Just had my first encounter with the federal government on attempting to find information about Obamacare. My wife is self-employed. She has health insurance through a major carrier, effective until May of next year. I decided to call the federal information line listed on Healthcare.gov on my wife's behalf. This is the info line we've all heard so much about, where we're supposed to turn for help. Well, the first two times I called the number nothing happened. A recording, then nothing. I called a third time. Finally got connected. I was asked for my name, phone number, and address. I refused the latter, explaining that I just had a question I wanted answered and wasn't up for the third-degree. I asked the representative what I thought was a very simple question: "My wife is self-employed and her current health insurance coverage expires next May. At that time, will she be required to go into the marketplace to seek coverage under the federal or state plans? Will she have to end her current coverage?" Seems like a question that any self-employed person would, or should, be asking. The representative couldn't answer the question. I was put on hold. 3 minutes. "Excuse me," she said. "Is your wife self-employed?" "Yes," I said, "That's what I told you." Another 2 minutes on hold. She couldn't answer the question. That information, she said, wasn't available to her at this time. Open enrollment for the federal and/or state programs starts in about 30 days. God help us.
These three paragraphs say everything about Obamacare Check your state, there probably is Obamacare but under a different name.
Starbucks CEO: We won't cut benefits because of Obamacare By Jose Pagliery @Jose_Pagliery August 27, 2013: 12:17 PM ET "NEW YORK (CNNMoney) "Starbucks' CEO acknowledged that Obamacare might increase insurance costs, but said the company's benefits are non-negotiable. "While other U.S. companies have cut staff or benefits in anticipation of next year's health care overhaul, Howard Schultz said Starbucks (SBUX, Fortune 500)' insurance plans will stay in place -- for everyone. "It's not about the law. It's about responsibility we have to the people who do work and who represent us," Schultz told CNN on Tuesday. "The coffee chain is unique in its policy: Even part-time workers are eligible for insurance. In 2010, benefits cost the company $300 million, more than it paid for coffee. "But Schultz said the benefits will remain a cornerstone of the company's compensation for its 160,000 employees, even though it could be more expensive next year due to Obamacare's "unintended consequences." "It may end up costing us more... but I don't think that is the primary issue," Schultz said. "Starbucks does not want to leave people behind." "His comments put him in stark contrast with other business owners, who have taken drastic measures to reduce costs next year. "Last week, UPS (UPS, Fortune 500) said it will cut insurance to 15,000 workers' spouses. Last year, pizza franchise Papa John's (PZZA) announced plans to cut workers' hours in order to dodge the employer mandate. "I don't believe that...the health care law should be a reason or a motivation to cut benefits for either the employee or spouses," Schultz said. "An investment in your people is an investment in shareholder value." "Over the years, Schultz's commitment to employee benefits has been unwavering. Even when Starbucks took cost-cutting measures like shutting down stores and laying off employees, health care benefits -- which also include dental and vision -- have remained intact." http://money.cnn.com/2013/08/27/news/companies/starbucks-obamacare-schultz/index.html?hpt=hp_t2 Admittedly, the margin looks pretty good for a Starbucks franchise.
Note: Starbucks is not a franchise operation. I will give the CEO credit for having integrity and living up to having responsibility for his employees.
Amazing what you can do when you charge 5$ for something that costs less than a penny to make. In all seriousness, the reason they wont cut benefits is only because it would damage their brand among all those fruit cake left wing latte sipping homos, they will probably just raise the cost of a cup of coffee to six bucks so that the anti establishment hipsters can continue going down there and talking about how much they hate corporations while they pay a 6000% markup on a cup of coffee.