|
Stanley Feld M.D.,FACP,MACE
The health care system is broken. President Obama’s healthcare bill should be repealed. Congress should start over again using common sense. The healthcare system is a complete nightmare for all stakeholders. It consists of a series of patches to fix a dysfunctional healthcare system. President Obama’s healthcare reform act is creating a bigger nightmare.
President Obama should construct a consumer driven healthcare system with federal and state government oversight rather than a federal government driven system.
President Obama’s healthcare reform act transfers congressional control of the federal healthcare system to the executive branch of government. Nonelected officials can make rules without congressional oversight.
Checks and balances are lost. The loss of checks and balances is dangerous. Political decisions can be made by the executive branch of government without congressional input.
The McDonalds’ healthcare insurance waiver became a political embarrassment to President Obama. The healthcare insurance waiver occurred just before the midterm elections. It was clear President Obama did not want to increase the number of uninsured before the midterm election.
McDonalds said it could not afford to insure its employees under the new healthcare reform act’s regulations. The administration created a new rule to provide McDonalds and 32 other companies with a waiver from healthcare regulations that would go into effect January 1,2011.
The government’s press release about the waivers created a big stir in the blogging world. It also caused a reaction in the traditional media. The President gave in to influence by lobbying groups. Cries of favoritism resulted.
At the beginning of November the government issued 111 waivers without informing the press.
The waiver was interpreted as an admission of just how job-killing and business-crushing the new health care law really is. These new waivers were buried in the Department of Health and Human Services web site without publicity.
Below is a list of companies granted waivers so far.
| |
Applicant
|
Application
Received
|
Plan
Effective
Date
|
Number
of
Enrollees
|
Application
Completed by
Applicant
|
Waiver
Approved
|
|
1
|
Protocol Marketing Group
|
10/4/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
454
|
10/25/2010
|
11/1/2010
|
|
2
|
Sasnak
|
9/29/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
813
|
9/29/2010
|
11/1/2010
|
|
3
|
Star Tek
|
10/1/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
1,423
|
10/26/2010
|
11/1/2010
|
|
4
|
Adventist Care Centers
|
10/1/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
725
|
10/26/2010
|
10/29/2010
|
|
5
|
B.E.S.T of NY
|
10/7/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
1,200
|
10/27/2010
|
10/29/2010
|
|
6
|
Boskovich Farms, Inc
|
10/8/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
165
|
10/28/2010
|
10/29/2010
|
|
7
|
Gallegos Corp
|
9/29/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
86
|
10/28/2010
|
10/29/2010
|
|
8
|
Jeffords Steel and Engineering
|
10/4/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
112
|
10/28/2010
|
10/29/2010
|
|
9
|
O.K. Industries
|
10/4/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
1,238
|
10/28/2010
|
10/29/2010
|
|
10
|
Service Employees Benefit Fund
|
10/12/2010
|
11/1/2010
|
1,297
|
10/29/2010
|
10/29/2010
|
|
11
|
Sun Pacific Farming Coop
|
10/6/2010
|
12/1/2010
|
1,109
|
10/6/2010
|
10/29/2010
|
|
12
|
UFCW Allied Trade Health & Welfare Trust
|
10/5/2010
|
1-Dec
|
68
|
10/25/2010
|
10/29/2010
|
|
13
|
HCR Manor Care
|
10/5/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
2,666
|
10/26/2010
|
10/28/2010
|
|
14
|
IBEW No.915
|
9/28/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
930
|
10/15/2010
|
10/28/2010
|
|
15
|
Integra BMS for Culp, Inc.
|
10/4/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
34
|
10/25/2010
|
10/28/2010
|
|
16
|
New England Health Care Employees Welfare Fund
|
9/27/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
7,454
|
10/26/2010
|
10/28/2010
|
|
17
|
Aegis Security Insurance Company
|
10/6/2010
|
11/1/2010
|
67
|
10/25/2010
|
10/26/2010
|
|
18
|
Alliance One Tobacco
|
9/30/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
138
|
10/21/2010
|
10/26/2010
|
|
19
|
Asbestos Workers Local 53 Welfare Fund
|
9/29/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
2
|
10/21/2010
|
10/26/2010
|
|
20
|
Assurant Health (2nd Application)
|
9/29/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
19,024
|
10/21/2010
|
10/26/2010
|
|
21
|
Captain Elliot’s Party Boats
|
10/12/2010
|
11/1/2010
|
10
|
10/25/2010
|
10/26/2010
|
|
22
|
Carlson Restaurants
|
9/22/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
3,381
|
10/21/2010
|
10/26/2010
|
|
23
|
CH Guenther & Son
|
9/24/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
300
|
10/21/2010
|
10/26/2010
|
|
24
|
CKM Industries dba Miller Environmental
|
10/5/2010
|
11/1/2010
|
34
|
10/25/2010
|
10/26/2010
|
|
25
|
Caribbean Workers’ Voluntary Employees’ Health and Welfare Plan
|
10/14/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
4,500
|
10/18/2010
|
10/26/2010
|
|
26
|
Darden Restaurants
|
9/30/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
34,000
|
10/21/2010
|
10/26/2010
|
|
27
|
Duarte Nursery
|
9/23/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
283
|
10/19/2010
|
10/26/2010
|
|
28
|
Employees Security Fund
|
9/29/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
22
|
9/29/2010
|
10/26/2010
|
|
29
|
Florida Trowel Trades
|
9/27/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
297
|
10/21/2010
|
10/26/2010
|
|
30
|
Ingles Markets
|
9/30/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
917
|
10/25/2010
|
10/26/2010
|
|
31
|
Meijer
|
10/1/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
4,873
|
10/1/2010
|
10/26/2010
|
|
32
|
O’Reilly Auto Parts
|
9/23/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
9,722
|
9/23/2010
|
10/26/2010
|
|
33
|
Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 123 Welfare Fund
|
9/30/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
534
|
10/21/2010
|
10/26/2010
|
|
34
|
Sun Belt
|
9/28/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
114
|
10/20/2010
|
10/26/2010
|
|
35
|
UFCW Local 227
|
10/12/2010
|
11/1/2010
|
1,125
|
10/12/2010
|
10/26/2010
|
|
36
|
Uncle Julio’s
|
9/30/2010
|
11/1/2010
|
115
|
10/25/2010
|
10/26/2010
|
|
37
|
United Group
|
9/24/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
177
|
10/19/2010
|
10/26/2010
|
|
38
|
US Imaging
|
10/11/2010
|
11/1/2010
|
148
|
10/25/2010
|
10/26/2010
|
|
39
|
Vino Farms
|
10/8/2010
|
11/1/2010
|
152
|
10/21/2010
|
10/26/2010
|
|
40
|
Advanta Staff, Inc.
|
9/20/2010
|
9/1/2011
|
52
|
9/20/2010
|
10/21/2010
|
|
41
|
Agricare
|
9/23/2010
|
11/1/2010
|
437
|
9/23/2010
|
10/21/2010
|
|
42
|
Alaska Seafood
|
9/23/2010
|
1/1/2010
|
262
|
10/15/2010
|
10/21/2010
|
|
43
|
American Fidelity
|
9/22/2010
|
10/23/2010
|
9,358
|
10/14/2010
|
10/21/2010
|
|
44
|
Convergys
|
9/20/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
1,400
|
9/20/2010
|
10/21/2010
|
|
45
|
Darensberries
|
9/28/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
1,450
|
9/28/2010
|
10/21/2010
|
|
46
|
Gowan Company
|
9/23/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
225
|
9/27/2010
|
10/21/2010
|
|
47
|
Greystar
|
9/23/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
1,747
|
10/13/2010
|
10/21/2010
|
|
48
|
Macayo Restaurants
|
9/22/2010
|
12/1/2010
|
46
|
10/18/2010
|
10/21/2010
|
|
49
|
Periodical Services
|
9/27/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
464
|
9/27/2010
|
10/21/2010
|
|
50
|
UniFirst
|
9/23/2010
|
9/1/2011
|
2,659
|
10/14/2010
|
10/21/2010
|
|
51
|
Universal Forest Products
|
9/23/2011
|
5/1/2010
|
1,738
|
10/19/2010
|
10/21/2010
|
|
52
|
UFCW Maximus Local 455
|
10/4/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
59
|
10/18/2010
|
10/18/2010
|
|
53
|
American Habilitation Services, Inc.
|
9/22/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
400
|
10/12/2010
|
10/14/2010
|
|
54
|
GuideStone Financial Resources
|
9/21/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
354
|
9/21/2010
|
10/14/2010
|
|
55
|
Local 25 SEIU
|
9/29/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
31,000
|
10/7/2010
|
10/14/2010
|
|
56
|
MAUSER Corp.
|
9/21/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
47
|
9/24/2010
|
10/14/2010
|
|
57
|
Preferred Care, Inc.
|
9/15/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
918
|
9/15/2010
|
10/14/2010
|
|
58
|
Ruby Tuesday
|
10/8/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
3,219
|
10/8/2010
|
10/14/2010
|
|
59
|
The Dixie Group, Inc.
|
8/27/2010
|
6/19/2010
|
269
|
10/12/2010
|
10/14/2010
|
|
60
|
UFCW Local 1262
|
9/20/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
5,390
|
9/20/2010
|
10/14/2010
|
|
61
|
Whelan Security Company
|
9/23/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
287
|
10/12/2010
|
10/14/2010
|
|
62
|
AMF Bowling Worldwide
|
9/14/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
295
|
10/7/2010
|
10/12/2010
|
|
63
|
Assisted Living Concepts
|
9/17/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
1,174
|
9/17/2010
|
10/12/2010
|
|
64
|
Case & Associates
|
9/17/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
87
|
9/17/2010
|
10/12/2010
|
|
65
|
GPM Investments
|
9/17/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
275
|
9/17/2010
|
10/12/2010
|
|
66
|
Grace Living Centers
|
9/14/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
534
|
9/14/2010
|
10/12/2010
|
|
67
|
Mountaire Corporation
|
9/17/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
2,074
|
9/17/2010
|
10/12/2010
|
|
68
|
Swift Spinning
|
9/16/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
240
|
9/16/2010
|
10/12/2010
|
|
69
|
Belmont Village
|
9/10/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
785
|
10/4/2010
|
10/8/2010
|
|
70
|
Caliber Services
|
9/13/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
606
|
9/13/2010
|
10/8/2010
|
|
71
|
Cracker Barrel
|
9/9/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
16,823
|
9/17/2010
|
10/8/2010
|
|
72
|
DISH Network
|
9/13/2010
|
3/1/2011
|
3,597
|
9/23/2010
|
10/8/2010
|
|
73
|
Groendyke Transport, Inc
|
9/2/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
1,322
|
9/2/2010
|
10/8/2010
|
|
74
|
Pocono Medical Center
|
9/24/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
3,298
|
9/24/2010
|
10/8/2010
|
|
75
|
Regis Corporation
|
9/10/2010
|
3/1/2011
|
3,617
|
10/1/2010
|
10/8/2010
|
|
76
|
The Pictsweet Co.
|
9/13/2010
|
1/1/2010
|
694
|
9/13/2010
|
10/8/2010
|
|
77
|
Diversified Interiors
|
9/28/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
300
|
9/28/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
|
78
|
Local 802 Musicians Health Fund
|
9/29/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
1,801
|
9/29/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
|
79
|
MCS Life Insurance Company
|
9/20/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
6,635
|
9/23/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
|
80
|
The Buccaneer
|
9/22/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
125
|
9/28/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
|
81
|
CIGNA
|
9/17/2010
|
9/26/2010
|
265,000
|
9/30/2010
|
9/30/2010
|
|
82
|
Greater Metropolitan Hotel
|
9/16/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
1,200
|
9/24/2010
|
9/30/2010
|
|
83
|
Local 17 Hospitality Benefit Fund
|
9/16/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
881
|
9/24/2010
|
9/30/2010
|
|
84
|
GS-ILA
|
9/15/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
298
|
9/15/2010
|
9/28/2010
|
|
85
|
Allied
|
9/13/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
127
|
9/13/2010
|
9/27/2010
|
|
86
|
Harden Healthcare
|
9/9/2010
|
1/1/2011
|
874
|
9/29/2010
|
9/27/2010
|
|
87
|
Health and Welfare Benefit System
|
9/16/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
41
|
9/16/2010
|
9/27/2010
|
|
88
|
Health Connector
|
9/20/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
3,544
|
9/24/2010
|
9/27/2010
|
|
89
|
I.U.P.A.T
|
9/16/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
875
|
9/23/2010
|
9/27/2010
|
|
90
|
Sanderson Plumbing Products, Inc.
|
9/22/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
326
|
9/22/2010
|
9/27/2010
|
|
91
|
Transport Workers
|
9/20/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
107
|
9/23/2010
|
9/27/2010
|
|
92
|
UFT Welfare Fund
|
9/16/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
351,000
|
9/27/2010
|
9/27/2010
|
|
93
|
Aegis
|
9/16/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
162
|
9/21/2010
|
9/24/2010
|
|
94
|
Aetna
|
9/16/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
209,423
|
9/16/2010
|
9/24/2010
|
|
95
|
Allflex
|
9/20/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
34
|
9/22/2010
|
9/24/2010
|
|
96
|
Baptist Retirement
|
9/10/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
127
|
9/17/2010
|
9/24/2010
|
|
97
|
BCS Insurance
|
9/13/2010
|
9/24/2010
|
115,000
|
9/22/2010
|
9/24/2010
|
|
98
|
Cryogenic
|
9/20/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
19
|
9/20/2010
|
9/24/2010
|
|
99
|
Fowler Packing Co.
|
9/8/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
39
|
9/17/2010
|
9/24/2010
|
|
100
|
Guy C. Lee Mfg.
|
9/15/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
312
|
9/15/2010
|
9/24/2010
|
|
101
|
HealthPort
|
9/17/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
608
|
9/17/2010
|
9/24/2010
|
|
102
|
Jack in the Box
|
9/17/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
1,130
|
9/21/2010
|
9/24/2010
|
|
103
|
Maritime Association
|
9/17/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
500
|
9/21/2010
|
9/24/2010
|
|
104
|
Maverick County
|
9/21/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
1
|
9/23/2010
|
9/24/2010
|
|
105
|
Metro Paving Fund
|
9/20/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
550
|
9/20/2010
|
9/24/2010
|
|
106
|
PMPS-ILA
|
9/19/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
15
|
9/23/2010
|
9/24/2010
|
|
107
|
PS-ILA
|
9/19/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
8
|
9/23/2010
|
9/24/2010
|
|
108
|
QK/DRD (Denny’s)
|
9/16/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
65
|
9/22/2010
|
9/24/2010
|
|
109
|
Reliance Standard
|
9/14/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
varies
|
9/14/2010
|
9/24/2010
|
|
110
|
Tri-Pak
|
9/20/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
26
|
9/20/2010
|
9/24/2010
|
|
111
|
UABT
|
9/17/2010
|
10/1/2010
|
17,347
|
9/17/2010
|
9/24/2010
|
| |
total
|
|
|
1,175,411
|
|
|
What does it say about an the administration’s healthcare reform act when it grants so many exemptions from a law? Didn’t President Obama tell us this healthcare reform act would be ultimate solution to our health care problems?
Shouldn’t the waivers be automatically to companies and unions without application?
Wouldn’t companies that are granted the waiver have a competitive advantage over other companies in the same industry that do not have an exemption?
Last week the Department of Health & Human Services published a set of new guidelines for those seeking to apply for a waiver. As news of these waivers starts to spread the Department of Health & Human Services will swamped with applications for waivers.
The Office of Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight’s sub-regulatory guidance on the process for obtaining waivers of the annual limits requirements may be found at: http://www.hhs.gov/ociio/regulations/patient/ociio_2010-1_20100903_508.pdf
The administration says it is responding to concerns of employers and others. Many workers would not have a healthcare insurance alternative.
President Obama’s healthcare reform act is causing more problems than it is solving.
Just think about the administrative bureaucracy, costs and inefficiency generated by this unintended consequence.
Other unintended consequences will be generated by President Obama’s healthcare reform act.
President Obama needs to start all over again and develop a consumer driven healthcare system that aligns all the stakeholders’ incentives.
–The opinions expressed in the blog “Repairing The Healthcare System” are, mine and mine alone.
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