lots of people adopted a wait and see attitude with ACA

My analysis is that more people will participate in the third and fourth years also. I believe that the enrollment period for 2015 begins in November of this year and continues through the end of the year. Unfortunately, what will happen is that some of those people will not see the penalty until April of next year though. When people start paying a penalty, even if it is small, then they will be more interested into obtaining insurance coverage.

As the amount of the penalty continues to increase and they pay it in April 2016, then that will drive even more people towards obtaining coverage. At that point it is likely that masses of people will sign up for coverage in 2017 since they realize that it is better to obey the law, pay the premium and have coverage rather than to pay a fine and have no coverage at all.

I'm hoping that the administration will provide a grace period during the first three months of 2015 so that as people prepare their taxes they will realize the benefit of complying with the law and avoid the fine. Unfortunately, some people will be stubborn so eventually I believe that the fine will need to be set at a level that is punitive enough that people will weigh their options and obtain coverage. As more people participate the quality of the risk pool will improve and it will become more beneficial to everybody.

he was on the fence about ACA so he decided to wait a year to see how it played out

your suggestion about taxes is excellent

Thanks Obama!

I don't expect this news to have much impact in Texas, but in some of the other battleground states it might be enough good news to tip the balance so that at least the Senate stays Democratic. That is extremely important so that the president can continue appointing federal judges over the last two years of his administration.

I've slipped through the cracks of the social safety net so frequently that it has adversely affected my physical and mental health. There is nothing worse than coming from a decent paying job that provided independence to literally crying and begging for help from the state social programs that I don't meet the eligibility requirements. The programs in this state suck so bad that it takes a lot of resilience not to give up.

I've submitted reports on how my disabilities are affecting work activity and job functions, plus my brother provided the third party activity report.

Most days are rough emotionally and if I get into an argument with my brother then the suicidal thoughts and feelings of worthlessness reappear. There was an argument that we had a few weeks ago and I ended up walking for about two hours, stopped in a field to cry and thought about injecting myself with enough insulin that my blood sugar would plummet. I walked back to the apartment, and my muscles were sore for about four or five days afterwards since it was nearly 10 miles of walking. On a separate occasion, I had another argument with my brother and walked the streets from about 11:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. None of that is really good for a diabetic with chronic anemia and foot problems.

I'm going for a mental health status exam on Wednesday morning. I am having some pretty rough dreams where it seems like I'm my mind is racing at 90 mph and I'm trying to complete tasks, but with people that have been out of my life for years like my mother who died back in 2000. Some of those dreams leave me more exhausted than when I went to sleep. I'm depressed in general, don't have anyone to talk with and then I'm acting as a psychiatrist for my brother. I'm keeping my emotions locked up while he dumps all of his problems on me. When I'm in the social services offices seeking help I usually end up in tears.

The physical symptoms of the diabetes are more prevalent now and the neuropathy has gone from moderate to severe. I tend to sleep in one or two hour stretches before some type of nerve pain wakes me up. I also suspect that I might have something going on with either my kidneys or gall bladder. The last time I had any blood work was in early March but I never got the results and I haven't had a primary care doctor in over three months. A couple of my prescriptions are running out this week and I have enough money put aside to pay for them so I should be good for about a month; however, I'll be running very tight around the middle of next month.

Nearly any small provocation can send me into the mania part of manic depression. I don't envision how I could operate in an office environment when the slightest event can trigger an anxiety attack, crying or I lash out at someone. I'm resigned that I won't be returning to my full-time career. If the SSDI is approved, I hope to return to the town where I went to college, get a place to live with my cat, try and take an occasional class at college since they have a "senior university" for people 50 and over (I'm 49) and tutor some classes for a little extra cash. I've given up all the hopes for the nicer things like owning a home or vehicle, or having any close friends again. It will be a near-poverty existence, but at least it's a chance to stay alive. If the SSDI isn't approved (after appeals), then I'm pretty much doomed since I don't want to be a burden on family any longer. By the end of this year I will know my fate.

I hope you get SSDI, TT! My sister has been on it for a long time now in California and she also has just been told she has neuropathy. She changed her diet and after 10 days she's walking a lot better now.

I know things look really bad right now but that will change and you will come through this. You never know where you'll find friends again so hang in there. I don't own a home or have a vehicle but I'm lucky to have HUD which helps me with my rent out here. Otherwise.. don't want to think about it.

Once you get set up on your own life will open up to all kinds of possibilities. We do the best we can with what we have.. that's courage, buddy.

least we're doing something right.

for Republicans!

They can't handle the truth. It's comforting to know that more liberals and blue states are getting health insurance while conservatives have chosen to miss out. There may be election implications when liberals are healthier and live longer.