****
Carolyn Y. Johnson: U.S. Will Spend $2.6 Trillion Less On Health Care Than Expected Before Obamacare, Study Projects
A new study predicts that the federal forecast of national health care spending under President Obama’s signature health law was a big overestimate — by $2.6 trillion over a five-year period. Looking forward, the study’s authors also point to recent evidence that a 2014 uptick in health spending that had seemed to signal a return to higher growth may have been temporary. If slower growth persists, they argue that it will become harder to argue that it is just the economy and not the cost containment policies enabled by the Affordable Care Act that are tempering spending. Hempstead said it’s becoming increasingly plausible that the federal policies included in the Affordable Care Act —
and its ripple effects as programs implemented within Medicare influence the private market — are having a tempering effect. Hempstead thinks that some of the policies that came with health reform have contributed. For example, she pointed to a policy that was intended to cut hospital readmissions by introducing financial penalties for hospitals with excessive readmissions. Being readmitted to the hospital isn’t good for patients or for payers — a report by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality found that 3.3 million adult hospital readmissions racked up $41.3 billion in hospital costs in 2011. Hospital readmission rates fell after the Affordable Care Act was implemented, both for conditions targeted by policy and those that weren’t.
More here
****
U.S.will spend $2.6 trillion less on health care than expected before Obamacare, study projects -The Washington Post washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2…
—
Robert holgate (@415holgate) August 09, 2016
The Obama Diary 
💞❤🕉☀✍☀✍☀🕉❤💞
😀 Hi
Congrats, Mighty Pamela! This is indeed yuuuge news! Proud of President Obama for spending a big chunk of political capital on Obamacare!
Good morning MP.
I for sure wish I could have stayed on Obamacare rather than have to go into Medicare last winter. Not all that thrilled with Medicare, don’t know how it works for poor people.
Bringing over from the bottom of the last thread….
Good day TOD! We are having crazy thunderstorms here today but not minding them, we need the rain and it is a nice break from the heat.
I’ve watched everyone’s posts on “Southside with You” with interest. I am not inclined to see it at this point because I’d much rather watch the real Barack and Michelle while we can:-) Thinking about saving it until they leave the WH and I am in withdrawal. We’ll see.
Interesting read from Time magazine which I think we can all agree with: “Donald Trump Losing by a Landslide Would Heal the Nation”
Nothing that many of us haven’t dreamed of but there are some things it is nice to see the MSM admit, such as:
“Another component of the Republican strategy has been to publicly attack President Obama incessantly in the most vile of terms. Many Republicans have abandoned any and all vestiges of dignity, decorum and respect, and hurled attacks at Obama as if he were an invading Mongol from a foreign land intent upon the destruction of nothing less than civilization itself. The abandonment of any semblance of propriety has been utterly astounding.
Regardless of one’s political views, Obama has certainly not deserved such appalling treatment. Of course, one can disagree with Obama, but he is clearly a man of integrity, intelligence and compassion who is genuinely attempting to improve the lives of the people of this nation. Honest disagreements could well be made within the bounds of rectitude.”
http://time.com/4466108/donald-trump-democracy/
Funny, FfTX, I read this part of your comment and thought ‘We have something in common again’ (though I can’t remember what it was we agreed on previously. 😀 😀 ).
I’ve watched everyone’s posts on “Southside with You” with interest. I am not inclined to see it at this point because I’d much rather watch the real Barack and Michelle while we can 🙂 Thinking about saving it until they leave the WH and I am in withdrawal. We’ll see.
Offspring always tells me that I need to develop my ‘suspension of disbelief’ as I’m a *difficult* movie watcher. Truth is, I just can’t see myself currently watching a movie with *anyone* pretending to be FLOTUS & POTUS. ‘We’ll see’, indeed.
If Republicans had not met in 2009 and formed a plan not just to obstruct but to delegitimize President Obama’s very presidency, this would not be going on today. Choosing to go this route has led us not only to Donald Trump but the eventual demise of the Republican party as we know it today.
It’s because of ignorance, willful or otherwise, and refusal to deal in facts
Thank you, President Obama…for the peace of mind that you worked so hard to give to individuals and their families. Biggest gift ever.
This is for Bobfr and the rest of TOD. An article about truth and reconciliation, from Angela Davis’s sister Fania Davis who founded Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth here in the SF Bay Area.
http://www.yesmagazine.org/peace-justice/this-country-needs-a-truth-and-reconciliation-process-on-violence-against-african-americans
Sure, those two things are just like each other—not. It’s almost as if certain mainstream reporters get scared every time they have to report the truth about Donald Trump: that he’s running a campaign based on racism, xenophobia and misogyny, facts that are irrefutable. But, crap, Republicans will accuse us of bias! they fret. Well, of course they will; what other defense do the Republicans have? And since when is it your job to make sure they’re kept happy?
“And since when is it your job to make sure they’re kept happy?”
Great point, Ladyhawke. I also think they, and the Republicans, can’t take criticism. If they could they would have all revolted against Trump a year ago and withstood the onslaught of Twitter hate for a few weeks. But they are such weenies when it comes to their fee fees. And they are so afraid of losing their jobs or their political position. But they never seem to be worried about losing their principles and self respect, things that are much harder to regain than another job.
Sept. 6th is when the Ellen Show will premiere, one week after the Ellen Show season premiere, First Lady Michelle Obama will co-host an entire episode of the Ellen Show. Can’t wait to see FLOTUS co-host the Ellen Show.
J’OB sending healing prayers to your Son Steve, hope his treatment goes well and it will be his last. (((hugs))) to you and Steve.
Roberta – I responded with my thanks to you, but the reply disappeared. Thanks so much!
Our president will be in the islands on Wednesday, but maybe we’ll also be visited by Madeline at that time. 😦
‘ “While considerable uncertainty remains with the forecast track of Hurricane Madeline, direct impacts, including damaging winds, flooding rain and high surf, are likely over portions of the state in the Wednesday and Thursday timeframe,” the National Weather Service said. ‘
http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/32851301/hurricane-watch-issued-for-big-island-as-madeline-edges-closer
GA Susanne.
Posted this on the previous thread (after this one had opened, since I’m always behind), repeating myself for the benefit of others here.
Keep up posted on the storm’s progress — not familiar with the islands, but think Honolulu is far enough south to skirt this MAJOR (!) hurricane. #Madeline
Aloha Arapaho!
Yes, I will keep you all posted. I am on the Big Island, which is south of Oahu where PBO will be landing Wednesday. Madeline is coming in from the southeast, and will probably do what most of our hurricanes do– run up against the southeast coast and get stuck on Mauna Loa, rotate there a bit while losing steam, and then swing up the island chain as a tropical storm. The good news is it is not likely to be a hurricane when it reaches Oahu, though there might be some rain and wind. The bad news is that the part of the Big Island where these storms usually land is still recovering from the last onslaught. Lots of tourists there at the moment, too, as the volcano is making a dramatic set of ‘waterfalls’ into the ocean.
Thanks Susanne!
Obviously need to brush up on my Hawaii geography. 😦
Look forward your updates, and hoping for smooth travels for AF1 and the entire Obama team.
Oh, meant to post these tweets too…
Link to article:
Wow! The map in your Papahanaumokuakea tweet is the first I’ve seen showing the relative size of the monument. There are people here who have been opposed to the extension of the protected area, because they say foreign fishing vessels will continue to harvest in these areas without a more robust security force. I can think of worse duty than cruising these islands to prevent fishing infractions! 🙂
THE WORLD IS ALREADY ON FIRE!
One/fifth of the population has mental health issues? Does that explain Donald Trump’ supporters?
Bingo, OG!
Put him UNDER THE JAIL.
2 NUNS?
NUNS who were servicing people that EVERYONE ELSE IN THE MEDICAL FIELD WOULD LIKE TO FORGET!!
They were NUNS. They take a vow of POVERTY. They had nothing TO STEAL, you evil, stupid, rotten muthaphucka.
UNDER.THE.JAIL.
………………………………………
Man arrested in fatal stabbing of 2 nuns in Mississippi
By Faith Karimi, CNN
Updated 2:11 PM ET, Sat August 27, 2016
A man has been arrested in the stabbing deaths of two nuns whose bodies were found in their home in rural Mississippi, authorities said.
Margaret Held and Paula Merrill, both nurse practitioners, failed to show up for work Thursday at a clinic in Lexington, where they served one of the state’s poorest counties.
Authorities believe the killer took the victims’ car, a blue Toyota Corolla, which was later found on an abandoned road less than a mile from their home. But nothing was taken from the house, according to a law enforcement official who has been briefed on the investigation.
Clinic workers called police when the pair didn’t arrive at the clinic, said Maureen Smith, a spokeswoman for the Catholic Diocese of Jackson.
PHUCK.OUTTA.HERE.
This is supposed to be one of Trump’s spiritual surrogates…
This man is crazy. I wonder who would even call him “pastor”!
“WATCH: Black Trump surrogate Mark Burns goes ballistic defending Clinton blackface cartoon on MSNBC”
http://www.rawstory.com/2016/08/watch-black-trump-surrogate-mark-burns-goes-ballistic-defending-clinton-blackface-cartoon-on-msnbc/
Now I know why he supports Trump. He sounds like Trump.
Apparently the tweet has been deleted since I posted this comment. Here is the picture that went with the tweet.
The cartoonist and the editor of this paper should be fired. Horrible.
Stuff like this terrifies me:
Meanwhile, show me a white person who hates the Duck Dynasty fool using the American flag as a headband on national television.
THAT WOULD BE ME SANDY…I CAN’T STOMACH THE PHONY DUCK DYNASTY DISASTER BETWEEN COMMERCIALS. THEY ARE EMBARRASSING…TRUMP FOLLOWERS OF COURSE WILL LOVE THEM!
…and the day I read his autobiography, was the day I STOPPED standing and reciting the Pledge in homeroom. Caused quite the controversy back then.
A black teen was beaten and wrongfully detained by Indiana police. A jury awarded him just $1.
On a July evening in 2012, 18-year-old DeShawn Franklin was pulled
out of his home by South Bend, IN, police who looking for his brother on a domestic violence charge. They did not have a warrant and mistook Franklin for his brother since they both had dreadlocks.
The South Bend Tribune reported at the time that police woke the sleeping Franklin by punching him multiple times and using a Taser on him. He then sat in a police car with the Taser probes still stuck in his body for two hours before paramedics treated him and he was released.
Franklin’s family sued the officers, the city and the police
department for violating his civil rights and a jury agreed earlier this
month that he deserved compensation, finding in favor of the Franklins.
So how much compensation did the jury award? $1 per party for a grand total of $18.
Lewandowski Is Back In Trump’s Inner Circle
August 29, 2016
As Donald Trump arrived in Manchester, New Hampshire, for a rally a week ago, he stepped out of his motorcade and was greeted by a familiar face: Corey Lewandowski.
Lewandowski had been fired in late-June after serving as Trump’s first campaign manager. Given the internal fighting, Trump’s losing ground in the polls, and the candidate’s and his family’s alleged lack of confidence in Lewandowski, the campaign cut him loose June 20.
Lewandowski was escorted that day from Trump Tower in New York by the very security detail that had helped him check for hidden listening devices in the campaign office weeks earlier.
Now, a few weeks and a lucrative cable network contract later, Lewandowski is back in the fold, according to multiple campaign sources. They describe Lewandowski’s relationship with the candidate as “stronger than ever.”
Each day, Trump wakes up, usually in his Fifth Avenue penthouse, and has a routine round of calls, sources say, that includes his campaign leadership (which has changed in recent weeks), his children, some close allies and someone else quite frequently: Lewandowski.
“They talk almost every day,” one senior level campaign staffer said, requesting anonymity.
GE rikyrah.
From the article…
Fox host says black NFL star should stand for anthem because America gave him ‘two white parents’
David Edwards DAVID EDWARDS
29 AUG 2016 AT 16:28 ET
Fox News host Brian Kilmeade argued on Monday that San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick should stand for the national anthem because he lived in a country where he had the advantage of being adopted by white people.
Over the weekend, Kaepernick told reporters that he would continue to sit during the anthem as a silent protest against police brutality and social injustice.
“To me, this is something that has to change, and when there’s significant change — and I feel like that flag represents what It’s supposed to represent, and this country is representing people the way it’s supposed to — I’ll stand,” Kaepernick said.
On his Monday radio show, Kilmeade asked former Washington Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann if he disagreed with Kaepernick.
Kilmeade has proven himself to be an idiot, and like Trump, will never change his level of stupid.
This is so wrong in countless ways — he should just wear a shirt or hat that says “white nationalist.”
Jaqueline, I hope everything went well with your son, Steve’s, Procedure today. Keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers.
Philadelphia’s black voters outraged by Donald Trump’s ‘outreach’
Trump, residents said in interviews this weekend, is offering blacks not a helping hand but a slap in the face.
Mon., Aug. 29, 2016
PHILADELPHIA—Donald Trump says “inner-city” African-Americans will vote for him because of how miserable their lives and neighbourhoods are.
The African-Americans of North Philadelphia say Donald Trump is an ignorant bigot.
Trump’s campaign has described his recent rhetoric about black people as outreach. With actual black people, it seems to have produced little but outrage. Trump, Philadelphians said in interviews this weekend, is offering blacks not a helping hand but a slap in the face.
“Extremely insulting. And I think purposely insulting,” said lawyer Rasheedah Phillips, 32.
“He’s getting the ships ready. He wants to send us back over to Africa,” said Douglas Skipworth, 33, who does maintenance work.
“Black folk aren’t fooled by this thing. African-Americans are clear about who Trump is,” said professor Anyabwile Love, 41, watching his 2-year-old son. “Many other elections, local and national, it’s been the lesser of the two evils. In this, it’s not even lesser of two evils. It’s one is completely against us and one is not.”
Take care everyone …. thank you {{{{{NW}}}}} …. wishing for the very best outcome for Steve, {{{{{Jacqueline}}}}} …..
#ALL50
#YESWEMUST
Thanks, Bob and to all who asked! I just posted a very detailed “Everything went GREAT according to the surgeon” update on Steve’s medical procedure today … but it vanished! If this posts, please know that I so very much appreciate everyone’s thoughts and prayers, and so does my son. You guys rock and Barack! Steve is so relieved! Thank you all so much for caring.
Great news. Here is to your son’s quick and painless recovery.
Thanks!!!!
Glad to hear all went well! 🙂
Thanks!
Yeah jacquieo. So glad to hear that. Keep us posted on how the healing goes. Saying some prayers for you both.
Appreciate it so much!
That’s great news jacquie. You and your son were in my prayers today.
Thanks, Betsy!
Fantastic news, Jacqueline!!! Thank you for sharing it with all of us!!!
Thanks again, Bob!
Hi Bobfr – Thought you should know I posted a link up near the beginning of this thread on a great article about the need for Truth and Reconciliation from Fania Davis, sister of Angela Davis.
Thank you cd4biden!! Much appreciated.
#ALL50
IN AFRICA!!!!
………………………
Pretoria Girls High racism protest backed by SA minister
A South African minister has thrown his support behind protesting female students, who accuse their high school of operating a racist hair policy.
Black pupils at the private Pretoria Girls High say they have often been told to straighten their hair.
“Schools should not be used as a platform to discourage students from embracing their African identity,” Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa tweeted in support.
The school has not yet commented.
………………………………………………
South Africans, particularly young black South Africans, have been using social media in recent months to raise questions about beauty, cultural tolerance and racism here.
They have been challenging what they describe as colonial standards that should have been dismantled years ago.
At the heart of these protests are the high school’s black students who feel like their identity, which is wrapped up in the curly strands of their hair, is deemed as inferior.
They have had enough.
Latest from Gary Johnson is: “More freedom, not less.” Sounds fine, but I’m very interested in knowing what conservatives of all stripes WANT TO DO, that they feel THEY CAN’T DO. Seriously. And I doubt any will answer: “Pour toxins into the river.” What is it that they SO WANT to do that they can’t? Have any of your conservative friends coherently answered that question?
no. libertarianism is the dumbest ideology out there. the smallest amount of scrutiny to the ideas makes them fall apart within minutes. and of course, at least economically, the republican party has been taken over by libertarian thought, just the koch brothers said they wanted to happen decades ago. they’ve succeeded with the takeover, and “the news” provides the cover for the failure of their ideas on the economy as a whole, but they and all their similarly-minded buddies are getting richer than the rockefellers ever dreamed was possible. at the expense of all of us. trickle down has been the name of the game since reagan.
My latest thoughts on the election as to why Trump will get the basic 27% and little more.
A large part of the electorate votes party – Maybe 10-20% listen to the issues and/or vote the person. Trump is slightly different. He is so loud, so outspoken and such a disaster as a candidate, many of those folks who usually vote republican party – will stay home. This will allow Hillary to landslide into the white house – and take the Senate with her. The next fwe weeks will determine whether she brings the House along
Should we mail our gifts/bottles?
jus’ mail me the money, ok?
I’m falling asleep at the wheel; heading out
Have a good Tuesday!
Brace up: Annular Eclipse of the Sun, September 1, 2016. 9.21 Pisces. An Annular Eclipse is when a narrow ring of the Sun is visible beyond the dark mask of the Moon. This Eclipse is visible from the Atlantic Ocean, Africa (except northernmost parts), southern half of Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, Madagascar, the Indian Ocean and the northwestern tip of Antarctica. 5:03am ET. 2:03am PT.
They are going to miss seeing each other all the time, that’s for sure!
Yes they are jacquie. There will be POTUS/VPOTUS withdrawal for sure. Bet, though, that they still have lunch each week with POTUS staying in DC for Sasha for a few years.
I keep forgetting that last part – yay!
How did things go for your son, JO’B?
Great, jackieG – thanks for asking. Surgeon thinks this is the big fix! Will know more later!
🙂 🙂 {{JO’B}}
Sure hope surgeon is correct!
Yes, we are, too! ❤
GE TODville.
Here’s breaking news from the NYTimes that appeared on my Windows 10/Microsoft Edge start page…
Posting it here if you’d like to read and not use one of the 10 articles that @nytimes lets you read per month.
From the article:
“In a letter to the F.B.I. director, James B. Comey Jr., Mr. Reid wrote that the threat of Russian interference ‘is more extensive than is widely known and may include the intent to falsify official election results.’ Recent classified briefings from senior intelligence officials, Mr. Reid said in an interview, have left him fearful that President Vladimir V. Putin’s ‘goal is tampering with this election.’
News organizations reported Monday that the F.B.I. warned state election officials several weeks ago that foreign hackers — the bureau did not say what country they were from — had exported voter registration data from computer systems in at least one state, and had pierced the systems of a second one.”
Yahoo News and CBS News reports that AZ and IL are the states affected now, with IL apparently had voter data exported.
Here’s a 7-minute Yahoo video:
so, how about comey doing something about it instead of wasting his time on her emails!!! ?
our own brownshirts. so proud.
http://www.rediff.com/news/report/rss-bids-goodbye-to-khaki-shorts-starts-sale-of-its-new-uniform/20160829.htm
Good evening, TOD. A blast from the past…
Jon Favreau is now doing two podcasts a week: one with Dan Pfeiffer and one with Jon Lovett and Tommy Vietor. In addition to guests.
Ha – Ol’ Scott Prouty came out of retirement to “like” my tweet! Cool.
Actually, he liked the tweet I was replying to, but, hey.
Still a fine day!
Goodnight, TODville. ❤
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/83648442/How-Michelle-Obama-got-the-job-of- being-first-lady-so-right
She is the best First Lady this country have had in a long time.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/america/83648442/How- Michelle-Obama-got-the-job-of-being-first-lady-so-right
My Mistake.
Hi Bella – do keep trying – you’ll get there – you should be able to copy the address bar from your browser. I hope this is the one you wanted
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/83648442/how-michelle-obama-got-the-job-of-being-first-lady-so-right
How Michelle Obama got the job of being first lady so right
When Michelle Obama took to the stage at the recent Democratic National Convention, she reminded millions of people in America and around the world that when the Obamas leave the White House in January, we will not just be losing a respected leader in the president, but in the first lady as well.
The 52-year-old’s speech was a genuine show-stopper – forceful, authentic, dignified and full of heart, just like her. “Our motto is, when they go low, we go high,” she said of her husband’s critics, staring down the camera.
Thanks you 99ts
Bella, I really appreciate all the information you bring here on our First Lady. She is our North Star.
That is a great article – really shows how the world is going to miss FLOTUS and PBO when they leave the white house. love how the cardigan came back into fashion when Michelle wore it to visit the queen 🙂
Yes, it was an interesting walk down memory lane! I remember how much fashion changed when everyone started wearing cardigans and belts and FLOTUS did it all so effortlessly. From Let’s Move to Joining Forces to Let Girls Learn, she took every innovative approach to changing the world. Can’t believe how much we’re going to miss her presence in the White House. I only hope we’re able to follow her continuing influence and all her new projects as closely as we do now.
Cardigans were popular when I was a child/teen. Until Flotus last one I had was c. 1968. You couldn’t buy them anywhere. She has become quite a fashion idol, despite that many tried to stop that happening.
ouch.
saw this in a desi web.
YEP..THAT’S HOW IT WORKS…FLOODS..THE TREES FALL..DROUGHT EVERYWHERE..IT’S IN THE BIBLE..READ IT!
THEN WE ALL SHRIVEL INTO TATER CHIPS AND BLOW IN THE BREEZE!
Well, I blame humans for destroying themselves, bible or not.
Really interesting.
Good morning TOD 🙂
BRAVO BING!!!!
TRUTH …. and that’s also why Erdogan is doing everything he can to thwart their brave accomplishments ….
Wishing all of you a fine day!! Thank you {{{{{NW}}}}} …. hoping all is as well as possible for you {{{{{Chips}}}}} …..
#ALL50
#YESWEMUST
Morning everyone:)
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/one-big-reason-wages-are-stagnant-and-inequality-is-growing/
Anemic gains in wages have plagued U.S. workers not just since the Great Recession ended seven years ago but for years before it as well. The underlying factors vary, but research just out suggests that a major culprit is lost in the noise over jobs going offshore, immigration and the minimum wage.
The research points to the decline of organized labor, which is hitting American paychecks across the board. Some 73.1 million full-time nonunion private sector workers are losing $133 billion in wages a year due to weakened unions, according to a report released Tuesday by the liberal-leaning Economic Policy Institute (EPI).
“At least for middle-wage men,” the report said, “the impact of the erosion of unions on the wages of both union and nonunion workers is likely the largest single factor underlying wage stagnation and wage inequality.”
“It’s hard to find another reason that has as much power as we find in the data,” said Jake Rosenfeld, a sociologist at Washington University and co-author of the report, which examined the effects of private sector union erosion on the wages of nonunion workers.
Collective bargaining helps increase the wages of all workers by settings pay and benefit standards that nearby nonunion employers also adopt. “Strong unions can mean higher wages for union members and nonunion members alike,” said Rosenfeld, thanks to the “spillover effect.”
Good Morning Everybody.
NOW: Sec’y Kerry Holds Joint News Conference With Indian Counterpart in New Delhi – http://abcnews.go.com/live?stream=1
Happy Birthday, Molly Ivins…you are missed.
http://www.americanswhotellthetruth.org/portraits/molly-ivins
Molly Ivins
Political Columnist: 1944 – 2007
“The best way to get the sons of bitches is to make people laugh at them.”
And that woman did make me laugh, df, long, and hard and every time she wrote or spoke. A brilliant mind that would be so wonderful to have around right now. She would be scorching DT every day. So missed.
Thanks, Obama:)
New post.
https://theobamadiary.com/2016/08/30/early-bird-chat-834/
Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out!
We can but hope df – interesting to find out what made him implode in that fashion – like all those things he accuses “others” of doing.
Don’t consider, do it NOW. You are a disgusting racists bigot.