In Which We Find Karen Weldin Stewart Abandoning Delaware Consumers Again

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Back in June, we discussed the actions of KWS to apply for waivers from the medical cost ratio rule for two insurance companies so that they can continue to pay commissions to brokers and sales agents. Since then, HHS has finalized its rule that requires that the costs to pay premiums or other support to brokers and sales agents be categorized as Administrative Costs and therefore included to the maximum 20% overhead allowed by the ACA. Delaware's own Insurance Commissioner voted in a recent NAICS action to vote on a resolution that recommends that Congress exempt the fees insurance agents and brokers from medical loss ratio calculations (pdf) and that HHS revive their rulemaking to exclude brokers and agents from the the administrative costs of insurance companies.

Monday Open Thread [12.5.11]

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Donald Trump "relishes his role as Republican kingmaker, [and] he won't close the door on his own independent presidential bid once the next season of his reality TV show, The Celebrity Apprentice, wraps up on NBC next spring -- a prospect that could spell doom for the eventual GOP nominee." Said Trump: "I absolutely have another bite. If the economy continues to be bad and if the Republicans choose the wrong person, I would do it."

Damn, I love Nancy Pelosi

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"One of these days we'll have a conversation about Newt Gingrich. I know a lot about him. I served on the investigative committee that investigated him, four of us locked in a room in an undisclosed location for a year. A thousand pages of his stuff." -- Nancy Pelosi. Methinks she will wait until after Newton Leroy Gingrich wins the GOP nomination before she speaks.

Welcome News Journal Readers

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The "bi-partisanship" at all costs espoused by our congressional delegation makes no sense. We are pre-surrendering on all core democratic issues to a radicalized and zealous GOP that views any willingness to negotiate as an exploitable weakness.

Witchhunts a’comin?

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So when did Salem, MA circa 1660, become the Nation's capital? Reports are out that Mitt Romney, Michelle Bachmann, and Rick Santorum have signed a pledge to form some type of commission to investigate the LGBT community if they are elected president.

Late Night Video — The Cain Train Wreck

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This weekend's news has been fascinated with the suspension of Herman Cain's fake bid for the White House. Fake, because he was just opening a campaign HQ this weekend and still hasn't actually staffed up to properly compete in either Iowa or NH. He *has* been furiously fundraising, selling books and managing his profile. Much like the Alaska grifter and all of the other GOP grifters looking for their pipeline of wingnut welfare, Herman was alot of sound and fury, signifiying nothing. Which ultimately qualified him to be the GOP frontrunner for one New York minute. And that "suspending" business seems to mean that Herman can still raise money.