Jonathan McKinstry
Digital Strategist
Baked in the Sun is a wholesale baker and distributor of freshly baked pastries near San Diego. The Challenge: The company is one of thousands of small businesses that employ more than 50 full-time employees and thus will be required to offer health insurance to their workers — or pay into a government fund — beginning Jan. 1.
It’s been almost three years since Obamacare was passed and as the law is implemented more and more each day, we are starting to see what a complete disaster it really is.
Just like a typical three-year-old, the Affordable Care Act (a.k.a. Obamacare) is undergoing a period of rapid growth and development. For those who still cling to the nostalgic notion that once legislation is passed and signed the lawmaking stops, think again. The single largest piece of regulation ever passed has grown 10-fold in its short life, to more than 20,000 pages standing seven feet tall, since the President signed it into law on March 23, 2010.
Last week I posted a copy of the draft application for Obamacare benefits, which clocks in at a hefty 21 pages. Consumer advocates and Wonkblog commenters had similar questions: Why on earth would the federal government create such a complex form to obtain a public benefit?
“I had a hysterectomy, I have no need for maternity coverage, but I have to now pay for it. I have to pay not only my own premium but I have to subsidize everybody else.”
- Vikki Swanson, age 49
Pet owners listen up: You may want to start saving more money for veterinarian care this year. The reason goes all the way back to Washington and an unintended consequence from medical reform.
Pizza chain Papa John's told shareholders that President Obama's health care law will cost consumers more on their pizza.