Not only is this Health care Insurance Tax Act going to be very taxing, it is also going to be very "taxing" [taxing, something that burdens or strains.] The costs involved in this affordable care law could probably pay for enough doctors and nurses to take care of all our needy citizens.

Look at SEC. 1502 and just imagine how many new jobs are being created here: accountants, secretaries, filling clerks, lawyers, data processors, human resources assistants, paper manufacturers, optometrists, psychiatrists, marriage councilors, it just boggles my mind.    

 SEC. 1502. REPORTING OF HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE.

(a) IN GENERAL.—Part III of subchapter A of chapter 61 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after subpart C the following new subpart:

‘‘Subpart D—Information Regarding Health Insurance Coverage

‘‘Sec. 6055. Reporting of health insurance coverage.

‘‘SEC. 6055. REPORTING OF HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE.

 Yes, the ACT/Law repeats this title, once in small print, once in all caps.

‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Every person who provides minimum essential coverage to an individual during a calendar year shall, at such time as the Secretary [Not sure if that is the Secretary of Health and Human Services or the Secretary of the Treasury.] may prescribe, make a return described in subsection (b).

‘‘(b) FORM AND MANNER OF RETURN.—

‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A return is described in this subsection

if such return—

‘‘(A) is in such form as the Secretary may prescribe, and

‘‘(B) contains—

‘‘(i) the name, address and TIN of the primary insured and the name and TIN of each other individual obtaining coverage under the policy,

‘‘(ii) the dates during which such individual was covered under minimum essential coverage during the calendar year,

‘‘(iii) in the case of minimum essential coverage which consists of health insurance coverage, information concerning—

‘‘(I) whether or not the coverage is a qualified health plan offered through an Exchange established under section 1311 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and

‘‘(II) in the case of a qualified health plan, the amount (if any) of any advance payment under section 1412 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of any cost-sharing reduction under section 1402 of such Act or of any premium tax credit under section 36B with respect to such coverage, and

‘‘(iv) such other information as the Secretary may require.

‘‘(2) INFORMATION RELATING TO EMPLOYER-PROVIDED COVERAGE.—

If minimum essential coverage provided to an individual under subsection (a) consists of health insurance coverage of a health insurance issuer provided through a group health plan of an employer, a return described in this subsection shall include—

‘‘(A) the name, address, and employer identification number of the employer maintaining the plan,

‘‘(B) the portion of the premium (if any) required to be paid by the employer, and

‘‘(C) if the health insurance coverage is a qualified health plan in the small group market offered through an Exchange, such other information as the Secretary may require for administration of the credit under section 45R (relating to credit for employee health insurance expenses of small employers).

‘‘(c) STATEMENTS TO BE FURNISHED TO INDIVIDUALS WITH RESPECT TO WHOM INFORMATION IS REPORTED.—

‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Every person required to make a return under subsection (a) shall furnish to each individual whose name is required to be set forth in such return a written statement showing—

‘‘(A) the name and address of the person required to make such return and the phone number of the information contact for such person, and

‘‘(B) the information required to be shown on the return with respect to such individual.

‘‘(2) TIME FOR FURNISHING STATEMENTS.—The written statement required under paragraph (1) shall be furnished on or before January 31 of the year following the calendar year for which the return under subsection (a) was required to be made.

‘‘(d) COVERAGE PROVIDED BY GOVERNMENTAL UNITS.—In the case of coverage provided by any governmental unit or any agency or instrumentality thereof, the officer or employee who enters into the agreement to provide such coverage (or the person appropriately designated for purposes of this section) shall make the returns

and statements required by this section.

‘‘(e) MINIMUM ESSENTIAL COVERAGE.—For purposes of this section, the term ‘minimum essential coverage’ has the meaning given such term by section 5000A(f).’’.

(b) ASSESSABLE PENALTIES.—

(1) Subparagraph (B) of section 6724(d)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to definitions) is amended by striking ‘‘or’’ at the end of clause (xxii), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of clause (xxiii) and inserting ‘‘or’’, and by inserting after clause (xxiii) the following new clause:

‘‘(xxiv) section 6055 (relating to returns relating to information regarding health insurance coverage), and’’.

(2) Paragraph (2) of section 6724(d) of such Code is amended by striking ‘‘or’’ at the end of subparagraph (EE), by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (FF) and inserting ‘‘, or’’ and by inserting after subparagraph (FF) the following new subparagraph:

‘‘(GG) section 6055(c) (relating to statements relating to information regarding health insurance coverage).’’.

(c) NOTIFICATION OF NONENROLLMENT.—Not later than June 30 of each year, the Secretary of the Treasury, acting through the Internal Revenue Service and in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall send a notification to each individual who files an individual income tax return and who is not enrolled in minimum essential coverage (as defined in section 5000A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986). Such notification shall contain information on the services available through the Exchange operating in the State in which such individual resides.

(d) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of subparts for part III of subchapter A of chapter 61 of such Code is amended by inserting after the item relating to subpart C the following new item:

‘‘SUBPART D—INFORMATION REGARDING HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE’’.

(e) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section shall apply to calendar years beginning after 2013.

 Shakespeare wrote, "that which we call a rose would smell as sweet by any other name."   I have a new name for the  ‘‘Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’’

The Federal Health Care Insurance 

Regulatory Tax Act

Last I blogged about the taxes added or modified in the Health Care Act.  I promised I would next address the penalties.  There are 132 instances of the word "penalty" in the Act.  The first one I came upon was in

PATIENT PROTECTION AND AFFORDABLE CARE ACT

SECTION 1

TITLE I—QUALITY, AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE FOR ALL AMERICANS

….

  Subtitle B—Immediate Actions to Preserve and Expand Coverage

….

    SEC. 1104 ADMINISTRATIVE SIMPLIFICATION

….

 

 Before I list this section on Penalties let me point out that this is section j.  After section j I have included section h (which is two sections earlier) since it is the section that describes what the penalties are for.  Here it comes.

 (j) PENALTIES—

      (1) PENALTY FEE—

(A) IN GENERAL—Not later than April 1, 2014, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall assess a penalty fee (as determined under subparagraph (B)) against a health plan that has failed to meet the requirements under subsection (h) with respect to certification and documentation

of compliance with—

 (i) the standards and associated operating rules described under paragraph (1) of such subsection; and

 (ii) a standard (as described under subsection (a)(1)(B)) and associated operating rules (as described under subsection (i)(5)) for any other financial and administrative transactions.

(B) FEE AMOUNT—Subject to subparagraphs (C), (D), and (E), the Secretary shall assess a penalty fee against a health plan in the amount of $1 per covered life until certification is complete. The penalty shall be assessed per person covered by the plan for which its data systems for major medical policies are not in compliance and shall be imposed against the health plan for each day that the plan is not in compliance with the requirements under subsection (h).

 (C) ADDITIONAL PENALTY FOR MISREPRESENTATION.—A health plan that knowingly provides inaccurate or incomplete information in a statement of certification or documentation of compliance under subsection (h) shall be subject to a penalty fee that is double the amount that would otherwise be imposed under this subsection.

 (D) ANNUAL FEE INCREASE.—The amount of the penalty fee imposed under this subsection shall be increased on an annual basis by the annual percentage increase in total national health care expenditures, as determined by the Secretary.

 (E) PENALTY LIMIT—A penalty fee assessed against a health plan under this subsection shall not exceed, on an annual basis—

 (i) an amount equal to $20 per covered life under such plan; or

 (ii) an amount equal to $40 per covered life under the plan if such plan has knowingly provided inaccurate or incomplete information (as described under subparagraph (C)).

 (F) DETERMINATION OF COVERED INDIVIDUALS—The Secretary shall determine the number of covered lives under a health plan based upon the most recent statements and filings that have been submitted by such plan to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 (2) NOTICE AND DISPUTE PROCEDURE.—The Secretary shall establish a procedure for assessment of penalty fees under this subsection that provides a health plan with reasonable notice and a dispute resolution procedure prior to provision of a notice of assessment by the Secretary of the Treasury (as described under paragraph (4)(B)).

 (3) PENALTY FEE REPORT.—Not later than May 1, 2014, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall provide the Secretary of the Treasury with a report identifying those health plans that have been assessed a penalty fee under this subsection.

 (4) COLLECTION OF PENALTY FEE—

 (A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Treasury, acting through the Financial Management Service, shall administer the collection of penalty fees from health plans that have been identified by the Secretary in the penalty fee report provided under paragraph (3).

 (B) NOTICE.—Not later than August 1, 2014, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of the Treasury shall provide notice to each health plan that has been assessed a penalty fee by the Secretary under this subsection. Such notice shall include the amount of the penalty fee assessed by the Secretary and the due date for payment of such fee to the Secretary of the Treasury (as described in subparagraph (C)).

 (C) PAYMENT DUE DATE.—Payment by a health plan for a penalty fee assessed under this subsection shall be made to the Secretary of the Treasury not later than November 1, 2014, and annually thereafter.

 (D) UNPAID PENALTY FEES.—Any amount of a penalty fee assessed against a health plan under this subsection for which payment has not been made by the due date provided under subparagraph (C) shall be—

 (i) increased by the interest accrued on such amount, as determined pursuant to the under-payment rate established under section 6621 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and

 (ii) treated as a past-due, legally enforceable debt owed to a Federal agency for purposes of section 6402(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

 (E) ADMINISTRATIVE FEES.—Any fee charged or allocated for collection activities conducted by the Financial Management Service will be passed on to a health plan on a pro-rata basis and added to any penalty fee collected from the plan.

 (h) COMPLIANCE—

 (1) HEALTH PLAN CERTIFICATION.—

 (A) ELIGIBILITY FOR A HEALTH PLAN, HEALTH CLAIM STATUS, ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFERS, HEALTH CARE PAYMENT AND REMITTANCE ADVICE.—Not later than December 31, 2013, a health plan shall file a statement with the Secretary, in such form as the Secretary may require, certifying that the data and information systems for such plan are in compliance with any applicable standards (as described under paragraph (7) of section 1171) and associated operating rules (as described under paragraph (9) of such section) for electronic funds transfers, eligibility for a health plan, health claim status, and health care payment and remittance advice, respectively.

 (B) HEALTH CLAIMS OR EQUIVALENT ENCOUNTER INFORMATION, ENROLLMENT AND DISENROLLMENT IN A HEALTH PLAN, HEALTH PLAN PREMIUM PAYMENTS, HEALTH CLAIMS ATTACHMENTS, REFERRAL CERTIFICATION AND AUTHORIZATION.—

Not later than December 31, 2015, a health plan shall file a statement with the Secretary, in such form as the Secretary may require, certifying that the data and information systems for such plan are in compliance with any applicable standards and associated operating rules for health claims or equivalent encounter information, enrollment and disenrollment in a health plan, health plan premium payments, health claims attachments, and referral certification and authorization, respectively. A health plan shall provide the same level of documentation to certify compliance with such transactions as is required to certify compliance with the transactions specified in subparagraph (A).

 (2) DOCUMENTATION OF COMPLIANCE.—A health plan shall provide the Secretary, in such form as the Secretary may require, with adequate documentation of compliance with the

standards and operating rules described under paragraph (1). A health plan shall not be considered to have provided adequate documentation and shall not be certified as being in compliance with such standards, unless the health plan—

 (A) demonstrates to the Secretary that the plan conducts the electronic transactions specified in paragraph (1) in a manner that fully complies with the regulations of the Secretary; and

 (B) provides documentation showing that the plan has completed end-to-end testing for such transactions with their partners, such as hospitals and physicians.

 (3) SERVICE CONTRACTS.—A health plan shall be required to ensure that any entities that provide services pursuant to a contract with such health plan shall comply with any applicable certification and compliance requirements (and provide the Secretary with adequate documentation of such compliance) under this subsection.

 (4) CERTIFICATION BY OUTSIDE ENTITY.—The Secretary may designate independent, outside entities to certify that a health plan has complied with the requirements under this subsection, provided that the certification standards employed by such entities are in accordance with any standards or operating rules issued by the Secretary.

 (5) COMPLIANCE WITH REVISED STANDARDS AND OPERATING RULES.—

 (A) IN GENERAL.—A health plan (including entities described under paragraph (3)) shall file a statement with the Secretary, in such form as the Secretary may require, certifying that the data and information systems for such plan are in compliance with any applicable revised standards and associated operating rules under this subsection for any interim final rule promulgated by the Secretary under subsection (i) that—

 (i) amends any standard or operating rule described under paragraph (1) of this subsection; or

 (ii) establishes a standard (as described under subsection (a)(1)(B)) or associated operating rules (as described under subsection (i)(5)) for any other financial and administrative transactions.

 (B) DATE OF COMPLIANCE.—A health plan shall comply with such requirements not later than the effective date of the applicable standard or operating rule.

 (6) AUDITS OF HEALTH PLANS.—The Secretary shall conduct periodic audits to ensure that health plans (including entities described under paragraph (3)) are in compliance with any standards and operating rules that are described under paragraph (1) or subsection (i)(5).

Yes indeed, I can see how this "simplifies" the whole health care insurance business.  (This is all found in Sec. 1104, ADMINISTRATIVE SIMPLIFICATION.) And it will surely make our health care insurance premiums go down.  I bet there are all sorts of groups who just can not wait to get into the health care insurance business. 

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY

 HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY


My curiosity has gotten the better of me.  After hearing that the Supreme Court ruled that the Affordable Health Care Act could stand the Constitutional test based upon the Government's powers to tax, I had to take another look. The section is TITLE IX.  WOW!  This section doesn't go into the individual penalty.  There are over 100 references to "penalties" within the Act.  Guess what my next post will be.


TITLE IX—REVENUE PROVISIONS
Subtitle A—Revenue Offset Provisions

EXCISE TAX ON HIGH COST EMPLOYER-SPONSORED HEALTH COVERAGE

Beginning with tax year 2013 and increasing in subsequent years

A tax of 40% of health insurance cost if over

individual     $675 per month
family        $1917 per month

Unless you live in one of the 17 states that the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines to be a "High Cost" state, then it's different.

If you have trouble following that, don't worry, your employer will keep track of it and report to the IRS.

Well, I guess the employer will have to keep track of this every month to see if a tax is due, even if it isn't.

Oh, yes, the health insurance costs by the employer will be included on your W2 so it will be easy for you to find at tax time.


TAXES ON FAILURES BY HOSPITAL ORGANIZATIONS

If a hospital is run as a non-profit/charity and it doesn't file all the required (yet to be determined) paper work, that will cost them $50,000.  Personally, I think it would cost more than that tax for the accountants to keep track of it.

The next three are so convoluted that I am not sure anyone can tell you what they tax, or how much.


IMPOSITION OF ANNUAL FEE ON BRANDED PRESCRIPTION
PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURERS AND IMPORTERS

IMPOSITION OF ANNUAL FEE ON MEDICAL DEVICE MANUFACTURERS
AND IMPORTERS

IMPOSITION OF ANNUAL FEE ON HEALTH INSURANCE PROVIDERS

But the list goes on


ELIMINATION OF DEDUCTION FOR EXPENSES ALLOCABLE TO MEDICARE PART D SUBSIDY

MODIFICATION OF ITEMIZED DEDUCTION FOR MEDICAL EXPENSES

Deductible medical expenses were deductible if they exceeded 7.5% of your AGI, now it is if they exceed 10% of your AGI.

LIMITATION ON EXCESSIVE REMUNERATION PAID BY CERTAIN HEALTH INSURANCE PROVIDERS

OK, I need a CPA for this one.

ADDITIONAL HOSPITAL INSURANCE TAX ON HIGH-INCOME TAXPAYERS

Take that you 1%ers.

IMPOSITION OF TAX ON ELECTIVE COSMETIC MEDICAL PROCEDURES

Take that Hollywood; add 5% for your Uncle.

EXCLUSION OF HEALTH BENEFITS PROVIDED BY INDIAN TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS

OK, they're excluded, but what if they own a couple of those casinos and are in that 1%

What will our Supreme Court Do?

Soon the court will hand down it's decision on the legality of the "Health Care" Act, Public Law 111-148, March 23, 2010. 

Remember this law was enacted before the mid-term election, when the Democratic Party controlled both Houses of Congress.  You would think that the Democratic Party would have wanted to protect the rights of the individual, and really made those big insurance companies "toe the line."

Well, here is what I found in searching the 900+ pages of the Law.  Below are two small excerpts.

Subtitle G—Miscellaneous Provisions

PUBLIC LAW 111–148—MAR. 23, 2010

SEC. 1555 FREEDOM NOT TO PARTICIPATE IN FEDERAL HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAMS

No individual, company, business, nonprofit entity, or health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage shall be required to participate in any Federal health insurance program created under this Act (or any amendments made by this Act), or in any Federal health insurance program expanded by this Act (or any such amendments), and there shall be no penalty or fine imposed upon any such issuer for choosing not to participate in such programs.

……………………………………………….

IN GENERAL.—Subtitle D of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new chapter:

CHAPTER 48—MAINTENANCE OF MINIMUM ESSENTIAL COVERAGE

SEC. 5000A REQUIREMENT TO MAINTAIN MINIMUM ESSENTIAL COVERAGE

 (a) REQUIREMENT TO MAINTAIN MINIMUM ESSENTIAL COVERAGE.—

An applicable individual shall for each month beginning after 2013 ensure that the individual, and any dependent of the individual who is an applicable individual, is covered under minimum essential coverage for such month.

 (b) SHARED RESPONSIBILITY PAYMENT.—

            (1) IN GENERAL.—If an applicable individual fails to meet the requirement of subsection (a) for 1 or more months during any calendar year beginning after 2013, then, except as provided in subsection (d), there is hereby imposed a penalty with respect to the individual in the amount determined under subsection (c).

  ............................

The "penalty" imposed upon individuals (taxpayers) is phased in over 3 years, and grows to $750.00, with cost-of-living increases after that.  That is $750 per person up to $2250 per family.  

 The fact that the law exempts health insurance companies, but penalizes individuals  leaves me in a quandary ( a state of uncertainty or indecision as to what to do in a difficult situation.)  No insurance company is required to participate, but every American (taxpayer) is required to have health insurance.

That's another thing about this Law, it is titled, "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act," but a lot of it is about insurance, not health care.  There are multiple references and changes to the Tax Laws.  Most of it doesn't establish programs, but requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish programs (with the authority of Law.)  Who knows what that will bring!

And why is so much of this Law put off until 2013 and 2014?  Could it have to do with another Presidential Election in 2012?

On a Totally Different Subject -- American Idol

OK, I might be old, but I still enjoy American Idol. 

However, it is getting difficult to watch the shenanigans occurring with it's flawed voting methods.  (Of course in their defense, they never said they were choosing the best singer.)  If you've ever voted for your favorite, you probably know you can just keep on voting.  I mean really, the estimate is that 16.3 million people were watching this week.  What did they say the vote count was, 50 million?

My guess is that teenage girls from the Southern United States are the ones picking the winner.  To support that I am including below some of the data available on recent, past winners and the current season finalists.  I include Colton Dixon as he was my pick for the second spot after Phillip Phillips.

American Idol season 7 winner, David Cook, age 25

Blue Springs, Missouri, population 52,575

Total final voting 97 million

American Idol season 8 winner, Kris Allen, age 23

Conway, Arkansas, population 58,908

Total final voting 100 million votes

American Idol season 9 winner, Lee DeWyze, age 24

Mount Prospect, Illinois, population 54,167

Total final voting 96 million votes

American Idol season 10 winner, Scotty McCreery, age 19

Garner, North Carolina, population 25,745

Total final voting 122 million votes.

Season 11 final four

Phillip Phillips, age 21

Leesburg, Georgia, population 2965

Joshua Ledet, age 19

Westlake, Louisiana, population 4668

Jessica Sanchez, age 16

San Diego, California, population 1,301,617

Hollie Cavanagh, age 18

McKinney, Texas, population 131,117

Eliminated - Colton Dixon, age 20

Murfreesboro, Tennessee, population 108,755

What do those Mid-western and Southern boys have? Jessica Sanchez would have been gone but for the judges using their one save.  She is beating the odds.  She is possibly this year's Katharine McPhee, a much better singer than the guy who beat her out in the final on season 5. And then, Holly Cavanagh could be another Kelly Clarkson, winner of season 1.  

No, I have to stick with Phillip, he hasn't been singing for 3 weeks now, and he's still there.

Attention Farmers

Here is a partial Quote from the President's FY2013 Budget Proposal to Congress

The Administration remains committed to a strong safety net for farmers, one that protects them from revenue losses that result from low yields or price declines, and strong crop insurance programs. But there are programs and places where current support is unnecessary or too generous. To reduce the deficit, the Administration proposes to eliminate or reduce those programs, while strengthening the safety net for those that need it most. The Administration is proposing to: 

• Eliminate Direct Payments to Farmers. The direct payment program provides producers fixed annual income support payments for having historically planted crops that were supported by Government programs, regardless of whether the farmer is currently producing those crops—or producing any crop, for that matter. Direct payments do not vary with prices, yields, or producers’ farm incomes. As a result, taxpayers continue to foot the bill for these payments to farmers who are experiencing record yields and prices; more than 50 percent of direct payments go to farmers with more than $100,000 in annual income. Eliminating these payments would save the Government roughly $23 billion over 10 years and build a better farm safety net. 

• Reduce Crop Insurance Subsidies. Crop insurance is a foundation of our farm safety net. Yet, the program continues to be highly subsidized and costs the Government approximately $10 billion a year to run: $3 billion per year for the private insurance companies to administer and underwrite the program and $7 billion per year in premium subsidy to the farmers. A U.S. Department of Agriculture commissioned study found that, when compared to other private companies, crop insurance companies’ rate of return on investment (ROI) should be around 12 percent, but that it is currently expected to be 14 percent. The Administration is proposing to lower the crop insurance companies’ ROI to meet the 12 percent target, saving $1.2 billion over 10 years. In addition, the current cap on administrative expenses is based on the 2010 premiums, which were among the highest ever. A more appropriate level for the cap would be based on 2006 premiums, neutralizing the spike in commodity prices over the last four years, but not harming the delivery system. The Administration, therefore, proposes setting the cap at $0.9 billion adjusted annually for inflation, which would save $2.9 billion over 10 years. Finally, the Administration proposes to price more accurately the premium for catastrophic (CAT) coverage policies, which will slightly lower the reimbursement to crop insurance companies. The premium for CAT coverage is fully subsidized for the farmer, so the farmer is not impacted by the change. This change will save $225 million over 10 years. 

In addition, the Administration is proposing to reduce producers’ premium subsidy by 2 basis points for all but catastrophic crop insurance, where the subsidy is greater than 50 percent. This will have little impact on producers. Most producers pay only 40 percent of the cost of their crop insurance premium on average, with the Government paying for the remainder. This cost share arrangement was implemented in 2000, when very few producers participated in the program and “ad-hoc” agricultural disaster assistance bills were passed regularly. The Congress increased the subsidy for buy-up coverage by over 50 percent at the time to encourage greater participation. With current participation rates, the deep premium subsidies are no longer needed. This proposal is expected to save $3.3 billion over 10 years. 

• Better Target Agricultural Conservation Assistance. The Administration has championed programs that create incentives for private lands conservation and has worked to leverage these resources with those of other Federal agencies toward greater landscape scale conservation; however, the significant increases in conservation funding (roughly 200 percent since enactment of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002) has led to redundancies among our agricultural conservation programs. At the same time, high crop prices have both strengthened market opportunities to expand agricultural production on the Nation’s farmlands and decreased producer demand for certain agricultural conservation programs. To reduce the deficit, the Administration proposes to reduce conservation funding by $1.8 billion over 10 years by better targeting conservation funding to the most cost-effective and environmentally-beneficial programs and practices. Even under this proposal, conservation assistance is projected to grow by $60 billion over the next decade (assuming continuation of the current farm bill base line,)

Do We Really Need All This?

Our government was established in 1789, 223 years ago.  We are still making new laws.  How many laws do we need?  In 223 years our government hasn't gotten it right?  That sounds like failure to me.

I was reading some federal government internet sites today.  Did you know that the government spends about $10,000,000 a year to determine federal employee salaries?  Well, it is more than that really;  that's how much they spend on the study they use to determine salary scales for federal employees in various jobs around the country.  We have the Federal Salary Council that conducts the National Compensation Survey.  Cost? About ten million dollars.

A Executive Branch bureau director starts at about $120,000 per year.  That sounds fair for a starting salary.  How many bureaus does the Executive Branch have?  Good question, glad I asked it.  It is hard to say.  The Executive Branch includes the Cabinet. Below is a list of Cabinet Departments.  Each Department has a number of divisions, say bureaus.  I have included some of these under The State Department.  Each Department has a similar division, depending upon its roll in the government. 

United States Department of Agriculture

United States Department of Commerce

United States Department of Defense

United States Department of Education

United States Department of Energy

United States Department of Health and Human Services

United States Department of Homeland Security

United States Department of Housing and Urban Development

United States Department of the Interior

United States Department of Justice

United States Department of Labor

United States Department of Transportation

United States Department of the Treasury

United States Department of Veterans Affairs

United States Department of State

Under the State Department we have

Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources

Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security

Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs

Under Secretary for Economic, Energy and Agricultural Affairs

Under Secretary for Management

Under Secretary for Political Affairs

Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs

Permanent Diplomatic Missions

The Executive Branch also includes these agencies:

    Council of Economic Advisers

    Council on Environmental Quality

    Domestic Policy Council

    National Economic Council

    National Security Council

    Office of Administration

    Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships

    Office of Management and Budget

    Office of National AIDS Policy

    Office of National Drug Control Policy

    Office of Intergovermental Affairs and Public Engagment

    Office of Science and Technology Policy

    Office of the First Lady

    Office of the Vice President

    Office of the Second Lady

    President's Economic Recovery Advisory Board

    President's Intelligence Oversight Board

    President's Intelligence Advisory Board

    United States Trade Representative

    White House Office

    White House Military Office