President Seeks to Bail Out ObamaCare as Another Co-Op Fails

The New American
October 8, 2016

When Barack Obama’s signature healthcare plan hit the marketplace three years ago, it touted 23 co-ops. In light of recent news concerning yet another insurer set to withdraw from a state exchange, that number has dropped to a mere six of the original 23 still operating. Seventeen of the original co-ops have now dropped out. In September, Health Republic Insurance of New Jersey — the state’s top insurer — released news that they were $46.3 million in debt, and as of 2017, they would no longer be taking part in the state health exchange, news that leaves 35,000 policy holders now scrambling for coverage.
As Health Republic undergoes a rehabilitation plan — not bankruptcy, but still needing court approval — other insurers are following suit and leaving state exchanges, insurers such as Indiana University Health Plans, whose exit will leave approximately 27,000 Indiana residents losing their ObamaCare plan in the new year.
Insurers still operating in the state exchanges are set to raise premiums yet again next year. With an average national hike in rates expected to be around eight percent, some states are seeing significantly higher than the national average. Premera in Washington State has already been approved to raise its rates a stunning 19 percent; in Alabama Blue Cross Blue Shield is requesting a 40-percent hike; and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas has requested permission to increase rates an astonishing 60 percent. As people across the nation, in places such as New Jersey or Indiana, find themselves searching for a new plan, they will be facing a massive hit to the wallet with the skyrocketing health coverage costs.

Russia deploys nuclear-capable missiles on NATO doorstep

Yahoo News
October 8, 2016
An Iskander-E short-range ballistic missile launcher (AFP Photo/Ria Novosti)




Russia is again deploying nuclear-capable Iskander missiles into its Kaliningrad outpost that borders two NATO members, Lithuania said Saturday, warning the move was aimed at pressuring the West into making concessions over Syria and Ukraine.
Poland also reacted angrily to Moscow's move while Lithuania added that it could breach a key nuclear weapons treaty.
"Russia is holding military exercises in Kaliningrad, and its scenario includes deployment of Iskander missile systems and the possibile use of them. We are aware of it," Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius told AFP.
He said modified Iskander missiles had a range of up to 700 kilometres (435 miles) which means they could reach the German capital Berlin from the Russian exclave, which is sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania.
Linkevicius said that this time he thought Moscow was using the move to "seek concessions from the West".
Polish Defence Minister Antoni Macierewicz on Saturday called Russia's activities "very alarming".
Lithuania meanwhile said the Iskander deployment could breach the international nuclear arms treaty.
"Such actions are possible violations of the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
Russia's defence ministry on Saturday confirmed deployment of the Iskander hardware but dismissed Western concerns, saying that "contingents of missile troops have been moved many times and will continue to be moved to Kaliningrad region as part of a Russian armed forces training plan."
Kaliningrad is "not an exception" to drills conducted across the country, spokesman Igor Konashenkov said in an emailed statement.
Estonian media reported on Friday that Russia was shipping Iskanders on a civilian vessel in the Baltic sea.
Konashenkov said that one Iskander was placed in the open to "confirm the parameters of operation" of a US intelligence satellite he alleged was flying overhead.
Moscow sent Iskanders to Kaliningrad in 2015 as part of a series of mammoth military drills as tensions with the West reached their worst point since the Cold War, triggered by Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine and its military campaign in Syria a year later.
The United States on Friday called for Russia and Syria to be investigated for war crimes for the bombing of hospitals in Aleppo, and accused Moscow of trying to "interfere" with the American presidential election.

Russia tells citizens ‘nuclear war with the West could happen soon’

Metro
October 5, 2016


As tensions rise in the middle East, an official TV channels in Russia has issued a chilling warning that war with the West could be imminent.

Zvezda, a nationwide TV service run by the country’s Ministry of Defence, said last week, ‘Schizophrenics from America are sharpening nuclear weapons for Moscow.’
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday proposed a law suspending a Moscow-Washington agreement to dispose of weapons-grade plutonium.

Officials said on Friday that underground shelters had been built which could house 12 milion people – enough for the entire population of Moscow.

Russia has clashed with the Western powers over its policy in Syria – where it’s accused of bombing civilians – and the U.S suspended negotiations with the country yesterday.
Both Russia and NATO are still in the position to unleash global-scale nuclear attacks – and the weapons are armed and ready.
The Arms Control Association says, ‘United States and Russia still deploy more than 1,500 strategic warheads on several hundred bombers and missiles – far more than necessary to deter nuclear attack – and they are modernizing their nuclear delivery systems.