The LuLac Edition #860, June 27th, 2009
PHOTO INDEX: LUZERNE COUNTY COMMISSIONER MARYANNE PETRILLA, PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA AND CONGRESSMAN PAUL KANJORSKI. (TOP) CONGRESSMAN PAUL KANJORSKI, VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AND LUZERNE COUNTY COMMISSIONER MARYANNE PETRILLA.
HANGIN' WITH THE FOLKS!
Throughout their political career Paul Kanjorski and Maryanne Petrilla have attended more than their fair share of church festivals, backyard barbeques and picnics. But this week, both attended a picnic on the lawn of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. President Obama who is fond of talking to, for and about "the folks" hosted the event. The picnic is an annual White House event and was hosted by both the President and his Veep. Naturally the two local politicos talked about the event. I mean who wouldn't?
“It was an honor to be invited to the White House and I was thrilled that Commissioner Petrilla was able to join,” said Congressman Kanjorski. “It was an eventful evening as we had the opportunity to talk with President Obama, Vice President Biden, and many others in a more casual setting. We also had the pleasure of seeing one of our Pennsylvania Senators, Senator Casey.”
“I was proud to represent Luzerne County to President Obama and his family,” said Commissioner Petrilla. “I greatly appreciated that Congressman Kanjorski gave me the opportunity to discuss the issues that matter in Northeastern Pennsylvania with so many members of the executive and legislative branches of government. And I look forward to making the most of those contacts as I continue to work on behalf Luzerne County’s families.”
“I was proud to represent Luzerne County to President Obama and his family,” said Commissioner Petrilla. “I greatly appreciated that Congressman Kanjorski gave me the opportunity to discuss the issues that matter in Northeastern Pennsylvania with so many members of the executive and legislative branches of government. And I look forward to making the most of those contacts as I continue to work on behalf Luzerne County’s families.”
A GOOD LAW!!!
A New Law Requires Major Health Insurers to Allow Eligible Children through the Age 29 to Remain Covered Under Their Parents’ Policy. As we all know in today’s tough economic climate, increasingly more young adults face difficulties finding work after leaving school, which means they also face the prospect of losing health insurance coverage. To address this issue, Pennsylvania recently enacted legislation to require major insurers to allow dependent, uninsured adult children through the age 29 to remain on their parents’ policy. The law, Act 4 of 2009, covers new insurance contracts and renewals after December 7, 2009. A young adult eligible for this coverage would have to meet the following requirements:
1. Have insured parents;
2. Not be married;
3. Have no dependants;
4. Be a PA resident or be enrolled full-time at an institution of higher education.
5. Not be covered by another health-care policy.
Parents would also have to pay their children’s premiums, and the coverage would depend on the employers’ willingness to offer the benefit to parents. For more information on how to apply for this coverage, parents should contact their employers or health insurers. If you are not eligible for health-care coverage under Act 4, other options are available to you, as well. If your parents have coverage through a large group plan, COBRA may provide temporary continuation coverage for you. Federal law requires that employees and their families covered under group health plans be offered the opportunity for temporary coverage where the plan would otherwise end. This coverage generally lasts around 18 months and requires premium payments on your part. In addition, you can also contact insurance companies to obtain an individual policy or, if you’re a college graduate, you can try calling your alma mater to see if you can continue the school’s health plan after graduation. Some schools offer coverage up to 12 months after graduation, which could also be renewable for up to two years. Right now there are many uninsured young people in this state simply because they can't afford health care premiums of roughly $500.00 a month on their own. This is a great move to get those people covered.
5. Not be covered by another health-care policy.
Parents would also have to pay their children’s premiums, and the coverage would depend on the employers’ willingness to offer the benefit to parents. For more information on how to apply for this coverage, parents should contact their employers or health insurers. If you are not eligible for health-care coverage under Act 4, other options are available to you, as well. If your parents have coverage through a large group plan, COBRA may provide temporary continuation coverage for you. Federal law requires that employees and their families covered under group health plans be offered the opportunity for temporary coverage where the plan would otherwise end. This coverage generally lasts around 18 months and requires premium payments on your part. In addition, you can also contact insurance companies to obtain an individual policy or, if you’re a college graduate, you can try calling your alma mater to see if you can continue the school’s health plan after graduation. Some schools offer coverage up to 12 months after graduation, which could also be renewable for up to two years. Right now there are many uninsured young people in this state simply because they can't afford health care premiums of roughly $500.00 a month on their own. This is a great move to get those people covered.
WALTER’S DILEMMA
Walter Griffith, Junior has a dilemma. He actually is going to have to force himself from not going to a public meeting. In this case a meeting at an entity where he is a duly elected official. Griffith told me, “I will not attend any meetings regarding the Home Rule Study Commission until they comply with the Sunshine Act. I will not be a party to any illegal meetings that are not advertised.” Apparently the committee feels they don’t have to follow the Sunshine Laws. Okay, maybe technically they don’t, but let’s talk public perception here. We have a County Government in crisis with only four high profile competent public officials trying to hold it together. (Petrilla, Urban, Muroski and Carroll). In order to change county government, a study commission is elected. So the first thing this commission does is say they don’t have to have public meetings in the open and then limit audience participation time. To an already disgusted general public, this sends the wrong message. Now the GSC has been advised by Mr. Haggerty that they will not follow the Sunshine Law until they are advised by a solicitor. Here’s a plan that maybe makes too much sense, why not err on the side of caution and hold open meetings until you hire a solicitor? I hope Walter Griffith changes his mind and shows up. They say that democracy can be a messy business but you shouldn’t go out of your way to make it messier than necessary. Unless the whole point of this committee is to devalue itself from the get go and lose any credibility of the very angry citizens in this county, there should be open meetings without any reservations. Case closed.
This blog/site has been accused of being too personality oriented. I don’t think that’s true because I don’t share my every thought about just anything and put it out there. Our subjects are local, state, and national political affairs with a concentration on Luzerne and Lackawanna counties. (Thus the name LuLac!) We also deal with pop culture events and of course weigh in on opinions regarding such things. We offer other blogs on our Profile page but if you want more stuff, check out my facebook page. Google David Yonki facebook and it should come up. Sorry, no twitter, I’m too wordy, verbose and do have a life.
posted by David Yonki @ 12:04 AM
9 comments
9 Comments:
twenty ****ing nine??? you think this is good? let's make everybody a mother ****ing ward of the state... grow the **** up and take care of yourselves. if you can't by 21 then toughen up.... what this law does is push premiums higher making the need for national health care greater. good bye america hello amerika. (edited)
Hey 8:25PM.....I agree to a certain extent. 29 years old kind of reminds me of a full grown adult living in mom's basement. But Yonk made a good point a few weeks ago regarding the greed of American business. Because of that overt, in your face disregard for the middle class, the Dems in power are now overeracting. And that might not be a bad thing. If your kid just spent thousands on a degere and your family is not politically connected, then health wise the kid is out of luck for insurance. because he's living at home he can't meet the income guidelines for low cost insurance of 150 bucks a month. he or she can no longer be on a student plan because you have to literrally go through hoops and bl** (edited) somebody before you qualify for that. so the other alternative is to pay as yonk said about 5 bills a month for a single person policy. the insurance companies that have million dollar surpluses (blue cross) and Aetna (who has a CCEO making 3 million a year) need to be forced to do the right thing. I agree that maybe 29 might be too extreme but the big insurance companies weren't content with making a profit, they had to make millions and milllions. they forced the hand of government to step in and do what they have refused to do all along: the right and moral thing!
Helen Fulbright
Man Helen Fulbright I could not agree more. We have been raped by big business, Wall Street and the Health Insurers for at least a decade! The Dems God Bless 'em have the power and they aim to make the greedy hogs squeal like stuck pigs. I not only call that irony, I call it justice!
I think Maryanne Petrilla is hot. Do you think she'll leave her husband for me and get me a job at the Courthouse?
Health care reform is way overdue. And it's not only one insurance company, it's all of them that find a reason why you can't be covered for something. And while we're at it, is not going to the dentist, an audioologist and a optomistrist health related? the big insurers don't even haNDLE that stuff.
IN RESPONSE
I think Maryanne Petrilla is hot. Do you think she'll leave her husband for me and get me a job at the Courthouse?
I'M NOT IN THE BUSINESS OF SPEAKING FOR ANYONE (ALTHOUGH I WILL SEND A RESUME TO ANYONE INTERESTED) LET ALONE THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE LUZERNE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS. THAT SAID, I THINK IT'S SAFE TO SAY THAT I CAN ANSWER BOTH YOUR QUESTIONS WITH A "NO" FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER "NO".
After reading the weekly meeting notices listed in the local newspaper, I have attended each of the government study commissions meetings and never once was I not allowed to watch the meeting nor was I refused the chance to speak/make a comment. I guess I just don't see where the problem is? Taxpayers can find out about the meetings by reading the newspaper, can attend the meetings and are allowed to speak/comment. Mr. Griffith, what exactly is the problem? Seems you are creating an issue where there isn't one, although it has been giving you free media. How is it that Mr. Griffith is allowed to be on the commission anyway when he is running for county office. I would think that the issue taxpayers should be looking at is the conflict of interest Mr. Griffith has.
Yonki, I don't know how you missed this. You must be slipping. Kanjorski supports Hillaary, so does Petrilla. O'Brien and Washo come out early for Obama. O'Brien starts making noises about running against Kanjorski. Who gets the invite to the White House? The 26 year old vet that's who! Kanjorski is sending a message to all comers, "I have friends! Big ones!" As you are fond of saying, case closed.
the commish is wearing a very flattering outfit. i bet corbett would be upset. how dare a woman look attractive. where are the librarian glasses and turtle neck.
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