Help from DU needed to share positive ACA stories with Rep Steve Stivers(R) OH-15.

[greatlaurel]

Stivers shared some Obamacare horror stories in an editorial in the Logan Daily News Saturday December 20, 2014. The two stories he shared were very negative about the ACA. My hope is DU will help him get some positive feedback about the ACA.

His website is www.stivers.house.gov

His phone numbers are Washington, D.C. at 202-225-2015, in Hilliard at 614-771-4968, in Lancaster at 740-654-2654, or in Wilmington at 937-283-7049

http://www.logandaily.com/comment/editorials/share-your-obamacare-story/article_82441d20-f1be-53fb-b710-98377e74fd16.html

"I have heard from constituents across Ohio’s 15th Congressional District about the crippling effects of Obamacare. I would like to take this opportunity to share a few of those stories with you.

Recently, Dennis from Hilliard, Ohio, reached out to my office to convey his family’s struggles with Obamacare. Dennis health care costs have skyrocketed and he now will be paying about $1,400 per month for insurance for one of the cheapest plans available to him. Understandably, he is worried because making ends meet will become that much harder for his family.

Mildred of Columbus, Ohio, another constituent and retired teacher’s aide, shared her story with me as well. Before Obamacare was enacted she had excellent insurance from her employer, which covered her heart surgery and other health issues.

However, when Obamacare went into effect, she saw her premiums dramatically increase from $66 per month to $229 per month. Unfortunately this was more than she could afford and was forced to make a choice—cancel her policy or pay her other living expenses. Now that Mildred has no insurance she is worried about how she will afford another heart operation.

Overall Ohio families have seen their coverage increase to an average of $372.70 per month—a 12.1 percent increase from last year. While, small businesses have had premiums increased by over 14 percent in the last year because of the health care law.

Stories and facts like these make it absolutely clear that this healthcare law is not working. That is why, I have voted over 50 times to defund or repeal Obamacare. I have also voted in support of the “Keep Your Health Plan Act” to allow Americans to keep their health insurance plans that are currently available on the individual market.

I also believe in common sense health care reforms that improve accessibility, while lowering health care costs across the board, such as: tort reform, providing flexibility by expanding health savings accounts, and promoting healthier lifestyle choices.

I value the feedback from constituents like Dennis and Mildred, and that is why I also want to hear from you. You can share your thoughts with me by visiting my website and taking “Share Your Obamacare Story” survey at the bottom of the home page of my website (www.stivers.house.gov)."

Thanks for your help.

[HappyMe]

1. I don't have any story for you.

But I'll give this a kick.

[greatlaurel]

4. Thanks for the kick! Do you know any young people that got to stay on their parents insurance?

That is a great story to share with Mr. Stivers. He does not mention that aspect of the ACA in his editorial.

[blue neen]

2. I'm confused by this quote:

"Mildred of Columbus, Ohio, another constituent and retired teacher’s aide, shared her story with me as well. Before Obamacare was enacted she had excellent insurance from her employer, which covered her heart surgery and other health issues."

"However, when Obamacare went into effect, she saw her premiums dramatically increase from $66 per month to $229 per month. Unfortunately this was more than she could afford and was forced to make a choice—cancel her policy or pay her other living expenses. Now that Mildred has no insurance she is worried about how she will afford another heart operation."

If Mildred had excellent insurance from her employer, why is she getting "Obamacare"?

[greatlaurel]

3. That is very good question, blue neen. I missed that bit of word salad. Thanks!

What stuck in my mind about that quote, was that Mildred is a retired teacher's aide. If she worked for a public school, she would have retired from either the State Teacher's Retirement System or the School Employee's Retirement System. Both of those retirement systems provide good health insurance for retirees. The costs for the insurance used to be quite inexpensive for the retirees. However, ever since the GOP has taken over the Ohio legislature and the Governor, the insurance coverage costs have risen astronomically. The cost increases to the retirees have nothing to do with the ACA and everything to do with gross mismanagement of the retirement systems by the GOP politicians who keep winning reelection here in Ohio. The GOP in Ohio has been especially vicious toward pushing unneeded cuts to these pension funds. IMO, it is a way to punish unionized people, they do not think vote for the GOP. Unfortunately, not one reporter asks those type of questions.

Our current governor, John Kasich, worked for Lehman Bros. when they went bankrupt. He managed to get more than $400,000,000 dollars of Ohio's government employees' pension funds invested in Lehman Bros right before they went bankrupt. $400 million dollars goes poof. Then, he gets elected as Governor. I do not understand Ohio, at all.

[blue neen]

7. See, that's kind of what I was thinking.

If Mildred worked for a school district, she probably retired with pretty decent health insurance. Therefore, the increase in her premiums had nothing to do with Obamacare.

I didn't know about the particular situation in Ohio and the cuts to pension funds. There was something in Mildred's story, however, that just didn't pass the "sniff" test.

These Republican legislatures...ugh. We have the same thing going on in PA. We did manage to elect a new Democratic Governor in Tom Wolf, but Corbett and his minions are doing every dirty trick they can think of before Wolf can take office.

[greatlaurel]

8. The GOP here are going to take everything that is not nailed down. It is stunning in the audacity.

The public pension funds have been under attack since Voinovich was governor. Taft was bad, too. Here is a link to the wikipedia article about the ripoff of state worker's compensation funds in the Coingate scandal that came to light during the Taft administration. The GOP is shameless in their transfer of funds from the taxpayers to their friends. So much money has been shifted from the pension funds to campaign donors by the GOP politicians.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Noe

The theft of public school dollars from the public schools and given to the charter schools is astounding in the arrogance and greed.

http://www.plunderbund.com/2014/12/20/new-study-local-levy-dollars-redirected-to-subsidize-charter-schools/

It would be a godsend if the feds actually investigated these corrupt practices here in Ohio. We are getting more impoverished by the day. Unfortunately, too many people blame Obama, thanks to the cowardice of the media allowing such outrageous lies like the editorial by Stivers go unchallenged.

[mmonk]

5. If it weren't for Obamacare, we would have

probably have had to drop me from health insurance so we could cover my wife and son. We are currently saving around $1,300 a month. But let me give you a hint, no Republican is looking for a postive story. They do not care if a citizen dies for lack of care. They are humanity's manure. Let the trash know what I said. Have a great weekend.

[greatlaurel]

6. He does not want positive information, but he should still hear from people who have benefitted.

Last edited Sun Dec 21, 2014, 12:05 AM - Edit history (1)

That is really good news that you are saving so much money. I am so glad the ACA is helping you get insurance and save some money.

Stivers is a "former" banking lobbyist who has been foisted on the citizens of his district with extreme gerrymandering. A really nice guy ran against him this past November, but the Democratic Party refused to put any money in to defeat Stivers and help the Democratic Party candidate. A small investment in that district could have had a huge impact.

[mmonk]

9. I understand completely.