The hefty increases Pennsylvania has approved for next year's individual health plans provide new fodder for Obamacare critics who say the federal law's insurance marketplace is bound to fail.
The state's Insurance Department last week approved increases averaging 32.5 percent for the 2017 plans, making Pennsylvania one of 14 states so far to increase individual rates by an average of more than 30 percent.
The increases have renewed debate about whether the market is heading toward what experts call a “death spiral,” a scenario in which high premiums cause all but the sickest people to leave the market, necessitating even larger increases to cover insurers' costs until insurance becomes unaffordable.
“I think we're in it [an ObamaCare death spiral]. I just think it's slow,” said Jeffrey Anderson, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, a conservative Washington, D.C.-based think tank.
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Sports Day -- Sunday
NFL: Wow, talk about a tough choice -- North Dakota's Carson Wentz (Philadelphia Eagles) or the Minnesota Vikings (only undefeated NFL team)? Boy, by a hair, I guess I'm "going for the" Vikings, but I would be just as thrilled if Wentz wins. Nah, at the end of the day, I would like to see Vikings keep their streak going. (Later, it looks like the Eagles will win -- 5 minutes left in the 4th; 21 - 3; good for Carson Wentz; makes my day.)
Later: if I were the coach, general manager, or owner of either the Seattle Seahawks or the Arizona Cardinals, I would fire the field goal kicker -- before midnight. Missing chip shots in a tie game in overtime -- no excuse.
NASCAR: And then there's the big Talladega race later this afternoon. And why is this huge race on NBCSN? No wonder NASCAR is losing viewers. Fortunately we get NBCSN, so it's not a big deal for me, but still? Talladega will determine which of the twelve will move to the round of eight -- four will be cut.
Right now, Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Havick have each clinched a spot in the round of 8. The others in the chase (the round of 12): #20 - Matt Kenseth; #18 - Kyle Busch, #41 - Kurt Busch, #19 - Carl Edwards, #2 - Brad Keselowski, #78 - Martin Truex, Jr., #3 - Austin Dillon, #22 - Joey Logano, #11 - Denny Hamlin, and #24 - Chase Elliott.
Possible scenarios here. The following will clinch a spot even if they lead no laps, as long as they finish "high" (finish required to clinch a spot without leading any laps):
- #20 - Kenseth (28)
- #18 - Kyle Busch (26)
- #19 - Edwards (23)
- #41 -Kurt Busch (16)
- #78 - Truex (12)
So, that leaves only one other driver to make the round of 8.
On points, it goes to #3-Dillon, but it's hard to believe #2 - Keselowski won't find a way to get into the round of 8.
NASCAR Updates
Joey Logano wins. and now with Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick. Rounding out the top 8: Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin, Kurt and Kyle Busch.
Keselowski also blew an engine, eliminating him. But he led a race-high 90 laps. Pretty amazing.
Lap ~ 42 : #78 - Martin Truex, Jr., off the course, with blown engine? Wow, that changes everything. Later: Truex is out of the race; ends his "chase."
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Another Global Warming Regressive Tax
The new refrigerant will cost $80 vs the $4 we currently pay.
A reader tells me that "his heating man" and his employee were talking about this, this summer when they put in a new furnace. They had to replace the coil in furnace for the cooling part of the a/c. They said a new type of refrigerant was going to be coming out in a year or two and they estimated the cost increase to replace/ or install an air conditioner was going to add $200- $ 300 per job.
Years ago, my father had a few multi-unit rentals, including some small apartment complexes. He often talked about the expense of putting in new furnaces.
Of course, this will also affect the automobile industry.
Ah, yes, the Obama legacy.
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