Friday Open Thread [12.30.11]
A new NBC News-Marist poll in Iowa shows Mitt Romney edging Ron Paul, 23% to 21%. Rick Santorum continues to surge from behind, at 15%, and then its Rick Perry at 14%, Newt Gingrich at 13% and Michele Bachmann at 6%.
Meanwhile, an We Ask America poll has Romney leading with 24%, followed by Santorum at 17%, Paul at 14%, Gingrich at 13%, Bachman at 12%, Perry at 10% and Jon Huntsman at 4%.
In Florida, a new TelOpinion Research (R) poll has Romney edging Gingrich in the GOP presidential race, 27% to 26%. The rest of the field couldn’t make it into double-digits: Ron Paul at 5%, Michele Bachmann and Rick Perry at 4%, Jon Huntsman and Rick Santorum at 1%.
This is the most anti-climactic nomination race ever held.
Have to love Romney’s response to the 8-year-old who asked him if running for president was hard. Romney’s inevitable answer: “Yes and no.”
Also, it’s time to get on board the “Show Us Mitt’s Tax Returns” express. What’s he hiding?
Also the most anti-climatic.
This might be the first Presidential campaign ever when the Republican candidate does not pivot back to the center after being nominated. I don’t even know if that is possible anymore, given the reality of YouTube.
So either the Republican will be crushed in the election, or their brand of extremism will become the new center.
Job creators and innovators are opposed to the Internet Censorship Act – but Senator Coons remains a co-sponsor. Go figure.
Just heard on WHYY a Virginia lawyer is suing to get Newt on the ballot. Yes, it’s Mosely.
LOL. That ambulance chaser doesn’t have any clients, so he doesn’t have anything else to do.
You’re missing the point, MJ. They live in a reality-show world, in which anyone can hit the jackpot by plugging away at acting out. Remember, he learned at the feet of a master… er, mistress…uh, you know what I mean.
Geezer, the word you’re searching for is dominatrix.
Nothing about the BCBSD/Highmark decision by KWS? Is the entire Crane campaign on vacation or simply in shock over the ruling not turning out as they hoped for?
INSURANCE COMMISIONER KAREN WELDIN STEWART ANNOUNCES BCBSD AND HIGHMARK
AFFILIATION DECISION
Dover, DE – December 30, 2011 – Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart announced today that she has approved the proposed affiliation of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware with Highmark, Inc., of Pennsylvania. Commissioner Stewart imposed 49 Conditions on the transaction, which added many protections not included when the application was first filed with her Department in October, 2010. Many of the conditions were included in the findings and recommendation to Commissioner Stewart by Judge Battle R. Robinson, who acted as Hearing Officer. In November, Judge Robinson announced her findings, recommending that Stewart approve the transaction.
Under the arrangement as approved, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware will remain a separate, Delaware based, non-profit health service corporation, with its corporate office and most of its Delaware functions and character to be maintained. Under the arrangement, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware will share in the financial strength and administrative functions of the much larger Highmark. The Conditions that accompanied the approval meet a variety of concerns that became evident in the fourteen (14) month process of analysis and public hearings that preceded today’s decision.
Commissioner Stewart stated: “With these protections, I find that the affiliation should go forward and I hereby approved the application early this morning. I am confident that this affiliation will prove to be in the best interests of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware and its subscribers.”
At today’s press conference in connection with the announcement of her decision, Commissioner Stewart elaborated on her concerns for the Delaware Company and its subscribers, and for other citizens of Delaware, as the health care insurance markets change in the future: “I have watched with great concern as Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware and other small health insurers have struggled to compete with large national insurers who have billions of dollars of capital and resources. These small companies have limited ability to make the changes required by today’s health care reform.” Stewart agreed with the Delaware Company that it will benefit from the following advantages of the affiliation: expanded research and development of new products, prompt payment of claims, enhanced technology interface, regulatory compliance improvements, and immediate access to professional expertise.
Commissioner Stewart stated, “I am also very concerned for the many people who do not have health insurance, and the difficulties that this tragedy imposes on them, and on the entire health delivery system. As part of my approval, I have imposed certain conditions to help with this concern.”
With the conditions, Commissioner Stewart addressed the following:
BCBSD will remain in Delaware. Its corporate office will stay here and the people that Delaware subscribers interact with will be here. Employment in Delaware will be continued.
The Board of Directors will include independent Delaware residents who have lived in Delaware for at least five years and are not employees of BCBSD, Highmark, or any of its affiliates. This important class of independent directors will have substantial influence over the operations of the company.
The assets and reserves of BCBSD will be fully protected and can be used only for the benefit of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware or its subscribers.
The important community contributions that BCBSD has made in the past will continue; indeed, in many cases they will be expanded.
All operations will remain under the direct regulatory control of the Delaware Insurance Department.
Commissioner Stewart also approved an additional condition last night to make Delaware’s Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) affordable to families slightly above the federal poverty level. BCBSD has agreed to add $3 million dollars to their commitment to subsidize the CHIP program until June 30, 2014, or until the federal program goes into effect, whichever occurs first.
To obtain a copy of Commissioner’s Stewart’s Decision and Final Order and a copy of her press conference statement, visit the Delaware Department of Insurance’s website at http://www.delawareinsurance.gov/.
Will have to read it later and the devil’s in the details, but it sounds like Battle Robinson was looking out for us more than KWS did. Glad there was an adult in the process. I liked Beau’s proposal better, but at least some of these conditions sound like they preserve independence for Delaware, and notice the emphasis in the release on saving Delaware jobs. It’s a net loss for Delaware, but we could have done worse.
“Judge Battle R. Robinson”
Another in an elite group of judges with awesome names.
It would be easy as a candidate for Insurance Commissioner to just issue a quick statement attacking the decision-based purely on a press release and news story. The BCBSD/Highmark Decision and Final Order is much more than just a political issue. This decision effects a majority of Delawareans and its impact will play a large role in creating an anti-competitive Highmark health insurance monopoly in Delaware. As the former regulatory counsel at the DOI, what this decision means for Delaware is of greater significance to me than what it means to an election.
I have printed out the entire 14 page Order. I am reviewing that Order point by point. Rather than rush to print an attack for political gain, I will release what I hope will be a well-reasoned and balanced opinion so that the citizens of Delaware will more fully understand the long-term impact of this merger.
and THAT comment above is EXACTLY the reason Mitch Crane needs as much support as possible to win this race
has anyone seen a statement from Vincent White, Ben Mobley or Van Houghten?
Oh wait, Van Houghten is guarding Gen Omar Bradley.still…
Delaware State News, December 31, 2011
“Lt. Gov. Matt Denn, who co-wrote the original CHIP buy-in legislation that affected the approved affiliation, said in a press release he was pleased with how the issue was resolved.”
‘As far the children’s insurance program, I think the commissioner made the right call in dramatically lowering the premiums that were initially proposed by Blue Cross,’ Lt. Gov. Denn said. ‘The new premiums are much more consistent with what the legislation called for, and will result in a lot of families being able to buy their kids health insurance.’
“Gov. Jack Markell’s office issued this statement regarding the new affiliation: ‘The Governor is pleased that Highmark and BCBSD have agreed to protect existing Delaware jobs and the Administration looks forward to working with Highmark to hopefully expand its presence in Delaware in the years to come. The Insurance Commissioner, along with Lt. Governor (Matt) Denn, Representative (Terry) Schooley, Senator (Patricia) Blevins and others also deserve credit for securing enhanced health insurance coverage for Delaware children as part of this approval.
‘This is a good result for Delaware’s children.'”
At least the myth of Karen being anti-consumer can be put to rest…
How so?
Because KWS mouthpiece Jacobson says so.