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Obamacare and Health Insurance for Sea Org & Staff (USA)

failboat

Patron with Honors
Ignored. I think he does care about frustrating me, and I think it is intentional.

If he wants me to respond to any more of his dismissive comments or questions, then he'll just have to hope someone else quotes them for me.

IRS, HHS, and OSHA would be the agencies to contact if you were aware of violations. Idk whether those agencies might, in turn, involve the FBI - but I assume they could if it were necessary. I can think of a lot of other people who might be interested in the information gathered in this thread, and who might be contacted depending on the circumstances. Here's an incomplete list:

  • Congresspersons, especially those overseeing IRS, HHS, or OSHA
  • state representatives, especially those involved in healthcare or worker's comp
  • exes or even current members with loved ones who are still inside, especially those on Staff and in Sea Org
  • the next Damian Kevitt - i.e., a Scientologist known to be Staff or Sea Org who gets terminally ill or catastrophically injured, with no insurance - or his family, friends, and associates
  • journalists, especially ones who either report on Scientology or report on the catastrophic illness or accident befalling an uninsured Scientologist.
  • other activists, especially those who are anti-Scientology or those who care about getting healthcare to oppressed minorities
  • current Staff and Sea Org, if anyone reading this has open lines to them
  • health care providers tasked with providing care directly to uninsured Scientologists - in LA and Clearwater, and wherever else there is a significant number of them
 

failboat

Patron with Honors
http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/votes/200497-dems-gop-agree-on-religion-tweak-to-obamacare
House OKs religious exemptions to having a healthcare plan



This passed the House. I will keep an eye out for its consideration by the Senate, where it will first go to committee.
...

This bill is dead as of the end of the previous Congress. AFAIK, it never made it past a Senate committee.

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/hr1814
H.R. 1814 (113[SUP]th[/SUP]): EACH Act

Introduced:Apr 26, 2013 (113[SUP]th[/SUP] Congress, 2013–2015)

Status:
Died (Passed House) in a previous session of Congress

I forgot to mention that Hobby Lobby won its case, but my understanding is that it's a narrow ruling only exempting them from paying for contraceptives.
 

failboat

Patron with Honors
Broken links to WWP.

Although it's not my fault, I would like to express my sympathies for this inconvenience: As a result of forum software updates at WWP, most/all of the links back to WWP in this thread (and elsewhere) are now broken. If you encounter a broken link to WWP, it can most likely be fixed by deleting "community/" or "/community" from the URL field of your browser when you encounter the error screen ("The page you are looking for cannot be found.") Mod staff at ESMB is not willing to fix the broken links and has suggested that I post live links here at the bottom of the thread. So here goes.

WWP Obamacare thread (from OP of this thread): https://whyweprotest.net/threads/obamacare-and-health-insurance-for-sea-org-workers-staff.112821

WWP thread about Damian Kevitt
(from post #74 of this thread): https://whyweprotest.net/threads/sea-org-worker-damian-kevitt-nearly-killed-in-hit-and-run.109431

WWP thread with Sea Org members W-2 pay statements
(from post #76 of this thread): https://whyweprotest.net/threads/assorted-sea-org-members-w-2-pay-statement-amounts.33844

WWP thread, Why do Sea Org Staff receive W-2 forms (from post #120 of this thread): https://whyweprotest.net/threads/why-do-sea-org-staff-receive-w-2-forms.36870/


Speculative estimate of cost of health insurance for Sea Org (from post #77 of this thread): https://whyweprotest.net/threads/ob...or-sea-org-workers-staff.112821/#post-2342665

Religious exemption from individual mandate to carry health insurance does not apply to Scientologists, dox (from post #78 of this thread): https://whyweprotest.net/threads/ob...or-sea-org-workers-staff.112821/#post-2344443

Ministers not exempt from individual mandate to carry health insurance (from post #79 of this thread): https://whyweprotest.net/threads/ob...or-sea-org-workers-staff.112821/#post-2344444

WWP posters commenting about the sad case of Damian Kevitt (post #82 of this thread):
Scientologists removing entheta comments from Anon donors to Kevitt's GoFundMe page - https://whyweprotest.net/threads/se...ly-killed-in-hit-and-run.109431/#post-2280704
Former WWP mod Tiny Dancer donates to Kevitt, comment is removed by Scilons - https://whyweprotest.net/threads/se...ly-killed-in-hit-and-run.109431/#post-2280705
WWP user reports receiving a Scilon fund-raising email for Kevitt's care - https://whyweprotest.net/threads/se...ly-killed-in-hit-and-run.109431/#post-2281857

WWP posts about Scientology as a point of argument in the Hobby Lobby contraceptives SCOTUS case (from post #85 of this thread):
https://whyweprotest.net/threads/ob...-org-workers-staff.112821/page-2#post-2359368
https://whyweprotest.net/threads/ob...-org-workers-staff.112821/page-2#post-2360282

WWP post about Fair Labor Standards Act and churches
(from post #88 of this thread): https://whyweprotest.net/threads/ob...-org-workers-staff.112821/page-2#post-2357070
WWP thread, Minimum wage requirements as they apply to churches (also post #88): https://whyweprotest.net/threads/minimum-wage-requirements-as-they-apply-to-churches.56145/

WWP thread, Tax compliance manual (CSI aprroved)
sic (from Mary McConnell's post #157 of this thread) https://whyweprotest.net/threads/tax-compliance-manual-csi-aprroved.38142/
 

programmer_guy

True Ex-Scientologist
It's gonna be interesting to see how ACA works out (whether SO or not).
And I am not thinking about the website problems... that is minor.
 

failboat

Patron with Honors
The Affordable Care Act survived another challenge in a SCOTUS ruling issued today. This is the 2nd major ruling in favor of Obamacare by SCOTUS.

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2015/06/25/supreme-court-issues-decisions-on-thursday-live-blog/
http://www.wsj.com/articles/supreme-court-upholds-obamas-health-law-subsidies-1434737182

The U.S. Supreme Court preserved a centerpiece of the Affordable Care Act, ruling the Obama administration can continue to subsidize health-insurance purchases by lower-income Americans across the country. By a 6-3 vote, the decision puts President Barack Obama’s signature domestic policy achievement on a firmer footing...
 

failboat

Patron with Honors
HT to CommunicatorIC for this material. The Church signed on to a petition opposing mandated employer insurance coverage for birth control & abortion back in April, 2015. I'm quoting his OP in full below.

http://www.forum.exscn.net/showthre...insurance-coverage-for-abortion-birth-control
Scientology opposes mandated employer insurance coverage for abortion, birth control

The Congressional Record shows that on April 30, 2015, the United States House of Representatives (controlled by the Republican Party) considered a proposed "joint resolution (H.J. Res. 43) disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Amendment Act of 2014."

https://www.congress.gov/congression...rticle/H2727-1


Attached to the Congressional Record is the following letter:
* * * * * BEGIN QUOTATION * * * * *
Hon. Phil Mendelson,
Council of the District of Columbia,
Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Mendelson: We represent the city's broad and diverse faith community. We may believe and practice our faith differently. We may have divergent positions on important issues. However we all agree that faith communities have a right to freely exercise their religion and a responsibility to promote and protect this important freedom. We believe religious freedom is not only our priority, but also a priority in our society.

We come together then to oppose the Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Amendment Act of 2014. We believe it would infringe upon religious employers' freedom to make employment decisions when necessary to preserve their religious mission and identity. In doing so, the legislation would allow for unjust and unnecessary government interference into religious employers' governance and operations.

While religious employers do not police employees' or dependents' private reproductive health decisions, these employers must have the freedom to respond to employees' public behavior repudiating their religious mission and identity.

We believe that the legislation would in fact discriminate against religious employers in a manner prohibited by the significant constitutional and legal protections provided to religious organizations in the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

We respectfully request that you oppose the Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Amendment Act. We pray that you will be fair and reasonable in your considerations of our sincere concerns. We will follow up with you with regard to these priority concerns.
Sincerely,

Reverend Patrick Walker, President, Baptist Convention of D.C. and Vicinity; Reverend Susan Taylor, National Public Affairs Director, Church of Scientology National Affairs Office; Talib M. Shareef, CMSgt, USAF-Retired, Imam/President, The Nation's Mosque, Masjid Muhammad; Reverend Kendrick E. Curry, Pastor, Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church--DuPont Park; Reverend Dr. George C. Gilbert, Pastor, Holy Trinity United Baptist Church--Hillbrook; Reverend A.C. Durant, Pastor, Tenth Street Baptist Church--Shaw; Reverend Sylvia Stanard, Minister, Church of Scientology; Reverend Lee Holzinger, Minister, Church of Scientology; Reverend Monsignor Robert Panke, Rector, Saint John Paul II Seminary--Brookland; Reverend William Byrne, Secretary of Pastoral Ministry and Social Concerns, Archdiocese of Washington.

Michael Scott, Director, D.C. Catholic Conference; Reverend Frederick Close, Pastor, St. Anthony Catholic Church--Brookland; Reverend Adam Y. Park, Pastor, Epiphany Catholic Church--Georgetown; Reverend Michael Briese, Pastor, Holy Name Catholic Church--Capitol Hill North; Reverend Monsignor Godfrey T. Mosley, Pastor, St. Ann Catholic Church--Tenleytown; Reverend Mark R. Ivany, Pastor, Assumption Catholic Church--Congress Heights; Reverend Michael J. Kelley, Pastor, St. Martin Catholic Church--Bloomingdale; Monsignor Raymond G. East, Pastor, St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church--Anacostia; Reverend William Gurnee, Director of Spiritual Formation, Saint John Paul II Seminary--Brookland.

Monsignor John Enzler, President and CEO, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington; Reverend Henry A. Gaston, Pastor, Johnson Memorial Baptist Church; Reverend Beth Akiyama, Minister, Church of Scientology; Reverend Kay Holzinger, Minister, Church of Scientology; Reverend Mario E. Dorsonville, Vice President of Mission and Immigration Outreach, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington; Reverend Avelino A. Gonzalez, Director, Ecumenical and Inter-Faith Affairs Archdiocese of Washington; Reverend Monsignor Ronald W. Jameson, Rector, Cathedral of Saint Matthew the Apostle--DuPont Circle; Reverend Monsignor James D. Watkins, Pastor, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church--Shaw; Reverend Monsignor Paul Langsfeld, Pastor, St. Joseph's Catholic Church on Capitol Hill.

Reverend Gregory Schommer, O.P., Pastor, St. Dominic Catholic Church--Southwest Waterfront; Reverend Andrew F. Royals; Reverend Mark R. Ivany, Pastor, St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church--Kingman Park; Reverend Ron Potts, Pastor, Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament--Chevy Chase; Reverend Thomas Franks, S.S.J., Pastor, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church--Buena Vista; Reverend Cornelius Kelechi Ejiogu, S.S.J., Pastor, St. Luke Catholic Church--Marshall Heights; Reverend Alfred J. Harris, Pastor, St Mary Mother of God Catholic Church--Chinatown; Reverend Evelio Menjivar, Pastor, Our Lady Queen of the Americas--Kalorama; Reverend Richard Mullins, Pastor, St. Thomas Apostle Catholic Church--Woodley Park; Reverend Raymond M. Moore, Pastor, St. Thomas More Catholic Church--Washington Highlands; Monsignor Charles Pope, Pastor, Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Catholic Church--Capitol Hill.
* * * * * END QUOTATION * * * * *

Thereafter, on April 30, 2015, the Washington Posted noted that the House of Representatives had voted to strike down the Washington, D.C. law banning reproductive discrimination.

Even leaving aside issues concerning mandated employer health insurance under Obamacare, abortion, birth control, and reproductive health, this is very important for a nuumber of additional reasons.

It shows that the Church of Scientology has allied with the religous right, and particularly the Christian right, to push the issue of "religious liberty" -- i.e., religious exemptions from secular laws (e.g., concerning abortion, birth control, gay rights, etc. -- or, for Scientology, mandated employer health insurnace coverage for pssychiatric, psychological or other mental health care) under the Supreme Court's Hobby Lobby decision.

Perhaps redundantly -- but it bears repeating -- the Church of Scientology has allied with the religous right, and particularly the Christian right.

The Church of Scientology National Affairs Office is perhaps not the joke some thought it was.

The Church of Scientology may be playing a deeper game than many supsected. I don't believe the Church of Scientology really cares about the issues of abortion or birth control. This was about builidng alliances and the larger issue of "religious liberty" as discussed above.




<Thanks again to CommunicatorIC for doing this research & analysis and posting it last month>

If I were asked, I would opine that the CoS probably doesn't think the letter goes far enough, and would oppose mandated employer health insurance coverage of any kind for its employees - though I doubt we'll find them saying that on the record.
 

failboat

Patron with Honors
znw16.jpg



I know you all are having fun derailing,

But could you gentlemen kindly make your own anti-Obamacare thread and gratify yourselves over there instead?

Thanks.
 

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failboat

Patron with Honors
Tony's post today seems relevant to link here, along with the top comment. It's a long piece about an elderly Sea Org worker who had trouble receiving health care as she was dying of cancer.

http://tonyortega.org/2016/12/16/so...-old-scientology-instead-works-them-to-death/

http://tonyortega.org/2016/12/16/so...stead-works-them-to-death/#comment-3055014027

I don't have much to say re: the fate of PPACA or Trump's election. I will wait-and-see and post the relevant quotes and news stories if and when the actual changes occur. I appreciate Moderator3375 for moving the post-election trolling.
 
Tony's post today seems relevant to link here, along with the top comment. It's a long piece about an elderly Sea Org worker who had trouble receiving health care as she was dying of cancer.

http://tonyortega.org/2016/12/16/so...-old-scientology-instead-works-them-to-death/

snip
I recall Fred - a geezer who was the course admin on the OT7 solo nots course room. One day he was no longer on post. Nice guy. I guess a lot asked about him, because the lead OT7 sup made an announcement that he was transfered to an elder care unit where he would be well cared for. I remember Gary Titus the solo nots board i/c had a special schedule and left early every evening. So I was mollified until I read Tony's post - I knew Claire over the years and it was shocking to see how callused the SO is towards her and their elder staff.

Do you want to know why they are treated that way?

It's only one life out of trillions you have had or will have.

Mimsey
 

phenomanon

Canyon
I recall Fred - a geezer who was the course admin on the OT7 solo nots course room. One day he was no longer on post. Nice guy. I guess a lot asked about him, because the lead OT7 sup made an announcement that he was transfered to an elder care unit where he would be well cared for. I remember Gary Titus the solo nots board i/c had a special schedule and left early every evening. So I was mollified until I read Tony's post - I knew Claire over the years and it was shocking to see how callused the SO is towards her and their elder staff.

Do you want to know why they are treated that way?

It's only one life out of trillions you have had or will have.

Mimsey


They didn't even have an "elder care unit" until "late on the chain". Google 'Luzette Sparrin' for an old horror story. If you can't find it, I'll repeat it. There are others. These were happening in the 80s.
 

failboat

Patron with Honors
Obamacare is still the law of the land after the Senate Republicans failed to gather enough votes for a motion to proceed to debate on their bill to repeal and replace. The Republicans' backup plan of repealing without replacement is also dead on arrival, as three of their Senators have immediately declared their opposition to that idea as well. It appears that the Republicans are stymied in their plans to repeal and replace ACA.

Per OP and other info upthread, Scientologists are mandated to get health insurance or pay tax penalties just like all individuals who do not obtain exemption, and church entities employing Staff & Sea Org full-time in groups of 50 or more must provide health insurance to those employees or face significant fines.
 

Enthetan

Master of Disaster
Investors Business Daily: Democrats Will Soon Regret That Republicans Failed To Repeal ObamaCare

There were lots of celebrations on the left side of the aisle after the Senate GOP bill to repeal and replace ObamaCare died. The good times will be short lived, because one way or another ObamaCare is going away, and it's not at all clear that Democrats will gain additional leverage over what comes next by waiting for its collapse.

(snip)

So the GOP's answer to Schumer should be: You had your chance to fix health care. You blew it. Twice. First when you passed ObamaCare, and second when you refused to admit that mistake and decided to cast Republicans as evil. Why should the GOP reward you with a third?

Plus, as the ObamaCare exchanges continue to crumble and as more states chafe at Medicaid's costs, it will be easier for Republicans to get what they want on their own — if Republicans are smart enough to seize the opportunity, that is.

Obamacare premiums are rising fast, and more areas are without a remaining Obamacare provider, as the system continues to collapse. The Democrat plan was for them to deal with the collapse by passing "single payer health", effectively nationalizing the healthcare industry. But that depended upon Hillary being elected.

Trump may not be able to get a plan he likes through the Senate, but what he CAN do is veto any plan he doesn't like until the Democrats are sufficiently desperate.
 

failboat

Patron with Honors
So-called "Skinny Repeal" failed to pass the Senate, 49-51. Republicans voting against were McCain, Murkowski, and Collins. Senate Majority Leader McConnell called for the Senate to move on to a defense bill that was passed by the House. Obamacare remains the law of the land. Please refer to information in OP and upthread for how this legislation affects Scientologists, Staff, and Sea Org.
 

failboat

Patron with Honors

[Insert appropriate zombie metaphor]. Senate Republicans' efforts to repeal and replace Obamacare appear to be over for the time being, until next year at the earliest. The window for Reconciliation passage of any such bill ends on Saturday night (Sept 30), and they do not have the votes for the passage of their latest legislative attempt, known as Graham-Cassidy.

Obamacare remains the law of the land. Please refer to information in OP and upthread for how this legislation affects Scientologists, Staff, and Sea Org.
 

Lone Star

Crusader

[Insert appropriate zombie metaphor]. Senate Republicans' efforts to repeal and replace Obamacare appear to be over for the time being, until next year at the earliest. The window for Reconciliation passage of any such bill ends on Saturday night (Sept 30), and they do not have the votes for the passage of their latest legislative attempt, known as Graham-Cassidy.

Obamacare remains the law of the land. Please refer to information in OP and upthread for how this legislation affects Scientologists, Staff, and Sea Org.
:yawn:
 
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