UP-FRONT OBAMACARE NUGGET!!
Stunning New Report Undermines Central GOP Obamacare Claim (George Zornick) from the Washington Post
"The truth has always been more complicated, of course. Republicans are constantly blurring the line between people who lose a plan and people who lose coverage. That is, many people might lose a particular insurance plan but immediately be presented with other options. Now, a new report from the minority staff of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce has destroyed the foundation of that particular GOP claim."
January 1 2014: US Health Reform's Gettysburg Moment (John McDonough) from the Boston Globe
"January 1 2014 may well be the most transformational day in the history of United States health care policy, ever, and nobody seems to notice. What's so big about 1/1/2014? First, this is the first day of fundamental reform of the business and regulation of health insurance in all 50 states: ..."
CHECK OUT the list McDonough presents us with!
Everything You Need to Know about Life Under Obamacare (Sarah Kliff and Ezra Klein) from the Washington Post
"The law itself touches on everything from how hospitals are reimbursed for care to whether chain restaurants post calorie counts on their menus. But, generally, by "Obamacare" most people mean the provisions of the law that relate to the efforts to insure about 30 million Americans through subsidized private insurance or government-provided Medicaid."
For Japan and China, a Day of Selective Remembrance from the Editorial Board of the Christina Science Monitor
"On Thursday, China celebrated Mao while Japan's leader honored wartime dead. Both events riled many who want each nation to better recall past atrocities. Doing so is essential to achieving forgiveness and ensuring peace."
Erase that War with China 'in 2014' (Peter Lee) from the Asia Times
"Increasingly, this attitude manifests itself as the assertion in the Western public sphere that US relations with the PRC are veering from the model of peaceful competition to an existential good versus evil cage match. This is demonstrably not the opinion in PRC pundit-land, nor does it seem to be the case when considering the actual application of US pivot policy. In fact, a closer reading of the events of 2013 imply that there are more pressing and productive priorities for the US in Asia than teeing up World War III."
Minimum Wage Hikes in 14 States, but Most Fall Short of Obama's Goal (Mark Trumbull) from the Christian Science Monitor
"Minimum wage could be a key part of the Democrats' push on income inequality during the 2014 midterm election season. Wages are stagnating for many Americans."
Why Republicans Have No Ideas About Mass Unemployment (Jonathan Chait) from New York Magazine
"It is simply weird to argue that, since the problem has gone on longer than intended, the response to the problem must end as well. The fire trucks don’t shut off the hoses simply because the fire should have been put out by now."
Anxious Youth, Then and Now (Jon Grinspan) from the New York Times
"Today's millennials face many of the same concerns and challenges of the late 19th century, when the booms and busts of the Industrial Age tore apart the accepted order."
For Obamacare, it’s Finally Showtime from Politico
"Starting today, all of the big pieces of the Affordable Care Act — the biggest domestic achievement of Barack Obama’s presidency and one of the most far-reaching changes in American social policy in decades — go into effect. And Americans will start to see, for better or worse, how the law really works."
Call It A Comeback: More Than 9 Million Americans Have Health Insurance Through Obamacare (Jason Sattler) from the National Memo
"That brings the total number of people who have picked a plan through an exchange since October 1 to about two million. The administration reached about two-thirds of its goal of enrolling 3.3 million by the end of 2013 after being fully operational one-third of the time. And it turns out most of the enrollments came during the one-week extension the White House gave itself after the initial problems with the site became apparent. Four million people have qualified for Medicaid, according to ACASignups.net. Another 3.1 million young adults are covered by their parents’ health insurance, thanks to a provision in the Affordable Care Act (ACA)."
Florida Law on Drug Tests for Welfare Is Struck Down from the New York Times
"Judge Mary S. Scriven of the United States District Court in Orlando held that the testing requirement violated the constitutional protection against unreasonable searches."
The GOP’s Darwinism (Dana Milbank) from the Washington Post
"For several years, the two major parties have been moving gradually toward opposite poles: Democrats growing more liberal and secular, Republicans becoming more conservative and religious. But a survey out this week shows just how far and how fast the GOP has gone toward becoming a collection of older, white, evangelical Christians defined as much by religion as by politics."
Christie Ally Ordered To Testify In Bridge Scandal from Talking Points Memo
"A close ally and former high school classmate of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) was ordered on Tuesday to testify about the scandal involving lane closures on the George Washington Bridge. David Wildstein was subpoenaed to testify at a hearing Jan. 9 by New Jersey Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D), who has been leading the investigation into the September lane closures."
Bill de Blasio Starts His Progressive Revolution (Michael Daley) from the Daily Beast
"New York’s 109th mayor was sworn in Wednesday promising to enact almost every liberal wish. But the mayor’s political fate truly rests on the NYPD."
MOVIE NUGGET!!
The 10 Most Underrated Movies of 2013 from Salon
"From a hilarious disaster movie to a poignant romance, these films deserve more attention than they got."
HEALTH NUGGET!!
Five Myths about Obesity (Deborah Cohen) from the Washington Post
"The obesity epidemic is among the most critical health issues facing the United States. Although it has generated a lot of attention and calls for solutions, it also has served up a super-sized portion of myths and misunderstandings."
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