McDonalds, 29 other firms get health care coverage waivers

[flintlock]

http://www.usatoday.com/money/indust...terstitialskip

Nearly a million workers won't get a consumer protection in the U.S. health reform law meant to cap insurance costs because the government exempted their employers.
Thirty companies and organizations, including McDonald's (MCD) and Jack in the Box (JACK), won't be required to raise the minimum annual benefit included in low-cost health plans, which are often used to cover part-time or low-wage employees.

Watch the corporations start lining up for special consideration. This is great way for politicians to exercise control. "Suck up to us and tow the line or you don't get a waiver".

No big surprise here:

The biggest single waiver, for 351,000 people, was for the United Federation of Teachers Welfare Fund, a New York union providing coverage for city teachers. The waivers are effective for a year and were granted to insurance plans and companies that showed that employee premiums would rise or that workers would lose coverage without them, Santillo says.

[DSpencer]

Re: McDonalds, 29 other firms get health care coverage waivers

Yet another example of the open corruption that is rampant in our government. It's interesting how congress can pass an insane law and then allow the department of HHS to just exempt certain groups from following it. So much for equal protection.

Also another clear example of: Big corporate interests>small business interests. I'm doubting many 50 employee businesses could afford the necessary bribes to get their waivers.

"The big political issue here is the president promised no one would lose the coverage they've got,"

Hilarious. The "big political issue here" is that these groups have money and influence.

When I met with my company's insurance broker and she told me we couldn't just renew our current plan (not that it's a mcdonald's type plan) she failed to mention the option of buying a waiver. Instead our deductibles go up by $1000, the prescription coverage is worse and I'm sure I will find out in a few days that the premiums are going way up as well. On the plus side we have improved coverage for prosthetic limbs...so I guess it all evens out!!!

End rant.

[fallout]

Re: McDonalds, 29 other firms get health care coverage waivers

At the end of the day "a law" must be equal for all...if it is not...it is nothing but tyranny.

[ThePythonicCow]

Re: McDonalds, 29 other firms get health care coverage waivers

At the end of the day "a law" must be equal for all...if it is not...it is nothing but tyranny.

Well, in that case, I see almost nothing but tyranny coming out of Washington in recent years.

[bpr]

Re: McDonalds, 29 other firms get health care coverage waivers

Also another clear example of: Big corporate interests>small business interests. I'm doubting many 50 employee businesses could afford the necessary bribes to get their waivers.

Sure seems that way from USA Today's reporting.

However, a look at the primary source tells a different story:

	Applicant	Application Received	Plan Effective Date	Number of Enrollees	Application Completed by Applicant	Waiver Approved
1	Fowler Packing Co.	9/8/2010	10/1/2010	39	9/17/2010	9/24/2010
2	Baptist Retirement	9/10/2010	10/1/2010	127	9/17/2010	9/24/2010
3	BCS Insurance	9/13/2010	9/24/2010	115,000	9/22/2010	9/24/2010
4	Local 17 Hospitality Benefit Fund	9/16/2010	10/1/2010	881	9/24/2010	9/30/2010
5	Greater Metropolitan Hotel	9/16/2010	10/1/2010	1200	9/24/2010	9/30/2010
6	UFT Welfare Fund	9/16/2010	10/1/2010	351,000	9/27/2010	9/27/2010
7	Aegis	9/16/2010	10/1/2010	162	9/21/2010	9/24/2010
8	Maritime Association	9/17/2010	10/1/2010	500	9/21/2010	9/24/2010
9	Aetna	9/16/2010	10/1/2010	209,423	9/16/2010	9/24/2010
10	UABT	9/17/2010	10/1/2010	17,347	9/17/2010	9/24/2010
11	Reliance Standard	9/14/2010	10/1/2010	varies	9/14/2010	9/24/2010
12	QK/DRD (Denny's)	9/16/2010	10/1/2010	65	9/22/2010	9/24/2010
13	Guy C. Lee Mfg.	9/15/2010	10/1/2010	312	9/15/2010	9/24/2010
14	I.U.P.A.T	9/16/2010	10/1/2010	875	9/23/2010	9/27/2010
15	HealthPort	9/17/2010	10/1/2010	608	9/17/2010	9/24/2010
16	Jack in the Box	9/17/2010	10/1/2010	1,130	9/21/2010	9/24/2010
17	Allflex	9/20/2010	10/1/2010	34	9/22/2010	9/24/2010
18	Transport Workers	9/20/2010	10/1/2010	107	9/23/2010	9/27/2010
19	Tri-Pak	9/20/2010	10/1/2010	26	9/20/2010	9/24/2010
20	Cryogenic	9/20/2010	10/1/2010	19	9/20/2010	9/24/2010
21	Metro Paving Fund	9/20/2010	10/1/2010	550	9/20/2010	9/24/2010
22	Health Connector	9/20/2010	10/1/2010	3,544	9/24/2010	9/27/2010
23	Health and Welfare Benefit System	9/16/2010	10/1/2010	41	9/16/2010	9/27/2010
24	PS-ILA	9/19/2010	10/1/2010	8	9/23/2010	9/24/2010
25	PMPS-ILA	9/19/2010	10/1/2010	15	9/23/2010	9/24/2010
26	Maverick County	9/21/2010	10/1/2010	1	9/23/2010	9/24/2010
27	Sanderson Plumbing Products, Inc.	9/22/2010	10/1/2010	326	9/22/2010	9/27/2010
28	GS-ILA	9/15/2010	10/1/2010	298	9/15/2010	9/28/2010
29	Allied	9/13/2010	10/1/2010	127	9/13/2010	9/27/2010
30	CIGNA	9/17/2010	9/26/2010	265,000	9/30/2010	9/30/2010
	TOTAL ENROLLEES			968,765

There are plenty of companies on that list with under 50 employees. It would appear that they did their due diligence.

Note that McDonalds' waiver was granted to its insurance carrier, BCS. Aetna and Cigna waivers are also on behalf of clients, since neither company employs that many people.

It is likely that more small businesses are rolled into those totals.