Ace of Spades HQ

March 08, 2011

State of Maine Gets Obamacare Waiver
— Dave in Texas

As suggested (or re-tweeted) by one of my Senators, how about all 50 states?

PORTLAND, Maine - The federal government Tuesday granted Maine a waiver of a key provision in President Barack Obama's health care overhaul, citing the likelihood that enforcement could destabilize the state's market for individual health insurance.
The U.S. Health and Human Services department said in a letter it would waive the requirement that insurers spend 80 cents to 85 cents of every premium dollar on medical care and quality improvement. Instead, the letter said, the state could maintain its 65 percent standard for three years, with the caveat that HHS intends to review the figures after two years.

The Obamacare savings™ calculations don't mean a damned thing and never did. Gabriel noted the other day over a thousand waivers have already been granted. Favored parties (unions) don't have to take the same medicine as the rest of us. But the key provision of the funding mechanism requires every goddang person has to buy into this mess (with cash).

(Actually Cornyn suggested "how bout Texas?" but I'm not selfish. All 50 states deserve a waiver.)

I'm cool with that. Even though I'm old.

Posted by: Dave in Texas at 05:32 PM | Comments (63)
Post contains 212 words, total size 2 kb.

1 But what about the other 7 states?

Posted by: Rum, Goddess of Doom at March 08, 2011 05:33 PM (YxBuk)

2 Ugh, quote fail.

All 50 states deserve a waiver.

But what about the other 7 states?

Posted by: Rum, Goddess of Doom at March 08, 2011 05:34 PM (YxBuk)

3 Just wait until the whole state of deNile gets their fkn waiver.

Posted by: NC Ref at March 08, 2011 05:34 PM (/izg2)

4 So are these waivers temporary or permanent?

Posted by: Y-not at March 08, 2011 05:36 PM (pW2o8)

5 Who the frick cares? Let's talk about CHARLIE SHEEN.... What does it mean that Bree Olson...a girl primarily know for her ability to entertain multiple large ebony phalluses in many way..now feels the need to distance herself? That's not good, is it?

Posted by: Kasper Hauser at March 08, 2011 05:36 PM (NYW94)

6 Fucking swell. I'm sure the Maine sisters will vote against Obama all the fucking time now.

Posted by: Wyatt Earp at March 08, 2011 05:37 PM (r1Poc)

7 So are these waivers temporary or permanent?

Posted by: Y-not at March 08, 2011 09:36 PM (pW2o

It depends. Did you complete our questionnaire on race and income?

Posted by: US Census Bureau at March 08, 2011 05:37 PM (/izg2)

8 How about we waive the whole last 2 years?

Posted by: steevy at March 08, 2011 05:38 PM (s9+Dh)

The House should pass a law that says any entity requesting a Waiver should get one as a matter of right, simply by filling out a simple form. Hell, you could even make it income-generating by having them pay a moderate fee for every person covered by the waiver - a company would surely rather pay 50 or 100 bucks per employee per year for a waiver, rahter than having to comply with the law. And it would be sweet making the unions fork over money rather than just getting waivers as thank you gifts.

Posted by: buzz at March 08, 2011 05:38 PM (i27M5)

10 So is the waiver good for the citizens of Maine or just Maine government workers?

Posted by: John P. Squibob at March 08, 2011 05:39 PM (/U/Mr)

11 Anyone know anything about their governor?

Posted by: Y-not at March 08, 2011 05:39 PM (pW2o8)

12 There will be no repeal!

_{But everyone will get a waiver.}

Posted by: Barry at March 08, 2011 05:41 PM (veZ9n)

13 It is only a waiver thin mint!

Posted by: THE waiter at March 08, 2011 05:41 PM (WbnbO)

14 What is so damned hard about defunding this beast using the same lame excuse the DoD did for moving toward allowing openly gays military personnel -

One Federal judge said it is unconstitutional.

Posted by: Druid at March 08, 2011 05:42 PM (RnujI)

15 State of Maine Gets Obamacare Waiver

I've heard mention of equal protection concerns with the Obamacare waivers...doesn't this crank that to 11?

There is nothing stopping Obama apparently from using Obamacare as a cudgel against those he wants to penalize...

Posted by: 18-1 at March 08, 2011 05:42 PM (bgcml)

16 Anyone know anything about their governor?

Posted by: Y-not at March 08, 2011 09:39 PM

Yeah, he's a Tea Party conservative. Obama granted the waiver as a favor to the State of Maine (who 4 electoral college votes he can't afford to risk in 2012) rather than to the Gov.

Posted by: buzz at March 08, 2011 05:42 PM (i27M5)

17 The waivers are being granted as a result of political pressure being placed on certain revanchist members of the administration. Only when the country is sufficiently enlightened and able to appreciate to glory that is President ObamaÂ® will egalitarian health be a reality. You may try to "conserve" the old order, but it has already been consigned to the dust-heap of history.

Posted by: Fellow Traveler in NJ at March 08, 2011 05:43 PM (LH6ir)

18 citing the likelihood that enforcement could destabilize the state's market for individual health insurance. well fuckin' ....DUH!

Posted by: Ben Affleck's Bong at March 08, 2011 05:44 PM (toHWP)

19 I'm thinking these waivers are a stall tactic while the other barkycare laws take effect. Don't want to get a lot of states riled up. It's better to keep things on the down low for a couple of years. I hate that dirty bastard.

Posted by: Ronster at March 08, 2011 05:46 PM (rzuJR)

20 Everyone but those who voted for this POS should get a waiver.

Alternatively, no way to ban waivers? Guess not.

Posted by: ParisParamus at March 08, 2011 05:46 PM (cdCC7)

21 I'm thinking these waivers are a stall tactic while the other barkycare laws take effect. Don't want to get a lot of states riled up. It's better to keep things on the down low for a couple of years. I hate that dirty bastard.

The old frog boiling technique...

Posted by: 18-1 at March 08, 2011 05:46 PM (bgcml)

22 What about Michelle Obama waivers? For the children.

Posted by: Fritz at March 08, 2011 05:47 PM (/8mBu)

23 Barky has to respond to the judge that ruled the mess unconstitutional pretty damn soon. Anyone know the actual date?

Posted by: Ronster at March 08, 2011 05:48 PM (rzuJR)

24 Everyone but those who voted for this POS should get a waiver.

If Obama and the Left cared about the rights of those not on board with their agenda, they wouldn't have passed Obamacare.

There was little from stopping the creation of the "Obamacare Health Nonprofit" that would have allowed individuals, regardless of ability to pay, to join if they so choose.

Obama, instead, choose brute force...

Posted by: 18-1 at March 08, 2011 05:48 PM (bgcml)

25 _{But everyone the correct people will get a waiver.}_Fixed-ed.

Posted by: blue star at March 08, 2011 05:49 PM (4OCrT)

So with all these waivers, whats the poor smoe that isnt in a favored class gonna pay now? Every grant of waiver means that much less stash to fund the piece of corn thats in my shit called obamacare

Posted by: Red Shirt at March 08, 2011 05:50 PM (FIDMq)

27 I got all the knives right but the first(didn't see the third choice until it was too late).Thought it was going to be about cool knives,weapons.

Posted by: steevy at March 08, 2011 05:50 PM (s9+Dh)

28 27 Wrong thread.Grrr.

Posted by: steevy at March 08, 2011 05:51 PM (s9+Dh)

29 I've got a couple of waivers right here. The're not paper either. They go bang real loud, too loud for most sheltered liberal pansies. But they'll be here, waiting for the newly armed IRS(?). "Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, As to be purchased at the price of chains, or slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me Liberty, or give me death." -Patrick Henry Too bad he wasn't Muslim, if he was, that wouldn't have been Racist. Please moderate this out of the comments, and tell me how it's baaaaad because I'm feeding into what the MGM says.... Like it makes a difference. The chocolate ration has now been raised from 100g to 10g per month. We have always been at war with Eurasia. Carry on.

Posted by: Citizenslave at March 08, 2011 05:53 PM (8v5B6)

30 Barky has to respond to the judge that ruled the mess unconstitutional pretty damn soon. Anyone know the actual date?

Posted by: Ronster at March 08, 2011 09:48 PM (rzuJR)

He gave them 7 days on the 3rd.

Posted by: Tami at March 08, 2011 05:56 PM (VuLos)

Barky has to respond to the judge that ruled the mess unconstitutional pretty damn soon. Anyone know the actual date?

Tomorrow or Thursday. I believe the judge imposed the 7 day deadline last Thursday.

Posted by: Mayday at March 08, 2011 05:56 PM (TRgli)

32 Judge Vinson just gave everyone a waiver. On Thursday, the stay expires. Barry better file his expedited appeal by then.

Posted by: lorenU at March 08, 2011 05:57 PM (ZMeaC)

33 So how many people are going to be left to pay for this once the waivers are all settled? I have a feeling that there will be two guys in Duluth wondering how the hell they got stuck with such a huge tax bill.

Posted by: NR Pax at March 08, 2011 05:57 PM (1EOfA)

34 Thanks. That means time is drawing near for barky.

Posted by: Ronster at March 08, 2011 05:59 PM (rzuJR)

35 Is the waiver for forever? or is it renewable every year? and, with said renewal, how much cash exchanges hands? Could this be a scam?

I really want the courts to strike down this law but I somehow feel that the government has the game rigged, I didn't feel that way until I saw Michelle Bachman talk about the 105 billion that is cast in stone. I wish we could go back to our old health care system and make free market capitalism work the way it is supposed to work.

Posted by: curious at March 08, 2011 06:01 PM (k1rwm)

36 Waivers are nothing but a house of sticks. The wolf is still out there huffing and puffing. Meanwhile, the law still stands, and will negatively impact our current structure (which needs improvement NOT destruction) - which I believe is the real intent of this action.

Posted by: Joe McCarthy was right at March 08, 2011 06:01 PM (hJUo3)

Don't you just know that on Thurs, O will ask the judge for a "clarification" on whether he meant 7 consecutive days, or 7 business days? Would be just like him.

Also, I'm itching for someone to sue over the inequality of some states/businesses/people being subject to Obamacare while others aren't. Clearly unfair. C'mon lawyers, get to work.

Posted by: Mayday at March 08, 2011 06:03 PM (TRgli)

Barky filed the appeal today.

Posted by: lorenU at March 08, 2011 06:04 PM (ZMeaC)

39 They granted the ObamaWaiverÂ© because (as my co-blogger wrote):

"after one of three insurers offering individual plans in Maine threatened to withdraw from the state."

Not coincidentally, that insurer is MEGA, famous (or infamous) for its "mini-med" plans.

Factoid: "Carriers in Maine are required to issue a policy to anyone, regardless of their health, and cover their pre-existing conditions. That alone causes health insurance premiums to be among the highest in the nation . . . at least for now."

Posted by: speedster1 at March 08, 2011 06:04 PM (yeM7r)

40 You silly bitches and your "laws"... Keep fighting on their terms. And find yourselves dead. The law means what they say it means. The constitution is "living" for whatever they want It to mean. Stock up on ammo, judges can't save you. Oh, sorry, too reactionary? Shall I sit in the corner and weep while I am flogged? FUCK YOU. And that took a lot of effort to type, cuz I had to hit the caps key for every letter.

Posted by: Citizenslave at March 08, 2011 06:10 PM (8v5B6)

41 Oh, sorry, too reactionary?

Shouldn't you be out murdering someone?

Posted by: toby928™ at March 08, 2011 06:11 PM (GTbGH)

42 Shouldn't you be telling Obama "thank you Sir, may I have another?"

Posted by: Citizenslave at March 08, 2011 06:16 PM (8v5B6)

43 Just Obama buyin' the votes of the Maine sisters against repeal.

Posted by: jbarntt at March 08, 2011 06:17 PM (UNFot)

Repeal it. Teh dems should get behind repealing it and acutally save themselves.

Posted by: Lemon Kitten at March 08, 2011 06:20 PM (0fzsA)

45 How about we all let Maine annex our states and just get on the waiver gravy train that way?

Posted by: George Orwell at March 08, 2011 06:28 PM (AZGON)

46 So, everyone will be on board if the Administration grants a one-year waiver? Good to know. This will be much easier to win than I thought.

Posted by: Cass R. Sunstein, Nudge Czar at March 08, 2011 06:30 PM (swuwV)

47 Yes, a waiver is no substitute for the real solution: full-throated repeal.

Posted by: George Orwell at March 08, 2011 06:32 PM (AZGON)

48 There has to be some kind of trick here that people aren't catching. That they would give a state a waiver must mean something to the other states in court which may not bode well for them.

Posted by: curious at March 08, 2011 06:34 PM (k1rwm)

49 Hey, at least we're not Britain.

Posted by: Cooter at March 08, 2011 06:35 PM (6c0Hn)

I think they are burying us.

Posted by: StrangernFiction at March 08, 2011 06:38 PM (dKCBV)

51 This must be what Snowe got in exchange for letting this POS out of committee.

Posted by: Tattoo De Plane at March 08, 2011 06:53 PM (mHQ7T)

52 Why is it that everything has a trick, a catch, a gotcha. They advertised transparency and instead we are getting a lot of smoke and mirrors. The administration has unbounded energy. When they lose they come back at their opponent twice as hard and more tough and it's devastating. No one wants to challenge them, no one. I'm an independent and I'm getting discouraged. I'm not thrilled with the republican choices and the pres looks to me like he's already bought himself another term.

Posted by: curious at March 08, 2011 07:03 PM (k1rwm)

I think they are burying us.

Posted by: StrangernFiction at March 08, 2011 10:38 PM (dKCBV)

I was watching Nikita at the UN just yesterday and had the same thought.

Posted by: jcjimi at March 08, 2011 07:32 PM (EUW8K)

54 curious: "Why is it that everything has a trick, a catch, a gotcha."

Because you wouldn't buy what they are selling otherwise. Clearly you know this. It's less a battle of Left versus Right as much as it's D.C. versus the taxpayer. The Left is just headed by Marxists right now.

Posted by: AnonymousDrivel at March 08, 2011 07:35 PM (swuwV)

55 So, the way this is going, I am going to be the only SOB in the country without a waiver!

Posted by: Rob in Katy at March 08, 2011 07:39 PM (PiTBB)

56 Wicked sweet. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvLTLcsDOGI&feature=channel_video_title Ayuh Ayuh

Posted by: FAB at March 08, 2011 07:45 PM (v85We)

57 Ah. I see. Rule of men, not of laws. Maine, oh so special.
These waivers cannot be constitutional.

Posted by: Derak at March 08, 2011 08:38 PM (CjpKH)

Posted by: Citizenslave at March 08, 2011 09:53 PM (8v5B6)

Take two cyanide capsules and report to your local FEMA camp for further processing.

Posted by: Dr. Kevorkian, Surgeon General of the United States at March 08, 2011 09:19 PM (6CtUc)

59 43 Just Obama buyin' the votes of the Maine sisters against repeal.

Posted by: jbarntt at March 08, 2011 10:17 PM (UNFot)

bingo

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