October 22, 2013

Meeting Minutes for October 19, 2013



Central Coast Chapter Minutes, October 19, 2013

Meeting to Order @ 1:10 P.M.
Pledges of Allegiance /SAR led by VP Bill Siler. VP Siler presiding in the absence of Gary Cooper.
Invocation by Nate Maas
Attendance: 6 member and 1 guest speaker
Sunshine Report: Acting President Gary Cooper is attempting another cruise.
Secretary’s Report: Secretary Scrimiger read the minutes for the September 21, 2013 meeting. Minutes accepted.

Treasurer’s Report: Continued to next month. Dues are due by December 1.
New Business: Registrar Russ Haynes presented Secretary Scrimiger a supplemental certificate for his patriot ancestor James Prather of Maryland.
Nate Maas advised that Eagle Scout contest applications must be submitted by the November meeting.

Wreaths Across America and Flags for troops in Afghanistan tabled until the November meeting.
Candidates for the Rumbaugh Oration competition solicited.
Guest Speaker Gill Blonsley Introduction and Presentation:
Mr. Blonsley has an extensive resume to include Administrative Chief of the Clark Co. Nevada Health Dept., Ethics and Disciplinary Board of the Nevada State Bar Assn., Director Las Vegas Valley Water District and Human Relations Commission for the city of San Luis Obispo. A private sector career included providing new and expanded health services for Sutter Health of Sacramento, contract negotiations on behalf of physicians and clinics.

Mr. Blonsley’s presentation focused on the Affordable Care Act and its implementation. The biggest impact of the ACA will be providing coverage for the 50 million uninsured and requiring that everyone obtain coverage much the same as with auto insurance. Mr. Blonsley stated that Medicare took 3 years to obtain an adequate number of enrollees and he expected the same with the ACA.
Physicians were resistant to Medicare in 1964 but it now works well.

The ACA Tier 1 mandates the purchase of coverage or you must pay a penalty that increases each year.  According to Mr. Blonsley, the glitches with the national website are a result of a recent Supreme Court decision allowing states to opt out and that 29 states did opt out leaving them with no interface with the national website. Many States are now reconsidering due to Medicaid reimbursements.

Benefits of the ACA are universal coverage, portability of coverage, pre-existing conditions are covered, there is no denial of coverage and no maximum. Those within 400% of the poverty line will receive a subsidy for their premiums in the form of a tax credit.

Mr. Blonsley pointed out that the ACA was first conceived by the conservative Heritage Foundation and that it was implemented by Mitt Romney while Governor of MA. The MA system still enjoys a 92.5% approval rating.

In San Luis Obispo County, Blue Shield and Anthem Blue Cross are the underwriters. The California website is www.coveredca.com.
Q & A followed. Mr. Blonsley was most informative and warmly received. Mr. Blonsley was presented a certificate and cannon.
Closing Pledge
Benediction by Nate Maas
Adjournment @ 3:05 P. M.

Respectfully Submitted,
Chris Scrimiger
Chapter Secretary

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