IRS publication 5187, also available at the IRS ACA website, may help you learn how the Affordable Care Act affects your taxes.
IRS Publication 5187, Health Care Law: What’s New for Individuals and Families: While the health care law has several parts, this publication breaks down what’s new for the 2014 federal tax return you will be filing in 2015.
“This new publication provides important information for taxpayers who:
USA dot gov/shutdown has federal government shutdown information and links to federal agency contingency plans.
For Shutdown Trickle-down effects on Oregon state and local government operations, check with the relevant agency, department, or office.
For health care insurance plans, visit Cover Oregon, which, oddly enough, you can’t link to from the Oregon dot gov homepage (at least as of now).
Cover Oregon is a one-stop shop where people can enroll in private health insurance plans, the Oregon Health Plan, and Healthy Kids. (If Oregonians apply for private health insurance before Dec. 15, coverage will begin January 2014.)
Working with community partners and agents is free and Oregonians will be able to go to CoverOregon.com or call 1-855-CoverOR (1-855-268-3767) on or before Oct. 1 to be connected to a community partner in their area or to verify that the partner or agent they are currently working with is certified.
Visit the Cover Oregon homepage. More information will soon be available from Cover Oregon’s Community Partners.
How many legislators know how to compile a legislative history? My guess is not many. But they have many skills the rest of us lack, but need. Who among us has the patience to shepherd bills through the state or federal (or local) legislative process without going berserk – and having everyone scream at you day and night? Not I.
Try shadowing a legislator for a day and you’ll see what I mean. (Try shadowing a teacher for a day, too, and see how much like legislating that job is, with just as many people screaming at you.)
Legislative assistants can compile legislative histories and so can government documents and law librarians. For us, legislative history compilation skills are a job requirement, but that doesn’t mean we have to like it, especially if we’re far from the seat of government and can’t visit the official and complete archives where complete bill files can be found.
If you want to find Oregon health insurance plans and calculate your 2014 rates, visit the confusingly named “Cover Oregon” website:
“Cover Oregon is a central marketplace where Oregon individuals and employers will be able to shop for health insurance plans and access financial assistance to help pay for coverage. Starting in October 2013, we will serve as a one-stop resource that makes it easy to find the perfect plan for your unique needs.”
Links to legislative and other information about the Affordable Health Care Act.
Oregon Legal Research Blog