"Some men look at constitutions with sanctimonious reverence, and deem them like the ark of the Covenant, too sacred to be touched. They ascribe to the men of the preceding age a wisdom more than human, and suppose what they did to be beyond amendment... laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind... as that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, institutions must advance also, to keep pace with the times.... We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain forever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors." -- Thomas Jefferson, on reform of the Virginia Constitution




http://books.google.com/books?id=icGh3NxRE...

Pittsburgh City Council gave preliminary approval Tuesday to a ban on natural gas drilling in the city, with members saying they're ready to defend it in a possible legal fight with Marcellus Shale producers.

Citing concerns about drilling explosions and pollution, council voted 8-0 for a controversial bill that Councilman Doug Shields introduced in August. Supporters predicted that council's action will encourage other communities to defy the gas industry.

"I can't vote any other way," council President Darlene Harris said.

The Marcellus Shale Coalition, a Cecil-based trade group that previously predicted the city would have a difficult time preventing property owners from developing their mineral rights, expressed disappointment



Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10314/11019...

What is my obligation to my mortgage lender if they don't have the note to give me when I pay off my home? Should we have to pay for a home that we won't legally own when it is all said and done? I am a bit confused here (I am up to date on my mortgage).

They love them because they have no original thought. These women are lovely conduits for which to spew their own hate filled garbage. The men allow them to be empowered because they fit the role of good little woman. I have known plenty of women like this and as a woman I would appreciate it if they would just stick to what they do know....lipstick!!!

Hearing a lot about the first two in regards to our nations declining education. Who is speaking for the last of these? What about accountability for ALL!!!

and regardless of our nations current ideas on the matter...EXPERIENCE MATTERS!!!! If we continue to find ways to devalue the experience required to keep our schools operating it is at our own peril. A teacher with 30 years of experience has a wealth of knowledge and understanding of our educational system and they are the ones who help to shape our future teachers. Why would we want to destroy that?

Therefore the government is entitled to access the Insurance Industry via Public Option to provide competition.
Here are some links for those (like me) who didn't know the history of Medicare and all the parts.

The History of Medicare
http://www.emaxhealth.com/72/1272.html#


The History of Medicare – A Quick Look at How it Got Started
http://medicare-medicaid.com/medicare/the-... /

Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) Managed Care Plans: How They Work
http://www.caring.com/articles/medicare-pa...


From Wikipedia....

Medicare Advantage plans are required to offer coverage that meets or exceeds the standards set by the original Medicare program, but they do not have to cover every benefit in the same way. If a plan chooses to pay less than Medicare for some benefits, like skilled nursing facility care, the savings may be passed along to consumers by offering lower copayments for doctor visits.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicare_ (United_States)

In other words...they (the insurance companies) have the right to dictate how they cover benefits ....AKA screw the consumer (grandma and grandpa).

From CNBC...and the July second quarter earnings report

UnitedHealth Group posted stronger-than-expected second-quarter profit on Tuesday, helped by growth in the insurer's plans for elderly and low-income Americans and in its drug benefit business

Revenue in the company's Ovations unit serving seniors rose 13 percent to $8 billion. Enrollment in its Medicare Advantage plans jumped nearly 20 percent to 1.74 million.

At its unit serving Medicaid plans for low-income Americans, revenue shot up 45 percent to $2 billion, spurred by strong enrollment gains.



"Medicare and Medicaid enrollment growth was strong," Wells Fargo analyst Matt Perry said in a research note

http://www.cnbc.com/id/32023844


Good info from the Center for Medicare Advocacy....

Many advocates involved in representing Medicare Advantage plan care enrollees find that the system is fraught with difficulties. Beginning with the absence of clear explanations, and thus clear understandings on the part of enrollees, as to what services may be covered under what circumstances, to the concern of advocates that economic issues, rather than quality of care, guide some coverage determinations, the Medicare Advantage system can present great problems for enrollees. The requirements that enrollees use only the HMO's providers and that specialty care must be approved in advance are often viewed as disadvantages to the Medicare Advantage program. This difficult situation is compounded by an appeals system that is often vague and can involve frequent delays.

Another problematic area has been private insurance marketing activities. Although certain marketing techniques are prohibited, including the prohibition of activities that would mislead, misinform, confuse, or defraud Medicare beneficiaries, abuse by some companies has been an ongoing problem. Unfortunately, the regulations provide no direct remedies that the beneficiary subjected to prohibited marketing activities may pursue.

On the other hand, there are some advantages for HMO enrollees. For many enrollees, deductibles or coinsurance payments are reduced or eliminated. In addition, there are no claim forms to be filled out and some plans offer benefits not covered by Medicare.

Each year, many Medicare Advantage plans have decided to withdraw entirely from the Medicare market due to insufficient profits. Under current law, HMOs may decide each year whether to offer a Medicare plan and may discontinue the plan after providing their enrollees with written notice 60 days prior to termination. The closing of plans in many areas of Connecticut and the nation has been frightening and confusing for enrollees.

These uncertain circumstances, variations in the services that a plan may offer, and the charges that plans may impose point out how important it is for a prospective enrollee to examine carefully the benefits and costs of the services offered by the HMOs. A comparison of these benefits and costs with the original Medicare program, combined with coverage from a Medicare supplemental policy (Medigap), should be conducted before enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan.

Medicare beneficiaries of modest means should also carefully review eligibility for the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program (QMB) and Connecticut's prescription drug program (ConnPACE) as a possible alternative to Medicare Advantage enrollment.

http://www.medicareadvocacy.org/FAQ_Manage...


A little info on Ovations.....

MINNEAPOLIS -- Ovations, a business unit within UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH), has informed the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the company's intent to participate nationally in the Part D drug benefit program. While this action is non-binding, it represents the first of a series of steps to be taken as CMS finalizes the details around the program implementation.

The Part D drug benefit represents one of the most significant changes in the history of the Medicare program. Through the program, millions of older Americans who are Medicare eligible will have access to prescription medications independent of their other health care coverage

http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-129529096....

Could it be that the Health Insurance industry smells where the profits are going to be...medicare part C anyone?

The republican machine has mastered the art of talking points and for a very good, albeit detrimental reason. Talking points work. They work even better in a complacent society. The powers that be have locked into a goldmine of apathy in the good ole US of A. What once was a meaningful productive dialogue has now been reduced to a roll off the tongue catchprase that can be repeated often with no substance. For the "I want everything now" society that we have become, what a great way to sound informed without actually having to put in the work required to become truly informed. Me personally, I would never dream of spewing one of these little zingers for fear of being exposed as an uninformed shill. Unfortunately, to many in this country, exposing ignorance is less worrisome than exposing the cellulite on their thighs. I used to look at the Democratic party in frustration that they didn't retaliate against the Right Wing talking points with some of their own. I would think to myself, our party is much more skilled at language use than those on the right. What gives? Well I have changed my mind. Recent encounters with some really misguided folks have made me realize how damaging these soundbites are. These folks are locked in. They will argue to the hilt using these little quips all the while having no real information to back up any of their views. They refuse to look at information when presented to them and they repeatedly cite something as fact when in fact it hasn't been proven to be. Reason has gone completely out the window. It is truly frightening. It makes me understand how masses of people can be duped into allowing, advocating, and performing hideous acts. I have come to the conclusion that our party should stick to informed logic and reason because to fight ignorance with ignorance only makes us ignorant.