Insurance consolidation bill advances in House

Friday 29 February 2008 at 12:14 pm Denver Business Journal - by Bob Mook Denver Business Journal
The House Business Affairs and Labor Committee passed a bill Thursday that subjects consolidating insurers to a more rigorous review process in Colorado. The vote was 6-3.

House Bill 1131, sponsored by Rep. Anne McGihon, D-Denver, and Sen. Bob Hagedorn, D-Aurora, requires the Colorado Division of Insurance to conduct independent investigations on how proposed mergers of insurance companies would affect the competitive market.

Doctors support the bill, citing concerns that the state's top four health insurance companies cover more than 75 percent of those who have insurance in Colorado. (more)

Jenny Wilson looks at new bid for domestic partners health insurance

Friday 29 February 2008 at 12:13 pm By Jeremiah Stettler

Salt Lake County Councilwoman Jenny Wilson has charted a quiet course toward extending health-insurance benefits to the county's gay and lesbian employees, making little mention of her plans while a political firestorm persists on Capitol Hill surrounding Salt Lake City's newly minted domes- tic-partnership regis- try.
But make no mistake. This dyed-in-the-wool Democrat has every intention of pushing for health-insurance privileges for unmarried partners just as soon as the legislative session ends - potentially unlocking insurance coverage for same-sex couples, blood relatives and even friends who live together and mingle their finances. (more)

Senate panel OKs kids health insurance bills

Friday 29 February 2008 at 12:08 pm 2 measures win bipartisan support; effort a cornerstone of Ritter's reform efforts
By ED SEALOVER
2008-02-28 09:21:00 pm
THE GAZETTE
DENVER - Two bills intended to provide health insurance for more Colorado children - the crux of Gov. Bill Ritter's 2008 health care reform proposal - got bipartisan support Thursday in their initial steps through the Legislature.

Senate Health and Human Services Committee members sent both measures to the Senate Appropriations Committee after hearing testiand pregnant women who have health care. Ritter has said that of the roughly 160,000 uninsured Colorado children, another 45,000 will get insurance under this plan. (more)

Insurance company: Doctors' Social Security numbers went on Web

Friday 29 February 2008 at 12:07 pm Associated Press - February 29, 2008 12:15 AM ET

WAUSAU, Wis. (AP) - A health insurance company in California has notified more than 100,000 doctors in 11 states, including Ohio, that their personal information was posted on the Internet, raising a risk of identity theft.

Spokeswoman Molly Tuttle said yesterday that doctors' Social Security numbers were accidentally posted for two months on a Health Net Federal Services Web site. (more)

Iraq war costs Americans in health care tradeoff

Thursday 28 February 2008 at 12:12 pm JOHN YOUNG

WACO, Texas -- "People have access to health care in America. After all, you just go to an emergency room." -- George W. Bush

That's right, Mr. President. And thanks for pointing out what's wrong with a status quo you've done almost nothing to alter. Welcome to the ER. It is America's answer to a phony debate. Health care: Is it a right? Of course it is.

Were it not, ERs would bar their doors to the uninsured. People would expire on the curb. Bodies would bloat in the streets.

They don't. Because without saying as much, we know that health care is not your business or my business, it's our business. Like education. Like highways. Like waterways. (more)

Dow Jones Examines Individual Health Insurance Mandate Debate Among Democratic Presidential Candidates

Thursday 28 February 2008 at 12:09 pm [Feb 28, 2008]

The "only major disagreement" between the health care proposals of Democratic presidential candidates Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) and Barack Obama (Ill.) "appears to be whether to require uninsured people to buy coverage," Dow Jones reports. The Clinton proposal would require all U.S. residents to obtain health insurance, and the Obama plan would require coverage only for children.

Both candidates have said they would strengthen the employer-sponsored health care system and provide additional options for people whose employers do not offer coverage. Both candidates also have proposed regulations that would require insurers to accept all applicants regardless of pre-existing health conditions, and they both have proposed phasing out tax cuts to the wealthiest taxpayers and reducing wasteful spending to finance their plans. (more)

Elliott wants to require health insurance for some

Thursday 28 February 2008 at 12:07 pm Originally published February 28, 2008

By Meg Bernhardt
News-Post Staff

ANNAPOLIS -- Individuals making $50,000 or more would be required to buy health insurance or pay a fee, according to a bill proposed by a local delegate.
Delegate Donald Elliott, a Republican representing Frederick and Carroll counties, will present his bill today at a hearing before the House Health and Government Operations committee. (more)

The health insurance fiasco

Thursday 28 February 2008 at 12:05 pm Published: Thursday, Feb 28, 2008

By BETH GRIMES

Your money or your life. That's the choice we have. The insurance industry is made up of profit-making commercial enterprises, friends, and your medical insurance provider is one. These companies don't pay for your illness or injury unless you have already blessed their outstretched palms with a hefty chunk of your hard-earned cash.

They may not cover your ex-penses even then. Your insur-er loves to put limits on your benefits and their claims ad-justers are skilled at finding reasons to deny your claim. (more)

Health insurance contributions to rise by three percentage points from July 1

Thursday 28 February 2008 at 12:03 pm Bulgaria's Cabinet will raise mandatory health insurance contributions by three percentage points starting July 1 this year, Health Minister Radoslav Gaidarski told a conference on February 27 2008.

The hike would allow to generate the financial resources necessary to launch new health insurance funds starting 2009, when the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) loses its monopoly for such services, the minister said during the conference, entitled The Crisis – A Year Later: Bulgarians – the European Patient in a Sick Health Insurance Sector, Dnevnik daily reported on February 27.

Gaidarski outlined two scenarios for breaking the monopoly of the NHIF. One option would see private health insurance funds pocket the additional three per cent and the proceeds would be used to pay for treatment that is not covered by NHIF. (more)

Health insurance reduces life-expectancy gap: study

Wednesday 27 February 2008 at 12:06 pm TOUGH JOB: Although universal health care stopped a growing gap between rich and poor, society's privileged still outlive marginalized groups by more than a decade
By Angelica Oung
STAFF REPORTER
Wednesday, Feb 27, 2008, Page 2
In the decade since it was launched, the National Health Insurance (NHI) has contributed to a modest reduction in the gap in life expectancy between the rich and poor sections of society, public health researchers found in a recent study. (more)

Perdue wants insurance for kids that won't hurt Ga.

Wednesday 27 February 2008 at 12:05 pm Governor spoke to House subcommittee in Washington

By BOB DART
Cox News Service

Published on: 02/27/08

Gov. Sonny Perdue urged Congress on Tuesday to pass a children's health insurance program that doesn't punish Georgia for covering more kids.

The Republican governor told a House health subcommittee that the current State Children Health Insurance Program is based on a flawed formula that has reduced federal funding for his state as Georgia enrolled more children from low-income families. (more)

Panel rejects health insurance expansion

Wednesday 27 February 2008 at 12:03 pm By Kurt Erickson
kurt.erickson@lee.net
Advertisement

SPRINGFIELD -- Setting the stage for more political and legal fireworks, a legislative panel Tuesday again tried to stop Gov. Rod Blagojevich from moving forward with his plan to expand health insurance.

The bipartisan Joint Committee on Administrative Rules voted 8-2 to block an expansion of the state's FamilyCare program for families who can't afford private health insurance coverage. (more)

Health insurance law misses goals

Wednesday 27 February 2008 at 12:00 pm Letting companies deny coverage for prior ills hasn't increased number of insured, study finds
By Daniel Lee and Eunice Trotter
daniel.lee@indystar.com

A change in state law that allows health insurance companies to deny coverage of pre-existing conditions has failed, as promoted, to increase the overall number of Hoosiers with health insurance.

In 2004, Indiana lawmakers supported the argument that insurance companies would cover more residents if they didn't have to bear the risk of costs associated with pre-existing conditions, some as minor as acne or bunions. (more)

Presumptive Republican Presidential Nominee McCain Considers 'Risk Adjustment' in Health Insurance Tax Credits

Tuesday 26 February 2008 at 1:27 pm Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) has considered a proposal that would place "more money on the table" for sick U.S. residents who seek health insurance, according to McCain adviser and former Congressional Budget Office Director Douglas Holtz-Eakin, the Wall Street Journal "Health Blog" reports. As part of his health care proposal, McCain has said that he would provide tax credits of $2,500 to lower-income individuals and $5,000 to lower-income families to help them purchase private health insurance.

In a conference call hosted by Morgan Stanley, Holtz-Eakin raised the possibility of "risk adjustment" in the tax credits to help sick residents, who often cannot obtain health insurance or must pay high premiums. He said that the McCain campaign recognizes that the tax credits would have less benefit for sick residents than healthier ones. "What really matters is the ratio of cost to income," Holtz-Eakin said, adding, "The risk adjustment in the tax credit is meant to improve the ability of those people to purchase insurance if they're outside the employer market and get a policy that covers the additional risks that they might have." According to Holtz-Eakin, McCain hopes to finalize the proposal in the next few months. (more)

St. Paul teachers examine health insurance options

Tuesday 26 February 2008 at 1:25 pm A switch to Public Employees Insurance Program might mean cheaper insurance for the 3,600 union members.

By JAMES WALSH, Star Tribune

Last update: February 25, 2008 - 9:23 PM

The St. Paul Federation of Teachers is exploring switching to the Public Employees Insurance Program to cover its health care insurance.

Teachers, like many folks, are frustrated with rising costs and climbing premiums, said Mary Cathryn Ricker, president of the 3,600-member union. And there's a good chance that the public employees program could offer coverage for less. (more)

Salaries healthy for health insurance watchdogs

Tuesday 26 February 2008 at 1:23 pm By Jessica Fargen
Tuesday, February 26, 2008

A Herald review of the payroll at the state's Health Connector, the agency charged with implementing the landmark health insurance law, shows nearly half the staff pocketing six-figure salaries.

Nineteen of the 43 employees take home more than $100,000 and 10 of them top Gov. Deval Patrick's $140,000-a-year salary, according to 2008 salary records for the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority. (more)

Quotit and WellPoint Join Forces to Bring Medicare Product Information Online

Tuesday 26 February 2008 at 1:21 pm INDIANAPOLIS and IRVINE, Calif., Feb 25, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- WellPoint Inc., and its affiliated companies and Quotit Corporation, a leading Internet application service provider for the health insurance and employee benefits industry today announced an alliance to provide insurance rate quotes on Medicare plans to America's growing senior population.

Through this joint venture, agents of the WellPoint affiliated health plans can gain full access to Quotit's proprietary software enabling them to offer Medicare eligible consumers the most competitive pricing available for their Medicare and Medicare Advantage health insurance needs.
More than 2.5 million senior and disabled Americans count on WellPoint affiliated health plans for their Medicare and drug benefits in a variety of plans. (more)

Blunt's insurance plan suffers setback

Monday 25 February 2008 at 11:09 am By Virginia Young
POST-DISPATCH JEFFERSON CITY BUREAU CHIEF
02/25/2008

JEFFERSON CITY - Ever since Gov. Matt Blunt rolled out his ambitious program to provide health insurance for working parents, members of his own party have attacked it.

The plan was too costly, said House Republicans. The Legislature never authorized it — indeed, never even debated it, they said.

On Friday, five months after he announced his plans, Blunt backed off, avoiding a showdown that was set for today. (more)

Clinton and Obama's health plans

Monday 25 February 2008 at 11:07 am (Reuters) - Following are details of healthcare plans offered by Democratic White House hopefuls:

* New York Sen. Hillary Clinton's health care plan, estimated to cost about $110 billion per year, would require all Americans to get health insurance. Under a public-private partnership, they would keep existing coverage or choose from private insurance options members of Congress receive. Individuals may also choose a public plan similar to Medicare. Plan creates new federal subsidies for those who can't afford coverage and imposes new mandates on large employers to provide health insurance or help pay for it. Small business will receive tax breaks to provide health coverage. Plan forces insurance companies to give coverage to everyone, ending discrimination based on pre-existing conditions. Drug companies would also be required to offer fair prices. (more)

Elected officials in Sellersburg may lose health insurance

Monday 25 February 2008 at 11:05 am By MELISSA MOODY
Melissa.Moody@newsandtribune.com


Sellersburg Town Council members, town attorney and town judge are currently eligible for health insurance coverage under the town's plan with United Healthcare. The council will discuss ending that coverage for newly elected officials at its meeting Monday. Elected officials already receiving coverage will be allowed to keep it under the amendment to Ordinance 2005-020. (more)

Health insurance and health care are not the same

Monday 25 February 2008 at 10:59 am Caroline Poplin
is a physician, lawyer and visiting scholar at Georgetown University Law Center

The issue is health care. Have you noticed that presidential candidates assume that universal health insurance means universal health care? They use the terms interchangeably. They assume that once the law enables or requires everyone to buy health insurance, everyone will have adequate health care.

But anyone who has been seriously ill or cared for a sick relative knows that while health insurance may be the solution, too often it is part of the problem. (more)

Health Savings Account Answers

Friday 22 February 2008 at 11:57 am Kimberly Lankford, Contributing Editor, Kiplinger's Personal Finance
Kiplinger.com
Friday, February 22, 2008; 9:17 AM

Editor's note: This story has been updated since Congress passed a bill December 9, 2006 authorizing changes to the health savings account program. The President is expected to sign the bill into law.

Questions about health savings accounts have been pouring in ever since the tax-free savings vehicle was introduced as part of medicare prescription drug plan and took effect in January 2004. Recently passed legislation will make HSAs an even better deal in 2007. Below are the most frequently asked questions we've received and the answers we've found: (more)

Hillary Clinton's Universal Health Care Plan: Buy Health Insurance or Else!

Friday 22 February 2008 at 11:55 am Bill Haymin
February 22, 2008
By: Mike Adams

Key concepts: health care, health insurance and universal health care

naturalnews.com

NaturalNews) As candidates for U.S. President continue to battle for their respective parties' nominations, details are beginning to emerge about their (disastrous) health care plans. The New York Times is now reporting that Hillary Clinton's universal health care plan will be accomplished through "enforcement measures" that may include garnishing the wages of people who choose not to buy health insurance. What this comes down to, of course, is yet another form of medical tyranny where citizens are forced by threat of financial penalty to participate in conventional medicine's health insurance scheme that pushes drugs, surgeries, chemotherapy and other harmful treatments while disallowing converage of naturopathic health therapies that really work (like nutritional therapy). (more)

Market holds the key to health care reform, says Leavitt

Friday 22 February 2008 at 11:49 am Health secretary returns to Utah, denounces universal care
By Lisa Rosetta
The Salt Lake Tribune

Article Last Updated: 02/21/2008 08:05:35 PM MST

Posted: 8:06 PM- Mike Leavitt wants you to go shopping.
For your hip surgery, that is.
With health care costs poised to eclipse 20 percent of the economy within the next decade and entitlement programs such as Medicare going broke, the U.S. is in danger of losing its competitive edge in the world marketplace, the Health and Human Services secretary said in Salt Lake City today. (more)

Hillary Clinton: The Health Insurance Issue

Friday 22 February 2008 at 11:44 am by Carrie K. Hutchens

I was determined not to listen to even one more debate between Clinton and Obama, but my resolve and what happened are two different things. As a result, I HEARD IT! I heard what I feel is the "real" Clinton.

HIllary Clinton actually said that she is for the "mandate". The mandate that will require each and everyone of us to personally purchase health insurance. She said this would be so that she and others weren't paying for the hidden cost to cover everyone not insured. So is that really what is going on in her thoughts? Rather than truly care if people have access to affordable health care and health care insurance, she is more concerned about having to pay for those who aren't paying for their own? That's what it sounded like to me! (more)

UAW joins foes of Blue Cross bills

Friday 22 February 2008 at 11:42 am Insurer wants to raise solo policy costs
BY PATRICIA ANSTETT . FREE PRESS MEDICAL WRITER . February 22, 2008

"The market for individual health insurance in Michigan is broken, but these bills are not the fix we need," said Ron Gettelfinger, UAW president, in a statement posted on the union's Web site. It advanced objections the union's government relations team circulated in December to the Legislature.

The bills would change how Blue Cross sets rates for about 400,000 people who purchase their own insurance. That market is expected to grow from 6% to as much as 25% of Michigan's health insurance policies in five to seven years, as more employers drop workplace coverage, according to Blue Cross estimates. (more)

Bill would offer credits for health insurance

Friday 22 February 2008 at 11:40 am Star-Telegram
Kay Granger Rep. Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth, said Thursday that she will reintroduce a bill to provide affordable healthcare though tax credits that could be used toward the purchase of medical insurance.

The Affordable Health Care Expansion Act would provide an upfront tax credit of $1,000 for individuals, $2,000 for married couples and $500 per dependent, up to $3,000 per family. (more)

Google, Cleveland Clinic Partner On Personal Health Record Service

Thursday 21 February 2008 at 9:43 pm Google says the system is secure, but several groups warn that entrusting health information to an e-health provider opens potential privacy risks.

By Thomas Claburn Marianne Kolbasuk McGee
InformationWeek
February 21, 2008 03:40 PM


Google (NSDQ: GOOG) on Thursday announced a pilot program with the Cleveland Clinic that will enable the health care organization's patients to store their health records in their Google Accounts. (more)

Hispanics More Concerned Than Whites About Loss of Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance

Thursday 21 February 2008 at 9:40 pm [Feb 21, 2008]
Hispanics are more concerned than whites about the loss of employer-sponsored health insurance, according to a survey released on Wednesday by the Rockefeller Foundation, the Dallas Morning News reports.

For the survey, research company Yankelovich interviewed 3,157 U.S. residents last February, and the Economic Policy Institute analyzed the results. The survey found that 25% of Hispanics had concerns about the loss of employer-sponsored health insurance, compared with 13% of whites. In addition, 26% of Hispanics said that they decided not to visit a physician at least one time because of cost concerns, compared with 17% of whites, and 25% of Hispanics said that they had used funds from their savings to cover medical expenses, compared with 17% of whites, according to the survey. (more)

More Heat for California Insurers Canceling Policies

Thursday 21 February 2008 at 9:36 pm Posted by Jacob Goldstein

The running saga over California health insurers canceling policies rolls on. Now, the Los Angeles City Attorney is suing an insurer called Health Net for allegedly rescinding coverage when members submit claims for costly treatments.

The suit, filed yesterday, applies to individual policies. A Health Net spokesman told the Los Angeles Times that the company paid $200 million on claims for those sorts of policies last year. He said the company has reviewed its cancellation policies in the past few years and added an internal independent review to "protect people's rights in a fair and appropriate way," according to the LAT. (more)

Health Insurance Data

Thursday 21 February 2008 at 10:43 am Re "A Rip-Off by Health Insurers?" (editorial, Feb. 18):

Ingenix compiles actual physician-billed charge data - more than 1.3 billion continuously updated records collected from 100 major contributors in 50 states - and licenses summaries of that information to health plans so they can use it to make better decisions. We believe that all markets, health care in particular, need more, not less, information so that quality and cost can be better understood and improved.

We do not know the source of the $77 figure your editorial cites from the New York attorney general as Ingenix's calculation of the "fair market rate in New York City and Nassau County for a 15-minute consultation with a doctor for an illness of low to moderate severity." Instead, a health plan reimbursing this consultation using our Prevailing Healthcare Charges System data at the 80th percentile would price this service at $160. (more)

States act to protect individual health insurance coverage

Thursday 21 February 2008 at 10:41 am By Julie Appleby, USA TODAY
Lawmakers in several states are limiting insurers' ability to cancel health policies for consumers who buy their own coverage.
The state actions come as more people buy individual insurance policies because they are self-employed, unemployed or don't get coverage at work. More than 18 million people have individual coverage.

Unlike group health policies offered by employers, individual plans require applicants to submit many years' worth of detailed medical information. The insurers use that information in deciding whether to offer coverage and how much to charge. (more)

Shafroth makes health insurance pledge

Thursday 21 February 2008 at 10:40 am The Democratic candidate in the 2nd Congressional District also outlines a national health care plan.
By Jenel Stelton-Holtmeier
The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 02/20/2008 11:52:38 PM MST

Will Shafroth pledged Wednesday that, if elected, he would refuse taxpayer-funded health insurance provided for members of Congress until Capitol Hill lawmakers pass reforms to insure all Americans.

The 2nd Congressional District Democratic candidate made the announcement at a news conference in his Boulder home with his 14-year-old daughter, Lily, at his side. A few weeks after she was born, Lily developed whooping cough and was admitted to the neonatal intensive-care unit, driving his interest in health care reform. (more)

States Redefine Family Health Policies

Thursday 21 February 2008 at 10:38 am By KEVIN FREKING - 8 hours ago

WASHINGTON (AP) - Thomas Mahoney came out of a seizure last December surrounded by paramedics ready to take him to the hospital by ambulance. Mindful of the cost, he asked his mom and girlfriend to drive him instead, slipping in and out of consciousness along the way.

Maybe it wasn't the smartest option for a patient with epilepsy, but for a 21-year-old without health insurance, it was prudent.

Mahoney, of Dublin, Ga., lost his insurance when he turned 19, no longer eligible for coverage under his father's policy because he wasn't a full-time student. (more)

Insurance for the working poor

Thursday 21 February 2008 at 10:37 am Practical proposals are a powerful step in the right direction

By NEWT GINGRICH

Published on: 02/21/08

The Georgia Uninsured Working Group has proposed a series of reforms that could help an estimated 500,000 currently uninsured Georgians purchase health insurance.

That set of changes would cover one-third of all the uninsured in Georgia. (more)

Experts call for health cover in US, cite study

Wednesday 20 February 2008 at 11:37 am HONG KONG, Feb 20 (Reuters) - Experts called for universal health insurance in the United States, citing a study in Taiwan that showed it increased life expectancy and closed the gap between those who were most healthy and least healthy.

In a commentary published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the experts said Taiwan's experience lent "credence to the argument that the United States should join other industrialised nations in ensuring universal health insurance coverage". (more)

City Council was wise to end health insurance for councilors

Wednesday 20 February 2008 at 11:35 am Mayor Donald Kasprzak and the current Common Council were elected largely on a platform of reducing unneccesary expenses and routing waste wherever it could be found. For the most part, those goals have been realized -- predictably, to the chagrin of people whose personal comforts were deflated in the process.

Kasprzak and the council knew they weren't going to be universally popular when they began rummaging through the budget to find available cuts -- not only are the victims of the cuts incensed, but frugal officials must heed that tricky balance between making prudent incisions and slicing future prospects for growth -- but the taxpayers are the beneficiaries, and they are the ones who count the most. (more)

Maybe Government Isn't the Best Answer for Insurance

Wednesday 20 February 2008 at 11:34 am February 20, 2008; Page A13
Victoria C. Bunce and J.P. Wieske are correct when they discuss the malignant potential of mandates and regulations as it relates to the health insurance marketplace ("Mandate Update," op-ed, Feb. 8). I might further suggest that we stop using the term health insurance since we really cannot insure against our health. The proper term should be accident and sickness insurance. (more)

Click to learn about the proposed state health insurance plan

Wednesday 20 February 2008 at 11:31 am By JIM FABER
jfaber@islandpacket.com
843-706-8137
Published Wednesday, February 20, 2008

The South Carolina Department of Insurance wants to help create an affordable health-insurance plan that would be available to employees throughout the state.

But first, that new pilot program, called SC HealthNet, needs approval from the legislature. (more)

Kids, dentists, hospitals to benefit from Crist health plan

Tuesday 19 February 2008 at 2:31 pm By PHIL GALEWITZ

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

TALLAHASSEE - Gov. Charlie Crist today released initiatives designed to reduce the number of Floridians without health insurance, including a plan he said would have insurers offer coverage for $150 a month-or less than half the cost of typical individual policy.

Crist also called for allowing hospitals to be built in Florida without a lengthy regulatory process, ease the financial burden of a government-funded childrens' health insurance program and increase the number of dentists serving Medicaid clients. (more)

DR Union: New Health Insurance Proposal

Tuesday 19 February 2008 at 2:30 pm Health insurance was one of the main reasons why hundreds of workers went on strike last summer.

So far, three hundred of the more than four hundred workers who walked off the job have been called back to their jobs.

The others who are still waiting are now demonstrating outside the plant. But they're not picketing.

Labor laws prevent them from picketing and walking the streets, because there isn't a strike.

"All these years you work there and you still haven't been called back when there's younger people doing your work. It hurts," said union worker Stew Lowery. (more)

People With Private Health Insurance More Likely To Receive Early Cancer Diagnosis, Study Finds

Tuesday 19 February 2008 at 2:28 pm [Feb 19, 2008]
Uninsured U.S. residents and Medicaid beneficiaries are more likely than people with private health insurance to be diagnosed with cancer in late stages, which reduces their chances for survival, according to a recent study by the American Cancer Society, the New York Times reports. The study was published online on Monday on The Lancet Oncology's Web site. For the study, researchers examined data from the National Cancer Data Base on 3.7 million people who were diagnosed with 12 types of cancer from 1998 to 2004.

The study found that among cancers that could be detected early through standard screening or assessment of symptoms -- such as breast cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer and melanoma -- uninsured patients were two to three times more likely than those with private coverage to be diagnosed in Stage III or Stage IV rather than Stage I. Smaller disparities were found in the diagnosis of non-Hodgkins lymphoma and cancers of the bladder, kidney, prostate, thyroid, uterus, ovary and pancreas. (more)

Health Insurance Premiums: Who Pays What?

Tuesday 19 February 2008 at 2:27 pm February 19, 2008 - 2:30am

Companies all over the nation, places as different as General Motors to The Washington Post and LA Times, are trying to cut current/future costs by offering buyouts to high-salary workers. They figure they can save money in pay and perks by replacing some of those workers with lower-paid individuals, contract workers (who don't get fringe benefits) or by not replacing them at all.
In strict numbers Uncle Sam remains the buyout king (in volume if not in generosity). Tens of thousands of retirement-age feds were paid pre-tax buyouts of up to $25,000 during the early 1990s. Many of them were not replaced, or their work was consolidated and farmed out to the private sector. The government is still offering both early-retirement and buyouts (sometimes both) on a limited basis in parts of some agencies. (more)

Other retirees work for insurance benefits

Monday 18 February 2008 at 11:46 am By Kevin Flaherty | THE MORNING SUN

While many retirees plunge back into the workforce to help solve boredom, many others do so to gain health insurance benefits.

David Rua, Farmers Insurance Group agent, said he saw a number of people who worked until they were 65 to keep insurance.

"I do see that a lot," Rua said. "I would even say that's one of the primary reasons people don't retire. There are a lot of people who, when they get over 60, they don't retire until they hit 65 and can draw Medicare. You hear a lot of people say, ‘Otherwise, I would have retired a long time ago.'" (more)

Health Insurance Tax Break Passes House

Monday 18 February 2008 at 11:43 am Feb 18, 2008 by Elizabeth Ziegler

(KCPW News) Most small business owners, part-time workers, freelancers, and other contract employees must pay all of their health-care premiums out of their own pocket. A bill gaining widespread support in the Legislature gives these people a tax break.

"This is an attempt to achieve some parity and some fairness in the tax code. As well as, perhaps we can allow some people with this modest effort, to afford health insurance and perhaps we can move some people off the uninsured rolls," says Representative James Dunnigan, aTaylorsville insurance agency owner who's running House Bill 351. (more)

Blue Cross under fire again; Property-casualty insurance bills called unfair

Monday 18 February 2008 at 11:42 am By Jay Greene

A newly formed coalition of seven property-casualty insurance companies contends that two of four insurance-related bills sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan would grant Blue Cross an unfair competitive advantage due to its deep pockets and tax-exempt status.

The Coalition for a Fair & Competitive Insurance Market opposes the two property-casualty bills, House Bills 5284 and 5285, because they would allow the Blues' for-profit subsidiary, Accident Fund Insurance Co. of America, now limited to selling workers' compensation coverage, to sell other insurance lines, including automotive, life and property casualty. (more)

Insurance Mandate Worries Small Business

Monday 18 February 2008 at 11:37 am Governor also concerned about required coverage of orthotic and prosthetic costs
By Thomas Gaudio
2/18/2008
TRENTON-While the state's latest health care mandate has the orthotic and prosthetic industry smiling, that is hardly the case with small businesses and insurers.
The legislation signed last month requires private health care insurers in New Jersey, together with the State Health Benefits Program, to cover the cost of any orthotic or prosthetic device when a doctor deems it medically necessary. The State Health Benefits Program provides medical, dental and prescription drug coverage for New Jersey state workers and retirees. (more)

Health plan rates may rise by 14%

Friday 15 February 2008 at 12:03 pm State officials worry previously insured may enter program
By Alice Dembner
Globe Staff / February 15, 2008

To hold down state costs, officials are considering raising premiums as much as 14 percent and doubling some copayments for the subsidized insurance program that is at the heart of healthcare reform.

more stories like this
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Health changes matter more to Democrats: study
State officials said they want to ensure that the program, called Commonwealth Care, does not collapse under the weight of soaring costs or under a potential influx of residents whose employers drop coverage because the program offers a better deal for their workers. (more)

Ending Discrimination in Health Insurance

Friday 15 February 2008 at 11:59 am Our Constitution protects every citizen against discrimination, the result of long and hard-won gains by ordinary people who for decades showed extraordinary courage fighting for change. Applying these fundamental gains to our health care system is the right thing to do, because my patients and my constituents cannot hold their breath any longer.

That's why I've introduced the No Discrimination in Health Insurance Act. This essential legislation will guarantee access to affordable care for every citizen in America by bringing an end to discriminatory practices employed by insurance companies who deny life-saving coverage to millions of Americans solely because of their pre-existing medical conditions. (more)

'Split tax benefit on new health scheme'

Friday 15 February 2008 at 11:55 am MUMBAI: Customers who have recently bought Life Insurance Corporation of India's newly launched unit-linked health insurance scheme Health Plus, will be in for a shock.

Especially if they were counting on the fact that the entire premium amount will be eligible for tax benefits under section 80D.

It is reliably learnt that the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) has written to LIC on Thursday asking it to split the benefits.

As per this, only the portion of risk premium that accounts for basic health cover will be eligible for benefits under section 80D, while the balance or premium that goes towards the unit-linked scheme will have to come under section 80C. (more)

Lynch touts cheaper health insurance

Friday 15 February 2008 at 11:49 am Gov. seeks to help small businesses
By Shir Haberman
shaberman@seacoastonline.com
February 15, 2008 6:00 AM
PORTSMOUTH - Gov. John Lynch visited Pease Tradeport Thursday, plugging his plan to give small businesses some relief from the mounting costs of supplying health care benefits to their employees.

His HealthFirst initiative met a receptive audience at Infinite Imaging, a copying company located at 30 International Drive and owned by Bill Hurley.

"Health care has become a runaway expense for us," Hurley said. "I am pleased the governor has proposed this initiative." (more)

Insurance must provide a safety net

Thursday 14 February 2008 at 1:42 pm By MARY O. MCWILLIAMS
GUEST COLUMNIST

Insurance is a promise -- a promise to take care of you and your family financially in case of an unforeseen event or expense. Whether that event is an earthquake, a car accident or an illness, insurance in theory is simple: We all put money into a bucket, and those communal funds help pay for the unforeseen events of each contributor.

In the case of health care, we've all been making larger and larger withdrawals from the bucket. Medical costs are skyrocketing. Not only does the cost of medical goods and services outpace inflation most years, we are using a great deal more of them, thanks to wondrous new technologies and medications. (more)

For Health Insurance Costs

Thursday 14 February 2008 at 1:39 pm February 14, 2008; Page A15
Your editorial "Equity and Health Care" (Feb. 4) correctly notes that President Bush's health insurance proposal would both decrease the regressivity of the current subsidy and remove the bias favoring employer-provided health insurance. However, you overlook an important aspect of the proposal.

Since Mr. Bush's health insurance deduction is a flat $15,000 per year regardless of the price of a medical insurance plan, all people (not just those with "gold-plated" policies costing more than $15,000 per year) will have an incentive to bargain for less expensive insurance. People will discover that bargaining for a policy that costs, say, $1,000 less will result in $1,000 of savings that can be spent on other goods and services. (more)

Mexicans willing to pay for cross-border health insurance

Thursday 14 February 2008 at 1:38 pm JONDI GUMZ - Sentinel Staff Writer
Article Launched: 02/14/2008 02:06:43 AM PST

Research out of UC Berkeley points to cross-border health insurance as a way to expand health coverage to Mexican immigrants living in the United States, and a county health staffer plans to learn more about it.

The study, by Arturo Vargas Bustamante, a doctoral candidate at UC Berkeley, found:

. 62 percent of Mexican immigrants surveyed said they would support a cross-border insurance plan.

. 57 percent said they'd pay $75-$125 per month if services in Mexico were provided in public hospitals.

. Mexican immigrants in the U.S. sent $20 billion to their relatives back home in 2005, primarily to help cover family health care expenses.

. Those who sent money for family health care expenses strongly supported cross-border insurance. (more)

Rep. Shaffer joins health insurance coalition

Thursday 14 February 2008 at 1:36 pm Thursday, February 14, 2008 11:02 AM EST

LANSING - Cass County state Rep. Rick Shaffer announced Wednesday that Michigan will join a nationwide collaborative effort to bring health insurance and long-term financial security to the forefront of American political discussion.

"I am thrilled that Michigan is joining this very important fight," said Shaffer, R-Three Rivers.

"As a registered nurse, I have seen firsthand too many people who are going without health insurance in these tough economic days. (more)

Drive seeking health insurance for kids

Wednesday 13 February 2008 at 12:13 pm There's more than one way to say "I love you" this Valentine's Day. A coalition of Arizona hospitals and health care, faith-based and community organizations want to show their love for children by helping them sign up for health insurance.

Thursday's "Love Your Kids" community outreach event is the first statewide effort to get children enrolled in KidsCare, a state and federal health care program for children of working families.

More than 63,000 Arizona children are insured under KidsCare, but an estimated 130,000 eligible children are not enrolled.

Families are encouraged to sign up for KidsCare at more than 80 sites statewide. For information, go to www.loveyourkidsaz.org or call (602) 263-8856. (more)

Employees Need Health Insurance, Not Just Cash

Wednesday 13 February 2008 at 12:11 pm Written by Gary Taffet
Tuesday, 12 February 2008
Gary Taffet, Principal of Reliance Insurance Group, Woodbridge, NJ, discusses the state of health insurance for New Jersey employees. By Gary Taffet
When my father started his career in the 1960s, it was generally assumed he would have health benefits funded by his employer for the remainder of his life. But now, as he approaches retirement, those benefits have all but disappeared, with health care one of his largest monthly expenses.

This situation is not unique to my father. As business owners have become saddled with double-digit increases each year for the cost of health insurance, workers are seeing diminished policies, higher co-pays, and higher cost-shares with employers. Today, many small businesses simply can't afford to provide the same level of health benefits they used to - if they can afford to provide them at all. (more)

Why is competition between health insurance companies useful?

Wednesday 13 February 2008 at 12:08 pm Kevin Drum (and Matt Yglesias) asks an excellent and important question:

Tyler is arguing for keeping the insurance industry competitive. But I simply don't see what that buys us. Even if the health insurance industry were dramatically improved, this wouldn't especially make healthcare any more efficient. It would only make the insurance industry more efficient. That would be nice, but hardly earthshaking...

Let me be clear: the incentives today are screwy.Let me also tell you my ideal world.Insurance companies are judged by honest third party intermediaries.Insurance companies compete like heck to make customers satisfied.Insurance companies monitor doctors, read Robin Hanson, and require evidence-based medicine.Insurance companies which fail at these pursuits either go bankrupt or they must abide by an ex ante contract to permit the exile of their CEOs to Greenland. Every year prices would fall in real terms, quality would improve, and coverage would be expanded.Imagine the whole health care sector working like laser eye surgery or cosmetic surgery. (more)

Action or consequences: Gov. gives insurers rest of year to offer affordable health coverage

Wednesday 13 February 2008 at 11:57 am By Heather May
and Lisa Rosetta
The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated: 02/13/2008 06:24:19 AM MST

The clock is ticking for health insurance companies to offer plans more Utahns can afford.
If they don't by the end of the year, Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. is holding out the possibility of mandates.
"I'm very willing to let this year play out to see where we find ourselves in a year," he said Tuesday in an interview. "If that doesn't work, then I think we're looking very realistically at an individual mandate in getting us to where I think we need to be." (more)

Real Estate Agents Receive New Solution to Health Insurance Coverage

Tuesday 12 February 2008 at 12:15 pm Real estate agents now have new options to manage their cash flow and have their health insurance premiums paid by eCommission's Premium Coverage Plan.

Austin, TX (PRWEB) February 12, 2008 -- eCommission Financial Services, Inc. (eCommission), the nation's leading provider of commission advance services to real estate sales professionals, announced today the launch of its newest product, Premium Coverage Plan.

It is estimated that 1 out of every 3 real estate agents in the U.S. works without the benefit of health insurance coverage. Committing to monthly insurance premiums is often cited as a concern due to the unpredictable cash flows of most commissioned sales people. To solve this problem, eCommission now offers Premium Coverage Plan. The service automatically pays the monthly insurance premiums on the agent's behalf directly to their insurance provider, up to an established cap amount. (more)

Mental-health insurance parity would build stronger economy

Tuesday 12 February 2008 at 12:10 pm By Barbara Lawton
For the Wausau Daily Herald

Last fall, Wisconsin set not only a state but national record for our participation in National Depression Screening Day. With the help of employers and organizations across the state, we were able to make a free, private online screening for depression available to at least 725,000 families in Wisconsin.

Today, I extend a personal invitation to you to help us make history once again. (more)

Lt. Governor to announce health care plan

Tuesday 12 February 2008 at 12:08 pm PROVIDENCE, R.I. - People and businesses in Rhode Island would be required to purchase health insurance or face penalties under a proposal from Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts.

more stories like thisRoberts' plan is modeled after a similar law in Massachusetts that requires every citizen to have health insurance.

Her legislative package, to be announced Tuesday, would require individuals who earn at least $40,840 and families making $82,600 to purchase insurance.

If they do not, they would give up a tax exemption. Businesses with more than 10 employees that do not offer health insurance would be forced to pay an annual $1,000 assessment per worker. (more)

Health Insurer's Letter Seeks to Get Coverage Canceled

Tuesday 12 February 2008 at 12:05 pm California Doctors' Group 'Outraged' at Information Request

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Citing an effort to hold down costs, health insurance giant Blue Cross wants doctors in California to report conditions it could use to cancel new patients' medical coverage, it was reported Tuesday.

The state's largest for-profit health insurer is sending physicians copies of health insurance applications filled out by new patients, along with a letter advising them that the company has a right to drop members who fail to disclose "material medical history," the Los Angeles Times reported on its Web site. (more)

Health panel looks to Legislature

Monday 11 February 2008 at 1:27 pm By ALLISON RUPP
Star-Tribune staff writer
Monday, February 11, 2008 2:05 AM MST

Health care bills account for about 15 percent of the bills being introduced in the 2008 legislative session.

About 22 bills deal with health care, said Susie Scott-Mullen, executive director of the Wyoming Healthcare Commission.

Some set up physician and dentist recruitment grants and ban smoking in enclosed public places. Others include the mental health and substance abuse appropriations bill and a measure allowing police to pull people over for not wearing seat belts. (more)

Free-market health insurance is not the enemy

Monday 11 February 2008 at 1:25 pm By Richard E. Ralston
web posted February 11, 2008

Much of the current debate about health care is between those who want the government to wipe all insurance companies out of existence and those who instead want the government to force everyone to buy regulated private insurance. Both sides ignore the fundamental context for any discussion of health care in America: individual rights and personal choice.

Individuals have the right to incorporate and invest in businesses that provide an important service, like health insurance. Individuals and businesses have the right to make provisions for their medical expenses by seeking the insurance firms that best meet their needs--or not. That is the essential point to remember: governments should never be allowed to destroy such rights--as irrelevant details in the face of the application of naked government power. (more)

Even affluent go uninsured

Monday 11 February 2008 at 1:23 pm February 11, 2008

BY PATRICIA ANSTETT

FREE PRESS MEDICAL WRITER

Most Americans don't buy health insurance if they don't get it at work, regardless of how much they earn, a new study released last week concluded.

The report from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation found that most people go without health insurance rather than pay for it. (more)

Don't give Blues too big an advantage

Monday 11 February 2008 at 1:19 pm February 11, 2008

BY PATRICK L. ANDERSON and CAROLINE M. SALLEE


The Michigan Senate is considering a package of bills that would further reduce the statutory burdens that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan shoulders, while leaving intact its blanket exemption from state and local taxes.

Therefore, it is an appropriate time to compare the benefits and burdens that Blue Cross enjoys under the statutes it wishes to see changed. (more)

House weighs insurer merger bill

Friday 08 February 2008 at 12:12 pm Health insurers that consolidate in Colorado would undergo a more rigorous review process under a bill the state Legislature is considering.

But a representative of health plans told the House Business Affairs and Labor Committee that insurance companies in Colorado already face plenty of scrutiny from federal and local regulators.

And at least one legislator worries that more regulation might drive some insurers out of Colorado.

The committee heard testimony Thursday on House Bill 1131, sponsored by Rep. Anne McGihon, D-Denver, and Sen. Bob Hagedorn, D-Aurora. (more)

Mandate Update

Friday 08 February 2008 at 12:11 pm By VICTORIA C. BUNCE and J.P. WIESKE
February 8, 2008; Page A17

To hear some of the presidential candidates, you'd think that health-insurance companies are the driving force behind the growing cost of health insurance. The more likely culprits are our politicians and the laws they pass.

Since the early 1990s, the Council for Affordable Health Insurance (CAHI) has tracked state health-insurance mandate legislation in all 50 states, and our actuarial team estimates the impact of those mandated benefits on the cost of a policy. (more)

Oncologist backs universal health insurance

Friday 08 February 2008 at 12:06 pm Outspoken health services critic Prof John Crown has stated, at a recent Labour Party forum on health, that he is in favour of bringing in universal healthcare because it would "reconnect payment with activity."
The medical oncologist said that the system would reward hospitals that treat more patients and said the current HSE practice of allocating budgets is contributing to waiting lists as it does not reflect patient demand and need.

Prof Crown admitted introducing universal health insurance would have cost implications, but that the cost was worth it. (more)

When You Can't Get Health Insurance

Friday 08 February 2008 at 12:02 pm My father-in-law is a self-employed plumber in Billings, Mont. He's in his mid-fifties and had a severe coronary-artery blockage that caused heart-attack symptoms. In 2005, he had a stent put in to open the blockage. He has sought a high-deductible health-insurance policy for years but has been turned down repeatedly. What options does he have?

The availability of health insurance for people with medical conditions varies by state, so your father-in-law should consult with an insurance agent familiar with his local market (find an agent through the National Association of Health Underwriters). (more)

Minnesota Gov. Pawlenty's Health Task Force Releases Report Calling for State Insurance Mandate

Thursday 07 February 2008 at 11:32 am Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report

State Watch | Minnesota Gov. Pawlenty's Health Task Force Releases Report Calling for State Insurance Mandate
[Feb 07, 2008]

A Minnesota task force on Tuesday recommended that the state require all residents to obtain health coverage and that the state use savings from reducing inefficiencies and insurers' administrative costs to extend health coverage to the uninsured, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. The task force, which was appointed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R), also recommended paying physicians based on patients' health outcomes and not visits or procedures, and challenged state residents to reduce smoking and binge drinking and to halt the state's obesity rate. (more)

Insurance company told to stop doing business in North Carolina

Thursday 07 February 2008 at 11:30 am The state Department of Insurance said Thursday that it has ordered a scam insurance company to stop doing business in North Carolina.

A release from the department says it's issued a cease and desist order against the National Trade Business Alliance of America. The company, based in New Jersey, wasn't licensed to do business in the state and sold at least 123 people fraudulent insurance policies, Department of Insurance officials say. (more)

Health insurance bill moves toward vote

Thursday 07 February 2008 at 11:28 am Kevin Robillard
Issue date: 2/7/08 Section: News

University Senate legislation requiring students to prove they have health insurance or buy into a university plan may be headed to the senate floor for approval after more than a year of debate on the issue, senate officials say.

The Student Affairs Committee's health insurance proposal, which resembles policies adopted by several other universities, would offer aid to students from low-income families to help cover the cost of insurance. (more)

Massachusetts Legislature Leaders Consider Cigarette Tax To Fund Health Insurance Law

Thursday 07 February 2008 at 11:25 am Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi (D) and state Senate President Therese Murray (D) are considering an increase to the state's cigarette tax as one of several proposals to address the greater-than-expected costs of the state's health insurance law, the Boston Globe reports. DiMasi and Murray are examining several different options to ensure that the initiative is successful in light of recent projections that subsidized coverage under the law could cost as much as $1.35 billion by June 2011, according to the Globe. A $1-per-pack cigarette tax increase could generate $152 million annually, according to estimates by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (more)

How To Choose A Health Insurance Plan

Wednesday 06 February 2008 at 10:56 am (Best Syndication) Health insurance is a type of insurance wherein the health insurance company pays the medical costs of the insured if the insured falls sick or meets with an accident. The claim of medical costs is governed by the type of health insurance plan you have purchased.

For this the individual has to give monthly premium to the insurance company. In the United States most of the health insurance is provided by the employers be it corporate or government. However the trend is changing and more and more companies are opting out of providing medical coverage to employees due to the exorbitant cost of providing health insurance. (more)

Ways To Avoid Expensive Health Insurance Mistakes

Wednesday 06 February 2008 at 10:46 am Channel 11 Investigates How To Make Most Of Health Benefits
Peggy Finnegan

POSTED: 5:59 pm EST February 4, 2008
UPDATED: 6:26 pm EST February 5, 2008

PITTSBURGH -- Richard Grace of Squirrel Hill has a Ph.D in physics, but when it comes to medical insurance he's stumped.

Grace said, "It's very complicated almost impossible -- Nuclear physics is easy. Health insurance is hard." (more)

A plan for better health, universal care

Wednesday 06 February 2008 at 10:42 am Governor's task force presents ambitious recommendations for fast-paced reform
BY JEREMY OLSON
Pioneer Press
Article Last Updated: 02/05/2008 11:13:42 PM CST


A governor's task force is challenging Minnesota to get healthy by 2011, and the report it released Tuesday doles out responsibility to everyone.

It challenges Minnesotans to halt the state's obesity rate this year and reduce smoking and binge drinking. It recommends paying doctors based on the outcomes of patients, not their numbers of procedures and office visits. It proposes saving money by cutting inefficiencies and insurers' administrative costs and then using the savings to extend health coverage to the state's 374,000 uninsured residents. (more)

Insurance for poorest kids gets push

Wednesday 06 February 2008 at 10:38 am A measure in the House is designed to get uninsured children who qualify for public programs enrolled
By Lisa Rosetta
The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated: 02/06/2008 01:24:56 AM MST


Utah doesn't do a good job getting its poorest children onto public health insurance - more than a third could be enrolled in programs like CHIP and Medicaid but aren't.
That's why the Utah Health Policy Project is pushing a bill to spur enrollment of children who have been identified by public schools as uninsured. (more)

Lawmakers to Get Update on Health Insurance Program

Wednesday 06 February 2008 at 10:36 am InsideINdianaBusiness.com Report

The Indiana Senate and House health committees will hold an unusual joint meeting today to hear an update on the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP). Indiana Family and Social Services Agency Secretary Mitch Roob will be among those outlining the application volume for the health insurance plan and offering a revenue report. The program is funded by an increase in the cigarette tax. (more)

InsureMe Notes Trend in Overweight Individuals Shopping for Insurance

Tuesday 05 February 2008 at 11:00 am Body Mass Index Takes Its Toll on Health Care Costs and U.S. Businesses

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Health care costs are expanding in proportion with American waistlines, according to InsureMe.com, a company that helps American's find affordable insurance.

According to InsureMe's internal data for 2007 (of 50 states plus the District of Colombia), 47 states saw an overall increase in BMI. Washington, DC had the greatest increase in BMI-up over 10 percent in 2007. According to national reports, Washington DC also has the most overweight children in the country.

According to InsureMe data, the states with the highest BMIs were Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Michigan and Maryland. The only states that saw BMI decreases in 2007 were Delaware (-0.45 percent), Louisiana (-0.59 percent) and Hawaii with an impressive change of -6.53 percent. (more)

When parents fall ill, how to help

Tuesday 05 February 2008 at 10:57 am INQUIRER.net
First Posted 10:34:00 02/05/2008

Question: My dad has recently been diagnosed with cancer. He has been working for a long time in sales but my mom is a housewife. As I am my parents' only child, I found myself taking charge while they handle my father's illness. I have a good job as a call center agent but I know my salary won't be enough. I don't know if my parents have saved up well over the years and if they have enough for the cost of my dad's treatment. How can I find this out without hurting their feelings? - Andrew I. (more)

Free-Market Health Insurance Is Not the Enemy

Tuesday 05 February 2008 at 10:55 am by Richard E. Ralston (February 5, 2008)


Much of the current debate about health care is between those who want the government to wipe all insurance companies out of existence and those who instead want the government to force everyone to buy regulated private insurance. Both sides ignore the fundamental context for any discussion of health care in America: individual rights and personal choice.

Individuals have the right to incorporate and invest in businesses that provide an important service, like health insurance. Individuals and businesses have the right to make provisions for their medical expenses by seeking the insurance firms that best meet their needs--or not. That is the essential point to remember: governments should never be allowed to destroy such rights--as irrelevant details in the face of the application of naked government power. (more)

A New Offer on Insurance for Kids

Tuesday 05 February 2008 at 10:54 am Tuesday, February 5, 2008; Page A13

President Bush has made Congress a counteroffer on expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program, known as SCHIP. His budget would increase spending on the popular program, which offers subsidized health insurance to children of the working poor, by nearly $20 billion over the next five years.

That's more than the $5 billion increase Bush offered last year in a proposal that would have boosted total funding to $30 billion over five years. But it is well under the $35 billion expansion approved by Congress and vetoed twice by the president, which would have increased total funding to $60 billion. (more)

Dems differ on health insurance enforcement

Monday 04 February 2008 at 11:42 am WASHINGTON - Hillary Rodham Clinton said Sunday she might be willing to have workers' wages garnished if they refuse to buy health insurance. She has criticized Barack Obama for pushing a health plan that she says wouldn't require universal coverage. Mrs. Clinton hasn't always specified how she would enforce 100 percent enrollment. But when pressed during a TV interview, she said: "I think there are a number of mechanisms" that are possible, including "going after people's wages, automatic enrollment." She said such measures would apply only to workers who can afford health coverage but refuse to buy it. Mr. Obama has said he would require parents to buy health insurance for children and possibly fine them if they refused, but he would not insist that all adults buy insurance.

Budget Proposes $560 Billion Cut In Medicare; Insurance Subsidy Intact

Monday 04 February 2008 at 11:38 am By JOHN GODFREY
February 4, 2008 10:38 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration would cut roughly $560 billion from Medicare over the next decade but would leave intact program subsidies to insurers worth an estimated $150 billion over the same period.

The cuts would slow the program's projected annual growth rate from 7% to 5% and are needed to slow "the unsustainable growth in entitlement spending," President Bush said in a letter to Congress submitting his last budget plan. (more)

Clinton, Obama, Insurance

Monday 04 February 2008 at 11:08 am The principal policy division between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama involves health care. It's a division that can seem technical and obscure - and I've read many assertions that only the most wonkish care about the fine print of their proposals.

But as I've tried to explain in previous columns, there really is a big difference between the candidates' approaches. And new research, just released, confirms what I've been saying: the difference between the plans could well be the difference between achieving universal health coverage - a key progressive goal - and falling far short. (more)

In Health Debate, Clinton Remains Vague on Penalties

Monday 04 February 2008 at 10:52 am Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton inched closer Sunday to explaining how she would enforce her proposal that everyone have health insurance, but declined to specify - as she has throughout the campaign - how she would penalize those who refuse.

Mrs. Clinton, who did not answer Senator Barack Obama's question on the topic in a debate last Thursday, was pressed repeatedly to do so Sunday by George Stephanopoulos on the ABC program "This Week." When Mr. Stephanopoulos asked a third time whether she would garnish people's wages, Mrs. Clinton responded, "George, we will have an enforcement mechanism, whether it's that or it's some other mechanism through the tax system or automatic enrollments." (more)

Candidate health care plans

Friday 01 February 2008 at 11:43 am By Dr. Sanjay Gupta
Chief Medical Correspondent

As I have traveled around the country, it seems everyone is concerned about health care. More people than not think the system needs a major overhaul. An estimated 47 million Americans have no insurance. For others, it's an enormous financial burden. Families USA, a non-profit focused on affordable health care, predicts 18 million Americans under 65 will spend more than a quarter of their family income on health care this year -- and that's before taxes. And for some, the costs of medical care are catastrophic. It's the Number One cause of personal bankruptcy in the United States. (more)

New Child Health Insurance Program Begins

Friday 01 February 2008 at 11:41 am Starting February 1, all children in Wisconsin will have access to health care.

At a press conference Thursday, lawmakers and La Crosse County Health officials introduced BadgerCare Plus. It's a new health insurance program that will provide all children in the state with health care, regardless of income. BadgerCare Plus will also offer affordable health care to working families and pregnant women. (more)

Health care commission gives suggestions

Friday 01 February 2008 at 11:40 am By Coloradoan staff and news services


DENVER - A state commission on health care recommended Thursday that everyone in Colorado be required to have medical insurance and that the state put more money into child health care and Medicaid.

The commission also recommended subsidies for low- income workers to purchase private insurance. (more)

Small-business owners divided on mandatory insurance proposal

Friday 01 February 2008 at 11:38 am By Paul Beebe
The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated: 01/31/2008 11:44:54 PM MST

Small-business owners in Utah strongly oppose establishing a state-run health care exchange that would require all small businesses and individuals to buy medical insurance from it, according to a poll released Thursday by the National Federation of Independent Business.
The poll found 78 percent of respondents opposed the formation of a not-for-profit Utah Health Insurance Exchange, while 10 percent favored the idea and 12 percent were undecided. (more)

Force People to Buy Health Insurance? Silly

Friday 01 February 2008 at 11:35 am Editor: Ben Glass, Attorney at Law

Firm: Benjamin W. Glass, III & Assoc. PC

The National Retail Federation has suggested to Congress and the Bush Administration that lawmakers consider an "individual mandate" requiring all individuals to obtain health insurance and new voluntary coverage options for part-time workers. We have heard this from some of the Presidential candidates.

This is silly.

The government has no business mandating that citizens buy anything, let alone health insurance. Nor does the government have any business mandating that businesses, including small business owners, buy health insurance for its employees. (more)