In Some States, A Push To Ban Mandate On Insurance

Posted By Pete Hill

ST. PAUL — In more than a dozen statehouses across the country, a small but growing group of lawmakers is pressing for state constitutional amendments that would outlaw a crucial element of the health care plans under discussion in Washington: the requirement that everyone buy insurance or pay a penalty.

Approval of the measures, the lawmakers suggest, would set off a legal battle over the rights of states versus the reach of federal power — an issue that is, for some, central to the current health care debate but also one that has tentacles stretching into a broad range of other matters, including education and drug policy.
Opponents of the measures and some constitutional scholars say the proposals are mostly symbolic, intended to send a message of political protest, and have little chance of succeeding in court over the long run. But they acknowledge the measures could create legal collisions that would be both costly and cause delays to health care changes, and could be a rallying point for opponents in the increasingly tense debate.

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Study links 45,000 U.S. deaths to lack of insurance

By Susan Heavey, Reuters

Postedby Ka Lee Angel Lee

WASHINGTON - Nearly 45,000 people die in the United States each year — one every 12 minutes — in large part because they lack health insurance and can not get good care, Harvard Medical School researchers found in an analysis released Thursday.

"We're losing more Americans every day because of inaction . . . than drunk driving and homicide combined," Dr. David Himmelstein, a co-author of the study and an associate professor of medicine at Harvard, said in an interview with Reuters.

Overall, researchers said American adults age 64 and younger who lack health insurance have a 40 per cent higher risk of death than those who have coverage.

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Why Do Some Travellers Skip Buying Insurance?

Posted by: Lindsey Connell

We all know we need travel insurance, so why do an estimated 30% of travellers still travel overseas with either no cover or too little.Online travel insurance company, iTrek.com.au, say they suspect it’s largely out of the belief that bad things happen to other people, and the mistaken belief that travel insurance is too expensive. Rather, iTrek say, this is a growing market and most companies have put together highly competitive packages sometimes targeting areas of travel such as Europe and the UK or Asia and sometimes targeting specific financial markets such as backpackers, meaning you can purchase from budget travel insurance upward. But, iTrek advise to definitely purchase direct from the insurer to avoid paying middleman commissions and to buy insurance online to pick up the best low cost travel insurance deals.

Click here to read more

Why you should invest in travel insurance

Posted by: Lindsey Connell

Travel insurance is extremely important to have and there are five types: medical evacuation insurance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage insurance, car rental travel insurance, and flight accident insurance. There are many reasons why you should get travel insurance and the first reason is because domestic insurance plans usually don’t cover you if you go abroad. If you went abroad and didn’t have insurance, you wouldn’t have that sense of security and could ultimately end up in a very dangerous and costly situation. Also, domestic health plans usually have limited or no ability to deal with international claims, so your security with your current insurance will be completely gone once you go abroad. Another reason is because medical treatment abroad can be very expensive. In fact, you may be abroad and have medical care that you think you can afford before you realize the price differences between countries, and by that time, you are financially in over your head. Besides this, travel insurance covers you if your bags are lost for up to $1,000 and although lost bags are rare, they do happen and can completely ruin a trip whether it is for work or vacation.

http://www.healthplans.com/articledetails.php?menuid=10&articleid=8063

http://www.globaltravelinsurance.cosm/Why_Get_Travel_Insurance.ppt

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=274

Delta Dunarii: rezervatie naturala unica in Europa

Delta Dunarii, cea mai mare rezervatie de tinuturi umede din Europa, reprezinta pe langa intinderile vaste de ape, padurile seculare si vegetatia bogata, in general, si un tinut exotic cu o bogata fauna ornitologica [mai mult de 300 de specii, printre care colonii unice de pelicani] si ihtiologica [reprezentata de aproximativ 100 de specii]. Datorita frumusetii peisajelor sale, Delta a devenit si o importanta zona de interes turistic. Declarata de UNESCO, in anul 1990, rezervatie naturala de interes, te intampina mereu cu imagini de vis. Frumusetea pasarilor in zbor sau a pestilor sarind printre nuferi, iti va bucura, cu siguranta, privirea, la fiecare vizita.

Si daca vrei sa imbini luxul contemporan cu salbaticia naturii nepatrunse de om, poti alege Complexul Delta Nature Resort amplasat la 20 de kilometri de Tulcea, pe marginea lacului Somova. Compus din 30 de vile care fac din aceasta destinatie locul ideal pentru o vacanta de vis, complexul ofera servicii variate: de la relaxarea intr-un centru SPA, la preparate culinare dintre cele mai alese.

Si-n concluzie, de ce nu trebuie ratata Delta Dunarii? Pentru ca orice om fascinat de natura, ramane impresionat profund dupa ce-i trece pragul…

How Safeway Is Cutting Health-Care Costs

By STEVEN A. BURD

Posted By Ahmed Al-Salem

Effective health-care reform must meet two objectives: 1) It must secure coverage for all Americans, and 2) it must dramatically lower the cost of health care. Health-care spending has outpaced the rise in all other consumer spending by nearly a factor of three since 1980, increasing to 18% of GDP in 2009 from 9% of GDP. This disturbing trend will not change regardless of who pays these costs -- government or the private sector -- unless we can find a way to improve the health of our citizens. Failure to do so will make American companies less competitive in the global marketplace, increase taxes, and undermine our economy.

At Safeway we believe that well-designed health-care reform, utilizing market-based solutions, can ultimately reduce our nation's health-care bill by 40%. The key to achieving these savings is health-care plans that reward healthy behavior. As a self-insured employer, Safeway designed just such a plan in 2005 and has made continuous improvements each year. The results have been remarkable. During this four-year period, we have kept our per capita health-care costs flat (that includes both the employee and the employer portion), while most American companies' costs have increased 38% over the same four years.

Continue...

The Baucus Plan

By Shawn Chandok
On Monday September 20th President Obama gave a speech on how healthcare bills will place a new burden on the middle class American family. One of the controversial issues republicans are criticizing the president for is the fact or not whether providing auto insurance throughout the United States is worth the additional tax increase. Although the president has yet to declare or pass any law increasing taxes, the government’s strategy is to “provide subsidies — in the form of tax credits — to help people buy coverage through new insurance exchanges.” These subsidies are still being questioned about what is considered affordable to the middle classed American due to their large expense. “The subsidies are the biggest single cost in the health care proposals. In the Baucus bill, it is $463 billion over 10 years; the cost is $773 billion in the House bill.” The plan intends to families on the poverty line no more than 3% of their gross income on health insurance, however “this percentage would rise linearly to 13 percent up to 300 of the federal poverty level, and stay at that level up to 400 percent of the poverty level.” Lastly, one of the other issues combating this plan is whether or not illegal immigrants and their children would be covered in health insurance? The President stated that illegal immigrants should not be covered; however the children of the immigrants who were born within the United States should and will be. He also mentioned once the plan is implemented and successful, families who refuse to buy insurance or simply don’t have it will be charged a fine up to $3,800.

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Skyrocketing Auto Insurance

Post by David Held

Many parents are frustrated in regards to why automobile insurance for their children is so expensive. It is a fact that young drivers are inexperienced and more likely, than an adult, to get into a fender bender or even something worse. However, not all insurance companies have the same rates for the same insurance coverage; one must get competing quotes before buying. Questions that parents are asked include; what is the driver’s gender, age, address, purpose of driving, and type of vehicle. The answers impact the quoted rate you receive. For example, statistically males have a greater tendency to speed and a higher accident rate than females, thus warranting the insurer to give you a higher quote. In order to find the cheapest rate you must be online comparing each and every company’s rates and coverage limits.

One way to reduce rates for young drivers is to have them take their states driver’s education course. Showing a driver’s education completion certificate to your insurer helps reduce your rate! Also, defensive driving can deduct up to 10% off your annual auto insurance bill. Even if you do not have points on your license, from “run ins” with the police, defensive driving shows insurance companies you are taking a step in the right direction in trying to become a safe driver.

All in all, there are definitely ways to keep your auto insurance bills to a minimum. You just have to be willing to take the time and to do the research!

Sources #1, #2, #3

How Do You Describe Your Mother?

How do you describe your mother? What lasting influences did she bring to your life? Could you please share them with us?

Tags: Mother, Bearer of Life, Source of Strength, Jewels of Inspiration, Intimate Love, Caring, Joy, Warm Embrace, Soothing Words of Wisdom, Ever Faithful, Selfless, Sacrifice, Encompassing, Wonderful Memories, Mentor, First Teacher, Molder of Character, Imitated, Honored, Source of Pride, Unconditional Love, Mirror of Life, Missed So Much, Great Influence

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla

Philippines

Viewpoint/Opinion

Harvard Medical Study Links Lack of Insurance to 45,000 U.S. Deaths a Year

Post by Shawn Chandok

Article by Reed Abelson

As the White House and Congress continue debating how best to provide coverage to tens of millions of Americans currently without health insurance, a new study (PDF) is meant to offer a stark reminder of why lawmakers should continue to try. Researchers from Harvard Medical School say the lack of coverage can be tied to about 45,000 deaths a year in the United States — a toll that is greater than the number of people who die each year from kidney disease.

“If you extend coverage, you can save lives,” said Dr. Steffie Woolhandler, a professor of medicine at Harvard who is one of the study’s authors. The research is being published in the December issue of the American Journal of Public Health and was posted online Thursday.

The Harvard study found that people without health insurance had a 40 percent higher risk of death than those with private health insurance — as a result of being unable to obtain necessary medical care. The risk appears to have increased since 1993, when a similar study found the risk of death was 25 percent greater for the uninsured.
The increase in risk, according to the study, is likely to be a result of at least two factors. One is the greater difficulty the uninsured have today in finding care, as public hospitals have closed or cut back on services. The other is improvements in medical care for insured people with treatable chronic conditions like high blood pressure.

Fore more information click here!

AIG Recovered?

Post by David Held

Congressional Report Says A.I.G. Has Stabilized

MARY WILLIAMS WALSH
Published: September 21, 2009

The research arm of Congress reported on Monday that the American International Group’s financial condition had stabilized but said it was not clear whether the giant insurance group would ever be able to restructure and repay its federal rescue package.

The Government Accountability Office’s new report on the bailout of A.I.G. coincided with word that a senior House Democrat was planning to push for an easing of A.I.G.’s terms on its government debt.

Representative Edolphus Towns of New York, the chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, was said to be considering debt relief after meeting last week with Maurice R. Greenberg, A.I.G.’s former chief executive, who was forced out during an accounting scandal in 2005.

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10 secrete ale unui magazin online de succes

PowerCamp ii prezinta pe Liviu Taloi [unul dintre cei mai cunoscuti specialisti in e-commerce din Romania] si pe Adrian Zamfira [Managerul platformei Kubu Commerce] dezvaluind cele 10 secrete ale succesului in e-commerce.

Pentru un antreprenor, a investi intr-un magazin online pare a fi mai usor si mai putin costisitor decat un business traditional. Totusi, unde sunt riscurile, ce merge si ce nu, ce buget presupune, cat de mare trebuie sa fie echipa si, mai ales, care este nisa cea mai profitabila? Cei doi specialisti arata pentru ce trebuie sa fie pregatit un antreprenor in online, unde pot aparea greutati, ce trebuie facut si ce trebuie evitat sau care sunt nisele recomandate pentru a investi. Video-ul este disponibil gratuit aici.

Miscarea de rezistenta

Subscriu initiativei celor de la Jurnalul National probabil tot din dorinta de revedea in Romania educatie, bun simt, moralitate sau corectitudine...

Subscriu initiativei satul de superficialitate, ingamfare, rautate, prost gust, tupeu, incompetenta, mediocritate...

Subscriu initiativei satul sa tot resping comentariile cititorilor care scriu doar cu lol, 10x, np, omg, k, sal, pls, brb, dspr [mai trist este ca acest limbaj de messenger incepe sa-si faca simtita prezenta si in limba vorbita]...

Subscriu initiativei pentru ca Romania nu este tara manelistilor, nici a celor care ne fac de ras in Italia, Franta sau Spania, dar nici a baietilor de bani gata care pierd vremea in compania curvelor de Dorobanti...

What Place On Earth Had Molded The Characters You Now Possess?

Was there any place on earth that has been so memorable to you that had molded most of the characters you now possess? How would you describe that place and its significance in your life? Please explain your answer.

Tags: Home, Philippines, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Italy, France, UK, Belgium, Russia, Switzerland, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Spain, Portugal, South Africa, Kenya, Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Guatemala, Mexico, Thailand, China, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Mongolia, Tibet, Pakistan

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla

Philippines

Viewpoint/Opinion

Insurance During a Recession

By Shawn Chandok
Although Mr. Bernanke declared the financial crisis over, many people are still foreseeing an uncertain future. In order to create profits, individuals and companies both follow one of two strategies: increase profits or reduce costs. As expected, most people choose to reduce costs during a depression. One of the most common costs people try to reduce is their insurance expense. This is actually very bad response because any cut in insurance increases your risk for the possibility and the overall purpose behind insurance is to lower risk. Here are some tips on which insurance policies to keep during a recession broken down by your wealth position:
For the wealthiest, an umbrella policy is the answer. This policy protects you against lawsuits and is very crucial during a financial crunch. For example, “In a tough economy, it’s more likely that someone will sue because everyone’s looking for a buck. In a good economy, people may look the other way. In a bad one, that person may suddenly say: Here’s the lottery — Ms. Mercedes-Benz just plowed into me and my neck hurts.”
For the middle/lower class, life insurance is predominately the main concern. This is so because “Wealthier Americans tend to protect what they have, but those with more modest means can’t afford to lose what they have.” However, as I had mentioned earlier we are seeing even this strategy being exploited by Wall Street investors.

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Malpractice Insurance

A Medical Nightmare
Post by David Held

Medical Malpractice Insurance is a form of insurance that most doctors carry. Doctors, in general, make mistakes daily; from misdiagnosing a condition to a fatal delivery. In case of an accident all doctors try to protect themselves against a lawsuit by carrying malpractice insurance. A problem that has risen, given to the increasing rates of medical malpractice insurance, is there are less specialized doctors in a given region. Meaning, since insurance is so high, doctors cannot afford to practice, thus there are less doctors in many areas of our country. An article says, “Whopping medical malpractice premiums are forcing many doctors to stop practicing high-risk specialties, such as brain surgery, orthopedic surgery, and delivering babies.” This could potentially be devastating to patients, but at the same time it’s not the doctor’s fault. The insurance companies are encroaching upon the doctor’s ability to perform. We all know that there are always risks involved with any procedure. In America we sue for everything even when faced with the risks in advance. The problem becomes one where the patients are not being cared for by the best professionals available, those without malpractice insurance, or at all, thus no lawsuit can develop if anything happens to the patient.

President Obama also recognizes that lawsuits against doctors have become a major issue. Recently, Obama listened to the Republicans and created pilot programs which are suppose to reduce the number of lawsuits against doctors. If successful, these programs will also help reduce the cost of health insurance for many Americans as most of our insurance money goes to covering the doctors’ malpractice insurance. The details for these programs have not been released, nor has the budget for the projects. Hopefully in the near future healthcare can be free and doctors will not have to constantly worry about getting sued.

Sources #1, #2, #3

The Next Big Bailout Decision: Insurers

The Next Big Bailout Decision: Insurers

By Ahmed Al-Salem

It seems everyone is asking for money from the government these days. Some industries get their wish, others. Many life insurers are awaiting applications for aid from the government's $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program, and the industry is expecting an answer to its request for a bank-style bailout in the coming weeks. The government so far hasn't said whether insurers will be eligible for the program. “Life insurers have taken a beating in recent weeks. The Dow Jones Wilshire U.S. Life Insurance Index has fallen 59% since the beginning of the year, leaving it down 82% since its May 2007 all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average has lost 21% year to date, off 51% since its October 2007 record.” The hardest hit companies are century old names like Hartford, MetLife and Allianz. It will be intresting to see what the government will decide to do with the request and whether or not the insurance companies can rebound.
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La naiba!

Tacerea domina intreaga incapere. Incerc sa fiu primul care sparge gheata si, dupa ce arunc cuburile in pahar, torn si doua degete de whiskey. Made in Canada…
Port o conversatie de scurt metraj cu un domn bine trecut de varsta a doua, care imi recita obsesiv pasaje din cartea de istorie presarate cu bancuri rasuflat de obscene. Fac economie de cuvinte convins ca actuala criza mondiala se va resimti, cu siguranta, si in literatura. Tre’ sa pun ceva deoparte…
In coltul opus al camerei, pe canapeaua inflorata de velur, cateva doamne discuta aprins vestimentatia deloc inspirata a unei prezentatoare tv. Imi atrage atentia o tanara erotica cu zambet senzual si privire iscoditoare. Zambesc si eu…
Realizez stupefiat ca m-am lasat dus de val spre jumatatea sticlei de licoare canadiana si ca, domnisoara simpatica nu-i altcineva decat scumpa mea consoarta. Fidel ca intotdeauna…

Servim masa. Din farfurii cochete dispar alimente preparate cu grija pe fondul strunelor de acordeon al unui slagar de demult purtat pe valuri cu barca. Am rau de mare…
Vomit inevitabil trei chiftelute garnisite cu salata verde, castraveciori si cateva masline culese asta vara de niste co-nationali fugiti la munca in Spania. Si asta doar ca sa nu incurajez migratia fortei de munca. Sustin economia patriei…
Intors de la locul de vomitat, remarc ca a inceput si meciul: joaca ai nostri cu ai lor. Se comenteaza aprins [tot pe canapeaua inflorata din velur mentionata anterior] gestul extrem al unei microbiste care si-a dezvelit pieptul in semn de multumire pentru lovitura de pedeapsa obtinuta de echipa favorita. S-a decis ca o va executa arbitrul, fapt care a deranjat-o teribil pe tanti Mimi. In semn de protest si-a dezvelit si ea pieptul…

Scumpa mea consoarta a decis sa plecam acasa, inainte ca lucrurile sa degenereze. Pe drum, mi-am amintit ca am uitat sa ma imbat. La naiba…

For Speech-Impaired, Insurance Fights Remedy

Post by Shawn Chandok

Article by ASHLEE VANCE

SAN FRANCISCO — Kara Lynn has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or A.L.S., which has attacked the muscles around her mouth and throat, removing her ability to speak. A couple of years ago, she spent more than $8,000 to buy a computer, approved by Medicare, that turns typed words into speech that her family, friends and doctors can hear.

Under government insurance requirements, the maker of the PC, which ran ordinary Microsoft Windows software, had to block any nonspeech functions, like sending e-mail or browsing the Web.

Dismayed by the PC’s limitations and clunky design, Ms. Lynn turned to a $300 iPhone 3G from Apple running $150 text-to-speech software. Ms. Lynn, who is 48 and lives in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., said it worked better and let her “wear her voice” around her neck while snuggling with her 5-year-old son, Aiden, who has Down syndrome.

Click here to read more!

How Much Should Older Americans Pay for Insurance?

Posted by Ahmed Al-Salem

How Much Should Older Americans Pay for Insurance?
By MICHELLE ANDREWS

Should older people pay more for health insurance than younger people, and if so, how much more?

The issue has long been on the radar of health policy analysts and consumer advocates weighing the fairness and affordability of health care costs. But it’s likely to receive more scrutiny now. The health reform “framework” put forward by the Senate Finance Committee’s chairman, Max Baucus, Democrat of Montana, proposed a new standard that would permit older people to be charged significantly higher premiums than would be the case under any of the other health care reform bills.

Under Senator Baucus’s plan, insurers would be permitted to charge older people five times more for their health insurance premiums than younger people. That proposal, first circulated in a Finance Committee policy options paper last spring, is a significant departure from the approaches put forth by three House committees and the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. Those bills would only allow insurers to charge older people twice as much as younger ones.

Click here to read more...

Do You Still Remember The Teacher Who Made Such A Tremendous Influence In Your Life?

Do you still remember the teacher who made such a tremendous influence in your life, one who opened your eyes to the realities and beauty of life? What positive contribution did she/he make in your life? Please explain your answer.

Tags: Teacher, Mentor, Influence, Realities, Positive Contribution, School, Molder of Character, Role Model

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla

Philippines

Viewpoint/Opinion

Auto Insurance

Post by David Held

Car Insurance Rates Are Dropping

According to a new survey by Insurance.com, 44% of shoppers believed they were overpaying for car insurance. In addition, 22% said that they were shopping because their rates had recently increased with the renewal bill from their current auto insurance company.

Are you getting a good deal? March RateWatch data shows that drivers who pay too much for car insurance now have a great chance to save. "Consumers who shopped for car insurance recently saw rates that were $100 lower on average than rates quoted last fall," said Sam Belden, Vice President at Insurance.com. "Most policies renew every six months, so this decline in average quotes comes as good news for consumers whose policies were affected by rising prices in late 2008."

Click HERE to read on!

Cum sa fii cu 20% mai eficient in 30 de zile: un program exclusiv PowerCamp

Revista Biz si specialistul in resurse umane Sorin Faur, HR Services Director la BDI Conti Audit au creat un program exclusiv de crestere a eficientei personale si de grup. Acesta este organizat intr-un plan de taskuri concrete care, aplicat timp de patru saptamani, conduce la cresterea eficientei personale si de grup cu 20%.

Programul Cum sa fii cu 20% mai eficient in 30 de zile poate fi descarcat gratuit si include:
• Saptamana 1: Dezvoltarea personala / Cum iti setezi prioritatile in self management
• Saptamana 2: Relatia cu echipa si subalternii / Principii cheie ale unui manager SMART / Secretele delegarii / Principiile sedintelor eficiente
• Saptamana 3: Saptamana calitatii / Principii de imbunatatire continua a calitatii
• Saptamana 4: “Clientul nostru, stapanul nostru” / Principii de baza in eficientizarea relatiei cu clientii
• Extra: Teste si instrumente practice de autoevaluare

Programul este disponibil aici.

Plaiul Foii

Cu dorinta permanenta de vacante si calatorii, am fost zilele trecute la poalele masivului Piatra Craiului in zona numita Plaiul Foii. Situata de la iesirea din orasul Zarnesti pe o distanta de 12 km, zona este de o fumusete rara, uluitoare. Turistii amatori de alpinism pot profita de numeroasele posibilitati pentru practicarea acestui sport, iar cei care vor doar sa se bucure in liniste de natura au posibilitatea sa admire peisaje mirifice. De asemenea, in apropiere se regasesc si unele din cele mai importante si cunoscute monumente ale naturii din Romania: Cerdacul Stanciului, Grota Stanciului, Pestera Dambovicioara, Prapastiile Zarnestilor sau Marele Grohotis.

Big Food vs. Big Insurance

Big Food vs. Big Insurance
By Ahmed Al-Salem

Health insurance is a highly contested topic that conjures up different kinds of emotions for different people. Many are adamant that their view on the topic is the correct one and that everyone should adhere to their opinion. Everyone has good points to back up their beliefs and they are usually constructed by how one would be affected by the health care insurance reform. The highly televised town meetings brought citizens who were usually older and were concentrated in predominantly Red states. There are other reasons in the debate which both politicians and townsfolk have overlooked. The United States spends twice as much per person as most European countries on health care and this is linked to the high rate of preventable chronic diseases. That’s why our success in bringing health care costs under control ultimately depends, “on whether Washington can summon the political will to take on and reform a second, even more powerful industry: the food industry.” America is spending 147 billion dollars to treat obesity, $116 billion to treat diabetes, and hundreds of billions more to treat cardiovascular disease and the many types of cancer that have been linked to the so-called Western diet. A reform of the food industry can go a long way in easing the financial burden of medical reform.

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Extended Insurance for Jewelery

By Shawn Chandok

Extra Insurance Can Protect Those Diamonds and Pearls
By JOSEPH B. TREASTER

ASK almost anyone about insurance on jewelry and you hear, “Oh, it’s covered by my home insurance policy.”

Not exactly.

True, nearly every home insurance policy in America comes with a provision that pays for stolen jewelry. But that provision is very small. Many policies pay up to $2,500 for a stolen item, regardless of how expensive it may be. Some pay as little as $1,000, and a few provide coverage of up to $5,000.

People often forget about inflation when they think about the value of jewelry. The price they paid sticks in their mind. But almost every year, the cost of that same piece of jewelry rises, so the value of even a few items could be higher than the minimal coverage. The sharp rise in gold and silver prices lately has increased the likelihood that replacing jewelry would cost more than expected.

Click Here to Read More!

The Truth About Health Insurance

Posted By Ahmed Al-Salem

The Truth About Health Insurance
By the Wall Street Journal

The White House is priming the defibrillator paddles to revive ObamaCare, and its new strategy is to talk about "health-insurance reform," rather than "health-care reform." The point is to make its proposals seem less radical than they are, while portraying private insurers as villains for supposedly denying coverage to the sick.

Sounds like a good time to explain a few facts about the modern insurance market. Start with the reality that nine out of 10 people under 65 are covered by their employers, most of which cover all employees and charge everyone the same rate. President Obama's horror stories are about the individual insurance market, where some 15 million people buy coverage outside of the workplace.

Mr. Obama does have a point about insurance security. If you develop an expensive condition such as cancer or heart disease, and then get fired or divorced or your employer goes out of business—then individual insurance is going to be very expensive if it's available. But what the President and Democrats won't tell you is that these problems are the result mainly of government intervention.

Read On

Sporul de zambet

Tot rasfoind presa [ca doar m-am intors de curand din concediu si incerc din rasputeri sa ma reconectez la cotidianul inconjurator], am aflat cu stupoare de existenta sporului de zambet acordat functionarilor publici in functie de timpul efectiv petrecut la serviciu in relatie directa cu publicul si reusind, in unele cazuri, sa depaseasca 100% din salariul de baza. Insa institutiile verificate nu se rezumau la acesta: spor pentru persoanele care lucreaza in conditii periculoase in cimitire, spor pentru reparatii de carosabil, spor pentru personalul care lucreaza la gradina zoologica sau spor pentru cei care lucreaza cu aparatul de multiplicat sunt doar cateva din modalitatile de rotunjire a veniturilor practicate. Modalitati care, conform conducerii ANFP, sunt ilegale. Ilegalitatea nefiind inca stabilita, functionarii publici nu vor fi, deocamdata, nevoiti sa returneze respectivele sume. Minunat!

Ce bine ca am revenit…

De ce sa spun?

Zilele acestea m-am simtit chiar bombardat de spoturile publicitare [atat pe tv, cat si la radio] care ma invitau pe adresa www.spunesitu.ro doar ca sa spun si eu toate lucrurile care ma deranjeaza in jurul meu, in orasul meu, in tara mea… Asta doar daca m-am saturat de: coruptie, nesimtire, delasare, mizerie, saracie, mitocanie etc. M-am intrebat repede: si de ce, ma rog, ar trebui sa spun? Raspunsul, insa, nu a intarziat sa vina [prin intermediul aceluiasi spot]: pentru ca aici te asculta cineva!

Am dat fuga la tasatatura si am accesat curios site-ul cu pricina, unde am gasit o baza de date plina de nemultumiri care, probabil, va strange cat de curand sute de sesizari. Singura mea problema este ca nu reusesc sa vad finalitatea acestui proiect. Se vor implica si cei care ar trebui sa rezolve aceste probleme? Va fi cineva tras la raspundere? Si daca raspunsul este cumva NU, atunci de ce ar trebui sa spun?

Is There Anybody In Your Life That Has Already Passed On That You Terribly Miss So Much?

Is there somebody so special in your life that had already passed on that you terribly miss so much? What was the significance of that special someone to you when he/she was still alive? Please explain your answer.

Tags: Special Someone, Passed On, Wonderful Life, So Happy Together, Memories, Reminiscing, Loneliness, Missing You, Moments Together, Childhood Memories, Shared Moments, Alter Ego, Inspiration, Loyal, Faithful, Selfless, Reunion

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla

Philippines

Viewpoint/Opinion

Life Insurance: You feeling lucky?

By Shawn Chandok

During the current economic downturn, Wall Street investment banks appear to be doing almost anything in order to profit. One of the developing ideas bankers have come up with is essentially gambling with life insurance. They begin their plan by first buying out life settlements from people who may appear to be dying soon, such as the elderly or terminally ill. “Then they plan to securitize these policies, by packaging hundreds or thousands together into bonds. They will then resell those bonds to investors, like big pension funds, who will receive the payouts when people with the insurance die. The earlier the policyholder dies, the bigger the return — though if people live longer than expected, investors could get poor returns or even lose money. Either way, Wall Street would profit by pocketing sizable fees for creating the bonds, reselling them and subsequently trading them.” In my opinion, I believe this is by far one of the most unethical measures taken during a hardship that resembles the black market. One of the most popular companies, Goldman Sachs has already begun developing a life index which allows investors to predict the probability of death, thus making profit. Although this idea is still under development, it won’t be long before banks begin implementation. If the government doesn’t intervene now to stop this mayhem, who knows how far Wall Street will go for a profit?

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Time to Reform Health Care

Post by David Held

The United States Health Care Industry has been a heated controversial topic within the government since Barack Obama was elected President. Currently Obama and Congress have been discussing and debating what reforms need to be made to the industry. On Wednesday, September 9th President Obama will be addressing Congress regarding passing a law to systematically change our health care system as we know it. It is being said that the proposed legislation will initially put the country in more debt. This proposed legislation also suggests that the debt will change to a profit toward the tail end of Obama’s Presidency.

Since the Health Care Industry has recently been the main, and some believe the only, focus of the Obama administration, doors are open for new health care proposals. Senator Max Baucus, Democrat of Montana, is spearheading a proposal for a new law that would put a hefty fee on Health Insurance Companies, which will in turn expand health care coverage. “Mr. Baucus’s plan, expected to cost $850 billion to $900 billion over 10 years, would tax insurance companies on their most expensive health care policies. The hope is that employers would buy cheaper, less generous coverage for employees, thereby reducing the overuse of medical services.” It is said that the tax on the health care insurance companies will help cover the cost of the plan. Some investment companies do not believe that this plan will be effective toward the average customer because the fee will not cover the entire cost of the plan and will most likely result in higher premiums for the customers.

No matter what health care proposals are made, the idea of providing insurance to the millions who are uninsured is a staggering undertaking. With private insurance, Medicare and Medicaid there are still a tremendous number of people of all ages uninsured. Has anyone addressed the impact of future doctors to our society? The cost of medical school and then the malpractice insurance itself is staggering. Will people decide not to pursue a career in medicine? What type of human intelligence and capital will we loss? Lastly, one has to wonder if what happened in the Clinton years will recur today.

Sources #1, #2, #3

AIG to Sell Asset-Management Unit

Post by David Held

AIG to Sell Asset-Management Unit
By LAVONNE KUYKENDALL

Struggling insurer American International Group Inc. has reached an agreement to sell a portion of its investment advisory and asset management businesses for an estimated $500 million.

The buyer is Bridge Partners LP, a company owned by Hong Kong private-equity firm Pacific Century Group. AIG announced the deal Saturday. AIG is struggling to repay billions in U.S. government loans, and its new CEO, Robert Benmosche, has said he doesn't want to be rushed into fire-sale prices.

The price commanded by the unit, while well below the $800 million proposed in April by some potential buyers, is higher than the $300 million low end of expectations. Much of the final price, however, depends on the unit's performance.

Click HERE to read on!

Who Is Your Best Friend Forever?

Who is your best friend forever? Do you have a special childhood friend who was there for you through thick or thin and who provided you with strength, love and moral support in the saddest and weakest moments of your life? Please describe your friend.

Tags: Best Friend Forever, Special Friend, Childhood Friend, Constant Companion, Supporter, Admirer, Protector, Encourager, Inspirer, Shoulder To Cry On, Dependable, Ever Faithful, Ever Loyal, True And Lasting Friend, Moral Support, Defender, Selfless, Magnanimous, Generous, Devoted

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla

Philippines

Viewpoint/Opinion

Trupuri de femei, priviri de barbati. Sociologia sanilor goi

Trupuri de femei, priviri de barbati. Sociologia sanilor goi reprezinta o ancheta publicata de sociologul Jean-Claude Kaufmann, director de cercetare la CNRS (Universitatea Paris 5-Sorbona). Tema anchetei o reprezinta, in mod nu neaparat surprinzator, sanii dezgoliti pe plaja.

Metoda autorului, ale carui carti au fost vandute in zeci de mii de exemplare, este extrem de simpla: se ia un element obisnuit, din viata de zi cu zi, se studiaza in profunzime, dupa care sunt extrase aspectele mai putin evidente ale mecanismului social. Vom descoperi astfel amanunte ale unei practici aparent neinsemnate, dar care, in realitate, este reglementata foarte strict: fiecare femeie trebuie sa respecte un anumit cod de comportament, in raport cu infatisarea ei, cu varsta si cu nivelul de educatie, dar si in functie de contextul plajei. Autorul este preocupat, mai intai de toate, sa identifice cu acuratete regulile jocului, incercand sa afle in ce masura isi asuma o persoana rolurile sociale si cum se stabilesc conexiunile dintre femeile de pe plaja si barbatii care le privesc. Miza, in ultima instanta, este de a descoperi si de a recunoaste locul central pe care-l ocupa trupul si privirea in societatea actuala.

Daca merita sau nu citita aceasta carte, va las pe voi sa decideti. Eu tocmai am trecut de prima parte si, pana acum, chiar simt ca scriitorul mi-a lasat libertatea totala de a fi surprins si sedus de fiecare pagina...

Cautatorii de preturi mici…

Fie ca este vorba despre carti si reviste, electronice si electrocasnice, cosmetice si parfumuri, mobila si decoratiuni, imbracaminte si accesorii sau vacante si excursii, Preturi Mici este un site care incearca sa aduca in atentia vizitatorilor cele mai atractive oferte existente pe piata.

Site-ul, care se doreste a fi un ghid autentic de shopping, reprezinta in fapt o baza de produse / servicii oferite de diverse magazine [on line in principal, dar nu numai] din Romania unde poti regasi si ceea ce te intereseaza la preturi mai mult sau mai putin mici. De asemenea, initiatorii proiectului doresc sa transforme acest site si intr-un spatiu al discutiilor legate de ofertele publicate, caracteristici, impresii sau opinii legate de produsele prezentate. Sub deviza: CAUTI, COMPARI, CUMPERI!

What Is The Motivating Maxim Or Motto Of Your Life?

What is the motivating maxim or motto of your life, one that is the very bedrock of your whole philosophy in life? Please explain your answer.

Tags: Maxim, Motto, Life, Philosophy, Reason For Living, Wonderful Life, Purpose of Life, Dream, Believe, Happiness, Quest, Joy, Fulfillment, Relevance, Social Outreach, Love

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla

Philippines

Viewpoint/Opinion

Valldemossa: probabil cel mai romantic oras din Mallorca

La doar 17 km distanta de orasul Palma, am intalnit acest oras fascinant cu stradute pietonale intortocheate, pietruite, strajuite de magazine cochete de suveniruri si decoratiuni, toate chemandu-te sa le descoperi frumusetea. Asezarea este inconjurata din abundenta de migdali si maslini, iar verdele usilor si ferestrelor contrasteaza cu piatra sobra din care sunt construite majoritatea cladirilor.

Renumele orasului i se datoreaza, in mare parte, lui Frederic Chopin care a compus cateva dintre cele mai apreciate piese ale sale, in iarna petrecuta la manastirea Cartuja din Valldemossa. Aici se poate vizita chilia in care artistul a locuit impreuna cu iubita sa, unde este pastrat pianul si masca mortuara a acestuia.

Un adevarat paradis pentru cei aflati in cautare de pace si liniste intr-un cadru natural!

Se fac angajari pentru promovarea serviciului BPP

Despre serviciul BPP [Bani Pe Post] scriam acum ceva timp, prezentandu-l ca un serviciu gen liant intre clientul care are ceva de promovat si bloggerul care scrie articole si vrea sa fie platit pentru opinia sau experienta sa. Mai mult, imi exprimam si curiozitatea de a arunca o privire peste ofertele de pe site, numai ca, in mai bine de trei luni de cand am scris respectivul articol, nu prea am avut ce vedea.

Acum, insa, compania Netpress Consulting incearca o revigorare facand angajari in vederea promovarii acestui serviciu. Se cauta, bineinteles, persoane dinamice si motivate pentru postul de agent de vanzari, care vor fi rasplatite pentru contractele de publicitate incheiate. Cu alte cuvinte, sunt cautate persoanele dornice sa-si rotunjeasca veniturile, persoane cu abilitati de comunicare si negociere, entuziasm si spirit de echipa. Cei interesati vor trimite CV si date de contact pe adresa de e-mail: office@banipepost.com.

Nu stiu daca initiativa este laudabila si nici daca asa vor reusi salvarea acestui serviciu [care parca trage sa moara in ultima vreme]. Ce ramane de vazut? Daca BPP isi va gasi sau nu succesul in blogosfera romaneasca, in viitorul mai mult sau mai putin apropiat...

What Song Made The Greatest Impact In Your Life?

What song made the greatest impact in your life, one that every time you hear it you are flooded with profound memories and deep emotions? Could you give its profound significance in your life? Please explain your answer.

Tags: Songs of: Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Madonna, Abba, Bread, Rolling Stones, Elton John, BeeGees, Stylistics, Platters, Patti Page, Nat King Cole, Vic Damone, Tony Bennet, Paul Anka, Neil Sedaka, Pat Boone, Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand, Supremes, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, Abba, Carpenters, Air Supply, America, Bob Dylan

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Viewpoint/Opinion

Do You Believe In Fortune Telling?

Do you believe in fortune telling? Have you ever gone to a fortune teller before to know about your future? Please explain your answer.


Tags: Fortune Telling, Seers, Fortune Tellers, Future, Psychic Powers, Omen, Premonition, Spirit Guide, Channeling, Clairvoyance, Clairsentience, Occult, Ouija Board, Seance, Mediums, Paranormal, Metaphysics, Akashic Records, Astral Projection, Other Dimensions

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Viewpoint/Opinion