Wait, what is in that Health Care bill?!

Now that Obama has hit his all time low of a 44% approval rating, lets see how much money he is spending on this “wonderful” health care bill. I've broken the bill down so that there will be no discrepancies for anyone, and I've thrown in a few major topics that are covered.

Republicans: No Republicans voted for the bill
Democrats: 34 Democrats voted against the measure
(Sorry Sir, but you cannot lead a country bi-partisan. This is a democracy. Can you please represent all of us? Thank you for your concern.)

32 Million: The estimated number of currently uninsured Americans who will receive coverage under the bill

$940 billion: The estimated cost of health care reform over the next 10 years

$143 billion: The estimated reduction in the deficit from the bill over the next 10 years

$53 billion: The portion of the $143 billion in deficit reduction that comes from social security payroll taxes that eventually will be paid out in the form of retirement benefits.

$70 billion: The portion of the $143 billion in deficit reduction that comes from premiums to be collected as part of a new government-run, long-term care program for the elderly. These premiums eventually will be paid out in the form of benefits.

$88,000: New health insurance subsidies would be provided to families of four making up to $88,000 annually, or 400 percent of the federal poverty level

Pre-existing conditions: Insurance companies will be prohibited from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions.

Age 26: Insurers would be required to provide coverage for non-dependent children up to age 26

Doughnut Hole: Under current law, Medicare stops covering drug costs after a plan and beneficiary have spent more than $2,830 on prescription drugs. It starts paying again after an individual’s out-of-pocket expenses exceed $4,550. Called the doughnut hole, it will be closed by 2020.


$695 or 2.5%: The potential amount of a fine if you fail to purchase health care insurance. Starting in 2016, Individuals would be required to purchase coverage or face a fine of up to $695 or 2.5 percent of income, whichever is greater. The plan includes a hardship exemption for poorer Americans.

50 employees: Companies with more than 50 employees would be required to pay a fee of $2,000 per worker if the company does not provide coverage and any of that company’s workers receives federal health care subsidies. The first 30 workers would be subtracted from the payment calculation.

Abortion: In a deal with conservative Democrats, President Obama will sign an Executive Order “that will reaffirm its consistency with longstanding restrictions on the use of federal funds for abortion.” The order can be rescinded by President Obama or any future president at any time, for any reason.

0.9%: Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) tax rate would be increased by 0.9 percent, to 2.35 percent.

$16 billion: The amount drug manufacturers would pay the US between 2011 and 2019.

$47 billion: Health insurers would pay $47 billion over the same period.

2.9% excise tax: Medical device manufacturers would pay a 2.9 percent excise tax on the sale of any of their products beginning January 1, 2013.

Tanning Tax: Health care reform establishes a tax of 10 percent on indoor tanning services. This would raise $2.7 billion between 2010 and 2019. As fare as we know, getting a tan outside is still free.

$132 billion: Government payments to Medicare Advantage would be reduced by $132 billion over 10 years.

Flexible Spending Accounts: The maximum amount you can set aside pre-tax for health care costs in a flexible spending account will be reduced from $5,000 to $2,500.

46%: The percentage of Americans in favor of health care reform, according to a Wall Street Journal-NBC News poll.

45%: The percentage of Americans against the bill according to the same poll.

36%: The percentage of Americans who think the bill is a “good idea,” according to the same poll.







The following facts were found through CNN, American Polls, New York Times and USA Today.

Have a little piece of Irving delivered to you.

Throughout the course of this blog, I have shown ways to get involved in all aspects of Irving's local government. Now, I've found a way to have this information delivered to your e-mail as well.

Sign up for the "All About Irving" newsletter. All you have to do is type in your e-mail address, and select the information in the city that you are most intrigued about. The topics cover City Council meeting dates, library events, job opportunities and any other event going on in the city. This information is free to obtain and accurate. Make sure to check it out.





Go to www.cityofirving.org for more information.

Hang out with your friends at the Lively Pointe Youth Center.

If you haven't yet made it out to the Lively Pointe Youth Center, you are missing out on a great opportunity to have fun, make new friends that share common interests and learn what is happening right here in Irving. This 23,000 square foot facility is designed for kids ranging from 12 to 18. The center is fully equipped with a gymnasium, classrooms, fitness center, cantina and lounge area, theater and gaming area. Oh, and who doesn't love free Pizza? You can also grab a bite to eat while hanging out.

The youth center hosts events such as t-shirt designing, basketball tournaments, scrap booking, playing guitar hero and poetry reading. As this center is next to the skate park, there is excellent supervision and special events held there.



The Lively Pointe Youth Center is located at 909 N O'Connor Rd, and directly across from Irving High School.




All events are sponsored by the Irving Youth Action Council.

Care to know what is going on in your city?

"March 30 | Town Hall Meeting: Voice of the Customer"

Join the City of Irving for a Town Hall Meeting to learn about ongoing and future city projects and initiatives. The meeting is scheduled for March 30 at the Irving Arts Center, 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd. Project displays will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by the presentation at 7 p.m. Attending such events will keep you updated on what Irving is doing to make our community better. You will also learn ways to help out.


The presentation will provide an update on key initiatives such as:

Public Safety
Code enforcement
Neighborhood improvements
Beautification efforts
Economic development

Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions following the presentation. For more information, call (972) 721-7600.

Health Care Reform

While I do focus primarily on local politics, this Health Care Reform bill is a major issue. This has a huge possibility of becoming a law and effecting all of our lives. Until I post my opinion on this, please check out the link below to answer any questions you have reguarding this bill.

http://www.healthreform.gov/


Let me know if you have any other questions.

Community Service at the Library

I would like to inform all of you that the Central Public Library in Irving is hosting an Anime Movie Night at 7pm. If you attend or help with this event, you will receive community service hours.

If you have any questions, contact Allison Jenkins at ajenkins@cityofirving.org.





801 W. Irving Blvd.
Irving, TX
75060

Will car dealerships along Hwy 183 go out of business?

This past week, I had the pleasure to attend a meeting at the La Cima Club in Las Colinas over the Highway 183 Acquisition. Members were made up of the Irving Mayor, State Representative Linda Harper Brown, City Council Members and business owners. This highway is under a major expansion project through the state of Texas which is concerning to multiple businesses along the highway. 183 will be expanded to eighteen lanes; thus, businesses will be forced to move.

Business owners are claiming that the trees are getting in the way of their advertisement signs. They want them cut down for more promotion. With Irving broadcasting the "Go Green" phenomena,this would be hypocritical. Thus, Irving is enforcing 30 feet prior to the businesses for landscaping. The landscaping is key to most people. Irving is trying to clean up 183 to compete with President George Bush Turnpike and Highway 30 through Arlington. We are trying to attract people to Irving.

The mayor is suggesting we move all of the dealerships to a central location where Texas Stadium will be imploded. This idea is currently being analyzed and discussed among the City Council.



I will keep you posted on the results and progress of this construction.