Tag: Obamacare

AUG 26, 2013 - The Congressional Budget Office just released health insurance premium numbers for 36 states at the exchanges set up by the federal government, and they have come in at around 16% lower than expected. The new law will take effect in just 5 days, and this is good news, for it will make people feel more at ease and help them afford health insurance once the mandate kicks in. Yes folks, after October 1, 2013, one must do the responsible thing and purchase health insurance. The good new is the large pool and the exchanges might bring the prices down to a really affordable level; some people will just pay around $100 a year for health insurance. To read more on the low numbers, check out MotherJones.com here.

For those of of you who must buy health insurance after October 1st and need help, the Obama administration has set up the HealthCare.gov website. Just punch in your information, and they will tell you how you find affordable insurance; or they will let you know if you qualify for subsidies to help you pay for your health insurance. Check out the HealthCare.gov website for more information.

AUG 24, 2013 - Linda Ronstadt opened up publicly that she has been fighting Parkinson's disease for over 8 years, and it has taken away her ability to sing. Linda Ronstadt was a huge icon in the 1970s as a solo vocal performer selling tons of albums and tickets. About 8 years ago she noticed trembling in her hands, and then it eventually affected her vocal chords. She finally saw a neurologist who diagnose her with Parkinson's disease, and she was shocked. I remember rockin' out to Linda's albums as a teenager, cranking up her version of "When Will I Be Loved" and other great songs. JTMP wishes her good health and long life. You can read the interview on AARP.com here.  (photo credit: Carl Lender/CC)

July 24, 2013 - Jon Bon Jovi, Alicia Keys, and Jennifer Hudson will be teaming up with the Obama administration to help raise awareness and educate young people about the new Affordable Health Care Act, or "Obamacare", and how young people will need to be signing up  and buying individual health-care coverage as of October 1, 2013. This crowd is the toughest crowd to sell this too, because young people tend to not want to pay for health insurance, for they feel invincible, and don't feel they need it; but everybody needs health-care sooner or later. If young people do enroll in health-care coverage in droves, costs for health-care coverage should lower considerably. JTMP recommends that our young supporters enroll in health-care coverage, and help bring down the costs of health insurance, and get regular checkups, eat healthy, and make our society healthier and safer. The White House says they need about 2.7 million young people to enroll in health insurance coverage. 

The Obama administration have also urged organizations and websites to help in their efforts to educate the public about this, and JTMP will be helping out over the next few months. The website Funny or Die has pledged to make videos to educate young people about the Affordable Health Care Act, and other organizations will join in as the date draws closer.

If you are curious on how the Affordable Health Care Act will affect you, check out the Affordable Health Care Act website the White House has set up here.  Read more on WashPo here. (photo credit: John Shankbone/CC)

MAY 20, 2013 - Two musicians lost their battle with cancer yesterday. One was the keyboardist Ray Manzerek from the iconic band The Doors, who lost his battle with a long fight with bile duct cancer. Manzerek was part of the 60s music social revolution, but spent his last years as a simple farmer with his family. The Doors guitarist Robby Krieger said in a statement, "I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of my friend and bandmate Ray Manzarek today. I'm just glad to have been able to have played Doors songs with him for the last decade. Ray was a huge part of my life and I will always miss him." The family asks that in lieu of flowers that people help out the great cancer-fighting organization, "Stand Up To Cancer".  (photo credit: KingTrivia/CC)

Also, on a very sad note, Zach Sobeich, a Minnesota musician who battled osteosarcama and whose video and song "Clouds" went viral, lost his battle with cancer and also passed at home surrounded by family and his girlfriend. His song "Clouds" was all about facing his mortality, and he had said, "I want everyone to know you don't have to find out you're dying to start living." His family said in a statement, “It is with heavy heart that we announce the passing of our son Zachary David Sobiech. Our family has been blessed not only by his amazing presence in our lives, but also by the love and support of our family and friends and by so many people in the community. In particular we'd like to thank those people who listened with their hearts and helped Zach bring his message and his music to the world.” Zach had worked closely with Children's Cancer Research Fund, and a group of celebrities had lip-synced his song in an effort to help raise funds for his struggle earlier this month. Zach's video of his song "Clouds" has received over 3 million views, and you can watch it below. JTMP calls for more funding for cancer research, and Medicare For All, so people don't have to fight bill collectors and health insurance companies while they fight cancer.