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Limits on supplemental Medicare plans eyed

Mon Oct 10, 2011 8:37 pm MST

Medicare supplemental health plans, popular among politically powerful retirees, could come under the budget knife being wielded by the special deficit-reduction panel of Congress, Discount Tory Burch according to sources keeping close watch on its work. The so-called "Medigap" insurance plans shield the elderly -- many living on fixed incomes -- from costly deductibles and other expenses not covered by the traditional fee-for-service Medicare healthcare program. "This one is clearly on the table," said a lobbyist who has been following "super committee" deliberations on ways to trim federal budget deficits by at least $1.2 trillion over 10 years. But super committee Democrats are unlikely to vote to saddle retirees with new out-of-pocket expenses if Republicans refuse to embrace tax increases for the wealthy. While the elderly buy the private plans, studies suggest they boost government Medicare costs as the extra coverage for deductibles and co-pays encourages greater use of medical services. That, in turn, pushes up costs for Medicare, which has to pay for its portion of the care. As a result, proposals to limit the plans have been included in a number of deficit reduction packages, including one proposed by President Barack Obama.

 

A congressional aide, who did not want to be identified, told Reuters it was one of the ideas being reviewed by the super committee. Medigap plans are popular Tory Burch Flats among people who choose not to enroll in Medicare Advantage plans, which deliver Medicare benefits through private insurers, or have no employer-backed retirement health benefits. Some Medigap plans pay nearly all the relatively high Medicare cost-sharing requirements. The federal government already regulates Medigap plans, which are offered by insurers such as United Healthcare Insurance, a unit of UnitedHealth Group Inc, and Bankers Life and Casualty Company, a unit of CNO Financial Group Inc.. Of some 46 million people enrolled in Medicare, about 9 million have signed up for one of 10 standardized Medigap plans.

 

A majority are enrolled in plans with little or no deductibles or cost-sharing requirements, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. ON THE TABLE Budget analysts tory burch handbags argue that getting "more skin in the game" by requiring Medicare enrollees to pay a share of costs that otherwise would be covered by Medigap plans would discourage unnecessary visits to the doctor. In his submission to the super committee, Obama proposed a 30 percent surcharge on premiums for new Medicare beneficiaries who buy low deductible Medigap plans starting in 2017. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office said Obama's proposal saved an estimated $2.5 billion over 10 years. But the budget savings would grow over time as new Medicare enrollees turn to higher deductible Medigap plans to save money. More far-reaching proposals that would affect current holders of low deductible Medigap plans would save even more -- as much as $93 billion over 10 years, according to the CBO. The six Democrats and six Republicans on the super committee have until November 23 to develop a deficit-reduction plan. If it fails, a similar amount of across-the-board spending cuts would be automatically triggered starting in 2013.

 

Congress will have one month to vote on any super committee deal. DISCOURAGING NECESSARY CARE Obama's bipartisan fiscal tory burch flats commission last year suggested requiring a $550 deductible on Medigap plans and limiting coverage on the next $5,000 of costs to 50 percent. CBO said such a plan would save about $53 billion over a decade. The health insurance industry and healthcare advocates oppose moves to restrict Medigap plans. They argue that limiting coverage would not just discourage unnecessary doctor visits, it would discourage necessary care. "My hope is that Democrats are going to be loath to make changes in something that deals with out-of-pocket expenses for seniors and I believe they will be," said Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners wrote the super committee last month to urge the panel to avoid changes that would affect current policy holders.

 

"An abrupt alteration of the Medigap cost-sharing benefits for in force policies will cause a major market disruption and cause serious confusion for seniors," the group wrote. The insurance commissioners also noted that two new types of Medigap policies, which require higher cost sharing, were introduced into the market only last year. More time is needed to Tory Burch Outlet gauge their effect on the Medicare program, the letter said.

Hermes bags & Mulberry bags: unwanted Style in a fresh Light

Mon Oct 10, 2011 8:37 pm MST

It is no secret to folks who abide in the newest trends in style that “everything unwanted is new again”. While new designs are showcased each season, there is certainly always a touch in the “old” in each item from a typical cut to some classic coloration combination; the accurate classics never go out of style. The same is accurate in the earth of high style components these types of as Mulberry Bags. The key here's to discover the perfect ladies handbag to match or a minimum of contrast nicely with each outfit. it is in fact also no secret that most ladies in the “know” turn to Hermes bags or mulberry bags for their additional classic looks. When searching to the perfect accessory for, even the newest types it may perhaps be a remarkable notion to seem at Hermes bags or mulberry bags, to add that classic touch.

 

While some in the designs maybe additional common the colors are mostly fairly fresh and new. This also maybe accurate if you wants to add a fresh new layout to some fairly traditionally styled outfit. it is in fact always imperative to keep in mind even when conversing of Hermes Mulberry Alexa or Mulberry bags that the right combination is met between coloration and style. While both of these lines give consideration to the guess perform out of deciding on the best accessory it is in fact eventually your selection what you pair the ultra style bags with, and specifically what statement you want to make to the outside world. keeping the adage that “everything that is obviously unwanted is new again” in the back of your mind will guidance make each outfit you put on a study in the newest types in high fashion. While not each unwanted style will resurface, most types will be recycled at one particular time or another.

 

The best way to know which types are “hot” during each season is to pay attention style websites and pattern setting individuals. In the case of Hermes bags and mulberry bags, they are always on the height of style so there is certainly no need to worry that fairly something you like will be outdated in the time you stroll out in the boutique. When seeking to make a statement with Hermes bags or Mulberry Bayswater it is in fact necessary to be sure you only purchase the newest items. using this method it'll give consideration to additional time for them to see out of style, and additionally you have the satisfaction of being in the very first many people to private the “next big thing”. For folks who are new in the style game they are two in the best places to begin your escape to becoming one particular in the style world’s leading ladies. When pulling together your favored unwanted layout with fresh new accessories, it is in fact always imperative to balance style with color. If the elderly style you really enjoy most is additional of the classic or common look, introducing a punch of coloration within your components can make this hassle-free look, or in the prime style statements in the season. style is eventually a play on individualized style and new ideas, so while it are mostly serious business to place together the right outfit for each occasion, eventually the accurate check in the style earth is if you feel like you private the earth within your clothes.

Wis. woman accused of abduction, cutting out fetus

Mon Oct 10, 2011 8:36 pm MST

A woman who faked a pregnancy and panicked as her supposed due date grew near attacked a pregnant mother with a baseball bat and cut her full-term fetus from her womb with an X-Acto knife, tiffany jewellery killing the mother and baby, according to court documents filed Monday. Annette Morales-Rodriguez, 33, faces one count each of first-degree intentional homicide while armed and first-degree intentional homicide of an unborn child while armed in the death of Maritza Ramirez-Cruz and the boy she was set to deliver next week. Morales-Rodriguez faces mandatory life in prison if convicted. Morales-Rodriguez made a brief court appearance Monday, standing silent as her bail was set at $1 million. Online court records didn't list an attorney for her, and the Milwaukee public defender's office voicemail wouldn't accept messages Monday afternoon. "I don't know what she had in her mind,"

 

said Maria Garcia, 44, who lives next to Morales-Rodriguez and described her as her best friend. According to the criminal complaint, Morales-Rodriguez told detectives that her boyfriend wanted a son but she couldn't get pregnant. She told him she was pregnant anyway, then started to grow desperate as what would be her due date approached. She told investigators she planned for two weeks to find a pregnant woman, take the baby and make it hers, the complaint said. Morales-Rodriguez Tiffany Rings drove around on Wednesday searching for a pregnant woman, but found none, authorities said. On Thursday she drove around a nonprofit organization that provides Hispanics with health care and found Ramirez-Cruz. The 23-year-old had moved from Puerto Rico to join her childhood sweetheart, Christian Mercado, said Mercado's father, Carlos Mercado. They already had three children together and Ramirez-Cruz was carrying their fourth. Morales-Rodriguez told detectives she thought about telling her boyfriend the truth, but decided against it and offered Ramirez-Cruz a ride. Telling Ramirez-Cruz she needed to change her shoes, she drove them to her weathered two-story house on Milwaukee's south side. Ramirez-Cruz went inside to use the bathroom. When she emerged, Morales-Rodriguez was waiting for her with a baseball bat.

 

The complaint said Morales-Rodriguez began to bludgeon her. Ramirez-Cruz fell to the ground. Morales-Rodriguez straddled the younger woman and choked her until she passed out, the complaint said. Morales-Rodriguez then duct-taped Ramirez-Cruz's feet and hands and taped over her mouth and nose. She cut her open with the knife, the complaint said, telling detectives she was trying to imitate a procedure she had seen on the Discovery Channel. When she pulled the fetus out, the baby wasn't breathing, Morales-Rodriguez said. She then dragged Ramirez-Cruz's body into the basement and hid it near the hot water heater, according to the complaint. She smeared some of Ramirez-Cruz's blood around her thighs to make people think she herself was bleeding from giving birth, the complaint said. Then she called 911 and said she'd given birth Tiffany Necklace to a stillborn. She was taken to a hospital, but left before she was fully examined, the complaint said. An autopsy the next day revealed that the baby wasn't the product of a natural birth. Police returned to Morales-Rodriguez's house that day and took her back to the hospital. An examination verified she hadn't given birth and police then questioned her. Police later found Ramirez Cruz's body in Moralez Rodriguez's basement, the complaint says. Morales-Rodriguez is due back in court Oct.

 

19 for a preliminary hearing. Similar cases of women taking an unborn child from a mother's womb were reported in Massachusetts and Oregon in 2009, in Pennsylvania in 2007, in Illinois in 2006 and Missouri in 2004. Garcia said she was convinced Morales-Rodriguez was pregnant, saying she even rubbed her belly. The last time Garcia saw her, on Oct. 3, Morales-Rodriguez told her she was going to have a Cesarean section in two weeks. But she also seemed depressed, refusing to come out of her house to even join Garcia for a walk. "She just tiffany necklace wanted to be in the house," Garcia said, tears filling her eyes. "I'm so confused I don't know what to do."

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