Obamacare Penalty and Minimum Insurance Requirements

Obamacare Penalty and Minimum Insurance Requirements The federal tax penalty for not being enrolled in an Affordable Care Act (ACA)-qualified health insurance plan was eliminated by the Donald Trump administration in 2019. However, persons who received a penalty for not having health insurance in 2018 will still have to pay the penalty on their 2019 tax returns. According to U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the 2018 tax penalty for not having health insurance is $695 for adults and $347.50 for children or 2% of your yearly income, whichever amount is more. While there will no longer be a federal tax penalty for going uninsured or choosing a plan that is not ACA-compliant after the 2019 tax filing season, several states, including New Jersey, Massachusetts, Vermont, and the District of Columbia, have their own health insurance penalties that are assessed when people do not have insurance that complies with that state’s laws. The Now Phased-out Obamacare Tax Penalty By March 31, 2014, almost all Americans who could afford it were required by Obamacare - the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to have a health insurance plan or pay an annual tax penalty. Here is what you need to know about the Obamacare tax penalty and what kind of insurance coverage you need to avoid paying it. Obamacare is complicated. A wrong decision can cost you money. As a result, it is critical that all questions regarding Obamacare be directed to your health care provider, your health insurance plan or to your states Obamacare Health Insurance Marketplace.Questions can also be submitted by calling Healthcare.gov at toll-free 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.During the great Obamacare bill debate, Obamacare supporter Senator Nancy Pelosi (D-California) infamously said lawmakers needed to pass the bill so we can find out whats in it. She was right. Nearly five years after it became law, Obamacare continues to confuse Americans in great numbers. [ Yes, Obamacare Does Apply to Members of Congress ]Â   So complicated is the law, that each of the state Health Insurance Marketplaces will employ Obamacare Navigators to help uninsured people meet their Obamacare obligation by enrolling in the qualified health insurance plan that best meets their medical needs at an affordable cost. Minimum Insurance Coverage Required Whether you have health insurance now or buy it through one of the Obamacare state Insurance Marketplaces, your insurance plan must cover 10 minimum essential health care services. These are: outpatient services; emergency services; hospitalization; maternity/newborn care; mental health and substance abuse services; prescription drugs; rehabilitation (for injuries, disabilities or chronic conditions); lab services; preventive/wellness programs and chronic disease management; and pediatric services.If you have or buy a health plan that does not pay for those minimum essential services it may not qualify as coverage under Obamacare and you may have to pay the penalty.In general, the following types of health care plans will qualify as coverage: Any plan purchased through one of the state Insurance Marketplace and employer-provided insurance plans, including plans for retirees;Medicare and Medicaid;Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP);Military TRICARE;Veterans health care programs; andPeace Corps volunteer plans Other plans may also qualify and all questions regarding minimum coverage and plan qualification should be directed to your states insurance Marketplace Exchange. The Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum Plans Health insurance plans available through all Obamacare state Insurance Marketplace offer four levels of coverage: bronze, silver, gold and platinum. While bronze and silver level plans will have the lowest monthly premium payments, out-of-pocked co-pay costs for things like doctor visits and prescriptions will be higher. Bronze and silver level plans will pay for about 60% to 70% of your medical costs.Gold and platinum plans will have higher monthly premiums, but lower co-pay costs, and will pay for about 80% to 90% of your medical costs.Under Obamacare, you cannot be turned down for health insurance or forced to pay more for it because you have an existing medical condition. In addition, once you have insurance, the plan cannot refuse to cover treatment for your pre-existing conditions. Coverage for pre-existing conditions begins immediately.Once again, it is the job of the Obamacare Navigators to help you select a plan offering the best coverage at a price you can afford.Very Important - Open Enrollment: Each year, there will be an annual open enrollment period after which you will not be able to purchase insurance through the state Insurance Marketplaces until the next annual open enrollment period, unless you have a qualifying life event. For 2014, the open enrollment period is October 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014. For 2015 and later years, the open enrollment period will be October 15 to December 7 of the previous year. Who Does Not Have to Have Insurance? Some people are exempt from the requirement to have health insurance. These are: prison inmates, undocumented immigrants, members of federally-recognized American Indian tribes, persons with religious objections, and low-income persons not required to file federal income tax returns.Religious exemptions include members of health care sharing ministries and members of federally-recognized religious sect with religion-based objections to health insurance. The Penalty: Resistance is Futile and Expensive Attention health insurance procrastinators and resistors: As time goes by, the Obamacare penalty goes up.In 2014, the penalty for not having a qualified health insurance plan is 1% of your annual income or $95 per adult, whichever is higher. Have kids? The penalty for uninsured children in 2014 is $47.50 per child, with a maximum per-family penalty of $285.In 2015, the penalty increases to the higher of 2% of your annual income or $325 per adult.By 2016, the penalty goes up to 2.5% of income or $695 per adult, with a maximum penalty of $2,085 per family.After 2016, the amount of the penalty will be adjusted for inflation.The amount of the annual penalty is based on the number if days or months you go without health insurance after March 31. If you have insurance for part of the year, the penalty will be prorated and if you are covered for at least 9 months during the year, you will not pay a penalty.Along with paying the Obamacare penalty, uninsured persons will continue to be financ ially responsible for 100% of their health care costs. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has estimated that even in 2016, more than 6 million people will pay the government a combined $7 billion in Obamacare fines. Of course, revenue from these fines is essential to paying for many of the free health care services provided for under Obamacare. If You Need Financial Help To help make mandatory health insurance more affordable to people who cant afford it in the first place, the federal government is providing two subsides for qualifying low-income individuals and families. The two subsides are: tax credits, to help pay monthly premiums and cost-sharing to help out-of-pocket expenses. Individuals and families can qualify of either or both subsidies. Some people with very low incomes may wind up paying very small premiums or even no premiums at all.Qualifications for insurance subsidies are based on annual income and vary from state to state. The only way to apply for a subsidy is through one of the state insurance Marketplaces. When you apply for insurance, the Marketplace will help you calculate your modified adjusted gross income and determine of you qualify for a subsidy. The Exchange will also determine if you qualify for Medicare, Medicaid or a state-based health assistance plan.

Ap World Dbq Christian and Islam Attitude Towards Merchants Essay Example

Ap World Dbq Christian and Islam Attitude Towards Merchants Essay Example Ap World Dbq Christian and Islam Attitude Towards Merchants Paper Ap World Dbq Christian and Islam Attitude Towards Merchants Paper Using the Documents, compare and contrast the differences of Christian and Islamic attitudes towards merchants until about 1500. From a review of the 7 documents presented, it is clear that Christianity and Islam condemned inequitable trade, which led to many Christians and Muslims to look down upon merchants; however, honest business, especially as a merchant, is honored highly. In fact, the Quran compares fair merchants to martyrs which were some of the holiest people of all [D2]. However, many Christian and Muslim believers found most merchants to be dishonest and greedy. A Christian scholar describes a merchants job and then concludes that when a person sells something for more than it is worth, it is unjust and unlawful [D4]. An influential Muslim scholar ventured to say that flattery, and evasiveness, litigation and disputation were all characteristic of a merchants profession [D5]. Even common people, like a Christian mother scolds her own son, a merchant, for being greedy [D6]. Muslim law, as time went one, continued to allowed merchants to trade, but some instances of trade were rebuked by whole towns [D7]. Many encouraged generosity and viewed a merchant turning from his profession as a good thing as seen in Godrics life, who was a merchant and then devoted his life to charity and solitude [D3]. Furthermore, the Bible warns all that it is extremely hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven [D1]. Also, to fully understand how Christianity and Islam viewed merchants. From Christians viewed merchants as often easily corrupted by riches, whereas Islam encouraged fair trade; however by 1500, Christians and Muslims both viewed merchants as immoral, unjust people. The Bible never specifically addressed merchants, whereas the Quran did. The holy book of the Muslims specifically named merchants as good people, but only if they were honest. Unequal transactions, however, were condemned by both Islam and Christianity. Both faiths glorified fair dealings between people, though. Thomas Aquinas clearly states to sell a thing for more than its worth, or to buy it for less than its worth, is unjust. [D4] This clearly shows why Christianity is opposed to merchants business in 1273. Ibn Khaldun, in the 14th century, also explains why he and other Muslims view erchants are not worthy of respect. Aquinas and Khaldun clarify why their faiths look down upon merchants. Also, a merchants mother gave the perspective of a common Christians view of merchants. Her obvious chastisement and command to crave not for all; you already have enough to suffice you! [D6]. Common people also thought merchants craved for money, as seen in this mothers letter. Islam and Chr istianity always to commended honest business and condemned greedy, inequitable trade; however, Islam did have a high opinion of merchants but came to agree with Christians that merchants were not respectable. Between 70 CE and 1500 CE, Christians and Muslims changed in their opinion of merchants, but stayed the same in their view of equitable transactions between people. Matthew, in the New Testament, records Jesus commenting on how hard it is for rich people to have their hearts in the right place, but he doesnt condemn the people for having money [D1]. Christians didnt specifically revile merchants specifically at this point in 70 CE. The honest, truthful Muslim merchant was praised for his reputable work, even being compared to martyrs in the Quran [D2]. As time went on, educated Christian and Muslim scholars began to voice why they both believed merchants to be immoral people [D4 and D5]. Merchants jobs were described as needing flattery, and evasiveness, litigation and disputation, and in the eyes of Muslims, this was sinful and disgraceful [D5]. In Christianity and Islam, in later years both hold merchants in low regard, but earlier on had varying opinions of money and merchants. The attitudes towards merchants varied between different sources; the holy books had a different written record of its outlook on merchants than other people recorded. The Bible warns people of the dangers of riches because Jesus claimed that it would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter heaven [D1]. This Holy Scripture is considered to be absolute truth to Christians, so this influenced the Christian mentality toward wealthy people. On the other hand, the Quran gives a blessing to a truthful Muslim merchant [D2]. However, religious scholars judged merchants more harshly. A Muslim scholar scolded merchants because their trade inevitably affect[ed] [their] soul [D5]. Aquinas viewed trade as unjust and unlawful. Commoners such as a merchants mother scolded her son because he was greedy although he had aqquir[ed] great riches in this world [D6]. The Holy Scriptures didnt condemn merchants directly, whereas the writings of other people of faith did. While Reginalds personal account of his friends life is helpful in understanding a Chrisitians view on the life of a merchant, it is, however, bias because R eginald was a monk, and monks were raised with a very dismal view of anything that didnt pertain to God [D3]. In the 2nd Century, monks were distinguished Christians who devoted their entire life to their faith. They were a part of asceticism, which was a mentality that the world was completely evil and material objects were only a hindrance to their faith. Ascetics denied themselves of almost every pleasure that wasnt from the worship or will of God. Since monks were raised with the sole mindset that money and worldly goals and aspirations were evil, it makes sense that Reginald would consider a merchants life full of great labors and only bearing of worthless worldly gain [D3]. He stated that Godric was yearning with his whole heart for greed and money, and not for God. However, as soon as Godric gave up his profession for a life similar to a monks, Reginald characterized Godrics life as devoted to Gods honor and service [D3]. Naturally, Reginalds account of St. Godric would be bias because of his strict, ascetic mindset towards money and worldly possessions. Although a personal letter correspondence between a merchant provides insight to the personal lives of merchants, it is bias because the merchant doesnt want to spend much money on religious paintings, but his mother wants him to be a religious man [D6]. The Italian merchant is objective about the cost and appearance of the paintings he will buy because he doesnt want to waste his hard earned money. Naturally, this is a motive for him besides his dedication to his faith. His mother on the other hand wants him to buy something beautiful in the name of the Lord and chastises him for toil[ing] so much only or the good of strangers [D6]. She wants him to buy the paintings so that she feels he is devoted to the God she believes will judge him one day. She is frustrated and demands he crave not for all because he already [has] enough to suffice him! [D6]. This letter is bias because the merchant doesnt wish to waste money and the mother wants him to buy religious paintings. While the given documents are sufficient, 2 more additional documents can help us further our understanding of Islams and Christianitys attitudes towards merchants. In the New Testament, 1 Timothy chapter 6, it says that the love of money is the root of all evil. This further explains that the Bible doesnt condemn merchants, but the unhealthy obsession of money which many merchants possess. This passage heavily affected peoples opinion of merchants because a merchant spend nearly all of his time buying and selling goods for the sole purpose of acquiring wealth. Also, to understand another cultures perspective on merchants, a Confucian writing from the Ming Dynasty would be helpful. This document describes the social hierarchy at the time. In the 14th century, merchants were considered beneath many social classes. The society also looked down upon merchants, even though the Chinese were mostly Confucian and didnt believe in a deity. This widespread mentality towards merchants could also affected Christians and Muslims opinions on the profession. The excerpt from the New Testament and the Confucian document furthermore support that many cultures looked down upon merchants. From a review of all the documents, it is clear from religious texts and written accounts of believers opinions on merchants that Muslims and Christians praised fair trade, but condemned most merchants because many merchants were not honest.

10 requisitos para visa E2 de inversionistas para USA

10 requisitos para visa E2 de inversionistas para USA La visa E-2 permite a los empresarios extranjeros que invierten en Estados Unidos  y a sus familias vivir y trabajar legalmente en el paà ­s. El emprendedor o emprendedora y su cà ³nyuge podrn permanecer en Estados Unidos indefinidamente mientras se cumplan todos los requisitos de la visa. Los hijos del emprendedor podrn permanecer en los Estados Unidos con una visa derivada del estatus de inversionista de su padre o madre mientras permanezcan solteros y tengan menos de 21 aà ±os cumplidos. Los titulares de una visa E-2 podrà ­an incluso solicitar una  visa B-1 para los  empleados domà ©sticos que ya tienen en el paà ­s de origen y que quieren que les acompaà ±en a Estados Unidos, como por ejemplo nià ±eras de los hijos. Caracterà ­sticas y requisitos de la visa E2 para inversionista en Estados Unidos Si est  interesado en vivir en Estados Unidos y tiene dinero para invertir una cantidad moderada y habilidades para gestionar un negocio, la E2 puede ser la visa adecuada. Antes de comenzar el proceso conviene saber las caracterà ­sticas bsicas y requisitos de la visa: 1. Es una visa no inmigrante. Esto quiere decir que debe ser renovada perià ³dicamente y que no es una tarjeta de residencia  (tambià ©n conocida como greencard). La visa E2 tampoco ofrece un camino directo hacia la residencia legal permanente ni la ciudadanà ­a americana. 2. Se trata de convertirse en propietario de un negocio. El negocio se puede crear partiendo de cero o tambià ©n es posible comprar un negocio ya existente. Incluso es posible utilizar estas visas para enviar a trabajar a empleados de una empresa a una subsidiaria de la misma en Estados Unidos. Lo que no se permite es aplicar por la E-2 para gestionar un negocio que se ha heredado en Estados Unidos. El negocio sà ­ puede ser una franquicia. Estas son las consideras como las 10 mejores franquicias en el paà ­s. 3. El negocio debe ser real y activo. Debe producir un bien o un servicio. Adems, debe contar con todos los permisos y licencias necesarios para operar. No puede tratarse de una organizacià ³n sin fines de lucro. Estos son 21 ejemplos de negocios reales  creados por inversionistas con visa E-2. Y para darle forma jurà ­dica, estos son los 10 tipos de empresas que existen en Estados Unidos. En este punto es muy importante entender que una inversià ³n inmobiliaria por sà ­ misma no es suficiente para poder solicitar u obtener la visa E-2. Es necesario que se trate de un negocio inmobiliario. 4. Tamaà ±o del negocio. La ley guarda silencio en este punto y no exige un tamaà ±o mà ­nimo. Sin embargo, sà ­ es estrictamente necesario que genere beneficios que van ms all de meramente cubrir los gastos y necesidades del inversor y su familia. Es ms, se pide que se produzca lo que se denomina una contribucià ³n importante a la economà ­a. Este requisito se suele considerar como cumplido cuando el negocio genera empleo contratando a ciudadanos americanos. En la presentacià ³n de la documentacià ³n para solicitar la visa habr que presentar un plan de negocio a cinco aà ±os en el que se contemple el nà ºmero de puestos de trabajo que se van a crear. Por lo tanto, es muy importante que la empresa sea exitosa. Por ello conviene conocer cules son los estados en los que es ms fcil hacer negocios  y cules son los ms dificultosos. 5. Cantidad a invertir. La ley no establece una cantidad mà ­nima pero habla de que tiene que ser substancial, que puede variar segà ºn el tipo de negocio. Infà ³rmese sobre el significado de este requisito de cantidad. 6. Paà ­ses de los que debe ser nacional el inversor. Estos son los paà ­ses de habla hispana cuyos nacionales pueden aplicar a esta visa: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Espaà ±a, Honduras, Mà ©xico, Panam y Paraguay. Puede tambià ©n  verificar el listado de todos los paà ­ses, cà ³mo afecta la doble nacionalidad y obtener ms informacià ³n sobre el monto de la inversià ³n. 7.  Origen del dinero de la inversià ³n. Obviamente, debe ser legal. Adems, debe pertenecer al inversionista (ahorros, herencias, inversiones) o incluso pueden llegar a admitirse prà ©stamos. 8. Familia del inversionista. El esposo, la esposa y los hijos menores de 21 aà ±os de los inversionistas pueden contar con una visa derivada para vivir en Estados Unidos. El cà ³nyuge podr solicitar, una vez en Estados Unidos, un permiso de trabajo que le permitir trabajar para otra empresa, para la de su pareja o incluso crear su propio negocio. Los hijos solo podrn gozar de esta visa hasta los 21 aà ±os, a partir de esa edad tendrn que salir del paà ­s o contar con otro visado que les permita permanecer en Estados Unidos. Por su edad probablemente estn en edad escolar. Es muy importante familiarizarse con el sistema educativo cuanto antes. 9. Es una visa posible pero complicada. Es altamente recomendable contactar con un bufete de abogados especialistas en este tipo de casos antes de hacer cualquier inversià ³n en Estados Unidos con intencià ³n de conseguir esta visa. El abogado debe, como mà ­nimo, ofrecer servicio de anlisis del negocio y si puede calificar para obtener la aprobacià ³n de las autoridades de inmigracià ³n. Tambià ©n debe completar toda la documentacià ³n, colaborar en la preparacià ³n de la entrevista que se va a llevar a cabo en el consulado correspondiente, y resolver todas las dudas del potencial inversor referentes a inmigracià ³n. El abogado debe ser el punto de contacto con las oficinas del gobierno para resolver los problemas que puedan surgir durante el proceso. Si es posible, el interesado debe contactar a ms de un profesional y comparar servicios y reputacià ³n en esta clase de casos, que son muy especà ­ficos. 10. Diferencias con la visa EB-5.  Ambas son visas para inversionistas, pero la E-2 es de no inmigrante mientras que la EB-5 da derecho a obtener una tarjeta de residencia. Adems, hay una gran diferencia en los requisitos de la cantidad de inversià ³n entre una y otra. A tener en cuenta: otras opciones de visa y de paà ­ses Una visa similar pero diferente es la E-1 para comerciantes bajo tratado. Est pensada para los negocios de importacià ³n/exportacià ³n. En los casos en los que ni la E-1 ni la E-2 son una opcià ³n, usted puede considerar estos  8 posibles caminos para obtener una visa y crear una empresa en Estados Unidos. Adems, si est dispuesto a emigrar a un paà ­s que no sea Estados Unidos, tambià ©n  conviene que se familiarice con los programas de estos 20 paà ­ses en los que es posible obtener la ciudadanà ­a (pasaporte) o  la residencia por inversià ³n. Si finalmente la decisià ³n es Estados Unidos, es importante que se familiarice cuando antes con aspectos legales, migratorios y econà ³micos del paà ­s. El  conocimiento a tiempo har la vida ms fcil y fluida. Si el inversor se decide a solicitar la visa, una vez que llenar la peticià ³n puede verificar por su estatus por internet. Este es un artà ­culo informativo. No es asesorà ­a legal.

Reflections on the Life and Period of King Saul Essay

Reflections on the Life and Period of King Saul - Essay Example The bible narrates that when the Prophet Samuel grew old, the elders of Israel demanded a king for Israel because the sons of Samuel were not walking in the ways of Samuel and also because they need a leader â€Å"like other nations† (1 Samuel 8.5). At first, Samuel attempted to dissuade his people from having a king. Samuel was also â€Å"displeased† and prayed to God. In response, God communicated to Samuel that it was not Samuel’s leadership that the people was rejecting but God’s kingdom (1 Samuel 8.7). God asked Samuel to tell his people what a king would do: draft citizens for army service, get a tenth of the harvest, and turn people to slaves (1 Samuel 8.10-18). However, the people remained steadfast in asking Samuel for a king and God eventually conceded (1 Samuel 8.21). The Israelites wanted a king â€Å"like the other nations† to lead them, go with them, and fight their battles (1 Samuel 8.20). According to the biblical account, God told S amuel that he has chosen Saul to be king and to lead in the delivery of Israel from the Phillistines and God also told Samuel that the cries of the people of Israel has reached him (1 Samuel 9.15-17). Biblical accounts describe Saul as a Benjamite who was the tallest Israelite during his time. In revealing God’s choice for Saul to become king, Samuel reminded the Israelites that God has been protecting Israel and that by demanding a king, they were rejecting God (1 Samuel 10.17-19). It is important to note that the bible reported that Samuel explained to Israel the regulations of the kingship (1 Samuel 10.25) but nowhere in the bible were the regulations of kingship described or documented. Interestingly, when Saul was anointed king, 1 Samuel 12.1-25 told us that Samuel made a farewell speech, indicating that Saul was to fulfil many functions that Samuel used to fulfil. This indicates that in the movement from Samuel to Saul leadership, there was a movement from theocracy to monarchy. At the same time, in that monarchy, particularly in the Israeli monarchy under Saul, religious figures like Samuel continued to play an important role such in 1 Samuel 13, Samuel rebuked Saul and that Samuel continued to play a role in the military affairs of the Saul monarchy. Eventually, however, in 1 Samuel 15, Samuel after declaring earlier or in 1 Samuel 15.1 that he was the one sent by the Lord to anoint Saul as king declared later that â€Å"the Lord has rejected Saul as king over Israel† in 1 Samuel 15.26. Samuel and Saul parted ways and Samuel anointed David to succeed Saul as king (1 Samuel 16.1-13). David entered Saul’s service (1 Samuel 16.13-23). David eventually succeeded Saul as the king of Israel even when the former became the object of Saul’s jealousy and liquidation plots. Saul’s death is recorded in 1 Chronicle 10. III. The Literature on the Life and Period of King Saul In 1928, in an article published in the Journal of Bibli cal Literature, E.G. Kraeling described the â€Å"real religion of ancient Israel† (133). According to Kraeling, Yahweh or God is never compared to a king because God is the king (152). God is the one â€Å"who sits (enthroned) on mount Zion†

Obesity in Kuwait Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Obesity in Kuwait - Research Paper Example Data taken on the temporal changes in BMI and prevalence of obesity are even more so (Al†Asi). Women in Kuwaiti have been exposed to extreme physical as well as social variations in society in the past few years, and there has not been any study of this nature that has been carried out on them (Al†Asi). The main aim of this study is to respectively explore temporal changes in mean prevalence of obesity and BMI between the two independent samples of 1171 and1705 women of Kuwait between the ages of 18 years and older that were studied in1980-1981 and 1993-1994 (Al-Mahroos). 3- In Kuwaiti, white rice is the staple food both in the past and currently. It is believed that people in Kuwait take white rice once or twice in a day mostly for lunch and at times for dinner too (El-Bayoumy). Though there is no data on the average consumption of rice, data on the population consumption of the intake of rice is not available, data suggests that 17%of total energy available is consumed from white rice (El-Bayoumy) 1- There were two independent studies that were used to analyze and compare the temporal changes in the prevalence of obesity and BMI among the women in Kuwaiti BMI (Al-Awadi).The first study was a national study of 1171 women which was completed in 1980-1981 as it dealt mainly with the â€Å"Nutrition Status Assessment of Adults.† The second study to be carried out was a cross-sectional study of 1705 women which was completed in 1993-1994 and it was based on assessing the prevalence of obesity among Kuwaitis (Al-Awadi). The sample carried out between 1980-1981 sample of 1171 women was gotten from 17 randomly selected primary health care from the clinics situated in all of Kuwaiti five regions and sampling was taken randomly in accordance to the Kuwaiti’s population sex ratio (El-Bayoumy). The samples were divided among the clinics and the division was defined proportionally by the size of the area that was reserved by each of

Caucasus Region2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Caucasus Region2 - Essay Example Involvement of USA is vital. On political front reconciliation of the conflicting interests of regional States is required. Flow of oil in the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline, to the West, can be ensured using diplomatic channels. Oil, natural gas and deposits of rare metals in the region are the main attraction for the world powers. Azerbaijan needs helpmodernize its oilfields, production of which has fallen from 8% of USSR total in 1965 to 0.6% by 1988. Estimated reserves of oil in Azerbaijan are 240,000 billion dollars (Atlas, p86-87). Nine million emigrants in USA and Syria is another asset. Her other main problems are Nagorno Karabakh (N.K). Armenia is over dependent on imported energy and raw materials and fought full scale war on N.K with Azerbaijan in 2003 and this issue dominates national life in both countries (Atlas, p74-75). USA has good opportunity to help resolve the issue of N.K and win appreciation of both countries. She can also increase her exports of raw material to Armenia, thus economically influencing the latter. There is a war and politics for oil and mineral resources and all players are applying military component according to demands of the situation. USSR has not given up its struggle to regain influence in the region. Iran is yet another silent player. But South Azeri People’s Army (SAPA) created problems in north western areas where the emergence of an independent state is in offing. This State of â€Å"Ahurastan†, comprising of north western Iran and western Azerbaijan, has a revolutionary anti-American and anti-West agenda. It may challenge Azeri claim over Caspian Sea area and can disrupt the oil exploration process in the region. 1. Protection of oil pipelines, especially BTC, and bridges from blowing up by SAPA. Such sabotage acts harmed the economies of the regional countries a lot in the

Advance Financial report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Advance Financial report - Essay Example The credit crunch in 2008 and 2009 saw the fall of big financial institutions including Lehman brothers, AIG, Bear Stearns, and the others. The US government and other governments in Europe tried to provide bail-out funds to save companies because of the economic consequences of the problem but the crisis was unstoppable (Ryan, 2008). In an effort to prevent the occurrence of similar problem in the future, the issue on the influence or effect of the use fair value accounting in the preparation of financial statements becomes a subject of investigation and debate. Fair value is close related to market price as SFAS 157 defined as â€Å"the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date†. (FASB, 2006). First, compared with other measurements, FVA permits or requires companies to report in the financial statements more accurate, timely and comparable information on amounts, regardless of the condition in the economy (Ryan, 2009). This means that fair value is more relevant than historical cost when it comes to understanding the assets and liabilities of business organizations. It is believed that fair value does reflect the underlying fundamentals most specifically the risk of the asset. In other words the quality of information is enhanced in giving relevancy more importance than reliability for decision makers (Scott, 2010, citing Plantin, Sapra & Song Shin, 2008). The use of fair value in the financial statements would come closer to valuation conducted by investors or finance people for decision making purposes (Brigham and Houston, 2002). Second, the reported amounts under FVA would more updated on a regular and on-going basis (Ryan, 2009) allowing decision makers to know that the company would still an on-going concern. On the premise that accounting information are meant to inform the decision makers, then the purpose of