White House allows big firms to dodge health reforms (Obama makes exceptions in following the law)

MSNBC ^ | 10/6/2010 | REED ABELSON/NY Times

[tobyhill]

As Obama administration officials put into place the first major wave of changes under the health care legislation, they have tried to defuse stiffening resistance — from companies like McDonald’s and some insurers — by granting dozens of waivers to maintain even minimal coverage far below the new law’s standards.

The waivers have been issued in the last several weeks as part of a broader strategic effort to stave off threats by some health insurers to abandon markets, drop out of the business altogether or refuse to sell certain policies.

Among those that administration officials hoped to mollify with waivers were some big insurers, some smaller employers and McDonald’s, which went so far as to warn that the regulations could force it to strip workers of existing coverage.

[LibLieSlayer]

Repeal/flush.

LLS

[TSgt]

[tobyhill]

There’s more trains heading toward that wreckage.

[BunnySlippers]

BUMP

[albie]

Obamas base is McDonalds employees.

[Erik Latranyi]

So, the bill allows the President to pick and choose who must comply with the new regulations and who is allowed to be exempt.

I wonder if we will see big campaign contributions from McDonalds in the near future?

[American Constitutionalist]

Since they have allowed these wavers, they will have to take out the of the HealthCare legislation the fines that the government will impose on people for failing to get the Healthcare plan.... can't grant wavers to some, and then, fine others.

[AlexW]

“There’s more trains heading toward that wreckage.”

Yep, many trains.
McDonald gets a pass, while Joe’s diner has to suck it up.

[Doogle]

...blackmail as simply as possible. Contribute to the socialist agenda or die.

[tobyhill]

“Joe’s diner” will have a case if Joe decided to sue.

[bvw]

Rule of a dictator, this is NOT Rule of Law.

[j_k_l]

"McDonald gets a pass, while Joe’s diner has to suck it up."

I thought the Republicans were the party of "BIG EVIL BUSINESS".

I wonder if Michelle will get to redo their menu? There hast to be a trade off. Will McDonald's go McVegan?

[browniexyz]

Yep, the rule of dictators involves crossing lots of gubmint palms with silver in order to obtain what you would be entitled to under the law anyway. And shame on all the lawyers and lobbyists who participated in these “waivers” — it’s just been a boon to the DC economy, surely!

[Right Wing Assault]

The waivers issued so far include the policies offered by McDonald’s to its fast-food workers, typically capped at just a few thousand dollars, sold by a profit-making company owned by Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans.

Imagine! An insurance company trying to make a profit! What nerve. Good catch, NYT!

[major-pelham]

The rule of law ruined by the rule of man. Pray this ends soon....

[hondact200]

UnConstitional = Equal Protection Clause - Another series of legal suits will follow in the courts. The new name is ObummerCare - Change in Healthcare Delivery Means Rationing

[wetgundog]

This behavior is NOT DEFENSIBLE in a court of LAW.

Where the f is equal protection?

Obamacare will be ruled null, void, and UNCONSTITUTIONAL

The quicker the better

[Diogenesis]

The payoffs to the DNC were adequate.

[thulldud]

...can't grant wavers to some, and then, fine others.

You can in the USSA.