Michelle Malkin reported yesterday that HHS Secretay Kathleen Sebelius has approved 111 Obamacare waivers for businesses, unions, and other providers of health insurance providers. The article lists some of the aspects of the waivers:
“Aetna, based in Hartford, Connecticut, was part of a first round of waivers in September for 209,423 beneficiaries in plans that don’t comply with the new requirement. Oak Brook, Illinois- based McDonald’s Corp., the world’s largest restaurant chain, Jack in the Box Inc., based in San Diego, and the United Federation of Teachers also were among the waiver recipients.
“About 200,000 people were included in the new round of exemptions, bringing the total to almost 1.2 million people, HHS said on its website. Also on the list for exemptions are Manor Care Inc., a nursing-home company owned by Washington-based private equity firm Carlyle Group, and Universal Forest Products Inc., a lumber company based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Spokesmen for Manor and Universal Forest didn’t immediately respond to messages seeking comment.
“…Dish Network, the Englewood, Colorado-based No. 2 U.S. satellite-television provider, will be given a waiver for 3,597 employees, and Orlando, Florida-based Darden Restaurants, owner of the Olive Garden and Red Lobster chains, will get a waiver for 34,000 workers, according to the HHS list. Darden spokesman Rich Jeffers didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Dish Network spokesman Marc Lumpkin declined to comment.
“The waivers, which last for a year and can then be renewed, let workers keep coverage until new options are available in four years under the law, said Jessica Santillo, a spokeswoman for the agency.”
If you look at this carefully, you realize how many people would actually lose their healthcare insurance had the waivers not been issued. The questions then becomes, “Shouldn’t we take another look at this program in light of the fact that it is doing exactly the opposite of what was promised?”
Meanwhile, Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), vowed Friday to introduce legislation killing a part of the new healthcare reform law that imposes new tax-filing requirements on small businesses. He wants to end the requirement that businesses report any purchases of over $600 to the IRS. He points out that this will impose undue paperwork burdens on companies amid an economic downturn when they can least afford it.
I have a better idea. Let’s repeal the entire law and start over with tort reform, portability across state lines, and tax credits for individuals buying their own health insurance.