Portland Obamacare Rates and Penalty

MaxRedline links to a chart of approved healthcare rates for the Portland area.

If you want to find out the penalty for not buying insurance depending on your individual/family case, there is an easy calculator at healthinsurance.org.

The initial flat penalty for those earning less than $37,000 will be $95 per individual for 2014 rising to $695 per individual in 2016.  For higher income non-insured the penalty is 1% of adjusted gross income in 2014 rising to 2.5% in 2016.

Under Obamacare you will be able to use hospital emergency rooms for care if you don't have insurance and will be able to get full coverage for any serious conditions that arise by signing up for healthcare coverage after the condition becomes known.  However, there may be a wait to the next calendar year before coverage kicks in.

“It’s going to be important at the end of open enrollment to convey a sense of urgency and now is the time [to get covered],” Gary Cohen, director of the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight, told a recent Washington forum on the health law. “You can make the decision not to buy and wait until you get sick, but you will have to have until the next year and whatever costs you have in that intervening period are yours to bear.”

Though you may not save as much as Gary Cohen indicates. The bronze level can require the patient to bear 40% of the cost along with prescriptions and medical appointment/exam co-pays. Even 50 somethings might come out ahead in paying the fine and getting health care just when they need it and relying on hospital emergency room services for the unexpected.

H/T Byron York

Only 28% of Americans Think Journalists Contribute A Lot to Society's Well-Being

Americans' view of the value that journalists bring to society has sunk to a new low.  Slightly more than 1/4th of Americans think journalists contribute significantly to society's well being. The significant drop in esteem for journalists in the last four years cuts across party lines. 

From The Pew Forum:

The decline in public views about journalists’ contribution to society since 2009 is more pronounced among women than men. Roughly three-in-ten women (29%) say journalists contribute a lot to society’s well-being, down 17 percentage points from 46% in 2009. Men’s views on this are about the same today as they were in 2009.

The decline in the perceived contribution of journalists cuts across partisan leanings, age and education level. Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents as well as Republicans and Republican-leaning independents all are less likely to say journalists contribute a lot to society’s well-being today (down 8 points among Republicans/leaning Republicans and 10 points among Democrats/leaning Democrats).

Though journalists were viewed most favorably by Democrats (36%) there was still a drop of 10% favorability from 2009 (46%).  It seems that the public at large has noticed the lack of journalistic competence and contribution during the Obama administration years.  Every segment of society now sees the contribution by journalists to society's well-being as minimal.

It's not just the digital age that is hurting print journalism.  The incompetence and bias of journalists keeps them from turning out a product of significant worth to society.

I'm reminded of a poll conducted September 8, 2008, in which Rasmussen found that "46% of voters say they most trust information about the presidential campaign from family and friends as opposed to 32% who trust the information from news reporters more."

If family and friends (amateurs) do better at giving good information than the professional information gatherers, the problem is at crisis stage.  Think of what it would say about the competence of the medical community if 46% of Americans trusted medical advice from family and friends over medical advice from doctors and only 32% trusted their doctor's advice more.

PCWorld to Become Digital Only

PCWorld just announced that it is going to cease print publishing and go all digital.

Harry McCracken commenting on this for Time magazine writes:

In the age before the web, if you were serious about this stuff, you didn’t just read one computer magazine. You read several, and you probably couldn’t wait to get your hands on them.
[emphasis added]

The web with its access to thousands of good news and review sources has changed what people are willing to pay for. 

The recent Oregonian slide to four day print publishing is another indicator of the impact of the massive expansion of free, easily accessible online news sources.

The problem is generational as well as practical.  When a few minutes of easy entertainment was needed, the older generation would pick up a newspaper or magazine to browse.  The younger generation, now plays a tablet or phone game.  They aren't going to turn to digital reading for quick, fill-in entertainment.  But neither is the older generation going to be happy with firing up a tablet or phone for quick digital reading.

Print media like PCWorld is caught between two stools.  The public that finds their brand of entertainment appealing does not reach for digital first.  The public that naturally turns to digital prefers games to informational entertainment.

So, as a print subscriber am I going to sit back in my easy chair or lay back in bed and enjoy the digital magazine (or newspaper) as I did the print edition?  Not really.  The extra effort makes it less likely that I will read the magazine for fun.   Digital does allow for exact navigating to particular articles (a bane in many print magazines) and seamlessly provides text for "large print" reading years.  But, those are the major digital pluses I can think of for the average reader wanting just a bit of easy fill-in or before bed entertainment.

And then there are the technical glitches.  (Read some of the 1 star reviews here.)  It's not just crabby people or technical bozos commenting.  I ran into one issue myself.  I have an older 9" tablet that I bought a mere two years ago.  The magazine app doesn't work with it.  Two year old hardware is already a dinosaur for digital subscriptions.  So, to view my magazine subscription I have to get new spendy computer hardware.  Granted I got my 7" tablet for about $100 for the fun of fooling around with a newer android version.  But, a $100 hardware purchase every few years to read a $20 yearly digital subscription?  Not so great.

Except for books (which are a lot lighter and easier to handle on my Kindle, Nook, tablet or even android phone than a print version), digital print media is not easier or more fun than print media.  Since most print reading subscriptions are based on entertainment, that's a big hurdle digital has yet to overcome.

I wish PCWorld luck in their venture.  I don't think I will stop my subscription for the year and a half left--or ask for a refund for the lesser service.  But, since some of the fun will be gone, I probably will spend a lot less time reading/browsing the digital version than I did with the print edition.  That doesn't bode well for subscription renewal in 2015.

H/T PEJPew

Mariano Rivera: A Man of Faith

In Sunday's game with the Orioles, the great Mariano Rivera came out with some new tennis shoes. On the outside, rear heel of each shoe was printed "PHIL 4:13". [I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.--Philippians 4:13]

The sports commentators announcing the game focused on the new shoes but either missed the verse or did not want to comment on it.

Rivera, the greatest closer baseball has ever known with 637 saves* joins athletes like Tim Tebow in having Bible verses printed on his clothing or person to publicly testify to his faith.

Rivera gave verbal testimony in his retirement announcement:

5. What’s the best thing that’s happened to you on a baseball field?

“The best thing for me that happened was just the Lord blessing me with this uniform. Putting the New York Yankees uniform on. And being thankful for every minute that I wore this uniform, to the day that I retire. The last day that I throw my last pitch, I will be proud than anything. Not because what we accomplished. But what the Lord allowed me to wear, the New York Yankees uniform."

Rivera carries his greatness with humility.

4. For many years, people have called you the greatest of all-time. How do you want to be remembered?

“First of all, I don’t feel I’m the greatest of all-time. The reason I say this is because I’m a team player. If it wasn’t for my teammates, I would never had the opportunities. But I would love to to be remembered as a player who was always there for others. Trying to make them better. Didn’t think about himself at all. That’s the legacy that I want to leave. That I was there for others.”

Rivera will be retiring while still at the top of his game. This season his record so far is 28 saves of 30 attempts. He has been a bright spot for the struggling Yankees who have four star players out because of injury: Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, and Curtis Granderson.

The New York magazine has recently published an article profiling Rivera and his deep faith in Christ.
_____
*In second place with most MLB saves is Trevor Hoffman with 601.

Major Change among Catholics on Gay Marriage/Rights

The Barna Group has tracked changes in belief among Americans on gay marriage, gay rights and the definition of marriage from 2003. They just published their findings.

The change among practicing Catholics is astonishing.

                                               2003   2013
marriage defined as one man/one woman:  
practicing Catholic (-14%)           64%    50%
practicing Protestant (-5%)         75%    70%
all Americans (-4%)                    52%     48%

acceptability of same-sex sexual relationships:
practicing Catholic (+18%)         19%    37%
practicing Protestant (+3%)       12%    15%
all Americans (+7%)                  30%    37%

Practicing Catholics are three to six times as likely to have changed their views on this social and moral issue as practicing Protestants and the American public at large.

With only a -4% and a +7% shift, the change in general public opinion has not been as significant among the general public as the strong media/entertainment pro-gay emphasis might be supposed to have caused.

However, the change in views among practicing Catholic has implications about the effectiveness of Catholic teaching and discipleship within their own communion.   Catholics view marriage as one of the seven sacraments (imparting divine grace).  So, teaching on marriage for Catholics rises above merely a practical Christian living emphasis into the arena of salvation itself.

Interesting that this change occurred in the same decade that the same-sex scandal of priests having sexual relationships with young and adolescent boys was rocking the Catholic church.

Golden Moon

I took our dog out early this morning and saw this golden moon.

20 Heroes Who Died May 26 to June 28, 2013

May 26 - Spc. Christopher R. Drake, 20, of Tickfaw, La., died in Bagram, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when his vehicle was attacked by a rocket propelled grenade.

May 30 - Staff Sgt. Joe A. Nunezrodriguez, 29, of Pasadena, Texas, died in Wardak Province, Afghanistan, from injuries sustained when his vehicle struck an Improvised Explosive Device. 

June 1 - Spc. Ray A. Ramirez, 20, of Sacramento, Calif., died in Wardak Province, Afghanistan, from injuries sustained when his unit was attacked by an improvised explosive device.
- Spc. Kyle P. Stoeckli, 21, of Moseley, Va., died in Maiwand, Afghanistan, from injuries sustained when his unit was attacked by an improvised explosive device.
- Pfc. Mariano M. Raymundo, 21, of Houston, Texas, died in Sharan, Afghanistan.  The incident is under investigation.
-Staff Sgt. Job M. Reigoux, 30, of Austin, Texas, died in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with a rocket propelled grenade.

June 2 - Warrant Officer Sean W. Mullen, 39, of Dover, Del., died in Lashkar Gah, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

June 3 - They died in Tsamkani, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when their unit was attacked by a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device. Killed were:
- 2nd Lt. Justin L. Sisson, 23, of Phoenix, Ariz., and
- Spc. Robert A. Pierce, 20, of Panama, Okla.

June 8 - They died in Sharana, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered from small arms fire received at Zarghun Shahr, Afghanistan. Killed were:
- Lt. Col. Todd J. Clark, 40, of Evans Mills, N.Y., and
- Maj. Jaimie E. Leonard, 39, of Warrick, N.Y.

June 10 - Staff Sgt. Jesse L. Thomas Jr., 31, of Pensacola, Fla., died in Helmand, Afghanistan. The incident is under investigation.

June 16 - Lance Cpl. Jared W. Brown, 20, of Youngstown, Fla., died while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

June 18 - They died in Bagram, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with indirect fire.  Killed were:
- Sgt. Justin R. Johnson, 25, of Hobe Sound, Fla.,
- Spc. Ember M. Alt, 21, of Beech Island, S.C.,
- Spc. Robert W. Ellis, 21, of Kennewick, Wash., and
- Spc. William R. Moody, 30, of Burleson, Texas.

June 23 - Spc. Javier Sanchez Jr., 28, of Greenfield, Calif., died in Sar Rowzah, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his unit was attacked with an improvised explosive device while on mounted patrol.
- Sgt. Corey E. Garver, 26, of Topsham, Maine, died in Zormat, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

June 28 - Sgt. Justin R. Rogers, 25, of Barton, N.Y., died in Bagram, Afghanistan, from a non-combat related incident currently under investigation.