Hutori

[RileyHP]

Opinion: NPU Health Legislation Fails Low Income Hutorians
Written by Dr. Jacob Stearns of Jameson University

The National Progressive Union recently tabled a piece of legislation to eliminate private health insurance and widen the public health plan's availability to all. That piece of legislation won't make it through the house as their coalition partners in the Royalist Party have voted with the One Party against it, and Hutori's lowest earners should breathe a collective sigh of relief. Currently about 40 million people are covered by Hutorian Healthcare Insurance (HHI) at no cost, but had the NPU had their way, all of those people would now have to select from a wide range of plans and would have to pay a fee. For a party whose name has Progressive in it, their legislation doesn't quite seem that progressive at all.

Those on the left, or progressives, generally argue for higher taxation on the wealthy and in turn use that money to fund government programs for the poor. However this program would actually benefit the nearly 60 million highest earners in this country while negatively affecting the lowest earners that progressives claim to fight for. In a word, it is hypocritical. Many of these low income Hutorians simply wouldn't be able to afford coverage anymore, and would have to go without. This would lead to many Hutorians having no access to vital medical care.

The bill also argues that the current legislation creates a redundancy in administration costs, which simply isn't true. Hospitals currently send the bill to the patient's insurer, having only one insurer in the nation doesn't really change this at all. A lot of the NPU's defense of the bill relates to saving the government money, but again it simply isn't true. Covering 60 million more people would cost the government more, even if all of those people are paying a fee for the service, unless of course that fee is very high, which again would make it so that many Hutorians simply wouldn't be able to afford coverage.

While many of the arguments in the Nationwide Healthcare Coverage Act have no grounds, I hate to criticize without offering solutions of my own, so here is a solution to the problem the bill correctly pointed out:

- The NPU bill argues that the current legislation creates a perverse incentive for private insurers to save money by rejecting insurance claims, while this is true, there is an easy fix. A new piece of legislation could make it illegal for insurers to reject an applicant based on pre-existing conditions and impose stiff penalties for companies who refuse to provide the coverage that is being paid for.

I believe even the Royalist Party could admit that articles 4 and 5 of the Hutorian Healthcare Act (the articles which enacted the current public health insurance plan and pharmaceutical insurance plan) are't perfect. But the Nationwide Healthcare Coverage Act would only worsen the situation.

[Adithya]

Liberals lay out their plans for Healthcare reform

The Liberals have stated that they will support the Nationwide Health Coverage act proposed by the NPU which they say 'is a step in the right direction'. While addressing reporters,Liberal Spokesperson Christine Jones stated that 'private insurers cannot be trusted to ensure equal medical access for all Hutorians' pointing out to the fact that existing rules enable private insurers to deny medical coverage based on pre-existing conditions and said that her party supports single payer healthcare.When she was questioned by reporters as to how it would be financed,She stated that the increased investment in healthcare would be funded by a slight increase in personal taxes across the board and by introducing a Corporation tax of 4%.She went on to say that single payer healthcare would ' allow everyone to access healthcare without having to worry about medical debt,in fact single payer healthcare would ensure efficiency as funds would be shifted to providing health care to the people, instead of being wasted in administrative expenditure'.

Political Analysts state that the Liberal parties support for Single-Payer Healthcare has firmly positioned it as a progressive party as it seeks to win over Left-leaning voters while trying not to stray too far from the center of the political spectrum.

[RileyHP]

Royalists Launch 4698 Campaign



The Royalist Party launched their campaign for this May's general election. The Royalists have spent the last 19 years on the government benches of parliament, and in all likelihood will find themselves there again in June. However the question is will the Royalists reclaim the Prime Minister's Office and the Presidency this time around. Today the Royalists took their first step towards victory today by announcing their presidential candidate and their platform.

The Royalist platform includes a tax break for Hutori's lowest earners and ratifying the WDEA-Hutori Trade Agreement, which was shot down by the One Party during the last parliament. Party leader Gerald Pettipas says he is pleased with the accomplishments of the Royalist-NPU government, particularly the work done by Royalist ministers, though he does admit there is still work to be done.


Royalist presidential nominee Chris Hill takes the stage at the Royalist campaign kickoff rally in Glentingham, Adelia.

The Conservatives nominated Chris Hill for the presidency. The former Justice Minister has served in parliament for the last nine years, and spent 20 years before that as one of the top lawyers in the country. His extensive background in law and government is what he says makes him the perfect fit for the presidency.

[Bootleg Movie Maker]

The One Party Returns

After not proposing a single bill for an unnaturally long period of time, the One Party of Hutori has broken it's silence and proposed the Prison and Borders Act of 4698. The bill claims on paper it will put prisoners to work and kick illegal aliens out of the country in "humane" conditions however there is nothing in the article specifying what is "humane" however backlash has already mounted. Many minor left wing parties have protested against this bill calling it a "fascist plot against Hutori." However it is unknown how the parties in parliament will react to the bill.

[Desmond_W]

National Progressive Union Makes Gains, Claims Presidency
Written by Juliet Leeds, Political Correspondent

In a satisfactory, yet not quite commanding victory for the National Progressive Union, the newest major party in Hutori claimed pluralities in four out of five of the nation's provinces and clinched the Presidential election. Much of their gains can be attributed to a strong showing in Kenai, where a focus on organizational development by the province's party leadership and local support for President Messimer, who was born and raised in Saint Anselm. The NPU went from just fifteen seats in 4694 to sixty-four (or just under half) in the recent election. Apart from this sweep, the party had minor gains in Adelia and Lagard, and losses in Roccato and Falristan, for a net gain of forty seats. While a couple of these MP victories were against incumbents from the One Party, the vast majority came from losses in Royalist districts, and the One Party ended up picking up a net of five seats in this cycle.

In the presidential election, a victory was handed to Elizabeth Messimer on the second round ballot with almost 58% of the vote. Messimer, a former cardiologist and well-known health care reform advocate, won the election without having previously served as an MP. However, she had served as an advisor on healthcare policy to Prime Minister Charles McCahey and HSS Minister Amelia Jones, proving instrumental in the creation of the Nationwide Healthcare Coverage Act which ultimately failed in Parliament.


Newly elected President Elizabeth Messimer

In Parliament, Prime Minister McCahey remains in power, and his office has stated that negotiations will begin soon with the Royalist Party to retain a working coalition. The first four years of the NPU-RPH coalition were marked both by landmark bipartisan achievements and divisive inter-coalition battles. While the Progressives achieved many of their legislative priorities under the union, such as a re-aligning of climate priorities and government safeguards against predatory lending, they failed to deliver on meaningful healthcare reform due to RPH opposition. When asked if McCahey planned on raising this issue in negotiations, his office refused to comment one way or another.

[RileyHP]

Royalists Propose Amendments To Hutorian Healthcare Act

In a surprising move, the Royalists recently proposed major changes to their Hutorian Healthcare Act, which was enacted under their majority government in 4691. The Royalists' proposed changes to the Hutorian Healthcare Act would raise the maximum income to receive free government health and pharmaceutical insurance from 40,000 Lira to 55,000 Lira, and allows those above the income threshold to opt-in for government insurance for a monthly fee which is to be set by the Hutorian Healthcare Insurance Corporation and the Hutorian Pharmaceutical Insurance Corporation. The fees are to be on a sliding scale based on income.

Many are speculating these changes are a compromise with the National Progressive Union, whose sweeping changes to Hutori's healthcare system were shot down by the Royalists and the One Party during the last parliament. The Royalists were adamant about allowing room for private insurers and giving Hutorians the choice between government and private insurance. Sources with insider knowledge of the negotiations between the Royalists and NPU said that changes to the Hutorian Healthcare Act were crucial to the NPU, and a deal to continue the coalition may not have happened without the compromise. HBC reached out to the Royalists for comment and this is what they had to say:

"We've listened to Hutorians and taken their concerns very seriously. We found that most Hutorians would like the option to receive government insurance, even if they had to pay for it, but the vast majority believed we still should allow room for private insurers. Hutorians also told us that the maximum income threshold was just too low, as it was below the national median income. We can always admit when our own legislation has shortcomings, and we believe our amendments to the Hutorian Healthcare Act are the best way to tackle the issues Hutorians had with the original legislation. We believe these amendments will receive the support of parliament."

[RileyHP]

New Budget Comes With Tax Increases

Royalist Finance Minister Thomas Smith introduced the government's latest budget today, which adds funding to the Ministry of Health and Social Services to cover the added costs of the amendments to the Hutorian Healthcare Act, which will widen the free of charge coverage of public healthcare and pharmaceutical insurance, and allow all Hutorians to opt-in to the program, with those earning over 55,000 Lira having to pay a monthly fee. The budget also sees a decrease of 2.5 billion Lira to the Internal Affairs budget, which the Minister says is a surplus now after recent changes to government policy on illegal immigrants. Overall this budget has an added 17.5 billion in expenditures.

In order to pay for the increase in spending, the Minister had to do something the Royalists have not done in a very long time, increase taxes. The overhaul of the income tax system will see the current middle income bracket begin at 35,000 Lira, instead of 40,000 Lira, though it will have its tax rate lowered from 21 percent to 20 percent. Meanwhile the current top bracket will become the new middle bracket and lower its minimum threshold from 70,000 Lira to 65,000 Lira, and its new tax rate will be 30 percent, a decrease of 13 percent. However there will be two new tax brackets, the first beginning at 80,000 Lira, at a rate of 48 percent. The new highest bracket will begin at 90,000 Lira, and will be taxed at a rate of 55 percent. In all this new income tax system is estimated to increase government revenue by 18.1 billion Lira.


Finance Minister Thomas Smith speaks in parliament after tabling the government's latest budget.

The Finance Minister defended his new income tax formula in a media scrum after exiting the parliament chamber.

"The last thing any good Finance Minister wants to do is increase taxes on any Hutorian. This new formula will see many of Hutori's middle class pay less in taxes every year, while at the same time, we are asking those who earn higher amounts to pay a little bit more. My staff and I spoke with Hutorians of all income levels before finalizing these changes, and the feedback we received was very positive. I hope parliament will support this budget so that we can ensure that the Hutorian Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Insurance programs are fully funded and Hutorians have the access to healthcare that they deserve."

[RileyHP]

Royalists Make Massive Gains, Claim Victory


President-Elect MacKenzie Donnelly celebrates with supporters at Royalist HQ in Tremaine

The Royalist Party is claiming victory in the closest election Hutori has seen in centuries. Both governing parties, the Royalists and the National Progressive Union won 219 seats, while the Naval Party gained 207 seats. However the Royalists claim victory due to their massive gains, and taking the Presidency.

The outgoing Foreign Affairs Minister MacKenzie Donnelly, who was tasked with the Terran Millitary and Trade Alliance (TMTA) file for the last 4 years, won the presidential election over incumbent President Elizabeth Messimer by just 1.4%, approximately 630,000 votes. And in the Parliamentary elections, the Royalists gained 96 seats, while the NPU lost 73.

The success of the Royalist Party this year comes off the back of a campaign where they contrasted themselves from their governing partners, and the former One Party. Their campaign slogan "Stronger United" showed a party that wanted to listen to all sides of the political spectrum, and bring together all Hutorians as one. They took more traditionally right-leaning stances on issues like defence and trade, while also taking more left-leaning stances on issues like healthcare and education. While many voters in previous elections worried that they were still a solidly right-wing party, the Royalists planted themselves firmly in the political centre this time around.

The biggest suprise of the night however, was the rise of the Naval Party. After winning 0 seats, and earning just over 40,000 votes 4 years ago, they managed to win 207 seats this time around, earning 31.07% of the national vote, a majority government in Adelia and a minority government in Roccato.

[Desmond_W]

McCahey Steps Aside As NPU Loses Ground & Parliament Split in Three

In a rocky night for the National Progressive Union, the party lost their plurality of seats as well as the Presidency, in one of the narrowest Presidential elections in recent memory. President Elizabeth Messimer lost to MacKenzie Donnelly from the Royalist Party after Jackson Slow of the insurgent Naval Party was eliminated in the first round and declined to endorse one of his opponents. The parliamentary election was less of a nail-biter, with the Progressives losing 73 seats, the Royalists gaining 96, and the Naval Party taking 207 seats, or an astonishing 32%.

In prepared remarks following the election results, Charles McCahey announced that he would be stepping aside as the leader of the NPU. In the days that followed, Deputy Leader Samantha Price was elected by a wide margin to lead the party, thanks in large part due to the support of Progressive Caucus Leader Claire Hollis, who will now be serving as Deputy Leader under Price. Hollis rose to public prominence back in 4694 as one of the youngest MPs to be elected to the parliament, at just 26 years old. Now, almost a decade later, she has been both praised and vilified for her outspoken left-wing views and economic populism. Price, McCahey's Deputy Leader since he founded the party, is notably more liberal than her predecessor and less willing to compromise on certain key policy positions.

While the results of the election may have been a surprise, McCahey's resignation was not. While still deeply respected across the party, his popularity and confidence in his leadership has been waning for years among members of the party's Progressive Caucus due to his choice to effectively share power with the more conservative Royalist Party. This partnership resulted in a number of legislative victories for both parties, but also caused some of the party's core platform to be swept aside or postponed for the sake of bipartisan cooperation.

McCahey, however, stands by his decision to steer his party into a moderate coalition, stating during his resignation that "we achieved historic things during our decade in power, securing more healthcare coverage for lower income Hutorians, pioneering child labor laws, and re-aligning our priorities for education funding. None of this would have been possible if we were working as the opposition."

Since the party's more moderate "Liberal Caucus" was almost entirely wiped out in the last election, many of McCahey's most ardent supporters were swept out of power, and he likely knew that his party wanted a more progressive politician as their standard-bearer for their opposition years.

"It is time to put the new government to the test," Price proclaimed following her election as Party Leader. "We will be proposing sweeping healthcare reforms, corporate tax laws, and landmark civil rights legislation. We will put forward what the people want, and if the parties in power decide to disregard this, the voters should remember that in 4706."

[RileyHP]

Government set to Withdraw From TMTA, Ratify Hutori-WDEA Trade Agreement

Hutori's new Royalist-Naval Coalition Government is making its first major changes, first up is Bill C-66, which will withdraw Hutori from the TMTA, and will in all likelihood pass in May, and the second major move is to finally ratify the Hutori-WDEA Free Trade Agreement. The President, Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister jointly signed a letter to the TMTA to inform them of Hutori's imminent withdrawal in May.

The Royalists were against the TMTA from the beginning, and now that they've been able to swap coalition partners, they're finally able to withdraw. And on the WDEA agreement, the now defunct One Party was the only roadblock, and that ratification is expected to receive unanimous support.