Dr. Government

U.S. government will finally retire most research chimpanzees but retain 50

"The US government said Wednesday it will send most of its 360 research chimpanzees into retirement but will keep a small colony of about 50 for possible future studies on vaccines and behavior. The National Institutes of Health announced after more than two years of examination it was accepting most of the recommendations of independent experts to phase out the bulk of biomedical research using the primates. One recommendation the NIH did not accept was that chimpanzees should be provided at least 1,000 square feet (93 square meters) per animal." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingU.S. government will finally retire most research chimpanzees but retain 50

A Surprising Health Insurance Option For Those Who Refuse ObamaCare

"The IRS has no authority to go after someone’s assets or wages in order to collect the penalty. It only has the authority to deduct the penalty from a person’s tax refund at year’s end. People will figure out how to fix that problem by trying to ensure they have only enough withheld to meet their tax obligation. Those who are uninsured and successful at hitting the tax mark will face no effective penalty. There are policies available now that would work very well for the ObamaCare avoiders. Some of these policies are built on a life insurance platform rather than health insurance — which, incidentally, means they are outside ObamaCare’s regulatory control." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingA Surprising Health Insurance Option For Those Who Refuse ObamaCare

More than half of Americans disapprove of Obamacare

"A majority of Americans say Obamacare will make things worse for their families and the nation overall, a poll released on Thursday found, highlighting the challenges his administration still faces in winning over the public. Overall, the survey of nearly 2,050 adults showed 52 percent disapprove of the 2010 law aimed at expanding access to health insurance for millions of people, according to Gallup. Another 44 percent said they back the changes. Among those polled, 42 percent said it would make their family’s healthcare situation worse while 33 percent said it would have little impact. Just 22 percent said they thought it would help, the poll showed." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMore than half of Americans disapprove of Obamacare

Young Americans may dodge health law

"Young Americans may have been among the biggest supporters of Obamacare, but they may also be the least likely to comply with the law. In 2014, benefits experts say, the cheapest option for 20-somethings will be to pay the penalty for not buying health insurance, rather than paying for any health insurance at all—that is, provided they don’t get sick. And as more young people do the math, more seem to be deciding the Affordable Care Act isn’t such a good deal for them: Support for a national health-care plan dropped nearly 11% among American college freshmen between 2008 to 2012." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingYoung Americans may dodge health law

Obamacare could eat up your raise

"Expecting to get a raise next year? It could be eaten up by your health care bill. In an effort to meet the affordability requirement of the Affordable Care Act, which kicks in next year and requires that workers spend no more than 9.5% of their income on premiums, more employers are turning to insurance plans in which premiums vary based on a person’s salary, rather than having all workers pay a flat rate. That way, employees who make more money pay bigger premiums. While the strategy, which some employers have been using for decades, is still not mainstream, more companies are adopting the system as a way to prepare for the health reform law." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingObamacare could eat up your raise

The daily smart pill that can remember all your passwords

"The tiny swallowable capsules contain a minute chip that transmits an individual’s personal details. Electronic devices will be able to read the unique signal, ending the need for passwords and paper forms of ID, such as passports - and freeing users from such mundane tasks as recalling countless codes and security answers. Already approved by the both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and European regulators, the ingestible sensor is powered by a battery using the acid in the wearer’s stomach. It then sends a tiny signal that can be read by mobile devices and allows them to verify the identity of an individual." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe daily smart pill that can remember all your passwords

“You’re Sick, Fatso. I’m Billing Your Insurance Company.”

"Physicians are not paid by health insurance companies to treat people with behavior 'problems.' They get paid only to treat diseases. So, understanding where their bread is buttered, and by whom, the American Medical Association has now identified obesity as a disease. The Los Angeles Times had spotted the economic nature of the re-definition. You know what an incurable disease is, don’t you? A permanent stream of income. The patient does not die, so he keeps coming back for 'treatment.' Treatment means billable procedures. Think of this as lowering the bar. People who are over a BMI of 30 are now called fat." Continue reading →

Continue Reading“You’re Sick, Fatso. I’m Billing Your Insurance Company.”

Survey Finds that 41 Percent of Small Business Owners Have Frozen Hiring Because of Obamacare

"Forty-one percent of the businesses surveyed have frozen hiring because of the health-care law known as Obamacare. And almost one-fifth—19 percent— answered 'yes' when asked if they had 'reduced the number of employees you have in your business as a specific result of the Affordable Care Act.' The poll was taken by 603 owners whose businesses have under $20 million in annual sales. Another 38 percent of the small business owners said they 'have pulled back on their plans to grow their business' because of Obamacare. More than half—55 percent—said they expected Obamacare to result in higher health care costs." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSurvey Finds that 41 Percent of Small Business Owners Have Frozen Hiring Because of Obamacare

Tens of thousands of government workers hired to roll out Obamacare

"State offices that will run insurance exchanges are hiring tens of thousands, either on staff or through outsourcing firms. Federal agencies that are key to implementing the law, such as the Internal Revenue Service, plan to hire thousands more, and private non-profit groups backed by the White House are dispatching thousands of newly hired staffers and volunteers into the field. HHS spent $394 million through last March on contracts to set up state insurance exchanges it will run, according to a GAO report this week. Experts say at least 2.7 million younger, healthier people need to sign up to make the exchanges work financially." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTens of thousands of government workers hired to roll out Obamacare

Report: Obama Spends $180K Per Day Undermining State Medical Marijuana Laws

"In 2011 and 2012, the DEA spent four percent of its budget on the medical marijuana crackdown. Having conducted at least 270 paramilitary-style raids during the past four years, Obama's DEA spent approximately $8 million to carry them out. However, the amount of taxpayer dollars spent on raids was dwarfed by the amount spent on investigative efforts preceding raids, indictments, and lawsuits, which has totaled more than $200 million. Over the past two years alone, the DOJ has effectively shuttered more than 500 dispensaries by sending letters to landlords, threatening criminal prosecution and seizure of their property." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingReport: Obama Spends $180K Per Day Undermining State Medical Marijuana Laws