, which seems to basically confirm that:

Sec. 1004. Income definitions. Modifies the definition of income that is used for purposes of tax credit and subsidy eligibility and the individual responsibility requirement. The modifications conform the income definition to information that is currently reported on the Form 1040 and to the present law income tax return filing thresholds. The provision also extends the exclusion from gross income for employer provided health coverage for adult children up to the end of the calendar year in which the child turns age 26

2830

Not quite immediately - it’ll be six months.

2831

God bless Biden. What other VP would drop the f-bomb on live TV? :)

2832

Biden is seriously what my dad would be like if he were VP.

2833

I believe this is also the case in Alabama with Blue Cross/Blue Shield. I believe it is an insurance company rule.

2834

Take my fucking word for it - if there’s any possible way you can afford medical insurance, do so, regardless of how low you think the odds are that you’ll need it. All it takes is one accident, one fuck-up, one piece of bad luck, genetically or otherwise, without insurance, and your life is effectively ruined forever. You’ll be dealing with a long term condition, saddled with crippling expenses, effectively uninsurable, and paying out of fucking pocket for every fucking cent - which also means paying generally higher rates on procedures and doctor visits. The odds of that sickness, injury, or catastrophe may be low - but the costs of being uninsured if it happens are higher than you can possibly realize right now.

Voluntarily going without insurance to save money in the short term is a fool’s bet in modern America.

2835

Quat speaks the truth.

2836

At least some of 'em:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100323/ap_on_re_us/us_health_overhaul_lawsuit

2837

I think it would be silly if Democrats did all this work just to have it be illegal. Surely they have to have something planned to backup the legality.

2838

Wasn’t there at one point an opt-out clause for states?

2839

Expect republican agents across the nation to do everything they possibly can to delay the benefits of this bill from being felt by their constituents, in an effort to influence the ballots on November. If they can keep people from benefiting from the immediate action provisions in the bill, they can claim the bill has done nothing to help them, so they should cast a backlash Republican vote. It’s one of the most despicable tactics I think I’ve ever seen - but then, I’ve never seen anything as entirely morally bankrupt as the modern Republican party.

2840

I think it would be silly if Democrats did all this work just to have it be illegal. Surely they have to have something planned to backup the legality.

Yeah, I’m willing to bet that they researched this angle before spending more than a year trying to get it passed. It’s just another stall tactic by the Republicans and I hope they get called on it. “Well, we’d LIKE to get health care to you fine folks but your state leaders have us tied up in court in order to deny you. Sorry! Maybe you can address this unfortunate situation in November.”