The LuLac Edition #2777, November 17th, 2014

AND THEY’RE STILL LYING!!!!!!!!~

So for the past 12 months we’ve been hearing from the Republicans, local, state and national about how Obamacare, aka The Affordable Care Act was going to have businesses dropping workers from their plans and how workers will have to pay gigantic premiums. Oh my God the sky is falling. The GOP, one of them newly elected State Senator Mario Scavelo from the 40th Senatorial District even claimed in a TV ad that 2 million jobs were already lost by Obama care. Really? Then why has there been job growth over the last five years?
Thursday afternoon the company I work for sent out an e mail regarding our health care benefits. When I asked our CEO in June what our plan was going to be in 2015 she told me that they were still crunching the numbers. Here’s how those numbers shook out:
1. We have a passive enrollment this year. What that means is this: if you like your health care from last year YOU CAN KEEP IT!!! Do nothing. I remember Don Pachnce beating me up on WLTV TV 35’s 2013 Election Night coverage over that one. Hey Don, I like it, I’m keeping it.
2. The cost is the same. The same money comes out my check for my Medical, and for Dental and Vision for me and Mrs. LuLac. SO THE PRICE DID NOT GO UP!!! It’s…..wait for it…..THE SAME.
3. The deductibles are…….here it comes……THE SAME!!!!!!
Enrollment is up, there are very few website glitches and people re happy with it.
I watched something on Meet The Press on Sunday. A gentleman who was unemployed and went without it because it was $1700.00 a month for he and wife said that if the Congress wants to repeal The Affordable Care Act, let them go without THEIR health care and see what it’s like.
Good idea. But they won’t. Bullies, especially redundant one trick ponies rarely have any real smarts or guts.
The lies will continue..but that’s all they are. Lies.

CARTWRIGHT, FARENTHOLD, AND HASTINGS INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO COMBAT SCAMS TARGETED TOWARDS LOW-INCOME, OLDER VETERANS

17th District Congressman Matt Cartwright. (Photo: LuLac archives)

Last week U.S. Representatives Matt Cartwright (PA-17), Blake Farenthold (TX-27), and Alcee Hastings (FL-20) introduced the bipartisan Veterans Care Financial Protection Act of 2014. The legislation would direct theDepartment of Veterans Affairs (VA) to work with other federal agencies and states to address a myriad of scams that target low-income, older veterans. U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (MA) and Marco Rubio (FL) first introduced the legislation in the Senate.
“I believe that we owe a great debt to those brave men and women who served our country through military service,”said Cartwright. “I am proud to work with Congressmen Farenthold and Hastings, and Senators Rubio and Warren to address any form of fraud targeted towards our nation’s older veterans and their hard-earned benefits. These scams are completely unacceptable and appalling. Our legislation would require greater protections for our nation’s heroes.”
“It is unfortunate that there are people who want to take advantage of those who have fought for our freedom,” said Farenthold. “That’s why I am proud to introduce, along with Congressmen Matt Cartwright and Alcee Hastings, legislation to help prevent scam artists from targeting and taking advantage of our veterans, especially those older and low-income veterans. I remain committed to helping our veterans receive the benefits and care they’ve earned.”
“I find it abhorrent that we even need to consider this legislation. The idea that there are people in this country who seek to defraud those who have sacrificed so much is sickening,”said Hastings. “Along with Congressmen Cartwright and Farenthold, I am dedicated to protecting veterans and their families from these scams and ensuring they receive all the benefits and care that they have earned.”
The VA offers Aid and Attendance (A&A) benefits to veterans who are eligible for a VA pension and require the aid and attendance of another person to complete basic daily activities. Scam artists have exploited the A&A program by charging veterans for obtaining the benefit even though the application process is free. Additionally, these predators often take control of the veteran's assets and move them into an irrevocable trust or an annuity, creating significant financial strain for the veteran. This movement of assets may also disqualify the veteran from other assistance, like Medicaid.
The bill would require the VA to work with other federal agencies and state experts to develop and implement standards that protect veterans from predatory practices. Furthermore, the bill would require a study on the implemented standards to determine whether the standards have effectively addressed the scams.

DISNEY AND THE DIAMOND CITY

Click above to enlarge.

The Diamond City Figure Skating Club of Wilkes-Barre would like to invite you to cover a private dress rehearsal for their upcoming production "Disney Through The Years" .
When: Wednesday November 26th 2014
Where: The Toyota Sports Plex, Coal Street Wilkes-Barre, PA
Time: 3:30 to 5:00 pm.
The club has been skating feverishly to bring this "one of a kind" venue to our area featuring local skaters that will be held SATURDAY NOVEMBER 29th, 2014 at the Toyota Sports Plex, 38 Coal Street, Wilkes-Barre at 3 pm.
For more information contact our friend Karel Zubris, Diamond City PR Chair 470-406-0378

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR. WOLF!!!!!!

Today Governor Elect Tom Wolf celebrates his 66th birthday!