2A
NEWS
October 11, 2013 Vol. 89, No. 5 online at thelink.harding.edu
OPINIONS
3&4A
SPORTS
1&2B
FEATURES
3B
CAMPUS LIFE
4B
Searcy, Ark., 72149
States, programs scramble after shutdown
by Lyndsey Ruble Nuckols editor-in-chief
Last Monday, Sept. 30, Congress failed to pass a spending bill to fund the government, causing a shutdown of all nonessential government offices and departments as a new fiscal year began on Oct. 1. According to CNN, more than 800,000 government employees are furloughed, and Gov. Mike Beebe of Arkansas said as many as 2,000 of Arkansas’ state workers are furloughed. The Huffington Post, in an article published on Oct. 3, broke down the effects of the shutdown on each state. The following items were listed for Arkansas: more than 85,000 meals for Arkansas children dependent on WIC or SNAP programs are at risk for being ended, the Clinton Presidential Center
closed permanent exhibits to walk-in visitors and federal workers earning $11,000-a-year to work at a shelter in Little Rock were forced to work without pay. Former President Bill Clinton, who also served as the 42nd governor of Arkansas, spoke about the shutdown last Thursday, Oct. 3 at the 50th anniversary celebration of the dedication of Greers Ferry Dam in Heber Springs, Ark. “This is normal,” Clinton said. “This
is what has always shaped America. But what makes a democracy work is if there are some things that people decide they won’t do, even though they can, because it compromises the future of our children and the character of our country.” As of press time, Congress had still failed to reach a decision on a spending bill. Lori Klein, assistant professor of political science and a former state employee for Florida, said state governments receive
STUDENT’S GUIDE
GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
most of their funding from block and categorical grants. With the shutdown continuing into week two, states will have to shift and figure out what they can afford to fund. Klein said this uncertainty trickles down to local governments and parks as well. Forcing the state to fund programs, such as the nutrition program in Arkansas, will mean that the federal government owes the states more money at the end of the year, Klein said. After recent state-level economic downturn and budgets cuts, states are not in a good position to carry out the role of the federal government, Klein said. Continuing the shutdown through a third week would likely result in a significant increase in the number of government employees furloughed. SEE SHUTDOWN, PAGE 2A
Agencies affected by the federal government’s shutdown Services ceased:
Services continued:
1. Food services for senior citizens and children may not have sufficient funds. 2. All American national parks and monuments are closed. 3. Research into life-threatening diseases will halt. So will acceptance of new patients for clinical trials. 4. Employees that work to prevent terrorist attacks, defend borders and inspect food will work without pay. 5. New applications for small business loans and loan guarantees will stop.
1. Social Security beneficiaries will continue receiving checks. 2. The Post Office will continue delivering mail. 3. Active military will continue to serve. 4. Air traffic controllers, prison guards and border patrol agents will continue working. 5. NASA will continue supporting astronauts serving on the Space Station. Information from usa.gov/shutdown, graphic by Lyndsey Ruble Nuckols
Affordable Care Act: How reform will affect students Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act
Expansion of access to coverage. Graphic by Tyler Carmical More affordable. Research by Bradley Cain Does not replace Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance. For those on Medicare: -No out-of-pocket cost for preventative care (ex. screenings for cancer, diabetes, and high cholesterol, an annual wellness check, as well as vaccines for the flu and pneumonia). -The law targets Medicare fraud and overpayments. Phases out denial of insurance based on pre-existing condition by 2017. Prevents insurance companies from writing a specific coverage (one more expensive) for people with pre-existing conditions. The insured have a right to appeal when a health-care plan denies a claim for service or treatment. Children can continue coverage on their parent’s plan until they turn age 26 (formerly age 19). Lifetime benefit limits have been removed for all health plans. Those under 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Threshold (for a family of four that is $94,200) may qualify for assistance (subsidies). Per individual, the tax penalty for not having health insurance is $95 or 1 percent of Adjusted Gross Income (whichever is greater). This gradually increases to the greater of $695 or 2.5 percent of AGI by 2016. Employers with 50 or more full-time employees must provide health insurance coverage to all employees beginning in 2014 or pay a penalty. The penalty is $2,000 per employee after an exemption for the first 30 employees.
by Tori Sheets student writer
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act went into effect on Oct. 1. For many Americans this means they must now purchase health care or face a penalty by Jan. 1, 2014. Under the new bill, all Americans are required by law to be covered under an approved health care plan or pay a fine when filing for 2014 federal income taxes. Although the health care bill states that all Americans must have health insurance by Jan 1., college students with little to no income still have options. The Affordable Care Act, passed in 2010, states children are able to stay on their parent’s healthcare plan until the age of 26. One stipulation of the Affordable Care Act is that the fee does not apply to households or individuals whose total
yearly income is less than the minimum amount required to file a tax return.
For individuals, this minimum is $10,000 for 2013, and for a family it is $20,000 for 2013, according to the Washington Post. Another exemption is if the lowest priced health care option available costs more than 8 percent of an individual’s total income. Many college students have little to no income annually and will not face fines for failing to purchase health care, but they also may qualify for free health care through Medicaid. For individuals making more than $10,000 annually and failing to purchase insurance, the fine for 2014 will be $95 or 1 percent of the total income, whichever is higher, according to healthcare.gov. Another option for students is to purchase health care
BISON VOLLEYBALL
Lady Bisons volleyball continues strong season with 15-5 record.
SPORTS, 1B
from the online marketplace at healthcare.gov. On the marketplace shoppers can create an account, enter personal information regarding income and house size, compare plans and enroll in the most suitable option.The enrollment period for the online marketplace is between Oct. 1 and March 1, if a plan is not purchased within this time frame, it cannot be purchased until the next enrollment period. In 2015 the fine for being uninsured will be $325 or 2 percent of total income, and rising to $695 or 2.5 percent of total income in 2016. After 2016 the fee will rise annually based on the cost of living. Harding offers health care coverage for students enrolled in six or more credit hours. The plan is offered through Arkansas Student Health Insurance, a National Union Fire Insurance Company based out of Pittsburgh, Pa. The plan will cost individual students $300 a semester, or $600 for a 10-month term. Harding’s College Republicans held a meeting last Thursday, Oct. 3 to discuss healthcare reform. Mary Kate Collins, the chair of Harding’s chapter of College Republicans, said she recognizes that the Affordable Care Act will affect each and every citizen of the United States. “This is the first time as a breathing individual that you have a minimum requirement, and you have to buy this,” Collins said. One more option for Harding students, and an exemption to purchasing health care recognized by the IRS, is to join a health care sharing ministry called Medi-Share. According to their website, Medi-Share is “a health care sharing program where Christians share financial resources to pay each other’s medical expenses.” Laneigh Pfalser, vice chair of the College Republicans, said she agrees with Medi-Share’s mission and said it is a Christian’s responsibility to insure people’s health. “It is our Christian duty to take care of people, not the government’s,” Pfalser said. “It’s easier for the government to have all these systems, but it’s not the right thing to do. The right thing to do is for us to get out of our comfort zones and spend the time and effort that it takes to give to individuals in need and care for those people not only through healthcare but also at the same time by sharing with them the love of Christ.”
SOCIAL CLUBS BY THE NUMBERS
Stats and information about new members for 2013 club week. NEWS, 2A
HU HAUNTS: GERTIE
Legends and a firsthand account of Gertie, HU’s resident ghost FEATURES, 3B