FREEDOMWORKS 08/27/2015

1. ObamaCare enrollees in several states plagued by narrow doctor networks - by Jason Pye Enrollees in several states face a severe lack of options in physician networks for plans offered on the ObamaCare exchanges, according to a brief released on Monday by the Leonard David Institute of Health Economics and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Limited physician networks is a part of the health insurance industry's effort to mitigate mandates in the so-called Affordable Care Act that have increased costs. For consumers, some of whom may have already lost the doctor when their pre-ObamaCare coverage was canceled, the lack of physicians in a provider network can be a headache. Unfortunately, it is commonplace as a result of the law. The Leonard David Institute of Health Economics and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation looked at Silver plans available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia in 2014 and compared the provider networks available. Researchers found several states that had a high percentage of ObamaCare plans with limited physician networks, defined as 25 or fewer doctors available on the network. Read more here... 2. 'Why I Can't Get a Mortgage' - by FreedomWorks Senior Economic Advisor Stephen Moore via The Washington Times Last month I bought a house in Potomac, Md., a trade up on my current home, and was shocked to learn in the ensuing weeks that I couldn’t get a mortgage loan. First, I went to PNC bank. Then Wells Fargo. Then another. Denied. Denied. Denied. No, I don’t feel entitled to a loan, and the banks have every right not to lend me money. But my tale of woe tells a broader tale of what is going on in the lending industry these days. Read more here... 3. 9.12 Grassroots Summit Featuring Glenn Beck 4. The Government Wants to Regulate Your Personal Trainer - by Logan Albright Professional licensure is a too-often ignored way for government to protect private monopolies, squash, competition, keep prices high, and reduce consumer choice. I’ve written extensively about the issue before, because the practice of licensure can be very harmful to honest citizens seeking to better themselves through gainful employment, and like all government regulations, it hits the poorest and least educated citizens hardest. About a third of all professionals in the United States now need a government license in order to do their jobs. Thankfully, some people are starting to recognize this problem and push back against the misguided policy, but in other areas, licensing continues to expand to the detriment of us all. Read more here... 5. Donald Trump Versus the Founding Fathers: Private Property Rights Are the Cornerstone of Liberty - by Jason Pye Private property has always had a unique place in American society. The Founding Fathers recognized that government exists to protect private property. They were influenced by Enlightenment-era philosophers John Locke and Adam Smith, who believed the right to property was a fundamental, natural right. Donald Trump, however, appears to believe that private property can be taken on a whim by the influential and politically-connected. John Adams, one of the most vocal proponents of independence from the British Crown, famously wrote, "The moment the idea is admitted into society, that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence. If 'Thou shalt not covet,' and 'Thou shalt not steal,' were not commandments of Heaven, they must be made inviolable precepts in every society, before it can be civilized or made free." Read more here... 6. North Carolina Activist Meeting - by Kathy Hartkopf On Monday evening, I was delighted to be invited to join the Wayne County, NC GOP for their monthly meeting. Wayne County, NC GOP President and FreedomWorks Super Activist, Ann Sullivan led the meeting. In addition to a room full of activists, the meeting was attended by two county commissioners and a school board member. Ann had asked me to come to the meeting to share information about our exciting 9-12 Activist Summit. Activists had a number of questions about the exciting event and several hope to attend! We also talked about How Freedom Works, and a number of issues that FreedomWorks is working on: our opposition to Common Core, our continued opposition to Obamacare, and our focus on Justice Reform. Read more here... Iris Somberg Press Secretary, FreedomWorks