The LuLac Edition #3599, September 21st, 2017

THE NEW GOP HEALTH CARE SCAM

The REPUBLICAN party now has started a last ditch effort to try and scuttle The Affordable Care Act. There was communication going on between Democrat Patty Murray and GOP Senator LaMar Alexander to try and make a proposal to fix Obama care. But that has ceased because the REPUBLICAN party now wants to repeal it. AGAIN! It has nothing to do with health care but more about trying to win a Legislative victory that has eluded them.
Here’s what’s at stake if this thing passes.
Repeals Medicaid expansion, but provides block-grant funding, until 2027, which states can use as they wish. 
The question is where will states put this money? Will elderly people who will rely on Medicaid in their dying days be told to fend for themselves?Once Medicare runs out for an individual in a nursing home, Medicaid kicks in.
Repeals Obamacare's out-of-pocket subsidies in 2020; however, states can use block grants to help lower costs for those who are receiving them.
There never was a block grant that was used to lower anything. It supplemented but never lowered any costs.
Repeals tax credits that reduce monthly insurance premiums for people earning up to 400% of the federal poverty level; however, states can use block-grant money to create their own subsidy programs.
There would be inequality in states. More compassionate states would bear the burden unfairly. Estimated cost to New York and Pennsylvania, in the billions. 
Eliminates the medical device tax, but other Obamacare taxes remain in place.
So the GOP likes the other taxes? Not really but they have to keep some tax to support their plan for fear of being called “free spending”.
Allows states to obtain waivers to Obamacare rules requiring health insurance to cover "essential health benefits" (such as outpatient services and mental health care).
So a state can make a life and death decision as to who gets care. It is their own version of a death panel.
Allows insurers to cap lifetime spending per patient.
God help you if you have a disabled child or have a medical condition that costs a lot. What of the people who have diseases that require more care? Under this plan, the insurance company makes the call on who gets care and who doesn’t.
Gives states with waivers the ability to allow insurers to price plans based on a person's pre-existing conditions.
You have cancer, you pay more. Even though YOU are now covered. You have a neurological chronic disease like I do, you pay more. The insurers will raise the prices because they can. Have you ever heard of an Insurance company that gave premium rebates? Locally Blue Cross of NEPA had a 60 million dollar surplus and gave their former head a 7 million dollar buy out. Do you really think they’d change their stripes now?
Allows states with waivers to let insurers charge the elderly premiums that are greater than three times the amount charged to younger Americans.
Yep all those children of people on Medicare pay more. Some of these are the same people who whined about high premiums. Wait...until this thing kicks in if passed. 
Eliminates the individual mandate to buy health insurance and the rule requiring businesses with a 50 or more full-time employees to provide health insurance.
So if you work for a company of less than 50, you are screwed. Unless of course you work for a company who will be responsible for their workers.
Increases how much money people can contribute to health savings accounts (HSAs) and allows HSAs to be used to pay insurance premiums.
Yippee. I KNOW no one who has a Health Savings account.
Allows children to remain on a parent's insurance plan until age 26.
Wow. Totally impressed.
If you think this thing will help the Middle Class, you are dreaming. The deadline to get this done without CBO score is Sept. 30th.
Dollars to donuts Puny Pat Toomey will go along with the GOP. Remember that next time he gives a town meeting.

JIMMY KIMMEL WEIGHS IN

The first time I saw Jimmy Kimmel on TV was when he co hosted The Man Show. But he has come a long way since then. Here’s what he said on his show  regarding the latest GOP end run on Health Care.

MONEY PEOPLE START THE BUCK DRIVE FOR LOU AND DAN

11th Congressional candidate Dan Meuser, 120th District Vice Chair Lynette Villano and Senate candidate Lou Barletta (Photo: Villano Facebook page)

The local money men and women are now getting their fundraiser efforts under way to help bolster the coffers of both Lou Barletta and Dan Meuser. Barletta is going after the GOP nomination while Dan Meuser is going after his seat in the 11th. This event, by invite only was a clear sign that in terms of fundraiser, these people are serious.

TONY BROOKS LIVING HISTORY

One of the most influential advocates for mainlining and promoting, not to mention preserving the history of Wilkes Barre is Wilkes Barre City Councilman Tony Brooks. Brooks is shown here with local historical preservation advocate Kathleen Smith. Brooks is also getting high marks for his work on Wilkes Barre City Council. 

THE PROPOSED DALLAS SCHOOL STRIKE

Once more a school strike by teachers has reared its ugly greedy head in LuLac land. This time the Dallas School district teachers are striking because of the pittance they must pay for their health care. Their attitude is an insult to hard working people who pay much more.
The kicker is that even after these greedy individuals retire, the taxpayer pays their freight.
The time has come to abolish the teacher unions ALL TOGETHER and hire people who will appreciate their jobs.
It of course begs the question….why don’t they strike in the summer? Why don’t they walk the picket line after 3?
That would be “work”, extra and we can’t have none of that now can we. 

Teachers are still another part of the political class that deserve little sympathy and very little respect when they strike.
They care about the kids though Yonk, right?
Yeah, right
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is essentially the same article we wrote last week about the Abington Heights School strike. Sentiments and beliefs are the same, you just have to insert the name of the school district the ingrate teachers are striking in.

MEDIA MATTERS

WALN TV

BOLD BOLD COMMUNITY FORUM

Tune in Sunday morning at 6 on 94.3 The Talker; 6:30 on 1400-The Game, NEPA's Fox Sports Radio and 106.7 fm; and at 7:30 on 105 The River.

SUNDAY MAGAZINE

This Week on Sunday Magazine.
Brian Hughes speaks with Wilkes Barre City Administrator Ted Wampole about Wilkes Barre's uncertain finances, and why he is  optimistic about the Diamond City's future.
Magic 93's Frankie in the Morning speaks with members of the Kings College Theater Department about their new show "The Year of Frog and Toad", which opens on Thursday Sept 28th.
Brian speaks with Dr. Robert Eckle about the "Five Cholesterol Myths".
And Brian speaks with Dr. Lisa Masterson about "Menopause Awareness".  The month of September is "Menopause Awareness Month".
Sunday Magazine, Sunday morning at 5am on NASH-FM, 93.7, 5:30am on 97BHT, 6am on 97.9X and Sports Radio 590, WARM and 6:25am on Magic 93.

ECTV LIVE

It may not be scary but ECTV Live hosts Rusty Fender, David DeCosmo, and Director Mark Migilore will be talking about a cemetery during the week of September 25th as guest Julie Esty unveils plans for this year's presentation by the Dearly Departed Players in Dunmore.

ECTV Live can be seen on Comcast channel 19 (61 in some areas) and is aired during the Noon, 6pm and Midnight hours each day of the week. Following Monday's Live program the show will become available on Electric City Television's YouTube channel which can be viewed on your computer.

SUE HENRY’S SPECIAL EDITION

Tune in to Sue Henry's "Special Edition" this week as Sue recaps the week's news. The show will run Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. on WILK, and on KRZ, Froggy and Max 102 early Sunday morning.

BUDDY RUMCHEK

Want to hear some great parodies on the news? Tune in to WILK Radio at 6:40 and 8:40 AM on Mondays. As Ralph Cramden used to say, “It’s a laugh riot!”

KAREL ON THE STREET

Tune in Wednesdays on WILK Radio for Karel on the Street. Hear some of the funniest and he heartwarming comments on the issues of the day on Webster and Nancy with Karel Zubris.

BOBBY V’S DOO WOP SOCK HOP

SUNDAY NIGHTS!!!!

1977

Our 1977 logo

Jazz-rock group Steely Dan releases their sixth studio album Aja; it becomes their highest charting album in the United States at No. 3 and goes on to sell over 5 million copies.

The Porsche 928 debuts at the Geneva Motor Show……from Harrisburg there are reports that Lt. Governor Ernie Kline is gearing up for his campaign for Governor in 1978…….in Luzerne County word is out that GOP 20th District State Senator T. Newell Wood might be vacating his seat a year later. Wood was elected in 1966 to that seat after redistricting….and forty years ago this week the number one song in America and Lulac land was “Don’t Stop” by Fleetwood Mac.