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Obamacare 2019 Enrollment Texas Click Here
Texas exchange overview
Texas uses the federally-run exchange at HealthCare.gov, and the state has taken a very hands-off approach with regards to implementing the ACA. Texas has not expanded Medicaid, and is one of just three states that leaves the rate review process for ACA-compliant plans to CMS (the state does also review filings to make sure they're compliant with Texas law). Texas is also leading a 20-state lawsuit that challenges the legality of the ACA now that the individual mandate penalty will be repealed in 2019.
But Texas also has one of the highest exchange enrollments in the country. The state has a very large population, many of whom were uninsured pre-ACA. Only two states — Florida and California — have higher enrollment in their exchanges (not counting Medicaid) than Texas.
1,126,838 people enrolled in coverage through the Texas exchange during open enrollment for 2018 coverage, which was about 8 percent less than the year before.
Effectuated enrollment is always lower than the number of people who sign up during open enrollment. Effectuated enrollment in the Texas exchange as of July 2017 stood at 963,171, with 86 percent of those enrollees receiving premium subsidies to make their health insurance more affordable. The subsidies averaged $333 per month in 2017.
From 2010 to 2015, as a result of the ACA, the number of uninsured people in Texas declined by 1,781,000, according to an HHS report published in December 2016. The uninsured rate in the state was still the highest in the country by 2015, and the number of people who gained coverage would have been far higher if Texas had accepted federal funding to expand Medicaid under the ACA. But even without Medicaid expansion, the uninsured rate is significantly lower than it was prior to the passage of the ACA.
Looking ahead to 2019: Oscar's coverage area will expand
Eight insurers offer plans in the Texas exchange in 2018. Rate filings for 2019 had to be filed by June 21, 2018, and are available in SERFF for most of the current exchange insurers, with the following average proposed rate changes:
- Celtic/Ambetter: 4.7 percent increase
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas: The filing says the insurer is proposing a 10.5 percent decrease in rates. However, the Texas Department of Insurance had noted in the filing that "the prior average PMPM [per member per month] rate is listed as $585.42 and the requested average PMPM rate is $590.11. Please explain how this slight increase aligns with the stated -10.5% decrease in rates." Additional rate filing data isn't yet public, so it's not yet clear whether BCBSTX is planning to increase or decrease their rates for 2019 (we've reached out to the insurer and to the Texas Department of Insurance for clarification; TDI has said that they cannot provide any additional information at this point, so there is still some uncertainty surrounding BCBSTX's rate filing).
- CHRISTUS: 9.6 percent increase (23,000 members)
- Molina: 13.3 percent increase (236,564 members)
- Oscar: Rate change not yet public, but Oscar is expanding its coverage area in Texas (currently just San Antonio and Austin, plus off-exchange plans in Dallas).
- Sendero: 33.8 percent increase (25,000 members)
- SHA/FirstCare: 19.9 percent (17,000 members)
- Community Health Choice: Filing not yet public
As was the case for 2018, the Texas Department of Insurance did not instruct insurers on how to add the cost of cost-sharing reductions (CSR) to premiums for 2019. It has instead been left to each insurer's discretion. Adding the cost of CSR only to silver plan premiums (in many cases, only to on-exchange silver plan premiums) is the most popular approach across the country, but insurers also have the option to add the cost of CSR to all plans.
Health care reform legislation
Texas only has legislative sessions in odd-numbered years. So although lawmakers in many states have been considering various health reform and health insurance-related bills in 2018, That has not been the case in Texas.
But several healthcare reform-related bills were enacted in Texas in 2017. They include:
- HB214, which prohibits coverage for elective abortion on all major medical plans (including plans sold through the exchange) in Texas. Twenty-five states had already enacted similar legislation.
- SB2087, which authorized the state to reestablish a high-risk pool (Texas had a high-risk pool pre-ACA, but it was eliminated once health insurance became guaranteed-issue in the individual market), if and when federal funding becomes available. This legislation passed in May 2017, when it was still unclear whether Congressional efforts to repeal the ACA would be successful. They were not, but some of the bills that were under consideration at that point included provisions for at least some federal funding for state-run high-risk pools. SB2087 allows the state to seek federal funding for a high-risk pool, but legislation to provide such funding is no longer under consideration at the federal level. It could once again be under consideration in 2019 or beyond, if Republicans retain their majority in Congress after the 2018 elections.
- SB1406, which authorizes the state to submit a 1332 waiver proposal to the federal government, seeking permission to waive the actuarial value requirements that currently apply in the small group health insurance market. The idea is to allow small group plans to have a wider range of actuarial values, instead of having to conform to the current bronze, silver, gold, or platinum categories. The legislation was signed into law in May 2017, but the state had not submitted a 1332 waiver proposal as of May 2018, and the Texas Department of Insurance confirmed that there has been no action on this as of May 2018. The Texas Department of Insurance published a brief in early 2018 detailing several other potential 1332 waiver proposals that could be used to stabilize the individual market, but those proposals would need legislative approval, and the legislature won't be in session again until 2019.
2018 insurers
For 2018, there are eight insurers offering coverage in the Texas exchange, although most of them have very localized coverage areas and most counties only have one or two insurers offering plans:
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas (HMO)
- Celtic/Ambetter (EPO)
- Community Health Choice(HMO)
- Molina (HMO)
- Oscar (EPO)
- Sendero (HMO)
- SHA/Firstcare (HMO)
In addition, four insurers are offering plans outside the exchange:
- Freedom Life (PPO)
- Insurance Company of Scott and White (PPO)
- Scott and White (HMO)
- Vista (HMO)
2018 enrollment: Down about 8% from 2017, due to shorter enrollment period, federal funding cuts, and uncertainty caused by Congressional efforts to repeal the ACA
Texas exchange enrollment reached 1,126,838 people during open enrollment for 2018 coverage. The year before, 1,227,290 people purchased coverage through the Texas exchange during open enrollment for 2017 coverage, so 2018 enrollment represented a drop of about 8 percent. And it was down 13.7 percent from the state's peak enrollment in 2016, when 1,306,208 people bought coverage in the Texas exchange.
These enrollment drops are similar to the national trend across states that use HealthCare.gov, where average enrollment declined by 5 percent in 2018. The shorter enrollment period (November 1 to December 15, as opposed to the three-month window that was used in prior years) and reduced federal funding for exchange marketing and enrollment assistance played a role in the enrollment declines, as did uncertainty about the future of the ACA, and in particular, the future of the individual mandate. The mandate penalty was repealed in December 2017 (after the end of open enrollment for 2018 coverage) as part of the GOP tax bill, but that repeal won't take effect until 2019 — people who are uninsured in 2018 will still have to pay a penalty on their 2018 tax return unless they qualify for an exemption.
Although open enrollment for 2018 coverage ended on December 15, 2017, HHS announced in September 2017 that residents of areas affected by 2017 hurricanes and deemed by FEMA to be eligible for "individual assistance" or "public assistance" would have a special enrollment period (SEP) to sign up for coverage. The special enrollment period was initially scheduled to continue through December 31, 2017, but was subsequently extended through March 31, 2018, effectively extending open enrollment for people in affected counties by three and a half months.
53 counties in Texas (mostly along the Gulf coast, but also in the Dallas area) were deemed eligible for public assistance or individual assistance. Residents of those counties, along with people who lived in those counties when Hurricane Harvey hit Texas but had since relocated, were eligible to enroll in a 2018 plan through HealthCare.gov up until March 31, 2018.
Humana and Prominence left at the end of 2017; impact was minimal due to small market area
Ten insurers offered exchange plans in various areas of Texas in 2017, although Humana exited the individual market (on and off-exchange) at the end of 2017, and so did Prominence.
Humana only offered plans in ten of the 254 counties in Texas in 2017, however, so their exit did not impact most of the state. The counties where Humana plans were available in 2017 — on and off-exchange — are clustered in the Corpus Christi, San Antonio, and Waco areas. In each of those counties, there were two other insurers offering exchange plans (Christus and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas).
Prominence offered plans in 11 Texas counties in 2017, so as was the case for Humana, their exit did not impact most of the state. Most of the counties where Prominence offered exchange plans have fairly low populations, although Prominence plans were available in McAllen and Amarillo
Everyone who had exchange plans with Prominence or Humana in 2017 was eligible for a special enrollment period that lasted until March 31, 2018. These enrollees were automatically mapped to new plans by the exchange if they didn't pick their own new plans during open enrollment. But they also still had the option to pick a different replacement plan until March 1.
Eight insurers remained in Texas exchange for 2018, average rate increases much higher than originally proposed, due to CSR funding cut
In most cases, Texas insurers filed rates in the spring/early summer 2017 that assumed federal funding for cost-sharing reductions (CSR) would continue in 2018. But by the time CSR funding was officially eliminated by the Trump Administration in October 2017, all of the Texas insurers had filed rates that were based on the assumption that CSR funding would not continue. Since the federal government is no longer funding CSR, the cost was added to premiums in virtually every state (insurers have to continue to provide CSR benefits, regardless of federal funding). CSR benefits are only available on silver plans, and adding the cost of CSR only to silver plans protects the majority of consumers, since premium subsidies grow in conjunction with silver plan premiums.
In some cases, the Texas filings make it clear that the cost of CSR was only being added to silver plans, and at least one insurer (CHRISTUS) filed an additional revised rate structure to ensure that the cost of CSR would only be added to on-exchange silver plans. Sendero's rate filing indicated that they would market an off-exchange-only silver plan in addition to their exchange plans (off-exchange-only plans do not have to include the cost of CSR in their rates).
The insurers that offer plans in the Texas exchange implemented the following average rate increases for 2018:
- AmBetter (Celtic): 47.7 percent (187,155 members). Ambetter initially proposed an average rate increase of 21.3 percent, based on the assumption that CSR funding would continue. They later filed revised rates (which were deemed justified by federal regulators) with the assumption that CSR funding would not continue. Plans were available in 32 counties in the Texas exchange in 2017, but for 2018, that grew to 41 counties.
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas: 20.43 percent (389,766 members). Blue Cross had proposed an average rate increase of 22.7 percent in late August (revised downward slightly from the 23.6 percent average increase they filed earlier in the summer). The proposed rate increase was slightly lower for Blue Advantage, and slightly higher for Blue Advantage Plus. Plans were available in the exchange statewide in 2017, and that continues to be the case for 2018.
- CHRISTUS Health: average rate increases range from 33.7 percent to 71 percent (25,000 members). Christus added the cost of CSR to their silver plans in a revised filing in early September, but then filed an additional revision that removed the cost of CSR from their silver plans sold outside the exchange, and concentrated it only on the premiums for their on-exchange silver plans. Those on-exchange silver plans are the ones with the largest average rate increase (71 percent). The rest of Christus's plans have average rate increases that range from 33.7 percent to 58.1 percent. Christus Health expressed opposition to the GOP Senate health care bill (the BCRA) in late June.
- Community Health Choice: 49 percent. Community Health Choice had previously proposed an average rate increase of 26.4 percent, but that was based on the assumption that CSR funding would continue. The revised filing assumed that it would not, and the cost of CSR was added to silver plans. Community Health Choice also offers members a 10 percent discount on their premiums if they complete a Health Risk Assessment. To get the discount for 2018, members had to complete their Health Risk Assessment before the end of January 2018.
- FirstCare (SHA): 27.74 percent. (19,250 members). FirstCare's initial rate filing had proposed an average rate increase of 19.6 percent.
- IdealCare (Sendero): 47.2 percent (projected 2018 membership is 456,000) Sendero had initially proposed an average rate increase of 25.72 percent, but their revised filing (dated September 22) was based on the assumption that CSR funding would no longer continue in 2018. Sendero plans were available in 8 counties in Central Texas in 2017, and the rate filing noted that Sendero's plans had the most competitive premiums in that area. They anticipated that their prices would remain highly competitive in 2018. Their filing also indicated that in addition to their exchange plans, they would also market one silver and one platinum plan off-exchange only for 2018.
- Molina: 40.67 percent (251,266 members, but projected membership in 2018 is 205,444). Molina offered plans in nine Texas counties in 2017, and has continued to offer coverage in those same counties in 2018. Molina's filing as of July 2017 indicated that they were already assuming that CSR funding would not continue in 2018, and also that they would not market any plans outside the exchange.
- Oscar: Average approved rate increases range from 26.3 percent to 44.7 percent. (22,846 members). In a revised filing dated August 10, Oscar indicated that their rates were based on the assumption that CSR funding would not continue in 2018. Oscar also has several new plans for 2018. After reducing their on-exchange 2017 coverage area to just a single San Antonio-area county (Bexar), Oscar expanded to two additional San Antonio-area counties (Comal and Guadalupe, according to their plan filing) for 2018. They also expanded into the Austin area, with both on and off-exchange plans. Oscar also offers off-exchange coverage in the Dallas area, as they did in 2017.
It's important to note that rate increases are calculated before premium subsidies are applied. The ACA's premium subsidies grow to keep pace with premiums (they're based on keeping the second-lowest-cost silver plan in each area at an affordable level), so larger subsidies in 2018 are offsetting all or most of the premium increases for subsidy-eligible enrollees, as long as they were willing to switch plans if necessary in order to get the best value.
86 percent of Texas exchange enrollees are receiving premium subsidies (more than 964,000 people) in 2018, and those individuals are largely insulated from the impact of the rate increases. But the other 14 percent of the exchange enrollees, plus everyone who has coverage outside the exchange, is bearing the full brunt of the rate increases in 2018.
How premium subsidies make coverage affordable, and how subsidies vary in size from one area to another
Premium subsidies are designed to keep the cost of the second-lowest-cost silver plan at a level that's affordable based on income, and uniform for everyone with the same income, regardless of where they live or how old they are.
As an example, a single person earning $40,000 a year will have to pay 9.56 percent of his or her household income for the second-lowest-cost silver plan in each area in 2018, regardless of other factors. That works out to about $318 per month in after-subsidy premiums. But the subsidy can be applied to any metal level plan in the exchange, so there is significant variation in net premiums after people make their plan selections during open enrollment.
As an example, consider two single people in Houston, and two in El Paso, all four of whom earn $40,000 each. In each city, one person is 40 and the other is 62. For all four of them, the second-lowest-cost silver plan in the exchange (which is a different plan from one area to another) is $318/month after premium subsidies are applied. But in Houston, the 40-year-old has to pay at least $189/month for a bronze plan, while the 62-year-old can get a bronze plan for as little as $27/month.
Similarly, in El Paso, the 40-year-old has to pay at least $194/month for a bronze plan, while the 62-year-old can get the lowest-cost bronze plan for just $39/month after the premium subsidy is applied.
These variations highlight the importance of comparison shopping each year during open enrollment, rather than letting an existing plan auto-renew.
2017 carriers and rates
Ten carriers offered plans in the Texas exchange in 2017, but most of them only offered coverage in a fraction of the state's 254 counties. In the majority of the counties, there were one, two, or three carriers offering plans. There were no PPO plans available in the exchange in 2017.
Scott & White, Aetna, Cigna, and All Savers/UnitedHealthcare exited the state's individual market at the end of 2016—details below.
Humana also exited exchanges in several states, but they continued to offer coverage in Texas in 2017, albeit only in ten counties, and with an average rate increase of more than 45 percent. And Humana ultimately exited the individual market in all of their remaining states, including Texas, at the end of 2017.
Allegian Health Plan's approved rate increase for 2017 averaged 71 percent. But citing significant losses, the carrier announced their exit from the exchange just as open enrollment for 2017 got underway. They continued to offer HMO plans outside the exchange in just seven of the 254 counties in Texas in 2017.
Texas does not have an effective rate review program, so CMS (specifically, CCIIO) conducts the rate review for plans that are sold in the Texas exchange.
The following average rate increases were approved for plans in the Texas exchange in 2017 (some rates are different from those originally filed earlier in 2016, due to additional rate filings later in the year, and modifications made during the rate review process):
- AmBetter (Celtic): 15.38 percent
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas: 44 percent to 48 percent, depending on the plan
- CHRISTUS Health: 17 percent to 30 percent, depending on the plan
- Community Health Choice: 21 percent
- FirstCare (SHA): 48.45 percent
- Humana: 45.35 percent (leaving at the end of 2017)
- IdealCare (Sendero): 28.9 percent
- Molina: 10.3 percent
- Oscar: 17 percent to 25 percent, depending on plan (coverage area is being reduced; on-exchange plans are not available in the Dallas area in 2017; Dallas-area Oscar plans are only available off-exchange in 2017. Plans are available on-exchange only in Bexar County — San Antonio)
- Prominence Health First: 31.2 percent (leaving at the end of 2017)
2017 benchmark rates up 18% = larger subsidies
Although average rate hikes in the Texas exchange are substantial in 2017, premium subsidies will offset some or all of the rate increase for eligible enrollees. Particularly in a market like Texas, where there are numerous plans available and a strong possibility that the benchmark plan (second lowest-cost silver plan) will be offered by a different carrier from one year to the next, it's essential for enrollees to compare all of their options during open enrollment.
As of March 2016, nearly 84 percent of Texas exchange enrollees were receiving premium subsidies. HHS reported that for a 27-year-old enrollee, the average second-lowest-cost silver plan in the Texas exchange is 18 percent more expensive in 2017 than it was in 2016 (that's a little lower than the national average increase of 22 percent for second-lowest-cost silver plans). Subsidies are tied to the cost of the second-lowest-cost silver plan, so Texas enrollees will see higher average subsidies in 2017, offsetting some or all of the rate increases (switching plans is often necessary in order to take full advantage of the rising subsidies; plan changes can be made at any time until January 31, but enrollments must be completed by January 15 in order to have the new plan effective February 1).
UnitedHealthcare exited at the end of 2016
UnitedHealthcare exited the exchange in Texas at the end of 2016, as was the case in most of the states where United offered exchange plans in 2016. The carrier is continuing to offer group plans in Texas, but not through the exchange, and is no longer offering any individual market plans in the state, on or off-exchange. United's decision follows mounting losses in the ACA-compliant market, which the carrier deemed unsustainable.
According to a Kaiser Family Foundation analysis, United only offered plans in 30 of the 254 counties in Texas in 2016. But they were the counties with the most enrollees: 80 percent of Texas exchange enrollees had UnitedHealthcare as an option in 2016.
Although United offered exchange plans in 30 Texas counties in 2016, there were only eight counties where United offered one of the two lowest-cost Silver plans. The lowest-priced silver plans tend to be the most popular with enrollees.
According to the Texas Department of Insurance, three carrier entities were impacted by United's exit. No plans are available in 2017 from these three entities in Texas:
- All Savers Insurance Company — 128,055 members in 2016
- UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance Company — 28,611 members in 2016
- UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company (SHOP exchange for small businesses) — small group products from UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company are still available off-exchange in 2017.
The member counts included both on and off-exchange enrollments, and were a relatively small portion of the Texas individual market (just on-exchange, there were 1.09 million enrollees in Texas as of March 31).
Aetna, Scott & White, Cigna, and Allegian also exited
In August 2016, Aetna announced that they would exit the exchanges in 11 of the 15 states where they had been offering exchange plans. Texas is one of the states where Aetna's exchange enrollees had to secure new coverage. Off-exchange plans are still available from Aetna in 49 Texas counties in 2017.
Scott & White Health Plan also announced in August that they would exit the exchange in Texas at the end of 2016. They are continuing to offer coverage outside the exchange in 61 counties, but only bronze plans — they've discontinued all of their silver and gold plans. Scott & White previously offered plans in the Texas exchange in 58 counties. A subsidiary, the Insurance Company of Scott & White, also indicated in their rate filing that their plans would only be available outside the exchange in 2017; they are offering off-exchange plans in 55 counties.
Cigna confirmed by phone that their plans would only be available off-exchange in Texas for 2017. For Cigna's HMOs, they had initially filed an average rate increase proposal of about 23 percent for 2017, but later filed a new average rate increase of 48.9 percent, which the federal government found to be "not unreasonable." For EPOs, the average rate increase is about 35 percent. All of these rates apply to off-exchange plans only, so subsidies are not available to offset the premiums.
Allegian Health Plan announced their exit from the exchange just as open enrollment for 2017 began. They are continuing to offer HMO plans outside the exchange in just seven of the 254 counties in Texas.
Oscar reduced coverage area
Oscar has remained in the Texas exchange, but only in one county (Bexar) in San Antonio. They are no longer offering exchange plans in the Dallas area. They are offering plans in a total of four counties in Texas for 2017, but in three of them — all but Bexar — the plans are only available off-exchange.
Uninsured rate down to 16.8%
Prior to the ACA's implementation, the uninsured rate in Texas was about 25 percent. By 2015, it had fallen to 16.8 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Texas still has the highest uninsured rate in the country, and the national average in 2015 was down to 9.1 percent. But Texas has made considerable progress in the last few years, despite the fact that the state still has not accepted federal funding to expand Medicaid under the ACA.
1.3 million enrolled for 2016, effectuated enrollment still over 1 million
1,306,208 people enrolled in private plans for 2016 through the Texas exchange during open enrollment. The total includes new enrollees as well as renewals. For perspective, total enrollment at the end of the 2015 open enrollment period was 1,205,174.
Overall, Texas had the second-highest 2016 enrollment in the country, but is trailing Florida by a significant margin – some of the reasons why are addressed in this Dallas Morning News article.
By March 31, effectuated enrollment stood at 1,092,650. That's an attrition rate of about 16 percent, which is higher than the national average. But the effectuated enrollment total at the end of the first quarter of 2016 is still 13 percent higher than the effectuated enrollment total (966,412) at the end of the first quarter of 2015.
The Texas Hospital Association mounted a significant marketing campaign to get people enrolled in health insurance through the exchange, and their efforts seem to have paid off, particularly during the final enrollment push in late January. Across all 38 states that use Healthcare.gov, in the final week the 2016 open enrollment period, eight of the ten local areas with the fastest-growing enrollment numbers were in Texas: Corpus Christi, Harlingen, Laredo, El Paso, Odessa-Midland, San Antonio, Abilene-Sweetwater, and Lubbock.
Open enrollment ended January 31. Coverage for 2016 (including off-exchange coverage) is now only available for people who experience a qualifying event that triggers a special enrollment period. Although Native Americans can enroll year-round (through the exchange), as can anyone eligible for Medicaid or CHIP.
Fewer exchange PPOs in 2016, none in 2017
In some parts of Texas – including Houston – there were no PPO plans available on the exchange for 2016. And in 2017, there are no PPO plans available in the Texas exchange.
Following a similar trend that's happening in many other states, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas decided to stop offering their individual PPO plans in 2016, and instead move to an HMO-only model. They retained their Blue Advantage HMO network, but the Blue Choice PPO network is no longer available to individuals who purchase their own coverage.
BCBS of Texas has 5 million members across the state, but most of them are enrolled in employer group plans. The PPO plans is still available in the employer group market, and grandfathered PPO plans in the individual market (those that were already in force in 2010 when the ACA was signed into law) were not impacted by the decision. But 300,000 people (possibly as many as 367,000) were transitioned to one of the HMO options offered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas; they also had the option to shop around and select a plan from another carrier during open enrollment (incidentally, Ted Cruz was in this group, and there was quite a media circus regarding his plan).
BCBS of Texas said that the decision to end their PPO plans was not reached lightly, but in 2014, their individual market claims exceeded premiums by $400 million. Switching to an HMO model is expected to help the carrier keep their individual products sustainable under the new rules that prohibit medical underwriting.
Cigna and Human also opted to stop offering PPO plans, citing sustainability as their reason for switching to more cost-efficient HMO models. In Harris County, Houston – the fourth-largest city in the US – has no PPO plans available at all for 2016 in the exchange, despite having plans available from seven different carriers.
Scott & White Health Plan and Allegian were both still offering PPO plans in the exchange in 2016, but their plans were not available in all areas of the state. And both carriers exited the exchange at the end of 2016.
Roughly two thirds of the carriers that offered plans in the Texas exchange in 2015 were losing money, paying out more in claims than they're collecting in premiums. Switching to and HMO model is one way that carriers can better predict their costs and keep claims expenses down.
2016 rates and carriers
According to a Milliman report, there are 14 carriers offering individual plans in the Texas exchange for 2016, up from 13 in 2015. But Milliman's analysis eliminates multiple carriers that have one parent company. If we look at the rate changes on Healthcare.gov's rate review tool and also check available plans around the state on Healthcare.gov, there are options available from at least 18 separate legal entities.
Texas is one of five states that does not conduct its own review of proposed premiums for exchange plans. Instead, HHS reviewed the submitted rates, approving some as-proposed, while making adjustments to others. Most of the carriers participating in the Texas exchange also offered plans in 2015, so their average rate changes are available on Healthcare.gov's rate review tool. Rates decreased for five carriers, and increased by between 5 percent and 34 percent for the remaining carriers:
- Aetna
- All Savers: 16.1 percent rate increase (a subsidiary of UnitedHealthcare; exiting at the end of 2016)
- Allegian: 12.4 percent rate increase for PPO plans; 0.06 percent rate decrease for HMO plans
- AmBetter
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas: rate changes vary from a 3.7 percent decrease, to an 18.8 percent increase for HMO plans.
- CHRISTUS Health
- Cigna: 14 percent rate increase for EPO plans; 17.3 percent rate increase for their Local Plus plans (off-exchange)
- Community First: rate decreases that range from 2.1 percent to 9.2 percent.
- Community Health Choice: 5 percent average rate increase
- FirstCare (SHA): 12.6 percent increase
- Humana: 23 percent increase for HMO; 21 percent increase for PPO (off exchange); 30 percent increase for EPO
- IdealCare (Sendero): 5.1 percent decrease
- Insurance Company of Scott & White: 34 percent average rate increase (only 1,807 insureds in 2015)
- Molina: 6.7 percent rate decrease
- Oscar
- Prominence Health First
- Scott & White Health Plan: 32.4 percent increase (24,294 insureds in 2015)
- UnitedHealthcare (exiting at the end of 2016)
The average rate increases are before the application of any subsidy, and the vast majority of Texas exchange enrollees are receiving subsidies. It was vitally important to shop around during open enrollment, as subsidy amounts are tied to the price of the benchmark plan (second-lowest-cost silver plan).
Statewide, the average benchmark plan is 5.1 percent more expensive in 2016, which means subsidies are higher, but only modestly. If you're on a plan that experienced a sharp price increase for 2016, it's likely that your subsidy didn't increase by enough to make up the difference in premium. But the good news in Texas is that in most areas of the state, there are exchange plans available from several carriers and consumers were able to shop around during open enrollment to find the best option.
Once all of the plan selections for 2016 were finalized, 84 percent of Texas exchange enrollees qualified for premium subsidies. Their average pre-subsidy premium was $344/month, but after subsidies, they are paying an average of just $87/month.
In 2015, 85 percent of Texas exchange enrollees qualified for subsidies. Their average pre-subsidy premiums were $328/month, and their average after-subsidy premiums were $89/month. Despite sharp variations in rate increases, the average amount that people with premium subsidies are paying for their coverage is virtually unchanged from 2015.
Texas targeted for increased enrollment
Dallas and Houston are among five metropolitan areas nationwide that were targeted by HHS for enrollment growth (the others are Chicago, Miami, and Northern New Jersey) in 2016. These are areas with particularly high numbers of uninsured residents, and HHS has designated them as places where enhanced outreach and education could result in significant new enrollments – and a corresponding decline in the uninsured rate. Texas still has the highest uninsured rate in the country: 20.1 percent according to Gallup.
A study published in late January 2016 found that more than 69 percent of uninsured Texans don't have insurance because they can't afford it. The study involved 1,500 uninsured adults, including people who are eligible for premium subsidies as well as those who are in the coverage gap because Texas has refused federal funding to expand Medicaid. For everyone in the coverage gap – not just in Texas, but also in the 17 other states where there's a coverage gap, as well as Louisiana until Medicaid expansion takes effect – health coverage is not realistically available. People in the coverage gap aren't eligible for premium subsidies in the exchange, and they aren't eligible for Medicaid because their states have refused to expand coverage. As a result, they can only get health insurance if they can pay the full premium themselves, which is unlikely to be possible when people have incomes below the poverty level.
Exchange enrollees identified on ID cards
At the end of May 2015, the Texas state senate passed House Bill 1514, and Governor Abbott signed it into law the following month. The law became effective in September 2015, and requires insurance carriers to label policy ID cards with "QHP" (qualified health plan) if the plan was purchased through the exchange.
The initial version of the House bill called for two different designations for exchange-purchased policy ID cards: "QHP" for plans purchased without a subsidy, and "QHP-S" for plans purchased with a subsidy (86 percent of the exchange enrollees in Texas are receiving subsidies). But the version that was ultimately signed into law dropped the "S" and simply calls for identifying all exchange enrollees with the "QHP" designation.
Many provider organizations were in support of HB 1514, because there's a 90 day grace period for subsidized exchange enrollees who fall behind on their premiums, as opposed to the 30 day grace period for plans purchased outside the exchange and for non-subsidized exchange plans. During that time, carriers have to pay claims from the first 30 days, but can retroactively deny claims from the following 60 days (assuming the patient doesn't pay the past due premiums) and can require the provider to refund payments made during that time.
Supporters of the bill claim that the QHP designation simply serves to keep providers aware of the need to remind their patients to remain current with their premiums. But the QHP label lets providers know that chances are, the patient is receiving a subsidy and thus has a 90 day grace period to remain current on premiums. It's not unreasonable to assume that some providers would then choose to not work with those patients. The bill has generated considerably controversy between provider organizations and consumer advocates.
Texas sues feds over Obamacare. Again.
In October 2015, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton joined AGs from Louisiana and Kansas in filing a lawsuit against HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell and IRS commissioner John Koskinen. The suit contends that the ACA's Health Insurance Provider Fee amounts to an illegal tax on states, since most states utilize private health insurance carriers to operate Medicaid managed care programs. The ACA fee is levied on private health insurance carriers, but the money that states pay to the carries to manage their Medicaid programs is utilized to pay the provider fee as well.
In Texas, 87 percent of Medicaid enrollees are covered under private plans in the managed care system, so the state is effectively paying the provider fee for those enrollees. But ACA supporters note that the state has always paid carriers enough to cover whatever fees they're required to pay – the reason this particular fee has resulted in a lawsuit is because it's part of the ACA, which is much-hated by Texas leadership.
In January 2016, the federal government said that Texas, Louisiana, and Kansas have no standing in this case because the Health Insurance Provider Fee doesn't mention states, and states aren't required to contract with Medicaid Managed Care Organizations that are subject to the fee. The case was ongoing as of spring 2016.
Lawmaker tried to establish state-run exchange
Although Texas has generally resisted the ACA over the last five years, two bills were introduced in the 2015 legislative session that would create a state-run exchange in Texas. Texas State Representative Chris Turner, a Democrat from Arlington/Grand Prairie, filed HB817 and HB818 in January.
HB817 would have required the state to create an exchange if the Supreme Court had ruled that subsidies are not permitted in the federally-run exchange (King v. Burwell). HB818 would create a state-run exchange regardless of the Court's position in King v. Burwell. Neither bill made it out of committee, but now that we know subsidies will continue to be available through Healthcare.gov, the need for a state-run exchange is no longer as pressing.
2015 enrollment
1,205,174 people enrolled in private plans through the Texas exchange during the 2015 open enrollment period – the third highest in the country, trailing only Florida and California. But not everyone paid their initial premiums, and for a variety of reasons, some people cancelled their coverage early in 2015. By the end of March, 966,412 people in Texas had effectuated coverage through the exchange; by the end of June, effectuated enrollments had dropped to 943,218. 84.5 percent are receiving premium subsidies, and 63 percent are receiving cost-sharing subsidies (only available on silver plans for people with incomes up to 250 percent of the poverty level).
Of the people who selected a plan during the 2015 open enrollment period, 57 percent are new to the exchange for 2015. The Texas exchange exceeded the HHS target of 940,000 enrollees by more than a quarter of a million people during open enrollment, and ever after the initial attrition in the early part of the year, enrollment remains above the target level.
An additional 146,548 people enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP through the exchange between November 15 and February 22, qualifying under the state's unchanged guidelines, as Texas has not expanded Medicaid. Open enrollment continues year-round, but during the period from November 15 to February 22, the Texas exchange had the highest number of Medicaid enrollments of the states that have not yet expanded Medicaid (and only eight of the states that have expanded Medicaid had higher total Medicaid enrollment during that time).
Open enrollment for 2015 has ended, but 2015 coverage can still be purchased if you have a qualifying event, or if you're Native American. In addition, Medicaid/CHIP enrollment is year-round for people who are eligible under the state Medicaid/CHIP guidelines.
2015 Texas exchange rates
A Commonwealth Fund analysis found an average rate increase of 5 percent in the Texas exchange for 2015. For silver plans, it was just 2 percent. Rate increases tended to be lower in urban areas of Texas.
In Houston, the 2015 benchmark plan (second lowest-cost silver plan) is still from the same carrier that offered it in 2014, but the lowest cost silver and bronze plans were both from different carriers in 2015. All in all, it pays to shop around during open enrollment in Texas, as there are significant differences in rate changes from one carrier to another.
For a 40 year old non-smoker, the average bronze plan in the Texas exchange in 2015 is $269 per month (pre-subsidy). This is slightly higher than the national average of $256.
New carriers and more plans for 2015
The exchange in Texas had 15 carriers offering plans in Texas for 2015, up from 12 in 2014. Only Michigan and Ohio have more carriers in their exchanges, with 16 each. There are an average of 31 plans available in each county in Texas for 2015, up from 25 in 2014. In Dallas county, there are 64 plans available, a huge increase over the 36 that were available in 2014.
Grandmothered plans may renew
In November 2013, the federal government announced that states could allow non-grandfathered, pre-2014 health plans (dubbed "grandmothered" plans) to renew again and remain in force in 2014. In March 2014, they issued another extension for these transitional policies, allowing states to let them continue to renew as late as September 2016. The majority of the states have accepted that proposition, but in 2014, Texas regulators simply didn't issue any guidance whatsoever on the matter (in interviews with insurance officials in each state, Texas was alone in this regard – every other state took a position either for or against renewal of grandmothered plans).
Because Texas didn't issue any guidelines for renewal of grandmothered plans, regulators initially said that grandmothered plans would not be allowed to renew in Texas in 2014. But eventually they reversed course on this, with the Department of Insurance simply noting that they do not object to carriers renewing grandmothered plans in accordance with federal guidelines. HHS has since issued additional extensions (at states' discretion) for transitional plans, allowing them to renew as late as October 2019, and remain in force until the end of December 2019. Texas has not yet issued guidance on whether they'll go along with the latest extension, but the state did confirm that the prior extension, allowing coverage to remain in effect through the end of 2018, would be allowed.
2014 enrollment exceeded 7o0,000
Enrollment in the Texas exchange skyrocketed to 733,757 by April 19, 2014 As of March 1, private plan enrollment in the Texas exchange had been at 295,000. The increase during March and the extension period in the first half of April was the largest of any state in the country. That followed January and February enrollment of more than 90,000 new enrollees per month in Texas.
Total enrollment in Texas was the second highest of the states where HHS is running the exchange, trailing only Florida.
An additional 141,494 exchange applicants had enrolled in Medicaid, despite the fact that Texas is not expanding Medicaid under the ACA (those applicants were already eligible under existing rules). Total enrollment – including private plans and Medicaid – was just over 875,000 people as of April 19.
Rates and carriers in 2014
Twelve carriers offered a total of 95 different health plans in the Texas exchange in 2014 (this increased to 15 in 2015), so residents have many options from which to choose and competition among carriers is helping to keep the rates below the national average. Not only are there a wide range of plans available in Texas, but there are also several big-name health insurance carriers participating in the Texas exchange, including Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas and Humana.
There has been some concern that not enough doctors are accepting health plans purchased through the exchange, but in many cases it's impossible for medical offices to know whether a plan was obtained in the exchange. But a USA Today article published in late October notes that doctors in Texas are pushing for a requirement that insurance id cards indicate whether a plan was purchased through the exchange, and what metal level coverage it is.
Exchange history and legislation
Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry formally notified the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) in July 2012 that Texas would not implement a state-run health insurance exchange. In his notification letter, Perry —a long-standing opponent of the Affordable Care Act — called the ACA provisions "brazen intrusions into the sovereignty of our state."
Texas State Representative Eric Johnson, a Democrat from Dallas, did introduce bills in early 2013 that would have created a state-run exchange and expanded Medicaid, but neither was successful. HHS is running the exchange in Texas, and the state is not expanding Medicaid.
The significant enrollment numbers in Texas are testament to a law that is working well, and its success is being praised by Texas Democrats. But Republicans in the state legislature have vowed to continue their fight against the ACA in the 2015 legislative session.
CMS announced on November 22, 2013 that Texas applicants can enroll in QHPs directly through insurers – bypassing the exchange website entirely – with premium and cost-sharing subsidies available for eligible enrollees (the federal data hub is used to verify identity and determine subsidy eligibility for enrollments that go directly through insurance carriers).
The Texas High Risk Pool (a health plan for people with pre-existing conditions that pre-dates the ACA) remained open for the first three months of 2014, after originally being scheduled to cease operations at the end of 2013.
In early January, the Perry Administration's efforts to make it more difficult to be a navigator in Texas drew criticism from ACA supporters and Democratic lawmakers, who claim that Perry is simply trying to impede enrollment in the Texas exchange.
According to a Kaiser Health News article, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas has played a major role in educating state consumers about the federal health insurance marketplace. The Blues plan used many strategies to reach consumers: creating a website, launching a texting campaign, and engaging churches, community clinics, nonprofits, and other community organizations.


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Looking ahead into the new year of 2017, I've pulled a reflection from my book Cultivating God's Garden through Lent. From the past I share a lesson of timing.
Unexpected Warmth (Wednesday of the First Week of Lent)
New Years Day, 2011
Leaning against the dented aluminum siding near the back door were snow shovels and a covered pail of deicer. They had replaced the garden spade and rake. It was the beginning of January, and here in the upper Midwest it's usually bitter cold and often covered with snow and ice. Last week Christmas was white and offered familiar images often seen on seasonal cards. The snow glistened in the sun and at night sparkled with colors from decorative outdoor lights. In the rural areas that surround my home, the fields glowed with the light from the moon.
Winter moved in as it always does. The plants go dormant and my immediate world slows and I become quieter. It is a peace-filled time after the bustle of Christmas. It is the time of year when I draw down and snuggle into a nest of pillows. Wrapped in an afghan I read, pray, reflect, and imagine.
This year appeared to be no different. Six inches of snow had fallen two days ago, adding a fresh layer to the existing three. The new snow framed the crèche of the outdoor nativity, my inheritance from my grandmother's garage. Outside my window the birds were perched on the Serviceberry's branches near the feeders, with their feathers puffed up and little heads drawn down.
Today, though, was unusual for winter. The steady rain occasionally worked itself into a downpour. It wasn't a freezing rain but one that thawed. It was nearly fifty degrees outside. Rivulets of water grew into large flowing puddles as the snow and ice melted, flooding the road and ditches. It was also the first time I had experienced a thunderstorm on New Year's Day. It was a turbulent and forceful storm, the garden-chimes dancing and jerking with each gust.
The second day after the rains and warm temperatures, the lawn and Creeping Veronica showed green instead of their depleted winter tan. Even the cardinals and finches were singing. It was an unexpected gift creating a hope-filled feeling of spring.
I sensed awkwardness about this feeling—a falseness—and recognized it as fleeting joy. This unusual warm spell was an event out of sync; it brought short-term happiness that was not in balance with nature. It was not the appropriate time for the gift of spring. The truth was that this aberrant weather could cause more harm than good by encouraging sap to flow and buds to set, too tender to survive the impending cold to come.
I recalled times in my life where immediate gratification did not bring a continuing happiness. Those events too were a gift out of season, often bearing false hope. And on occasions when impulsiveness trumped clarity of thought, they did more harm than good.
There is a lasting joy in waiting and in hoping for a gift in due season. Timing matters, and the timing that matters most is God's timing. I recognized the masquerade of those past few days for what they were: a foreshadowing of what was to come and not the true event that it pretended to be.
I love spring with all of its new life and developing growth. I appreciate it even more after a long winter of rest.
"At Christmas I no more desire a rose
Than wish a snow in May's newfangled mirth;
But like of each thing that in season grows."
~William Shakespeare, Love's Labour's Lost
Copyright 2017 Margaret Rose Realy, Obl. OSB

subset: commoncrawl


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The community has been advised to give equal treatment to all children, regardless of their physical or disability status. The Child Support Tanzania (CST) Project Coordinator, Mr. Omoding James, gave the advice when discussing the work that CST is doing in Mbeya Region.
CST is based in Mbeya. It implements the Take all My Friends to School Project. The project focuses on supporting children with disability to access education.
James says CST works hand in hand with the community in order to provide schooling opportunity for children with disabilities. The project is funded by the Foundation for Civil Society (FCS). They have managed to increase community awareness on rights for children with disability.
"Some school authorities have begun to change their attitude. They have realized the need to support children with disability. For instance, at Juhudi Primary School, they have built ramps in some classrooms so as to support children with disability. Prior to the implementation of this project, there was no smooth passage to classrooms for children with disability at Iwambi. This is no longer the case. We have increased the number of children with disabilities from 62 to 78 in six schools. Currently the Government, through the Local Government Authority, is supporting programs aimed at assisting children with disability," he says.
James says prior to the implementing of the project, CST observed that some parents could not afford to take their disabled children to school due to snags caused by distance and financial considerations. He also observed that some nearby schools did not neither had the capacity nor the teaching tools for accommodating and teaching children with disabilities. As a result, the children stayed home without going to school.
According to James, CST has supported the community to recognize the social and economic impact of stigma on children with disabilities. They have organized seminars for family members, teachers and government officials on facilitating equal and better treatment for children with disabilities.
"Our society must accept change and abandon discriminatory traditions, customs and taboos that stigmatize children with disabilities," James says and adds, "Stigma has a direct link to poverty, especially in families with children with disabilities."
He says that they have seen some parents, and in most cases men, abandon their families simply because their wives have given birth to children with disabilities. He added that there in some cases children with disabilities have been segregated and unequally treated by their own families. He says that once men abandon their families once their spouses give birth to disabled children; it creates a difficult environment for women to manage their day to day lives.
"Take the example of a mother out there who has failed to go to her farm due to the duty of taking care of her disabled child. When others are producing, she is at home. When her fellow villagers are harvesting, she has nothing to harvest. In the end, her family lives in extreme poverty," he says.
"There are many disabled children in this community. Once these are left to interact only with their family members, it limits them the time to engage in economic activities. We need to engage the entire community to support children with disabilities," he says.
The Regional Commissioner for Mbeya, Honorable Amos Makala, congratulates CST for implementing the project in his region. He says the project works in line with the 5th Government Development plan, which emphasizes education for all. Mr Makala argues that CST has been helping children with disabilities in their schooling, and also by forming children clubs where they teach about children's rights and equal opportunities in education.
Zedekia Kalisi, is a mother of a child with albinism. She says her life began to be more financially unstable after giving birth to that child. "I used to be engaged in various economic activities. My husband loved me and supported the family financially. I never thought he would abandon us after having this baby," she says while emphasizing that she has to stop doing most of her economic activities for the sake of just staying at home and taking care of her baby. "I thank CST for this project. It helps to educate people on the impact of stigma on children with disabilities. My child now goes to school. I also get sufficient time to work," she says.


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Nexter, a KNDS Group company, European leader in land defense, will be present at SHIELDAFRICA in Abidjan from January 21 to 24, 2019. For this fifth edition, under the theme of "Living, Regulated Land, Sea and Air Frontiers, Conditions for the Development of Africa", the French architect and system integrator will propose a selection of its range of equipment in the field of artillery, armored vehicles, naval and air weaponry, robotics and ammunition.
Proven solutions for today's issues.
Mainly drawn on expertise from the French Army's use of the Armored Combat Vehicle (VBCI) on the African territory, the CAESAR® 155mm artillery system and the Highly Protected 4x4 Armored Vehicle ARAVIS®, Nexter will present its range of products adapted to the operational issues of African land forces. Nexter's booth will exhibit the models of the 105LG towed gun and of the TITUS® in its armored personal carrier (APC) and homeland security (HS) versions. These versatile, robust and reliable equipment perfectly meets local needs, both in the city and difficult terrain as well as across the spectrum of missions, from peacekeeping to high intensity missions, through counter terrorism and homeland security.
In addition, Nexter will exhibit a range of innovative solutions, such as the NERVA® monitoring and recognition mini-robot range or the FINDMP® digital system for decision-making process. The booth will also host the mobile clinic system, whose mobility concept allows effective care even in hard-to-reach areas.
Nexter will also be present in the aerial and maritime dimensions by proposing the different adaptations of its famous 20mm gun (20 * 621) on several weapons mounting including the P20 (manual mounting for light vehicle), the POD NC621 (Pod canon for helicopters and light aircraft), the NARWHAL® (tele-operated and stabilized naval turret), or the 15A / 15B (light naval mounting).
Finally, a wide range of ammunition, ranging from 20 mm to 155 mm, will be exhibited, including tank and artillery ammunition as well as naval and aeronautical ammunition.
Find Nexter¹ and its experts on booth EX255.
¹ Nexter Group subsidiaries present on SHIELDAFRICA exposition are Nexter Robotics, Euroshelter, and Nexter Munitions, MECAR and SIMMEL.


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Political structure
Official name
Republic of Sudan
Legal system
Sharia (Islamic law) applies in both civil and criminal cases in the north—although there are some special provisions for non-Muslims
National legislature
Sudan has a bicameral parliament, consisting of a 426-member National Assembly (with 60% of seats elected by majority voting in geographical constituencies and 40% by proportional representation, including 25% reserved for women) and a Council of States composed of two representatives elected by each state assembly. The National Congress Party (NCP) has 323 seats; the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) led by Mohammed Osman al‑Mirghani has 25; independent candidates have 19; and the DUP led by Jalal al‑Digair has 15
National elections
Presidential and parliamentary polls held in April 2015; next elections due in April 2020
Head of state
Abdel Fattah Burhan took office as head of the Transitional Military Council in April 2019
National government
In April 2019 the president, Omar al-Bashir, was ousted by the army, and a Transitional Military Council was set up. The military and civilians have agreed to form a 11-member sovereign council that will govern the country for a transitional period of 39 months, after which elections will be held. However, the parties are yet to agree upon the roles of the council and a parliament. Before Mr Bashir's ousting, the government was dominated by the NCP
The main northern opposition parties include two wings of the DUP, and the Umma Party and the Popular Congress Party, which did not contest the April 2015 elections. In Darfur the main political-military groups are the Justice and Equality Movement and the fragmented Sudan Liberation Movement. The composition of the transitional military council is unclear, so we have kept the list of key ministers as it was before the removal of Mr Bashir
The presidency
Head of Transitional Military Council: Abdel Fattah Burhan
Key ministers
Agriculture & forestry: Rodwan Mohammed Ahmed Morgan
Communications & IT: Hassa Ismael
Defence: Awad Ibnouf
Education: Al-Khair al-Nur al-Mubarak
Finance & economic planning: Magdi Hassan Yasin
Foreign affairs: Al-Dirdiri Mohammed Ahmed
Health: Mahjoub al-Fakri Hashem
Industry & commerce: Hamed Mumtaz
Interior: Bushara Gumaa Aro
Justice: Mohammed Ahmed Salem
Labour, administrative reform & human development: Bahar Idris Abu Garda
Livestock, fisheries & wildlife: Ibrahim Yousef
Oil, gas & minerals: Ishaq Adam Bashir
Presidential affairs: Fadl Abdullah Fadl
Social security: Soaad al-Karib
Transport & urban developmen: Hatim al-Sir
Trade: Hamid Mumtaz
Central bank governor
Hussein Yehia Janqool
South Sudan
Official name
Republic of South Sudan
Legal system
South Sudan has a non-Islamic legal system
National legislature
South Sudan has a bicameral parliament. The lower house, the National Legislative Assembly, is made up of the members of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement-era Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly and the former southern members of Sudan's National Assembly prior to South Sudan's independence. Under the terms of the August 2015 peace agreement 68 new members have been added to the Legislative Assembly following the swearing-in of a government of national unity. It now has 400 members. The upper house, the Council of States, is made up of the former southern members of Sudan's Council of States prior to South Sudan's independence, plus 20 members appointed by the president. An interim constitution was passed by parliament days before independence in July 2011 and was expected to serve for four years before a permanent constitution is approved at a national conference, but this has been delayed
National elections
The term of the National Legislative Assembly is four years from July 9th 2011, but an election has been delayed as a result of the civil war, and will now probably not take place before 2021
Head of state
Salva Kiir Mayaardit
National government
The new cabinet of the Transitional Government of National Unity was sworn in on April 29th 2016. As was agreed previously, 16 of the 30 ministries in the new cabinet have gone to Salva Kiir's bloc in the ruling Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM). Ten have been assigned to Riek Machar's bloc (known as the SPLM in Opposition; SPLM-IO), two to the SPLM "former detainees" bloc and two to other opposition parties
Main political parties
The main opposition party is the SPLM-Democratic Change, a faction with alleged ties to the north that broke away in 2009. Other opposition parties have limited influence, including the United Democratic Party and the South Sudan Democratic Forum
The presidency
President: Salva Kiir Mayaardit
First vice-president: Taban Deng Gai
Second vice-president: Wani Igga
Key ministers
Agriculture: Onyoti Adigo
Cabinet affairs: Martin Elia Lomoro
Culture, youth & sports: Nadia Arop Dudi
Defence & veteran affairs: Kuol Manyang Juuk
Education, science & technology: Peter Nyaba Adwok
Electricity, dams, irrigation & water resources: Sofia Gai
Finance & economic planning: Salvatore Garang Mabiordit
Foreign affairs & international co-operation: Nhial Deng
Gender, child & social welfare: Awut Deng Acuil
Health: Riek Gai Kok
Interior: Alfred Ladu Gore
Justice: Paulino Onango Wanawilla
Labour, public service & HR development: Peter Nasir Jalengi Marcello
Land, housing & physical planning: Mary Alfonse Lodira
National security: Obuto Mamur Mete
Petroleum: Ezekiel Lul Gatkuoth
Transport, roads & bridges: John Jok Luk
Central bank governor
Dier Tong Ngor


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In 2019 the majority of the world's population has transformed into vampires. Dependant on human blood for survival, the world grows desperate as the human race nears its end. In a dire effort to save humanity, a renegade vampire risks everything to prevent the extinction of the human race.
A temporal agent on his final assignment must recruit his younger self, while pursuing the one criminal that has eluded him throughout time.
Andy and Cathy wake up together. The events of last night are a complete blur. They're tired, hung over, naked and meeting for the first time.
A small group of people find themselves in the middle of an epidemic. The townsfolk are turning into zombies. The group battle their way through the plague of walking dead and discover things are not exactly as they seem.
A Viet Cong soldier stationed in the claustrophobic tunnels of Cu Chi during the Vietnam War finds himself haunted by the ghost of a fallen comrade after the burial ceremony is compromised.
Sarah Winchester, the millionaire heiress to the Winchester Arms fortune, is convinced that she, and her family, are being haunted by the souls killed at the barrel of the infamous rifle. Her obsession has led to the 24 hour a day, 7 days a week construction of an enormous mansion, designed to keep these evil spirits at bay.
Eric Price, a psychiatrist with a sordid past, is hired to investigate Mrs. Winchester's sanity, only to discover that her obsession may not be so insane after all.


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Description: Click here to see the Los Primeros 14-15 bell schedule. Five hundred and sixty-five pixels is the exact height of this clipart. Feel free to click the download button to get the clip art image. The type of this clipart is GIF. Four hundred pixels is the width of this clip art.Report this image
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Related posts


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Since my first smoothie maker broke down last year, I've been trying to find an excellent substitute. I understand that when it comes to juicer, the selection and variety is not as large compared to smartphone or gadgets selection.
But nonetheless, it took me much procastination to make up my mind. I know from the beginning that I want a compact purifier, but I am divided between Vitamix and Ninja.
Phew… I finally made my mind and this is actually the new blender that I have just bought recently. After days of playing with it, I feel I've made the right choice.


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I was crusin' around LA one day 'n saw some wheatpastes of a mighty familiar image.
Ewww, why did you havta go 'n stretch it in photoshop…
Thought it was just street art but it seems to be a band or a night…
Okay, wait, now I googled 'Alfred E Neuman Misfits Shirt', 'n found a bunch of weird copies, I guess it's bein' assimilated by the internet 'n mutant modern streetwear appropriation!
Boing Boing wrote it up in 2008 'n it got indexed on search engines, seems like most of the appropriated versions come from the Boing Boing picture, they have some distortion from the photos perspective, 'n look like they were thrown into Illustrator by a savvy 'graphic designer' 'n auto traced 'n vectored at a low detail
Love Is Lame Is Lame
This one really sucks…
Let's take it back to the OG version in 2006 'n Jason Dill (plus eye buttons)
File under Arts 'n Crafts, Back In The Dunn Day, Blast From The Past, Culture, Cut 'n' Paste Content, SeMeN SPeRmS BLArRrG
Conjured by o~ SeMeN SPeRmS ~o on October 7, 2013


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Contact an app developer on Apple TV (4th generation)
To find contact information, open the app on your Apple TV. On Apple TV (4th generation), you can also open the app in the App Store. You can see the provider's name at the top and their website at the bottom of the screen.
iPhone Repair Dallas
2629 N Stemmons Fwy
Dallas, TX 75207
Phone: (214) 810-0717
Hours: 10:00 am — 7:00 pm (Monday – Sunday)


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All posts by bodypositivedance
Pre-Hallowe'en Adornments!
Hey Ladies,
So one of the things I don't practice enough is the whole adornment side of tribal fusion. We have some KILLER costuming (take a look at Mardi Love's stuff!) and we should play with it more.
For our next class, on October 30th, let's adorn ourselves! Feel free to bring belts, coins, tassels, scarves, jewellery, and whatever else makes you happy. Skirts, harem pants, leggings… whatever! I'll bring some things to help deck everyone out (do try practicing beforehand to be sure you can dance safely) and otherwise remember to have fun- this is the adult dress up night.
Don't stress- just enjoy!
See you on Sunday!
More Music
So- tribal-style snake arms.
For practice in class today we were dancing to:
That's Saltillo's "Hollow".
It's a killer song generally– but it's extra good for timing nice, slow, ooey-gooey movements.
Quick and quicker– the music!
Happy first class, everyone!
As requested, here is the music we were dancing to tonight– for both classes!
Umata Grapevine + Mardi Love Campfire step phrase:
First song: Two Fingers by Fools Rhythm: https://youtu.be/ciX2kse12ag
Second (faster) song: More Than Anything (Love and Light remix) by Desert Dwellers, Down Temple Dub Remix Album:
Shahnaz by Ken Shorely:
See you next week!
Happy Fall!
Hey Sackville!
Happy Fall! There's an awesome FREE workshop on tonight — Danielle hasn't been teaching for the summer and is ready to jump-start your Fall of Dance! Tonight, Sunday September 25th is a "get back into it" (or just a "get into it") intro class to hit some of the fundamentals. It goes from 6:30-8:00 pm at Perpetual Motion Dance Studio!
Fall Classes start next Sunday, October 2nd– check out the Classes page for more information, and send an email to firstname.lastname@example.com to let Danielle know you're planning on coming!
Short Hiatus
Hello All!
How have you been?
You've probably noticed (and hopefully have already heard) — Danielle is taking a short hiatus from teaching for personal reasons. We're planning to be back up and dancing in May 2016, so check back for news, or reach out to email@example.com to be added to the email list!
(for something fun — check out this duet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOgRUVwxSv4
and then compare it and check out how many similar moves there are with this very different piece
Hello ladies!
So it's finally Spring this weekend — officially turns just a couple hours before class, in fact. How's that for promising?
We're moving to a new framework– schedule is the same, but the early class (6:30-7:30) is now available to drop-in, 5-class passes, and 10-class passes. Check out the Classes and Prices pages for the new information!
The later class (7:30-8:30) is available to anyone who's danced at least one session with me, and it's a lot of fun! This Spring we're doing combos, choreography, and talking costumes and staging. Cool stuff! It's by registration only, so let me know by March 31st if you plan on attending.
Can't wait to get going!


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What was the best summer of your life? Sandy Lo reflects on summer memories and how one particular summer inspired her upcoming novel "Indigo Waters". Share your favorite summers!
Sandy Lo, best known for the Dream Catchers book series and her work as a celebrity journalist, traveling barista, entertainment publicist and vegan foodie, is releasing a new novel, INDIGO WATERS. The concept for INDIGO WATERS came about in the summer of 2013 when…
Everyone fears something. Two sisters forced to spend the summer together on a boat with one boy who gets under both of their skin. Will they realize they need each other to survive the summer?
Author Sandy Lo fulfilled a dream come true this summer: to swim with a dolphin! Now she wants to share the experience with the world in an article later this month as well as a fiction novel later this year.


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A chair fit for fairy royalty! Large arched back on this ladder-style chair. A tiny blue bird is perched on the side. Let your fairies rest in a tiny fairy chair after a day of play!
Check out the other furniture too!
This handcrafted fairy chair is made of REAL twigs, bark, rocks, dried flowers, pine cones and fir needles - all gathered from the Pacific Northwest.
This item is not for sale.


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The ICIS Subscriber Platform is a single, online platform that offers an instant, detailed view of the chemical, energy and fertilizer markets. From pricing information and global trade activities, to supply and demand and breaking news, the ICIS Subscriber Platform provides users with an unparalleled, customisable view of the factors affecting market conditions – all in a single screen.
The ICIS Subscriber Platform provides:
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Princess – Right Now chords
Right Now By Princess Powered by: firstname.lastname@example.com charlie edsel valera CAPO I Note: The dashes (-) represent how many bars/measures each chord must be played. The chords for this song are really simple, and its just repeat all throughout the song, except for the ending! Chords: Am G F Am G - VERSE 1: Its been so long That I havent seen your face Im tryin to be strong But the strength I have is washing away It wont be long Before I get you by my side And just hold you, tease you, squeeze you Tell you whats been on my mind CHORUS (REPEAT 2X) I wanna make up right now, na na I wanna make up right now, na na Wish we never broke up right now, na na We need to link up right now, na na VERSE 2: Boy I know mistakes were made between us two And we show our eyes that night Even said some things werent true Whyd you go and havent seen my guy since then Why cant it be the way it was? Cos you were my homie, lover and friend REPEAT CHORUS BRIDGE 1 (REPEAT 2X) I cant lie Watching everyday that goes by Until I get you back Im gonna try You are the apple of my eye REPEAT CHORUS BRIDGE 2 (REPEAT 2X) I want you to fly with me I miss how you lie with me Just wish you could dine with me One that would grind with me REPEAT CHORUSCM7I wanna make up right now


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Several Florida activists claim they or their organizations are victims of the IRS' gone-wild, anti-conservative harassment campaign -- citing everything from individual audits to being burdened with probing, invasive questionnaires and being forced to disclose political beliefs, even seeing unpublished web pages unearthed.
The idea, apparently, was to keep them from organizing as tax-exempt entities.
In the days since the Obama administration's IRS has apologized for specifically targeting conservative organizations for special tax-status scrutiny, Sunshine State News has discovered that among the agency's apparent victims are several Florida-based tea party groups and their spokespersons.
What follows are profiles of three prominent Florida tea party activists who have come forward to share their stories with SSN.
Tim Curtis, chairman of the Tampa 9-12 Project, former Democratic candidate for Congress
We are a gang of folks who love our nation, love our country, love its founding, and the result of that is we have banded together and formed an organization, to organize, to educate, and to mobilize, Curtis tells SSN of the Tampa 9-12 Project, a tea party organization inspired by the activism of conservative radio personality Glenn Beck.
In February 2010, Curtis' organization filled out a 17- to 18-page application with the IRS to incorporate as a nonprofit 501(c)(4), and a month later received notice that the application had been received and was being processed.
Five months later, that's where the fun began, Curtis says, as he received a follow-up questionnaire which solicited several personal details that he and his fellow activists found odd, onerous, and downright disturbing. Among the demands:
Provide copies of your research materials produced and disseminated by your organization on social, domestic, economic, defense, and foreign policy issues.
Provide copy [sic] of your educational materials presented at your seminars, public assemblies, meetings, forums, etc.
Please provide pages from your website.
Because we are law-abiding, Constitution-loving, American patriot citizens, we provided the IRS with all of the information they requested, Curtis says, even as he believes the IRS's scrutiny still had a chilling effect on his organization's activities.
I know for certain there were people who were more than just reticent [to be involved with the 9-12 Project.], he recounts. They were telling me, 'Tim, I would love to, but I own a business, and I'm concerned.' 'Tim, I'd love to be involved, I'd love to come out, I'd love to volunteer, but I'm not so sure that nothing's going to happen to me if I do.'
Curtis was notified in January 2011 that his organization's tax-exempt status had been granted, but he insists that approval should not have depended on his having to disclose members' ideological sympathies. He believes that what's at stake in the current national controversy isn't simply the inconvenience of some conservatives, but the very soul of the country.
When we can have the Commissioner of the IRS sit in front of Congress and just bareface lie to them and walk away scot-free, that's not America, he says. That's not what this president said what he was about, and he is the liar-in-chief when it comes to that, he and his number-one buddy, Eric Holder, who are just letting this guy walk.
These folks are also the enforcement arm for the president's healthcare law. If they'll lie about whether or not theyre just watching American citizens, how much further will they'll take it, when they have the kind of power that the president's healthcare act puts into their hands?
KrisAnne Hall, attorney, Constitutional educator, legal adviser to Unite in Action, former Florida prosecutor
Print out every screen shot of every post you've ever made on a Facebook page, give us a list of every single meeting you've held, every speaker that has ever been at any of your meetings, a list of names of every person who's ever attended your meetings, KrisAnne Hall tells SSN, recounting the kinds of questions asked her of her tea party organization. We have a government that's completely out of control.
Hall attorney, activist, public speaker, and radio show host is a familiar figure to many of Florida's tea partiers. A former state prosecutor, she was fired from her job in 2010 by Democratic state attorney Skip Jarvis for lecturing on the Constitution to several tea party organizations. Her lawsuit, alleging violations of her First Amendment rights, was settled for an undisclosed sum in 2011.
Her run-ins with the IRS date back to 2010 when Unite in Action a group that helped orchestrate 2009's Taxpayer March on Washington, and to which Hall serves as legal adviser and former interim president tried to get incorporated as a 501(c)(4). The organization was bombarded with a number of intrusive questions after completing the lengthy application.
Unite in Action has retained legal counsel and is still fighting to be established as a tax-exempt nonprofit.
And they're not the only ones whose IRS troubles are ongoing: After filing her personal 2010 income taxes, Hall herself came down for an audit, being denied a special adoption tax credit she had previously qualified for, and receiving a demand she pay back past years' credit.
I don't do my own taxes, I hire a professional to do it for me, and we should have qualified, she tells SSN. I can't say for sure I'm being targeted [for my activism,] but it sure is a strange coincidence in light of recent revelations.
Those revelations have left Hall disappointed, but not surprised. She says the IRS controversy reflects a broader legal and political culture gone awry.
When we allow the government to expand its power beyond the limitations of the Constitution, the only limit is the will of the government even worse, the will of the individual agent, she warns. That is absolutely an immoral and arbitrary government with absolutely unlimited power. That's why we have a Constitution, to keep us from that.
Jason Hoyt, Central Florida tea party activist
At the time, we didn't think that any individual question was too onerous, but they did seem a little bit odd, Hoyt, a prominent activist associated with several Central Florida tea party organizations and functions, tells SSN of his and others' 2012 application to incorporate one such group. We didn't know that this was going on as a coordinated effort across the country.
Among other things, the IRS wanted to know how Hoyt was selected to serve as the group's executive director, wanted a list of other candidates considered for the position, and demanded the minutes of the meeting at which Hoyt was chosen.
The agency also produced print-outs of two websites: One was a site associated with a radio show Hoyt used to host and which was completely unrelated to the new organization and another was a site that was in development and hadn't even been made public.
Hoyt's group was asked if these websites were affiliated with Hoyt and his tea party group, and, if not, to explain the sites.
That isn't a typo: Hoyt and his colleagues were asked to explain the websites if they had nothing to do with them.
This agency has way too much power, especially when their attitude is you're guilty until you're proven innocent. Hoyt says.
SSN has viewed copies of the IRS letter containing these questions, but Hoyt declines to give permission to publish the letter, or the names of the organization or its would-be board members.
And for apparently good reason: 10 days after the July 27 letter, one of those board members received notice that he was being personally audited by the IRS. That action is still ongoing, and the remaining board members still live in fear of retaliation by the agency.
Hoyt and the board have given up trying to jump-start their organization, citing over-burdensome costs and complexities.
For a federal agency that has over 100,000 agents tasked with enforcing over 70,000 pages of confusing tax codes, for them to be in a coordinated effort to profile and target organizations and individuals based on their ideology should disturb everyone, says Hoyt. Everyone needs to think about what this means for this agency next year when they hire 17,000 more agents to enforce Obamacare's mandates.
Copies of all documentation related to Hoyt's situation have been delivered to U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster. I want to find out who sent those letters, who drafted those letters so whoever signed them ... the congressman has told Fox 35 News. I'm calling them to see what they have to say.
Time may tell whether these incidents are related to the mushrooming IRS controversy or are just isolated coincidences. If the former, KrisAnne Hall says those responsible literally need to pay.
The IRS should be paying for [these activists'] expenses and all the time that they spent putting [their defense] together, she insists. Some organizations have hired attorneys, and their attorneys' fees need to be paid for all of this work.
Reach Eric Giunta at email@example.com or at (954) 235-9116.


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Every week, a selection of leading experts answer a new question from Judy Dempsey on the foreign and security policy challenges shaping Europe's role in the world.
Fraser CameronDirector of the EU-Asia Centre
Given the EU's trade and investment with the region, the union obviously has a major stake in a peaceful, stable Northeast Asia, and hence, the rapprochement between Japan and China is to be welcomed.
President Park Geun-hye of South Korea has talked up the EU's possible contribution to the region, but the reality of all great power relationships is that states do not want any outside actor telling them how to run their affairs. This goes for all countries in Asia, especially the EU's four strategic partners—China, Japan, India, and South Korea.
The EU's priority in East #Asia should be to help strengthen #ASEAN.Tweet This
The EU's priority should be to help strengthen the ten-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which is seeking to establish an economic community by the end of 2015. Here, the EU's experience is valid, although it will always be up to the ASEAN members to decide what, if anything, they learn from the EU.
Most Europeans underestimate the continuing impact of the European imperial legacy in Asia. All relations, whether with individual countries or with regional groupings, will succeed only if the EU ensures that the name of the game is partnership.
François GodementNonresident senior associate in Carnegie's Asia Program and director of the Asia and China Program at the European Council on Foreign Relations
A respite in the Sino-Japanese quarrel will be very welcome from the European point of view. The EU has taken positions in support of regional stability, a peaceful resolution of disputes, and even Japan's proactive diplomacy. The union has carefully avoided directly criticizing China, however, and tries not to get involved in the many bilateral sovereignty disputes in the East and South China Seas.
A respite in the Sino-Japanese quarrel will be very welcome for Europe.Tweet This
European economic relations with China have become a topic of paramount importance, with their own difficulties. At the same time, several big EU member states are major security providers to Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, India, and Australia, although these countries are often not bound by a formal defense treaty.
The aftermath of the November 10 meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping, and of previous meetings between Chinese and Japanese diplomats, deserves to be watched carefully. China has gained Japan's recognition that there is a territorial quarrel between the two nations, even if this recognition is couched in the principle of "we agree to disagree" rather than presented as a formal acknowledgment.
Will China exercise more restraint in its challenge to Japanese sovereignty over contested areas such as the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands? For Beijing to desist makes sense only if such a step is the start of negotiations aimed at resolving the disagreement. Otherwise, China weakens its long-term case. Abe and his government have moved responsibly and pragmatically. But if there is no forward movement from both sides, the dispute might be rekindled on the ground at any time.
Maaike Okano-HeijmansSenior research fellow at the Clingendael Institute
A pragmatic EU bureaucrat with a long-term strategic vision for East Asia and a shrewd European businessman would say: yes, Europe should care. Because, honestly speaking, Europeans can actually gain from a certain level of discord—although not outright conflict—between the world's second- and third-biggest economies.
Europe can gain from a certain level of discord in East #Asia.Tweet This
After all, managed conflict between Beijing and Tokyo has certain benefits for the EU, its member states, and European businesses. Just consider the idea of less competition from Japanese companies in China, or the opportunity for Europe to gain diplomatically from playing China off against Japan in negotiations on trade and investment issues, the environment, or values. This is pragmatic diplomacy and mercantile realism—as both China and Japan practice so well themselves.
Probably more reflective of today's Europe, however, is the standard answer. Yes, Europe should care about the Chinese-Japanese rapprochement because Europeans are advocates of peace and stability. And because unrest in the fast-growing East Asian region in general and between the EU's first and second trading partners in Asia in particular is not conducive to business activity and the stock markets.
The second viewpoint may be the ideal, model answer. But as the Asia-Pacific region continues to grow in economic and political relevance, and with Europe still at a significant strategic distance, a bit more shrewd pragmatism would be a welcome change.
James SchoffSenior associate in Carnegie's Asia Program
The recent meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing is welcome, but it will likely be a short-lived respite from jockeying over disputed islands given the leaders' reluctance to compromise on substance. There are short-term and long-term reasons why this matters to Europe.
The meeting between #Abe and #Xi will likely be a short-lived respite.Tweet This
The near-term impact is economic. Strained Japan-China ties have depressed bilateral trade volume and help explain a 40 percent drop in Japanese foreign direct investment in China in the first half of 2014. This exacerbates weak economic performance in Northeast Asia that makes it harder for Europe to expand exports to (and attract investment from) this vital region.
The longer-term impact is strategic. Japan is not willing to accommodate China's rise on Beijing's terms, and both sides see the East China Sea island dispute as a litmus test for Asia's future power balance. Japan seeks a regional rules-based order that preserves an influential role for itself and the United States, while China aims to regain its preeminent position in Asia.
Prolonged Japan-China confrontation pulls the United States (Japan's ally) into more direct strategic competition with China, which makes it difficult to address global challenges such as climate change, managing Arctic sea-lanes, nuclear proliferation, and a variety of issues of concern to Europe.
Stephen SzaboExecutive director of the Transatlantic Academy
East Asia seems far away from Europe, but a Sino-Japanese conflict would endanger Europe's commercial interests in the region. Europe depends on open maritime routes for trade, access to natural resources, and production chains. Germany in particular is vulnerable to disorder in this region. A Europe that is facing continued economic stagnation cannot afford further economic dislocations.
European leaders should urge #Japan to deescalate the situation.Tweet This
While Europe is vulnerable, there is little it can do to ease tensions between China and Japan. With the exception of Germany, Europe is not a major diplomatic player in the region. Europe has some influence with Japan, however, and should make its concerns clear to Tokyo. European leaders should urge the Japanese government to take a more accommodating position and to deescalate the situation.


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The winter is finally present, we had a green Christmas but now comes the cold comfort from north crusing down on the polar vinds.
In this frosty environment
I spotted a fox near the heart of Stockholm,the creature was in good shape and went further down the boulevard .I looked at the faces of to men with lose hanging chins. Suprised we all pointed towards the animal shouting -That's not a dog!
No, that was not a dog,neither a mirage, just a hen snatcher,hm...how would a mash up of Foxy lady and Fox on a run work out, just wondering?...maybe there are some attempts for this on YouTube.
The band just had the first gathering for 2016,we didn't notice or felt some kind of mysterious smell of the animal in subject. And we have no plans to pic up any foxy tunes in the repertoire. Some retro spices have flushed through the hair of the ape during the Ep episodes , but If the first dose of music for this year will have that continuum, I don't know. The man in the know of this,works behind closed doors and haven't reveled anything of the matter.
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August 2018


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October, 9 2015 - Jog-a-thon, Brain Conversations and Curriculum Night Questions
Hello families,
Enjoy just a few Jog-a-thon photos I took while running! I wasn't able to get everyone, but hopefully it captured some of the day.
Brain Conversations
The first few weeks of school we have discussed what our brains are doing when we learn and when we have emotions, especially strong ones. In reading and writing, we talked about how our brains work like marathon runners. You can't (at least not most of us) run a marathon on the first try. You have to practice and build up stamina. Our brains work in the same way. In order to train our reading and writing brains, we have added one minute per day to our reader's workshop and quiet, concentrated writing.
We also discussed the "Brain in the Hand" during classroom meeting as a way to communicate how we're feeling. When a student is stressed or scared, we call it "flipping your lid." We use hand motions to communicate how we're feeling and if we're ready to learn or need to calm down. If you want more information about the brain, ask your student to show you the Brain in the Hand, how many minutes we read for today, or our time-to- beat for quiet writing. Their brains are in training and they are building their stamina!
I also learned that there is some research out there that suggests the same part of the brain the receives pain gets activated when people learn new things (I learned this at the Positive Discipline training – actual source is unknown to me at the point). So, it's actually a little painful to learn new things! How great is that? Now we know a possible reason why learning feels hard and why we can be tired (and maybe a little crabby?) after a full day of working hard.
Curriculum Night
I have attached the PowerPoint presentation from Curriculum Night and our weekly schedule (Sorry it's a blurry photo. I didn't have a Word copy). In the PowerPoint presentation you will find information on literacy, math, positive discipline, project-based learning, how to contact me and our classroom coordinators (Jody Stewart and Shinae Kim).
There were a couple questions from the evening that I would like to answer here. There were a few more (about handwriting) that I'm going to ask around and then report back.
1. Will we be able to use Reflex math at home?
The answer is yes! We will do two 10-30 minute sessions (depends on student) in class, and you will complete one at home. Log-ins and information to come soon.
2. Does the 20 minutes of reading include read aloud?
The answer I got back from the Laura Cooper, the reading specialist, is that students should try to do the 20 minutes independently. However, if it becomes a battle, just a couple minutes of them reading is ok, followed by parent/guardian read aloud. Feel free to set goals, like 2 minutes tonight, 3 minutes tomorrow!
3. When students start to take home Book Baggies, will the books be at an independent, instructional or interest level?
I will at the moment assign books that interest students, and as the year progresses, narrow book borrowing to more specific levels.
10/10/2015 01:13:03 pm
Thanks for sharing the powerpoint - helpful to see the daily schedule!
10/12/2015 10:01:15 pm
Thanks for sharing the photos of the jog-a-thon! Looked like a good time.
Leave a Reply.
Ms. Thibaut
One of the second grade teachers at QAE. Read this blog and stay up-to-date on classroom activities.
March 2017
|Ms. Thibault's 2nd Grade
Class Blog


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Document Type
Doctor of Philosophy
Date of Defense
Graduate Advisor
Alexei Demchenko
Alexei V. Demchenko, Ph.D
Stephen M. Holmes, Ph.D.
Christopher D. Spilling, Ph.D.
Rudolph E. K. Winter, Ph.D.
Since carbohydrates were first discovered, understanding the structure, reactivity, and function of these bioorganic compounds has remained of great priority. However, as the appreciation for the biological roles of carbohydrates intensifies, a growing demand for efficient and scalable methods towards the synthesis of these challenging molecules has become even more imperative. While modern synthetic techniques have allowed us to readily achieve most glycosidic linkages, it is the inability to effectively predict and control the stereoselectivity of the glycosylation reaction that has remained the synthetic hurdle. Herein, much effort has been placed in the investigation of "mixed-patterned" glycosyl donors as they have shown some interesting behaviors in glycosylation. Initial findings revealed that the behavior of these particular donors could be rationalized by a theory developed in our laboratory, entitled the "O-2/O-5 cooperative effect," wherein the energetic consequences associated with particular protecting group patterns were analyzed. As a result, the work of this doctoral dissertation is centered upon the exploration of glycosyl donor protecting groups, and their effect on both the reactivity and stereoselectivity with which the glycosylation reaction proceeds.
OCLC Number
Recommended Citation
Mydock, Laurel Kathryn, "The Nature of the O-2/O-5 Cooperative Effect and Its Role in Chemical Glycosylation" (2010). Dissertations. 473.


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