Wednesday Role Call

Happy Hump Day!

It is suppose to be sunny today, don't forget your sunglasses.

Today is my Friday. Tonight we are going out for a quick supper with friends, then watching Survivor. Exciting I know.

Carla, be careful driving north.

Christine and Dave, are you home yet?

Crystal, where are you going for Christmas?

Have a great  day,

Hugs

Good morning Lisa and the rest of Illinois!

I am up and getting ready to head to Rockford to see my therapist then back to Freeport to see my sponsor.  Lots of driving today.

Portillo's for dinner!

We got a letter from Liv's University stating that each student will pay a $40 fee each semester going forward.  This fee is being assessed due to the Affordable Care Act.  The ACA requires that the university give employees who did not previously qualify for health care the option to have health care.  There are over 10,000 students at this university.  That is A LOT of money in a year.  I don't think I support this fee.  First of all, we pay 3 times the tuition as a student that has residency.  Also, since Liv IS from out-of-state, why does SHE have to pay for health care options for residents?  South Carolina has closed all loop holes and makes it near impossible for out-of-state students to achieve residency.  I do not think this is right.  Can anyone explain it to me?

That's all that is on my mind.  What's up with you?

Dawn-  I don't understand why you would have to pay that if she has insurance under you.  To me it's just another way to suck more money out of you.  I mean Amanda went to school before all of this started and she had two options get insurance through the school (which wasn't that good) or stay under my insurance.  She stayed with my insurance. 

That is the kicker, Crystal. 

They do not want the money for insurance for Olivia or any other student.  They want this money to "offer an option" for healthcare insurance for THEIR EMPLOYEES that do not otherwise qualify.  This tells me that they have to offer an option to every employee, including part-timers from the community.  Although many students work part time for the university, the ACA also says that they can be on their parents' insurance until they are 26.  Liv will stay on our insurance also.  It just seems to me to be a political move and an unwarranted fee.

Hello everyone

I have successfully talked my controller to letting us have a potluck/ ornament exchange!!!  Yeah!!!  The first time here ever!!!  They always have a company wide Christmas lunch at a sports bar....but I wanted to do something fun and festive here in the office.  AND he agreed!!!  Yeah!!!

Lisa-  I am taking an extra long weekend and me and Greg are going to a B&B right outside of Galena.  It's a beautiful place.  I hope it snows because they have all of the winter activities....snow mobileing, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, and horse drawn sled!!!  Yep I never did any of those things!!!  If not there is shopping and of course just staying in and being lazy in front of the fireplace in our room!!! 

We were actually looking at going to Grand Caymans (because it would be nice and warm).  His parents own a home down there and it would only cost us air fair and car rental.  but even that was pretty steep.  And I want to visit Amanda in the Spring so I decided to keep it close to home and cheaper.

Well I better get going.  Have a good day all.  

Galena?  You will be going right by me!  I love Galena!  When you are heading down 20, wave as you pass Rock City Road and know that I am just 10 minutes north. 

Been home since early Monday afternoon and now am scrambling to put things together so I can go away with my two nieces and meet up with my sister in Nashville, IN (not TN) on Friday through Sunday.

Dawn, correct me if I am wrong but I read that the $40 a semester is to pay for the employees insurance (not covered by insurance) and not to cover the students insurance?

In 2018 all that receive insurance benefits from their employer will be taxed on it to pay for Obama Care recipients. I learned this back a couple of years ago while I sat in on a yearly work insurance meeting.

You are absolutely correct.  this is why we believe it is an unfair fee.  I also think that the university may be trying to rile up some politics with this move........