Author: James

Obamacare : Florida doesn’t have enough doctors for Medicaid expansion, lobby group says

TALLAHASSEE Brace yourself for longer lines at the doctor’s office.

Whether you’re employed and insured, elderly and on Medicare, or poor and covered by Medicaid, the Florida Medical Association says there’s a growing shortage of doctors — especially specialists — available to provide you with medical care.

And if the Florida Legislature goes along with Gov. Rick Scott’s recommendation to offer Medicaid coverage to an additional 1 million Floridians — part of the Affordable Care Act that takes effect next January — the FMA says that shortage will only get worse.

https://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2013-02-22/news/fl-doctor-shortage-medicaid-expansion-if-florida-20130222_1_medicaid-expansion-new-medicaid-patients-florida-medical-association

Why is Wal-Mart worried? Payroll tax could cut consumer spending.

Recent reports forecast lower spending for this year, anticipating that the restored payroll tax will impact consumers’ wallets, especially low-income earners. Wal-Mart is adjusting its strategy.

By Husna Haq, Correspondent / February 22, 2013

Retailers are preparing for a triple whammy as the restoration of the payroll tax, surging gas prices, and stagnant employment and wages take a bite out of consumers’ disposable income, leaving them with less cash to spend on clothing, groceries, and eating out.

As a result, more than three years after the recession officially ended, American consumers might be preparing to downshift again, if only slightly, with low-income consumers hit the hardest. Sensing consumer trepidation, retailers are scrambling to adjust.

Retailers, restaurants, and consumer goods companies like Wal-Mart are lowering sales forecasts and adjusting marketing campaigns ahead of expectations that consumers will slash spending, the Wall Street Journal reports.

https://www.csmonitor.com/Business/2013/0222/Why-is-Wal-Mart-worried-Payroll-tax-could-cut-consumer-spending?nav=87-frontpage-entryLeadStory

file photo Garrett in Wyckoff

No Budget No Pay
February 22,2013
Rep. Scott Garrett

Washington has a gigantic spending problem. Recently, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) continued to sound the alarm about our unsustainable path. CBO reported that by 2023 our national debt will explode by another $10 trillion to $26 trillion. To put this into perspective, everyone in America, including every newborn upon taking its first breath, owes the federal government $53,000 in debt.

It’s often hard for people to think of this debt as each of ours, but the simple truth is that government is funded by you and me. Every time government borrows money, you and I have to pay it back. Government spending (commonly referred to as investment) is code for higher taxes in the future.

The fiscal path America is on is not mathematically sustainable. Without serious spending cuts, we will not be able to keep the commitments we have already made to millions of hardworking Americans. Current retirees do not have anything to worry about. Unfortunately, future retirees do. Reforms are imperative. The longer we wait, the more doors to economic opportunity – for you, our children, and our children’s children – will continue to close.

The first step to tackling our debt and deficit, must be a budget. This is what you do, and so must Washington. The choices won’t be easy, but they are necessary to save our children and grandchildren’s future.

The last time the United States Senate passed a budget gas was a $1.83 and the TV show Jersey Shore hadn’t yet aired. For the fourth time in five years, President Obama missed the legal deadline for submitting his proposed budget to Congress. The last time President Obama submitted a budget it did not receive a single vote – from either Democrats or Republicans.

Instead of kicking the can down the road, House Republicans have consistently put pen to paper and passed budgets. I proudly offered two budgets the last two years. To hold the Senate accountable, Congress recently passed the No Budget No Pay Act. The law is simple, if Congress fails to pass a budget, Member pay will be withheld. I supported the No Budget No Pay Act, and I believe it will force the Senate to finally pass a budget.

It is long past time that Washington budget responsibly, reduce the budget deficit, and get our spending under control. This is what the American people expect. This is what the American people deserve.

Inter-Chamber Consortium 3-minute Networking
Tue, March 05, 2013
Time: 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Westfield Garden State Plaza Food Court, 355 N State Rt 17, Paramus, NJ 07652

3-Minute Networking Presented by The Paramus Regional Chamber of Commerce and Hosted by Westfield Garden State Plaza

Fun-filled event of table-hopping, networking. Invite your colleagues and friends to participate with you. Breakfast will be served. Bring plenty of business cards.

Inter-Chamber Consortium members are invited to attend!

$15 for Inter-Chamber members and $25 for non members.

Sign up on-line at www.paramuschamber.com

For more information call 201-261-3344

RIDGEWOOD CONCERT BAND
30th Anniversary Gala
at The Tides in North Haledon
May 16th 2013 

featuring:

* Cocktail Hour *
* Dinner *
* Dancing to The RCB Big Band *

The event benefits the Ridgewood Concert Band and

will honor its conductor and music director

Dr. Christian Wilhjelm and the 30-year members of the ensemble.

More information will be posted on the band’s website: www.ridgewoodband.org.

NJ is directed to suspend enrollment in insurance program for people with preexisting conditions
Friday February 22, 2013, 8:12 PM
BY  LINDY WASHBURN
STAFF WRITER
The Record

New Jersey next Friday will suspend enrollment in an insurance program for people with preexisting medical conditions mandated by the new federal health care law, officials said.

The state was directed to do so by the federal Department of Health and Human Services, which received limited funding from Congress to provide coverage in each of the 50 states. Without the suspension, the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan would be in danger of running out of money to cover those currently enrolled, according to a message posted on the program’s website.

“Those who have been considering purchasing health coverage … need to know that now is your last chance to enroll,” said Ellen DeRosa, executive director of the state’s Individual Health Coverage Program. To be eligible, New Jersey residents must have been uninsured for at least the previous six months and have a preexisting medical condition. Applications will be accepted through the close of business on Friday.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/NJ_is_directed_to_suspend_enrollment_in_insurance_program_for_people_with_preexisting_conditions.html

Daniel Fishbein, Ed.D. Partnership The following column appeared in The Ridgewood News
on February 22 , 2013.

It’s the half-way point of the school year and the district is bursting as usual with good news. College acceptances are beginning to pour in, accolades in academics, the arts and athletics are accruing, and our teachers and students are working hard to accomplish their learning goals in the classroom.

In the central offices and at the Board table, it’s also that time when we begin to finalize our budget for next year. This process can be a moody task, but there’s always one set of figures that, although outside of the budget, never fails to bring a smile to my face and a sense of renewed optimism.

CLICK BELOW TO KEEP READING DAN’S MONTHLY COLUMN FOR THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS, 2.22.13:

https://tinyurl.com/aqrjen4

Valley, Ridgewood gearing up for new proposal
Friday February 22, 2013, 1:21 PM
BY  DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News

New plans for expansion at The Valley Hospital have yet to be filed, Ridgewood Planning Board officials said this week, but residents are already noticing physical evidence that a second attempt at a Renewal proposal is imminent.

For the past two weeks, automated as well as manned traffic counters have been set up along Linwood Avenue and stress points in the vicinity of Valley’s 15-acre campus. Ridgewood municipal officials confirmed Thursday that the counters are in place to collect data for the hospital’s application.

A Superior Court ruling last week essentially reopened the door for a new Valley expansion plan. The path had been blocked, in part, by a lawsuit filed by a Ridgewood grassroots group against the Planning Board and hospital.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/192531271_Valley__Ridgewood_gearing_up_for_new_proposal.html

Obamacare: Why your boss is dumping your wife
Companies are dropping health coverage for spouses to cut costs
By Jen Wieczner

Companies have a new solution to rising health-insurance costs: Break up their employees’ marriages.

By denying coverage to spouses, employers not only save the annual premiums, but also the new fees that went into effect as part of the Affordable Care Act. This year, companies have to pay $1 or $2 “per life” covered on its plans, a sum that jumps to $65 in 2014. And health law guidelines proposed recently mandate coverage of employees’ dependent children (up to age 26), but husbands and wives are optional. “The question about whether it’s obligatory to cover the family of the employee is being thought through more than ever before,” says Helen Darling, president of the National Business Group on Health.

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/why-your-boss-is-dumping-your-wife-2013-02-22

file photo

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO
7 AM EST SUNDAY…
343 AM EST SAT FEB 23 2013

…SLIPPERY ROADS TONIGHT OVER INTERIOR PORTIONS OF THE TRI-STATE…

CTZ005>008-NJZ002-004-103-NYZ067>070-231645-

…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO
7 AM EST SUNDAY…

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN UPTON HAS ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER
ADVISORY FOR FREEZING RAIN AND SNOW…WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM
THIS EVENING TO 7 AM EST SUNDAY.

* LOCATIONS…INTERIOR SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT…INTERIOR PORTIONS OF
THE LOWER HUDSON VALLEY…AND PORTIONS OF INTERIOR NORTHEAST
NEW JERSEY.

* HAZARD TYPES…FREEZING RAIN AND SNOW.

* ACCUMULATIONS…SNOW ACCUMULATION OF UP TO 1 INCH…ALONG WITH
LESS THAN A TENTH OF AN INCH OF ICE.

* TEMPERATURES…AROUND 30.

* TIMING…AS TEMPERATURES FALL TO AT OR JUST BELOW FREEZING
TONIGHT…A MIXTURE OF FREEZING RAIN AND SNOW WILL FALL ACROSS
THE ADVISORY AREA.

* IMPACTS…THE COMBINATION OF THE SNOW AND GLAZE OF ICE WILL MAKE
TRAVEL DIFFICULT TONIGHT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW…SLEET…OR
FREEZING RAIN WILL CA– USE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES…AND — USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.