Conservative groups which have long held the suspicion that the Internal Revenue Service has been targeting them for increased scrutiny and audits were vindicated last Friday when the Internal Revenue Service “apologized” for the over-zealous activity toward groups with the words “tea party” or “patriot” in their name. An apology seems hardly enough for this breach of the public trust by an agency that answers to no one and has a long history of taxpayer abuse. IRS abuse through targeting of conservatives has long been a concern of the Republican Party. New evidence suggests that
continue reading…

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A report from the Society of Actuaries offers the sobering reality of where health care costs are headed under Obamacare over the next four years. According to the report, insurers will pay on average 32 percent more on individual health policies and will most likely pass that cost on to the consumers of those policies. Actuaries use statistics and economic theory to make long-range cost projections for insurance and pension programs sponsored by businesses and government. A few areas will likely see lower medical claims cost, but the majority of states are
continue reading…

Oklahoma City, OK – The Oklahoma House of Representatives, by a vote of 72-20, passed a bill that looks to protect its citizens from Obamacare. If the bill makes it through the State Senate and is signed by the governor, it would ensure that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act stops at the borders of the state of Oklahoma. State Representative Mike Ritze (Rep.), a board-certified family practice physician and surgeon, is the bill’s primary proponent.  Ritze commended the speaker of the State House of Representatives, T.W. Shannon (Rep.) for resisting political pressure and
continue reading…

WASHINGTON, D.C. – When asked for a comment at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) this past week, one congressman said he believes President Obama would be more than willing to allow the government to shut down if needed to save Obamacare. Representative Huelskamp (R—KS) favors efforts to defund Obamacare by amending the continuing resolution (CR) that funds the government for the next six months, but doesn’t believe his party’s leadership will allow a vote on such proposals. Huelskamp said, “We made our shot in the House and our leadership refused to even allow a
continue reading…

OP-ED: As the famed prenatal neurosurgeon, Dr. Benjamin Carson, addressed the National Prayer Breakfast last Thursday on what he called a “logical” approach to healthcare, President Obama sat a few feet away appearing either disinterested or unmoved. But Dr. Carson’s criticism of Obamacare has struck a chord that has more people than ever wondering what we are about to face in 2014. Dr. Carson is calling for logic and common sense rather than the system we are about to have foisted upon us. In his speech, he championed the idea of health savings accounts, personal
continue reading…

LONDON – General Practitioners in Great Britain will soon be compelled to divulge  confidential patient information for the purpose of a national information bank. Privacy advocates say this will be the largest data grab in the history of England’s National Health Service (NHS). Doctors will be forced to pass on patients’ drinking habits, waist sizes and illnesses. Other confidential information that will be shared with third parties includes weight, cholesterol levels, body mass index, pulse rate, family health history, alcohol consumption and smoking status. Medical diagnosis of everything from heart disease to mental illness would
continue reading…

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As promised, President Obama has issued a total of 23 Executive Orders that he promises will push the “national conversation” forward on gun control. Surrounded by a backdrop of children, the President spoke from the Whitehouse saying: “This is our first task as a society—keeping our children safe. This is how we will be judged. And their voices should compel us to change. I will put everything I’ve got into this…but the only way we can change is if the American people demand it.” “To make a real and lasting difference, Congress
continue reading…

WASHINGTON, DC – The Bureau of Labor Statistics latest report shows that employers issued 1,316 “mass layoff actions” in September affecting more than 122,000 workers. Most of these layoffs were either directly or indirectly related to Obamacare and the constant increase of government regulations. Ohio-based auto parts manufacturer Dana Holding Corp. warned employees last week of the potential of imminent layoffs due to what the company called “looming concern” about the economy. Roger Wood, President and CEO of Dana Holding, referred to the growing burden of “increasing taxes on small businesses” and the necessity to
continue reading…

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressional analysts  say that almost six million Americans will face a tax penalty under President Barack Obama’s health overhaul for failing to get insurance. That number is significantly more than first estimated, and it will be the middle class that will be most affected by the new legislation. The findings from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office are 50 percent higher than previous projections by the CBO in 2010. While this is still a small percentage of the population, it contradicts President’s Obama pledge during his first campaign to raise no taxes on
continue reading…

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the Baby Boomer generation enters retirement it may find one of its most needed surgeries will cost a lot more. Beginning in 2013, due to President Obama’s signature Affordable Care Act, medical-device manufacturers will pay a 2.3 percent tax on sales of products needed for hip and knee replacements. The tax is designed to raise funds needed to cover the uninsured and affects everything from wheelchairs, to oxygen tanks, to surgical tools. Experts say the tax will have a disproportionately high impact on joint replacements. According to the American Academy of
continue reading…