Insurance cancellations still causing problems
WASHINGTON – Less than a half million people whose health insurance was canceled under President Barack Obama’s new law have not yet found other coverage, the administration said Thursday.
However, officials said that figure could shrink in the coming days. Americans have until Dec. 23 to purchase insurance and ensure they have no gap in coverage if their current plans are among those that will be canceled at the end of the month.
The cancellations have become a nagging problem for the White House, compounding the widespread technology failures that marred the rollout of the nation’s health-care law.
Since the law’s passage in 2010, Obama repeatedly promised that people who liked their insurance would be able to keep it. However, the law set minimum requirements for coverage, meaning people who obtained subpar plans after the law was passed would have to find new coverage.
Senators propose bill boosting Iran sanctions
WASHINGTON – More than a quarter of the Senate introduced legislation Thursday that could raise sanctions on Iran and compel the United States to support Israel if it launches a pre-emptive attack on the Iranian nuclear program, defying President Barack Obama and drawing a veto threat.
The bill, sponsored by 13 Democrats and 13 Republicans, sets sanctions that would go into effect if Tehran violates the nuclear deal it reached with world powers last month or lets the agreement expire without a long-term accord. The measures include a global boycott on Iranian oil exports within one year and the blacklisting of Iran’s mining, engineering and construction industries.
Report: Fired general acted inappropriately
WASHINGTON –The Air Force general who was fired from command of U.S. land-based nuclear missile forces had engaged in “inappropriate behavior” while on official business in Russia last summer, including heavy drinking, rudeness to his hosts and associating with “suspect” women, according to an investigation report released Thursday.
The events that led to the dismissal took place while Maj. Gen. Michael Carey was in Russia in July as head of a U.S. government delegation to a nuclear security training exercise. At the time, he was commander of the 20th Air Force.
Associated Press
