Category: Uncategorized

From Stop the HIT Coalition:

Congresswoman Kristi Noem Discusses Impact of Health Insurance Tax with South Dakota Small Business Owners

Sioux Falls, SD (April 6, 2015) – Congresswoman Kristi Noem (R-South Dakota) joined local small business owners today in Sioux Falls to discuss how the health insurance tax, or HIT, is impacting local businesses and employees. The event was co-hosted by Click Rain, an online marketing business based in Sioux Falls, and the Stop the HIT Coalition, a broad based group representing the nation’s small business owners, their employees and the self-employed.

“I think today’s discussion was great because it really brought to light the burden that these employers feel to take care of their people and what increased costs and increased taxes really mean to them and the decisions they have to make to give healthcare benefits to their employees; or being forced to no longer offer them because of the increasing costs,” said Congresswoman Kristi Noem.

The HIT is an often-overlooked tax in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) that significantly drives up health insurance costs for millions of small businesses. The tax amounts to $159 billion in new costs over the next decade, which is almost entirely passed on to small businesses and the self-employed who purchase coverage in the fully insured marketplace. The tax raises the cost of health insurance premiums for families by approximately $500 a year, according to an analysis by former CBO Director Douglas Holtz-Eakin.

“Every time there is a new tax and a new expense that adds on to an already increase in premiums year over year, it turns into something that is a burden that is unsustainable for the business and for our employees,” said Eric Yunag, President and CEO of Dakota Security Systems Inc.

South Dakota is home to more than 82,000 small businesses, which employ more than 197,000 workers. According to research by the National Federation of Independent Business Research Foundation, the HIT will jeopardize between 152,000 to 286,000 private-sector jobs across the U.S. by 2023, and reduce real GDP by as much as $20 billion to $33 billion over the same period.

Congresswoman Noem is a cosponsor of H.R. 928, a bipartisan bill in the U.S. House of Representatives that would repeal the HIT and permanently relieve small businesses of this burdensome tax. “This tax needs to be repealed,” stated Congresswoman Noem.

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From the Argus:

Michael Jandreau, the chairman of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe and one of the state’s longest serving elected officials, died Friday after suffering a heart attack one week ago.

Read it here.

Larry Pressler has dropped all pretense after this last years’ election where he lost badly against Senator Mike Rounds, and is openly on the attack against Republicans:

Pressler fielded several questions from enthusiastic students in the audience over the 75-minute discussion period. Most regarded state government and voter apathy. He urged the young students to work to increase voter turnout among young adults, as well as eliminate the Republican stranglehold on South Dakota politics.
“Our Legislature gets a little too far to the right sometimes,” said Pressler. “The moderate center is where all the problems are solved.”
Pressler said the conservative South Dakota Legislature should consider implementing a state income tax, allow for gay civil unions and reconsider the new raised speed limit.

Read it here.

But it gets better. Why did we not elect the buffoonish Pressler, who when formerly in office availed himself of all its trappings?   Well, gol durn it , the unwashed masses have too much information available:

Unlike many politicians, Pressler blamed new technology for creating a sphere of ignorance around local government. He said the reliance on global news outlets limits public awareness at the local level.
“Nowadays with computers, people think they know a lot more about politics than they do,” Pressler said. “We might know all about the problems in Ferguson, Missouri, but we don’t know about the problems on Native American reservations in South Dakota.”

Did he really say that? “with computers, people think they know a lot more about politics than they do.”

The fact of the matter is that politicians who could formerly thrive when no one in their home state knew what they were doing were quickly made extinct as the 24 hour news cycle and the Internet emerged.  They can’t get away with doing and saying things in a vacuum.

So, Larry lost. And it was all the fault of Republicans and computers. Basically, Larry blames honesty and information.  

Somehow, society will just have to suffer under their yoke.

If you notice the splash of color, we’re turning blue for World Autism Day – April 2, 2015.

And this is specially poignant as this year South Dakota  became the 40th State to pass some form of Autism Insurance reform, as you’ll see from the ceremonial bill signing photo that took place on the last day of session (when everyone else was busy resigning…)

I’m reminded of the letter I sent to State Representatives last year as we were working hard to get a measure moved forward.  Looking back, it remains an important reminder of how far we’ve come in South Dakota:

I’m writing you this morning not on a partisan matter, but on a personal one. I’m writing you today to encourage your strong support for the passage of House Bill 1257, an act to clarify certain autism spectrum disorders insurance coverage.

…

In committee, my wife Michelle spoke about our daughter, Delaney, and some of the challenges we’ve faced in our journey raising our daughter, and our plight in finding an effective treatment that allowed her to finally move forward, only to have our insurance carrier yank the rug out from under us and to inform us that they were ceasing coverage solely because South Dakota is one of only a handful of remaining states which do not require it.

I realize I cannot tell you my family’s whole story on a short email, but please know in the past seven months, these therapies have made all the difference for my daughter who suffers from violent outbursts and dangerous behaviors that will impact her entire life if she is not able to continue with her therapies until she has acquired the skills to cope with her world.

….

There aren’t any heroes or villains in this matter, just problems that require leadership to help families find hope and at least a temporary respite. Autism Spectrum Disorders are ailments that affect entire families, because every member of the family plays their part in caring for their child, sibling, niece, nephew, brother, sister or grandchild.

In the meantime, on behalf of my family, I thank you for your time today, and would welcome and greatly appreciate your support of House Bill 1257 this next week and beyond. Thank you for caring about the children in this state with autism and the families who love them.

Regards,

Pat Powers

What has happened since I sent this in 2014? Insurers came to the table in 2015 with a measure in hand, and eventually, it was amended to a point where both sides could call it progress.

People working together towards a common goal. Who would have thought?

The important point is that, it’s not a partisan thing. Autism does not choose among Republicans or Democrats.  And as noted, Autism Spectrum Disorders are ailments that affect entire families, because every member of the family plays their part in caring for their child, sibling, niece, nephew, brother, sister or grandchild.

When you see that out of control child having an intense meltdown in WalMart, or wrestling with their mom as she tries to get through the check-out. Or the kid who is loud and acting out in a restaurant – think before you speak. There’s a good chance those kids may suffer from Autism Spectrum Disorder.

So, please, have a little patience. We’re all trying to do the best that we can for our families.

I found out this week that in addition to going to the Eagles concert (the one with the ridiculously priced tickets) in early June, that it looks like I might get to go to Washington DC.

I had hoped to go a month or two back for CPAC, but a death in the family and other obligations altered those plans. This opportunity kind of popped up out of the blue, so it’s looking like I get to go about June 15th.

Last time I went, I managed to hit Ford’s Theater, The Newseum, the Smithsonian World History and American History Museums, the Washington & Lincoln Memorials, and the Capitol.

What else is worth putting on my bucket list?