One of the hurdles President Obama must address before leaving office is the nation’s healthcare system. According to reports, a significant increase is expected in healthcare costs in 2017. Despite the Obama administration’s mission to alleviate the health insurance market through the Affordable Care Act, also known as “Obamacare,” healthcare rates may rise up to nearly 35 percent in some parts of the U.S. “Employer markets are fairly stable, but the individual insurance market does not feel stable at all,” Janet S. Trautwein, chief executive of the National Association of Health Underwriters, said in a statement. “In many states, the individual market is in a shambles.” Healthcare costs are slated to grow by 6.5 percent throughout next year. It has been a primary topic during the 2016 presidential election. Read more.
ACLU Demands VA Extend Voter Registration Deadline After Website Crash
The ACLU is taking legal action after the state of Virginia’s voter registration website crashed on Monday, preventing thousands of individuals who reside in the state from registering to vote before the 11:59 p.m. deadline. Edgardo Cortes, the Virginia Election Board Commissioner, claims that the website crashed due to the high volume of visitors on the last day to register. “We apologize to the voters impacted and are taking the information we’ve learned from yesterday to figure out what changes we need to make, so we don’t encounter this issue again,” he said. The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and the ACLU of Virginia have teamed up to demand that the VA Department of Elections extend the registration cutoff date by another 72 hours. “The Department is required by statute to have necessary equipment in place to operate and maintain the voter registration system at all times, including on the final day of registration in a presidential year when high demand is predictable,” read a statement released by the ACLU. “We urge the department to take any and all measures necessary to protect and ensure the fundamental right to vote in the 2016 election of any Virginian whose right may have been compromised or denied by the failure of legally required registration systems.” Read more.
Actress Kerry Washington Gives Birth to Baby Boy
Actress Kerry Washington and her husband, retired NFL player Nnamdi Asomugha, welcomed a new bundle of joy. According to reports, Washington gave birth to their son Caleb Kelechi Asomugha on October 5. The actress revealed that she was pregnant in May after flaunting her baby bump at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner. Washington and Asomugha also have a 2-year-old daughter named Isabelle whom they’ve managed to keep out of the media. “The thing that has changed the most about me since I became a mom is that my heart keeps getting bigger and bigger,” said Washington in an interview last year. Read more.
Tupac, Janet Jackson and Chaka Khan Among 2017 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominees
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame recently announced the nominations for their potential 2017 inductees. Among those nominated include Tupac Shakur, Janet Jackson and Pearl Jam. For the late rapper Tupac, this is the first year he was eligible to be nominated. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s regulations require artists to have released their first album or single 25 years prior. This marks the second year in a row that songstress Janet Jackson has been nominated. Singer Chaka Khan also received a nomination. In December 2016, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will announce the inductees. The induction ceremony will take place in April 2017. Read more.
PHOTO CREDIT: Getty
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